That night, Meng Jixue did not sleep well.
She spent the entire night having nightmares, all of them about her previous life. She even dreamed that she had never been reborn, and that everything that had happened yesterday was merely a dream.
The nightmare scared Meng Jixue awake, and she was covered in cold sweat.
It was already daylight outside.
Meng Jixue stared dazedly at everything around her. The faint pain in her ankle finally brought her back to her senses.
Fortunately, all of this was real. She had truly been reborn.
Now that Meng Qingsong no longer had to go to work, he stayed at home all day.
It was rare for him to have so much free time to spend with Meng Jixue. Thinking back on all those years, he had been so busy with work that the amount of time he and his daughter had actually spent under the same roof could be counted on one hand.
His previous fear of being sent away had also faded considerably.
As long as Meng Jixue was safe, Meng Qingsong felt that he could accept anything.
Over the past two days, Meng Qingsong had become particularly interested in cooking. He was very particular about his meals and would not be satisfied unless they looked, smelled, and tasted good. Perhaps that was simply an artist’s stubbornness.
After finishing breakfast, he had planned to wait a while before waking Meng Jixue up to eat. Unexpectedly, just as he finished setting the dishes on the table, he heard footsteps behind him.
Meng Qingsong turned around and saw Meng Jixue.
He smiled. “Why are you up so early?”
Meng Jixue slowly made her way over. The redness, swelling, and pain in her ankle from the previous night had improved considerably after Zhou Hanzhang treated it, but she still needed to walk slowly.
She smiled. “I smelled the breakfast Dad made, and it made me hungry.”
Meng Qingsong quickly went to get some chopsticks and served her a bowl of porridge. “Try this first. I also made some steamed buns. It’s been a long time since I last made them, so I’m a little worried they won’t taste very good.”
After sitting down, Meng Jixue drank her porridge while watching Meng Qingsong bustle around. Her heart felt as though it had been soaked in something sweet, yet there was also a faint ache in her chest.
She had not seen her father for so many years, and now she could actually watch him busily moving around for her. How could Meng Jixue not be moved?
As long as she could see the living, breathing Meng Qingsong, she knew that no matter what, she had to change her fate in this life.
Just as the steaming, dainty buns were placed on the table, the sound of a car came from outside, followed by a knock on the door.
Meng Qingsong took off his apron, looking puzzled. “Who would come over at this hour?”
Meng Jixue was curious too. It was already past nine in the morning. Zhou Hanzhang had promised yesterday that he would come to see her in the afternoon, so it shouldn’t be him.
But when Meng Qingsong welcomed the visitor inside and she saw Zhou Hanzhang, Meng Jixue could not help being surprised.
“Uncle, why are you here so early?”
He really was efficient.
Compared with the day before, Meng Jixue looked noticeably different now.
The young woman sitting at the dining table was wearing an oversized knitted long coat, making her slender figure look even more delicate.
Her thick, ink black hair was no longer tied up as it had been before. Instead, it fell loosely around her shoulders, setting off her already delicate and petite face and making her look even more beautiful.
There was also a touch of lazy, everyday charm about her now. She was not only beautiful, but full of life.
Zhou Hanzhang suddenly remembered that when he had been conducting his experiment the previous night, the face that had appeared in his mind had actually been Meng Jixue’s.
Thinking of this, Zhou Hanzhang felt somewhat uncomfortable.
He simply avoided her gaze, his tone becoming a little more distant. “I came to discuss your marriage with you and Uncle Meng.”
Seeing that Zhou Hanzhang did not even look at her, Meng Jixue was initially puzzled. Then she felt a little displeased.
She had always been admired by others. A beauty naturally knew how beautiful she was, and her looks had brought her plenty of advantages since childhood. This was the first time Meng Jixue had ever been rebuffed by Zhou Hanzhang, especially when she had deliberately intended to attract him.
She wasn’t a ten yuan note that everyone had to like, but surely he didn’t have to completely ignore her, did he?
When Meng Qingsong heard that Zhou Hanzhang had come specifically to discuss Meng Jixue’s marriage, he quickly made him a proper cup of tea and invited him to sit down.
“I don’t know if you’ve had breakfast yet. If you haven’t, sit down and have some with us.”
Zhou Hanzhang said, “No need, Uncle Meng. I’ve already eaten.”
Meng Qingsong did not insist. He was more interested in what Zhou Hanzhang had meant.
“Hanzhang, you just said you came to discuss Ah Xue’s marriage. Which one are you planning to choose for her?”
Although Old Master Zhou had said that Meng Jixue would be the one to choose, Meng Qingsong also thought that was the best arrangement. Still, the Zhou family had already shown so much sincerity. If they really chose someone for Meng Jixue, as long as he was not too bad, Meng Qingsong would be able to accept it. After all, it would not be right to trouble the Zhou family too much.
Besides, Meng Qingsong knew that the Zhou family’s younger generation were all decent men. If they were treated like cabbages at a market stall, left for someone to pick and choose from, he was afraid some of the Zhou family members might take offense.
The moment Meng Qingsong said this, Meng Jixue became nervous as well.
Because of Old Master Zhou’s words, she had already set her sights on Zhou Hanzhang.
If last night’s conversation with Zhou Hanzhang had somehow resulted in her being unable to choose the man she wanted, wouldn’t she have only brought trouble upon herself?
Could this really be Zhou Hanzhang’s idea?
With that thought, Meng Jixue quickly spoke up. “Dad, Grandpa Zhou said before that I would be the one to choose. Surely he wouldn’t have Uncle Hanzhang come all the way here just to pick someone for me.”
She was subtly reminding Zhou Hanzhang.
Those had been Old Master Zhou’s own words. If Zhou Hanzhang really intended to make the choice himself, wouldn’t that mean going against Old Master Zhou?
Of course, Zhou Hanzhang understood what she was implying.
He did not explain further. Instead, he directly handed the plan in his hands to Meng Qingsong.
“Uncle Meng, my father and I discussed it. Of course, Jixue’s wishes will come first. But if Jixue suddenly starts interacting with several of my nephews, it could affect her reputation in the capital. So I’ve come up with a comprehensive plan. Of course, this will only go ahead if both Jixue and you agree.”
What did he mean?
Meng Jixue was a little confused. She quickly moved closer and looked through the plan together with Meng Qingsong.
As they read, Zhou Hanzhang explained the details of the activity, as well as the benefits it would have for Meng Jixue’s choice of husband.
Seeing how thorough the plan was, Meng Qingsong knew that Zhou Hanzhang had put a great deal of thought into it.
He was extremely satisfied. This really was the best way to choose. If his daughter still could not decide which man to pick, they could simply arrange for the top ranked one to marry her.
Anyone who truly wanted to marry his daughter would go all out to prove himself. Those who did not want to would not have their time wasted either.
Meng Qingsong nodded repeatedly. “Good, good, good. Hanzhang, this is a great idea.”
After saying that, he turned to Meng Jixue and asked for her opinion. “Ah Xue, what do you think?”
Meng Jixue understood now as well.
But the fact that Zhou Hanzhang had spent just one night coming up with such a solution stirred some indescribable emotions in her heart.
This man, he was almost too outstanding.
It was not just in his work. Even when it came to a small matter like this, he could see the bigger picture, consider every possible detail, and even come up with such a thorough arrangement that no one could refuse it.
Could she really succeed in seducing a man like this?
The discouraging thought flashed through her mind for only a moment.
But when she heard Meng Qingsong asking for her opinion, Meng Jixue immediately regained her determination.
No matter how difficult or dangerous it was, she had to do it!
Besides, this “joint project” clearly stated that Zhou Hanzhang would be the person in charge.
That meant that for the next half a month to a month, she would have a chance to interact with Zhou Hanzhang every day.
At the thought of this, Meng Jixue smiled. “Uncle, I agree to your arrangement.”