Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Found the Adoptive Family
Back at the company.
Huo Tingdong held her hand as they walked upstairs.
As they passed the lobby, the employees all cast sideways glances.
Some recognized Lin Qi, but very few recognized Huo Tingdong.
Usually, when Huo Tingdong went out, he was always accompanied by at least a personal assistant, secretary, several executive subordinates, and a dozen bodyguards forming an escort, making an impressive and powerful procession.
So, many employees could only watch from afar, knowing it was Huo Tingdong, but very few had actually seen him.
They entered the elevator.
Huo Tingdong looked at Lin Qi, and after mulling over for a long time, suddenly said, “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Lin Qi looked at him: “Hmm?”
Huo Tingdong said, “I have a relative who wants to adopt Lili.”
Lin Qi was taken aback: “A relative?”
Fearing Lin Qi’s objection, Huo Tingdong expressed himself very cautiously: “Previously, I have always been looking for a suitable family. I think that Lili, being such a good girl, if someone wants to adopt her, must have absolute financial capability and not be too far away so you can see her whenever you wish. Actually, many people have mentioned adopting Lili to me, but I found them unsuitable and rejected them. However, I know this family very well.”
Lin Qi did not show too excited a reaction, but smiled and asked, “What kind of family is it?”
Huo Tingdong said, “My cousin, after marrying my cousin-in-law, had two sons, but they actually… wanted a daughter. After the first son was born, my cousin-in-law passionately tried for a second child, but had another son. She felt she wasn’t destined to have a daughter, so she didn’t want to try again.”
He paused, then continued, “Actually I didn’t bring up this matter deliberately with them, but my cousin learned about Lili’s situation, and he tentatively asked for my opinion about adopting Lili.”
Lin Qi asked, “And you? What was your response?”
Huo Tingdong said, “I meant that I can’t make a decision about Lili alone, I need to consult your opinion.”
Lin Qi hooked his arm: “Then can you tell me about your cousin’s family situation? For instance, what does your cousin do, where do they live?”
The elevator doors opened with a “ding”.
Huo Tingdong held her hand and headed towards the CEO’s office.
“My cousin runs a nationwide chain of hotels. He studied abroad and returned from Harvard University with a double master’s in business and economics and took over the family business from the elders. Currently, the business is doing well. My cousin-in-law works at the customs office, with a stable income, and they pay a lot of attention to their children’s education and upbringing.”
Lin Qi asked, “Is there a possibility they might emigrate in the future?”
Huo Tingdong said, “It’s uncertain. As per their current plans, whether their children will study abroad or emigrate, they will respect the children’s wishes. Their business’s main focus is in the country, so they will not emigrate.”
Lin Qi nodded, “It sounds like a very good condition. Do they also live in Beijing?”
“Yes,” Huo Tingdong said, “which means, if you miss Lili or Lili misses you, you can see each other anytime.”
Lin Qi said, “Okay.”
She agreed.
She thought, Lili would agree too.
Huo Tingdong was somewhat surprised by how easily she consented; he thought she would be reluctant and refuse: “Won’t you miss her?”
Lin Qi said, “As long as we can see each other anytime, I have no objections.”
Initially, she had been in a rush to adopt Lili because Jin Lilai and Li Wanru had been eyeing Lili’s custody rights, leaving her no time to look for an adoptive family under pressure.
Now, Lili’s custody was under Huo Tingdong’s name.
About the adoptive family, she could now carefully select.
Lin Qi said, “If convenient, both parties could meet, but ultimately, it depends on Lili’s opinion too.”
Huo Tingdong grunted affirmatively.
Lin Qi changed the topic, “Speaking of which, whose child is Song Shuyan’s, anyway? Have you figured it out yet?”
Huo Tingdong replied, “I’m looking into it.”
“Oh!”
Three days later.
Lin Qi was about to take a nap when Huo Tingdong called her.
He had arranged a noon meeting with his cousin and cousin’s wife.
The cousin’s surname was Li, named Li Huaqing, and the cousin’s wife also surnamed Li, named Li Ziyin.
Lin Qi went directly to the reception room next to the CEO’s office.
Inside the reception room, Li Huaqing and Li Ziyin were already present.
Through the glass door, Lin Qi glanced and could tell that the young couple were both well-educated, had a good demeanor, dressed elegantly and neatly, and behaved in a calm and generous manner, clearly cultivated individuals.
Lin Qi pushed the door and walked in.
Huo Tingdong stood up, looking at her: “Wife.”
Li Huaqing and Li Ziyin also stood up, “Hello! You must be the sister-in-law my brother always talks about!”
Lin Qi politely said, “Hello cousin, hello cousin’s wife. My name is Lin Qi, you can just call me Qiqi.”
Huo Tingdong said, “Please, have a seat!”
He had already sent someone to fetch Lili, and she would arrive soon.
Aside from Huo Tingdong and Li Huaqing, everyone else was a bit nervous.
Huo Tingdong and Li Huaqing had grown up together as brothers, hence they had a good relationship and were not strangers.
But Li Ziyin was quite afraid of Huo Tingdong.
After all, although she also came from a prestigious family, in the circle of elites there are hierarchies, and the more powerful and influential, the more intimidating they are.
Lin Qi was somewhat uneasy, as it was her first time meeting Li Huaqing and Li Ziyin, and thus she was at a loss for words.
Noticing her unease, Huo Tingdong asked, “Why are you so nervous?”
Li Huaqing spoke, “Yeah, don’t be nervous. Tingdong and I are very close, and this meeting is also because Yinyin saw Lili’s photo and really liked this little girl.”
Li Ziyin added, “Yes, I think Lili looks so adorable. My husband and I have always wanted a daughter, but I’ve had two pregnancies, both sons.”
Lin Qi asked, “Do you prefer daughters over sons?”
Li Ziyin responded, “Yes, daughters are more adorable. Lili is really cute, and I really like her.”
Mo Ke arrived with Lili.
Outside the reception room.
Mo Ke opened the door and let Lili in.
Lili, a bit shy, ran to Lin Qi’s side as soon as she entered the reception room and sat down closely next to her.
Last night, Lin Qi had talked to her about this.
Lili, very sensible, was initially reluctant, but upon hearing that the other party also lived in Beijing, and that she could see Aunt Qiqi anytime she wanted, she happily agreed!
Li Huaqing glanced at Lili, maintaining a reserved demeanor. In contrast, Li Ziyin, upon seeing Lili, couldn’t help but want to move closer, yet feared being overly forward and scaring the child, so restrained herself.