Today's shift was unlucky; honestly, women only know how to use these low-class methods. Luckily, I didn't follow orders and have a man come and search me; otherwise, it would have taken two people to do it.
When Chengzi saw Gu Chuanming about to leave, he immediately got out of the car and followed behind the old chief. Wang Ying followed behind Zhang Hongmei, and Xiao Li followed behind Zhang Shouyi.
Wherever the six men went, everyone made way for them.
Zhang Hongmei was genuinely frightened by the sound of Xiao Li's two kicks. Even her knees hurt.
Only after they entered the courtyard did the guards outside come over and help the two women leave.
Once they entered the courtyard, Chengzi and the other two walked in front of Zhang Shouyi and his group, which Zhang Hongmei felt was a way of clearing a path.
Zhang Shouyi lowered his head and whispered in Zhang Hongmei's ear, "Hongmei, are you scared?"
"A little bit, my knees are hurting too."
Gu Chuan glanced at Zhang Hongmei and said, "You're so shrewd. Who would dare to disrespect you in front of me? This is just on the surface. Don't worry."
Dan Mianzhi watched the three of them with a complex expression, imagining what would have happened if Zhang Hongmei had come with him. Perhaps she would have suffered the same humiliation. A strong ambition surged through Dan Mianzhi's mind: No, he had to become stronger.
The path in the courtyard is only about 140 or 150 meters long. Even if you walk slowly, you'll eventually reach the main hall.
There were only three or five people in the hall. Zhang Hongmei glanced around and figured the kind-looking old man must be the big boss. Next to him sat a woman in her thirties wearing a cheongsam, with big, wavy hair and exquisite makeup, but the angry look on her face marred her beauty.
There was also Zhou Jianwei, an acquaintance. I didn't know he had such a big background! And of course, there was Zhou Yuanqing, sitting next to Zhou Jianwei, looking like he was severely sleep-deprived.
"Shouyi, why are you so angry?" The kind-faced old man spoke to Zhang Shouyi with a smile, just like an elder.
“I didn’t lose my temper. They couldn’t handle it if I did.”
"Heh. There are really some blind fools out there. Gu Chuanming, are you standing there waiting for me to invite you?"
"Do you need to be so polite with me? I'm very unhappy today."
"Heh, can't you give me any face in front of the younger generation? Don't worry. I'll keep going until you've vented your anger, okay?"
"Little girl, come and sit next to me."
Gu Chuanming patted Zhang Hongmei's hand. Helpless, Zhang Hongmei had no choice but to step forward, too embarrassed to actually sit down, and stood in front of the high-ranking leader.
"Good morning, leader!"
"Hehe, what a bright and beautiful young lady. Xiao Jiang, go and bring me the two gifts I prepared for our first meeting."
Zhang Hongmei, with her head slightly lowered, happened to see the woman next to her move her hand. She felt pleased; having provoked her and made her unhappy, she felt a sense of balance.
Zhang Hongmei smiled, revealing two small dimples. Zhou Shixiong thought to himself, "They look so alike, so incredibly alike."
He took the two wooden boxes from Xiao Jiang and handed them to Zhang Hongmei, saying, "According to blood ties and seniority, you can call me your great-uncle."
Zhang Hongmei looked up at Zhou Shixiong with a puzzled expression.
"Hehe, your maternal great-grandmother is my aunt."
Zhang Hongmei hadn't expected such a connection. She wasn't there to claim kinship, so she simply smiled.
Thank you for your gift.
"Hehe, don't be so polite with me. Stay here and keep me company for a few days. I'm getting old and just want the younger generation around me."
Zhang Hongmei was highly focused when she suddenly realized that this was an explanation of Zhou Yuanqing's matter. Was this an explanation directed at her? No, what was she to them? Zhang Shouyi and Gu Chuanming were also in the room.
"Hehe, you flatter me. I wouldn't dare come again. I'm just a country bumpkin. Coming here is like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden. I'm all rustic. Otherwise, no one would have come to search me. I'm just a young girl with a shy face. How could I let them search me? Don't you think so?"
Zhou Shixiong knew what was happening outside, but he didn't expect this young girl to dare to say it in front of him.
"Hahaha, this is my granddaughter holding a grudge. Don't worry, Shouyi helped you get revenge, didn't he? Be more open-minded at such a young age."
"Hehe, thank you for your teachings. I will remember them and definitely learn to be more open-minded."
"Jianwei, you and this girl go to the same school, so take good care of her in the future."
Zhou Jianwei walked over and said, "Uncle, you've seen it too. This little girl is amazing. She's my equal, both of us are student council presidents. She's also very decisive. She's the one who started the trend of the Zhongshan suit. I'll have to rely on my cousin for guidance in the future."
"Hehe, yes, you're such a capable little girl. Don't drift apart from me, I'm your family."
“I’m telling you, isn’t it a bit too obvious that you’re trying to steal her away? This is my granddaughter.”
"Look at you, you're my granddaughter and also my junior."
"Hongmei, is that right? Come and meet me. The person sitting next to me is my wife."
Zhang Hongmei gestured for Wang Ying to come over, handed her the box, and then bowed to the young woman, saying, "Hello."
"Hehe, this young lady is really nice. She and Jianwei look like a perfect couple. Here, this is my gift for you."
Zhang Hongmei straightened her face, took a step back, and said seriously, "Please don't speak carelessly. We are both women, don't you know how important reputation is to a woman? Is it really appropriate for someone of your status to speak so carelessly? It's beneath your dignity."
"Boss, I must take my leave now. I dislike this kind of backstabbing and scheming place. I'm sorry."
After Zhang Hongmei finished speaking, she turned around and walked away, with Wang Ying following closely behind.
"Wait a minute," Zhou Shixiong said calmly.
Jiang Zhaoqing was embarrassed and didn't know whether to put her hand down or keep it up. In more than ten years, no one had ever been so disrespectful to her.
Zhang Hongmei stopped, turned around, and looked fearlessly at Zhou Shixiong.
"You're so young, yet you have such a temper. By seniority, she's your elder. This is really not good of you."
"Sir, I'll say it again, thank you for your kind words. If you want others to respect you, you must first respect yourself. I grew up in a village and received a rather traditional education, which places great importance on a woman's reputation."
In fact, Zhang Hongmei's actions weren't because of that at all. In later generations, it was just a joke. She was overthinking things and was afraid that her so-called elder status would really arrange her future path, which is why she did this.
"Really? But it's a fact that you disrespect your elders." Zhou Shixiong's usually smiling face now turned stern.
Zhang Shouyi was about to stand up when Gu Chuanming held him down.
Zhang Hongmei took a few steps forward, stood in front of Jiang Zhaoqing, and smiled at her somewhat smug face. "I'm sorry, even if your words were inappropriate, I should still show you the respect you deserve. Please forgive me."
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