In his previous life, Little Lang could have lived on, but Yan Zhao''s sry wasn''t enough. Although hospital stays could be reimbursed, imported special drugs were expensive, and it was all up to Little Wang to earn money to support his brother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Zhou Xueqin also hadints about this. Like Lu Jingyu, she liked to make investments. When Little Wang earned money, she always thought that if he gave it to her, she could earn more, but Little Wang wouldn''t give her a penny.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So they became enemies, and Zhou Xueqin stabbed him with an awl, forcing him to give her money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But now this child wants to earn money and give it to her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Chen Men didn''t like investing, nor did she want to exchange her cheap stepmother''s love for money. Instead, she hoped this child would focus on studying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Can you earn more than Yuanyuan''s father?" She needed to educate this little one.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Chen Men couldn''t touch the money from Xishan Company, and Yuanyuan could only control it after turning eighteen, because they were constantly installing production lines, with adults discussing business deals worth hundreds of thousands, Yan Xishan seemed to be rolling in money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang boasted confidently, "He''s just older than me. When I grow up, I can do the same."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Then do you know why Yuanyuan''s father can earn so much money?" Chen Men asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang replied matter-of-factly, "He knows how to drink andwork. I can do that too."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"That''s because other coal bosses haven''t been educated, but he has. Don''t think he only knows how to drink andwork. He was Teacher Huang''s most outstanding student," Chen Men corrected.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Compared to other coal bosses, Yan Xishan''s advantage was that he had received an education as a child. With Teacher Huang''s earnest teachings, he had a broader perspective.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"But he doesn''t study now, isn''t he drunk every day?" Little Wang countered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men had to tell a little lie, "He just doesn''t read during the day. He still reads every night when hees home. If you want to call me mom, you need to study first. Don''t think about making money."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang reluctantly mumbled, "Okay, mom."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was obedient in front of Chen Men, but once he saw Yuanyuan and Little Lang, he became the big brother again, insisting on tugging Yuanyuan''s braid.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yuanyuan was trying hard to eat a meatball because her mom would kiss her after she finished. She didn''t want to eat anymore after her brother tugged her hair, so she fed it to Little Wang, "Brother, I really dislike you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Little Wang didn''t mind. He liked eating little meatballs and he liked Yuanyuan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao came back, and Ma Bo quickly ordered a bowl of meatball soup for him too, adding extra meatballs. Then he looked at Yan Zhao and smiled, kept smiling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Take the fingerprints found on Zhou Xueqin''s bag back to the station. Check if those who robbed her have criminal records. If they do, arrest them. If not, file a report. This case must be thoroughly investigated," Yan Zhao said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ma Bo saluted and left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With the children present, they couldn''t discuss these matters, so Chen Men didn''t ask.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But as Yan Zhao was about to leave, Chen Men blurted out, "Will youe back early tonight?" She wanted to know what was really going on with Zhou Xueqin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Are you sure?" Yan Zhao suddenly asked back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men''s face reddened. When Yan Zhao came backte, he usually didn''t disturb her. But if he came back early, who knew what might happen. The man she married currently had a trajectory that was still on the rise, with no signs of falling.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But it had been exactly four months since they started sleeping in the same bed, and although he always said it would be just once, the duration kept getting longer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Let''s go, we''re going home," Chen Men patted Little Wang, "Your mom is calling you home." From today on, she officially became this child''s mom.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Okay, mom. Goodbye, dad. Remember to eat lunch and drink water," Yuanyuan reminded Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang looked back at his dad. After all, Zhou Xueqin was his birth mother, and the child still wanted to ask more, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Yan Zhao said, "For every extra word, you''ll do horse stance for ten more minutes tonight."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Mom, don''t you think my ck dad is annoying?" On the way home, Little Wang suddenly asked Chen Men quietly. After a moment, he added, "Compared to him, Yuanyuan''s dad is much better."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan had grown out his hair and recently restrained himself. He no longer wore shy clothes, but instead donned a white shirt and ck suit with a pair of big leather shoes. When he grinned, he looked even more like Fei Xiang than the real Fei Xiang on TV.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, Chen Men didn''t allow him to enter the vige, so topete with Yan Zhao for the children''s affection, he would often "identally" encounter the kids on the road and give them candy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The children indeed liked him more.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Don''t you dare say such things," Chen Men eximed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"But it''s true. Yuanyuan''s dad is rich and likes to smile. When I grow up, I want to be that kind of person," Little Wang argued with Chen Men.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men thought to herself, if Yan Zhao heard this, wouldn''t he be furious?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Education, this little rascal stillcked education.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
From that day on, to prevent Yan Xishan from further corrupting Little Wang, Chen Men set a rule: he wasn''t allowed to see the children casually, otherwise she wouldn''t pay for Xishan Company''s machinery instation fees. For the sake of money, Yan Xishan finally behaved himself and didn''t dare to bother the children easily anymore.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Regarding coal mine safety production, Chen Men had entrusted a Shanghai coal machinerypany to handle it. It was a big business deal worth hundreds of thousands. Today, an interim payment was due, and the instation manager Liu Hao came to visit. He not only brought two brand new pagers for Chen Men but also gifts for the children.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This kind of reciprocity wasmon in business, so Chen Men epted it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"There''s also the circr coal washing line. Sister Men, Yan Xishan says it''spletely unnecessary. Are you sure you want to install it?" Liu Hao asked Chen Men after counting the money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Install it. We must install it," Chen Men said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If a coal mine doesn''t install circr coal washing, a coal yard would pollute the entire area''s groundwater, making the ce barren, and local residents would develop all sorts of strange diseases. So in Chen Men''s view, this was absolutely necessary, and it had to be installed properly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Liu Hao, as the contractor, thought Chen Men was being a bit foolish.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After coal is extracted, it should theoretically go through a coal washing process. Unwashed coal only has abustion rate of about 60% and is particrly prone to spontaneousbustion during transportation. Washed coal, on the other hand, is stable during transport and has abustion rate as high as 90%. Originally, all coal should be washed before transportation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, the current demand for coal was so high that people were scrambling for any coal they could get, so coal bosses skipped the washing process.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Other coal bosses were already gathering truck fleets to head south, while Chen Men was still dying for several months to install the coal washing line. Yan Xishan cursed in anger, and after hearing that Zhou Xueqin had been stabbed, he clutched his stomach and sighed, "Why doesn''t someone stab me once, so I can die in peace?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Hao, being on the profit-making side, couldn''t help butment that if Chen Men continued like this, Xishan Company would eventually go bankrupt.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for Chen Men, she was overjoyed with her two new pagers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In her previous life at this time, she had envied others who had pagers. Once when she wanted one, Lu Jingyu almostughed his head off, "A woman with a pager? Men, do you know what men hate most about women? It''s women who wear pagers, like female hooligans."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In this life, she was going to be a female hooligan and wear a pager.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
While the children were still at school, she first wrote the pager numbers on small cards, then went to the construction site to distribute the numbers to Yan Bin, Chen Degong, and the people from Qinchuan Group''s engineering department. She had a quick lunch from themunal pot at the construction site, stayed until five in the afternoon, and then had to go pick up Little Lang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Gong xia mi, my rtive, pi dian ai shang ni," Little Lang kept repeating this phrase on the way home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men felt the tune was familiar but couldn''t quite remember what song it was.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as she was about to ask the child, she saw Zhou Xueqin sitting in a three-wheeled vehicle, being held by Lu Jingyu. She was covering her stomach with both hands, looking both pained and sad. Lu Jingyu was hugging her with a grin, saying something to her, and she nodded as she listened, bouncing along with the vehicle, her expression both painful and sad.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The three-wheeler shed past Chen Men, and Zhou Xueqin''s painful groans were audible even over the engine noise, indicating how much pain she was in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, hadn''t they made a lot of money? Lu Jingyu couldn''t even afford to hire a car for Zhou Xueqin and was taking her home in a three-wheeler?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
For several days in a row, Yan Zhao had beening home in the early hours of the morning. Today was Saturday, and he came home early.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As soon as Chen Men entered the house, she heard the sound of an electric drill. Under the eaves were tworge air conditioners. Air conditioners were not easy to buy these days, and these models were even dual-frequency.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Is Yan Zhao installing air conditioning at home?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Where did he get the money? Could it be that Zhou Xueqin gave living expenses to the two children?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even after being stabbed, she still cares about Lu Dabao. Zhou Xueqin is a much more dutiful stepmother than Chen Men. Chen Men felt quite emotional, thinking to herself that at least Zhou Xueqin hadn''t made Little Lang endorse paint in this lifetime. She had gone through thick and thin with Lu Jingyu, and even when earning money, she didn''t forget her two biological sons. That was not bad at all.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But as soon as she entered the door, she heard Yan Zhao say: "The rewards for my two second-ss merits havee through. I bought two air conditioners. Here, give me that screwdriver."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was drilling holes in the wall to install the air conditioners.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So the air conditioners had nothing to do with Zhou Xueqin; Yan Zhao had bought them himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What''s really going on with Zhou Xueqin?" Chen Men asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Since she hadn''t died and had even made a lot of money, Chen Men definitely wanted to know what was really going on with her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao lifted the air conditioner with one shoulder while screwing it in: "She said they were partnering with a group of people to specte on government bonds. Everyone followed her advice on buying, but she would take a 10% cut of all the profits. So at the end of the year when they settled ounts, she took a 50,000 yuan share from the 500,000 yuan profit. The two of them thought that money was a sure thing, but those people secretly sent someone to wait outside the First Squadron. When Zhou Xueqin was alone, they ambushed her on the way and demanded that 50,000 yuan. Zhou Xueqin refused to give it up, and in the end, she was stabbed once, and the money was taken away. Moreover, they warned Zhou Xueqin that if she dared to advise others on government bonds again, they would take her life!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Then why didn''t you report it to the police at the time? What about the money? Did you help her get it back?" Chen Men asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao had finished tightening the screws and tested that the air conditioner was stable. He continued: "Zhou Xueqin doesn''t dare to specte on government bonds anymore; she''s switched to coal. She''s already contacted a group of coal bosses and says she''s about to head south to trade coal. She''s afraid the coal bosses will find out she''s tangled with the triads and won''t take her along, so she wants to keep the matter quiet."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was a case of criminals robbing criminals. The other party knew where her base was, and to save her life, she didn''t dare report it to the police or specte on government bonds anymore. However, she could still trade coal. After all, coal was more profitable in this era.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Is her body really alright? I saw her injury was quite severe. She''s not leaving today, is she?" Chen Men asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao spat out a few words: "She''s fine. Lu Jingyu said he likes seeing her act tough. She got out of the hospital bed and walked out on her own."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, Lu Jingyu naturally liked strong-willed and prosperous women who could both make money and endure hardships.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His deceased ex-wife had fallen ill from doing farm work during her postpartum period and had worked herself to death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as Chen Men was about to speak, a song suddenly rang out from outside the window: "Gong xia mi, wo ai wa, guo zha ai xie xing." (A phic rendition of a Hokkien song)<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That was Little Wang''s voice. Howe he was singing this too?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
sses ended early on Saturday, and Little Wang and Yuanyuan had been outside the window just now. Hearing that their birth mother was fine, Little Wang could even sing out loud.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As soon as he entered, he rushed to take out the garbage, his bottom swaying as he sang and danced. The garbage bin was too full and spilled a bit. Yuanyuan helped him sweep up the garbage behind him, singing in harmony: "Gong xia mi, wo qin qi, qian qian man man li." (Another line of the Hokkien song)<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao frowned at Chen Men: "Do these kids want to eat dried shrimp?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Because Yuanyuan''s tune was correct, Chen Men suddenly remembered that this was a Hokkien song called "Love''s Deceiver." She couldn''t help butugh: "I guess so. Let''s make some seaweed soup tonight and put extra dried shrimp in it for them."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Turning to see Little Wange in, she asked him: "Do you want to eat seaweed soup tonight?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Why eat seaweed soup? There''s no meat in it," Little Wang said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"But there''s dried shrimp, right? Let''s eat dried shrimp, and you guys stop singing about shrimp, okay?" Chen Men asked in return.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She really couldn''t stand the children singing songs like "Love''s Deceiver." It gave her goosebumps all over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Yuanyuan said: "Mom, let''s make sweet noodle soup and fry two eggs. Add a spring onion too. The final exams areing up soon, and I want to get two 100s."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
One should be like Yuanyuan, both studying hard and dreaming big.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men took out some money and said: "Let''s skip the spring onion and get some fried dough twists instead. Noodle soup with crispy fried dough twists and two fried eggs. You two go buy us some fried dough twists."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Crispy fried dough twists with noodle soup is a perfectbination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two older children took the money and rushed out to buy fried dough twists.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao installed one air conditioner in Men''s room and another in Little Wang''s room. From now on, they wouldn''t have to get up every night to add coal.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He moved one stove to the kitchen and the other to his own room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After dinner, when it was time to sleep, Chen Men was just about to call the children together to open their gifts when Yan Zhao suddenly called out: "...Lan."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Howe he suddenly called her Lan today? Wasn''t he afraid the children would feel ufortable hearing him call her that?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men went over. In the tidy room, Yan Zhao looked up and reached out to feel the warm air blowing from the air conditioner: "We''re not missing any major appliances at home now, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Speaking of major appliances, they weren''tcking anything to begin with. Their family was the most well-off in Yanguan Vige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"We''re not missing anything. Our family has everything now," Chen Men felt extremely satisfied. The air conditioners were an especially unexpected delight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Don''t do construction work anymore. I''ve submitted a report to the leadership. You graduated from a polytechnic, so your education is decent. They can arrange for you to work at Ximei Furniture Factory as an office worker. How about that?" Yan Zhao suddenly said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ximei Furniture Factory''s spring mattresses were selling well recently, but as a state-owned enterprise, they couldn''t maintain quality after the mattresses became popr. Not only did Chen Men''s mattress squeak, but many people were alsoining about the poor quality. In her previous life, Ximei eventually went bankrupt, and all the workers wereid off. If Chen Men went there now, wouldn''t she just be waiting to beid off after a while?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Yan Zhao had never inquired about her construction contracting business before. Why did he suddenly ask today?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A thought shed through Men''s mind, and she suddenly understood: "Did Zhou Xueqin say something to you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not many people in the vige knew about her construction work. After all, everyone was busy with their own affairs, and Chen Men didn''t go around boasting about how much she earned like other contractors.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Yan Bin''s family was in the First Squadron, neighbors with Zhou Xueqin. If Zhou Xueqin asked, Yan Bin would definitely tell her, and might even exaggerate, saying how well Men was doing now.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin''s little scheme was to have her take good care of her son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But that woman was too despicable, upying Yan Zhao''s courtyard and turning it into a pigsty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She herself was running around making big money, while Men only did small construction projects. Could she be jealous?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was quite frank about this, saying: "It wasn''t Zhou Xueqin. She left for the south this afternoon. It was Lu Jingyu. He told me that you''re not partnering with your older brother and Yan Dawei, but running construction projects on your own, and you''re the one with the main responsibility... Lan, even men can''t do well in the construction industry, let alone a woman."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yes, Yan Zhao had always known that Chen Men was involved in construction projects, but he thought the main operators were Yan Dawei and Chen Degong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t until today, when Lu Jingyu went to the police station to close Zhou Xueqin''s stabbing case and proactively chatted with him, ''kindly'' advising Yan Zhao, that he learned his wife was so ambitious, already a small contractor handling 300,000 yuan projects.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"So, what did Lu Jingyu say?" Chen Men asked, unable to suppress her anger.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"He said your two viges are just separated by a river, that you were old acquaintances since childhood, and had once... He said he knows you very well, that as a woman you''re not suited for construction work, and he''s afraid you''ll be taken advantage of," Yan Zhao said briefly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men was shaking with anger, but not at Yan Zhao. After all, Yan Zhao hadn''t opened his mouth and said, like other men might, "What does a woman know? Stay at home." He had even seriously considered finding her a job.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She and Yan Zhao were still a couple. They could discuss things, and even if they argued, they could make up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What business did that ugly Lu Jingyu have butting in?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"She''s just an ordinary in Jane..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"She''s not on the same level as me, but she''s an extremely kind person." Even now, Chen Men hadn''t forgotten those words from her previous life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t until muchter that Yuanyuan had once vaguely asked Chen Men: "Mom, do you think Dad is PUA-ing you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men looked up some information online and realized that Lu Jingyu was indeed a textbook PUA man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By rights, Chen Men should be trying to persuade Yan Zhao now. She was confident she could convince him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Liu Hao from the coal machinery factory had given gifts to the children. Chen Men was afraid of influencing them during the week, so she didn''t dare to open them. Tomorrow was the weekend, so today she had to unwrap the gifts for the children. After that, she nned to discuss the construction project with Yan Zhao. After all, she wasn''t working alone. The family of the birth control team leader had so many children that needed her to do the project to support them. Almost all the migrant workers were in the same situation as the birth control team leader.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not everyone was a good person, but their children all needed to eat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men dared to beat her chest and say that she would be the only contractor in Xiping City who wouldn''t owe wages to migrant workers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If those people didn''t work with her and worked for others, they basically wouldn''t get paid in this era.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
On the kang bed, three little kids sat in a row, watching Chen Men open the cardboard box.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was just like opening a blind box, and Chen Men''s heart was also particrly excited.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She first took out a box with Doraemon printed on the packaging and asked, "Who wants this?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang immediately reached out: "Me!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This child loved topete and grab things. If applied to studying, it would be a good habit, but in family interactions, even though he was the youngest, it wouldn''t be good if he didn''t learn to be considerate in the long run. So actually, this box was the smallest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then Chen Men took out another one, which was in stic packaging. Inside was a big pink rabbit with a bow on its head, but the texture was a bit rough, the eyeballs were too ck, and it looked a bit fierce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Give it to me, Mom." Yuanyuan took it: "This one looks like Dad. I like it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It really does look like Dad," Little Lang said in surprise.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The cute yet fierce-looking rabbit did resemble Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then there was thest one, a pink teddy bear, which was also the biggest. It wore a bow and was a girl''s toy. Little Wang didn''t really want it; he preferred the Doraemon, but that had already been given to his younger brother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What''s so fun about these things? If I don''t study and just focus on making big money, I could buy them better toys," he said, hugging the pink bear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This guy was just like Yan Xishan, also getting restless and eager because he heard Zhou Xueqin had made a lot of money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But although heined, he hugged the pink bear tightly when sleeping. As Chen Men was turning off the lights, he suddenly said, "Mom, don''t envy that woman. When I make money in the future, I''ll buy you a big house to live in. Whatever she has, I promise you''ll have too." That woman, of course, was Zhou Xueqin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Education couldn''t stop. This naughty child didn''t understand yet that without studying, he could only earn small money. Only by studying could he earn big money.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright," Chen Men said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After putting the three children to sleep, Chen Men turned on all the air conditioners and listened carefully in the yard. Finding that the electricity for the whole vige hadn''t been used up by their family, she finally hugged her pillow and tiptoed to find Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Yan Zhao, who never locked his door, had actually locked it today?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Unable to push it open, she knocked twice. Chen Men got a bit angry: "Yan Zhao, why did you lock the door?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the cold weather, hugging a pillow and standing outside knocking on a man''s door, was there anyone else like her?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There were nging sounds from the bedroom, even the jar in the corner made a muffled sound when hit. With a bang, the door opened, and Yan Zhao stood in the doorway: "Weren''t you angry just now?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When mentioning the project earlier, her face had changed color with anger, turning pale.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What does being angry have to do with going to bed?" Chen Men threw her pillow onto the bed and asked back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao didn''t say anything, but he closed his book and put it far away, ced Chen Men''s pillow neatly next to his, and lifted the quilt to wrap her up entirely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What did being angry have to do with going to bed?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men still needed to exin the project situation to Yan Zhao properly. After all, although there were plenty of men, finding one who didn''t favor boys over girls, didn''t engage in PUA, and was willing to do housework was inexplicably difficult.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And here he was, locking the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0