24: Mother-daughter dialogue, then to the music school

"Why?" Li Qingyan asked curiously; her mother's attitude was completely unexpected.

But she couldn't ignore it.

Her mother, Shen Xiuyan, had worked hard within the system for so many years; although her position wasn't very high, it was still mid-to-high level.

Her mother's vision, understanding, and rich experience were beyond her reach for now.

"The reason is simple, I'll show you an article!"

Shen Xiuyan opened her phone's WeChat and clicked into the Government Affairs Voice official account.

Two articles appeared in Li Qingyan's eyes, one main and one supplementary.

The cover of the supplementary article on the official account featured Gao Ze, with the title: [Solving Three Cases in One Day: A Model Donghai City Police Officer].

"The 'Government Affairs Voice' official account is a governmental propaganda account aimed at the vast civil servant community of Donghai City.

Those who can appear on this account, besides high-ranking officials of Donghai City, are advanced models from various units, or elite representatives from all walks of life!"

Gazing at her silent daughter, Li Qingyan, Shen Xiuyan said, "You should know who the cover person of the supplementary official account article is; it's exactly the husband you chose, Gao Ze!"

"This official account article was just published today.

Do you know why I didn't answer when you knocked on my door for a long time? I was reading this article!"

"When I first saw Gao Ze, I was very happy.

I recognized him and thought you had finally made some proper friends, but I didn't expect you to tell me you were married."

"My husband is indeed very impressive; I didn't expect him to be able to solve three cases in one day."

Li Qingyan clicked into the article and, after reading it carefully, was indeed surprised and stirred.

She smiled at Shen Xiuyan, "But doesn't this just prove my judgment?"

"Qing Yan, your judgment isn't bad, but do you think you can still control Gao Ze?"

"Of course!"

"Mom, you don't believe in my ability to control my husband?"

Li Qingyan lifted her elegant neck high, her fair face filled with confidence and pride, like a favored daughter of heaven who would absolutely achieve whatever she set out to do.

If Gao Ze were here, with his research in psychology, he could instantly determine that this was Li Qingyan's lively and uninhibited state, aggressive.

Her gentle and cute coquetry was Li Qingyan in a low emotional state.

"Qing Yan, it's not that I don't believe in your abilities.

Mom knows you are exceptionally capable, able to establish a large company without relying on your father or me!"

Seeing the cold light in Li Qingyan's eyes, Shen Xiuyan's heart ached as she said, "But Gao Ze is not as simple as you imagine; I'm referring to the depth of his character beyond his personal abilities!"

"How so?" Li Qingyan asked indifferently.

"Qing Yan, let me ask you first, have you told Gao Ze about your family's background, especially your father's position?"

Li Qingyan shook her head and said, "No, from beginning to end, I've told him that our family is just average in Donghai City, and I never drove the company's luxury cars when going out!"

Shen Xiuyan continued to ask, "Then let me ask you again, have you revealed my ancestral home, birthplace, or hobbies?"

"No!"

"Really not?"

Shen Xiuyan looked at the Jiangcheng specialties on the table, "Why are most of the gifts Gao Ze gave me from Jiangcheng, and why is this guy also proficient in poetry?"

"Mom, do you think I would lie to you?"

Li Qingyan didn't answer directly, her eyes narrowed, and she said assertively, "When have I, Li Qingyan, ever lied?"

"Qing Yan, don't be angry!"

Watching her daughter get agitated, her demeanor becoming increasingly cold and arrogant, Shen Xiuyan thought of Li Qingyan's childhood trauma and felt even more remorseful.

"Mom didn't mean that.

It's just that Gao Ze's gifts were too well-chosen, and he can even write poetry.

If he hadn't come to me as a son-in-law, I would definitely be very happy.

I would even be willing to help him if he had any needs, like a job transfer!"

"Didn't my husband also give me Xiangcheng specialties?"

"Maybe it's just a coincidence; his ancestral home might also be in these two places."

Li Qingyan's attitude didn't soften.

"As for poetry, it might indeed be his interest, and you just happened to chat about it, but in terms of literature, didn't he not really connect with you?"

"Alright, if that's the case, then it is indeed a coincidence!"

Shen Xiuyan nodded and said, "But Gao Ze's ability to make me happy with his gifts and shared interests is more impressive than many elites and even wealthy individuals in society."

"I've seen countless social elites and wealthy people try to curry favor with me.

Their gifts were worth a fortune, but I couldn't even be bothered to look at them.

Because they clearly knew my identity, yet they couldn't even manage basic investigation or careful consideration, failing to send me local specialties from my hometown.

And their conversations were either boasts of their own strength or empty talk without restraint.

But what about your husband?

When I wantonly exposed his difficult living conditions, not giving him any face, he neither stormed off in humiliation, tearing off the pretense, nor did he boast, not even mentioning his achievements in solving cases to prove his strength.

A person like Gao Ze has very deep thoughts, like a deep, still current!"

Li Qingyan fell silent.

From a young age, she had seen countless high-ranking officials and dignitaries come to give gifts, but indeed no one had managed to make her mother as happy as Gao Ze did.

Moreover, her mother's analysis was correct; looking through the surface to the essence, Gao Ze was exceptionally outstanding in both ability and character.

"Qing Yan, if Gao Ze were your friend, or my junior, I would be very happy.

He has immense potential, and his character and temperament are profound.

Such a person is naturally suited for officialdom; even without our help, others will assist him in his career!"

"However—"

Shen Xiuyan's tone shifted, "You yourself are very capable, but you have significant emotional and personality flaws.

If you are with him, you two will clash sooner or later."

"Mom, I don't want to see you hurt!"

"Clash, me hurt?"

Li Qingyan smiled with an ethereal calm, "Why wouldn't it be my husband who gets emotionally hurt for me?"

"I won't get hurt.

From childhood to adulthood, I've never been hurt by anyone, and facing my husband is no exception.

Even if he is capable, that just makes it more interesting.

I will absolutely not lose."

"I will only make him fall for me, cry for me, laugh for me.

The man I choose, I can control and conquer!"

Shen Xiuyan wanted to dissuade her further, but seeing the brilliant light in Li Qingyan's eyes, she swallowed her words:

"In that case, do not expose your extreme personality to Gao Ze.

Do not tell him about your family background or your company."

"A man as deeply hidden as he is also likes to be in control.

If he discovers you exceed his expectations, a rift will form between you!"

"If you encounter problems, or if his career encounters problems, bring them to me, and I will help you solve them."

Shen Xiuyan sighed in her heart.

She believed in her daughter Li Qingyan's ability to certainly hide things from Gao Ze, but Gao Ze was no ordinary person; he would eventually notice.

All she could do was try her best to compensate Gao Ze for her daughter, so that by the time both their secrets were exposed, Gao Ze would have already received favors from the Li family and would be unable to cut ties.

Li Qingyan didn't speak.

She calmly stood up and left.

Reaching the entrance, she suddenly stopped, her voice clear and cold like the collision of ice shards, carrying a biting chill.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to have that attitude, but I couldn't control myself."

"I understand!" In that instant, Shen Xiuyan's eyes reddened, and she felt even more remorseful.

...

While Li Qingyan and Shen Xiuyan, the mother and daughter, were talking, Gao Ze arrived at the East Sea Conservatory of Music again.

This time, he wasn't there for his sister.

Instead, he was there to solve the dismemberment case at the Music Academy, and he had an appointment with Li Qingshu, who was recruiting investment consultants.

Although she had no investment experience, with his vision and knowledge from over thirty years in his previous life, as well as his intelligence system, Gao Ze still wanted to try and see if he could make money.

Ten-odd minutes later.

A girl wearing a white lace long dress, a pure white round-top hat, carrying a pink LV bag, and with long brown wavy hair walked out from the Music Academy's gate.