I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 243 But I’ll Only Help You Once

Chapter 243: Chapter 243 But I’ll Only Help You Once

Director Xie thought it was amusing and, on impulse, brought the three children to the conference room—the meeting was about to end anyway. He had just stepped out to take care of something, but there were no major issues at today’s meeting. They had already cleared out a batch of "pests" at the base in the past few days, eliminating many security risks, although they hadn’t found the mastermind yet, but a lot of the mastermind’s pawns had been chopped off.

It would be difficult to completely eradicate them; after all, traitors were never in short supply, whether in the past, present, or future.

Although the situation remained severe, everyone had relaxed quite a bit over these two days.

He pushed open the conference room door with a smile, looking at the dozen or so mid-level and higher cadre who, still smiling, looked at them in surprise, and said, "Old Wei, these three kids are here to report some information to you."

He Xiuyu froze.

He glanced at He Xuerong—there was nothing unusual about the child that morning. He had said goodbye as usual when he dropped her off at the kindergarten.

Also, how did the three of them get out of kindergarten?

Did the teacher know?

He Xiuyu ground his teeth, and before he could speak, He Xuerong’s tears started falling plop, plop. When she cried, Li Mingguang and Wang Ji also began tearing up.

"Grandpa Wei, we are so scared. Did we do something wrong?"

Li Mingguang said this.

Everyone was confused, but since these were just three kids, they didn’t take it too much to heart, until He Xuerong choked up and said, "Xiao Hu, tell them what you know."

Commanded, Li Mingguang stepped forward and said crisply, "Grandpa Wei, Uncle He, there’s an Aunt named Chu Ying at the base. Recently she kept asking me about Uncle He’s family situation, but she hasn’t come to see me lately, nor has she given me any candy or pastries..."

The room went silent at once; since the inspection work had just finished, even though there were some achievements, everyone’s nerves were still tense. Hearing this kind of statement was most sensitive.

Director Lin squinted his eyes, "Xiao Hu, what exactly happened? Take your time and explain."

...

Qiao Qingyu found Huang Ling and took her to the lab to meet Professor Feng.

Professor Feng did not show the excitement of meeting a dear friend’s daughter, his demeanor remained indifferent. Qiao Qingyu sensed something was wrong and softly said, "Professor Feng, then I’ll leave first. You two can chat slowly..."

Professor Feng looked at Qiao Qingyu, then his tone became gentler, "Don’t forget the homework I assigned."

Qiao Qingyu, "..."

So much homework day by day.

She glanced at Huang Ling, who was hanging her head. Qiao Qingyu thought this was the real reason why Huang Ling had given her the notebook materials.

Huang Ling had known earlier that her father’s friend was also at the base, but she dared not meet him, probably having done something to make Professor Feng detest her.

Everyone at the base knew she was Professor Feng’s student, so out of desperation, Huang Ling had approached her.

It seemed she didn’t need to think too hard; Mr. Zhao and Huang Ling’s marriage could probably be annulled.

But was all this trouble necessary just to get a divorce, or was there some secret here she was not supposed to know?

Qiao Qingyu left Professor Feng’s laboratory.

Professor Feng adjusted his glasses, his voice calm and devoid of emotion, "Huang Ling, I will never forgive your betrayal of your father!"

Huang Ling’s face turned pale in an instant, her hands clenched as she remained silent.

"But your father only has you as a daughter. I can’t just ignore you, but I’ll only help you this once."

Huang Ling knelt down, tears streaming down her face, "Uncle Feng, I was wrong..."

"What happened?" Professor Feng asked in a calm tone.

...

Qiao Qingyu stood on the right side of the road; if she was not mistaken, that was He Xiuyu coming from a distance with Rongrong and Xiao Hu.

Shouldn’t these two kids be in kindergarten right now?

Even though they are in the higher class, they still have classes.

He Xiuyu did not expect it to be Qiao Qingyu. From the direction she was coming, he knew she was going to see Professor Feng. His expression darkened, and he said in a low voice, "We’ll talk when we get home."

Qiao Qingyu glanced at the two dejected kids. They must have gotten into trouble.

After getting home and taking off their outer cotton clothes, He Xuerong deliberately blew on her hands for warmth and constantly stomped her feet. He Xiuyu, speechlessly watching her, noticed the thick mittens that Qiao Qingyu had made for her. The mittens were knitted on the outside with a layer of cotton jacket inside, and on her feet, she still wore suede boots.

His voice was brusque, "Get out all your sweets."

He Xuerong suddenly looked up, unable to believe what her uncle just said.

Covering her heart with her hand, feeling so heartbroken, "Uncle, you’re so cruel and heartless. You’re going to lose your niece."

But knowing that her uncle was angry, she quickly took off her shoes and climbed up on the kang (a traditional Chinese bed).

Li Mingguang was sweating profusely.

Then Qiao Qingyu saw He Xuerong, like a little hamster, pulling out chunks of candy from the corner of the cabinet and even from behind the drawer mirrors.

Was this He Xuerong?

What did she overlook?

During this time, He Xiuyu briefly explained the situation to Qiao Qingyu.

Qiao Qingyu stared at Li Mingguang, then looked at He Xuerong searching for sweets everywhere with her little body bent. This child was almost cunning, not only sneaking sweets but also setting traps for adults.

"What was Chu Ying’s reaction?"

"She was so upset by these kids that she cried."

Li Mingguang suddenly mustered the courage, "She wasn’t crying out of anger. She was crying out of shame, ashamed that she had considered becoming Rongrong’s stepmother."

He Xuerong, rummaging for candy in the corner, suddenly stood up when she heard this, tears filling her eyes, her voice full of grievance, "I don’t want a real dad or a real mom and not stepdads or stepmoms either. I just want my little uncle and little aunt."

Hearing this, Qiao Qingyu’s heart cramped with discomfort, but He Xiuyu remained unmoved, his voice cold, "Continue searching."

He Xuerong immediately stopped crying, continuing to rummage through the corners for hidden candy.

Qiao Qingyu, "..."

No wonder she could be an actress in the future. Look at those tears, so easily controlled.

The last bit of sympathy that Qiao Qingyu had vanished, she earnestly asked Li Mingguang, "Xiao Hu, no matter what, you deceived Aunt Chu. Have you and Rongrong apologized to her?"

"We apologized," Xiao Hu whispered softly.

He Xuerong remained silent. Qiao Qingyu looked at Rongrong in surprise, "Comrade Rongrong, I think there’s still a problem with your thinking. Chu Ying wanting to be your stepmother and you and Li Mingguang deceiving people for treats aren’t the same thing."

She paused for a moment to compliment, "He Xuerong, to hide so many sweets right under my eyes, you are really something..."

He Xuerong, "..."

That wasn’t a compliment; it was adding fuel to the fire.

This was the first time she saw both her little uncle and little aunt being stern with her.

As expected, He Xiuyu frowned, "Are there any more in this room?"

"There’s no more, little uncle," He Xuerong honestly replied.

"What about the other rooms?" He Xuerong didn’t respond.

"Continue searching," He Xiuyu was unsparing, "No sweets for a year."