Xi Residence
"Mom, I heard Dad is meeting Mr. Mo today," Xi Hao said as he ate his twisted bread.
"Are you serious? Why wasn't I informed?" Qu Rui's eyes widened as she stared at her son as if she had just seen a ghost.
"I... not even Sis or I were allowed to meet him. Dad is the only one who got the opportunity. There are strict instructions to keep the meeting as confidential as possible."
"You... brainless child! Ah Yuan, why are you also so clueless? We're talking about the Mo family! You could have pretended to be your father's assistant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if we don't consider the Mo family, Mr. Mo is a national hero... he's a godly catch. Not to mention he's an alumnus of the 'Premier League,' and his appearance—every girl in the world drools over him. Ah Yuan, you should have met him. With your beauty, he would have at least glanced your way," Qu Rui said.
"You think Sister didn't try? Mr. Mo's assistant was so strict that he sent a letter with Dad and his assistant's names and photos and made them sign an agreement beforehand. We didn't even have a choice," Xi Hao explained.
"Sigh... I hope the meeting is fruitful. At least then you might have a chance in the future," Qu Rui said as she sipped her soup.
Xi Corporation
Su Mei stepped out of the cab, bending down to hand the fare to the driver.
Seeing Su Mei's slender hands and her heavenly face, the cab driver couldn't help but blush. He wished he could have driven her for a longer distance and felt regretful that the journey was so short.
Su Mei handed over the money and turned toward the entrance of Xi Corporation.
As she approached, a man bowed to her and opened the door.
"Young Miss, welcome," he greeted her. He was an old man in his late 60s; aside from Butler Zheng, he was the only person who still called her Young Miss.
"Thank you," she replied, bowing slightly with no emotion as she walked inside.
Another guard approached Gatekeeper Hu.
"Uncle Hu, why do you still call her Young Miss? Don't you know she's not who she used to be anymore?" the guard, who was in his 40s, asked.
Gatekeeper Hu smiled as he walked to his seat and sat down without saying a word. He glanced at a photo frame where he was holding a 5-year-old child, his own face much younger in his late 40s, with the child pinching his cheeks.
He stared up at the blue sky as memories flooded in...
20 Years Ago...
"Uncle Hu, I'm sorry to trouble you with Meimei... Even after telling her several times not to run off, she still runs here to you," Su Tian said apologetically.
"Chairman, there's no need to apologize... I love spending time with Young Miss," Gatekeeper Hu replied with a smile, his eyes softening as he looked at Su Mei.
"Grandpa Hu... carry me!" Su Mei exclaimed, her light brown eyes filled with anticipation.
He bent down and lifted the child into the air, her excitement bubbling over as she pinched his cheeks.
"Grandpa Hu is the best... His arms make me feel like I'm flying!" she giggled, her joy was clearly infectious.
"Meimei, how many times have I told you not to pinch Grandpa's cheeks?" A young, beautiful woman approached, her voice was gentle but firm.
"Mamma!" Little Meimei instantly jumped toward her mother, but just before she could reach her, she nearly tripped. In the nick of time, Su Tian extended his hand, catching his little troublemaker.
"Xiao Mei!" Su Chen, who had been standing beside his mother all this while, rushed forward, but he wasn't as fast as his father.
"Meimei, be careful," Su Tian said, lifting his daughter to face him.
"Papa is the best," she giggled, making it impossible for Su Tian to scold her further.
"Xiao Mei... I can also hold you," Su Chen said, extending his hands earnestly.
"Hmm... Brother is the best too," Meimei giggled again.
Seeing her smile so lively, everyone forgot how naughty she had been just moments ago.
"Ah Chen, you're just 10... You need to become stronger and taller before you can hold your sister, okay?" Xi Wan, his mother, said as she patted her son's head lovingly.
"Okay," Su Chen replied with a warm smile before he took his mother's hand.
Xi Wan turned toward Gatekeeper Hu and handed him a bento box. "Uncle Hu, your lunch," she said with a gentle smile.
"Madam, you don't have to," Gatekeeper Hu said, accepting the bento with deep gratitude.
"How could we not? Uncle Hu, don't forget, it's thanks to you that this little troublemaker is somewhat under control," Xi Wan replied, taking Meimei from Su Tian's arms.
"No, no, she's no trouble at all," Gatekeeper Hu assured, watching them walk away.
As the family of four took the lift, a guard approached Hu, holding out a small photograph. "Here you go, Hu... I took this picture for you with Young Miss," the guard said, handing it over.
"Thank you," Gatekeeper Hu said, his face lighting up as he looked at the photo of Su Mei pinching his cheeks. A warm smile spread across his face.
"Uncle Hu... tell me, what's your secret? How are you so close to the Chairman and his family?" the guard asked, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
Before Gatekeeper Hu could respond, another guard quickly intervened, pulling the curious one away while offering Hu an apologetic smile.
Gatekeeper Hu didn't say a word. Instead, he returned to his seat and began eating his lunch.
As Gatekeeper Hu ate, the guard who had pulled his colleague aside whispered, "Don't speak without knowing the story. Uncle Hu's son was in the military. About a year ago, he was sent undercover due to an attack by X country. Sadly, he didn't make it back. The government informed Uncle Hu that his son was gone and refused to let him see his son's remains one last time. Desperate, Uncle Hu went straight to the Chairman's office, knelt before him, and begged for help. The Chairman spoke with the generals, and eventually, Hu was allowed to see his son—the only family he had left. That day, Young Miss was apparently there in that room and witnessed Uncle Hu kneeling. Ever since then, she's made time to visit Uncle Hu, and Madam Xi Wan has brought or sent him lunch every day without fail."
The first guard listened intently, watching as Gatekeeper Hu ate his lunch with that same warm smile on his face.
Present...
Gatekeeper Hu sighed, his eyes lingering on the old photograph. 'Young Miss... I'll stay here as long as I can, waiting for the day I hear you call me Grandpa Hu again when I open the door for you.,' he thought, turning back to his ledger book.
Su Mei entered Xi Corporation and approached the reception desk.