"I think it's a great place. I think whether it's a man or a woman going out, they all want to go to a secluded place."
"That makes sense. Okay, I'll schedule a meeting with the designer tomorrow to take a look and make a plan before we talk about it."
I called McCann and made an appointment with Huang Meihua to go over tomorrow, and also to have her choose a designer to come along.
After all, the earlier the better.
Huang Meihua hung up the phone. "Carlos, how were the girls today?"
Carlos shook his head. "I find it too boring."
Huang Meihua and Beth exchanged glances, and it was the mother who spoke up, "Carlos, this is Elizabeth Bassola, the eldest daughter of Mario Bassola of the Eighth Family."
This girl is a third-year student at a national university.
Your father and I value her composure and lack of ostentation. Many girls these days lack self-respect, but this girl is different.
Carlos, you find her dull, but if she's too enthusiastic when you first meet her, you'll definitely think she's frivolous.
Your actions are making us both very worried.
In fact, Carlos didn't even take a good look at the girl he was having dinner with that night, and the two of them didn't exchange more than ten words during the entire meal.
Looking at her worried parents, she said, "That must be her. Since you both think she's good, she must have some redeeming qualities."
I'm inviting her home for dinner tomorrow night. You guys should pay attention to the details again. Also, let Annie come back too. Even if she knows I have a daughter, she still needs to see her with her own eyes. Besides, we also need to see how she treats Annie.
I called Hongmei and asked her to come over too. That girl has a good eye for people.
After saying that, he stood up and went back to his study. Huang Meihua felt that her son had fled in panic.
Beth patted her arm. "Don't push him too hard. He's an adult, and it's already very rare that he's willing to put aside his own thoughts for us."
"But he's only sinking deeper into this mess." How could Huang Meihua not feel sorry for her son? He was her son, her pride and joy. Thinking of this, her eyes reddened.
"Alright, if he's willing to have Hongmei examine him, then let that girl do it for him. Let him give up completely!"
Carlos sat in the chair, took out a cigarette, and felt a pang of regret.
After a while, he picked up the phone again and called Zhang Hongmei.
"Red plum blossoms, that is me, Carlos."
"What's wrong?"
“Take Annie home for dinner tomorrow night.”
"Okay! What's up?"
"You'll see when you get here." Carlos couldn't bring himself to say it; he couldn't possibly ask the girl he had feelings for to come and meet him. Actually, he had a sliver of hope that Zhang Hongmei would see the young lady tomorrow and suddenly realize she had feelings for him.
After hanging up the phone, I stubbed out my cigarette. I'd better get back to work; that's the only way I won't think about her.
"Mom, did Dad call earlier? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, let the two of us go back for dinner tomorrow."
Annie lowered her head, a little sad. "Mom, Grandma keeps letting Dad eat with those ladies."
"Annie, you understand what that means?"
"Hmm, they're going to find me a stepmother, Mom. Do you think they'll be like Snow White's stepmother?"
Zhang Hongmei rubbed Annie's head and said, "My baby is so smart. Even if your stepmother isn't good, I believe you can overcome any danger and won't be fooled like Snow White."
Besides, you can tell Grandma and Dad that your stepmother has to be someone you like.
Annie leaned against Zhang Hongmei and said, "Mom, I've fallen for you, but you already have a husband."
Zhang Hongmei didn't respond to Annie's words, but just kept stroking her long hair.
Annie was in a low mood all evening, and even when Zhao Hao brought her a gift after get off work, it didn't cheer her up.
The next morning, after breakfast, it was Ningning who made her laugh again.
After waking up from his afternoon nap, Zeng Zhongkang drove two people to McCann's house.
After arriving home, Annie went to her room.
What's wrong with her?
"I'm a little worried that her stepmother will mistreat her."
"Alas! My poor Anne. But there's nothing we can do about it."
Hongmei, could you please talk to Annie? I don't know how to comfort her.
“Godmother, me too. I tried to talk to her about it yesterday, but I don’t think it worked.”
"Take your time!"
That's all we can do. It's just a matter of Annie figuring things out for herself.
“Godmother, this is what Anne and I were going to say. I also told her that she can see her future mother, and if she doesn’t want to, she’ll have to change.”
Huang Meihua nodded. She truly hoped that today would be a success. Carlos's marriage would finally relieve her of a great worry.
The McCann family has too few heirs. Such a large family cannot be supported by just one or two people.
She didn't want to force her son, but she had no choice; she couldn't let him do as he pleased.
Seeing that Huang Meihua wasn't in a very good mood, Zhang Hongmei didn't know how to comfort her. She could only sit with her.
"Hongmei, have I been a particularly derelict mother?"
"How could that be? I think you are the best mother, always thinking of your child."
"But I'm forcing Carlos to get married right now."
This is something I absolutely cannot respond to. I'm just an outsider; I have neither the right nor the qualification to speak.
“Hongmei, I know Carlos has someone he likes. It’s not that I don’t want to help him, but the other person isn’t interested, and I can’t keep letting him drag this out. The McCann family needs an heir as soon as possible.”
"Godmother, don't worry too much. Just let things take their course. I know some couples aren't in love at first sight. Maybe they can develop love over time after they get married?"
"I hope so. My Carlos is in a very difficult position. The burden on his shoulders is too heavy. He has to bear it all by himself."
"Yes, it's all his own business. Don't overthink it. Just take good care of yourself now and support him for another ten years or so."
"Heh, you silly girl! Alright, I know. How can I be at ease until I see the heir of the McCann family grow up?"
"You're right to think that way. Once you're healthy, you can focus on training your successor."
"Sigh! As for me, I can only take care of their daily lives; I can't help with their careers. There are special people to train the heirs. Back then, Carlos was very young, and he had to get up at seven o'clock every day. He only had a two-hour break at noon, and I wouldn't see him until after ten o'clock at night."
Seeing him grow increasingly silent, the mother's heart broke.
But what can he do? It's my fault for being so useless, only having one son. He has no choice but to struggle on his own.
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