Zhang Hongmei hesitated, but after thinking about it, she realized that her relationship with Zhang Shouyi was better than that with Gu Chuanming.

"Brother Zhang, is Wang Ying reliable?"

"What's wrong? Did you find something?"

"Even though she spent a whole day in the mountains, she didn't pick any mountain produce like a normal person would. I wonder if she was also looking for a treasure?"

Tell me more details.

Zhang Hongmei then recounted their conversation to Zhang Shouyi.

"Old Gu knows that this treasure is in my hands. So, was Wang Ying's action truly unintentional or deliberate? When you get back, talk to Old Gu about it. Wang Ying is an orphan that Old Gu picked up when she was less than a year old. I don't think it's very likely that Old Gu instructed her to do it."

"Yes, I'll ask you when we meet."

Zhang Shouyi felt a sweet warmth in his heart; this girl still valued him.

"Hongmei, shall we go back to the compound tonight?"

"No, I want to go to Shuren Hutong instead. You go to work."

"I'll go with you. Don't worry, Aunt Li cleans up there every two or three days. Don't worry."

"Brother Zhang, when will Li Guoliang be able to return?"

"It will take some time. It will have to wait until that person above leaves, otherwise even if he comes back, he will not escape death. Hongmei is about to have a good show. Don't worry, I will help you completely resolve Zhou Yuanqing's matter."

"Brother Zhang, has he really gone mad?"

"Yes, Da Tou already knows you're back. I reckon he'll invite you over for dinner this Friday night. Knowing his love for lively gatherings, he'll probably invite a lot of people too. I'll suggest that all the family members come as well. At that point, there won't be any way to hide anything."

"Okay, I'll go to class tomorrow, Wednesday. There are only 20 days until the exam, so I hope it won't affect the exam."

Zhang Hongmei leaned against the cushions on the soft couch, feeling worried that Friday night wouldn't be very comfortable.

Zhang Shouyi also moved over and leaned against the cushions next to Zhang Hongmei. Zhang Hongmei looked at the other man's long legs, which were much longer than her own, and felt very envious.

Zhang Shouyi smiled as he watched Zhang Hongmei staring at their legs, remembering what she had once said about liking his long legs. Thinking this, he straightened his legs a little more.

Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes at Zhang Shouyi's actions, thinking, "Childish!" She got up, put on her shoes, and left the house.

"Do you want to go to Shuren Hutong? I'll go with you."

"Sure, it's been a long time since I've been back, I should go and take a look."

The two of them didn't ride bikes, but strolled over.

Opening the door, she saw that the roses in the yard were blooming just as beautifully as those in the new garden. Zhang Hongmei actually loved flowers, especially the brightest ones, but she could never grow any to bloom. Even her pothos plants were dying, so it was all just a fondness for them.

"Uncle Li can grow flowers? That's really impressive. I thought Wang Xinyi grew the flowers in Xinyuan, but it seems Uncle Li grew them too."

"Ms. Wang has always been pampered and has poor practical skills."

Zhang Hongmei laughed, "When we were in Liujiatun, Wang Ying and I went to harvest wheat, while Wang Xinyi went to the canteen to cook. Thinking about it, it was quite a challenge for her. But Wang Ying is really capable."

Zhang Shouyi just smiled. These two people were her people. How could they stay at home while their leader was doing the work?

Zhang Hongmei wandered around for a while, realizing someone was following her. Since there was nothing she could do, she simply locked the door and went back inside.

Xiao Li was back. Zhang Shouyi checked the time and it was almost four o'clock, so he decided to skip work that afternoon. He hadn't seen the girl for almost a month and missed her terribly. It was only because she was so carefree that she didn't care.

Xiao Li thought to himself, "This is what my boss is really like."

"Brother Zhang, shall I make you a cake?"

"No need, just stay with me. It's been almost a month, and you don't miss me at all."

Looking at Zhang Shouyi, who looked as pitiful as a young wife, Zhang Hongmei suddenly understood something. Could it be?

Zhang Shouyi looked at Zhang Hongmei, who suddenly seemed to realize something, then immediately looked at him with horror, and laughed. "Not completely an idiot after all?"

Zhang Hongmei turned and left in a daze. This time, Zhang Shouyi didn't follow, but returned to his room. He had to make sure this girl understood before she went abroad. He hadn't even used his full power yet, and she had already figured it out herself? Well, that's fine.

Xiao Li followed in carrying a stack of documents. When he saw the boss's sinister smile, he felt a chill run down his spine. This was the prelude to someone getting into big trouble.

Zhang Shouyi put on his glasses and said, "Give it to me." He needed to finish reading it quickly, so he only gave the girl an hour to process it.

Zhang Hongmei returned to her room and lay on the bed, thinking about all the little things she had done with Zhang Shouyi. She was Zhang Shouyi's second senior brother, and he had made his feelings so obvious. Why hadn't she thought of it?

Yes, I initially felt there was no possibility, so I didn't think about it in that direction.

But there's really no possibility between the two of them.

They're ten years apart in age, their social statuses are vastly different, and their family backgrounds are worlds apart. The most important point is that I only ever saw him as an elder.

It's really frustrating. How could someone like Zhang Shouyi, who is both talented and beautiful and has a top-notch status, fall for a girl from an ordinary family who has no parents?

Yes, it's nice to have a physical body, but is Zhang Shouyi really that shallow? Could it be that he doesn't want to return the gold he got? But if he doesn't want to return it, then so be it, what can he do?

Then she thought again, Zhang Shouyi's appearance was to her liking; everything about him was to her liking—tall, long-legged, and handsome. But then she thought about living with someone so cunning, ruthless, and two-faced; she probably wouldn't even sleep soundly. She was afraid of being schemed against, of being sold out and still smiling as she counted the money for the other party.

It's terrifying. All I want is to find an ordinary person who treats me well and respects me to spend my life with. In my past life, I was alone until I died. In this life, I just want to be like a normal person, doing what needs to be done at the right time, getting married and having children step by step. I've never thought about wealth and luxury; a modest life is enough for me.

I have never had any improper thoughts about Zhang Shouyi.

But how could he possibly be interested in me?

Zhang Hongmei was truly baffled. Could she pretend she didn't know? But then she thought of Zhang Shouyi's ambiguous smile and felt discouraged; she figured he wouldn't allow it. But could she refuse him?

I'll just say I've always considered him my uncle. Whatever happens, happens. I'm going abroad soon anyway, what can he do?

Why can't we just be a good family? Why bring up romantic relationships? I've never tried or longed for love.