Not all parents think solely of their children. He Shumin is one such example. The higher his position, the more he sees power and status, and the more he weighs interests. The affection of his children is no longer enough to move him.
With the exception of the second son, He Boyuan, who married his college classmate, He Shumin used the other three daughters as tools for marriage. The eldest son, He Boqian, had first married Liu Xin, the daughter of a deputy mayor. At the time, He Shumin held a relatively low position, so the two families were considered a good match.
When Liu Xin died, He Shumin was already employed by the Ministry. After two years of deliberation, attracted by Cao Yunfei's position, He Shumin arranged for He Boqian to marry Cao Yumei from the Cao family. He Shumin's intention to marry into the Cao family was to create a sympathetic relationship with Cao Yunfei. Unfortunately, Cao Yunfei was a stubborn and inflexible person, and He Shumin's plan was in vain.
He Shumin couldn't join forces with Cao Yunfei, so Cao Yumei had no value in He Shumin's eyes. If Cao Yumei hadn't given birth to He Qiusheng, He Shumin's attitude towards Cao Yumei would have been even colder.
After hearing He Jingjing's words about the grim consequences of the war, He Shumin felt relieved. Regardless, the military affairs were Zhou Jinyu's responsibility. If this war resulted in too many casualties, Zhou Jinyu's standing with the leadership would surely decline significantly.
Indeed, who in all of Kyoto was He Shumin most jealous of? It had to be General Zhou. General Zhou had always held a high position in China thanks to his illustrious military exploits. No matter who held the highest position, they treated General Zhou with a touch of respect and affection. General Zhou's status was something He Shumin himself would never be able to achieve.
He Shumin rose to the top by playing both sides during a special period. His ability was not as strong as General Zhou's, so he was eager to show his ability in front of the leaders.
Thinking of the daunting battles General Zhou faced, He Shumin, cup of tea in hand, rocked gently in his study's rocking chair, humming a Peking opera verse. He Shumin's hobbies? Simply humming a few lines in his free time. During the revolutionary era, He Shumin also sang well in revolutionary model operas.
The He family study has excellent sound insulation. No matter what He Shumin does inside, no one outside can hear it.
After He Shumin left, several younger members of the He family left the table one after another, leaving a mess for Cao Yumei to clean up.
After Cao Yumei directed several maids to clean up the dining table and the kitchen, she finally had time to drag her tired body and take her son He Qiusheng back to the bedroom on the second floor.
Sitting on the cold bed and looking at the desolate room, Cao Yumei couldn't help but sigh.
He Boqian had been on frequent business trips lately and hadn't been home for nearly two weeks. Without him, Cao Yumei felt that even the strongest sunlight at noon couldn't penetrate this spooky mansion.
Compared with General Zhou's house, He Shumin's house is almost twice as big, but it has no front or back yard, and the living room is right after the entrance.
He Shumin's house is located on the side of a mountain, covering an area of about 300 square meters. It is a three-story building with bedrooms around it and a patio and corridor in the middle.
In the past two years, Cao Yumei always felt that the He family mansion was a bit eerie. She didn't know if she was sensitive or what, but sometimes when Cao Yumei went downstairs at night, she always felt that there were a pair of eyes in the dark watching her every move, which made her feel creepy.
"Mom, when will Dad be back? I want to go to Grandpa's house." He Qiusheng saw Cao Yumei's tired face and felt sorry for his mother. He Qiusheng felt that compared to his own cold family, the Cao family, full of laughter and laughter, was the family model he preferred.
"Qiu Sheng, wait until Dad comes back. There's so much going on at home, Mom can't leave." Cao Yumei smiled bitterly. The He family's affairs were too complicated, from arranging the daily menu to checking if the servants were doing a good job of cleaning. Cao Yumei had to do everything herself. If it weren't for her deep love for He Boqian, Cao Yumei probably wouldn't want to stay at the He family for a single day.
Cao Yumei grew up in a sunny and loving environment. At the Cao family home, Cao Yunfei would spend his free time lying on the floor playing marbles with his grandchildren. Even though Cao Yunfei is in his sixties, he still retains a touch of innocence and enthusiasm.
Under the leadership of a patriarch like Cao Yunfei, all the children and grandchildren of the Cao family have cheerful personalities. The Cao family members can just say whatever they want to say or do whatever they want to do, unlike the He family, who have to think again and again before saying or doing anything, and have to go through a lot of twists and turns before doing anything, which gives Cao Yumei a headache.
Before giving birth to He Qiusheng, Cao Yumei endured considerable humiliation within the He family. He Shumin's wife had died young, so Cao Yumei, the eldest daughter-in-law, should have held a relatively low position within the He family. However, in reality, He Shumin controlled all matters of the He family, no matter how big or small. Her attitude was the guiding light for the entire family, including the servants.
Cao Yumei had been married for several years but had not been able to give birth to a child. Although He Shumin did not scold Cao Yumei, his cold eyes and his indifference every time he saw Cao Yumei sent a signal to other people in the He family all the time: He Shumin did not like Cao Yumei as a daughter-in-law.
Under He Shumin's influence, even the younger He Yusheng and He Yingying, let alone He Jingjing, looked down on Cao Yumei. Several of the Cao family's aunts who had married out returned to their parents' homes and found fault with Cao Yumei, a "hen that lays no eggs."
Even the most beautiful love can be worn away by life. Cao Yumei relied on her love for He Boqian to persevere through life in the He family. Six years ago, Cao Yumei even considered leaving him. The burden of being the He family's eldest daughter-in-law was suffocating. In the dead of night, Cao Yumei asked herself: Was it worth sacrificing herself and her self-esteem for a fleeting love?
Soon after, Cao Yumei became pregnant, and she finally gave up the idea of divorce. For the sake of her child and the happiness of her small family, Cao Yumei, a top graduate of Kyoto University, did not go out to find a decent job over the years, but did the work of a housekeeper in the Cao family day after day.
If He Qiu Sheng could make her own choice, she would definitely choose to live in the Cao family rather than return to the cold He family.
Although He Qiusheng was young, he was deeply impressed by his mother's position in the He family. Xiao Yusheng felt sorry for his mother, but there was nothing he could do. He once secretly asked his father to let his mother accompany him to the playground for a day.
What was the result? He Qiusheng followed Cao Yumei to the amusement park for a day as she wished, but the result was beyond her expectations.
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