Zi Yi had investigated Zhang Hanyu before. There was no problem with his family background, other than the fact that he had toured around the world to get inspirations for his painting a few years back, similar to her cousin. Everything else about him was normal.
Zi Yi asked, "Cousin, are we leaving soon?"
Dou Xiangling thought for a moment and planned to wait for Zhang Hanyu to finish his meal before she left.
Zhang Hanyu seemed to have guessed her thoughts and took the initiative to say, "Xiangling, if you and Little Zi have something on, you can leave first. I'm a man and there's not much of a need for you to accompany me. Moreover, there are nurses here and I can call for them if I need anything… just that it's a pity that you didn't manage to find a suitable place…"
Dou Xiangling pursed her lips and said, "It's nothing to feel bad for. We can continue searching for a suitable place in the future."
"Alright. Then you two can make a move first. If you are planning to visit tomorrow, please help me grab a few things."
After he said the items he needed, he handed the key over to her.
Dou Xiangling's heartbeat unconsciously sped up as she looked at the key he passed to her.
She quickly lowered her eyes and took the keys. Following that, she left the ward together with Zi Yi.
After they came out of the ward, Zi Yi took a few glances in Dou Xiangling's direction.
Dou Xiangling felt embarrassed by her stares and laughed as she scolded. "Why are you looking at me with that kind of expression?"
Zi Yi gave her a smirk and put her hands around her arm. "Cousin, I'm pretty sure you have different feelings for Teacher Zhang right now."
Dou Xiangling pursed her lips and smiled without saying anything else.
When they arrived at the neighbourhood near the Dou Family's residence, Lu Jingye had already been waiting there for some time.
Zi Yi honked at him and motioned for him to tag along.
Thus, two cars entered the residential area one after another and arrived outside of the Dou Family's courtyard.
When they heard the sounds of the cars driving in, a few of them went out to welcome them.
As soon as the ladies saw Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling, they immediately had them surrounded.
"Yiyi, Xiangling, are you two alright?"
"How could you have met those types of people in that place?"
"Could it have been premeditated? If that's the case, won't it be dangerous when Yiyi goes out in the future?"
"Why don't we look for a bodyguard company and hire bodyguards for Yiyi?"
The group of ladies surrounded the two young women and asked all sorts of questions out of concern. Dou Jingning and Dou Jingtong who walked out had headed over to Lu Jingye.
Lu Jingye politely called out to them. "Professor Ning, Teacher."
The two of them sized him up.
Dou Jingning asked, "Little Lu, how are your injuries?"
"I've already fully recovered."
The Dou Family have been paying constant attention to the rumours during this period of time. They knew that Lu Jingye purposely remained at home to recuperate and so, they were at ease.
Just then, the ladies finally let Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling off the hook and all of them made their way over.
Lu Jingye had also greeted them.
The First Madam smiled and said, "Everyone, don't stand here. Let's go in and have a chat."
Thus, the group had all headed to the living room.
Upon arriving, the First Madam got Zi Yi and Dou Xiangling to visit their Grandfather first.
The moment Zi Yi left, the rest started to interrogate Lu Jingye.
By the time Dou Xiangling and Zi Yi arrived at Elder Dou's room, they discovered that he was not lying on the bed. Instead, he was seated on his reclining chair and reading a book, while wearing his reading glasses.
Traces of time had left a deep mark on Elder Dou's appearance. However, the scholarly spirit he radiated was even stronger and those who saw him could not help but feel admiration for him.
"Grandpa."
"Grandfather."
Elder Dou looked up from his book and smiled as he pointed at the stools next to him.
"Yiyi, Xiangling, come over and take a seat."
The two of them each lifted a stool and went over to sit next to him.
Elder Dou was the first to ask about their wellbeing. "Yiyi, how's the progress with your homework these days?"
"Grandfather, I've already completed my self-revision for all Year 1 modules."
Elder Dou revealed a smile on his face after hearing what Zi Yi said. "Good, good."
He suddenly thought of something else and asked, "Have you gotten a response for the thesis paper you mailed out some time back?"
Zi Yi shook her head.
Elder Dou thought for a moment and said, "Looking at how long has passed, you should be receiving a response within these few days. When the time comes, I'll get your Uncles to help you go over it."
"Alright."
After Elder Dou finished asking Zi Yi, he looked at Dou Xiangling and asked, "Xiangling, how's the progress with your art gallery?"
"I'm currently looking for a place." Dou Xiangling smiled and said, "Grandpa, don't you worry. I wish to check out a few more places. Having an art gallery is a long-term thing and I can't possibly randomly decide on one."
"That's true. After you've chosen a place, get the rest to head over and check the place out. Don't struggle by yourself and try to figure things out."
"Yes, Grandpa." Speaking of this, Dou Xiangling smiled and looked at Zi Yi. "Grandpa, Yiyi, and I intend to open the art gallery together. Her painting skills are better than mine and with her as one of the bosses, I'll be able to have a reason to persuade her to paint a few more paintings."
"You're so mean!"
"Hahaha…"
Elder Dou was amused by the two of them.
The three of them continued chatting about the art gallery for a while more. Elder Dou had given them a lot of valuable advice.
After they moved on from that topic, Elder Dou's expression suddenly became serious.
"Yiyi, what's the matter with that stepmother and younger sister of yours?"
Zi Yi looked at Elder Dou's expression and thought for a moment. She then told him about the situation back then. She even told him about how she got Shadow to loosen the railing.
After she finished what she had to say, she thought that Elder Dou would educate her.
However, he merely furrowed his brows and said, "Good and evil will eventually be rewarded. Her jealousy had harmed her and what you had done wasn't in the wrong."
Zi Yi's eyes curved into crescent moons.
The three of them chatted for a while more before someone came in and called out to them. "Father, I brought Little Lu here."
The three of them looked toward Lu Jingye who radiated a noble, gentle and elegant aura as he stood next to Dou Jingning.
"Hello, Elder Dou."
"Come in and take a seat."
The two of them walked in. Lu Jingye went to the side and grabbed two chairs.
Elder Dou sized up Lu Jingye and his mood was a little complicated.
He was rather satisfied with Lu Jingye's character, but he was not happy with the trouble and ill intentions directed to him due to his identity.
However, he did not say anything straight out. Instead, he asked, "Little Lu, what are your plans for the future?"
"I plan to develop my mother's Jewelry company and if Yiyi plans to open any company in the future, I will assist her."
His words caused Elder Dou and the others to look at Zi Yi.
Zi Yi said, "I am rather interested in aerospace technology. I plan to open a company related to that sector."
The three of them: "…"
Was this child starting to fool around again?
However, at the thought of what Lu Jingye said earlier, they felt that it wasn't a problem either. As long as someone was willing to spoil her, and let her fool around, they did not have much of an opinion.
Lu Jingye knew that Elder Dou was worried about him and so, he said, "I have a group of private bodyguards under my command. I will be responsible for Yiyi's safety. As to those who have ill intentions against me, all of them cannot compare to me in terms of business…"
Lu Jingye mentioned quite a bit on his future plans and every single plan had fully convinced them. In particular, when he had talked about his future with Zi Yi.
"I will give Yiyi a grand wedding and I won't let her suffer even the slightest injustice."
"What if Patriarch Lu insists on opposing your relationship?"
"I've already left the Lu Family and as for my marriage, I only need the approval of my parents."