Chapter 8 008 Strange Warmth of Family (2)

Ryan carried Yoyo like a shadow and sat her in a child's chair by the table: "Let's eat."

Yoyo behaved well while eating, holding chopsticks crookedly as she picked up noodles and put them into her mouth. She secretly observed those around her while eating until suddenly she spoke without warning: "You're not my sister."

Ryan almost choked on his noodles.

He calmly swallowed what was in his mouth and turned his head to look at her: "Then who am I?"

Yoyo frowned and pouted as she stared at him for a while before making an annoyed sound and continued eating without saying anything.

Halfway through breakfast, the door of Ashley's bedroom opened, revealing Ashley's mother who looked very similar to Ashley herself. She wore a floral shirt with black pants paired with soft blue cloth shoes. Her semi-long hair was tied into two twisted braids, making her appear younger than Mr. Zhong.

"Ashley," she called out, "It's time to go help your grandmother collect vegetable seeds. Come with Mom."

Ashley's grandmother had passed away many years ago.

Three years ago, Ashley's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and since then her condition has continued to deteriorate. Her moments of clarity have become shorter and shorter as time goes on. When Ashley mentioned this last night, there was no hint of sadness in her expression.

She always seemed able to accept all the hardships that fate brought her with optimism.

"You don't need to worry, we have hired a nanny at home who will be here from eight in the morning until nine at night. My dad can take over when he comes back from work."

Ryan got up and went to the kitchen where he found the noodles Ashley's father had left for Ashley. He brought them out and pulled Ashley over to sit at the dining table: "Eat first, then you can go."

Ashley looked at him with eyes like a child's before suddenly asking him: "Ashley, does it hurt?" She stood up and took out a medicine box from the cabinet, coming back holding her daughter's arm as she gently blew on Ashley's elbow that she injured last night just like comforting a child: "Mommy will put some medicine on it for you."

Ryan felt his body stiffen but allowed her to carefully clean his wound with an iodine-soaked cotton swab.

Even if memories were lost and consciousness faded away, mothers always remembered how to care for their children.

After finishing their meal, Ashley's mother forgot about going outside to help her grandmother collect vegetable seeds.

She seemed lost in thought as she sat at her desk writing or drawing in her room.

Ryan made sure all doors and windows were secure without disturbing her before gently closing the door.

As soon as he turned around, he saw Yoyo holding a toy gun and following closely behind him with a serious expression on her face.

When she saw him looking at her, she immediately aimed the gun at him: "You're not my sister! Bad guy!"

Ryan reached out his hand towards her, and Yoyo looked wary: "What are you doing, big bad guy!"

Ryan said, "Do you want to eat ice cream?"

Ten minutes later, the little girl was licking strawberry ice cream in his arms while affectionately hugging his neck: "Yoyo likes Sister the most!"

Ryan's face remained expressionless as he pushed her little head away slightly.

On the way home with Yoyo, Ashley happened to meet the nanny she hired in the elevator.

"Hey , what a coincidence. Good morning, Yoyo," Liu Cai greeted them while carrying groceries.

Previously, the Ashley's family had two nannies - one specialized in cooking and the other in taking care of elderly people and children. They had worked at the household for two or three years and were very experienced. But unfortunately, both nannies resigned due to personal reasons after celebrating Chinese New Year this year, so Ashley had to find new ones.

Liu Cai was recommended by the previous nanny. Ashley originally planned to continue hiring two people, but Liu Cai assured her that she could handle both roles alone. She was young and energetic, and during her trial period she proved to be very efficient at work; she seemed reliable. Since Ashley couldn't find another suitable person right away, she agreed and offered Liu Cai a salary three times higher than market rate.

Ryan glanced at Liu Cai's shrewd smile and then looked at the time on the elevator broadcast system before calmly speaking up: "It's already 9:30 am now. If I remember correctly, your working hours start at 8 am."

Liu Cai's face stiffened; she didn't expect Ashley who is usually easygoing would suddenly become difficult. She stammered: "This morning my son left something important for his meeting at home; I had to make a trip there to deliver it."

Ryan gave her a glance: "A lot can happen in an hour and a half. Can you bear responsibility if something happens because you took unauthorized leave causing inconvenience for my mother and sister?"

Although still beautiful as ever, when not smiling Ashley appeared intimidatingly stern; her cold eyes seemed like they pinned Liu Cai in place.The sweat started to bead on Liu Cai's forehead as she stuttered: "I'm sorry, Ashley. I-I won't be late again."

Ryan nodded, and the elevator doors opened. He carried Yoyo, who was still licking his ice cream, and walked out first while Liu Cai followed behind wiping her sweat.

Apart from occasionally dealing with a mischievous Yoyo, Ashley had nothing else to worry about. It was different for Ryan.

As soon as they arrived at the company in the morning, there was no time for even a sip of hot water before entering the meeting room. By 8 am sharp, the large conference room was filled with people - men and women of all ages. Ashley struggled to match names with faces; her brain cells were exhausted just doing that. She couldn't absorb any information from the meeting.

After finishing the meeting and returning to her office as CEO, she didn't have time to appreciate her surroundings before one person after another came in to report their work progress. The stack of documents requiring her signature kept piling up higher and higher; Ashley worried that there wouldn't be enough memory left on her constantly recording pen.

Finally, it was lunchtime.

Ashley slumped onto her office chair.

Was being a CEO really this exhausting?! But she hadn't done anything!

While slumping down, beautiful secretary Tong Ling brought in a cup of coffee: "Boss , Chen Zong from Shen feng wants to invite you for dinner tonight. He said there are new developments in artificial intelligence research that he wants to discuss with you."

Ashley picked up the coffee cup and took a sip; she almost choked on this bitter Americano which made her question life itself.She forced herself to swallow it down while maintaining a serious expression: "Tell him I'll give him an answer in ten minutes."

Tong Ling left after acknowledging Ashley's response.The latter took a photo of the documents on her desk and sent it to Ryan:

- [Image], these are the documents I need to sign today.

- Have you had lunch?

- Not yet, I'm exhausted.

- [Location], meet me here. The table is reserved; bring the documents with you.

- OK! Also, Chen Zong from Shen feng Company wants to have dinner with you. He mentioned progress in artificial intelligence research. Will you go?

- No.

- Why not? Didn't they say there were developments? Don't you want to hear about it?

- Personally, I don't think his project has any prospects.

- Alright then. How's everything going on your end?

- Everything is normal.