"Hahaha, yeah, Shouyi can walk sideways now."

"Now I see it, you're all in cahoots, bullying me alone, right? I'm going to stick with you all too."

Zhang Shouyi would often say things like this, hoping that Zhang Hongmei would realize that life could suddenly awaken to its true meaning. However, he overestimated Zhang Hongmei's emotional intelligence and failed once again.

Gu Chuanming laughed heartily. It was great that this kid could finally get his comeuppance.

Zhang Hongmei stood by, watching the two of them blankly. She didn't understand, and simply stopped thinking about it.

"Grandpa, I want to eat roasted meat. When we get back, let's ask Uncle Li to find a thick iron plate, and we'll roast the meat in the yard. I know how to marinate it, and I guarantee you'll want more after you've tried it."

"You brat, don't say that now, I want to eat it right now."

"Hehe, I want to too."

"Will you take me with you?"

"It depends on your performance." Zhang Hongmei raised her chin arrogantly and said smugly, then smiled.

"Don't worry, sir. I'm your gun. You tell me where to shoot, and I'll shoot. I'll be absolutely obedient. Is that alright?"

"Grandpa, have you ever seen our leader with that kind of expression?"

"I've never seen that before. Shouyi has always been mature and prudent."

Zhang Shouyi gritted his teeth, "You two are bullying me, aren't you?"

Zhang Hongmei suppressed a laugh and said, "Brother Zhang, you should say: 'You two are bullying me, aren't you? I'm going to find my dad!'" Then she burst into laughter.

"Hmph, what's the use of going to my dad? He's biased towards you anyway."

"Of course, someone as pretty and cute as me is bound to be popular, isn't that right, Grandpa?"

"Yes, my Hongmei is beautiful and cute, and she's the most lovable."

Zhang Shouyi laughed too. "Alright," he said, "the little rift between them seems to have suddenly disappeared. That's for the best. Whether it's because Zhang Hongmei knows Zhou Yuanqing and is afraid, or because she's gained confidence after acknowledging Old Master Gu, it's all in her own interest."

The three of them laughed and joked happily all the way, and time seemed to fly by.

It was almost dark. "Brother Zhang, you take a break, I'll drive."

"Yes, Shouyi, let Hongmei bloom. Come here, there are some things we need to discuss, it won't be convenient to go back."

"Okay, Hongmei, are you hungry? Why don't you eat something first?" Zhang Shouyi slowly pulled over to the side of the road.

"I don't want to eat. Grandpa, would you like some?"

"I'm not eating either. I'm waiting to get home and have a hot meal."

"Yes, Aunt Wang knows we're going back today, so Aunt Li and the others will definitely have a meal ready for us."

As soon as Zhang Hongmei got out of the car, Xiao Li ran over. "Boss, do you need to refuel?"

"Okay, good luck to you. Let's all get out of the car and take a walk for a bit."

The big shots in the car all got out to stretch their legs, but Zhou Yuanqing didn't get out and stayed in the back seat, muttering to himself.

Li Guoliang gestured to Xiao Li, and a little while later, after the two finished refueling, they met up when they went to relieve themselves some distance away.

Twenty minutes later we set off again, and we'll be home in two hours.

Listening to the two men discussing how to appease Da Tou and trick Zhou Yuanqing, Zhang Hongmei truly admired these politicians. Their schemes were so elaborate, even a seasoned hunter couldn't escape their traps.

That's terrifying! I really worry about Zhang Shouyi's other half. He probably won't even be able to sleep soundly now. He was plotting to sell you out, and you still know about it and are even helping him count the money.

It wasn't until they entered the capital region that the two finalized their plan. Poor Zhou Yuanqing! If he had encountered something like that, he probably would have wanted to end it all.

The convoy disbanded, and everyone went home. Of course, they were curious about where Gu Chuanming lived, but no one dared to follow. After all, Zhang Shouyi was in the car. Following a leader was a recipe for disaster.

"Hongmei, I'm staying at Xinyuan tonight."

“Okay, there’s still food to eat when we get back.” Zhang Hongmei didn’t care about such a simple thing.

"I'm going up the mountain tomorrow afternoon too, so why don't you skip class this afternoon? Let's go after lunch."

"Okay, Professor Kong's class is the first one this afternoon." Zhang Hongmei chuckled, watching the old man's expression after he found out she was going out to play.

"Who? Kong Mingde?"

“Yes, Kong Mingde also serves as a professor in the Department of Economics at Capital University,” Zhang Shouyi explained to Gu Chuanming.

"Hehe, just tell him I'm here." Gu Chuanming chuckled.

"Great idea! Shall we invite him over for dinner on Tuesday night?"

"Okay." Gu Chuanming was very happy to hear our family say that.

Since we're going to the mountains tomorrow afternoon, we don't need to go back to Shuren Hutong today. The three cars drove directly to Xinyuan.

As soon as the group got off the car, the gate opened, and all three of them came out.

Uncle Li helped Xiao Li Chengzi move things into his house, and Zhang Hongmei wanted to help Gu Chuanming, but was refused.

“I can walk, I don’t need you, and I don’t look useless yet.”

Zhang Hongmei and Zhang Shouyi followed behind the old man, while Aunt Li and Wang Xinyi led the way.

"Aunt Li, what's served at home?"

"Your Aunt Wang made you eight-treasure porridge."

"That's great, we haven't had dinner yet."

The group went straight into the dining room, where Aunt Li prepared hot water. After washing up, the three of them sat down to drink tea.

After Xiao Li and Chengzi came in, everyone sat down around the table.

Zhang Shouyi spoke calmly. "This is Hongmei's grandfather. From now on, he will be an elder in the family. You all should take good care of him."

"yes."

Wang Xinyi gave Zhang Hongmei a bowl of soup. Zhang Hongmei took it and drank it in one gulp, her hearty manner making Gu Chuanming laugh heartily.

"Grandpa, Aunt Wang knows how to make medicinal cuisine. Let's invite a traditional Chinese medicine doctor over the day after tomorrow so they can study the prescriptions. We can gradually stop taking medicine and focus on food therapy."

"Yes, sir, dietary supplements are the safest and most effective, and they have no side effects."

"Okay, go ahead and do whatever you want, I'll listen to you."

After dinner, Aunt Li tidied up the room, which was in the main house in the third courtyard. The room was very comfortable, and Gu Chuanming was quite satisfied.

After taking a bath, Zhang Shouyi went to Zhang Hongmei's room.

"Brother Zhang, aren't you asleep so late?"

"I only need three hours of sleep a day."

"Staying up late all the time ages you faster."

Are you saying you're refusing to chat with me?

"Okay, I'm going to sleep now. I have class tomorrow."

"Okay, go to sleep, or you won't grow up."

"That's still better than looking old."

Zhang Shouyi left with a smile, but Chengzi was waiting for him.

"Old Master Gu wants you to go there."

"Okay, let's do it together."

"Aren't you going to rest?" Zhang Shouyi asked as he entered, seeing Gu Chuanming sitting at the table.

"Let's talk. There are some things that are not easy to say in front of that girl."

"Please speak," Zhang Shouyi said, sitting down and accepting the tea Chengzi offered.

Chengzi and Xiao Li both left.

"You can't force that girl. It has to be done if she's willing."

"Heh, so you're protecting her already?"

"Yes, I have a responsibility."