Secretary Lin, with remarkable foresight, found a tray, placed three large bowls of soup, three spoons, and three pairs of chopsticks on it, and proactively carried it to the front.
Zhang Hongmei washed her hands and followed behind him.
When Zhang Hongmei entered, she sensed the awkward atmosphere, but since everyone here was a big shot, she had no right to speak. She walked over to Zhou Shixiong's side, saw Zhou Jianwei, and simply nodded.
"I've made you some soup, hurry up and try it. Otherwise, it won't taste good."
"Hehe, it smells delicious. Come on, let's try Hongmei's cooking."
Secretary Lin placed a bowl in front of each of the three people, and made sure that Gu Chuanming's bowl was placed correctly as well.
"Hehe, just looking at the colors makes my mouth water." Zhou Shixiong said, picking up a piece. He took a bite and then couldn't stop, even eating the poached egg he doesn't usually like. He put down his chopsticks. "Mmm. It really tastes like the noodle soup my aunt used to make when I was little. Hongmei, how do you know it?"
"Hehe, I really don't know, I just do it this way all the time." Zhang Hongmei felt a little horrified after hearing Zhou Shixiong's words.
Gu Chuanming and Zhang Shouyi had already finished eating, but they were still holding their chopsticks. They waited until Zhou Shixiong put them down before they did so as well.
Zhou Shixiong wiped his mouth and put down his handkerchief. "Xiao Lin, go to the study and bring over that maroon box, and bring the set of keys too."
"Girl, whether you admit it or not, you're still my junior. Since you're getting married and have come to tell me the good news, then you and Shouyi will kowtow and serve tea to me in a little while."
Zhang Hongmei glanced at Zhang Shouyi and nodded. That's how it should be.
Someone came over and cleared away the bowls and chopsticks. Zhang Hongmei personally poured two cups of tea. Zhang Shouyi stood beside Zhang Hongmei at this time. The two of them picked up their teacups and knelt down beside Zhou Shixiong. They raised their teacups together and said in unison, "Uncle, have some tea!"
"Good, good, good!" Zhou Shixiong first took a sip of the tea from Zhang Hongmei, then took the tea from Zhang Shouyi, only touched it briefly, and put it down.
At this moment, two people followed behind Xiaolin, carrying a mahogany box down.
"Now that you two are together, you must love each other and be faithful to each other. You are older than Hongmei, so you must know how to be considerate of her and pamper her."
"Yes," Zhang Shouyi replied respectfully.
Zhou Shixiong took the keychain from Xiaolin, took off one key, and handed it to Zhang Hongmei. "This is the dowry I prepared for you. Although it's not fashionable anymore, it's a token of my affection."
Zhang Hongmei hesitated for a moment, but still accepted it. "Thank you."
"Alright, you two get up and go back. I should rest too."
Gu Chuanming was sulking. He hadn't even had his tea yet, and Zhou Shixiong had beaten him to it. Hearing Zhou Shixiong's order to leave, he immediately stood up and waited for the two men to return before the three of them went out.
The same two men carried the boxes and loaded Zhou Shixiong's dowry onto the car.
Zhang Hongmei sat next to Gu Chuanming, resting her head on the old man's shoulder. "Grandpa, why has his attitude changed so much?"
"Hehe, he almost lost his temper when you weren't in the room. I guess your bowl of noodle soup made him change his mind."
"It can be like this? I can hardly believe it went so smoothly."
"Hehe, maybe Zhou Shixiong really did have a very good relationship with your great-grandmother."
Zhang Hongmei listened to Gu Chuanming's words and felt that they made some sense.
"Hehe, anyway, things went pretty smoothly for us today." Zhang Shouyi chimed in. He was sitting in the front, and seeing how attached Zhang Hongmei was to Gu Chuanming, he felt a little uncomfortable.
"Yeah, I still feel like it's a bit unreal. I really didn't want the key when he gave it to me, but then I thought that if I didn't take it, it would just be another round of arguing, so I took it."
Gu Chuanming patted Zhang Hongmei's hand. "Just accept it, it's alright."
Zhou Jianwei frowned and asked, "Grandpa, didn't you disagree just now? Why did you change your mind?"
"Heh, what can they do if they disagree? Zhang Shouyi has been on guard against me for a long time."
"What's Zhang Shouyi?" Zhou Jianwei said casually, shaking his leg.
Zhou Shixiong frowned. Was it really true that wealth didn't last beyond three generations? None of his sons could shoulder the responsibility. His grandsons were even worse. The only one with any potential was so short-sighted. Sigh! He'd spent most of his life working hard, and in the end, he had nothing.
Zhou Jianwei continued, "Grandpa, actually I've taken a liking to this girl."
Zhou Shixiong's eyebrows shot up. "I'm telling you this seriously, you can't touch this girl. If you have a way, you can willingly let her follow you. But if I find out you've used tricks, I won't be polite, and I won't protect you."
"Hehe, if we get together and have a child, wouldn't that mean the bloodline is pure? That girl is smart, the child she gives birth to won't be wrong."
"Hehe, you've got a pretty good idea of what's going on. But that girl doesn't even look at you. Let's drop this and not bring it up again." With that, he gestured for Xiaolin to push him back to the study.
Zhou Jianwei sat there, head down, his face gloomy. It was different that he wasn't his biological son. This little request wouldn't even be granted. If it were Zhou Yuanqing, Zhou Shixiong would definitely have found a way to help him.
Heh, so what? Zhou Yuanqing is finished now, isn't he? Now he's the only one in the Zhou family who can leave an heir for them, and they still treat him like this? It's ridiculous, why should I grant them their wish?
Zhou Shixiong returned to his study and sat there in a daze.
Actually, I was really angry. If Zhang Hongmei could really give birth to a legitimate son for the Zhou family, I would have to endure it for a few more years, even if my health was failing, to pave the way for the child.
But this girl is still too young, and I might really not be able to wait any longer.
Just now, it wasn't that I was unable to stop them or cause them any trouble, but I suddenly realized that a person's fate and destiny are predetermined, and I am powerless to change anything now.
The Zhou family's fate is sealed; let it be. This generation is simply incapable; hopefully, in future generations, someone will rise to prominence. But there's no sign of the next generation yet. That wicked woman destroyed Yuan Qing's life and her own.
My frail body can no longer withstand great joy or sorrow. My children and grandchildren have their own blessings; I should calm down.
After thinking it through, I realized it wasn't a big deal, so I picked up a book and calmed down to read.
Now that Zhang Hongmei and the others have arrived home, Zhang Shouyi eagerly opened the car door for Zhang Hongmei, receiving a grateful smile in return.
I feel incredibly flattered. Today is the most exciting and happiest day of my two lifetimes combined. My wish has finally come true.
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