After I proposed packaging the handicrafts made by Wei Xiao's grandfather as products to be displayed at Zhuomei, Mi Cai looked thoughtful. After a while, she asked me, "Do you have a more specific idea?"

 

I thought for a moment and said, "My idea is to set aside a small space in the mall, just enough for a display case to showcase the products. Then, we can use the power of the media to report on this. There are three benefits to this approach. First, it can enhance the reputation of Zhuomei, as this is a public welfare initiative. Second, it can draw people's attention to the disadvantaged groups. Third, it can provide substantial help to the grandfather and grandson. I believe that in such a big city, there will always be kind-hearted people willing to spend some money to buy these handicrafts. The goal is not high, as long as it can cover their living expenses… In addition, I suggest installing a monitor above the display case. We can hire a professional production company to make a few special episodes, which can be played on a loop on the monitor, allowing people to have a more direct understanding of the living conditions of the disadvantaged groups… I believe that with Zhuomei's influence, this operation should not be difficult, right?"

 

Mi Cai nodded and said, "Hmm, I will arrange for someone to handle this as soon as possible. Your idea is good. I was worried…"

 

"Worried that your uncle would object?"

 

Mi Cai nodded and said, "Yes, although it's a small matter, it's ultimately not profitable. He's a businessman and is very resistant to such things. But if we operate according to your plan, it will indeed enhance Zhuomei's brand image, and he won't be able to raise any objections."

 

Mi Cai's explanation made me dislike Mi Zhongde even more. But the world is not short of such unkind businessmen. However, these people are the most terrifying. At this moment, I can better understand Mi Cai's exhaustion.

 

***

 

Mi Cai drove me back to my place. I unbuckled my seatbelt, but she didn't seem to have any intention of getting out of the car. I asked in confusion, "Wei Ran hasn't come back, are you planning to stay there tonight?"

 

"I have to go to Shanghai. I promised Wei Ran I would go back."

 

"It's already half past eight, isn't it a bit too much?"

 

"Shanghai is not far, it's just an hour's drive."

 

Although I was a bit worried about her driving while tired, I knew she was a person who kept her word. I couldn't stop her, and I didn't have a valid reason to prevent her from rushing back to Shanghai to meet Wei Ran.

 

Finally, with a bit of disappointment, I said to her, "Alright then, drive safely on the road."

 

"Mm."

 

I looked at her again, still hoping that she would change her mind. But her expression told me that she was determined to go back to Shanghai. So I opened the car door, ready to get out.

 

Unexpectedly, Mi Cai started coughing at this moment, as if she had caught a cold…

 

Can't you avoid catching a cold? You already have a weak constitution, and you're running around in such cold weather wearing such thin business attire!

 

"Did you catch a cold?"

 

"It's nothing."

 

"It is something. Can you drive at night with a cold and your attention scattered?" I said firmly, but I didn't feel lucky that this was an opportunity given to me by heaven. I was more worried about her safety and her health.

 

"But…"

 

"No buts. If Wei Ran can't understand this, I'll go to Shanghai right now and give him a good beating!"

 

"Can you not be so crude!"

 

I ignored Mi Cai's complaint, touched her forehead, and felt a faint heat. So I said more firmly, "Get out of the car."

 

Mi Cai was still hesitating…

 

"Do you want me to carry you out?"

 

"You dare."

 

Mi Cai obviously disliked this kind of intimate physical contact. I didn't want to force her, so I gave her a final chance to get out of the car herself. But she was still hesitating.

 

I immediately opened the car door and jumped out. To prevent Mi Cai from locking the car door, I sprinted to her side, opened the car door, didn't give her a chance to struggle, and pulled out the car key. I then unbuckled her seatbelt and carried her out of the car in one swift motion, without any hesitation.

 

"What are you doing!" Mi Cai clung to my collar in panic.

 

"Going home to treat your cold." I kicked the open car door shut with one foot.

 

I originally thought that Mi Cai would ask me to put her down and walk by herself, but unexpectedly, she suddenly stopped struggling and didn't make a sound, as if she was waiting for me to carry her upstairs.

 

At this moment, I was holding Mi Cai in a very awkward position and it was extremely difficult. So I negotiated with her, "Let's change the way I'm holding you, or I can carry you on my back."

 

"No change." Mi Cai said, hugging my neck tightly.

 

So I had to puff up my face and keep the original position, carrying Mi Cai towards the stairwell…

 

"Damn… why are you so heavy!" I complained as I staggered upwards, each step feeling like a huge effort.

 

Although women are very sensitive about being called heavy, Mi Cai didn't care. She remained silent, and this silence came from absolute confidence. Her figure was perfect.

 

Actually, even if I were carrying a child in this awkward position and climbing up to the 5th floor, it would be exhausting. So I was getting more and more frustrated, but I didn't want to lose my manly image. I gritted my teeth and continued to climb, but I felt my face getting more and more swollen!

 

***

 

I finally carried Mi Cai to the 5th floor, my hands feeling as if they weren't my own. She still didn't seem to have any 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, "Let you take advantage of me again, serve you right!"

 

"Why are you so wicked?… Hurry up and get down, I really can't hold on any longer!"

 

"You have to promise me that you won't take advantage of me next time."

 

"Can you not use the word 'take advantage'?"

 

"You're not my boyfriend, so holding me like this is taking advantage of me!"

 

"Wow, that's new! If I'm taking advantage of you, why are you still clinging to me and not getting down?"

 

"Since I've already been taken advantage of by you, I might as well teach you a lesson…"

 

I was about to reply, but the door suddenly opened, and I saw Mr. Ban standing in front of Mi Cai and me…Mi Cai and I instinctively let go of each other at the same time, utterly shocked. For the first time, I didn't call him Mr. Ban, but stammered, "Dad… Why… Why are you here?"

 

Mr. Ban glanced at me, then at Mi Cai, who was hanging her head beside him. After a moment, he said, "Business trip."

 

"Why didn't you call me when you arrived?"

 

"I didn't want to disturb your work. Luckily, you left the key under the door frame."

 

In my extreme embarrassment, I managed to retain a bit of rationality, and a question arose: Why was Mr. Ban so sure that I would still be living here when he came to Suzhou? Could it be that he really thought I came back to Suzhou for Mi Cai?

 

Looking at Mi Cai beside me, under the dim corridor light, her face was as red as an apple. She wanted to cough but was desperately holding it back, as if she had done something guilty!