After hearing Qiao Simei's call, two young men quickly stood out in the yard, one tall and one short.

"Brother?" the shorter boy asked the taller boy with a puzzled look, "I seem to hear Simei's voice."

The tall boy frowned: "Don't talk!"

As soon as she said this, Qiao Simei, wearing a yellow dress, appeared at the door.

As soon as he saw Qiao Simei, the short boy ran over excitedly and hugged Qiao Simei: "Simei, you are back, I miss you so much!"

"Second brother!" Qiao Simei hugged her second brother with a smile, "I miss you too!"

The tallest boy walked over quickly at this time: "Simei, you, are you really back?"

"Brother!" Qiao Simei let go of her second brother and nodded to the tall boy, "I'm back, I'm really back!"

Just then, a slovenly middle-aged man walked out of the back room: "What's wrong? What's the noise outside?"

Suddenly, the middle-aged man was stunned and said to Qiao Simei: "Simei? You, you are back? How did you come back?"

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's voice, Qiao Simei stood aside with a slight restraint: "Dad, it was my sister and my brother who sent me back. By the way, my sister is back too!"

Just after saying this, I suddenly heard Cao Lili's voice: "Big brother and second brother, long time no see."

Everyone followed the sound and happened to see Cao Lili, who was also wearing an off-white sweater and dark blue bell-bottom pants, and was dressed in a very western style.

"Sanli?" The short boy who was called the second brother ran over quickly, but he didn't dare to hug him for a while, because Qiao Sanli, no, Cao Lili wore more fashionable and noble clothes, and she was also taller.

There were so many that Qiao Erqiang didn’t dare to hug them casually.

It was Cao Lili who took the initiative to hug her second brother: "Second brother, long time no see. I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, Sanli!" Qiao Erqiang nodded excitedly at this time, and couldn't help but shed tears.

"Sanli?" The middle-aged man, Qiao Zuwang, was even more surprised at this time, "You, you're back too? You're not, you're not..."

Cao Lili glanced at Qiao Zuwang coldly and said nothing. Instead, she looked at her elder brother and said with a slight smile: "Brother, long time no see, you have lost weight."

Qiao Yicheng, who was called the eldest brother by Cao Lili, took a deep breath: "Sanli, is it really you, and Simei, you, are you all back?"

Just as Cao Lili was about to speak, three more people came over from behind, but they did not enter the door. They just watched their family reunion outside the door.

Needless to say, these three people are naturally Cao Zhiqiang and Chen Jiabang.

Although they didn't go in, these three people, all dressed in expensive clothes, stood together at the door of Qiao's house. In addition, Qiao Simei and Qiao Sanli were both back, so the fool knew that something was wrong.

"Third sister." The eldest brother Qiao Yicheng looked at the three people and asked Cao Lili, "Who are they?"

"Oh, let me introduce you." Cao Lili quickly turned sideways, "This is my brother, adopted brother, Cao Zhiqiang, and the two behind are Uncle Chen and his lover Aunt Zhao. They...Uncle Chen is the editor of Beijing Hongguang Publishing House

Vice President of."

When Qiao Zuwang heard this, he straightened his collar and combed his hair immediately, and then hurried over with a smile: "Oh, you are a distinguished guest!"

Speaking of this, Qiao Zuwang had already walked up to Chen Jiabang and stretched out his hand: "President Chen, right? Your presence will make Pengpi shine!"

Chen Jiabang smiled, handed the things in his right hand to his left hand, and then shook hands with the other party: "You're welcome."

"Don't stand here." Qiao Zuwang said with a smile, "Come in, come in, come in and chat."

Upon hearing what Qiao Zuwang said, Cao Zhiqiang and Chen Jiabang looked at each other and nodded to each other.

Afterwards, Chen Jiabang, his wife and Qiao Zuwang entered the house, while Cao Zhiqiang stayed and stood in the yard with Cao Lili and the others.

This was what Cao Zhiqiang had agreed with Chen Jiabang from the beginning.

Although Cao Zhiqiang actually has the highest status, his age shows that he is a young man at a glance.

Therefore, if we get here, Cao Zhiqiang is still the main one, and it is easy for people to suspect that they are liars.

After all, the 19-year-old president of a state-owned publishing house was unheard of, not here in Nanjing anyway.

Cao Zhiqiang and Qiao Zuwang were neither familiar with each other, so saying this rashly would only cause more unnecessary trouble.

It would be better to just let Chen Jiabang make the decision.

Anyway, Chen Jiabang's identity as vice president is real. He also brought his work ID, business card, and household registration book to prove his identity.

Moreover, Chen Jiabang has been the secretary to the factory director for more than ten years, and he has a better way of dealing with people and has a sense of official authority, which Cao Zhiqiang does not possess for the time being.

Therefore, it is more appropriate for Chen Jiabang and his wife to deal with the snobbish Qiao Zuwang.

On the other hand, it would be better for Cao Zhiqiang to simply follow him as Cao Lili's step-brother.

In this way, I can talk more with Qiao Yicheng and Qiao Erqiang.

Yes, in Cao Zhiqiang's view, although Qiao Zuwang has no future and is a scumbag, Qiao Yicheng and Qiao Erqiang are actually pretty good kids.

And their cousin Qi Weimin is a talented person.

Although Cao Zhiqiang has never thought about taking them into his pocket now, he is the biological brother of Cao Lili and Qiao Simei. Now that he is here, he should still communicate more.

"Are you Qiao Yicheng?" Cao Zhiqiang walked up to Qiao Yicheng, "I often hear Lili talking about you, you are indeed a talented person."

Qiao Yicheng looked at Cao Zhiqiang with a straight face, and after three seconds he said in a deep voice: "Are you Sanli's new big brother in the capital?"

Cao Zhiqiang smiled and nodded: "Yes, I am."

Having said this, Cao Zhiqiang took the initiative to extend his right hand: "Come, let's shake hands when we meet for the first time."

Qiao Yicheng looked at Cao Zhiqiang's outstretched right hand, hesitated for a moment, then stretched out his hand and shook Cao Zhiqiang's hand.

After shaking hands, Cao Zhiqiang walked up to Qiao Erqiang again: "You should be Qiao Erqiang, right?"

Qiao Erqiang nodded blankly: "Yes, I am."

"Come, let's shake hands when we meet for the first time." Cao Zhiqiang also smiled and extended his right hand.

Qiao Erqiang, unlike Qiao Yicheng, quickly stretched out his hand and shook Cao Zhiqiang's hand.

After shaking hands with Qiao Erqiang, Cao Zhiqiang looked around and found that Cao Lili and Qiao Simei had automatically stood beside him, forming two factions with Qiao Erqiang and Qiao Yicheng opposite.

Seeing this situation, Cao Zhiqiang smiled, and then said to Qiao Yicheng: "Don't be so wary of me, I don't have any ill intentions when I come here this time, I just accompany them back and forth to see you.

Although Lili's surname is now Cao and she is considered a member of our Cao family, it does not mean that she has severed ties with you.

Let me tell you, this is a new era.

The so-called new people, new things, and new countries don't need to pay too much attention to names, family backgrounds, etc.

No matter what, you are Lili and Simei's biological eldest brother, this will never change, and I have never thought of asking them to disown you.

In this case, we don't have any fundamental conflict. Generally speaking, we can be regarded as a family, so why do you need to look at me like this?"

Hearing what Cao Zhiqiang said, Qiao Yicheng finally let out a breath, forced a smile and said: "I'm sorry, I, I, I just don't know how to get along with you for the moment. By the way, what do you call me?"

"Cao Zhiqiang." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile, "Cao Cao's Cao, the ambition is the ambition, the strong is the strong."

"Huh?" Qiao Erqiang said suddenly, "Brother Cao, you have the same name as my uncle. My uncle is also named Zhiqiang."

"That's right." Cao Zhiqiang chuckled, "That's a coincidence."

Qiao Yicheng came to Qiao Simei at this time, lowered his head seriously and said: "Simei, do you still know how to come back?"

Qiao Simei pursed her lips, then subconsciously got behind Cao Zhiqiang, with only her head exposed, and said to Qiao Yicheng: "Brother, I, I just miss my sister, I just went to see her."

"Did you peek at Sanli's letter to me?" Qiao Yicheng asked Qiao Simei with a livid face.

Qiao Simei nodded.

Qiao Yicheng looked at Qiao Simei for a while, and then sighed: "You want to see your sister, why don't you tell me, you ran away by yourself, do you know how dangerous it is? You are so young,

What if you are abducted by human traffickers?”

"Don't be afraid!" Qiao Simei said in amusement, "I took the train, and I was escorted all the way by a police officer, so I'm not afraid."

Qiao Yicheng shook his head, then looked at Cao Zhiqiang again: "You..."

Cao Zhiqiang immediately smiled: "It doesn't matter, you can just call me by my name, Cao Zhiqiang, or you can call me Brother Cao. After all, I'm much older than you."

Qiao Yicheng nodded: "Brother Cao, thank you for sending them back, especially Simei, she, she must have caused you a lot of trouble, right?"

"No." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile, "I like Simei very much. I have accepted her as my sister. She has not caused me any trouble. She is a very obedient child."

"That's right!" Qiao Simei said immediately, "Brother, don't talk nonsense, I've always been very obedient."

Qiao Yicheng glared at Qiao Simei again, and then said to Cao Zhiqiang again: "No matter what, I still want to thank you. Unfortunately, we are very poor, and we probably can't give you any gifts to make you laugh."

Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I'm not here for this."

After a short pause, Cao Zhiqiang looked around the room, and then said softly: "Qiao Yicheng, I know that you are a very independent person and you are also very concerned about your younger brothers and sisters at home. I won't hide some things from you.

Already.

In fact, when I came this time, I did bring Lili and Simei back to see you, so as not to let anything happen to them.

Secondly, I actually want to discuss with your father the issue of formally adopting Simei."

"What? Adopt Simei?" Qiao Yicheng was stunned, "You, you..."

"Don't worry, listen to what I have to say first." Cao Zhiqiang waved his hand, "It's not me. I'm not qualified to adopt Qiao Simei. Of course, if I am qualified, I will definitely adopt her.

In fact, it was the couple just now who wanted to adopt Simei.

However, you don’t have to worry about their family background and character, I can vouch for this.

As for the two people who are talking to your dad, the man's surname is Chen, he is the secretary to the factory director of a large state-owned enterprise in Beijing and the vice president of a publishing house, and the woman is his lover.

Vice President Chen already has a son, but due to policy reasons, he cannot have another son. However, they have always wanted a daughter, and Qiao Simei just happened to catch their eye.

Vice President Chen and I work in the same company, and I know his character very well, and he is openly good in our place.

Moreover, their family is also very good, they are not short of money, their social status is also high, and they are just a thin line away from senior officials.

If Qiao Simei becomes their daughter, she will definitely get a better life and treatment.

By the way, there is one more thing I forgot to mention.

It was during the time when Simei was living with me that she did not delay her studies.

We, our Vice President Chen, helped find connections so that Qiao Simei could attend the school in Beijing, which is the primary school where Lili currently attends, as a loan student.

Currently, Simei is already studying in that elementary school in Beijing, and she lives nearby. She lives in the school's teacher's family building. It is very convenient to go to and from school, and her academic performance has improved a lot.

I know you are reluctant to part with Simei, but you have to understand that if Simei continues to stay here, do you think she can get a better education and a better life?

If you don’t say anything else, let’s talk about your father. Can you guarantee that when your father is short of money, he will not sell Simei again?

I am Lili's adopted brother. We have been together for a while and we know everything about him.

If I have a problem, Lili and Simei will definitely know.

And I know the background of Vice President Chen very well, so when Vice President Chen adopts Simei, everyone knows the background and can rest assured.

At the very least, Vice President Chen has a high social status and has a wide network of contacts. He will come to Nanjing for business trips from time to time in the future.

If he comes here on a business trip, he can take Simei and Sanli to see you. Even when you grow up, he can take you to the capital to see them. That won't be a problem.

If the adoption of Simei by President Chen and his wife fails this time, and Simei has to stay, then what if your father is unhappy one day in the future, or is short of money again, and sells Simei to someone who doesn’t know her background?

At that time, can you feel at ease?"

After listening to Cao Zhiqiang's words, Qiao Yicheng bit his lip and said nothing, and clenched his fists tightly.

Seeing his appearance, Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "Yicheng, the reason why I tell you this is because you and I are both the same kind of people.

You know, my situation is actually not much better than yours.

My parents both died one after another, and I had to support the family by myself.

Fortunately, when my mother passed away, I was already an adult, and I could replace my mother's seniority and go to work in a state-owned factory. Coupled with a coincidence and a little ability, I was able to reach this point, allowing Lili to follow me, and of course four others.

Beautiful, everyone lives a good life.

As for you, I have heard that you lost your mother a long time ago. Although you still have a father, is it your father? Haha.

In short, I know that you have been encouraging us to maintain this family for a long time, so you should know the choice.

In other words, I have never treated you like a child just because you are younger than me and have not yet reached adulthood.

On the contrary, I know that you are a very responsible person and you know what is best for yourself and, of course, your younger brothers and sisters.

So I also believe that you will make the right response, right?"

Qiao Yicheng pursed his lips and looked at Cao Zhiqiang with squinted eyes: "What do you mean by telling me this?"

"What do you think it means?" Cao Zhiqiang asked with a smile.

Qiao Yicheng pursed his lips again, and then said: "Do you want me to help you, persuade my dad to agree to let that Chen, President Chen's family, adopt Simei?"

"That's right." Cao Zhiqiang nodded, "Actually, based on your father's character, as well as President Chen's status and net worth, I think your father will agree.

As long as your father agrees, it doesn't really matter whether you agree or not.

However, I still want you to understand that we are doing this for the sake of Qiao Si's happiness and for your own good.

If Qiao Simei is adopted by President Chen, not only will you get a better life, but you will also be able to reduce your burden.

At the same time, President Chen can travel at public expense due to his identity and work. Even if you are separated by the north and the south, you still have the opportunity to meet frequently, and you will not be sent away without seeing anyone.

In other words, I don’t want the adoption of Qiao Simei to make you feel grudge or make you hate us.

You know, we are not your enemies, and certainly not your benefactors, but people who can help you.

I also walked out of difficult situations, and even the difficulties I faced at that time were ten times more dangerous than your current situation!

You know, when my mother passed away a few months ago, there was no one to help me but myself.

It was me who went to the unit where my mother worked alone, knelt down and cried in front of the factory director, and then I got the job and received a subsidy from the factory.

I relied on this method to get out of the predicament, and then slowly seized the opportunity and took advantage of the situation.

So I know very well that the more difficult this person is, the more he must learn to adapt.

Never lose your due calmness and judgment for the sake of temporary face and dignity.

You are a smart person, and I believe you will make the right judgment. Am I right?
Chapter completed!