If this leads to uncovering the truth, we might find a way to deal with Guo Zhen.
Cheng Wenyun didn't know much about this, so he could only silently drink his tea and wait for Cheng Wenyun and Cheng Shaojun to speak.
Jiang Ci took the warm orange segment that Zhou Mingli handed her, put it in her mouth, and mumbled, "Perhaps I can tell Director Chai about this without leaving a trace. Surely his family knows what enemies Guo Zhen has."
Once the news gets out, interested people will naturally inquire about it.
“I remember there are a few companies that don’t get along with Guo Zhen. Don’t do this. The less famous the person is, the less attention it will attract,” Cheng Wenyun told Jiang Ci.
Officials naturally need to protect their cronies, especially since Jiangci wants to grow stronger and bigger, so it must not leave any handles in the early stages.
"This news will reach the ears of Guo Zhen's enemies. Even if they can't control him, it will make them temporarily relax their pressure on you."
Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli exchanged a glance and nodded. "Okay."
After finishing his business, Cheng Shaojun leaned back, only to hear children outside excitedly shouting, "It's snowing!"
Cheng Wenyun got up and opened the window. Sure enough, it started snowing heavily again outside.
Cheng Shaojun, warming himself by the fire, sighed, "It would be even better with a cup of mulled wine."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yehan looked at Li Ailian with his aged gaze and asked, "Do you still have red wine at home?"
Li Ailian smiled and said, "Yes, I'll go get it."
Cheng Shaojun immediately perked up, "Auntie! What kind of red wine? What vintage? Do you have any oranges at home?"
"Yes, yes, we have both. The red wine was a gift from your uncle's foreign friend. We didn't drink it, so I don't know what year it is."
Cheng Yehan stood up and said, "Don't forget the important things you need to do. You young people can have fun for the rest of the time. This old man won't get involved."
He's over seventy years old, and old people can't stay up all night, so he naturally needs to rest.
"Xiao Ci, help me up."
Jiang Ci, who had already gotten up, quickly walked to Cheng Yehan's side, took his arm, and led him outside.
An old man and a young girl walked on the covered walkway of the courtyard, watching Huang Zheyue and Cheng Ke running around in the yard with two little children, seemingly unconcerned about the cold.
"A timely snow promises a bumper harvest, old man. Next year will surely be a vibrant new year."
The cold wind swirled snow onto Jiang Ci's shoulders, but she didn't care at all. She turned her head and said to Cheng Yehan.
“Yes, a timely snowfall promises a good harvest.” Cheng Yehan looked intently at the snow, his tone calm. “I’m old and not very useful, but my words can still be heard by those people.”
"Xiao Ci, do whatever you want. I will never let others look down on you because of your low status and try to steal your credit."
Jiang Ci was taken aback, "Grandpa..."
"Although I don't know exactly how much infighting there is within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I know a little about the Chai family. While there are certainly upright and honest people in their family, there are also those who will steal credit from their subordinates in order to climb the ranks. You should proceed with caution."
With a gentle smile, Cheng Yehan patted Jiang Ci's arm lightly.
He remained the same meticulous old man, his back ramrod straight, his eyes both weathered and clear.
Jiang Ci pursed her lips and steadied Cheng Yehan's hand even more.
"Why."
Cheng Yehan went back to his room to rest. When Jiang Ci returned, she found that they had moved from the study to the main room.
Zhou Mingli cut oranges and lemons, then added cinnamon, cloves, and sugar to the red wine. He poured the whole bottle of red wine into the pot and let it simmer.
Li Ailian is distributing roasted sweet potatoes, persimmons, and other fruits to the children.
The four children eagerly gathered around the stove, telling Li Ailian what they wanted to eat.
One person said they wanted to eat persimmons, another said they wanted to eat sweet potatoes, and yet another said they wanted to eat oranges. After getting the food they wanted, they cheered with joy.
The mulled wine was poured into the porcelain teacup, and the six adults raised their glasses, laughing as they clinked them together.
They chatted around the stove for over an hour, then finished the red wine and the children were tired from playing. Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli then took the children and left.
Zhou Yang and Zhou Miao fell asleep on the way, and Huang Zheyue was also yawning, following Jiang Ci and Zhou Mingli.
"Did you have fun?" Jiang Ci's face was slightly flushed, and she didn't feel cold at all. Instead, she lazily looked at Huang Zheyue.
Huang Zheyue hadn't been drinking and was sober. Looking at Jiang Ci, he saw a languid expression on her face, a relaxed and noble air he had never seen before.
Huang Zheyue blushed slightly and nodded shyly.
"Okay... You'll feel more free and comfortable once you move to a bigger house."
Jiang Ci said lazily, then yawned, "Zhou Mingli, when will you be home?"
She was carrying the sleeping Zhou Miao on her back, her words muffled.
"Soon." Zhou Mingli held Zhou Yang in one arm and supported her with the other, turning his head to Huang Zheyue and saying, "Your Aunt Jiang drank too much. When we get back, can you help Yangyang and Miaomiao wash their faces and brush their teeth?"
Huang Zheyue immediately nodded, "Okay!"
Zhou Mingli and Huang Zheyue, along with three others, were finally back home.
There was still hot water in the thermos, so Huang Zheyue took Zhou Yang and Zhou Miao to wash their faces and brush their teeth.
Zhou Mingli carried Jiang Ci back to the house, turned on the light, and placed her on the bed. Zhou Mingli could clearly see her flushed cheeks, like peach blossoms in March, stunningly beautiful.
Zhou Mingli couldn't resist and gave her a light kiss on the lips.
"Lie down for a while, I'll go make Miaomiao's quilt."
Jiang Ci didn't speak, but turned her head and showed Zhou Mingli her profile.
Zhou Mingli's eyes softened with a gentle warmth. He gently smoothed her hair with his large hand, then got up and went to the next room to spread out the quilt he had bought for Zhou Miao.
After Zhou Miao finished washing up, he helped her take off her heavy cotton-padded coat and trousers. The little girl, wearing only thermal underwear, crawled into bed.
Zhou Mingli pulled the blanket up for her, tucked the corners in, and then turned to Huang Zheyue and said, "You and Yangyang should go to sleep early too."
"Okay, Uncle Zhou... goodnight."
Zhou Yang, his head bobbing sleepily, said, "Goodnight, Dad."
Zhou Mingli smiled and patted their heads. "Good night."
They turned off the lights for them, and closed the door behind them after Zhou Mingli left.
Zhou Mingli poured hot water into a basin, wet a towel, and helped Jiang Ci wipe her face.
A warm, soft touch brushed against her cheek. Jiang Ci's mind was foggy, and she turned her head to open her eyes.
"Zhou Mingli." Her voice was trembling as she spoke.
"Hmm?" Zhou Mingli brushed the strands of hair that were stuck to her cheek. "Headache?"
"It doesn't hurt." Jiang Ci stared at him intently, then suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down.
The force wasn't great, but it easily pulled Zhou Mingli closer.
Her hair was spread out on the bed, her face was flushed, as if she had used the finest pink blush, and her clear eyes were like a handful of clear water, quietly reflecting Zhou Mingli.
Her lips were also red, probably from being stained with red wine.
Jiang Ci hugged Zhou Mingli's neck and said, "Zhou Mingli, it feels like I've seen my grandfather again."
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