Chapter 85 With money in hand, one can stand tall.
“I am your mother, and I am willing to do these things without feeling bitter. This is what I should do and what I want to do. Seeing you all settle down, start your own families, and live peaceful lives makes me feel at ease.”
Before they could refute her, she continued.
“Now is the time for you to spend money. Guifang and Haiqing’s child is about to be born. Raising a child is not easy. Formula, diapers, clothes, all of these cost money. And then there’s the future education, medical care, and upbringing. All of these are expenses. You have to plan for yourselves and leave your child a way out.”
The two opened their mouths, but did not refute.
That's right, they're about to become parents, and the responsibility on their shoulders has suddenly become much heavier.
Even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about the baby in your belly and the future.
"And you, Liya."
Zhou Shufen turned to look at her.
"You're still single, you have a long life ahead of you. When you get married and have a wedding, you'll need money for a house and a car. Women need money in their hands to stand tall. No matter what happens, you won't have to worry about what others think, and you'll live with confidence."
The group looked at each other, but no one spoke.
Zhou Liya lowered her head and touched the hem of her clothes, her eyes flickering, but she didn't say anything.
Zhou Haiqing and Guifang exchanged a glance and fell silent.
The room fell silent immediately.
Just then, three crisp knocks came from outside the door.
Who is it?
Zhou Haiqing muttered something.
He muttered to himself as he slowly moved toward the door.
Reaching the door, he tiptoed and carefully peered through the peephole.
His heart skipped a beat.
They were afraid that Zhou Dajun was standing outside the door again.
Sure enough, there was a man standing outside the door, a complete stranger.
However, he was wearing a sharp dark suit with neat shoulders and a perfectly tied tie.
Zhou Haiqing glanced at it and suddenly remembered that this was Uncle Wu, whom his mother always talked about.
That friend who's often mentioned on the phone.
He immediately perked up, quickly took a step back, reached out and turned the doorknob, opening the door with a click.
"You've arrived! Please come in!"
Zhou Haiqing smiled and stepped aside to let him pass, gesturing for him to proceed.
Guo Zhenyi nodded slightly, his expression gentle.
The sole of the shoe rubbed lightly twice on the doormat.
As he walked towards the living room, he asked in a low voice, "Is your mother home? Is it convenient for her today?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and his gaze swept across the living room.
In that instant, his gaze fell on the person sitting on the sofa.
Zhou Shufen was adjusting the hem of her clothes when she heard footsteps and looked up.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Guo Zhenyi's eyes flickered slightly.
Zhou Shufen looked slightly surprised, and a blush unconsciously rose on her cheeks.
He then lowered his head, quickly raised it again, and nodded slightly.
In that instant eye contact, nothing was said, yet everything was understood.
Zhou Liya and Qin Guifang remained seated on small stools on the other side.
Upon seeing this, they immediately exchanged a knowing glance.
The two stood up almost simultaneously.
Qin Guifang coughed lightly, a faint smile on her lips, and said softly while adjusting her scarf, "Since we have guests, we might as well go out for a stroll and buy some groceries, then we can cook dinner when we get back."
As she spoke, she quietly reached out and gently tugged at Zhou Liya's sleeve.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Zhou Liya immediately chimed in, her face beaming with a bright smile. “I’ll be going now. I’ll go with Guifang. The weather is nice outside; a walk will do.”
As she spoke, she walked briskly to Zhou Haiqing's side and grabbed his arm.
"Haiqing, don't stay cooped up at home, come out with us for some fresh air!"
Before Zhou Haiqing could react, she was pulled away by her.
He glanced back at his mother.
Seeing that she nodded slightly, he didn't say anything more.
He let Zhou Liya half-push and half-pull him out the door.
With a "bang," the door was slammed shut.
At that moment, the three of them couldn't help but smile at each other outside the door.
Zhou Liya even secretly winked towards the inside of the house.
Qin Guifang covered her mouth and laughed out loud.
Zhou Liya gently pushed her.
"Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear!"
Inside the room, Zhou Shufen heard the door close. She looked up at the closed door and couldn't help but shake her head.
"These kids are really clever!"
She murmured to herself, but there was no hint of blame in her tone.
The living room fell silent immediately.
Only the ticking of the wall clock echoed.
Guo Zhenyi walked slowly to the sofa, his movements cautious.
He sat down next to Zhou Shufen, deliberately keeping a small distance between them.
She had a rosy complexion, relaxed eyebrows and eyes, was dressed neatly, and looked at ease.
What brings you here?
Zhou Shufen finally spoke first, her voice gentle.
She placed her hands on her knees, her fingertips gently rubbing them together.
“I’m a little worried about you,” Guo Zhenyi replied frankly and gently. “I haven’t seen you go to the design class these past few days, and I’ve been thinking about you, worried that something might have happened to you.”
He was telling the truth.
Since last week, he has been making a point of taking a detour past that community design training class every day on his way to and from get off work.
He would always slow down, pause for a moment outside the window, and search for that familiar figure with his eyes.
For several days in a row, Zhou Shufen was nowhere to be seen in the classroom.
After not showing up for three or four days, he began to feel restless, and various possibilities flashed through his mind.
Is he sick?
Or did something happen at home?
Or perhaps...
What misunderstandings do you have about yourself?
Various speculations churned in his mind, ultimately prompting him to make up his mind to visit in person today.
"Oh, so that's what it was about."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She raised her head and looked directly into Guo Zhenyi's eyes.
"I do have some other plans lately, so I haven't been going to class for the time being. I'm so sorry to have worried you."
"What arrangements?"
Guo Zhenyi subconsciously pressed for an answer, his brows furrowing slightly.
Zhou Shufen did not answer immediately, but instead adjusted her posture slightly and placed her hands on her lap.
“I want to rent a shop in a department store and open a small shop. I’d like to sell some fabrics and needles and thread, or take on some custom alteration work. Right now I’m busy contacting venues, inquiring about rent, and preparing permits. There’s a ton of things to do, and I really don’t have time to study anymore.”
She paused, a confident smile appearing on her lips.
"Besides, I've basically mastered everything I needed to learn. Now it's time to try doing something myself."
As Guo Zhenyi listened, his gaze gradually shifted from concern to appreciation.
He nodded slightly, a relieved smile appearing on his lips.
"Department store?"
Guo Zhenyi repeated the sentence in a low voice, his brows furrowing slightly.
He immediately understood.
That place is located in the most bustling part of the city center, with high foot traffic and high commercial value.
Rent naturally rises accordingly, easily starting at tens of thousands a year.
Does she, a fledgling fashion designer, have enough money to live on?
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