Finally home, Zhang Hongmei felt too weak to speak. She longed to drink a cup of spring water and take a hot bath. But she couldn't; there was still Annie.
Annie looked at the tired Zhang Hongmei with a pang of heartache. "Mom, I can do it all by myself. I'm all grown up now."
Zhang Hongmei shook her head. "Baby, not today. You're too tired. From now on, Mom will let you do things yourself, but today, Mom will help you."
After helping Annie take a bath, I carefully dried her hair.
"Mom, you don't need to worry about me. Many of my classmates have stepmothers. Besides, I have my grandparents and you at home. Miss Bassola won't do anything to me."
"Hehe, my baby is really a big kid now, able to analyze things, that's amazing."
Go to sleep. Tell Mom about it tomorrow.
"Okay, I'll go to sleep right away. Mom, you should go wash up too."
Zhang Hongmei didn't leave; instead, she sat by the bed, patting Annie and telling her stories.
It didn't even take five minutes before Annie fell asleep.
Zhang Hongmei then entered the space from the bathroom.
I immediately found a cup of spiritual spring water. Drinking it made me feel completely comfortable. I soaked in the bathtub, reading the letters Zhang Shouyi had sent me over the past few days.
All the foreign companies have started production, and they've all been quite successful. They even delivered three seeders and two harvesters directly to Liujiatun. Threshing machines, crushers, and other equipment will be delivered gradually in the future.
Furthermore, the local power supply bureau has been arranged to provide electricity to the Liujiatun area.
This is Zhang Hongmei's favorite. With a two-story villa and electricity, there's simply no comparison.
Although the asphalt road doesn't lead directly to the village, it has definitely been widened and leveled.
My vision for the village is gradually coming to fruition. I'm a little excited. I really want to go back and see it for myself; last time I only saw photos and didn't experience it firsthand.
He emerged from the space and lay down next to Annie.
The next morning, after finishing their Tai Chi practice, they ran into the three people who were returning from their run.
"Zeng Zhongkang, I forgot to tell you yesterday, you'll have to be my driver for a while. So, Cheng Guangxu, could you ask for leave for both of us this morning?"
"Hongmei, are you going to McKinsey's?"
"Yes! You guys go have breakfast, I'll go wake Annie up?"
As soon as they entered the living room, Wang Xinyi came out carrying Ningning. When the little guy saw Zhang Hongmei, he started to struggle in Wang Xinyi's arms, heading in Zhang Hongmei's direction.
"Okay, okay, stop struggling, I can barely hold you anymore."
Zhang Hongmei took Ningning from her. "Baby, shall we go wake Annie up?"
Ningning is almost eight months old now. The little one is quite substantial and can understand some words. When she hears Annie's name, her eyes crinkle with laughter.
Zhang Hongmei put Ningning directly on the bed. The little guy quickly climbed onto Annie and enthusiastically smeared Annie's face with his drooling mouth.
"Ningning, you're so mean."
Zhang Hongmei watched the two children interact from the side and found it particularly interesting.
"Annie, get up, we still have to go home after breakfast."
Wang Xinyi followed her upstairs. "Hongmei, you and Annie go wash up. I'll take Ningning downstairs first."
But how could a child agree? The little guy wouldn't let his mother hold him at all, so there was no other way but to let him continue playing on the bed.
After breakfast, the three set off, and Ningning cried her heart out. This happens almost every day now; whenever Zhang Hongmei goes to school, she inevitably cries.
The three arrived home at 8:30. At that time, the four of them were having dinner.
"Zhongkang, Hongmei, Annie, would you like to eat some more?"
Huang Meihua was especially happy today, finally having a daughter-in-law at the dinner table.
"Godmother, we've already eaten and are waiting for you in the living room."
Huang Meihua left the dining hall before them. "Hongmei, the whole family will be here soon, and we can finish after lunch."
"Yes, it's alright, godmother. Zeng Zhongkang and I have both taken leave."
This morning, only the head of the family and his wife came; the younger generation didn't come, as they all have to work.
The family reunion ceremony started at 9:30. Elizabeth Bassola, led by Huang Meihua and Zhang Hongmei, got to know the elders in her family. To be honest, the trouble of having so many people is now becoming apparent.
I really tried very hard to remember it back then. I wonder what Mrs. McCann is like now?
It took about two hours to finally complete the round trip. Zhang Hongmei was glad that she was wearing flat shoes.
"Mom, are you tired?"
"It's alright. Is Annie going to school this afternoon?"
Anne nodded. "Yes, I will. Will you pick me up tonight?"
Huang Meihua patted Annie's head and said, "Annie, stay home tonight. You should spend more time with your mother."
"Okay, then I'll go to school this afternoon too."
After eating, Zeng Zhongkang and his companion checked the time and realized they had enough, so they went home to change their clothes and rode their bicycles to school.
Friday night arrived in the blink of an eye. Zhang Hongmei and her three friends went home from school and wanted to pick up Annie, but Ningning refused to let go no matter what.
"Aunt Wang, I'll take Ningning with me."
"Too much trouble."
“It’s alright, Zeng Zhongkang is driving, let’s go.”
Once in the car, Zhang Hongmei tapped Ningning's little nose and said, "You little rascal, are you satisfied now?"
The little guy's ingratiating, fawning smile was simply irresistible to Zhang Hongmei.
Anne had already packed her belongings and sat on the sofa, watching TV with Huang Meihua, Elizabeth McKen.
"Mom, is Miss staying for dinner today?"
"I don't know either. She usually doesn't like staying for meals because she doesn't like our food."
"Annie, have you packed everything? If anything is missing, just call home and I'll bring it to you."
"Good mother."
Hearing the sounds from the yard, Annie immediately stood up. "Grandma, my mom's here!" she exclaimed, and then ran out happily.
"Mom, Ningning is here too?"
"Yes, he probably knew he was coming to pick you up, because he wouldn't let go of me no matter what."
"Godmother, you look much better. Hello, Mrs. McKen."
"Miss, you can just call me Elizabeth."
"Okay, you can call me Hongmei."
Huang Meihua tried to take Ningning from him, but the boy had his arms around Zhang Hongmei's neck and didn't even look at anyone else.
With no other option, Zhang Hongmei had to hold him and sit down next to Huang Meihua.
"Ningning, have you forgotten? This is your Aunt Huang, isn't she? All the gifts you like are from Aunt Huang. If you ignore her like this, you'll hurt her."
Ningning let go of Huang Meihua's hand, looked at her outstretched hand, and reached out her hand in return, agreeing to be hugged.
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