Zhang Hongmei still went to the bathroom in the study, afraid that the little girl would need to use the toilet.

After entering the space, I drank a glass of water and took a shower before coming out.

"Annie, I'm sorry, Mom forgot to pack you clothes yesterday, so you'll have to wear the same one as yesterday. Let's go to the mall later, and Mom will buy you a few more outfits."

"Yes, Mom."

The two of them didn't come downstairs until half an hour later. Everyone was already seated in the dining room.

The three people who were at work left after finishing their meal. Zhang Hongmei coaxed Annie into eating a piece of egg pancake, just then the phone rang.

"Mom, it must be Dad calling."

The people at the table still couldn't get used to the title; the more they heard it, the more ridiculous it seemed. However, the person in question seemed to have adapted quite well.

Zhao Hao was answering the phone. "Zhang Hongmei, Annie, phone call."

"Mom, am I right? It really is Dad on the phone."

"Yes, you are the smartest angel."

After praising Annie, Zhang Hongmei picked up the receiver and said, "Hello!"

“Ms. Zhang, I am Carlos McKen. My parents and I will be at your house in an hour.”

Zhang Hongmei looked conflicted. "Okay. We'll be waiting for you at home!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Hongmei didn't eat the remaining half of her meal; she wasn't in the mood.

"Hongmei, are Sister Huang and the others coming?"

"Yes, it's Annie's grandfather, so it should be the three of them together. Aunt Chen, why don't you go buy groceries? We need to make it a bit more elaborate today."

Wang Xinyi sat down next to Zhang Hongmei. "You mean you're unwilling?"

"I don't know either, I just don't want to be tied down at such a great distance."

"Hongmei, you're getting stuck on this. Isn't Annie a burden to you anymore?"

Zhang Hongmei thought about it and realized that made sense. Annie was someone she couldn't bear to part with, someone she was attached to while she was here.

He nodded to Wang Xinyi. "It's okay, I've figured it out, don't worry."

Cheng Guangxu and the other two looked at Zhang Hongmei with disbelief.

"You all go ahead and do your work, it's not a big deal."

In the living room, Wang Xinyi and Shen Yunfang discussed what groceries to buy. They absolutely had to make meat pies today, and with Annie's grandfather joining them, they couldn't be careless. A lavish meal wouldn't be feasible, but it needed to be at least something special. So, the two discussed today's dishes and the ingredients they needed to prepare.

Zhang Hongmei and Annie sat on the other side, looking at picture books together. Usually, Annie would read the stories to Zhang Hongmei.

The three men returned to their rooms and became inseparable from their computers.

Zhao Tiancheng knew that guests were coming to his house today, so he didn't go to the textile factory. He sat to one side reading the newspaper.

After Annie and her friend finished reading a picture book, they heard the sound of a car in the yard.

Everyone in the living room stood up, and Zeng Zhongkang and the others opened the door and came out. They all went out together to greet them.

As Annie saw Carlos McKen get out of the car, she rushed over and hugged his leg tightly. "Daddy, I missed you."

Carlos McKen knelt down and hugged his daughter. "My baby, Daddy missed you too. Have you been a good girl and listened to Mommy?"

“Of course,” Anne said, then ran towards Huang Meihua.

"Grandma, Grandpa, I miss you so much."

The two elderly people squatted down as well. "I thought you didn't want us anymore because you have a mother," Huang Meihua said, tapping Annie's nose.

"How could that be? I have my whole family now, including my parents and grandparents."

“Yes, Annie Baby’s family is all here today.” Beth McKen picked up Annie and said with a smile.

"Sister Huang, let's come inside and sit down." Wang Xinyi said, pulling Huang Meihua's hand as they walked into the living room.

Zhao Tiancheng also came over and invited the McCann father and son.

Huang Meihua passed by Zhang Hongmei and grabbed her hand. "Hongmei, come on, let's go inside and talk."

After entering the house and sitting down, Carlos McKen introduced his father, Beth McKen, to everyone.

Only Zhao Tiancheng remembered the former head of the McCann family. He was a notoriously ruthless character, but he was not famous for his decisive methods, but for the rumors of his doting on his wife.

Zhang Hongmei had heard Zhang Shouyi talk about the McCann family before. Zhang Shouyi's assessment of them was that they were ruthless and decisive, with the motto "Those who obey me prosper, those who oppose me perish." She really hadn't realized that this kind and amiable old man could be so cruel.

From the moment Beth McKen entered and sat down, he kept his eyes on Zhang Hongmei, showing no malice nor any other emotion. Zhang Hongmei was wary. This guy really was something else.

When Carlos saw himself, he could sense no malice. But he felt absolutely nothing towards this person.

Annie sat down next to Zhang Hongmei and asked, "Grandpa, why do you keep looking at my mom? Do you think she's pretty too?"

“Yes. Annie Baby’s mother is so beautiful.” Beth McKenna explained to Annie with a smile, not ignoring the fact that it was a child’s issue.

Annie clung to Zhang Hongmei's arm triumphantly, like a smug little peacock.

Huang Meihua asked with a smile, "Bass, what do you think? Is my taste good?"

"It seems alright now, but I'm not sure about her becoming the eldest daughter of the McCann family."

Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes inwardly after hearing this. Who wants to be your family's young lady?

"Oh? So what do you mean?"

"Miss Zhang, shall we talk?"

Zhang Hongmei gave a forced smile. "Mr. McKen, what would you like to talk to me about? Please ask whatever you want, and I will give you the answer I can." Subconsciously, she couldn't admit that she couldn't say a word.

"Hehe, that's quite unique. Should I just get straight to the point and ask?"

Zhang Hongmei looked directly at Beth McKen with frankness.

"I want to know why you don't want to acknowledge this family relationship?"

"Is the reason that I don't need any benefits from the McCann family?"

"Oh? You're too young to know what the McCann family means."

"Heh, so what if the McCann family is powerful and wealthy? What does that have to do with me? I'm just an ordinary citizen, I can't get used to the life of the elite."

"Hehe, that's why I said you're too young. Once you've tasted the power and money, you won't say that anymore."

"I don't know, no one can predict what will happen in the future, but I don't think I will regret it."

"What if I gave you the highest position in the McCann family besides the matriarch? How would you feel?"

"I'm very sorry, but I'm really not interested. You may be powerful now, but are you so sure I won't become more powerful than you in the future? Why should I accept charity from others?"

"Hehe, the young lady is very confident. But that's not something that can be achieved overnight, and it's too tiring to work hard on your own."

"I'm sorry, but I didn't feel tired at all. On the contrary, I enjoyed it."

Beth McKen laughed, and it was a laugh that brought joy to everyone.

“Meihua, you really have a good eye. You didn’t mistake this daughter.”