They thought they had lived half their lives and had seen all kinds of people, so they had a good eye for judging people.

But little did they know, there's a saying that goes—

Never underestimate a young man's potential; one day he will rise to prominence like a dragon or a phoenix.

People who define others based solely on their clothing and appearance are actually narrow-minded and based on empiricism.

******

When Ji Wanmei returned to the workers' compound, her father, Ji Xingguo, was already in the kitchen preparing to cook.

As soon as you enter, you can smell the aroma of rapeseed oil sizzling in a wok, which wafts far and wide.

Ji Wanmei's father is a very good cook. When he's not busy, he has two main hobbies.

He spends his time tending to the flowers and plants in his yard, and he also cooks meals.

From picking and washing vegetables to arranging them, adding oil to the pan, frying, and stir-frying, Ji Xingguo enjoys the entire process.

Even after meals, he couldn't bear to let his beloved daughter's hands get greasy while washing the dishes, insisting on cleaning and washing the dishes himself.

In his own words, "My daughter, Ji Xingguo's daughter, must be pampered and raised! Other girls have fathers and mothers, but I, Ji Xingguo, will not be any worse off raising my daughter on my own!"

After Ji Wanmei's mother passed away when Ji Wanmei was ten years old, Ji Xingguo took care of her single-handedly, acting as both father and mother until she turned eighteen.

During this period, many matchmakers tried to arrange marriages for Ji Xingguo, urging him to remarry.

Think about it, Ji Xingguo was not even forty years old at that time, in his prime. He was also the director of Dongfang Daily Chemical Factory, with a high salary, high status, and good looks. How many women coveted the position of the director's wife?

But Ji Xingguo insisted on staying with his daughter and living his life there!

He was stubborn and devoted. He met his late wife when they were both struggling. They met during the time when educated youth were sent to the countryside. They went through many things together, and their love had long been stronger than gold.

Even though his late wife's health couldn't withstand her early experiences and she passed away when their daughter was ten years old, Ji Xingguo had absolutely no intention of remarrying.

Especially in the first two or three years after Ji Wanmei's mother passed away, the threshold of the Ji family was almost worn down by matchmakers.

But Ji Xingguo kicked them all out.

Only in recent years have those who envy the factory director's wife quieted down a bit. But from time to time, there are still those who refuse to give up and try to subtly probe her.

Now that Ji Wanmei has grown up and blossomed into a beautiful young woman, she has received an admission letter from a university in the provincial capital. She is sure to have a bright future.

So the matchmakers set their sights on Ji Wanmei.

However, while Ji Xingguo could make decisions on his own affairs without regard to anyone's opinions, he had to consider things more carefully when it came to his daughter's matters.

Not long ago, Deputy Factory Director Yang Changhua casually mentioned to him that his son, Yang Zhiping, planned to return to Pingquan County to work after graduating from university this year, and subtly hinted at the idea that the two families could become even closer through marriage.

That's why Ji Xingguo had this idea.

In his memory, Yang Zhiping was a decent young man. He was quite polite when he was a child, and now that he was studying at a university in Guangcheng, he was considered a highly educated individual.

Before the Yang family father and son visited the Ji family today, Ji Xingguo had actually met Yang Zhiping once before.

At the time, Yang Zhiping was polite, humble and gentle in front of Ji Xingguo, which left a good impression on Ji Xingguo, which led to today's situation.

Who would have thought that not only did his daughter not like Yang Zhiping, but she also disliked him.

Ji Xingguo was also helpless.

After his daughter left, he made himself a cup of tea, sat in the yard and drank it for a while before slowly getting up to go to the kitchen to pick vegetables.

I was thinking of making some of my daughter's favorite dishes later and then asking for her opinion.

If you're really dissatisfied with Yang Zhiping, then so be it.

Anyway, my daughter is still young, only eighteen years old. We can talk about marriage after she graduates from university.

After all, his daughter is as beautiful as a flower, so why would she have trouble finding a partner?

Ji Xingguo was worried that once his daughter entered university, those scoundrels would harass her.

It was like that when we were in the factory, especially with that group of factory hooligans, led by someone named Lei Tingjun. Every time my daughter came to the factory office to see him, that group of hooligans would crowd around the gate to peek and whistle at her.

Don't think he doesn't know!

After he found out, he was very angry, and Ji Xingguo rarely let his daughter go to the factory to see him anymore.

Ji Xingguo also specifically asked the workshop director to give a warning to the group of factory hooligans, telling them not to cause trouble in the factory.

"Dad, what are you making? It smells so good!" Ji Wanmei walked into the house and asked with a smile.

Ji Xingguo, wearing an apron, turned around with a smile upon hearing this: "Make your favorite shredded potatoes and pork, and sweet and sour pork ribs. It'll be ready in half an hour!"

Ji Wanmei's eyes reddened slightly, and she couldn't help but shed tears. It had been almost ten years since her previous life.

She hadn't eaten her father's cooking for almost ten years.

"Dad's cooking is the best in the world!" Ji Wanmei said affectionately as she walked into the kitchen and took Ji Xingguo's arm.

"Don't come here. There's oil and water everywhere. You'll get splashed all over. Go wait in the living room," Ji Xingguo said.

Ji Wanmei couldn't hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.

Her father was so good to her.

Her father, who doted on her so much, died of illness in his past life because of that scumbag Yang Zhiping.

Ji Wanmei secretly vowed in her heart that in this life, she would never, ever let her father's fate, or her own life, repeat the same mistakes!