Zhou Daya initially thought it was her fault, as her second son's wife was also good to her. However, she was mostly afraid, and also because of Dashuan's influence.

But Tao Ying was different. Zhou Daya could feel that Tao Ying truly treated her as an elder and genuinely cared about her. Gradually, Zhou Daya also began to cherish Tao Ying in her heart.

"Mom, let's each take our own things. We'll call a car to the hotel as soon as we get off the train. We won't be tired. I'll take you to see the Qinhuai River tonight." Tao Ying affectionately linked arms with Zhou Daya.

"Is there anything good to eat? Mom will treat you." Zhou Daya's eyes lit up. She finally got to come out, so she had to have fun and eat well.

"I think so. The specialties here are duck blood soup and salted duck." Tao Ying thought back carefully.

In later generations, Confucius Temple became a very prosperous place, and you could wait for half an hour to eat at Nanjing Da Pai Dang (a food stall).

Upon arriving at the Confucius Temple area, we changed into Tang Dynasty attire, had a meal, walked to the Confucius Temple, strolled around, and then queued up to take a boat trip on the Qinhuai River at night.

A round trip takes about fifty minutes, and along the way you can imagine how lively and beautiful the Qinhuai River must have been back then.

I wonder what the Qinhuai River is like at this time.

It should be more authentic, without being overly commercialized.

Zhou Daya was filled with anticipation.

At that time, Nanjing was developing rapidly, and private hotels had already appeared.

Tao Ying booked the most expensive family room, which had two bedrooms, a separate bathroom, and a shower.

After putting down my things, I headed straight for the Qinhuai River.

After arriving there, it was very different from what Tao Ying saw in later generations.

There were no bustling crowds, no dazzling goods.

However, it has already taken shape.

Tao Ying first took Zhou Daya to a small restaurant in Nanjing.

The signature dishes include duck blood vermicelli soup, beef potstickers, steamed lion's head meatballs, Nanjing roast duck, and salted duck...

Tao Ying ordered duck blood vermicelli soup, beef potstickers, steamed lion's head meatballs, and salted duck.

Zhou Daya insisted on paying, and Tao Ying didn't argue.

It was rare to see the old lady so happy.

After dinner, the two took a walk together, without any explanations or sales pitches.

But Zhou Daya was still very happy.

Passing by a shop selling prayer beads, where each bead cost only one yuan, Zhou Daya excitedly bought ten, one for herself and one for Tao Ying.

Back at the hotel that evening, I was still discussing with Tao Ying who to give it to.

"Mom, there's a visit to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre tomorrow," Tao Ying asked Zhou Daya.

“I can’t stand the place, I won’t go to the memorial hall.” Zhou Daya quickly shook her head.

The next day we went to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, which involved climbing some steps and strolling around with the old lady.

We ate Nanjing's local delicacies again in the evening.

"Mom is coming with me to Bengbu tomorrow. How are you feeling?" Tao Ying asked Zhou Daya.

"It couldn't be better." Although Zhou Daya felt a little tired, it didn't matter.

We can't let our daughter-in-law's important business be delayed.

“Okay, let’s leave tomorrow morning.” Tao Ying packed her things.

We arrived in Bengbu the next day, and it was already noon.

Zhang Qiang and Zhao Long also arrived, carrying bags and waiting for the two.

"Mr. Tao, Aunt Zhou." Both were in their thirties and quite talkative, so they warmly took the luggage from the two of them.

Zhou Daya quickly started chatting with the two people. The group first went to the guesthouse to put their things down, and then went to a small restaurant.

The local specialty is mutton soup. For four people, there was a big pot of mutton soup, a plate of flatbread, and two side dishes. Everyone ate to their heart's content.

"We've arranged to meet with Mr. Wan at 6 PM tonight. You two get ready; our focus is on this business collaboration," Tao Ying instructed the two.

“President Tao, we understand. Only by acting uprightly can we walk straight.” The two instantly understood Tao Ying’s meaning.

It's not like they're new to running around. Nowadays, many factories send two young girls when they're negotiating business deals.

Everyone understands what I mean; gradually, there are many attractive women in the sales industry.

"Ying'er, do you want Mom to go with you?" Zhou Daya asked, sounding a little worried after hearing Tao Ying's question.

"Mom, I'm fifty years old, I don't need you to keep me company," Tao Ying said, somewhat amused and exasperated.

"You're talking nonsense. I'm only forty-seven, and I haven't even had my birthday yet," Zhou Daya said very seriously.

"I understand." Tao Ying is adapting very well now; age isn't everything.

Moreover, through my own unremitting efforts, my body gradually became very toned, and my face became more and more like my original appearance.

If it weren't for her surroundings and the fact that she had children calling her "Mom" and "Grandma," Tao Ying would have thought she was herself.

After resting with Zhou Daya for a while, Tao Ying began to groom herself.

Her hair was piled high, she wore a black knitted dress, high-heeled ankle boots, and a cashmere coat.

With her exquisite makeup, she looks like she's in her early thirties, especially since Tao Ying noticed that the fine lines around her eyes are gone.

As Tao Ying walked out, Zhang Qiang and Zhao Long were stunned. "President Tao? You look so beautiful!" Who would believe that her granddaughter was already eight years old?

"Let's go." Tao Ying was very satisfied with their performance.

The three of them set off for a private restaurant, which was particularly famous in the south at this time of year.

Not only is the food delicious, but the service is also excellent and the privacy is strong, so many people choose this place for business meetings or banquets.

It will gradually be replaced by the guild hall.

The private room had been reserved in advance. As Tao Ying walked in, she saw a sign at the entrance that read, "Zhang Junsheng's family's full moon banquet is on the second floor." The sign was very large and hard to miss. There were also people in military uniforms walking in.

Tao Ying looked up and seemed to see a familiar figure, but before she could confirm, the person had already gone upstairs, so she didn't pay much attention.

We went straight to the private room we had reserved, which was on the first floor, near the stairwell.

Upon entering, there were already five people in the room: three men and two women. The man sitting in the main seat was over forty years old and looked obese. The other two men were around forty years old and in their thirties, respectively. The two women were wearing deep V-neck dresses.

When Tao Ying pushed open the door, everyone in the room was stunned for a moment, and then looked at Tao Ying with great surprise in their eyes.

"This is President Tao? I am Wan Haishan, this is Zhao Ping, and this is Jiang Da." Wan Haishan stood up and introduced himself to Tao Ying with a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Wan. This is Zhang Qiang, and this is Zhao Long." Tao Ying politely extended her hand and introduced the two men to the group.

"President Tao, seeing is believing. No wonder you, a woman, have accomplished so much." Wan Haishan grasped Tao Ying's hands with his two greasy hands at the same time.

"Mr. Wan, let's sit down and talk." Tao Ying tried to pull away, but couldn't. She felt uncomfortable inside, but didn't show it on her face.

"Yes, yes, yes, sit down and talk." Wan Haishan didn't dare to go too far and gave his two men a wink.