Chapter 97 Did he really wake up?

She didn't ask any more questions, assuming he was just killing time.

As a result, they spent most of the day searching but couldn't find anyone.

Neighbors didn't see him go out either, and even the owner of the convenience store he frequented said he hadn't seen him.

This made Zhou Shufen feel increasingly uneasy.

"My second brother said he was going to work to earn money, so he found a job as a laborer nearby."

Zhou Haiqing scratched his head.

Before leaving, Zhou Hairong patted him on the shoulder, his tone unusually serious.

"Brother, I'm going to start working now. Don't say I'm sponging off my parents anymore."

Zhou Haiqing thought he had misheard.

He asked with some skepticism.

"Really going? Are you not going to scam money off gambling again?"

Zhou Hairong rolled his eyes.

"Who do you think you are? I'm serious this time!"

Zhou Haiqing could only ignore these words and didn't take them to heart.

He only told his mother about it when she asked him about it.

Zhou Shufen's heart was pounding.

She knew her son too well.

After graduating from high school, he refused to work in a factory because he thought it was too tiring.

A friend recommended me for a delivery job, but I didn't want to be exposed to the wind and sun.

His relatives suggested he learn to be an electrician, but he complained that it required apprenticeship, on-site work, and hardship.

In the end, she simply stayed at home playing video games and lived off her meager monthly pension.

I occasionally do odd jobs, working one day and resting for three days, and I use the money I get to buy cigarettes and alcohol.

Now that he suddenly says he's going to work, and even does manual labor, how could she easily believe him?

"OK."

Zhou Shufen responded and decided to go out and take a look.

She didn't want to see her son go astray again, nor did she want to worry about him anymore.

She had to see for herself whether Zhou Hairong was really going to work or was just playing tricks to deceive people again.

She went to the bathroom and washed her face.

She glanced at herself in the mirror.

She suddenly felt a little dazed: When did she become so old?

Even when she gets old, she still has to worry about her son.

I ate something quickly and then went out to look for someone.

She walked out along the familiar alley, her eyes searching for every possible intersection.

There was only one construction site nearby, so the location was easy to find.

Zhou Shufen often heard people talking about how they were hiring laborers there.

She had a general idea in her mind that if Zhou Hairong really wanted to work, he would most likely be here.

Zhou Shufen walked straight there.

The workers inside are busy; it's not easy to find someone in such a large area.

Zhou Shufen stood at the edge, momentarily stunned.

The figures moved about, dust flew everywhere, and she couldn't tell who was who at a glance.

Zhou Shufen's gaze swept over the faces of the workers, trying to see if Zhou Hairong was there.

She actually saw it.

Right next to the pile of bricks on the east side, five workers were bending over and carrying bricks.

One of them had a familiar posture when he bent over.

Zhou Shufen's heart tightened suddenly, and she quickened her pace.

Yes, it really is Zhou Hairong!

Zhou Hairong and four other workers were carrying bricks under the sun.

His face turned bright red, and sweat poured down his forehead like rain.

Zhou Hairong was spoiled from a young age, and even though his family was not wealthy, Zhou Shufen couldn't bear to let him do heavy work.

This kind of work relies entirely on physical strength, and Zhou Shufen felt a tightness in her chest watching it.

She knew how tough this job was.

Zhou Hairong, a young man who had never experienced hardship, persevered without uttering a sound.

She couldn't help but want to rush up to him and tell him to stop.

But she dared not move, fearing that if she softened her heart, she would make him retreat back to his comfort zone.

She couldn't figure out if Zhou Hairong genuinely wanted to change.

This scene looks too unreal.

Has he really come to his senses?

Or is it just an act for people to see?

Maybe he just wanted to pretend for a few days, and then slip away quietly once she was reassured?

But looking at his tired yet stubborn expression, it didn't seem like he was faking it.

After all, he's my son. If he's really willing to turn back, giving him another chance isn't out of the question.

It's not that she doesn't want to forgive, it's not that she doesn't want to believe.

But too many past disappointments have made her hesitant to fall in love again.

But this time, she's willing to try believing again.

But she didn't dare to believe it easily.

Her heart had already been worn down and could no longer withstand the slightest setback.

She stood at a distance for a long time, but never took a step.

She wanted to hear an explanation, but she was also afraid of hearing more lies.

Finally, she bit her lip, turned around, and left.

Zhou Hairong returned home from get off work in the evening.

His face was etched with exhaustion, yet he still managed to force a relaxed smile.

Upon entering, the first thing he did was rush to the pool.

He rubbed his hands vigorously and washed his face several times.

Then, he turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Where are you going?

Qin Guifang quickly asked.

"I'll cook. We finished work early today, earlier than I expected."

Zhou Hairong grinned.

He bent down and picked through the vegetables, his movements not very skillful, but he was extremely serious.

"You've been working hard all day, forget it, I'll do it."

Qin Guifang quickly walked over and tried to snatch the vegetables from his hands.

"It's okay, cooking isn't difficult, I can still do it."

Zhou Hairong shielded the vegetables behind his back, shaking his head with a smile.

"Go sit down and rest for a while, don't strain your stomach!"

"Alright, thanks for your hard work."

Qin Guifang had no choice but to nod.

She sighed softly and eventually retreated back to the living room.

When Zhou Shufen returned home, the table was already full of food.

Zhou Hairong was carrying the last dish out of the kitchen.

"Mom, you're back! Come and eat."

He quickly greeted them.

Did you cook these dishes?

Zhou Shufen changed her shoes while looking at the food on the table.

"Yes, I made it."

Zhou Hairong spoke calmly, yet with a hint of pride.

After the family sat down, the only sounds on the table were the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the chewing of food.

Zhou Hairong lowered his head and ate a few bites of food, then suddenly stopped.

His voice was deep yet clear.

"I was wrong this time, causing such a big problem and so much trouble for you all. I... I know I was useless before. But now, I've realized my mistake. I'll work hard and pay back every penny I owe. Okay?"

Qin Guifang's hand, which was holding a plate of food, froze in mid-air.

Zhou Shufen put down her chopsticks.

Even the usually silent youngest son of the Zhou family raised his head.

It's good that he has this idea, but how long will it take for him to raise so much money on his own?

That debt is no small amount.

Zhou Shufen stared at Zhou Hairong for a long time.

"Can you pay it back? How long will it take?"

She finally spoke, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

"Mom, don't worry."

Zhou Hairong's eyes were clear and firm.

"This matter is resolved. This afternoon, someone spoke to those people. They said that their violent debt collection methods are illegal and constitute a criminal offense. Moreover, the interest rate far exceeded the legal limit, and such debts are not protected by law. In this situation, you can report them to the police station."

“I’ve thought it through. I’m not in a rush to pay you back. I’ll start by working as a laborer on a construction site and save up little by little to pay you back. After all, I lent you the money, and I can’t default on it.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen's eyes were filled with doubt and surprise.

She instinctively grabbed Zhou Hairong's arm.

"Who was it? Who helped you solve your problem?"

"Oh? I thought it was you!"

Zhou Hairong looked bewildered, his face filled with confusion.