With so many people around, Zhang Hongmei really wanted to go over and slap him. But she forced a smile and said, "But I can't take that responsibility. I'm afraid of disturbing my parents' peace and quiet."

"How could that be? I'm going to pay respects to an old friend. Besides, I'm practically your cousin."

"A-Yuan, go by yourself if you want to. Hongmei still has to go to school." Zhou Shixiong really couldn't do anything about this good-for-nothing grandson.

"Grandpa, Hongmei's grades are so good, a few days won't make a difference. Besides, I'll drive there and be back soon."

Zhang Hongmei thought about what Zhang Shouyi had said and decided not to refuse again.

Zhou Yuanqing was satisfied; he was convinced he couldn't get information about Cui Lin's belongings from this girl.

Zhou Shixiong was very worried. He knew perfectly well that Zhang Hongmei's parents' deaths were caused by A Yuan. With Zhang Shouyi and Gu Chuanming around, the girl couldn't possibly not know. If something really happened, he really couldn't show up, nor would he be able to.

Zhang Hongmei didn't care. She wasn't afraid even if she went back with Zhou Yuanqing. She could take him down by surprise.

The meal lasted for an hour. Da Tou didn't drink, the leader didn't drink either, and no one else ate or drank excessively in this setting. Most of the time, they chatted.

After the banquet, everyone said their goodbyes, as it was getting late and Da Tou needed to rest.

All three got into Gu Chuanming's car. The three bodyguards didn't even get to eat; they were all in Zhang Shouyi's car.

Zhang Shouyi started the car. "Hongmei, shall we stay in the compound tonight?"

"Cough cough cough cough cough!" Gu Chuanming was furious. His elder was still here, and this kid dared to ask such a question. He had grown too bold.

"No, I have to go home for dinner. I barely ate anything at this kind of occasion, and I was just about to eat when I was interrupted. It's really disappointing."

"Okay, I'll arrange for you to stay at my place tomorrow."

They soon arrived at Zhang Shouyi's house. Chengzi and Wang Ying got into the car and drove out of the compound.

"Hongmei, you did a great job today. You didn't embarrass me. That's how it should be. No matter who it is, if they bully you, you should beat them back tenfold."

"Grandpa, then my nickname from now on will be 'Tiger Mother'." Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes inelegantly. If they were at home and Wang Xinyi saw this, she would definitely look at her disapprovingly again.

"Hehehe, who dares to say that?"

"Yes, people might not dare to say it to your face, but what they say behind your back might be even more unpleasant."

"Hehe, let's pretend we didn't hear that. Your status in Beijing is now higher than Zhou Yuanqing's." Gu Chuanming thought to himself, "Hmph! A bunch of old bastards want to make a move on my granddaughter. They'll have to get past Zhang Shouyi first."

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but laugh again. I wonder how Zhang Shouyi, with his petty nature, would ever get so worked up back home.

When we got home, the car drove straight into the yard, and Aunt Li came to greet us.

"Aunt Li, I'm still hungry. Grandpa hasn't eaten enough either, and Chengzi and his sister haven't eaten either."

"It's ready. I've prepared seafood porridge for you two, and steamed buns and stir-fried vegetables for Chengzi and the others," Aunt Li replied with a smile.

"Grandpa, have another bowl of porridge. Eating the food there makes my stomach hurt."

"Hehe, okay. I'll have a bowl with you."

After dinner, Zhang Hongmei spoke foreign languages ​​with Wang Xinyi for half an hour before going to wash up. When she returned, she saw Wang Ying and Aunt Li waiting for her at the study door with the gifts they had received that day.

"Wang Ying, can you still remember who sent them all? I got all confused towards the end."

"I've got it."

“That’s great. You and Aunt Li should write down all the gifts you received today and who gave them to you. I’ll give you a notebook so that if someone needs something in the future, you can return it in the same way.”

After giving her instructions, Zhang Hongmei went to find Wang Xinyi. She needed to catch up on her foreign language skills. She might have to go back to Liujiatun in a few days.

The next morning, following the usual routine, Zhang Hongmei found Gu Chuanming at nine o'clock in the morning. "Grandpa, I'm going back to Shuren Hutong to take a look. It's been almost a month since I've been back."

"I'll go with you."

"Okay, okay, just the two of us. I'll make dumplings for you for lunch."

"Okay, let's not take the car, let's just walk over."

After the father and son discussed it, they left Chengzi and Wang Ying at home. The two of them, like children who had been able to sneak out to play, happily went to Shuren Hutong.

Opening the door, I saw that the yard was quite clean, and it didn't look like anyone lived there. I pushed open the door to the study and said, "Grandpa, come in and rest for a while. I'll boil some water for you."

Zhang Hongmei touched the dust-free table, knowing that it must have been cleaned by Uncle Li and Aunt Li when they came over.

"Hehe, this little courtyard is not bad."

"Right? If it weren't for the fact that we have a lot of family members, I would have moved back here."

"It's not big enough, and it's inconvenient if it's too cramped. The yard we live in now is just the right size."

"Grandpa, shall we eat dumplings, just the two of us?"

"No, make something you're good at."

"Okay, I'll make you some fish balls. That's my specialty. Even my great-grandmother could eat two bowls of them."

"Okay, then you go make it, I'll just wait to eat."

"If you get bored, you can read a book or something. It'll be quick; you'll be able to eat in an hour and a half." Zhang Hongmei went to the kitchen, brought out a large grass carp, and then killed, skinned, deboned, and minced it.

The storage ring has been opened to the public, and many things can be taken out and used. However, I only put a little bit of minced ginger, salt, and a small cup of spiritual spring water in it, and nothing else.

Add cornstarch water and stir until the fish becomes firm. Then set it aside and start cooking the rice. It's just for two people, so there's no need to cook too much.

While the fire was burning, I also took out cilantro, eggplant, green peppers, and potatoes. For lunch today, I'll have fish balls and a dish of stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers. I can also steam a bowl of braised pork belly. Perfect!

Zhang Hongmei was busy and happy in the kitchen, while Gu Chuanming in the study was also smiling as he looked at Zhang Hongmei's photo. This girl is really good-looking, otherwise Zhang Shouyi wouldn't be so concerned. It's just that this silly girl hasn't realized it yet. What if she gets deceived in the future? Gu Chuanming felt a sense of worry, afraid that his own flower would be picked by someone else.

I flipped through the girl's notebook again, and her handwriting was impeccable. If Grandpa saw such handwriting, he would probably laugh out loud, since the old man has loved writing all his life.

Zhang Hongmei started steaming rice in the kitchen and also steamed a bowl of braised pork. Then she heated oil in another pan and fried the chopped potatoes and eggplant. Finally, she added green peppers, a little soy sauce, oyster sauce, a little sugar, and salt before taking it out of the pan.

I washed the pot, added water, and poached only fifty fish balls. I put the remaining fish meat into my spatial storage to give to Zhang Shouyi that evening.

Gu Chuanming came to the kitchen following the aroma. "Hongmei, your cooking is still so good?"

"That's right, please try them, they're all my specialties."