Chapter 43 Either way is fine with Nie Qingqing, respect the child's wishes...
Nie Qingqing genuinely wanted to accompany Xiaoyin during her college entrance exams. She was more meticulous than others and could help plan ahead, including the departure time and route—all things that required careful consideration. However, Song Zhao's words also made sense.
Xiaoyin called again, repeatedly saying, "Aunt Qingqing, you and Dad don't need to come back. My uncle and aunt are taking me. I've been taking care of myself for the past three years, and I'm fine."
Nie Qingqing stopped worrying and agreed to wait for her good news here.
However, for such a big event, even relatives are not as close as one's own parents, so she asked Song Zhao to go back and accompany Xiaoyin to take the college entrance examination. After the exam, they waited for the estimated scores, and then filled out the college application. Everything went smoothly, and Xiaoyin applied to the art academy she wanted.
As soon as Song Zhao returned, Nie Qingqing asked, "Was your estimated score accurate? Is your first choice okay?"
Song Zhao remained calm: "Xiaoyin never gave us any trouble in high school, so you can relax."
Even so, who wouldn't be anxious while waiting for the admission notice? Nie Qingqing was a little better when she was busy with work, but as soon as she got home, all she could think about was Xiaoyin, and she couldn't concentrate on anything else.
Tangyuan brought back the packed food: "Mom, you've lost weight in the past two weeks. Your sister is so confident, there's definitely no problem with the acceptance letter."
Nie Qingqing: "I understand what you're saying, but I won't feel at ease until I see the notification letter."
...
Xiaoyin is staying home to wait for the admission notice. It's already late July and she still hasn't come over. Yunli is acting strangely. In previous years, her children would come over as soon as the holidays started, but this year there's been no news.
She muttered to herself at home, "This year, Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan are going to junior high school, and Xiaoyin is graduating from high school. Qingqing's family should be relaxing this summer. Why haven't they come over yet, even after more than half a month?"
Ji Chengtian said, "Xiaoyin is waiting for the notification letter. If you're worried, just give her a call and ask."
Xu Lingzhi quickly advised, "Don't ask anymore. Don't you know? The audit department is reviewing Jinxiu Jiayuan's financial expenditures again, and Tangyuan's mother is having a headache."
Yunli's attention was diverted, and she said, "Every expense that passed through Qingqing's hands was reasonable, so what's the point of investigating?"
Ji Chengtian said, "In a real estate development project with more than a dozen buildings, from digging the foundation to delivery, no one believes there is no transfer of benefits involved. As long as she doesn't accept any benefits, there's nothing to fear."
Yunli said, "I don't know about others, but Qingqing would never accept any benefits."
Xu Lingzhi asked, "How can you be so sure? I think Tangyuan's mother is quite fond of money."
Yunli said, "Loving money and being greedy for money are two different things. Qingqing is too easily satisfied. Xiaoyuan and Xiaoyin have been with her for several years, just because Song Zhao is nice to her. Have you ever seen her complain once? Such an easily satisfied person is too lazy to take risks to make money."
Ji Chengtian agreed: "That's right. If she were greedy, she wouldn't have offended everyone this time. In the next project, apart from us contractors and the people who are just doing the work and not getting any benefits, none of the other middle and senior managers support her."
...
Jinxiu Jiayuan was thoroughly investigated, but nothing was found. In the end, they seized some building materials and claimed that the purchase price was too high compared to previous construction sites.
Nie Qingqing reported all the necessary changes to the previous version to Mr. Zhong and Attorney He.
Mr. Zhong felt that if there were any disputes in the future, he would report them to his father. If there was no clear reply, it meant that he had tacitly agreed.
Therefore, Nie Qingqing was not afraid at all: "Regarding the building materials you pointed out, I said I didn't want custom-made ones for projects. The bulk purchase price is already much cheaper than the market price. What's the problem?"
The auditor questioned her: "Why didn't you accept the payment for the project? It would have been much cheaper."
Nie Qingqing retorted irritably, "Don't you understand? The project payment sounds nice, but it just means using a brand, making a product that's not available on the market, only for this project, a simplified and low-priced one, which doesn't meet our contract requirements! All my decisions are made after the project team has met and agreed upon them. Don't try to find fault with me. If you want to complain, go complain to Mr. Zhong."
"Manager Nie, what kind of attitude is this? Don't you want to stay at Yuanda?"
Nie Qingqing: "Whether I do it or not is not up to you to decide. Isn't my attitude normal?"
...
Nie Qingqing was determined to finish this project and then quit. She wasn't afraid of them, and anyone who wanted to cause trouble couldn't do anything to her.
Mr. Zhong was indeed tolerant of her, but Mr. Xiao Zhong and Attorney He were jealous: "Wife, even if I did the same thing, Dad would disapprove. Why is it that when she did it, my dad didn't say anything?"
She might be more tolerant of outsiders, but stricter with her own children. Besides, Qingqing did nothing wrong in these matters.
Attorney He said, “Stop joking. The second phase of sales will start at the end of this month, with all six buildings opening at once. Unlike the first phase, which only had one building, the sales pressure is huge. At this critical juncture, some people are spreading rumors about lowering standards and reducing specifications. I have already collected materials and will take legal action. Sigh, Dad will be unhappy if he knows that you brothers are fighting again.”
It was suspected that the rumor was spread by someone under the eldest brother and sister-in-law, and that the eldest brother tacitly approved and condoned it. In Mr. Zhong's mind, it was the eldest brother who did it.
Zhong Xianzong tugged at the buttons on his collar, his voice full of resentment: "I don't know why my own brother can't just watch me be happy."
Lawyer He said, "You two are quite far apart in age and not close. With the mainland developing better and better, he's afraid that once you've made enough money, you'll come back to Hong Kong Island to continue your development. Is that what you're planning to do too?"
Zhong Xianzong laughed: "You know me best. Let's not talk about him anymore. Your belly will be too big to be covered by your clothes soon. Aren't you going to tell us? And those high heels, maybe you shouldn't wear them anymore."
Attorney He stated upfront, "You can be concerned, but our agreement states that regardless of any changes in the marital relationship, I will have custody of the children."
Chung Hin-chung smiled and coaxed, "Wife, a marriage based on mutual benefit can also be good. Don't say such cold things. I hope it's a boy, so he can help me consolidate the family fortune I've inherited. When we return to Hong Kong Island in the future, Dad will fully support my development."
Attorney He looked at him without speaking, but she couldn't deny in her heart that both she and Zhong Xianzong needed an heir to solidify their relationship.
Zhong Xianzong was very good at talking: "It's not about favoritism, it's about our actual needs. After we have a son, we'll have a daughter, who will be as smart and beautiful as you. I promise that before you get pregnant, we'll sign an agreement like this one, and the two children will be divided equally, without favoritism. I will never let my child be treated differently like I have."
Attorney He felt uneasy, but reason convinced her that her elder brother and sister-in-law already had a son and a daughter and were trying to have another child, and she and Zhong Xianzong really needed a child.
Zhong Xianzong hurriedly caught up with He Shunyi, got into the car, and changed her into a pair of comfortable flat shoes.
...
It's already late July, and in a few more days, Jinxiu Jiayuan will be launched for the second time.
After enduring agonizing wait, Nie Qingqing finally received a call from Xiaoyin!
Even though she had anticipated the outcome, Xiaoyin, who was usually so composed, spoke with a trembling voice on the other end of the phone: "Aunt Qingqing, I received my acceptance letter! I've bought my train ticket and I'm coming right now."
Nie Qingqing was so happy that she put down the phone and hugged Song Zhao. For some reason, her eyes welled up with tears at such a happy moment.
She quickly wiped it clean and said to Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan, who were standing next to her, "For the past two weeks, you two have been like two cats, quietly cooperating with me at home. Now it's all good. I'll give you money. You can do whatever you want!"
Tangyuan breathed a sigh of relief and could finally ask, "Mom, I just don't understand. Dad, Xiaoyuan, and I all trust my sister and weren't nervous. You believed us too, so why were you so nervous?"
Nie Qingqing: "I don't know either, I was just nervous. Now I'm fine, but how do I tell Yunli about Xiaoyin's aspirations?"
Song Zhao still believes in her daughter, saying, "Xiaoyin said she can handle it herself. I offered to go with her to see her mother, but she refused. She wants to face and resolve it on her own."
Nie Qingqing was still very worried. When Xiaoyin arrived, she went to her biological mother to confess. She was restless at home and kept telling Song Zhao, "Once Xiaoyin gets through this hurdle, everything will go smoothly from here on out."
Qingqing's heart is so sincere towards the child. Song Zhao hugged her and patted her, saying, "You have to believe in her. She'll definitely be alright."
...
Yunli knew that Xiaoyin had passed the first-tier university entrance exam cutoff score, but she did so while wasting a lot of time drawing. If she hadn't drawn and had devoted all her time to studying, how well could she have done? She didn't even dare to think about it.
Yunli and Xiaoyin argued from afternoon until dark, neither of them able to convince the other.
Xiaoyin thought her reasoning would convince her, but in her mother's logic, no one could defeat her.
Xiaoyin was too lazy to reason with her and said directly, "Mom, you can't think about things you haven't experienced. If you don't let me learn to draw, I won't set any goals for myself. It's not like you can just say whatever you want."
Yunli was also tired of talking and full of regret: "I shouldn't have given you to your father in the first place. He doesn't care about you, and neither does Qingqing. Yes, she's your stepmother. I can't even control you, so how dare she?"
Xiaoyin got angry. How did this have to involve Aunt Qingqing?
"Then why don't you get a divorce? If you don't get a divorce, you won't be able to complain about my dad or others. Do you think that if I had stayed with you, we wouldn't have had these arguments today? No, we would have argued from junior high to high school, even to the point of me going rebellious and dropping out of school. And you still have the nerve to criticize me here?"
These words shut Yunli up.
You can imagine how Xiaoyin argued with her when she was little, just by looking at how she argued with her as she grew up. The child's personality is more like hers.
But Yunli's personality is just like Xiaoyin's grandmother's; how could she admit defeat?
"You're still young and don't understand my good intentions. If you learn to draw, what kind of good job can you get in the future?"
Xiaoyin already understood: "I can do more than you can do now. I'm better than you, so why are you still criticizing me?"
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, and Yunli's anger intensified: "Because I want you to be better. I'm your mother, how could I harm you?"
Xiaoyin retorted, "Grandma said the same thing to you. Have you ever listened to her? I don't want to argue with you anymore. Grandma can't control you, so you shouldn't control me either."
Yunli said the same thing as Xiaoyin's grandmother: "Fine, I won't interfere. You'll know you're wrong once you suffer! I'll see how Xiaoyuan changes his destiny through knowledge, how Tangyuan makes money and changes his life through his brains, and what can you change by painting?"
...
Xiaoyin was so angry she was trembling. Why was everyone so supportive and happy for her getting into her dream university, except for her own mother who wanted to pour cold water on her happiness?
She didn't want to say anything more, slammed the door and ran away. Ji Chengtian was afraid it wasn't safe outside, so he chased after her.
Xu Lingzhi came over to comfort her daughter-in-law: "Yunli, calm down. Xiaoyin got into a good university. Other families are happy for her. Your child did so well. You shouldn't be angry."
Yun Li wouldn't listen: "Qing Qing isn't her biological mother, so I won't say anything about her not caring. But what about Song Zhao? He's her biological father, doesn't he care about his child's future? He was actually kept in the dark by Xiao Yin for three years of high school! Didn't he find out for three years? He's such an easy dad!"
Xu Lingzhi guessed that perhaps the whole family had kept it from Yun Li from the beginning, but she would never tell Yun Li this.
Ji Chengtian failed to catch up and returned to ask Yun Li to make a phone call: "Call Tangyuan's mother and ask her to come downstairs to pick up the child."
Yunli said angrily, "She's so bold, she even dared to conceal her college application. Why should she fight? Let her do it!"
Xu Lingzhi said, "I'll go call. Cheng Tian, you go too. Come back after you see the child is home. Don't let people say we let Xiaoyin run away without even looking for her."
...
Nie Qingqing waited at home until it was dark, then said to Song Zhao, "No, I have to go pick up Xiaoyin."
"We should pick them up," Song Zhao advised, "What if you miss them halfway if you go now? Call ahead and ask first."
Just as I was about to make the call, the phone rang first. It was Xu Lingzhi calling to say that Xiaoyin had returned.
Xiaoyin and Yunli must have been arguing fiercely, to the point that Yunli didn't even want to make a phone call. Nie Qingqing hurriedly hung up the phone and told Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan to wait at home while she and Song Zhao went to find someone.
Tangyuan stamped her foot in regret: "Sister, you have such a good tongue, yet you still ended up on bad terms. You should have let me go with you."
Nie Qingqing tapped his head: "You and Xiao Yuan, don't run around at home, or we'll have to look for you again."
Xiao Yuan wanted to go with them, but he knew he couldn't cause trouble for his father and Aunt Qingqing.
...
Nie Qingqing suggested that she and Song Zhao search separately: "If we search separately, the probability of finding the person will be higher."
Song Zhao disagreed: "If I'm worried about Xiaoyin being out there alone, how can I be worried about you? If we find her, we'll have to find you again. Let's go together."
The search lasted two hours, during which Tangyuan made several phone calls home, but Xiaoyin still hadn't arrived.
Everyone panicked. Even Yunli came out to look for him, confidently venting, "He's definitely hiding somewhere. Doesn't this child care that his family is going crazy with worry?"
When the phone rang again, Tangyuan breathed a sigh of relief on the other end: "Mom, my sister has been brought back by the police officers. Please come back soon."
...
Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao hurried home. When they saw the police officer who brought Xiaoyin back, they were unexpectedly happy, as if it were New Year's Day. This young police officer was the girl who had come to her house and given her two hundred yuan when she saw her difficulties.
Back then, I only knew her name was Zhao Di; now I don't even know what to call her.
Wearing a police uniform, Lu Chaoyang looked spirited and confident. He extended his hand and said, "Hello, my name is Lu Chaoyang, the 'Lu' in 'Da Lu Chao Tian' (meaning 'road facing the sky')."
Nie Qingqing quickly reached out and grasped her hands, her eyes welling up with tears again. Lately, she didn't know why, but her eyes had become increasingly sensitive, and she couldn't control her emotions easily. Seeing that it was her made her very happy.
She clasped his hands together and said, "Comrade Lu, thank you for bringing my child back."
Lu Chaoyang explained how he met Xiaoyin: "I was on night shift with the station chief when the girl was squatting at the entrance of the police station crying. We took her in and chatted for a while before we found out that her family was not satisfied with her college application. At first, she didn't want us to take her home and wanted to come back by herself. But we couldn't let her walk alone at night, so the station chief asked me to take her home."
Actually, the director was so angry that he jumped up and down, saying that it wasn't the child who needed counseling, but the parents, and that he even wanted to come over and do some ideological work with the parents.
Lu Chaoyang pulled the director aside and explained Xiaoyin's family situation. He told the director that the one who should object was her biological mother, and that she was to be sent back to her stepmother's home. That's why he didn't let the director come along.
Today was not the time for reminiscing. Lu Chaoyang handed Xiaoyin over to Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao and went back to his shift.
...
Xiaoyin knew that her family had been looking for her for more than two hours, and she felt even more upset. She kept apologizing: "Dad, Aunt Qingqing, I'm sorry. With the policewoman comforting me, I couldn't control myself and started talking for so long. I'm sorry to have made you worry."
It's good that she was able to vent. Fortunately, Song Zhao's anger subsided a little after she found a place to cry in front of the police station, but she was still very serious.
“If you know it’s wrong, let’s analyze it. No matter how much you lose control of your emotions, you must put your own safety first. It’s a small matter that we’re looking for you; your personal safety is the most important thing. No matter how angry you are, you can’t put yourself in a risky situation.”
That makes sense, but what's the point of talking about it now? It's good that she's back; Xiaoyin will figure it out herself tomorrow.
Nie Qingqing pushed away Song Zhao, who was about to continue lecturing, and hugged Xiaoyin: "Everyone has moments when they can't control themselves. Go take a shower, get a good night's sleep, and think about what your father said tomorrow. He's right."
She pushed Xiaoyin into the bathroom, found some clean clothes and brought them in, before sitting down to catch her breath.
Suddenly remembering that he had forgotten to call Yunli, and guessing that she was still out looking for him, he quickly exclaimed, "Oh dear, I should call Yunli's house right away and let her know."
Xiao Yuan hurriedly said, "I already called. Uncle Ji just called and said they've arrived home."
...
Xiaoyin's room light was turned off very late before Nie Qingqing could close her eyes with peace of mind. But she couldn't fall asleep. She analyzed with Song Zhao, "Until Xiaoyin graduates from university and finds a good job, she and her mother will be at an impasse."
Song Zhao was optimistic: "Let's just keep at this stalemate. There's no need to worry that Yun Li will take Xiao Yuan away. If she really dares to do that, I'll sue her and fight for custody again."
Nie Qingqing hugged him, kissed him, and told him not to be angry: "Your own parents are in court, do you think Xiao Yuan will feel good about it? Don't say anything hurtful, go to sleep, I have things to do tomorrow."
Song Zhao asked, "Attorney He is considerate of you. He knew that your family would be making trouble because of Xiaoyin's volunteer work, so he specially gave you a day off to rest and recuperate. What are you going to do now?"
Nie Qingqing said happily, "Officer Lu, who brought Xiaoyin back today, is Zhao Di, whom I asked for help before. I want to tell Shumei in person, and then we'll go see her together."
Song Zhao was surprised. Today, Officer Lu's official attitude was completely unexpected. He was the same girl who had come to him for help before.
"That's quite a coincidence. Isn't she from a police academy? How did she end up at a police station in Pengcheng?"
Nie Qingqing said, "I don't know, we'll find out when we go tomorrow."
...
He Shumei was just as happy as Nie Qingqing to hear that she had the chance to see the girl named Zhaodi again.
“She really listened to our advice and changed her name to Chaoyang (meaning 'facing the sun'), which is great! Let’s buy some fruit and pastries and go take a look now.”
Nie Qingqing stopped her: "She worked the night shift yesterday, she should be sleeping right now. I asked her, she lives in the dormitory, let her sleep a little longer, we'll go over at noon."
...
Lu Chaoyang was also waiting for them. Today was a private meeting, so she wasn't wearing a uniform and had the lively and cheerful smile that someone her age should have on her face.
She was quite lively, and upon meeting him, she said, "Sisters, we have a rule that we cannot take a single needle or thread from the people, so this meal is on me today."
Nie Qingqing laughed and said, "Okay, I won't fight you for it."
The three of them found a noodle shop to eat noodles, and Lu Chaoyang talked about what happened after he took the money.
“My family was very patriarchal. My grandparents and father all wanted a boy, so they named me Zhaodi. But my mother couldn’t have another child. After my father passed away, no one pressured her anymore. I was the only child in my family, so I didn’t get much when the family divided the property. After my father passed away, things got worse and worse. Even my tuition was paid for by others. I got into university and thought everything would be better. But my mother changed after I started university. She seemed afraid I would run away, so she followed me to school and insisted on living in my dorm to take care of me. My roommates had a lot of complaints about me. I talked to my mother, but she wouldn’t listen. She even said she didn’t have money to rent a place. Looking back now, I realize that I didn’t try my best to change things back then. Instead, I came to you for help. I feel really guilty.”
Nie Qingqing quickly comforted her: "You were only a freshman back then, just a kid who had just graduated from high school. It's normal that you didn't have any experience when you first entered university and couldn't think of a solution."
He Shumei also advised, "Don't keep thinking about the past. How did you become a police officer later?"
Lu Chaoyang sighed, "You gave me two hundred yuan. I used that money to rent a place for my mom and gave her thirty yuan a month for living expenses. Only then did she stop complaining and stop following me. That two hundred yuan kept me going for five months. During those five months, I worked part-time like crazy, running errands for my classmates to earn money. I also thought about a lot of things. Don't laugh at me, but to keep my mom in line, I gave her money, bought her things, and coaxed her, all with a purpose. During graduation season, I joined the army. My mom couldn't go to the army to cause trouble, could she? After I was discharged, I was transferred to the police station here."
This journey has not been a matter of just a few words from this girl; Nie Qingqing could only imagine the hardships and pressures she faced.
She asked with concern, "What about your mother? Is she still with you?"
Lu Chaoyang's tone was full of relief: "Before I enlisted, I gave her all the money I had saved. She passed away before I was discharged. Looking back now, I realize that I took care of her throughout my four years of college. I also sent all my allowances after I enlisted to her. Before she passed away, the money she hadn't spent was sent back to her hometown and given to her brothers and sisters."
Nie Qingqing and He Shumei were speechless that nothing was left for Chaoyang.
Lu Chaoyang was resentful for a while, but then he came to his senses and laughed, "It's good that she didn't leave it to me. At least I didn't let her down. Now I'm completely free."
...
After having dinner and chatting for a while, Lu Chaoyang had to go to work. He made an appointment to meet again when he had the chance, but Nie Qingqing knew that after this meeting, they wouldn't meet again just for the sake of meeting.
She finally stopped worrying about it and sighed to He Shumei, "Luckily, that two hundred yuan led to a good relationship."
Lu Chaoyang had just returned the money, and Nie Qingqing accepted it. She took out a hundred yuan and stuffed it into Shumei's pocket, saying, "Here's yours back."
He Shumei refused: "Keep it with you. When I find a house I like, we'll have a meal together and use this money."
"That's fine," Nie Qingqing said. "I'll give you the sixth number in the queue. This time, six buildings are being opened, and each building has four duplex units. You're sure you can get the corner unit you want. Are you sure you want the first floor?"
He Shumei confirmed: "I want to bring my parents to live with me. They saw it and liked the first floor with a big yard in the front and back. They also said that the basement is semi-open and very cost-effective. Yu Zhengmin also said it was good. He said he has always wanted to raise a dog. If there is a yard, then he can raise one."
Nie Qingqing said, "Then don't hesitate, buy it. I'll introduce you to a designer later, and we can design it properly before decorating."
He Shumei encouraged her, "Aren't you going to buy it this time? I'd like to be your neighbor."
Nie Qingqing laughed: "We don't have enough money."
He Shumei: "Didn't Mr. Zhong give you the money in advance?"
Nie Qingqing said, "I have other uses for this money. Xiaoyin got into her dream university, and I want to give her a gift."
What kind of gift costs so much money? He Shumei understood: "You want to buy her a house in Haishi? Isn't there a need to be in such a hurry?"
Nie Qingqing had already made up her mind: "Buying it now has a different meaning. She's a young woman studying in another city. Having her own home, where she can go back and rest on weekends, makes a difference. We've all been young women once. If we had our own home back then, we would never feel anxious."
He Shumei understood and hugged her, saying, "Qingqing, how can you be so good to me?"
Nie Qingqing didn't think that much about it. She just felt that for a family to be harmonious, everyone had to be fair and impartial.
"Xiaoyin is the eldest, so it's only right to buy for her first. Then it'll be better to buy for Tangyuan, and then for Xiaoyuan. But Mr. Zhong probably won't ask me to be in charge of the next project. I want to make that much money again, but that depends on fate. Fortunately, Song Zhao's dividends are stable. Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan need houses, but that will take several more years, so there's no rush."
...
The argument between Xiaoyin and Yunli was handled quietly. Now that the admission notice had been received, no matter how angry Yunli was, she couldn't change the outcome.
Yunli refused to call, and Xiaoyin refused to go over and apologize. She cried once, but recovered the next day and went off to play happily with her younger siblings.
With the opening of Phase II, Nie Qingqing has been very busy these past two days, but fortunately, the children don't need her to accompany them.
On the opening day, He Shumei looked at so many potential customers and felt fortunate that she had benefited from Qingqing's success. She was number six in line to choose a house and successfully selected a corner unit on the first floor that satisfied her whole family. When she got the unit, her whole family was overjoyed.
The initial sales rate of the six buildings reached 80%, and the remaining dozens of units are expected to be sold out in one or two months.
Now, everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
...
Zhong Xiujun requested two units this time. She bought a corner unit with a yard for herself to use for vacations, and chose a middle-floor unit for her family's caregiver to live in during her retirement.
Seeing Nie Qingqing's friend following closely behind her to choose a room, she couldn't help but complain to her nephew: "Didn't Manager Nie claim that she wouldn't use connections? How come she got such a good number for her friend?"
Mr. Zhong found it amusing and retorted, "Even if the number she gave to her friend is earlier, it's still after yours. If you say that you can't use any back channels, then I'll ask her friend to cancel both of your bookings as well."
Zhong Xiujun certainly wouldn't do something so foolish. She had already planned to hire a famous designer to decorate the house and invite Nie Qingqing to visit so she could see her own house. She didn't care about the model house at all.
Moreover, buying a house for the nanny was her own decision, and she really didn't want everyone to know about it.
Zhong Xiujun changed the subject: "I noticed that Shunyi's heels are getting lower and lower. Is she pregnant?"
Mr. Zhong laughed and said, "It's because I'm not tall enough. She wore low heels to protect my self-esteem. Please don't say it out loud; I have my pride."
Zhong Xiujun looked at her nephew; he was quite tall.
She suddenly realized that compared to his older brother, she did indeed appear inferior in every way.
His eldest brother was the eldest son and had the eldest grandson, so the family naturally valued the eldest son more.
Zhong Xiujun had advised Xiao Zhong to be a well-off young man who never lacked money, but he wouldn't listen. He insisted on arguing and competing. No matter what, Zhong Xiujun always favored her eldest nephew.
...
The second phase of the project was a great success, and Xiaoyin's situation was also going smoothly. Nie Qingqing was thriving in both her work and family life, and was busy preparing a banquet for Xiaoyin's college admission.
Xiaoyin originally said she wouldn't hold the ceremony here and would hold it back in her hometown. Nie Qingqing was fine with it; we should respect the child's opinion.
Shumei and Lehan disagreed. They contributed money and effort, booked a banquet at Lehan's family's hotel, and even invited Mrs. Liang.
Nie Qingqing asked Song Zhao one more time: "Are you really not inviting Yun Li's family?"
Song Zhao said, "Xiaoyin said she wouldn't invite anyone, so we'll listen to the children. If Yunli wants to host a banquet, she'll arrange it herself and won't freeload off us."
Fearing future soundproofing issues, Nie Qingqing called Yun Li, but as Song Zhao had guessed, Yun Li wasn't coming.
Yunli also said, "Actually, I also wanted to hold a graduation banquet for Xiaoyin, but she hasn't come to apologize to me yet. You guys hold it for her. I'll hold a proper graduation banquet for Xiaoyuan in the future."
Nie Qingqing didn't tell Xiaoyin about this phone call, letting her enjoy her most carefree summer vacation.
Early in the morning, Shumei dressed up and came with Yu Zhengmin to meet them.
Seeing that she was wearing a lot of gold earrings, gold necklaces and gold rings, Song Zhao was very dissatisfied: "It's not like it's your daughter's graduation banquet, is it appropriate for you to steal the limelight?"
He Shumei retorted confidently, "Isn't a godmother a mother? Mind your own business."
Song Zhao took out the jewelry box that Nie Qingqing had hidden under the trunk: "It's not like we don't have any at home. If we don't wear it today, when will we ever get another chance?"
Nie Qingqing didn't want to wear a big gold bracelet, as she would be laughed at for showing off. After much persuasion, she chose the thinnest one to wear, which was quite pretty.
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