Zhan Haoze wanted to ask Tang Hua to arrange for someone to send her off, but he was afraid of scaring Mother Shi, so he gave up after some thought. He turned around and went into the room.
Shi Mengwanâs fever had subsided. However, she was still listless and couldnât get up.
After Shi Mengwanâs mother went out, she fell asleep again in a daze.
Zhan Haoze and Mother Shi were chatting outside, but because the door was closed and the noise wasnât loud, they didnât wake her up.
Zhan Haoze entered the door and placed his hand on her forehead. After making sure that her fever had subsided and there was no big problem, he sat down by the bed.
He just looked at Shi Mengwanâs sleeping face. When she was asleep, she wasnât as glamorous and beautiful as when she was awake. Because she was sick, her small face was pale and she looked pitiful.
His hand unconsciously caressed her cheek, thinking about what Mother Shi had said just now. Marry into the family? This was something that Shi Mengwan would say and do.
He was a little lost in thought, but his hand didnât move away from Shi Mengwanâs face. Shi Mengwan didnât sleep at first, but now that she felt someone touching her, she naturally thought it was Mother Shi.
She was still not fully awake, so she rubbed her face against the personâs hand. She didnât open her eyes. âMom, Iâm so thirsty. Get me a glass of water.â
Zhan Haoze looked at the dependence that she inadvertently revealed. It was something he had never experienced before.
He retracted his hand and gave her a deep look. He got up and went out to get some water.
He poured some water in. A hand was placed behind her, as if he wanted to help her up.
Shi Mengwan yawned, but her eyes were still closed. She drank more than half of the water from the other partyâs hand, but she suddenly realized that something was wrong.
Her mother didnât have the strength to support her body with one hand and feed her water with the other.
She suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the person. When she found out that it was Zhan Haoze, her eyes widened. âWhy is it you? Whereâs my mother?â
Didnât he leave?
When she left earlier, she was still thinking about how her mom had been half-hearted when she said that. She would definitely chase him away.
She didnât expect him to stay.
âYour mom went to buy some groceries. She said that you like her cooking.â Zhan Haoze put his cup aside and sat down by the bed.
Shi Mengwan sat up straight and avoided his hand. She moved a little to the side. âWhy are you still here? Arenât you going to work?â
âYouâre sick.â
The lifeless look on her face yesterday scared him. He asked Tang Hua to bring some urgent business matters here.
âWhoâs the reason why Iâm sick? Whoâs the reason why Iâm like this?â Shi Mengwan said this rudely, and Zhan Haoze showed a rare hint of embarrassment.
The reason she was sick was indeed because of him. If he didnât mess around in the bathroom, she wouldnât be sick.
Shi Mengwan saw the expression on his face and thought he was feeling guilty. She sneered, âIâm almost better now. My mom is here too. Itâs none of your business. You can go.â
Zhan Haoze didnât leave as she wished. âAuntie went to buy groceries and asked me to stay to take care of you.â
âThank you, but thereâs no need.â Shi Mengwan had a look of resistance. âWith you here, my illness canât be cured. If you really want me to get better, then leave quickly.â
âAuntie said that we should have lunch together.â
Shi Mengwan couldnât help but look at him. âZhan Haoze, what did you say to my mother? Tell me.â
Mother Shi actually asked him to stay for lunch? That revealed too much information.
âNothing. I just told your mother that I agreed to your conditions.â
Her conditions? What conditions? Shi Mengwan had never thought that Zhan Haoze would agree to marry into the family, let alone that he would be willing to give his child the surname Shi. So when she suddenly heard this, she was completely confused.
âYour mother told me to be with you, to marry into the family, and to give the childâs surname Shi.â
Shi Mengwanâs mouth was wide open. She looked at Zhan Haoze, and for a moment, she thought there was something wrong with her ears. âZhan Haoze, do you know what youâre talking about?â
âI know.â
âYou want to marry into the family? Are you sure?â
âYes.â
It was just a surname. Zhan Haoze didnât care. Moreover, that matter was too far away. He didnât have the mood to think about it now.
Shi Mengwan suddenly reached out and pulled Zhan Haozeâs front lapel over. She didnât have much strength. If it werenât for Zhan Haozeâs cooperation, she probably wouldnât have been able to successfully pull him to her.
Her gaze weak and sharp, she simply stared at him.
âZhan Haoze, do you know what youâre talking about?â
Zhan Haoze pulled her hand. âYou havenât recovered yet. Donât worry about these things for now. Rest well.â
âZhan Haoze, answer my question. Do you know what youâre talking about? You want to marry into the family?â
âYes.â
âDoes this mean that you want to marry me?â
There was a hint of mockery in her eyes. She just looked at him and didnât believe what he said at all.
âYes.â
The two consecutive affirmative answers didnât cause Shi Mengwanâs attitude to soften in the slightest.
She looked at Zhan Haoze and the expression on her face became harsher. âThen what about Chen Feifei? You want to marry me. What about her?â
Zhan Haozeâs expression didnât change. He seemed to dislike hearing Chen Feifeiâs name very much. âOur matters have nothing to do with her. You donât have to think about her.â
Donât need to think about Chen Feifei? Then what?
The entire Lin City knew that Zhan Haoze was engaged to Chen Feifei. Now that Zhan Haoze said that he wanted to marry her, didnât she become a third party that interfered with other peopleâs relationship?
âZhan Haoze, you donât understand at all.â
He might have some feelings for her and some liking for her, but he wouldnât understand, nor would he understand, her perspective and her thoughts and worries.
âIâve said it before, you donât need to think about those things.â
âZhan Haoze, youâre so selfish.â
She said it sarcastically, but Zhan Haoze wasnât offended at all. He saw her sharp side, such a side of her was very rarely shown. He didnât know if it was because Mother Shi came.
The Shi Mengwan in front of him was much more confident. Some people were like that. With someone to rely on, they would act differently.
He reached out and held Shi Mengwanâs hand in his palm. He looked at her with a deep gaze.
âWanwan, you can be a little selfish too.â
He didnât like her to think about Chen Feifei and didnât like her to think about too many things. Those things were fine as long as she had him to think about them. She didnât need to think about them at all.
Just like towards what Grandma Shi said and what she did. She actually didnât need to care about theem at all. She was just tiring herself out.
Shi Mengwan pulled her hand back and her face was ice-cold. âZhan Haoze, Iâm not you. There are some things that Iâll never be able to do, and Iâll never be as unscrupulous as you.â
âWanwan ââ
âGet out.â
Shi Mengwan refused to communicate with him, and she didnât want to see him either.
âWanwan.â
Zhan Haoze wanted to say something, but Mother Shi was already back. She took the keys from the front door before entering the door, then put thee groceries into the kitchen.
She planned to go to her room to check on Shi Mengwan, but she realized that the atmosphere between the two of them didnât seem too good.
âWanwan?â
Mother Shi looked at Shi Mengwan and then at Zhan Haoze. Her gaze wandered between the two of them.
Seeing her mother come back, Shi Mengwan didnât show any dissatisfaction on her face.
âMom.â She was about to get up, but Mother Shi quickly stopped her. âYou should continue to rest. Iâll go and cook, itâs all your favorite food. You guys wait for a while. You guys can eat later.â
It was almost noon, and Mother Shi was afraid of starving her daughter, so she said a few words and went into the kitchen.
As soon as Mother Shi left, Shi Mengwan wanted to chase Zhan Haoze away. However, her phone rang. This time, she didnât give Zhan Haoze a chance and went to answer the phone herself.
Zhan Haoze glanced at her, got up, and went outside.
Just as Shi Mengwan finished washing the rice and put it into the pot, Zhan Haoze came in and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows.
âAuntie, let me help you.â
âNo need.â Mother Shi saw Zhan Haozeâs expression and knew he rarely went into the kitchen. âIâm used to cooking. I donât need your help. You just need to accompany Wanwan.â
Zhan Haoze stood still. âSheâs on the phone.â
âYou didnât coax her well, right?â Mother Shi took the food out of the bag. Looking at Zhan Haozeâs expression, she knew they definitely didnât get along. âHaoze, did you not tell Wanwan about your familyâs situation?â
Zhan Haoze was stunned. Mother Shi could tell from his expression. âYou should have told Wanwan. Wanwan is a stubborn child with a soft heart. If you told her about your familyâs situation, she definitely wouldnât have messed with you.â
Mother Shi didnât know the exact situation, but she could understand. Their town also had people like this. When the father brought the stepmother in, the stepmother didnât treat the child of the ex-wife well. When the child grew up, he wouldnât acknowledge even the father, not to mention acknowledging the stepmother.
That was human nature. It was normal to not understand at the moment. However, Shi Mengwan was a little stubborn. If he didnât tell her properly, she probably wouldnât understand.
Zhan Haoze didnât reply, and Mother Shi didnât want his help. However, she asked him some questions.
âOther than your father, do you have any other family members?â
âI donât have any family members.â Zhan Haozeâs expression was indifferent. âI donât have much contact with them.â
Mother Shi didnât ask any further because she could understand. If his father didnât treat him well, he probably wouldnât have the motivation to interact with other people.
Mother Shiâs motherly love flared up, so she became more and more friendly towards Zhan Haoze. âSo what if you guys donât interact? Pick a time next time and come home with Wanwan. We have a lot of relatives. If you really get together with Wanwan in the future, you donât have to stand on ceremony. Weâll be your elders.â
Zhan Haoze pursed his lips and a rare hint of emotion flashed through his deep eyes. âOkay.â
âAlthough Wanwanâs grandmother is a little off-key, sheâs actually not a bad person. Although Wanwanâs uncles and aunts are a little scheming, theyâre both good people. Youâll find out in the future.â
Grandma Shi had always been the one talking about the adoptions, and her two brothers-in-law didnât really have any opinions.
After all, everyone knew how good father Shi was to Shi Mengwan and her sister.
âOkay.â
âThatâs enough. This dish will be ready to eat once itâs served. Go and ask Wanwan to eat.â
âShould we bring it in for her to eat?â
âNo need. Although sheâs sick, donât spoil her too much. Sheâs not that delicate. Let her get up and move a little, and sheâll recover faster.â
Mother Shi had never been a doting child.
When Zhan Haoze entered the room, Shi Mengwan had just ended the call with Su Qingsang. Ever since Su Qingsang returned to Lin City, she had started working again. However, this time, she brought her good news.
She was pregnant.
This was really good news for Shi Mengwan. She had long agreed to be the godmother of Su Qingsangâs child.
When she heard that Su Qingsang was pregnant, she was so happy. The two of them had been married for more than a year and now they had a child. They were pregnant with twins. She was truly happy for Su Qingsang from the bottom of her heart.
She had never given birth before, but Su Qingsang was an obstetrician and gynecologist, so she didnât need to teach her anything.
However, it didnât affect the two womenâs interest in discussing the child, especially when Su Qingsang talked about how the child came about.
Strangely, Huo Jinyao didnât seem to want to have a child. This pregnancy was considered an accident. Su Qingsang originally thought that Huo Jinyao would want her to abort the child.
However, she didnât expect Huo Jinyao to be very happy. He was so happy that he was dumbfounded.
Through the phone, Shi Mengwan could feel the happiness that Su Qingsang revealed when she said those words. She was very envious. After hanging up the phone, she couldnât help but think of Zhan Haoze.
If she was pregnant, would Dear Brother be happy? Thinking of her current situation with Zhan Haoze, she smiled bitterly. It wasnât the same thing at all.
If she had a child, it would be truly unfortunate.
Just as she thought of this, she raised her head and saw Zhan Haoze entering the door. She especially disliked him now. Not wanting to see him at all, she turned her face away.
âItâs time to eat.â
It wasnât that Zhan Haoze didnât see the expression on Shi Mengwanâs face. His lips were pursed into a straight line, and he looked a little gloomy.
Shi Mengwan didnât have a good expression on her face. She got off the bed, but she didnât expect her body to go soft as soon as her feet touched the ground.
She rarely got sick, but she didnât know that because she had slept for too long, her feet were a little weak.
Zhan Haozeâs sharp eyes and he quickly went up to catch her.
The moment his hands hugged her, Shi Mengwan instinctively wanted to struggle. Unfortunately, even if she was healthy, she wouldnât be a match for him, not to mention that she hadnât recovered yet.
Zhan Haoze looked at her pale face but didnât plan to put her down. He just carried her and walked out.
When Shi Mengwan realized what he was going to do, she struggled with all her might. She didnât want her mother to see her like this.
âDonât move,â Zhan Haoze whispered in her ear. âYou donât want to fall, do you?â
Shi Mengwan couldnât help but glare at him, but Zhan Haoze didnât seem to notice her ugly expression. He wasnât afraid that Mother Shi was outside, so he directly carried her to the dining table outside.
Mother Shi just came out with the soup and was about to put it on the dining table when she unexpectedly saw her daughter being carried out by Zhan Haoze. The smile on her face became a little teasing.
Especially when she saw Mother Shi staring at Zhan Haoze with âdeep affectionâ, she said, âYou brat. Donât you have legs? Come down and eat.â
âPut me down.â
Shi Mengwan glared at Zhan Haoze again. Zhan Haoze placed her on the dining chair.
Mother Shi now felt that Zhan Haoze wasnât bad, just from his height and physical strength. What was the Internet saying now? Yes, boyfriend strength.
Not bad, not bad. The smile on her face became brighter.
Shi Mengwan could tell what Mother Shi was thinking when she saw her expression. She was angry again. She couldnât help but glare at Zhan Haoze again.
Shi Mengwan looked at Zhan Haoze. Her gaze was different now. âHaoze, sit down and eat too.â
âThank you, Auntie.â
Zhan Haoze sat down beside Shi Mengwan. Shi Mengwan glanced at him and got up to move the chair to the side.
Zhan Haoze saw this and moved the chair in her direction. Shi Mengwan gritted her teeth and wanted to move the chair again.
âWanwan.â Mother Shi couldnât stand it anymore. âYou child, you canât even eat properly. Do you want me to help you move the chair outside the door?â
Shi Mengwan gritted her teeth and glanced at Mother Shi. âMom, what do you know? He ââ
She had a lot to say, but Mother Shi didnât give her a chance.
âWhatâs wrong with Haoze? I think Haoze is very good. You really need to change your temper.â
Shi Mengwanâs eyes widened. âWhatâs wrong with my temper?â
âStubborn.â Shi Mengwan scolded her daughter without holding back, but she smiled like a flower in front of Zhan Haoze.
âHaoze, Wanwan was spoiled by her father and me. Please bear her with us.â
As she spoke, she scooped up a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Zhan Haoze. Shi Mengwan saw it and was very angry. She couldnât help but reach out and bring the bowl of soup over.
âYou Child.â
Mother Shi looked at Shi Mengwan and felt that her daughter was a little too much.
âItâs okay, Auntie.â Zhan Haoze was quite âmagnanimous.â The more he acted like this, the more Mother Shi felt that her daughter was insensible.
She scooped up another bowl of soup and placed it in front of Zhan Haoze. Shi Mengwan resisted the urge to knock the soup away.
âMom, doesnât he have his own hands? Let him scoop it himself.â
âYou child, donât I help you scoop soup at home too? Donât you have hands too?â
âIâm your daughter.â
âHeâs my son-in-law.â
â...â Shi Mengwan almost dropped the bowl in her hand. She looked at Shi Mengwan and felt a headache coming on. âMom, what nonsense are you spouting?â
âHow am I spouting nonsense?â Shi Mengwan looked at Zhan Haoze. âHaoze has already agreed to marry into the family. How am I spouting nonsense?â
âHe was lying to you.â Shi Mengwan was furious. She couldnât help but glare at Zhan Haoze. It was this guy who spouted nonsense in front of her mother. âMom, donât believe him.â
âDonât believe him and believe you? I think Haoze is pretty good. I think you really need to change your temper. Otherwise, donât talk about Haoze anymore, even I wonât be able to stand you.â
âMom, am I still your daughter? Why are you always biased towards outsiders?â
âIf he becomes my son-in-law, then he wonât be an outsider.â Shi Mengwan said matter-of-factly.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Shi Mengwan was furious. She looked at Zhan Haoze calmly drinking the soup from the bowl in his hand. She was furious.
Without thinking, she snatched the bowl from Zhan Gaozeâs hand and put it on the table. Not caring about Mother Shiâs presence at allm she glared at Zhan Haoze fiercely.
âZhan Haoze, go. Go find your fiancée. Donât lie to my mother here.â
Even if she had to shed all pretense of cordiality and make Mother Shi unhappy, she couldnât bear it any longer.
She had no scruples. As soon as she said this, Mother Shiâs expression changed. Her gaze was sharp for a moment, and then she looked at Zhan Haoze inquisitively.
âFiancée? What fiancée?â