Old Song couldn't help but feel that he had ulterior motives for coming here, and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Kuan, do you want to bring your son back?"

This is incredible! Master Kuan has returned from abroad with a lot of money and influence; he's a big boss.

Old Man Chang used to be the envy of everyone because he had a big courtyard, but soon he might be weeping bitterly and spending his days in tears.

The youngest son, whom he had raised with great care, was about to be reunited with his father!

Ah Kuan nodded and gave Lao Song an approving look: "Of course, our family's offspring should be recognized as ancestors!"

Old Song silently lit a candle for Old Man Chang in his heart. It's not that I don't stand by your side, it's just that the boss is too rich!

Old Song inquired about the situation: "Uncle Kuan, with your current assets, where do you plan to set up your business after your son is recognized?"

Ah Kuan choked, he was broke every month, he didn't have a single penny!

If father and son are to reunite, then of course the son, who is a university professor, should fulfill his filial duties; otherwise, what's the point of reunifying them?

He had already married a concubine in Hong Kong, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. After the reform and opening up, he spent a little money in Guangdong Province to take care of several female migrant workers, and they had quite a few children as well. He was not short of children!

Ah Kuan looked at Lao Song and coaxed him gently: "Lao Song, you know I'm rich, but my son, my flesh and blood, might not like these worldly things. So, I have to ask you for a favor!"

Old Song was overjoyed. Although betraying his old friend was shameless, his old friend was a big boss, and bowing to money wasn't shameful.

"Master Kuan, just give the orders!"

*

Chang Shuying's departure for the competition in Shanghai is not far off.

The homeroom teacher received an invitation from the organizer and called Chang Shuying from the classroom to the corridor.

"Shuying, have you been preparing properly these past few days?"

"Yes, teacher!"

During the waiting period, Chang Shuying worked day and night. She was not a good student and used to spend her spare time with her younger sister, Meiying.

Therefore, he made a sacrifice, giving up time with his younger sister, and went to Director Ning's studio every day, rain or shine, to learn painting.

The homeroom teacher looked on with appreciation, recognizing her as a hardworking and ambitious child, and thus gave her some specific instructions regarding the competition.

Chang Meiying listened attentively and patiently.

Cai Qier and her classmates happened to pass by them.

Not far from where we walked, a friend took a picture of Cai Qi'er.

"I knew this competition was rigged. You've been studying painting for years, yet you can't even beat a little girl. I heard from her former classmates that she only recently started learning to paint. She really thinks she's a genius and that no one can tell she got in through connections!"

Another person chimed in, "I heard that Chang Shuying's father works in the border region and can't be transferred back, and her mother works in a factory. She has no connections whatsoever. The only reason she was able to win the award and get it reported is because..."

"Alright!" Cai Qi'er interrupted.

This touched a nerve with Cai Qier, and people tended to suspect that the already departed teacher Wen had an affair with Chang Shuying, which allowed Chang Shuying to stand out and crush a group of contestants to win the award.

Because of this, Cai Qi'er had a sour face all the way after school.

When Cai's mother came to pick her up from school, Cai's maternal grandfather's car was still at home. Cai's mother specially asked the driver to bring the car to pick up her daughter from school, but Cai Qi'er did not have a smile on her face.

Cai's mother was heartbroken!

As Cai Qi'er got into the car, she immediately reached out and hugged her daughter.

"What's wrong? Who upset you at school? Tell Mommy, and Mommy will call the principal!"

Because of what happened during the day, Cai Qier was in an unusually bad mood and uncomfortably broke free.

She threw a tantrum: "Mommy, can you make sure that annoying girl Chang Shuying can never participate in painting competitions again!"

Cai's mother said angrily, "Honey, did she upset you?"

"Yes, Mommy, I've been learning to draw for years and I still can't compare to her, who just started. I'm not reconciled. You have to help me get revenge. The higher she climbs, the harder she falls!" Cai Qi'er said with a fierce expression.

Cai's mother actually clapped and praised, "Baby, Mommy thought you would never grow up. But at this age, Mommy has already learned to fight and grab, and to use every means to achieve my goals!"

Cai Qi'er suddenly smiled, hugged her neck and said coquettishly, "Mommy, I want to hear about your past."

"Back then, the most exciting thing was when Mommy got a university spot, and when she won an award using a work by a female classmate from the same school..."

*

Chang Shuying took the invitation home, and Zhou Hongyu had just glanced at it and confirmed the departure time when the invitation was snatched away.

Granny Zhou rummaged through drawers and cabinets until she found the reading glasses left by her late grandfather, and examined them carefully several times.

When she finally let go, Zhou Hongyu had already taken out her luggage bag and was packing Chang Shuying's luggage.

Granny Zhou wanted to deliver the invitation to the altar, but then she remembered that she hadn't attended the competition yet, so she quickly returned the invitation.

"Your grandfather and I are waiting at home for your good news!"

Chang Shuying nodded earnestly: "Grandma, I will definitely do my best!"

Zhou Hongyu was worried that too much pressure would affect her child's performance: "Mom, relax, you weren't worried at all when I participated in competitions before!"

“How can these be the same!” Granny Zhou said disdainfully.

"Shuying has a talent for this; you can tell she inherited it from your father. You used to mess around with things, saying you wanted to write books and become an author, but you ended up achieving nothing!"

Zhou Hongyu has always written excellent essays since she was a child, perhaps because she is particularly good at coaxing people. Her essays are full of emotion and always get high marks.

Every Chinese language teacher who taught her encouraged her to become a writer in the future.

When she entered the second year of junior high school, her class got a new Chinese teacher who was always at odds with Zhou Hongyu. By the time she realized it, her title of "little writer" had already been given to the new transfer student. Gradually, she stopped receiving replies to the manuscripts she submitted.

As she grew older, her pride and arrogance led her to realize that there were always people more talented than herself, and she could no longer find her former inspiration. Her dream of becoming a writer was shattered.

Zhou Hongyu raised her head unhappily: "Mom, then why did you say I would definitely achieve success in my writing and become a famous female writer!"

"I wasn't trying to make you sad or to tease you. If I didn't comfort you, you wouldn't even have gotten your high school diploma before running home to eat, drink, and have fun!"

Zhou Hongyu pursed her lips; she couldn't refute those words.

She used to be even more mischievous than Mei Ying, so Mei Ying's lively personality was nothing compared to hers.

Granny Zhou dug up old grievances and gave them a dressing down: "Fortunately, the children aren't like you. You're the kind of person who can fall asleep as soon as you pick up a book!"

Zhou Hongyu tried to salvage her composure: "Some are stupid, some are smart. The smart part must have come from me, how could it have come from Chang Xingwang? My mother-in-law used to brag that Chang Xingwang could get into university! Humph! I don't believe it!"

Chang Xingwang disciplines his two sons fiercely. You'd be better off believing I have the potential to become a writer than believing he's a good student!