Zhou Mingshi’s phone rang. It was Zhou Mingyang calling.
As soon as the call connected, Zhou Mingyang said, “I didn’t go to Sun Yurong’s birthday banquet today.”
“I didn’t go either,” Zhou Mingshi replied.
Zhou Mingyang laughed. “I only skipped it because I knew you weren’t going. Eldest Sister didn’t go either.”
“Even though we spent our childhood fighting over everything and throwing punches at each other like it was an everyday occurrence, if we’re talking about who I’m closer to, it’s still you. After all, we’ve been fighting each other since we were kids.”
One of Zhou Mingshi’s brows lifted slightly. “Are you trying to make nice with me?”
“Oh, get lost. Who’s trying to make nice with you?” Zhou Mingyang cursed before adding, “I’m the older brother. If anyone should be making nice, it should be you. You’re the younger one.”
Zhou Mingshi said, “You do whatever I do, then claim we’re closer than anyone else. If that’s not trying to make nice, what is it?”
Zhou Mingyang cleared his throat. “To be fair, the entire Zhou family is counting on you to put food on the table now. Even if I am trying to make nice with you, you can understand that, right?”
Somewhat surprised by his attitude, Zhou Mingshi answered casually, “I can.”
Zhou Mingyang said, “I’ve known since I was little that a wise man adapts to the times. I know exactly what I’m capable of. Even without you, I was never going to become the Zhou family’s heir. I’d rather follow behind you and get a share of the spoils.”
“Are you serious?” Zhou Mingshi asked.
“When have I ever lied?” Zhou Mingyang shot back.
“Alright,” Zhou Mingshi said.
After a pause, he added, “There’s been a bit of trouble at one of the hotels in Hong Kong. Head over tonight, take care of it. From now on, all of Zhou Group’s hotels will be under your management.”
Zhou Mingyang: “……What do you mean by that?”
Leaning back against the sofa with the back of his hand supporting his chin, Zhou Mingshi said lazily, “Since you’ve gone out of your way to make nice with me, I naturally have to show my appreciation.”
Zhou Mingyang: “……Do I really have to leave tonight?”
“The night’s still young. If you leave now, you’ll still make it in time,” Zhou Mingshi replied. “You can afford to wait, but the guests can’t.”
“So now you’re getting awfully comfortable ordering me around?” Zhou Mingyang said.
Zhou Mingshi replied, “After all, didn’t you just say we’ve been fighting each other since we were kids?”
Zhou Mingyang laughed. “I knew from the time we were little that you were full of crafty ideas, and you’ve always had guts. Aren’t you afraid I’ll snatch the seat you’re sitting in?”
Zhou Mingshi smiled. “If you have the ability to take it from me, then all it means is that I wasn’t good enough. That would be a good thing for the Zhou family.”
“You’re certainly confident.” Joking aside, business came first. Zhou Mingyang said, “I can still catch the last flight. I’ll head over right away.”
After hanging up, Zhou Mingyang turned to his wife beside him. “Second Brother wants me to go to Hong Kong to deal with an issue at one of the hotels.”
Yan Shuyan’s eyes lit up. He continued, “From now on, all the family’s hotels will be under my management.”
At that, he smiled. “I just wonder what kind of reaction Sun Yurong and her son will have when they hear about this.”
Yan Shuyan said, “Who cares how they react? Just do your job well. I told you, sticking with Second Brother wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
Zhou Mingyang wrapped his arms around her with a grin. “I’ve got a wonderful wife.”
Yan Shuyan said, “I’ll go pack a couple of changes of clothes for you.”
Zhou Mingyang said, “Don’t pack too much. If I run out of clothes, I’ll just buy some there. Once I’m done, I’ll bring you back a gift.”
Yan Shuyan smiled. “Just focus on your work. The gift isn’t important.”
Zhou Mingyang replied, “A gift for my wife is always important.”
After her son ended the call, Tan Qingwen asked, “Was that Mingyang?”
“Mm,” Zhou Mingshi replied.
Tan Qingwen said, “Come to think of it, your father married three times, but Mingyang’s mother was the one who was most sincere toward him… Yet in the end, it was Sun Yurong who stayed with him all these years.”
Zhou Mingshi said, “He likes being flattered. The fact that they’ve managed to stay together for so many years only proves they’re cut from the same cloth.”
Tan Qingwen laughed. “You’re right.”
Tan Qingwen had her secretary hire a private assistant to stay by her side. After spending two days at Lin Yi’an’s place, she returned home.
After a week of treatment, the pain in Zhou Mingshi’s aunt’s lower back was completely gone.
Tan Qingwen’s health was also gradually recovering. She no longer dared to overexert herself. She still wasn’t that old, and there were many things she wanted to accomplish. She couldn’t afford to let her health fail, so she obediently took her medicine and focused on recuperating.
Not long after the Autumn Equinox, there was already a hint of chill in the air. When Lin Yi’an left for work in the morning, she changed into a long-sleeved shirt.
Lin Yi’an had promised her adoptive parents that she would visit them during the National Day holiday, so she planned to set off the day before the holiday began.
Tan Qingwen wanted to take advantage of the holiday to pay a visit to An’an’s adoptive parents and planned to go with her.
Naturally, Zhou Mingshi would be going as well.
The Lin Group had been especially busy these days, and even during the National Day holiday they couldn’t afford to relax. As a result, the Lin family members were unable to make the trip.
However, although they couldn’t go, Lin Jingyun had plenty of free time and planned to tag along with them for the visit.
The gifts alone filled an entire vehicle.
Lin Jingyun didn’t want to interrupt her younger sister and future brother-in-law’s time together, so she got straight into Tan Qingwen’s car, leaving her sister and future brother-in-law to ride together.
Lin Yi’an didn’t particularly care whose car she rode in. She was just surprised that her second sister had decided to come along. Just two days ago, she’d been talking about going on a National Day trip with her boyfriend. ‘Had the two of them had another argument?’
After several hours on the road, they finally arrived at the Lin family’s home in Changping.
Lin Jingyun had been to Changping several times before, but it was Tan Qingwen’s first visit. The moment she saw the surrounding rural scenery and peaceful countryside, she fell in love with it.
Lin Shuhe, Liu Zhengying, and Grandma Lin came out to greet them.
Everyone started calling out greetings at once, their voices overlapping.
The three of them responded with cheerful smiles.
After exchanging greetings with them, Tan Qingwen stepped forward and took Grandma Lin’s hand. “Auntie, I’ve been wanting to come and visit you for a long time.”
Grandma Lin beamed. “Come in, come in. Have a seat inside.”
Assistant Chen and Ye Lingzhi began unloading the gifts from the car, while Zhou Mingshi and Lin Yi’an followed a step behind them.
Grandma Lin said, “You’ve been in the car for so long. You must be tired. The meal’s already prepared. Rest for a bit, then we’ll eat.”
Tan Qingwen smiled. “I travel on business all the time. I’m used to it.”
After they had sat and chatted for a short while, Grandma Lin invited everyone over for the meal.
Looking at the table full of home-style country dishes, Tan Qingwen’s eyes were filled with delight. “This is exactly the kind of hearty, down-to-earth food I love.”
Grandma Lin smiled. “Then stay here a few more days.”
Everyone was genuinely hungry, so they didn’t say anything more and took their seats to eat.
After the meal, they chatted for a while longer before everyone headed upstairs to rest.
Lin Yi’an also took an afternoon nap. When she came out, she saw her second sister, Lin Jingyun, sitting on the living room sofa looking at her phone. She walked over and sat beside her. “You’re awake?”
Lin Jingyun nodded, then scooted over and leaned against her. “An’an, why did you agree to get engaged to Zhou Mingshi in the first place?”
Seeing that her sister seemed a little down, Lin Yi’an said, “Since both families were willing to form a marriage alliance, they naturally knew each other’s background. The elders wouldn’t casually choose someone for such an arrangement. The other party had to be outstanding in every respect.”
“Grandpa and Grandma said that if I agreed to the marriage alliance, my dowry would be doubled. When I was little, our family was poor. The people in the village looked down on us and mocked my parents. Back then, I told myself that when I grew up, I’d earn lots and lots of money to treat their illnesses, so no one would ever laugh at them again. But after I grew up, I realized that even with money, there was no way to cure their conditions.”
“Everything matched up perfectly, and I couldn’t find anyone more suitable on my own. So why would I refuse?”
“After spending some time with Zhou Mingshi, I found that he really is excellent in every way. It just proves that the Lin family made the right choice in selecting him for the marriage alliance.”
Just as Zhou Mingshi pulled the door open, he heard what she said. He hesitated, unsure whether to walk over or quietly return to his room. But Lin Jingyun spotted him first and hurriedly called out, “Future brother-in-law!”
Lin Yi’an looked up at him. “You’re up already?”
Zhou Mingshi strode over. Before he even reached them, Lin Jingyun sprang to her feet and dashed back to her room.
Lin Yi’an: “……”
After sitting down, Zhou Mingshi smiled and said, “I’m honored that Yi’an thinks so highly of me.”
The moment he spoke, it was obvious he had overheard their conversation.
Smiling, Lin Yi’an replied, “It’s simply the truth.”
She would have said the same thing even with him sitting right in front of her.
Zhou Mingshi looked at the calm expression on her face and suddenly asked, “What could possibly throw you into a panic?”
Lin Yi’an chuckled. “Lots of things. I’m not some immortal. Of course I’d panic when something happens.”
Zhou Mingshi smiled faintly but said nothing.