Chapter 1826

The next day, Chen Ping got up early as usual, preparing to go for a morning run.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Li Qingzhu from the opposite apartment stepping out of her home at the same time.

"Good morning, Qingzhu."

Chen Ping greeted Li Qingzhu.

"Morning, big brother."

Li Qingzhu replied with a smile.

Chen Ping asked curiously, "Qingzhu, why did you get up so early today?"

"My parents argued again; they didn't sleep all night, so I couldn't sleep either."

Li Qingzhu said helplessly.

"Your parents argued again? What happened?"

Chen Ping asked with some worry.

"Sigh, it's all because of money. You know my family's situation; although my father earns quite a lot, it all goes to paying off debts. Now they argue frequently over money, and I'm about to go crazy."

Li Qingzhu said with a sigh.

Chen Ping gently patted Li Qingzhu's shoulder to offer comfort. He knew very well that in this era, family conflicts and pressures were unavoidable for many people. He was also grateful to be able to stay away from such troubles, living alone in this small room.

"Big brother, are you going out for a run?"

Li Qingzhu asked, looking at Chen Ping's attire.

"Yes, a morning run every day has become a habit."

Chen Ping nodded and said.

"I want to go with you."

Li Qingzhu said somewhat shyly.

"Sure, let's go together."

Chen Ping readily agreed. Although he usually ran alone, it was nice to have someone accompany him now. Especially with such a lovely girl as Li Qingzhu, running with her would probably make him even happier.

The two walked out of the building entrance together and began their morning run. Along the way, Chen Ping and Li Qingzhu ran and chatted, sharing each other's lives and hobbies.

"Qingzhu, is there anything you particularly like?"

Chen Ping asked.

"What I like most is reading novels, especially romance novels; I think the love in novels is especially beautiful."

Li Qingzhu said with a look of longing.

"Then you must also yearn for a romantic love affair?"

Chen Ping said with a smile.

"Of course, I have always yearned for that kind of passionate love. However, I feel I might never meet someone like that."

Li Qingzhu said somewhat dejectedly.

"Why do you think so? As long as you strive to pursue it, you will surely find your own happiness."

Chen Ping encouraged her.

"Thank you for your encouragement; I will try my best."

Li Qingzhu said gratefully.

The two gradually slowed their running speed and finally stopped in front of a roadside snack stall.

"Qingzhu, do you want to have some breakfast?"

Chen Ping asked.

"Yes, my stomach hurts if I don't eat breakfast."

Li Qingzhu nodded and said.

"Then let's have breakfast together."

Chen Ping suggested.

The two ordered one egg-filled pancake and a cup of soy milk, sitting together to eat breakfast.

"Qingzhu, have you thought about your future?"

Chen Ping asked while eating.

"Of course I have; I hope to become a writer in the future and write the novels I like."

Li Qingzhu said, her eyes shining with determination.

"Then do you think you have any advantages to realize this dream?"

Chen Ping asked.

"I think my writing style is not bad, and I am very good at imagination." Chen Ping nodded; he thought Li Qingzhu having such a dream was very good, at least much better than those who spend their lives in a daze. He encouraged Li Qingzhu to persist in her dream, not to give up, and at the same time to pay attention to her health, after all, health is the capital of revolution.

After breakfast, the two continued running along the road, this time a bit faster. Since Li Qingzhu had to go to work quite early, after the morning run she still had to rush to work. Chen Ping did a few simple warm-up exercises at his doorstep and then started his day's work.

Near noon, Chen Ping received a phone call from Ning Chen. He answered the call somewhat unexpectedly, only to hear Ning Chen say on the other end, "Hello, Uncle Chen Ping? This is Ning Chen."

"Oh, it's Ning Chen. What do you need?"

Chen Ping asked somewhat puzzled. He remembered meeting Ning Chen just yesterday; logically, there shouldn't be any urgent matter.

"It's like this: my parents argued again; they want to divorce. I want to ask you to help persuade them."

Ning Chen said anxiously.

"Your parents argued again? Alright, I understand. But don't worry; I will go over as soon as possible to mediate for them."

Chen Ping comforted him. Although he was somewhat reluctant, for Ning Chen's sake, he still decided to go personally to help the Ning family resolve the family conflict.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ping drove to the Ning residence. On the way, his mood was somewhat heavy, after all, the Ning family's situation was not happening for the first time. He knew very well that such family conflicts were difficult to handle, but for Ning Chen, he would try his best to resolve it.

Soon, Chen Ping arrived at the Ning residence. Ning Chen and Ning Xuehong were both sitting on the sofa, their complexions looking somewhat gloomy. Chen Ping walked over with a calm expression. "Ning Chen, your parents argued again?"

Chen Ping looked at Ning Chen and asked.

"Yes, I don't know why they keep arguing; I want them to live in harmony."

Ning Chen said helplessly.

"Why do your parents argue?"

Chen Ping asked Ning Xuehong.

Ning Xuehong shook her head and said, "Actually, it's nothing major, just some trivial matters, but I don't know why the arguing has gotten worse and worse."

"Have neither of you tried to communicate?"

Chen Ping asked.

"I tried, but it was no use."

Ning Xuehong sighed.

"Perhaps you could try listening to each other's opinions and understanding one another."

Chen Ping suggested.

Ning Xuehong and Ning Chen both fell silent; they felt Chen Ping's suggestion made some sense.

"How about this: I will arrange a chance for each of you three to talk alone. You can express your thoughts and feelings during this process, and then we will see what solutions might work to resolve this problem."

Chen Ping said, looking at the three of them.

All three members of the Ning family agreed to Chen Ping's suggestion.

So, Chen Ping asked Ning Chen to go with him to another room, giving the father and son a chance to talk alone. On the way, Ning Chen kept his head down and said nothing, seeming somewhat unhappy. Chen Ping gently patted Ning Chen's shoulder to offer comfort. He understood Ning Chen's feelings at that moment, so he spoke: "Ning Chen, I know you are very sad, but you must believe your father loves you; he will not easily leave you."

Hearing Chen Ping's words, Ning Chen could not hold back his tears. He nodded, indicating he understood. Then the two walked into the room together.