The little fellow’s ears reddened. He rubbed his little head against Lin Nuan’s chest and closed his eyes in satisfaction, drifting off to sleep in peace. He silently resolved to protect Mama and the little baby in Mama’s tummy.

  The next day, Fu Huai’an’s meeting in Jincheng went smoothly. It was a project the army was looking forward to in the first place, and since it was progressing even faster than they had originally anticipated, the army was more than happy.

  After the meeting ended, Fu Huai’an told Mr. Ran Chaoqian to prepare to meet his family.

  Ran Chaoqian had forgotten all about his family these few days. He felt relieved after the meeting, but when Fu Huai’an mentioned seeing his family, he immediately tensed up again.

  All along, Ran Chaoqian had been focused on his research. He didn’t even have the time to tend to his grooming like his hair and beard, and as a result, he looked pretty terrible.

  Fu Huai’an could understand what Ran Chaoqian was nervous about. He got Little Lu to take Ran Chaoqian to groom up and change into a different set of clothes, then personally sent Ran Chaoqian to the residence where his wife and daughter stayed in Jincheng.

  Fu Huai’an had a wife and a child of his own. When he saw the scene of Ran Chaoqian hugging his family and crying, he couldn’t help thinking of Lin Nuan and Tuan Tuan.

  Ran Chaoqian placated his wife and daughter, then turned around to see the tall and broad Fu Huai’an standing beside the car in a woolen coat. The warm-toned street lighting added a gentle golden glow to Fu Huai’an’s dignified aura.

  This was Splendid Tang, the safest villa district in Jincheng. The property management team had hung red lanterns in the area, lighting up the entire neighborhood with a red glow, giving off a strong Chinese New Year vibe.

  There were little children who weren’t asleep yet. They were holding cherry bombs and standing on the stairs inside the gates, lighting up the cherry bombs under the assistance of their parents. Although one couldn’t smell gunpowder in the air, one could sense the strong festive aura.

  Ran Chaoqian asked his wife and daughter to return to their rooms, then walked down the stairs and over to Fu Huai’an, bowing deeply before him.

  “Mr. Ran…” Fu Huai’an reached out to support Ran Chaoqian. “No need to be so formal.”


  When their eyes met, Ran Chaoqian gazed at the mature and steady man before him and thanked him genuinely, saying, “Thank you, Mr. Fu. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to realize my dream of coming back home. If it weren’t for you… I wouldn’t be able to render service to my country with my patriotism!”


  Fu Huai’an patted Ran Chaoqian’s arm and merely said, “Go back, this will be your home in the future. The troops have sent men to protect your family. I won’t retract the men I sent to protect you earlier either, so you can rest assured!”


  “Mm, I’m assured!” Ran Chaoqian nodded.

  “Little Lu…” Fu Huai’an called out to Little Lu.

  Little Lu immediately jogged to the trunk of the car and opened it. He then took out the presents prepared for Ran Chaoqian’s family. He handed them to Ran Chaoqian respectfully.

  “Chinese New Year is just around the corner. These are presents from me to your family. Happy Chinese New Year!” Fu Huai’an said.

  “Pa—”


  The cherry bombs were heard exploding again, combined with the merry sound of laughter from children.

  Ran Chaoqian didn’t decline either. He accepted the presents and nodded at Fu Huai’an with a smile. “Chairman Fu, Happy Chinese New Year to you too!”


  After getting into the car and driving out of Splendid Tang, Little Lu asked Fu Huai’an, “Sir, are we heading back to the hotel or going for some supper first?”


  Fu Huai’an gazed at the lit red lanterns by the roadside and saw a public service advertisement through the car window. On it was Lin Nuan’s photo. He turned back and said to Little Lu with a smile, “Go back to the hotel to get our luggage. We’re going back to Haicheng!”


  Fu Huai’an missed Lin Nuan and Tuan Tuan, especially on a day that gave off such a festive vibe.

  Little Lu had worked for Fu Huai’an for a long time. He knew that Fu Huai’an must be missing Lin Nuan and Tuan Tuan dearly. After all, he had to be dead tired after a day of meetings, and it was nearly midnight, yet he wanted to rush back to Jincheng at this hour. Hence, he smiled and asked, “Are you missing Madam, Sir?”


  “Mm,” Fu Huai’an responded.

  Little Lu smiled and responded, then drove back to the hotel. On the way there, he called his colleagues from the secretary’s office that had accompanied Fu Huai’an there. He asked them to pack up Fu Huai’an’s luggage and bring it downstairs so they would be able to get to the airport without much delay.

  By the time Fu Huai’an got home, Lin Nuan and Tuan Tuan had already fallen asleep.

  Fu Huai’an placed the luggage in the living room and pushed open the bedroom door… Through the dim lighting in the corridor, he saw the mother-and-son duo hugging each other, sound asleep, and his heart turned warm and soft.

  He stood at the door for a long time and finally decided not to disrupt their rest, so he closed the door and went to the guest room to rest.

  Even though Fu Huai’an knew what it’d be like after he rushed back, he very willingly rushed back anyway.

  Perhaps it was because the Chinese New Year vibes were getting stronger, but all the more, he couldn’t wait to be with his family.

  Or perhaps Fu Huai’an was worried about Lin Nuan’s pregnancy…


  No matter what, to be able to be with Lin Nuan and Tuan Tuan right this moment, Fu Huai’an’s heart felt very much at ease.

  The servants of the Fu residence hung up the red lanterns as well, and it was beginning to feel like Chinese New Year around there too.

  Because it was too late when they got back to Haicheng, Little Lu stayed overnight at the Fu residence.

  Fu Huai’an showered in the guest room while the servants made the bed for him…


  Fu Huai’an, who usually slept very little, felt sleepy, which was pretty rare for him. He was prepared to sleep when Chu Xun called.

  On the other end of the line, Chu Xun was crying and pleading with Fu Huai’an to rescue her father, to rescue the Chu Group.

  “Huai’an, it’s Chu Xun. I know it wasn’t right of my father to have snatched the Kaide Corporation’s business behind your back, but he already knows his mistakes, he really does! I beg of you to rescue my family once, will you! I beg you… You know I rarely beg you! Especially when it comes to my family’s matters. Please… this is the first time!”


  Chu Xun was crying so hard she was out of breath.

  All along, Chu Xun had been a prideful one who never begged anyone, giving others the impression of a strong and capable career woman.

  This time… Chu Xun really had no other choice than to plead with Fu Huai’an.

  Overseas, when Chu Xun saw the Chu family’s news on the internet, she broke down. She was now considered a dead person. Even the new identity she had now was all thanks to the Chu family. If she were to lose her father’s protection, lose the Chu family’s backing, Chu Xun didn’t dare imagine what her life would be like in the days to come.

  Fu Huai’an didn’t show much emotion when he heard Chu Xun cry. Before he could speak, though, he heard Chu Xun say frantically, “My dad has been asked to help in an investigation by the tax department. I know you have the connections and the means! Back then, when Lin Nuan’s father in the Lin family was arrested, it was you who helped get him out of the situation, I know it! Can you help save my father too? I know it’s overboard for me to request this of you, but please, Huai’an, on account of the fact that we used to be friends, please!”


  “I don’t know who told you that I was the one who rescued Lin Nuan’s father back then. I’m only a businessman and don’t have that great a capability to influence the actions of the government. Miss Chu, you think too highly of me,” Fu Huai’an said in his deep voice.