On the way back, Zhang Qian suddenly said to her daughter, "Xiaoguai, Uncle Lu is planning to get Mom a new job so that Mom can spend more time with you from now on."
Throughout this trip, she had thought a lot. There was some truth in what Lu Liang had said; the child was growing up and would eventually start having doubts.
If this got out at school, children say the darnedest things, and it could lead to ugly talk that would be detrimental to her daughter's development.
And if Lu Liang wanted to maintain a long-term relationship with her, he certainly wouldn't want her to keep working in the nightlife and forced to put on a happy face.
"That's great." The little girl, thrilled, tugged on Lu Liang's sleeve and smiled sweetly, "Uncle Lu, thank you."
"Don't mention it, who could resist our adorable Xiaoguai?" Lu Liang affectionately tousled her hair.
Zhang Qian lived in Fudou Garden, Changning, Building 16, Unit 2-4, which Lu Liang had helped her find last year.
A small three-bedroom apartment—not spacious, but owning a place in Modu put her ahead of most people.
"Uncle Lu, this is my room, this is my favorite Little Love, and that's Dou Bao..."
The little girl excitedly pulled Lu Liang into a pink-themed bedroom, introducing various cartoon plush toys.
"I recognize this one, it's Snoopy, right?" Lu Liang smiled as he picked up a white little dog.
The little girl nodded excitedly, "Yes, yes, yes, it's Snoopy, my mom doesn't even recognize it."
"Time to take a bath and go to sleep, you have school tomorrow." Zhang Qian closed the door and poured Lu Liang a cup of tea.
She said, "Liang, I'm planning to resign. I've spent the past few months taking care of my mom and now I need to think about what I want to do next."
Lu Liang said, "Once you have some ideas, check out the market on your own. When you're ready, send me a budget."
Zhang Qian didn't want to rely entirely on Lu Liang. She wanted to contribute as well, but it wasn't the right time to bring it up as nothing was set in stone yet.
"If there's nothing else, I should get going. I have to travel for a few days; call me if you need anything."
This afternoon, Meng Changkun had called him, saying he could go to an actor audition tomorrow and asking if Lu Liang was available.
Lu Liang, of course, said he was free and had arranged the time. The audition was a minor matter; getting involved in that circle was more significant.
"Then, Liang, let me see you out." Zhang Qian stood up when suddenly the bedroom door cracked open behind her, and the little girl peered out with wide eyes, "Uncle, are you staying here tonight?"
Zhang Qian turned around, her face cold as she directly addressed her, "Zhang Yun! Go take a bath and sleep right now."
The little girl pouted, "I was just asking. Grandma's in the hospital, and there's no one to take me to school tomorrow."
"Uncle has something to do and needs to leave now. I'll take you to school tomorrow," Zhang Qian said coldly.
The little girl's spirits were low, but she forced a smile and waved, "Uncle, bye-bye."
After saying that, as if venting her feelings, she slammed the door shut with a bang.
"Zhang Yun!" Zhang Qian's face darkened; she was really angry now, "Is there no discipline anymore?"
"Cool down, cool down." Lu Liang practically had to pull Zhang Qian out of the room while holding her.
He pinched Zhang Qian's cheek and said with a smile, "I've never seen you lose your temper like this before."
"Such a young child, if not taught properly, what will her character turn into?" Zhang Qian said firmly, struggling to free herself from Lu Liang's hold.
"Behave yourself too." Lu Liang held her even tighter and sighed, "Have you never considered there might be another reason?"
"No reason excuses throwing a tantrum. Who am I working this hard for?" Zhang Qian's eyes reddened, feeling wronged.
She could put up with men taking advantage, keep smiling through humiliation, and keep drinking till she threw up just to earn more money, all to give her daughter a better life.
But now, her daughter daring to give her attitude was something Zhang Qian couldn't accept.
"Money is crucial to us as adults, but kids aren't that materialistic; they crave their parents' companionship more."
Lu Liang recounted what had happened in the pediatric clinic; the little girl could only secretly envy others, which was heartbreaking.
"Your daughter is really sensible and considerate of you, but she's still a child who can't always hold back, which is why she's acting out against you."
Liang used to work in real estate and had encountered all sorts of people. In the world of adults, everything was about profit, including his relationship with Zhang Qian.
The innocent gaze of a child suddenly added a touch of color to this gray world.
That's why he loved Xiaoguai so much.
Zhang Qian remained silent, seemingly recalling some memories, and gradually calmed down, "Liang, let go of me."
Liang released his grip and smiled, "I've thought it through. I'll have a good chat with her later. I'm leaving now."
"Liang," Zhang Qian suddenly called out, almost pleading, "If possible, please find some time to visit Xiaoguai, even if it's just to have a meal with her."
She had thought she could play both the roles of mother and father, but now she realized it was just wishful thinking.
Xiaoguai craved paternal love, yet she had always overlooked it.
"No problem," Liang paused, then joked, "Aren't you afraid that she might call me 'Dad' after a while?"
Zhang Qian wiped the corner of her eye and reverted to her savvy, mature self, smiling, "Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
Having a considerate dad for her daughter, and a wealthy husband for herself indeed would be a double blessing.
Liang was startled, realizing he might have trapped himself, and waved his hand, "Bye, I'm off."
"Bye-bye."
Zhang Qian stuck out her tongue and made a funny face, murmuring softly, "Why so scared, it's not like you have to take responsibility, at worst I'll let you freeload..."
...
The next morning, at nine-thirty.
Liang stared blankly at the computer screen, so much so that he didn't answer when Meng Changkun called.
Chinese Online opened at a limit up, the current price at 34.43 Yuan, strongly sealed at the limit, with the sealing capital reaching more than eighty million.
"How could this happen? It's limit up today; what will the market be like in the next two working days?"
Liang had bottom-fished ten million yesterday and had earned a million today, but he was not happy at all.
On one hand, his prediction was wrong,
On the other hand, it stemmed from fear.
[June 2, Chinese Online, 39.82 Yuan.]
But according to the current trend, this stock was already exuding a demonic flair and had even appeared on the Dragon and Tiger List twice.
In such a scenario, next week it would either shoot up massively or plunge, and that voice might predict wrongly.
Liang dared not think about what would happen if that voice predicted wrongly? Would nothing happen? Or would it disappear altogether?
Liang pondered for a long time until Meng Changkun called again, waking him up: "Lu, are you still not awake?"
"Mr. Kun, sorry, I've been up for a while, I was just busy. Are you downstairs? Okay, I'll come down right away."
Liang pondered for a moment, regardless of whether it would affect the market, he directly sold all his 322,200 shares, squaring off his position.
At that instant, Chinese Online broke the limit, but it was quickly sealed again, with even more capital sealing it at 1.2 billion.
By now, Liang no longer cared, he just wanted to stay cash and observe for a few days, to avoid losses in case the voice was inaccurate.
He had to prepare for the worst-case scenario, where an inaccurate prediction led to the disappearance of the voice.
Currently, his total account funds stood at 21.586 million, of which 21.586 million was available, and 10.256 million could be withdrawn.
Liang withdrew all 10.256 million to his bank account, then picked up his car keys and left.
Meanwhile,
At 129 Yellow River Road, curses were heard:
"Damn it, again, can't make money even when it's right there…"