319: Strike While the Iron is Hot

After Wang Cheng left the room, he was surrounded by his family who asked about what the old man had said to him. Because Father Zheng didn't know about his relationship with Chu Yifeng, Wang Cheng didn't tell them the whole conversation. He just reassured Father and Mother Zheng that the old man did not give him a hard time.

In fact, such a result was beyond Wang Cheng's expectations. According to his analysis of the old man’s character, even though his relationship with Chu Yifeng had no influence on the Zheng family, it should have been impossible for the old man to agree to it so easily. He felt as if something happened that he didn't know about.

Wang Cheng recalled that Madam Chu once said that she would help them settle the crisis after Old Man Zheng learned of the truth, so he wondered if she played the role of middlewoman.

Feng Yuying was dissatisfied with the result of Wang Cheng walking downstairs unharmed. How could the old man, with his character, let Wang Cheng go just like that? Anyone with eyes could see that there was a problem going on between them. Though she was unsatisfied, once she thought of the fate of Zheng Ru's family, she did not dare to say anything.

Wang Cheng left the Zheng house after staying there for a while. Feng Yuying snuck out after him saying that she had something to do. When she got to the gate, she saw Wang Cheng getting into a sports car, with a man in the driver’s seat. Her intuition told her that the man must be Chu Yifeng.

"If I’d known this would happen earlier, I would have brought my phone with me. Who knows if the old man’s eyesight is starting to blur, but it’s clear that the two of them have some kind of relationship. Yet he still didn't make things difficult for Zhou Cheng."

Feng Yuying spat in the direction of the sports car before heading back.

In the car, Wang Cheng recited his conversation with the old man to Chu Yifeng, word for word. The surrogacy that the old man was obviously a test-tube baby. However, it was definitely different from what Yuan Xia was doing, because this would involve a woman leaving her blood with the Zhou family.

"I say, why do you think the old man is so reasonable? It can’t be that your grandma really said something to the old man, right?"

"That should be just one of the reasons." Chu Yifeng analyzed, "He wants you to be united with the Zheng family in the future, so he definitely doesn't intend to give you an extreme response. Compared to your maternal aunt’s family, your chances of inheritance are better. Unless he becomes dramatically old and dizzy, he will always support you."

If a person in a high position like Old Man Zheng’s thinking and self-confidence could not keep pace with the times, the Zheng family would definitely not be as glorious as it was today. Rather than saying that he was an elder, it was better to say that he was the head of the Zheng family. So, when he looked at issues that were closely related to the Zheng family, he would first consider it from the perspective of the entire Zheng family. Although it seemed a little ruthless, his thoughts were normal for such a big family.

"Well, he still asked me to be a surrogate, and I have to give him an answer in three days." Wang Cheng shrank at the thought of this question. Chu Yifeng would not agree to letting a woman give birth to his child, and he was also unwilling. This dilemma had been thought about for a while now. The child was not the problem, the key was that he couldn’t get over the hurdle in his heart.

Chu Yifeng smiled, understanding his entanglement, and suggested: "Would you like to go and see Yuan Xia? It has been a month since his operation."

"Then let's go and have a look."

Wang Cheng called Yuan Xia to ask for the address of his home, telling him that he had never been to their house in the imperial capital. After receiving it, he found that it was not very far away, it would take less than half an hour. Yuan Xia had already informed the servants at home, so as soon as they arrived, the servants immediately opened the door.

Previously, in Shanhai City, Jiang Xuan and his mother had borrowed Chu Yifeng’s hand to completely separate from the Jiang family. Afterwards, the Jiang family took the Chu family into account and no longer dared to do anything to the Jiang Xuan couple. This was the reason why everything had been peaceful for the trio since they returned to the imperial capital.

Mother Jiang wasn’t involved in all that business, but she had heard her son mention that the Wang Cheng couple helped resolve the matter of Jiang Lin, so she was even more enthusiastic than Yuan Xia when she saw them come to the house.

"Mom, you should also sit down, let the servants do these things."

Yuan Xia noticed that Mother Jiang was serving tea and pouring water again. Based on his expression, Wang Cheng's was already very overwhelmed, so he hurriedly stopped her before she could scare the guests away. After the operation, Mother Jiang worshiped him like he was an old Buddha. She said that the first three months wouldn’t be stable, so he wasn’t allowed to do anything. Even when he did go out, he had to be accompanied by someone, just as if he was sitting in prison.

Mother Jiang looked at Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng, put down the apples in her hands, and said with a smile, "Well, you all must have something to talk about since you haven't seen each other for a while. I’d better go to the kitchen and cut some fruit for you." She took the fruit to the kitchen.

Seeing that he couldn't stop her, Yuan Xia stopped trying. He looked at Wang Cheng and asked, "How come you have enough time to come here today?"

"We wanted to come and check in on your situation," Wang Cheng replied.

"You can already see that I have no freedom at all. My mother-in-law has to control everything. After I returned home from the hospital, she has been like my shadow - even Jiang Xuan agrees. He said that my mother-in-law has forgotten her son now that she is having a grandson." Yuan Xia shrugged helplessly, but his expression was clearly very happy.

"I can see that. It’s quite horrible." Wang Cheng was quite concerned for him. If he was in Yuan Xia’s shoes right now, he’d probably go crazy. Sure enough, he was right not to agree to his grandparents’ request off the bat.

When he saw Wang Cheng’s expression, Yuan Xia laughed and added, "Actually, it's not that bad. My mother-in-law has experience in giving birth and knows to be careful in the first trimester of pregnancy. That’s why she is more nervous: as you know, she just wants to hug her grandson."

When he heard these words, Wang Cheng's expression finally softened a little. He asked, "Then how do you feel this month?"

"It's kind of like when a woman is pregnant; the first trimester is accompanied by symptoms including morning sickness and lethargy. Maybe it’s because I’m not that healthy, but I had very obvious reactions in January. I had to sleep at least twelve hours a day, and if I smelled any fishy foods I wouldn't be able to eat and would want to vomit.” After speaking, Yuan Xia noticed Wang Cheng’s apathetic expression. He thought for a moment then added: “Actually, the situation varies from person to person. You’re in good health, so you might not have any symptoms when you’re pregnant. Do you still remember the pregnant man you saw in my ward when you visited me last time?"

"I remember," Wang Cheng nodded.

"His pregnancy was like that."

Wang Cheng fell into thought after listening.

Chu Yifeng gave Yuan Xia a slight smile.

Even after the two left, Yuan Xia still remained at a loss. Did he say something strange? Why did Chu Yifeng smile at him? He confided his doubts to Jiang Xuan after he came back at night. Once Jiang Xuan heard what he said, he understood what was going on.

Meanwhile, in the Zhou family mansion.

It had been a few days since Wang Cheng was kicked out of the Zhou family. The company was reorganized a few days ago, and Zhou Lin and Zhao Jiansheng took the opportunity to funnel their people into the company. Now, the both of them felt that the time was ripe. During dinner, Zhou Lin brought up the matter of Zhao Chenlin rejoining the company to study to Zhou Shichang.

"Father, Chenlin wants to help out in the company. Can you arrange a position for him?"

Across the table, Zhao Chenlin took the initiative to express his opinion. He put down his chopsticks and nervously said: "Grandpa, I definitely won’t let your expectations down this time. I promise that I will study well after joining the company and will humbly ask my seniors for their advice, just give me another chance."

After he finished speaking, he expectantly looked at Zhou Shichang. This was his third day at the Zhou house. The Zhou Lin husband and wife reasoned that since the old man promised to let their son return to the Zhou house, he would no longer dwell on the past. So, they decided to strike while the iron was hot and mention this matter.

"Yes, Father, after going through so many things, Chenlin has already sorted himself out," Zhou Lin said quickly.

Zhou Shichang coughed twice, and Zhao Jiansheng immediately offered him a bowl of soup to moisten his throat. He didn't refuse, he took two sips of the soup before putting down the bowl. His deep gaze fell on Zhao Chenlin, who felt his scalp tighten. However, Zhao Chenlin didn't dare to show any peculiarities, for fear of being seen through.

"Which position do you want?"

Zhao Chenlin was stunned for a moment before realizing that his grandfather was talking to him. He was so happy that he immediately opened his mouth to speak, until he suddenly met his mother's warning gaze. He swallowed his words back inside his mouth, and finally formed a new sentence: "It's all up to Grandpa to call the shots."

"Then start from the bottom first."

"Thank you, Grandpa." Zhao Chenlin swallowed his words with resignation.

After the meal, Zhao Chenlin found a chance to be alone with Zhou Lin. He wanted to ask her why she stopped him from speaking during the meal. In fact, he’d wanted to be Feng Yifan's assistant, that position was much better than being an ordinary employee, or at least that’s what his parents had always said before. Even more importantly, Feng Yifan's current assistant was recommended by Zhou Cheng. Wouldn’t it be great if they could take down the person recommended by Zhou Cheng? As soon as he said this, Zhou Lin knocked him on the head.

"You really want to piss me off, huh? Fortunately, you didn't say that out loud. Just because your grandfather’s attitude isn’t that obvious, you are so eager to test his bottom line. If you make him angry, wouldn't all our previous efforts be in vain? Don’t you know your grandfather is, do you still not understand his temper? Zhou Cheng made the mistake, not anyone else. Your grandfather is a person who cherishes talents, how could that Assistant Zhang be implicated in his eyes because of Zhou Cheng?”

To be able to take the previous position of Xie Wenzhi and receive the approval of both Zhou Shichang and Feng Yifan, the ability of this Assistant Zhang was definitely not much worse than Xie Wenzhi’s. Rashly targeting him would only make her father feel more disgusted with them. That was why Zhou Lin was trying her best to send him hints just now.

"I know, but Mom, I don't know how long it will take for me to climb up starting from the bottom." Zhao Chenlin still wanted to get something using nothing.

"What are you worried about? With your mother here, you will definitely not stay at the lower levels for too long." Zhou Lin didn't take his complaints seriously. In fact, she would have found it more strange if Zhou Chenlin had been arranged in an important position from the beginning.

***

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