Luo Yaozong was overthinking it.

He Shiyuan didn’t care at all whether he took photos or not.

She had installed a pinhole camera in her car and hidden recording devices. After leaving Yuan Han, He Shiyuan returned to her residence, took out the tape, listened to it, and was very satisfied with her results.

She had to admit, she found it thrilling – not the outdoor encounter with Yuan Han, but the act she was putting on, and the things she was doing were exciting.

He Shiyuan initially wanted to take the tape to show Ye Xiaoqiong and claim credit, but discovered Ye Xiaoqiong hadn’t returned from Hong Kong yet – strange, Ye Xiaoqiong hadn’t contacted her since their last meeting. Had she lost interest in the progress here?

“Perhaps she’s the one who went back to Hong Kong for Spring Festival…”

He Shiyuan muttered to herself.

She hadn’t lied to Yuan Han about returning to Hong Kong.

Of course, it wasn’t to spend the holiday with her fictional family, but for her regular medical treatment.

Although her illness was difficult to treat, now that someone was offering her such good compensation, she wanted to try to save herself.

The longer she could live, the more time she’d have to enjoy life – it seemed worth it any way you looked at it.

He Shiyuan packed her things and left for Hong Kong for treatment.

After she left, someone broke into her residence, apparently searching for something, leaving her place in complete disarray.

Finding nothing, they tried to restore everything to its original state.

Ye Xiaoqiong’s residence in Peng City suffered the same fate.

However, Ye Xiaoqiong was more cautious than He Shiyuan and naturally wouldn’t let others find anything useful.

Even the photos He Shiyuan had given her earlier had been moved to an unknown location.

Meanwhile, with the 50,000 Hong Kong dollars from He Shiyuan, Yuan Han could now return to Beijing quite lavishly.

As Section Chief Yuan still held some authority, with money in his pocket, he arranged for someone to buy him a plane ticket, arriving in Beijing just one day after Xia Xiaolan.

Yuan Han bought a bunch of children’s items and confidently visited Zhou Wenbing’s home.

Jiang Hong asked Zhou Wenbing, “Do we have to see this person?”

Just seeing Yuan Han would spoil her mood, and she wanted to enjoy the New Year.

Zhou Wenbing, having heard that Ye Xiaoqiong had already made her move, couldn’t tolerate Yuan Han much longer either.

“Once Zhou Yi passes Level 111 at the language school, we won’t have to worry anymore.”

The higher-level exams became increasingly difficult. When Zhou Yi returned to China, she had passed Level 109, but a few days ago, she failed the Level 110 exam. This was Zhou Yi’s first setback since seriously studying English, but even Zhou Wenbing didn’t scold her this time. Instead, he made a long overseas call to comfort and encourage her.

Zhou Wenbing knew the final two levels were especially difficult. Zhou Yi wasn’t unwilling to pass; she simply wasn’t a brilliant academic student. Despite her best efforts, setbacks were inevitable. Between dealing with Yuan Han and pushing Zhou Yi to progress, the latter was more important.

Jiang Hong showed interest:

“Once she passes Level 111, Zhou Yi can apply to schools, right? What does she plan to study?”

Zhou Wenbing nodded, “Anything would do, but preferably something technical. With a specialized skill, she’ll never go hungry!”

In this aspect, Zhou Wenbing wasn’t particularly knowledgeable.

He didn’t understand much about foreign situations or even domestic ones.

He had started working at seventeen, just two years after liberation, when the whole country was focused on development. As a politically correct revolutionary youth, he easily entered the factory with no educational requirements – even his technical skills were learned after joining.

Now, 38 years after the founding of the nation, the country has restored the college entrance examination and implemented reform and opening up. The domestic situation was very different from Zhou Wenbing’s youth.

Career and prospects no longer depended solely on the correct political background.

Education was increasingly valued.

College graduates willing to work in remote areas could immediately become section-level cadres.

Even in ordinary work units, starting positions differed between university and vocational school graduates… Zhou Wenbing no longer expected Zhou Yi to achieve great success, but since she was being sent abroad, she should at least learn some skills to support herself!

He needed to carefully consider what Zhou Yi should study.

Jiang Hong had someone let Yuan Han in.

Yuan Han offered cigarettes to the security guard, who declined.

“Come in, it’s cold outside.”

Yuan Han smiled at their faces but darkened when he turned away.

What kind of son-in-law had to wait at the compound gate to visit his father-in-law? The wind hitting Yuan Han’s face felt like cold slaps! The Zhou family looked down on him, and even the doorkeeper followed suit.

Only when he reached Zhou Yi’s door did Yuan Han rub his face and put on a smile.

The housekeeper opened the door. With both hands full of items, Yuan Han saw Jiang Hong sitting on the sofa and smiled broadly: “It’s been a year since I left. I brought some things from Peng City for you and Father-in-law, though mostly for Zhou Ke.”

Yuan Han looked at Zhou Ke with genuine delight.

This daughter resembled him and was his child with Zhou Yi.

With this child, the Zhou family had to acknowledge him – Yuan Han understood this clearly.

Even though she was just a little girl, Yuan Han felt some genuine affection for the child who could bring him a fortune.

Zhou Ke wasn’t yet one year old, babbling incomprehensible syllables. Yuan Han’s gaze was so intense that his supposed genuine affection looked more like staring at a golden baby.

Jiang Hong waved her hand dismissively.

She disliked Yuan Han and sometimes redirected that anger toward Zhou Ke.

While Yuan Han could be kicked aside, the child absolutely couldn’t have any connection with him. With a father of such poor character, what if Zhou Ke turned bad after prolonged contact with him?

Jiang Hong cleared her throat, “Put the things down, you’re thoughtful.”

Yuan Han beamed, but Jiang Hong changed her tone, “I’ll take care of the child. During the New Year, you should go visit your hometown.”

Yuan Han froze immediately.

He couldn’t possibly say he wanted to stay in Beijing to network. He didn’t even need Zhou Wenbing to introduce anyone – just by shamelessly staying at the Zhou house during New Year’s, he would naturally meet people coming to pay respects to Zhou Wenbing.

Then he could see them out.

Taking the opportunity to make connections.

Outsiders didn’t know Zhou Wenbing despised him, and with his status as Zhou Wenbing’s son-in-law, people would naturally engage with him – this was how Yuan Han operated in Peng City, quite effectively, making him very proud.

But Jiang Hong was telling him to go back to his hometown!

Yuan Han was furious though he couldn’t show it. Of course, he missed his mother and two sisters, but this was a crucial time for his career advancement – how could he waste it?

He had also taken He Shiyuan’s money.

If He Shiyuan saw no progress after the New Year, she would certainly cause trouble.

He Shiyuan and Ye Xiaoqiong were nothing like Zhou Yi in temperament.

Yuan Han’s eyes flickered, and he smoothly replied:

“You’re so considerate, but I’ve already told them I’ll take them to visit Peng City after the New Year. They understand that I rarely see my daughter and want me to spend more time with Zhou Ke in Beijing.”

Heh.

No matter how he put it, he just wanted to stick around in Beijing.

Jiang Hong couldn’t hide her contempt even as she lowered her head.