Chapter 10: Entrustment (Requesting Votes)

“Guoguo~”
“Guoguo~”
“Hehe…”

Doudou seemed to be in a very good mood, continuously circling around Shen Siyuan.

Seeing that Shen Siyuan still didn’t respond to her, her expression immediately turned sad.

“Guoguo~, can’t you see me anymore? Even Mom can’t see me.”

Shen Siyuan remained silent and stood up, walking out of the operations department to the corridor before finally asking, “Why are you here? Where are your parents?”

“Wow~ Guoguo can still see me? Then why didn’t you respond just now?”

The little one cheered, reaching out her small hand to pat Shen Siyuan’s leg, showing her displeasure.

“Because there are too many people inside, and they can’t see you. If I talk to you, they’ll think I’m speaking to thin air.”

Upon hearing this, Doudou crossed her thumb and forefinger to support her chubby little chin, pretending to be very serious: “I see.”

Watching her imitate adults in such a funny way, Shen Siyuan gently tapped her little head.

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“They’re waiting for Guoguo at the door.”

Doudou pointed toward the entrance, then hopped and jumped around Shen Siyuan.

“If your mother can’t see you anymore, why are you still so happy?”

“Hehe~, Mom said she’s playing hide and seek with me. She’ll find me one day.”

Doudou spread her arms wide like an adorable little penguin.

But as soon as she finished speaking, she sighed, sounding a bit unhappy: “She probably won’t be able to find me.”

“You already know that?” Shen Siyuan was somewhat surprised.

“Of course, I’m very smart.” Doudou said proudly.

“Y-yeah, you’re very smart.”

Doudou: →_→

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I think you’re saying something bad about me.”

“Haha~, no way.”

This little thing was really cute; having one as a pet could be quite interesting.

For some reason, Shen Siyuan suddenly had this thought.

After leaving the company, they indeed saw the couple standing by the elevator waiting.

Upon seeing Mr. Shen come out, the two hurriedly greeted him.

“Mr. Shen~”
“President Tao, Accountant Jiang~”

Shen Siyuan also greeted them. Fortunately, it was not yet time to leave work, so no one else was around; otherwise, hearing them address Shen Siyuan like that would definitely seem strange.

Before Shen Siyuan could ask, Tao Guangxia took the initiative to say, “Mr. Shen, are you free this evening? We’d like to invite you to dinner.”

This time, Shen Siyuan didn’t refuse and directly nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenxin added, “Because Doudou is here, it’s more convenient at home. Mr. Shen, please don’t mind.”

“No problem, as long as there’s food. I’m not picky.”

“Oh~, then you’re a good boy.”

Suddenly, Doudou reached out and patted Shen Siyuan’s leg.

Shen Siyuan was taken aback and then laughed, and Tao Guangxia did the same.

Only Jiang Wenxin, who could no longer see her daughter, looked puzzled.

After Tao Guangxia explained it to her, her expression became complicated because these were the words she often said to their daughter.

“We’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Seeing Shen Siyuan agree, Tao Guangxia was very pleased.

“No need, it’s almost time to leave. I’ll tell our manager and leave a few minutes early.” Shen Siyuan said.

“Is that… okay?” Tao Guangxia asked.

Before Shen Siyuan could answer, Jiang Wenxin said, “It’s fine. I review the attendance every month, so I can adjust it later.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Shen Siyuan said.

After speaking, he turned and walked back. Doudou wanted to follow but was held back by her father.

Guanghui Animation’s system was very well established, but the employees didn’t always abide by it.

Shen Siyuan greeted Zhou Chuan, who didn’t even ask for the reason and just agreed.

Thinking that the electric bike couldn’t be ridden back, he said to Lin Manzhi, “Sister Manzhi, I have something to do tonight. Could you ride the electric bike back for me? I’ll meet you at the bus stop tomorrow morning; is that okay?”

“That’s great. I won’t have to squeeze into the bus tonight.”

“Thanks, Sister Manzhi.”

Shen Siyuan quickly handed her the key.

“Oh, Sister Manzhi, you two are sharing one bike now?” Wang Chao, who was always cheeky, immediately teased sarcastically.

Shen Siyuan ignored him and walked straight out of the operations department.

Lin Manzhi, who was very strong-willed and not afraid of Wang Chao, immediately shot back: “What, are you jealous? Too bad you’re not good-looking; I didn’t pick you.”

Wang Chao blushed instantly and rambled about how his manliness was condensed essence, strong and tough, causing a burst of laughter among the crowd, very lively.

Tao Guangxia’s car was parked downstairs, but Jiang Wenxin was driving.

Since she could no longer see ghosts, her driving became much smoother.

As Tao Guangxia looked out at the wandering spirits, he took the opportunity to ask many questions.

“Why do most of these ghosts look so bizarre?”

“Why don’t they enter the underworld and reincarnate?”

“Is there no reincarnation? Where do they ultimately go? Do they just wander forever?”

...

“Death is not the final destination; the soul’s dissolution is true death.”

“Ghosts disappear completely for two reasons: first, they let go of all attachments and lose all longing for the mortal world, leading to complete dissolution; second, they are completely forgotten by the living.”

Upon hearing this, Tao Guangxia held Doudou a little tighter.

“We will never forget Doudou.”

Jiang Wenxin, who was driving, couldn’t help but say, “After becoming a ghost, they can do nothing but wander aimlessly. Isn’t that terribly lonely?”

“Yes, the hardest thing for a ghost to endure is loneliness. Many ghosts, unable to bear it, eventually let go of all attachments and return to the embrace of nature.”

The couple fell silent, their hearts aching at the thought of Doudou having to endure unimaginable loneliness.

“What’s wrong? Why are you silent?”

Seeing the silence inside the car, Doudou asked with innocent confusion.

Tao Guangxia lifted her up and kissed her cheek.

Then he turned to Shen Siyuan, his expression serious: “Mr. Shen, may we ask you for a favor?”

“Go ahead.”

“Please take good care of Doudou from now on. If possible, accompany her more and talk to her for us…”

For a father, unable to be with his daughter and yet having to entrust her to a stranger was deeply painful.

So Tao Guangxia’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

Jiang Wenxin, gripping the steering wheel, had her knuckles whitening.

“We can pay you, although it sounds vulgar to say so, but we don’t know how else to thank you. This is all we have…”

Tao Guangxia spoke with genuine sincerity.

Doudou was their first and only child, and a daughter at that.

Since her birth, the couple loved her a hundredfold.

Especially Tao Guangxia; Doudou was his heart’s treasure. Since she was born, he traveled less for business and attended fewer social engagements, squeezing every free moment to be with his daughter.

When Doudou had her accident, he felt as if the sky had fallen. But he couldn’t collapse—his wife needed him; this family needed him.

For Doudou, he was willing to give everything. If they weren’t in the car, he might have knelt before Shen Siyuan right then.

“No need for payment. Let Doudou stay with me for now.”

“Thank you~ Thank you, Mr. Shen…”

Tao Guangxia’s voice choked with emotion, unsure how to express his gratitude.