The four of them ate a meal that Zhang Hongmei liked. The three elderly people went to rest.
Zhou Shixiong lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. His mind was a jumble of thoughts, a complete mess. The Zhou family was doomed. If they had a matriarch like Hongmei, the Zhou family would never be in this state.
I don't know how they raised such a girl. I've investigated Cui Lin myself; she's just a pretty young woman, and Zhang Aiguo is just an ordinary person.
Is it because this five-year-old child is already living on his own? Do children from poor families mature early?
If there were suitable people, I would definitely give it a try, even if it meant falling out with Zhang Shouyi. It's a pity, though, that I didn't have a single person I could count on.
Zhou Shixiong sighed. Heaven had only granted the Zhou family this long of life. Was the empire they had seized from the Cui family destined to have only this long of life? If so, then he had only been working for someone else's benefit.
Hongmei is a child who can be placed anywhere. I'll test the waters during this period to see if I can hand over the position to her.
Zhou Shixiong was very conflicted. If Hongmei really took over, wouldn't he be disappointed? But he still felt that giving it to her would make him feel much more at peace.
When Li Chang'en came in, he saw that Zhou Shixiong was still awake and paused for a moment. "You should rest, or you won't have any energy in the afternoon."
"Chang'en, sit down and let's talk."
"Is there anything you'd like to say?" Li Chang'en sat to the side, smiling as he looked at Zhou Shixiong.
"Chang'en, wouldn't it be wonderful if Hongmei were my child?"
"Sir, your wife is related to you by blood, so she can be considered part of your family."
"Well, it's different. If our Zhou family had a mistress like that, things would definitely not be like they are now."
"Chang'en, what do you think? Would it be feasible for Hongmei to take over my job?"
"Sir, I really don't know, but based on the few times I've met Madam, I think she would never take it on."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Madam is not the kind of person who is ambitious. Although she is better than the average housewife, I think she is still a traditional woman."
"Yes, her personality is just like her great-grandmother's. She doesn't care much about fame and fortune. But I'm unwilling to give it to her."
“Boss, I think this position will also go to the eldest son in the future. What are you unhappy about? The eldest son’s personality is most like yours.”
"Zhenye is like me?"
"Hmm, didn't you notice? The young master's composure isn't an act; it's just his nature. And have you noticed how soft-hearted he is, just like you? And his insightful understanding of things is just like yours the most."
"Really? Thinking about it carefully, it really is true."
"Most importantly, this child admires you the most, which is something that cannot be faked. Also, there is his age; no matter how smart he is, he cannot hide it perfectly."
"Yes, I can feel that this child is close to me."
"That's true, let Shouyi pave the way for him." Zhou Shixiong sighed deeply, still feeling a little unwilling.
"No, I have to sort out my good stuff for him."
"Boss, there's no rush. You should relax and get some rest. It will be a long time before the young master returns."
"No, I need to go back and find Shouyi so that the children can come back to spend two or three days with me during the New Year. Otherwise, I'll go there myself."
"Okay, you can speak up. The leader will definitely listen."
"Yes, if Yuanqing had been half as obedient as Shouyi, I wouldn't have reached this level."
"Sir, let's not think about it anymore. Please don't let Madam down."
"Okay, you go and rest too, I'll take a nap as well."
Li Chang'en came out, thought for a moment, and then went back to his room. He couldn't contact his superiors at this time, but Chengzi could.
Zhang Hongmei was writing a script in her bedroom. This time, she had a bit of inspiration. Thinking of the blockbuster film from her previous life, she decided to roughly follow this idea.
I didn't go downstairs until 4 p.m.
Li Chang'en was playing chess with Zhou Shixiong when she said something and went out to find Er Ya and the others.
They weren't there at all; they had gone out to play. You really can't keep them at home.
“Madam, Wang Ying and the others have gone outside. Er Ya said they didn’t prepare anything for Liu Xiangdong, so they took the children to sell things.”
"Okay, have Wang Hua take Liu Qiang to school a week from now. That kid's got his eye on someone." Zhang Hongmei said with a smile.
"Hmm, that's pretty good. She's never cried or fussed."
"Yes, it's been more than two years since Liu Qiang came here. How reluctant Su Chen, the silly guy, was to part with his child back then? But he still sent the child over for my sake."
Lu Jing didn't know what to say. Actually, coming here was the best thing for the child, but what parent would be willing to leave their child? Everything has two sides.
"Tomorrow, send Wang Hua and Xu Liang to the surrounding villages to ask if they have any dried seafood. Bring some back for Er Lengzi, because they really can't get any there."
"Yes, Madam. I'll have them go and make the purchase tomorrow. Also, the Chinese medicine that Su Chen wanted has been brought. It's really inconvenient for Wang Hua to be taking care of the child and so many things all by herself."
"Then let Xu Liang go with him; it's not appropriate to send a girl."
"yes!"
"Lu Jing, don't you think it's much more comfortable here than where we are?"
"Well, at least the wind isn't hot."
The two were strolling around the retirement home when they suddenly heard children laughing.
A little girl, about five or six years old, was running ahead, followed by two older girls.
When the two groups met, the little girl immediately stopped and tilted her head to look at Zhang Hongmei.
"Sister, you are so beautiful."
Zhang Hongmei just smiled perfunctorily. She sensed that this little girl didn't really think that way. So they knew she had come on purpose and by chance to meet her, coveting her son? She felt disgusted.
He ignored them and turned to leave.
"Sister, why are you ignoring me?"
There was no need for Lu Jing to address this issue herself. She turned around, glanced at the three of them, and that was enough to silence them.
They walked quite a distance, and Zhang Hongmei sighed, "Who still lives here?"
"Madam, you're a leader from the Southeast Military Region. I'm thinking these three girls must be their family members, right?"
"Oh? Look it up, I don't like them."
"Understood, I won't let them bother you."
"Well, don't let them appear in front of me, but if their family members come to visit, let them see. I want to see what kind of family they are."
Lu Jing was very puzzled. What was wrong with Madam? She had never shown any dislike for others before, and this was the first time she had been so averse to the child.
Zhang Hongmei sensed Lu Jing's thoughts, but she wouldn't explain. Dislike is dislike. She deeply disliked anyone who approached her family with ulterior motives.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com