"Oh? Must that girl have caused some trouble over there? Otherwise, why would you suddenly make this call? We have been friends for years now—you can speak frankly."
So, later on, Qin Haiming slowly started talking about Qin Mu’s situation: "Old Su, I owe my daughter too much, so you should understand my feelings."
"Don’t worry, I’ll contact Su Zhen right away and have her resign from there immediately."
"I still have some influence over things in Beijing," Qin Haiming added just before hanging up the phone.
"Great! I definitely won’t stand on ceremony if I need something."
After the two of them hung up the phone, Qin Haiming finally breathed a sigh of relief. He really feared that Su Zhen’s father wouldn’t give him this face. But just as he was about to get up, he heard a shout from inside: "It’s not good, Mayor—Brother Wang has fainted!"
"What? Quick, call an ambulance!"
During all this, Qin Haiming was running towards Uncle Wang’s room while giving orders.
The next day, Qin Mu learned of Uncle Wang’s hospitalization from Helian Hao. Qin Mu and Helian Hao bought fruit baskets and flowers and went to visit him. Uncle Wang looked worse than the last time they had seen him.
"The Mayor had some urgent matters this morning, so he left early, but he will come back tonight."
The aunt taking care of him explained to Qin Mu.
Qin Mu nodded, unable to help asking as she looked at Uncle Wang’s gaunt appearance: "The last time I saw you in the hospital, you should have told me—treat an illness early to avoid such suffering, right?"
"I’m fine! Really fine!"
Uncle Wang said with a bit of an embarrassed smile, also afraid of worrying her.
Qin Mu and Helian Hao exchanged glances, "Xiaohao is a doctor here, you know that, right? If there’s an emergency, just call someone to fetch her."
Uncle Wang nodded, "Of course, I know Miss Helian."
"Not to mention! If you said you didn’t know me, I would have to revert back to my childhood and let you watch me grow up all over again."
"You two girls—unexpected that after so many years, you could still reunite. It’s also your fate. Seeing you together makes Uncle Wang happy for you."
Uncle Wang reflected, remembering the days when the two girls used to carry their schoolbags and go to school together.
"You two are also quite busy, so don’t come over again. I’ll contact you if I need anything, and besides, everything is taken care of by your father. He treats me like his own brother, so don’t worry."
Uncle Wang later said to Qin Mu.
Qin Mu nodded and walked out of his ward with Helian Hao.
Helian Hao said, "Uncle Wang really hasn’t followed your father for nothing these years."
Qin Mu walked with her head down, murmuring her agreement.
Helian Hao, seeing her preoccupied, curiously asked, "What’s wrong? Are you troubled?"
"Qin Hai said he is going to prepare my dowry."
Qin Mu leaned against the wall and spoke to Helian Hao in a low voice.
"Isn’t that a good thing? He’s finally willing to take on a father’s responsibility,"
Helian Hao asked her.
"He also said he would help get Su Zhen away from AM but—I know he’s being good to me, but I just can’t quite accept it."
Qin Mu said, lowering her head again.
Helian Hao also lowered her head, then lifted a hand to Qin Mu’s shoulder, consoling, "Just let your relationship with your father take its own course, okay?"
After visiting Uncle Wang, Qin Mu returned to the studio. Xiaomei saw her car come back and ran out. Qin Mu gave her a curious look: "What’s up?"
Looking at the blue convertible aside, she asked again, "We have a visitor?"
"She said her name is Su Zhen and she has come to see you!"
Xiaomei looked at Qin Mu with a hint of wariness in her eyes. She was being vigilant on behalf of Qin Mu.
Upon hearing Su Zhen’s name, Qin Mu became curious too. Then, thinking of what Qin Hai had told her the night before, she nodded and walked in.
Su Zhen was sitting in the reception area, looking through their promotional brochures. Hearing footsteps, she looked up: "You’re back!"
"Yes! Ms. Su, what brings you here? Do you want to have some clothes made?"
"Not really! Just came to have a chat with you!"
Su Zhen said with a smile.
Qin Mu was slightly taken aback by this straightforward reply but nodded and gestured, "Please, have a seat."
Su Zhen then sat back down.
"I’ve only just learned that Miss Qin is actually the treasure in the palm of Secretary Qin’s hand. I had never before heard that Secretary Qin had a daughter who is a designer and is his treasure."
Su Zhen spoke, her words polite and tactful.
"I grew up in Paris, so it’s normal that you don’t know about me."
Qin Mu finished speaking but couldn’t help recalling that when she had first arrived, Qin Hai had already introduced her to his political friends. If Qin Hai really had a good relationship with Mayor Su, how could Mayor Su not know about her?