I AM

Chapter 23

"I was hoping you'd ask. I'm kind of tired now and wouldn't mind relaxing with a beer or something," Zhao Yunlan smiled as he also got out of the car.

Shen Wei did a mental happy dance, and together they walked into the mansion as Jia Qiu greeted them at the door.

After many heartfelt apologies to Shen Wei, Wang Ziqiang was finally ready to talk to his parents again. True to his promise, Shen Wei immediately cancelled all appointments for the day, and Zhao Yunlan drove them to Wang Ziqiang's parents' home which was on the outskirts. It was a very humble, close-knit neighborhood, and one could see how his parents also had a hard time being around the neighbors' judging eyes. When the car pulled up in front of Wang Ziqiang's home, the neighbors all came out, then sighed as the handsome but shy Shen Wei stepped out of the car and bowed to all of them.

Wang Ziqiang's parents were outside waiting for him, and after many deep bows and cries of apologies from them for the trouble their son had caused, they went inside to talk. At first, the atmosphere between Wang Ziqiang and his parents was very strained and awkward, having exchanged angry words in the past.

"I do not wish to meddle in family affairs, but I have come to realize how precious the relationship between parent and child is. Yes, Wang Ziqiang made some poor choices and brought shame to this family. He has realized his mistakes, and while I could no longer keep him at Shen Enterprises, he will be starting over doing freelance work. I will be honest - it will be hard, and although Wang Ziqiang is talented, so are many others out there. He will need support at home, too, and I hope all of you can put aside the harsh things that were said in the past," Shen Wei paused, and added, "I didn't understand my father for most of my life. It was only after he passed that I have come to truly realize how great a person he was, not only to the company and society, but to me as well. I cannot thank him in person now. I do not want that to happen to this family."

The room was filled with the sobbing of Wang Ziqiang and his parents, and even Zhao Yunlan had to turn away and look up to keep the tears from rolling down his face.

When they got up to leave, Shen Wei told Wang Ziqiang and his parents to come outside to help them pass out some sweets to the neighbors. It would be a subtle way of telling them that this family had the support of the mighty Shen Enterprises, and they should no longer be shamed. But, in front of the neighbors, Shen Wei was his usual shy, charming self, bowing as he passed out the boxes of sweets they had in the trunk of the car, also advertising Wang Ziqiang's services as a computer consultant if anyone needed help. After several photo requests from the neighbors, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan got into the car and drove off, both giving out big sighs of relief.

"I think that went quite well, don't you think? Thanks for suggesting that we bring those sweets." Shen Wei asked.

"You did a great job," Zhao Yunlan smiled. "Your father would have been proud of you," he added in a gentle voice.

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The services of Cong Bo and Wang Ziqiang were soon put to the test.

Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan came to work after their morning workout as usual, bragging to each other about how much faster and farther one ran, how much more weight the other could press. One of the ladies at the reception desk looked sad, and just as Zhao Yunlan was about to charm her and whisper to her to smile, she covered her mouth, apparently trying to suppress her tears, and ran off.

"Looks like your charms aren't working today," Shen Wei joked as he watched her turn a corner.

"Hmph," Zhao Yunlan huffed as he also watched her with concern. "Do you know what's wrong?" he asked the other lady standing at the reception desk.