After I suggested packaging the handicrafts made by Wei Xiao’s grandfather into products and setting up a display cabinet at Zhuomei, Mi Cai wore a pensive expression and, after a while, asked me, “Do you have a more specific plan?”
I thought for a moment and replied, “My idea is to allocate a small area in the shopping mall, enough space for a display cabinet to showcase the products. Then, we can utilize media coverage for this initiative. This approach has three benefits: first, it enhances Zhuomei’s reputation since this is a public welfare project; second, it raises awareness about vulnerable groups; third, it offers tangible help to this grandfather and granddaughter. I believe in a big city like this, there must be kind-hearted people willing to buy these handmade items. We don’t have high expectations—just enough to cover their living expenses. Additionally, I suggest installing a monitor above the display cabinet. We can commission a professional production company to create several documentary episodes, which can be played on a loop on the monitor to help people better understand the living conditions of vulnerable groups. Considering Zhuomei’s influence, this shouldn’t be difficult to implement, right?”
Mi Cai nodded and said, “Yes, I’ll have someone handle this matter as soon as possible. Your idea is quite good. I was originally worried…”
“Worried your uncle would object?”
Mi Cai nodded again and said, “Yes, although it’s a small matter, it doesn’t generate profit. He’s a businessman who strongly opposes such non-profit activities. Implementing your plan will indeed enhance Zhuomei’s brand image, so he won’t be able to raise any objections.”
Mi Cai’s explanation made me dislike Mi Zhongde even more. However, there are indeed many businessmen like him in this world who are wealthy but lack compassion, and these types of people are the most terrifying. At this moment, I could better understand Mi Cai’s exhaustion.
…
Mi Cai drove me back to my residence. I unbuckled my seatbelt, but she showed no intention of getting out. Puzzled, I asked, “Weiran hasn’t returned yet. Are you planning to stay there tonight?”
“I still need to go to Shanghai. I promised Weiran I would return.”
“It’s already 8:30 PM. Do you really have to go?”
“Shanghai isn’t far. It only takes an hour.”
Although I was somewhat concerned about her driving while tired, I knew she was a woman of her word. I couldn’t stop her, nor did I have a valid reason to prevent her from rushing back to Shanghai to meet Weiran.
Finally, with a hint of disappointment, I said, “Alright then. Drive safely.”
“Okay.”
I looked at her again, secretly hoping she would change her mind. However, her expression told me she was definitely going to Shanghai. I opened the car door and prepared to get out.
Unexpectedly, Mi Cai suddenly started coughing, as if she had caught a cold…
How could she not catch a cold! Her physical condition is already weak, and she’s wearing such thin business attire on such a cold day, running around after me!
“Did you catch a cold?”
“It’s nothing.”
“No, it’s not nothing. You have a fever and can’t drive at night with your concentration impaired!” I insisted firmly, yet I wasn’t glad this was an opportunity given by heaven. I was genuinely concerned about her safety and health.
“But…”
“Don’t ‘but’ me. If Weiran can’t even understand this, I’ll go to Shanghai right now and beat him up, you little turtle!”
“Can’t you be less rude!”
Ignoring Mi Cai’s complaints, I touched her forehead and felt a faint fever. I became even more determined and said, “Get out.”
Mi Cai hesitated…
“Do you want me to carry you out?”
“You dare!”
Clearly averse to such intimate physical contact, Mi Cai refused to comply. I didn’t force her and instead gave her one last chance to get out on her own. However, she continued hesitating.
I immediately opened the car door and jumped out. To prevent Mi Cai from locking the door, I sprinted to her side, yanked open the door, didn’t give her a chance to struggle, casually pulled out the car key, unbuckled her seatbelt, and carried her out in one swift motion, completing the entire sequence smoothly and decisively.
“What are you doing!” Mi Cai exclaimed in panic, grabbing my collar.
“Going home to treat your illness,” I said, kicking the open car door shut with my foot.
I had assumed Mi Cai would ask me to put her down and walk herself, but unexpectedly, she suddenly stopped struggling and remained silent, as if waiting for me to carry her upstairs.
At that moment, I was holding Mi Cai in a very awkward and strenuous position. I tried to negotiate with her, “Can we change positions? Otherwise, I’ll carry you on my back.”
“No changing,” Mi Cai said, tightening her arms around my neck.
So, I kept my face swollen pretending to be fine, maintaining the original posture as I carried Mi Cai toward the stairwell…
“Damn… how come you’re so heavy!” I complained as I struggled to climb the stairs, exerting all my strength with each step.
Although women usually care about being called heavy, Mi Cai seemed indifferent. She remained silent, a silence rooted in absolute confidence in her perfect figure.
In fact, even if I were carrying a child in such an awkward position up five floors, it would be exhausting. I was getting increasingly worn out but didn’t want to lose my masculine image. I gritted my teeth and kept climbing, feeling my face swelling more and more!
…
Finally, I carried Mi Cai up to the fifth floor. My arms were aching as if they no longer belonged to me. She still showed no intention of getting down, so I had to remind her, “We’re here. You should get down now, right?”
Unexpectedly, she revealed her true colors and said to me, “This is for taking advantage of me. Let me see how tired you get!”
“How come you’re so sneaky?… Hurry up and get down. I really can’t hold on anymore!”
“You have to promise me you won’t take advantage of me again next time.”
“Can’t we use different words?”
“You’re not my boyfriend. Carrying me like this is taking advantage of me!”
“Wow, that’s a new one! I’m taking advantage of you, yet why are you clinging to me like this without getting down?”
“Since you’ve already taken advantage of me, I might as well teach you a lesson…”
I was about to reply when suddenly the door opened, revealing Bada standing in front of me and Mi Cai…
Almost instinctively, Mi Cai and I let go of each other. Shocked, for the first time ever, I didn’t call him Bada, “Dad…” I stammered, “You… how come you’re here?”
Bada looked at me, then at Mi Cai who had her head lowered beside me. After a while, he said, “Business trip.”
“Why didn’t you call me before coming?”
“I didn’t want to disturb your work. Besides, you left the key under the door frame.”
In extreme embarrassment, I finally managed to retain a bit of rationality and became suspicious: why did Bada assume I would still be living here when he came to Suzhou? Could it be that he really thought I had returned to Suzhou for Mi Cai?
Looking at Mi Cai beside me, under the dim light of the stairwell, her face was as red as an apple. She seemed to want to cough but was trying hard to suppress it, as if she had done something wrong!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage