Chapter 81

There were a lot of people waiting for the elevator at this time, so Shen Tingzhou and Xu Xun turned into the escalator.

The restaurant is on the third floor of the hotel. When Shen Tingzhou walked to the platform on the second floor, he heard someone talking at the staircase on the third floor.

"This is meant for you. Take it."

Shen Tingzhou felt the voice sounded familiar and looked upstairs. From his angle, he could only see a piece of clothing.

Shen Tingzhou took half a step forward, and a handsome but reserved face came into his sight.

He is Zhou Zhizhong, Zhou Zitan's nominal father.

The moment he saw Zhou Zhizhong, Shen Tingzhou stopped where he was.

Zhou Zitan did not take the bank card. He lowered his eyes and said, "No need. I have money."

This was the first time they met since Zhou Zitan found out that he was not Zhou Zhizhong's child. He felt very uncomfortable and sent the company's dividend card to Zhou Zhizhong a few days ago.

Although Zhou Zhizhong had not paid much attention to him in recent years, he had never treated him badly in terms of money.

Now that Zhou Zitan has changed his last name, they no longer have much to do with each other both in terms of facts and law. However, Zhou Zhizhong's attitude is not as cold as before.

He reminded me, "You are grown up now. Take good care of your mother and don't let her worry too much."

Shen Tingzhou didn't hear what Zhou Zitan said.

Zhou Zitan's face was exposed at the intersection of light, and his youthful eyebrows and eyes were blurred, making it impossible to see his specific expression.

The person who has caused the greatest harm to He Ranjie over the years has always been Zhou Zhizhong.

Zhou Zitan had a lot of resentment towards him, mixed with deep fear.

Zhou Zitan will always remember that he was abandoned by his biological mother. When he was sitting alone at the door of Zhou's house, Zhou Zhizhong, who was traveling, passed by but did not even look at him.

Zhou Zi stretched out his fingers and squeezed them tightly. After a long time, he finally uttered the word "hmm" from his throat.

Shen Tingzhou sighed softly in his heart. When it comes to feelings, Zhou Zitan is pure and intense. If he dislikes someone, he dislikes him; if he likes someone, he likes him.

No matter what Zhou Zitan does in the future, it will be difficult to change his initial impression of someone he hates, such as Yu Jurong.

Similarly, Zhou Zitan will forgive the people he likes without a bottom line, no matter what they do, such as the He family and Shen Tingzhou.

Zhou Zhizhong stands on the dividing line. Zhou Zitan hates him, but also yearns for him and wants to get fatherly love from him.

Therefore, Zhou Zhizhong can harm Zhou Zitan just as easily as the He family, but he cannot gain all of Zhou Zitan's trust.

Knowing that Zhou Zitan was feeling uncomfortable, Shen Tingzhou deliberately knocked on the railing of the stairs to create the sound of footsteps.

After noticing that someone had come up, Zhou Zhizhong didn't say anything more to Zhou Zitan.

After the two people left, Shen Tingzhou breathed a sigh of relief.

Xu Xun glanced at Shen Tingzhou and squeezed his hand.

Shen Tingzhou tilted his head in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Xu Xun comforted him: "Don't worry, he will be fine with his personality."

When Shen Tingzhou heard this, he was stunned at first, and then he wanted to laugh. Xu Xun and Zhou Zitan had not had much contact, but they unexpectedly understood each other.

Zhou Zitan might feel uncomfortable when he sees Zhou Zhizhong, but he won’t feel uncomfortable for too long.

Xu Xun came out of the passage holding Shen Tingzhou's hand.

Shen Tingzhou just took a step forward and quickly pulled Xu Xun back.

Xu Xun didn't understand what was going on, so he looked towards the corridor outside, where Zhou Zhizhong and He Ranjie met.

The two have already completed the divorce procedures and have not seen each other for a long time.

Zhou Zhizhong looked at He Ranjie with a dazed expression.

It was He Ranjie who broke the silence first and took the initiative to greet Zhou Zhizhong, "How are you doing recently?"

Zhou Zhizhong's throat was astringent. "I'm fine... How are you?"

He Ranjie doesn't sleep well, and insomnia causes her to suffer from frequent nervous headaches.

"Very good." He Ranjie spoke in a natural tone and with a rosy complexion, as if she had completely let go of the past. She asked Zhou Zhizhong, "Come over to discuss business?"

Zhou Zhizhong's gaze fell on He Ranjie with restraint, and he said "hmm" very lightly.

He Ranjie said, "Then I won't bother you anymore."

Zhou Zitan didn't want them to talk too much, so when he heard what He Ranjie said, he quickly interrupted, "Then let's go, Mom."

Shen Tingzhou took this opportunity to pull Xu Xun out, breaking the subtle atmosphere in the corridor.

Seeing that more people were walking in the corridor, Zhou Zhizhong retracted his gaze and said in a low voice, "I'm leaving first."

He Ranjie: "Okay."

Zhou Zhizhong lowered his eyes, walked past them and headed to the other end of the corridor.

From behind he could hear Zhou Zitan surrounding He Ranjie and calling her "Mom" affectionately. Zhou Zhizhong's tense expression softened for a moment.

No matter what Zhou Zitan's temper is, at least he really treats He Ranjie as his own mother.

Zhou Zhizhong walked to the elevator entrance, and the door just opened. A woman wearing sunglasses and red lips walked out.

The woman glanced at Zhou Zhizhong casually, and after seeing his facial features clearly, her eyes were completely fixed on him.

Her chest rose and fell twice, and she squeezed out three words from between her teeth, "Zhou Zhizhong!"

Zhou Zhizhong glanced over indifferently.

The woman took off her sunglasses and raised her hand to slap Zhou Zhizhong.

Zhou Zhizhong grabbed her wrist, then immediately threw it aside, frowning and asking, "Who are you?"

The anger on the woman's face became more obvious, and she laughed in anger, "Who am I? Ha, you'll know who I am in a moment!"

She glared at Zhou Zhizhong, then pushed him away with her high heels and walked away arrogantly.

After the woman disappeared into the hotel lobby, Zhou Zhizhong suddenly reacted, his face turned cold, and he quickly caught up with the woman.

Zhou Zhizhong blocked her way and said in a deep voice, "If you have anything to say, come with me."

The woman sneered, "Why, do you recognize me now?"

Zhou Zhizhong was too lazy to talk to her and just pulled her out.

The woman struggled, "What do you want to do, Zhou? Let me go, I'm here to see..."

The shrill sound echoed through the corridor.

Shen Tingzhou was about to enter the restaurant's private room when he heard movement at the entrance of the corridor and subconsciously looked over.

Zhou Zitan turned his head with an impatient look on his face and saw Zhou Zhizhong struggling with a woman. He quickly stood in front of He Ranjie and said, "Mom, let's go in."

As soon as he finished speaking, the woman's second half of the sentence came from the corridor, "...my son's."

I'm here to see my son.

When Shen Tingzhou heard these words, he suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart.

This premonition made him look towards Zhou Zitan beside him, but the other person had already turned his head, and his expression was blank after seeing the woman's face.

Shen Tingzhou's heart skipped a beat. Could this person be...

The woman turned around as if she sensed something, and her eyes met Zhou Zitan's. She showed joy, "Tantan, I'm your mother."

Zhou Zitan's pupils trembled, and he shouted in response: "You are not, my mother's last name is He!"

The joy on the woman's face disappeared completely.

"Don't mess with him today." Zhou Zhizhong warned her and dragged her out, "Let's talk outside."

The woman shook Zhou Zhizhong's hand away vigorously. "Now you want to talk to me, what were you doing more than 20 years ago?"

"And you." The woman looked at Zhou Zitan and said sarcastically, "Without me, do you think you can live a good life with nothing to lose?"

Zhou Zitan clenched his fists, his arms trembling slightly.

He Ranjie held his hand and said worriedly, "Don't be impulsive."

Zhou Zitan loosened his fist for a moment, but still stared at the woman.

The woman said with a sullen face, "Don't be unconvinced. If I hadn't left you in the Zhou family, would the Zhou family have recognized you?"

He Ranjie pulled Zhou Zitan behind her and said to the woman, "This is not the place to talk."

Zhou Zitan squeezed out a sentence from between his teeth, "There is nothing to say to her. You are my only mother in my life."

The woman showed a cold expression, "You don't want to recognize me? Well, let your mother give me 60 million now, and see if she is willing to buy you out!"

Zhou Zitan's eyes were blazing with fire and he took a few steps forward but was stopped by He Ranjie.

He pointed at the woman and cursed with a heavy breath: "You are worthy of my mother's money?"

The woman was about to say something when Zhou Zhizhong said coldly, "Come with me. I'll talk to you about the money later."

The woman was obviously very angry at Zhou Zitan's attempt. Her chest heaved as she said, "You are you, and he is him. Of course I will take your money!"

"And him." The woman pointed at Zhou Zitan. "He crawled out of my belly. It's not his turn to tell me whether he's worthy or not. Since he doesn't want to acknowledge me as his mother, let his current mother pay to buy him off!"

Even an honest judge finds it difficult to settle family disputes.

Shen Tingzhou didn't know for a moment whether the other party was really here to ask for money or was just saying something angrily to Zhou Zitan.

He Ranjie spoke, her voice still calm and measured, "Today is a bit special, I will talk to you about this tomorrow."

"How dare she talk to you?" Zhou Zitan said ruthlessly, "I have no biological mother since she threw me out."

Fang Yunransi didn't feel that she was wrong at all, "If I don't throw you to the Zhou family, can you be Master Zhou and live in a big house?"

Zhou Zitan's eyes were red, and his voice was heavy, "Don't you know? I'm not a child of the Zhou family at all."

If He Ranjie hadn't been kind enough to take him back, he would probably have died outside.

Fang Yunran seemed to have heard something out of the blue, and immediately retorted, "Impossible!"

Then her eyes unconsciously moved left and right, and she fell into self-doubt and anxiety, but she kept repeating to herself, "How can you not be Zhou Zhizhong's child? It's impossible..."

When she became pregnant, she went to see Zhou Zhizhong, but he refused to see her and was very heartless.

She was a rising star at the time, but because of this scandal her popularity plummeted and she lost all her endorsements.

But she was unwilling to give up this opportunity to cross the class barrier.

She knew that Zhou Zhizhong and his wife had a bad relationship and that they had no children after four years of marriage. As long as she gave birth to the child, even if Zhou Zhizhong did not give her a legitimate status, with the child, her life would be guaranteed.

So she gritted her teeth and gave birth to the child. Zhou Zhizhong refused to acknowledge him, so she went to find Zhou Zhizhong's father.

Maybe the other party looked down on her and didn't want to acknowledge the child. After the paternity test, he actually said that the child was not his son Zhou Zhizhong's.

But how is this possible?

Fang Yunran glared at Zhou Zhizhong, "Mr. Zhou, I have not had any contact with other men since I met you. Do you dare to say that you didn't bring me from oneself to the hotel more than 20 years ago?"

Zhou Zhizhong glanced at Zhou Zitan and his gaze paused on He Ranjie for a few seconds.

Finally he whispered, "Let's talk outside."

"hiss--"

A sound suddenly rang in Shen Tingzhou's ears, and he was so frightened that his heart trembled twice.

Qin Shiyao had stood behind him without knowing when, scanning the gossip protagonist in the corridor. She stroked her chin and asked Shen Tingzhou in a low voice, "Tell me, is Xiao Zhou really..."

Xu Xun calmly pulled Shen Tingzhou closer.

Qin Shiyao, who was immersed in eating melons, moved her feet unconsciously and continued to speak next to Shen Tingzhou, "I don't think so. There must be some misunderstanding here."

Shen Tingzhou didn't know whether there was a misunderstanding or not, but Xiao Zhou was definitely not Zhou Zhizhong's child.

Fang Yunran sneered: "If you have anything to say, just say it here. You have cheated on me so many times, and now you are afraid that your wife will find out?"

Zhou Zhizhong's heart tightened and he couldn't help but glance at He Ranjie. The other party didn't react much, so he pursed his lips.

Fang Yunran said aggressively, "Speak now, do you have the guts to admit it? If he wasn't your son, would you have raised him for so many years?"

Zhou Zitan said loudly: "It's my mother who raised me!"

Fang Yunran snorted coldly, "Are you stupid? She is using you to win Zhou Zhizhong's favor."

Zhou Zitan couldn't stand it any longer, "Do you think everyone is like you? And I've done a paternity test with him, we're not father and son!"

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Zhou Zhizhong didn't know that Zhou Zitan already knew it, but Fang Yunran didn't believe it.

Qin Shiyao let out an "Ouch" sound in her heart, and she knew there was a misunderstanding!

"Impossible!" Fang Yunran said excitedly: "I remember it very clearly. I got into his car that day. It was him..."

Zhou Zhizhong interrupted her, "I don't remember the night you mentioned, but I never touched you."

Fang Yunran wasn't the only one he had scandals with. He didn't remember those women in the past very clearly and he had never touched them.

The only special thing about Fang Yunran is that she acted out the scene of herself being pregnant with his child.

Also because of her, he and He Ranjie lived a peaceful and real married life.

Fang Yunran felt as if the sky was falling and the earth was collapsing.

So the person that night was not Zhou Zhizhong, but she was drunk and recognized the wrong person?

Fang Yunran's arrogance instantly died down, and she looked at Zhou Zitan and said hesitantly, "Little Tan..."

Zhou Zitan's eyes were filled with hatred: "Don't call me, before you left me, have you forgotten how you beat me?"

Fang Yunran's pupils shrank.

At that time, she couldn't get a job, her dream of marrying into a wealthy family was shattered, and she had to raise a child. The tremendous pressure made her develop an alcoholic disorder.

When he was in a bad mood, he was particularly displeased with Zhou Zitan and could not control his temper and beat and scolded him.

Later, she met an older overseas Chinese, and she made up her mind to abandon Zhou Zitan to the Zhou family and went abroad with the overseas Chinese.

The overseas Chinese passed away half a year ago, leaving Fang Yunran with a considerable inheritance.

"What I just said was just an angry remark. I have money now. Come back with me, little buddy. Mommy really doesn't know if he is... Mommy will make it up to you in the future."

Qin Shiyao approached Shen Tingzhou and said, "She is getting old now and starts to miss her family. She wants someone to take care of her in her old age, right?"

Shen Tingzhou: This is indeed in line with Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory.

Once people have money and leisure, they will unconsciously pursue spiritual needs.

Xu Xun also leaned forward and whispered in Shen Tingzhou's ear, "Do you want some candy?"

Shen Tingzhou:?

Xu Xun took out a piece of mint candy.

It’s really sugar!

Xu Xun peeled off the outer packaging and put it into Shen Tingzhou's mouth, and Shen Tingzhou had no choice but to open his mouth and bite it.

When he turned around, he saw Qin Shiyao looking at him with an indescribable look, accusing him with her eyes: It's not fair for you two to do the same when others are making a fuss!

Shen Tingzhou held the candy in his mouth and looked away silently.

Zhou Zitan's face was filled with extreme anger. "I don't need it. If you don't leave now, don't blame me for being rude!"

Fang Yunran's heart full of maternal love turned cold. Just like Qin Shiyao said, she came to find Zhou Zitan because she was lonely.

Although she got a lot of inheritance after the old man died, her stepchildren were not close to her at all.

People are greedy, and Fang Yunran is no exception. She hopes that while the little wolfdog is around, her own son can also be by her side to show filial piety.

Now Fang Yunran hopes that the Zhou family and the He family have no money, so that Zhou Zitan will come over.

Fang Yunran stopped pestering him and said, "Okay, then mom will come to see you in a few days."

This self-proclaimed name made Zhou Zitan very angry and heartbroken, "I only have one mother, her name is He Ranjie."

Fang Yunran's face didn't look very good, but she didn't say anything and left with her bag.

As soon as she left, Zhou Zitan, who appeared strong on the outside but was actually weak on the inside, could no longer suppress his inner panic and looked at He Ranjie anxiously.

"Mom." His eyes were watery and his throat was hoarse, "Please don't leave me."

Zhou Zitan was afraid that if Fang Yunran came back, He Ranjie would not let him use the surname He, or even "drive him away".

He Ranjie raised her hand and touched Zhou Zitan's head. Looking into his frightened eyes, she said softly:

"You are my only child, and everything I have belongs to you."

I'm also afraid that you will leave me.

Zhou Zitan was like a vicious dog whose fur had been stroked. He retracted his fangs and brutality, lowered his head in front of He Ranjie, and showed a little obedience.

-

Zhou Zitan and He Ranjie's moods were affected by Fang Yunran's sudden appearance.

Zhou Zitan was more attached to He Ranjie than usual. He didn't eat much during the meal and focused all his attention on He Ranjie.

Zhou Zitan seemed to be very popular with the He family, and even Mr. He came.

But it is normal if you think about it carefully. He Ranjie treats Zhou Zitan as her own son, and the old man loves Zhou Zitan and will not dislike him.

Not only was he not disliked, Mr. He also gave Zhou Zitan some shares in the company as a gift for changing his surname.

This gift was quite big. Zhou Zitan was stunned for a moment and looked towards He Ranjie.

He Ranjie nodded at him, "Thank you, grandpa."

Zhou Zitan's eyes twinkled, "Do you still want to call me grandpa?"

Grandpa He said, "We are all family, so you can call us whatever you want."

Zhou Zitan said decisively: "Grandpa."

Mr. He responded and said, "Let's eat."

He Yanting gave me a sports car.

Xie Ning's gifts were always very cunning. She gave her dominoes to Zhou Zitan and said, "I'll teach you how to take daikon some other day."

Xie Ning had predicted the fortune for Zhou Zitan several times, and each time it was accurate, which made the superstitious Zhou believe it without a doubt.

He finally showed some interest and happily took the dominoes. "Thank you, sister."

Xie Ning said, "Just smile more today, that's your way of thanking me."

Zhou Zitan's abnormality was so obvious that everyone at the table noticed it, but no one exposed it.

Seeing that Zhou Zitan's smile was about to fall, Shen Tingzhou quickly took out his gift.

"This was blessed by Master Yunming, Xiao Xu and I. Do you like it?"

Zhou Zitan took the box and was about to open it when someone knocked twice on the box door.

Shen Tingzhou thought it was the food delivery man, but when the door opened, the person standing at the door turned out to be Yu Jurong with a smile on her face.

Shen Tingzhou: What happened to him?

Help! Is today's drama not over yet?