Chapter 123: First Encounter


    Trantor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio


    Shu Pan followed through with her n. When the weekend arrived, she packed their belongings and took Joy to Lotus Town.


    Joy held her doll, asking questions along the way, clearly enjoying herself.


    “Mom, are we going to see Grandpa and Grandma? Will wee back to our current home?” Joy asked innocently.


    “Of course, we’lle back. You have school, and I have work. You can invite


    Grandpa and Grandma to our current home,” Shu Pan replied in a gentle tone.


    “Okay, if I don’t go back, my kindergarten friends will miss me,” Joy said confidently.


    Shu Pan couldn’t help butugh. This child’s self-love knew no bounds.


    “Brother Ting, what’s going on? You sounded like you were in a hurry early in the morning,” He Ming, who rarely had the chance to sleep in on weekends,ined. He had initially been ready to vent his frustration to the other side until he saw it was Gu Shaoting calling. At that moment, he managed to suppress his irritation.


    “What’s wrong? Not getting enoughidtely? You seem quite agitated,” Gu Shaoting teased him for once.


    “Get lost! You think I’m you?” He Ming hit the nail on the head, knowing that Gu Shaoting had been leading a simple and ascetic life since his divorce from


    Shu Pan.


    Indeed, on the other end of the phone call, Gu Shaoting’s face darkened upon hearing the truth. Even though He Ming couldn’t see his expression, he could guess what was going on in Gu Shaoting’s mind.


    “Hehe, Brother Ting, just kidding. You haven’t told me what’s going on yet,” He Ming quickly changed the subject, eager to steer clear of any more of Gu Shaoting’sndmines.


    “Hurry up and get ready. Apany me on a trip to Lotus Town,” Gu Shaoting’s voice returned to its usual cold tone.


    “Why go to Lotus Town? Is it for an inspection? Isn’t everything fine at the resort?” He Ming asked in confusion.


    “There’s something I need to deal with, and I also want to clear my mind. I’ve been feeling quite restlesstely,” Gu Shaoting said in a gloomy tone.


    “Aren’t you getting married to Tong Fei? Do you have pre-wedding jitters?” He Ming found it strange that Gu Shaoting didn’t seem to have any excitement about being the groom.


    Gu Shaoting didn’t respond. He simply urged He Ming to get ready quickly.


    When they arrived in Lotus Town, it was already noon. They had a meal at a local restaurant and then strolled along a riverbank.


    Joy, who had apanied Shu Pan to the market, couldn’t help but be drawn to a stall selling rabbits.


    “Mom, look, these rabbits are so cute!” Joy yed with the rabbits.


    “Alright, Joy, we’ll only look for a while, and then we have to go back. Otherwise, Grandpa and Grandma will worry,” Shu Pan said, watching her daughter’s enthusiasm and going along with it.


    “He Ming, look over there. Isn’t that Shu Pan? Why does this woman look so much like her?” He Ming suddenly pointed to someone not far away.


    As soon as Gu Shaoting heard Shu Pan’s name, he immediately looked in the direction He Ming was pointing. In the blurry distance, he saw a woman with a slender figure, holding a little girl’s hand, walking in the opposite direction.


    Gu Shaoting furrowed his brow slightly. Because they were a bit far away, he couldn’t see clearly. He quickened his pace to catch up and take a closer look, but when they reached a bend in the road, he lost sight of them.


    He felt a bit frustrated, thinking he had been too slow. However, he was also puzzled. Why was Shu Pan here? Wasn’t she working in Bin City? And who was the little girl with her? A friend’s child, perhaps?


    “How was it? Was it Shu pan?” He Ming asked as he caught up.


    “I’m not sure. I couldn’t see her face clearly,” Gu Shaoting sighed, looking somewhat helpless..