Fang Ruiyang remembered that the last time he stepped over a brazier was when he got back to work at Pei's after being injured while shielding Huang Zhenzhen from a knife.
At that time, Xu Zixi also led a group of people to set off firecrackers outside the elevator and made him step over a brazier to ward off bad luck.
Maybe it was that time he stepped over the brazier that he got a master who treated him with absolute sincerity, a lover who dedicated herself whole - heartedly to him, and so many true friends.
He didn't regret entering Pei's under the name of "Cui Jiandong". If he hadn't, his life wouldn't have taken such a turn and he wouldn't have had such adventures.
Fang Ruiyang took a deep breath and leaped over the brazier. The flames from the brazier swept away all his bad luck. Then, two small figures rushed towards him, hugged his legs and sweetly called out:
"Uncle Ruiyang, Mommy and Daddy invited you to our home for dinner tonight! Mommy said today is a great day and she must cook by herself to celebrate Uncle Ruiyang's new beginning."
The kids repeated Xu Zixi's words in their childish voices. Fang Ruiyang immediately looked up ahead. Xu Zixi smiled and nodded at him:
"Very few people can get the privilege of having me cook for them."
Before he could answer, Alex, drooling, squeezed Fang Ruiyang aside and picked up Xuanxuan: "What about me? What about me? I sacrificed my dignity to dress up as a woman to seduce that lecher. I've done so much. There must be some rewards, right? Yan, you're not that stingy, are you?"
Alex thought that with Yan Yincheng's temper, he would definitely not agree. But unexpectedly, the man who used to be as grumpy as an iceberg nodded at them and said:
"Come together. The more, the merrier."
Yan actually agreed! OMG! Alex happily kissed Xuanxuan on the cheek. Seeing this, Xuxu was quite unhappy and grabbed Alex's hand and said, "Teacher Fei Fei, Xuxu wants a kiss too!"
Alex picked up Xuxu with the other hand and kissed him too, but said with a bit of disgust, "Baby Xuxu, you seem to have gained weight again. If you keep doing this, Teacher Fei Fei won't be able to carry you anymore."
Just as everyone was about to get in the cars cheerfully and leave, a woman rushed down the stairs and called out to Li Mao, "Brother Li, wait for me."
Li Mao stopped and looked back. Du Li ran up to him out of breath. Seeing so many pairs of eyes behind him, she nervously rubbed the corner of her clothes and said:
"Brother Li, thank you for rescuing us and helping us so much. I'm really grateful. I was wondering... Can I see Meixiang?"
Li Mao smiled and said, "Sure. She's been waiting for you."
They parted ways in front of the court. Xu Zixi and the others returned to the villa in the south of the city to prepare for dinner. Li Mao took Du Li to see Liu Meixiang.
After deciding to follow Yan Yincheng and Xu Zixi, Li Mao rented an apartment in Haicheng for Liu Meixiang and the kids to stay in temporarily. When he took Du Li back to their small house, Liu Meixiang was reading picture books with Li Xinxin.
"Dear, look who's here," Li Mao called out. Then Du Li walked out from behind him.
Two old friends who hadn't seen each other for years looked at each other silently for a moment. Their emotions and longing suddenly burst out, and they hugged each other tightly.
...
Zhao Quanjing and Xu Chengye were sentenced to death. Lei Ke left the court happily.
All his creditors were arrested. From then on, he didn't have to pay back the debts.
Thinking about how he had sold his soul for money and colluded with Zhao to cheat Pei's during this period, Lei Ke was filled with guilt. He thought that when he got back, he must work hard and contribute to Pei's, which had always trusted him, and never cause any more trouble.
But at that moment, someone blocked his way.
Lei Ke looked up. Two policemen said to him, "Lei Ke? We received a report with multiple pieces of evidence accusing you of stealing business secrets for profit. Please come with us to the police station."
Lei Ke's face changed drastically. He immediately turned around and tried to run, but how could he outrun the well - trained policemen?
He was caught by the two policemen after running only a few steps.
With his arms pinned behind his back, he was filled with great panic. No! No! He was the victim. He didn't want to be sentenced!
But no matter what he said, his hands were mercilessly cuffed.
After learning the news that Lei Ke had been arrested, Pei Mingyuan said, "Thank you for your hard work, officer", and then hung up the phone.
Standing in front of the floor - to - ceiling window, overlooking the scenery of Haicheng below, Pei Mingyuan let out a long breath.
Zhao Quanjing and his minions were sentenced to death and life imprisonment. Zhao's was declared bankrupt. Lei Ke had been arrested. Pei's hospitals and shopping malls were back on track. He could consider talking to Yan's again about the cooperation on the Bay Project.
Pei Mingyuan made an internal call and said to his secretary, "Prepare the relevant materials about 'City of Hope'. I'm going to meet Mr. Yan the Third tomorrow."
...
In the villa by the mountain and overlooking the sea in the south of the city, the laughter of children filled the air again.
Wang Dabao was brought over to play with the kids. Li Xinxin also came to the villa with Li Mao and Liu Meixiang. Teacher Fei Fei once again became the most popular magician among the kids and had a great time playing with them in the yard.
Inside the house, Xu Zixi was busy in the kitchen. Liu Meixiang, Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li were there to assist her.
Liu Meixiang was a bit worried about Xu Zixi's cooking skills at first. But after seeing her extremely skilled knife - work and cooking skills comparable to those of a famous chef, she was convinced and even had the idea of learning from her.
Xu Zixi was happy to have another student and taught her a classic Su - style dish in the kitchen.
On the lounge chair by the swimming pool, Fang Ruiyang looked at the pleasant sea view in front of him and dialed Huang Zhenzhen's number.
Finally, he could contact her openly.
The phone rang only twice before it was answered. Huang Zhenzhen's surprised and slightly trembling voice came from the other end, "Ruiyang?"
This call made Fang Ruiyang's eyes redden. It was also the first time she had called him by his real name so affectionately. She knew that when he took the initiative to contact her, it must mean that everything had finally come to a conclusion.
"Zhenzhen, I did it. That man was sentenced to immediate execution by the court today. After all the procedures are completed, he will completely disappear from this world."
"We're free. We don't have to worry about being threatened by him anymore."
The gentle breeze blew through his hair. At this moment, his eyes were full of tenderness and longing for his lover and mother.
"I miss you guys so much."