Zhang Hongmei really wanted to stand up and shout back, "Who wants to be your daughter?"
But then I felt it was too childish. I really couldn't do something so impulsive.
“Beth, I’ve always trusted my judgment. Hongmei, what’s your decision? I won’t force you. But could you please consider my feelings more?” Huang Meihua looked at Zhang Hongmei earnestly.
Huang Meihua's statement that Zhang Hongmei only believed 30% of her claims likely stemmed primarily from their vested interests.
Since both sides are interested, I should do my best to act as a bridge between them.
“Aunt Huang, I agree,” Zhang Hongmei said with a smile.
Everyone in the living room laughed. Zeng Zhongkang looked at Zhang Hongmei with some worry; based on his understanding of her, he knew she wouldn't agree.
“Now that we’ve made an agreement with Hongmei, we can inform them to prepare,” Huang Meihua said with a smile to the father and son.
“Alright, Carlos, go back and make the arrangements. Have the butler notify everyone who needs to be notified. The dinner tomorrow night must be lavish,” Beth McKen instructed his son.
Hearing this from the side, Zhang Hongmei wondered if they were going to have a big celebration. She was about to refuse, but then she felt discouraged. Oh well, things had come to this point, what else was there to say?
Huang Meihua noticed Zhang Hongmei's reluctance and patted her hand. "Hongmei, this isn't just a simple family reunion. It's about letting everyone in the McCann family, all the other prominent families, and all the influential figures know that the McCann family has a young lady. So this step can't be omitted."
"But don't you have a daughter? This is really embarrassing for me."
"Hehe, you're overthinking it. To tell you the truth, in the McCann family, besides the patriarch and the matriarch, only the eldest daughter has the most power."
"That's even worse. I don't need that right, nor do I want that kind of glory."
“Hongmei, this really isn’t a question of whether you want it or not. If you really don’t like this kind of life, then I won’t force you to do anything, but this position is definitely for you. So, don’t refuse. Actually, there are still benefits to it. Although you don’t like it now, it will really be very convenient for you.”
Zhang Hongmei squinted. "So, from now on, I'm tied to the McCann family?"
"The benefits are definitely like this, because you will be included in the family tree, and you will own five percent of the McCann family's shares."
"Hehe, that's quite a lot, isn't it? But I still don't want to. You're making me feel like I'm being held hostage."
Zhang Hongmei looked at the family of three with a hint of mockery.
"Actually, I know that I am just a link in the chain of interests. Since you want to give, why should I refuse? Besides, I might be seen as pretentious and ungrateful."
But let me make this clear: I am Chinese, and I will always prioritize the interests of my motherland and its people. If a conflict ever arises between us, I will absolutely not do anything that goes against my country's interests.
If you still agree to this, then I agree to your arrangement. Please discuss it among yourselves.
Beth McKen laughed, then laughed heartily, "Okay, okay, okay. I agree. Don't worry, with you in the middle, the problems you're worried about definitely won't happen. But minor issues will still require your mediation."
We may not have made things clear, but I'm telling you here that you have the voting power of the McCain family, so you have the right to reject anything you believe is bad for your country.
Are you relieved now? Is it acceptable to you? And most importantly, you can command the members of the McCann family.”
Zhang Hongmei smiled. What a temptation this was! The power of the nation's first family.
"Of course, if I were to refuse, I would feel like I was being pretentious and ungrateful. But I will not change my name."
"Hehe, you can do whatever you want with that, but outsiders will definitely call you Zhang Hongmei McKen. Just like the hostess, you'll be given the family name."
Zhang Hongmei didn't care; being associated with McCann might even bring her great benefits.
Zhao Tiancheng listened from the side, inwardly impressed. This girl was truly rational, not blinded by greed. And the conditions offered by the McCann family were far too high! The eldest daughter? A voice? Voting rights? She really was the most powerful person besides the head of the family and his wife.
But this girl is still able to negotiate terms, haha, that's really good.
Wang Xinyi didn't understand any of this, but in her heart, she felt that this was good for Zhang Hongmei, so she was happy too.
The remaining three did not understand, but they knew that Zhang Hongmei was now a foreigner.
“Mom, do you also have five percent of the shares? I have so many!” Annie boasted to Zhang Hongmei, believing that she and her mother were equal.
Carlos laughed. "Of course, you are the next eldest daughter of our McCann family! But you will only have the right to it after you grow up and the family votes on it."
"I'll grow up really fast, won't I, Mom!"
"Yes, our Annie will definitely be outstanding. Mom believes in you."
After listening to Zhang Hongmei's words, Annie leaned against her contentedly.
"Alright, since it's all decided, I'll be leaving now. Hongmei, your rights are hereditary. We'll have a family agreement, and your interests will be clearly stated in it."
"Hehe, thanks! It means I can have food even while lying down from now on. It's like a pie falling from the sky, isn't it?"
Everyone laughed after hearing her words. It really was true.
Carlos McCann drove away, and a driver would come to pick them up in the afternoon. As for all the details, he would arrange them when he got back. Zhang Hongmei specifically requested that the dress must have sleeves and that nothing other than the face, neck, and hands be exposed.
Carlos nodded. This was indeed not easy, and he would have to find someone to make arrangements. "Here's what we'll do: a dress tailor will be coming over in an hour. You can talk to them about what kind of dress you want. Also, your family reunion with Annie will be held tomorrow night, so both of your dresses will need to be remade."
Zhang Hongmei nodded. Habits are terrible. Now she probably wouldn't even want to wear sandals anymore, and she would feel uncomfortable if her toes were exposed.
"Mom, shall we wear matching outfits?" Annie looked at Zhang Hongmei longingly.
"Of course, we'll look especially good wearing matching mother-daughter outfits. When the tailor comes, we'll make our request to her."
"Great! We have matching mother-daughter outfits now. Let them make us a few more so we can always wear the same clothes."
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