68: Chapter 68 What a huge embarrassment!

Cao Xiao understood Chen Huaiyu's point. Wealth should not be flaunted; with his current status, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't be targeted by others, especially for something as sensitive as ginseng. "I have over ten that are over a hundred years old. Selling two this time won't matter, but I won't reveal the others."

"Over ten? Since when did century-old ginseng become so worthless! In that case, I won't be polite. Since you prepared one for the old man, it's enough for the couple. My father-in-law is in poor health, so I need to prepare one too. I'll have Xiao Si give you the money, otherwise, it would be a violation of rules." Chen Huaiyu looked at Cao Xiao strangely.

"Hey! Once you have too many century-old ginsengs, they're just like that. Giving me money ruins the sentiment. If you're really afraid of trouble, I'll give you a fresh one, and you can just take it for a trip to Changbai Mountain yourself." Cao Xiao said nonchalantly. He had too many and couldn't sell them in bulk. Giving them away was such a hassle; he was worried about how to handle them.

Chen Huaiyu smiled bitterly: "This really is a headache. No need for those 'plugging one's ears while stealing a bell' tricks. Don't give it to me for now. If I really need it, I'll go to the old man's place. Anyway, once he finishes his, you can replenish it. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Three days from now is the old lady's sixty-fifth birthday. Just bring the ginseng then, and you won't need to prepare another gift."

Cao Xiao said speechlessly: "Fine, I'll keep yours for you and give it to you when you retire. I'll be there for the Mistress's birthday. I came to see you today for another favor..."

"Stop! Are you mocking me, kid? Is it wrong for your big brother to be upright and incorruptible? Yesterday's matter isn't even resolved yet, and you're here with something else today. Can't you stay quiet for just one day?" Chen Huaiyu interrupted.

"This time it's really not a big deal, but I can't solve it myself, so I came to beg you." Cao Xiao didn't expect his image to have become that of a repeat troublemaker. Chen Huaiyu was guarding against him like a thief. But regarding An Ni's matter, he could only seek his help, so he said with a thick skin: "It's like this. Didn't I go to Changbai Mountain recently to dig for ginseng? I accidentally crossed the border. When I found the ginseng and came back, I happened to meet... An Ni is only fifteen. I want to arrange for her to go to school, and An Guoer also needs vaccinations, so the household registration issue needs to be solved first."

Chen Huaiyu tapped the desk with his finger, pondered for a moment, and then said: "You met by accident, so An Ni's identity shouldn't be a problem. This situation is very special; there's no precedent in our province. An Ni and her niece's situation doesn't meet the requirements for Chinese citizenship. First, they didn't enter normally and have no formal entry procedures. Second, they are too young and have no relatives in the country, so they are of unknown origin. An Guoer is easier to handle; if you're willing, you can adopt her directly. An Ni has no records in the country. To solve this, there are only two ways: take her abroad to get another nationality and then transfer back to Huaxia nationality, or just apply for a permanent residence permit for her first. She can go to school and seek medical treatment normally. Given her age, the Immigration Bureau won't make it hard for her. The nationality issue can be solved later when conditions allow. I'll have my secretary, Xiao Zhong, take you. He's a law major and is familiar with these things."

Cao Xiao said distressfully: "I'm not even married yet. If I adopt a child now, what will others think of me? Besides, my situation doesn't meet the adoption requirements. This really is a headache!"

"You solve the mess you made yourself. It's already good enough that I'm giving you advice. Don't expect me to wipe your bottom for you. If you and He Yueyou go and get your marriage certificate, this matter will be easy to handle. Alright, go back. I have a lot to do and no time for you." Chen Huaiyu leaned back in his chair and then dismissed Cao Xiao.

"Fine, you busy yourself then, old man! Strive to double the happiness index of the people of Huanghe City next year. I'll just go back to my miserable life!" Cao Xiao had nothing left to do here. He said a word, turned around, and ran out the door.

"You kid, just you wait!"

Hearing Chen Huaiyu's playful scolding from behind, Cao Xiao walked away without looking back. An Ni's household registration wasn't urgent yet; there were still several months before school started. Adopting An Guoer had to be discussed with Yueyou. Although things between him and He Yueyou seemed lukewarm, they had both accepted each other in their hearts. They just needed an opportunity to confirm their relationship.

Driving to the city center, he parked outside the Hongdu Mansion. Cao Xiao got out of the car carrying two large bags and entered the first-floor lobby of the building.

"Miss, could you tell me which floor President Huang's office is on?" Cao Xiao asked the front desk receptionist.

"Sir, I'm sorry, we haven't received a call from President Huang's office. Our group building has its own restaurant, and President Huang always eats there." The receptionist glanced at the two large bags in Cao Xiao's hands and said politely.

"Uh!... Miss, I think you've misunderstood. I'm not here to deliver food; I came specifically to see President Huang." Cao Xiao was choked by these words and looked at himself. Did he look like a delivery man? Although his clothes were a bit wrinkled, they were Armani! What kind of look was that?

"May I ask if you have an appointment with President Huang, sir?" The receptionist still said politely with a smile.

"No, but I know President Huang. You can call and ask; my name is Cao Xiao." Cao Xiao hadn't expected it to be so troublesome to see his prospective mother-in-law at Hongdu. If he had known, he would have called Huang Chunxiang in advance.

"Sir, I'm sorry, you cannot see President Huang without an appointment. If you really know President Huang, please call to make an appointment." The receptionist still spoke politely, but her gaze was no longer fixed on him.

Cao Xiao met with a soft rebuff but wasn't angry. This situation was normal in large companies. When he used to work, it was hard to even say a word to the boss. He shook his head with a bitter smile, put the bags on the floor, and was about to take out his phone to call Huang Chunxiang when his eyes suddenly lit up. He saw a group of people coming in from the door. Among the two people in the lead, one was Liu Guitang.

"Hey! Brother Liu, over here." Cao Xiao put away his phone. Since Liu Guitang was here, there was no need to call. Liu Guitang was also one of the shareholders of Hongdu Group.

"Eh! Cao Xiao, why are you here?" Liu Guitang heard someone calling him, stopped, turned around, and asked in confusion.

"I came to Hongdu to see President Huang for something, but I didn't have an appointment and couldn't go up. I was just about to call when I saw you coming in." Cao Xiao said somewhat awkwardly.

"Haha, Old He, this is your prospective son-in-law. Did you hear that? He's calling her President Huang. This is a joke. Does he need to call you President He too? I think you still need to observe him more. Otherwise, with him being so careless, he might lose your precious daughter one day." Liu Guitang laughed loudly after hearing Cao Xiao's words and then turned to the person next to him.

President He? Son-in-law? Could it be Yueyou's father? Have I embarrassed myself in front of my father-in-law? Cao Xiao couldn't describe his feelings.

"You're so meddlesome. Little Cao, right? Come with me." Father He glared at Liu Guitang, then said a word to the stunned Cao Xiao and turned toward the elevator.

Cao Xiao opened his mouth but didn't know what to say, so he could only silently follow behind Father He.

"You people, look closely. This Mr. Cao Xiao is a special consultant for our Hongdu Group. In the future, he doesn't need an appointment to come to Hongdu. He can enter any place. Inform other departments that no such neglect should occur in the future." Liu Guitang didn't follow but walked to the front desk and said seriously to the receptionists.

"Yes, Director Liu." Several receptionists responded in unison.