Zhao Hujiang said to Zhao Hai in an annoyed tone, "What's she making a fuss about? The whole family is having trouble because of her."

Zhao Hai leaned against the door, looking impatient, and said, "How would I know what she's up to? She keeps crying and insisting on seeing you!"

Zhao Hujiang sighed and said, "Alas, how would you all live without me? You're all like children who never grow up!"

After Zhao Hujiang finished speaking, he stood up and said to Xiang Pengfei, "Brother, you eat here, I'll be there in a bit. We can continue our chat later!"

Xiang Pengfei nodded and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you!"

Zhao Hujiang walked to the door and said to Zhao Hai, "Stay here and talk with our benefactor for a while. If our benefactor wants to leave, you pay for the meal. Don't let our benefactor pay, or I won't let you off the hook!"

Zhao Hai replied perfunctorily, "Okay! Go ahead and do your thing!"

Only then did Zhao Hujiang leave the restaurant with peace of mind.

Zhao Hai watched Zhao Hujiang walk away before daring to sit down at the table. Looking at the abundant crabs and lobsters, he swallowed hard before saying, "Old man, you've really gone to great lengths! So much delicious food!"

Xiang Pengfei, who was eating, glanced at Zhao Hai and said, "What? Isn't this something your dad's tired of eating?"

"Hmph, does he have such a good palate? Do you think he's popular as the deputy factory director? Let me tell you the truth, he's not well-liked at all. Not only is he not well-liked, but some people even point fingers and curse him behind his back! They say he's too upright and doesn't show any leniency. This deputy factory director position was only secured for him by Deputy Mayor Yan. Otherwise, he'd just be a workshop director!"

"He insisted? Does he have a good relationship with the deputy mayor?"

"During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, they were in the same platoon. My dad was Yan Zhijun's soldier and once took a bullet for Yan Zhijun!"

"Ah! So that's how it is. They are comrades-in-arms who have shared life and death. No wonder your dad said he wanted to talk to Vice Mayor Yan!"

"You just take my dad's words as gospel? Yan Zhijun doesn't take my dad seriously at all. When they were together, they made a betrothal promise when they were children! They said they would become sworn brothers if they were of the same sex and marry if they were of different sexes! But Yan Zhijun never keeps his word!"

Xiang Pengfei is Yan Zhijun's nephew-in-law, so he naturally knows about Yan Zhijun's situation. He said, "As far as I know, Vice Mayor Yan has no children. How can he keep his word?"

"Yes, but Zhou Chengzhi and Zhou Yuxiang were raised by him. His sister and brother-in-law died young!"

"You're really something, investigating so thoroughly. So you're saying I stole your wife? I'm getting my divorce certificate tomorrow, so I can just give Zhou Yuxiang to you, how about it?"

"Stop talking nonsense. I know Zhou Yuxiang well. She's stingy and petty!"

"Don't just focus on her bad points; at least she owns a transportation company!"

"That belongs to his uncle too!"

"Alright! It seems you know more about many things than I do. Let's stop talking then and have dinner. We can chat freely after dinner!"

"Although I've never eaten such a big crab or lobster before, I still wouldn't bother eating it. I have to go now, see you again sometime."

"Okay, goodbye!"

Xiang Pengfei watched Zhao Hai leave the restaurant, ate another crab, and then said to the owner, "Boss, how many of my dishes are ready?"

"I just finished cooking a fish!"

"Okay, could you please pack this up for me? My friend left, and I can't finish any more food. I'm sorry! Can I pay the bill?"

"Well, okay! Okay, crabs are 50, lobsters are 20, fish is 30, that's exactly 100 yuan!"

"Wow! It's so expensive!"

"Sir, this is not expensive at all! All the ingredients are air-freighted. The hairy crabs are air-freighted from Anhui, and the fish are Yellow River carp air-freighted from Zhengzhou. The airfare alone would cost more than this. Besides, we have other dishes. All the ingredients are ready, and we just need to cook them. If no customers order them, it will all go to waste!"

"Alright! Let's pack it up!"

"Alright!"

Xiang Pengfei took out his money to pay the bill, and the shop owner packed up the dishes for him. The bill was settled and neither of them owed the other anything.

As Xiang Pengfei carried the groceries out of the restaurant, his palms were sweaty, because he couldn't afford to pay the owner another ten yuan.

After leaving the hotel, Zhao Hujiang rushed to Zhao Rong's ward. He found Zhao Rong sitting in a wheelchair, tears streaming down her face, crying so hard that she seemed to have fainted.

As soon as Zhao Hujiang entered the ward, he squatted down next to Zhao Rong and asked her, "Second sister, what's wrong? Why are you crying so sadly?"

When Zhao Rong saw Zhao Hujiang, she cried even harder, but that didn't stop her from speaking. She said, "Dad, I wanted to marry Pengfei so I could repay him. But who knew he would look down on me because I'm too young? The more I think about it, the sadder and more wronged I feel, and I can't control myself anymore, Dad! What should I do?"

"Oh dear, second son! You can't have such thoughts! You're a girl, you should be reserved. If word gets out that you're crying and making a scene, it'll ruin your reputation, and people will look down on you!"

"No! I want to marry Pengfei, I want Pengfei, Dad!"

"No, absolutely not! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll slap you!"

When Zhao Rong saw that Zhao Hujiang was angry, she immediately shut her mouth. Her father had never scolded her so loudly before, and this was the first time. So she didn't dare to make a scene. Instead, she looked at Zhao Hujiang with tears in her eyes and asked softly, "Why, Dad?"

"Because, because, I just betrothed your eldest sister to Xiang Pengfei, and he will be your brother-in-law from now on. You can't act like this anymore!"

Zhao Rong pouted, pointed at Zhao Hujiang with her finger, and said, "Dad, you're biased! You're biased!"

After saying that, she lay down on the hospital bed and started crying again, but her voice wasn't as loud as before.

Zhao Ping then said to Zhao Hujiang, "Dad, your arrangement is a bit hasty. Brother Pengfei is married; his wife is Zhou Yuxiang!"

Zhao Hujiang said reproachfully, "This is all your fault. You delivered food to Pengfei, and Zhou Yuxiang saw it, which led to their divorce. They're getting their divorce certificate tomorrow!"

"Oh! Did I make such a big mistake? What should I do, Dad? Pengfei saved my sister, and I even caused his divorce. I'm such a terrible person. Shouldn't I apologize to Pengfei?!"

"No need to apologize. I just talked to Pengfei at the restaurant. He's definitely getting a divorce tomorrow. Once he does, I'll try to get you two together!"

"Huh! This??"

"What? You don't want to?"

Before Zhao Ping could speak, Zhao Rong blurted out, "Dad, I do, I do!"

Zhao Hujiang glared at Zhao Rong and said, "If you keep acting up, I'll tear your mouth off!"

Zhao Rong stared at Zhao Hujiang in fright and only managed to utter two words: "Favoritism!"

Then he fell silent.

Zhao Hujiang then looked at Zhao Ping and asked, "What are you thinking?"

Zhao Ping blushed and said, "I have no objection to marrying Pengfei, but I don't know what Pengfei thinks?"

“Pengfei said that if he gets divorced, he will be left with nothing, and you’re willing to accept that!”

Zhao Ping nodded and said, "I'm willing!"

Zhao Rong rolled her eyes and said, "Shameless!"

Zhao Hujiang reached out, about to hit Zhao Rong, and said, "Say one more word and I'll slap you across the face!"

Zhao Rong was so frightened that she covered her mouth with both hands and fell silent.

Zhao Hujiang continued, "Once Pengfei gets divorced and has nowhere to go, I'll find him a warehouse in the factory to use as his wedding home. Then you two will be married, and you can help him make a comeback!"

Zhao Ping nodded and said, "I'll listen to Dad!"

Zhao Hujiang sighed and said, "Although it might be tough at first, Pengfei can drive, and I'll arrange a good job for him. I believe things will get better in two or three years. Are you willing to suffer with him, Zhao Ping?"

"I do!"

"Okay, that's great. It's just a little unfair to you, Zhao Ping, but Pengfei did save your sister after all, which is a kindness to our family, and we have to repay that kindness!"

Zhao Rong couldn't help but say, "I'm willing too!"

Zhao Hujiang angrily retorted, "Your sister was repaying a debt of gratitude, but you're seeking revenge!"