A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 286 Warmth Amidst Change

"Hey, Zhang Chen, come to my office right now!" Li Shiqing's voice sounded unusually serious on the phone, just like her usual "Iron Lady of the Marketing Department" persona at the company.

Zhang Chen's heart skipped a beat. He frantically tried to figure out if he'd gotten himself into any trouble lately, then quickened his pace towards his wife's office. Pushing open the door, he saw Li Shiqing sitting behind her desk, frowning, a piece of paper in her hand. Seeing him enter, she slammed the paper down on the desk with a loud "thud!" "Zhang Chen, look at this rubbish you wrote in your resignation letter!"

Zhang Chen scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled, "My dear wife, it's just that my situation is special. My dad suddenly passed away, and there are a lot of things to do at home. I really can't continue working here."

Upon hearing this, Li Shiqing's serious expression instantly crumbled, and her eyes reddened: "Why didn't you say so sooner! Such a big thing, and I'm still here getting angry with you." With that, she got up, walked around the table, and hugged Zhang Chen tightly.

Zhang Chen patted her on the back and said with a wry smile, "I just finished dealing with some urgent family matters. I was thinking of submitting my resignation first, and then I'll tell you."

Li Shiqing looked up at him and said, "Honey, let's go home together. I'll take time off work too. It's such a big deal, I definitely have to be with you."

Zhang Chen was deeply moved and was about to speak when Li Shiqing interrupted him: "Don't refuse, or I'll get mad at you. Besides, with me involved, those things will definitely be handled quickly and well. You should be secretly happy."

Zhang Chen smiled helplessly, knowing that his wife was determined to help, so he stopped refusing: "Okay, I feel much more at ease with you here. But will your leave request be approved?"

Li Shiqing tilted her head back, full of confidence: "Of course! I'm the marketing manager, and I've made great contributions to the company. It wouldn't be right if I couldn't even get a little leave. Besides, my mom is the chairman of the board; how could she not understand me?"

As the two were talking, Li Shiqing's phone suddenly rang. She saw that it was her mother, Li Yuan, calling and quickly answered, "Mom."

"Qingqing, I heard Zhang Chen is leaving the company? What happened?" Li Yuan's voice came through the phone, tinged with concern.

Li Shiqing told her mother everything. After listening, Li Yuan sighed, "Sigh, this child has had it so tough. Qingqing, you should take leave and go back home to spend some time with Zhang Chen. Things at home are more important. Don't worry about the company, I'll take care of everything."

Li Shiqing's eyes reddened again: "Mom, thank you for understanding me."

“Silly child, don’t thank me. When you young people encounter difficulties, we elders will definitely help you. By the way, your dad also said he wants to go with us. He’s prepared some money; let’s see if he can help.” Li Yuan continued.

After hanging up the phone, Li Shiqing said to Zhang Chen, "My mom and dad are both coming to help, which will save us a lot of trouble."

A warm feeling washed over Zhang Chen: "Your parents are so good to me, I don't know how to thank them enough."

Li Shiqing rolled her eyes at him: "Why are you being so polite with me? We're all family. Besides, my parents really like you as their son-in-law, and they just hope you'll be doing well."

After packing their things, the two set off on their journey home. Along the way, Li Shiqing, like a little sun, kept comforting Zhang Chen and telling him all sorts of jokes to cheer him up.

Upon arriving at the Zhang family's house, Li Shiqing immediately got to work. She rolled up her sleeves and cleaned the house inside and out, muttering as she did so, "Zhang Chen, look at the mess this house is in. You never seem to know how to tidy up. Once this is over, I'll have to teach you a lesson."

Looking at her serious expression, Zhang Chen couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll definitely be a good boy from now on."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Zhang Chen opened the door and saw Li Yuan and her husband. As soon as Li Yuan entered, she took Zhang Chen's hand and said with heartache, "Child, please accept my condolences. If you have any difficulties, just tell your mother. Don't bear it all by yourself."

Zhang Chen's eyes welled up with tears, and she almost cried: "Mom, thank you so much. I'm already very grateful that you and Dad came."

Li Yuan's husband patted Zhang Chen on the shoulder: "Young man, don't be too sad. If you need anything in the future, just ask, and we'll definitely help if we can."

Li Shiqing smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, don't worry, I'm here. Zhang Chen will definitely be fine."

In the days that followed, Li Shiqing and her parents busied themselves helping Zhang Chen with his father's funeral arrangements. Li Shiqing ran around contacting the funeral home and arranging the funeral, while also comforting Zhang Chen and telling him not to be too sad.

Once, Li Shiqing and Zhang Chen went to choose an urn. Looking at the dazzling array of boxes, Li Shiqing whispered to Zhang Chen, "Honey, do you think Dad will laugh at us if he knew we were going through all this trouble?"

Zhang Chen glared at her: "Don't talk nonsense, this is to show respect to Dad."

Li Shiqing stuck out her tongue: "I was just joking. But don't worry, I'll definitely help you take care of all these things."

Many people came to the funeral. Zhang Chen stood before the coffin, his heart heavy. Li Shiqing held his hand tightly, offering him strength. Li Yuan and her husband, along with Zhang Chen's mother, were also busy greeting the guests.

After the funeral, Zhang Chen sat wearily on the sofa. Li Shiqing brought him a glass of water and sat down next to him. "Honey, it's all over now. Don't be too sad. I'm here for you. Let's live a good life together."

Zhang Chen looked at her and nodded: "Thank you, wife. I really don't know what I would have done without your and Mom and Dad's help."

Li Shiqing leaned against him and said with a smile, "Why are you being so polite with me? By the way, once this is completely over, let's go on a trip to relax."

Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Okay, whatever you say."

Just then, Li Yuan walked in. Seeing the two of them being so affectionate, she smiled and said, "You two, don't just focus on being lovey-dovey, you also need to take care of yourselves. You must be exhausted these past few days. I made you something nice to eat, go ahead and have some."

Li Shiqing jumped up and pulled Zhang Chen towards the restaurant: "Great! I'm starving. Mom's cooking is sure to be delicious."

The family sat around the dining table, eating and chatting happily. Although Zhang Chen was still somewhat sad, with Li Shiqing and her family by his side, he gradually felt warmth and slowly emerged from the grief of losing his father.

One day, sunlight streamed into the living room, and Zhang Chen was lounging with his legs crossed, leisurely watching TV and munching on potato chips, looking utterly content.

At this moment, Zhang Chen's mother walked in, snatched the remote control, turned off the TV with a "smack," put her hands on her hips, and said, "Zhang Chen! How long do you plan to stay at home like a 'potato sofa'?"

Zhang Chen was startled by the sudden action, almost dropping his potato chips. He looked at his mother with a bewildered expression and asked, "Mom, what's wrong? I was just resting for a bit."

His mother rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "Rest? The Zhang Group that your father left behind is almost a complete mess, and you're still lying here doing nothing."

Zhang Chen pouted: "Mom, being a chairman is so tiring. I'm quite comfortable like this now."

Upon hearing this, the mother flew into a rage: "Comfortable? If you don't go, the company will be divided up by your relatives, and you won't even be able to afford potato chips!"

Zhang Chen shuddered, the thought of not having money to buy snacks in the future making him instantly flustered. He quickly nodded, "Mom, I'll go, okay? It's just the chairman, I can definitely handle it!"