Chapter 2315

It was undeniable that Zhu Aidi was Zhu Micheng’s daughter. However, unlike the blind filial piety of ancient times, being respectful to elders did not mean one had to accept their wrongdoings without resistance. Moreover, Xie Xinlian had never asked Zhu Aidi to actively rebel against Zhu Micheng; she only wanted them to stay apart. Even if this matter went to court, it would be hard to argue against.

Zhu Micheng opened his mouth as if to say something, but he remained silent. He knew Xie Xinlian would never agree to his ideas.

"My five thousand… will you really give it back to me?" Zhu Micheng hesitated for a long time before finally squeezing out these words.

Xie Xinlian laughed in anger. "So all this time, you weren't thinking about your daughter or your granddaughter, but your five thousand yuan. Zhu Micheng, I really admire you."

Xie Xinlian even referred to herself as "old lady," showing how extremely angry she was.

She didn't want to talk to Zhu Micheng anymore and just called out, "Ani, Aidi, are you done? Let's go back."

Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Aidi came out. Zhu Aidi had packed a few clothes, mostly belonging to Xiao Guai. She glanced at Zhu Micheng, said nothing, and walked away directly.

The relationship between this father and daughter had become a tragedy. Zhu Yanyi shrugged slightly. This was Zhu Aidi’s choice, and she couldn't control it. All she could do was fulfill Zhu Aidi’s wishes.

Dealing with Shui Liangcheng was simple. When the people from Azure Sovereign Qingdi Security appeared and presented evidence of his bigamy, he chose to divorce to avoid prison. He tried to deny the usury debts, but the security team left no loose ends. The IOUs bore Shui Liangcheng’s name, and since Zhu Aidi was unaware of the situation, a little manipulation freed her. Shui Liangcheng was powerless because he couldn't find Zhu Aidi.

Once the divorce was finalized, Shui Liangcheng’s belongings were sent to his rented room by the security team. The loan sharks were also notified. They would only target Shui Liangcheng. He had hoped the Zhu family would pay his debts, but his plan failed. He considered fleeing, but the loan sharks kept him under surveillance. Escape was impossible. When the repayment date arrived and he couldn't pay, he was taken away to work on distant fishing boats. The income was decent, but the work was dangerous.

For the loan sharks, getting paid was what mattered. With earnings of twenty or thirty thousand a year, it was better than nothing. Shui Liangcheng would work on various ocean-going fishing vessels until he paid off his debt, after which he would regain his freedom. This was all future talk.

After Zhu Aidi’s divorce was settled, it was the Little New Year. She didn’t move into the Zhu family home but into a single dormitory provided by the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Group. Zhu Shunyao had arranged a job for her as a warehouse keeper, so she didn’t intend to trouble the Zhu family long-term.

Zhu Yanyi was quite satisfied with Zhu Aidi’s behavior. If Zhu Aidi had tried to cling to the Zhu family, Xie Xinlian might have helped out of respect for Wu Jinfeng, and the others would have stayed silent out of respect for Xie Xinlian. But since Zhu Aidi had self-awareness, they respected her even more.

"The 'Fu' character must be pasted upside down." Zhu Yanyi said as she helped Yan Aohan paste the couplets.

In the courtyard, Zhu Shunyao decided to make authentic preserved vegetable pork belly, so he was boiling meat on a three-eyed coal stove.

Inside, the elders were playing chess, watching TV, or drinking tea and chatting. Life was particularly leisurely. In the kitchen, Xie Xinlian was busy with Zhu Yanli.

"By the way, what time will Doumiao arrive?" Xie Xinlian asked Zhu Yanyi.

Zhu Yanyi replied, "They said around two in the afternoon. I’ve asked Brother Luo to pick her up."

"Nuannuan’s room is ready too." Zhu Yanli came out carrying a small jar of sauce, smiling brightly.

Seeing the sauce, Zhu Yanyi laughed, "Did you put chili in it?"

"Yes. I know you all like a little bit of chili in your sauce." Xie Xinlian smiled.

"What ingredients are in the sauce?" Zhu Yanyi looked at Zhu Yanli excitedly. She loved homemade sauce.

Zhu Yanli smiled gently, "It’s all your favorites. Beef cubes, dried tofu cubes, mushroom cubes, bamboo shoot cubes, crispy pork fat cubes, and a little chili. I tasted it, and it’s good. Try it."

Zhu Yanyi didn’t hesitate. She dipped her finger in, tasted it, and nodded. "Delicious. I’ll eat this with rice tonight."

"This is meant for the New Year," Xie Xinlian scolded playfully.

"Today is the Little New Year. From today on, it’s the New Year, so we can start eating now," Zhu Yanyi said with a grin.

Xie Xinlian didn’t bother arguing. "I’m going to the market to buy some beef and mutton. Who wants to come?"

"I will," Zhu Yanyi raised her hand. "It’s been years since I last went to the market. I want to feel the atmosphere."

"Markets are just crowded now. What atmosphere are you looking for?" Xie Xinlian didn’t understand her daughter’s logic, but since Zhu Yanyi wanted to accompany her, she agreed.

Zhu Yanyi linked arms with Xie Xinlian. "I just want to look. There’s nothing to do at home anyway, so I might as well go with you."

"If you want to go, go," Zhu Shunyao waved his hand. Society was stable, so there was no problem with them going to the market.

Zhu Yanyi and Xie Xinlian went to the market, while the others continued their preparations at home.

The New Year was about liveliness and reunion. Especially after the Little New Year, arguments and scolding disappeared. But right at this moment, Zhang Yanhong rushed in.

"Uncle, Auntie, help! Someone is trying to kill me!"

Zhu Shunyao frowned slightly. He went to the door and saw Shi Xiong chasing Zhang Yanhong. Zhang Yanhong was covered in blood, and Shi Xiong held a knife.

Taishu Yuanxiang kicked Shi Xiong down and quickly restrained him, while someone called the police.

Zhu Shunyao said, "Who can go to the market and call Ani back?"

"I’ll go. I can find her faster," Yan Aohan said.

Yan Aohan was indeed fast because he used the Ruyi Space to locate her. Upon hearing the news, Zhu Yanyi told Xie Xinlian, and the mother and daughter rushed back without buying anything.

After checking Zhang Yanhong, Zhu Yanyi treated her quickly. "There’s no serious problem. The knife didn’t hit any vital areas. It’s just flesh wounds. Rest for a while, and you’ll be fine. I’ve prepared medicine. You can be sent to the hospital now."

During the New Year, no one wanted to keep a patient at home. If it were a relative, it would be different, but Zhang Yanhong had no relation to the Zhu family.

Yan Aohan made a phone call, and an ambulance arrived soon to take Zhang Yanhong away. Shi Xiong was handed over to the police.

The Zhu family had no interest in getting involved.

Xie Xinlian specially brought back pomelo water and sprinkled it inside and out. "Thank goodness it’s only the Little New Year. If we saw blood on the first day of the New Year, the whole year would be unlucky."

"Mom, why do you say that? Seeing red doesn’t mean prosperity and good fortune?" Zhu Yanyi asked with a smile.

Xie Xinlian replied, "I don’t know the origin, but everyone has said this since I was little. Fortunately, it’s only the Little New Year, so there’s no need to worry. Sprinkling pomelo water removes bad luck."

Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "What happened with Zhang Yanhong? Although I’m a doctor, why did she run directly to our house?"

After all, from where the Broken Zhang family lived to the Zhu house, one had to pass many other homes. If Zhang Yanhong really needed help, she should have gone to the nearest people.

"I’ll have someone investigate," Yan Aohan said, feeling something was off. He wanted to investigate just in case.

It wasn’t that they were suspicious, but if there were any hidden tricks, it could lead to trouble. Besides, they had never trusted Zhang Yanhong.

Since Yan Aohan was handling the investigation, Zhu Yanyi and the others didn’t ask further.

"Alright, I’ve sprinkled the pomelo water. No one can disturb our Little New Year celebration," Xie Xinlian said.

"Oh, my preserved vegetable pork belly!" Zhu Shunyao remembered his meat and rushed to check it. He found that the meat was overcooked. It was soft, but not suitable for making preserved vegetable pork belly.

Zhu Shunyao sighed. "Forget it. Let’s make braised pork instead. I’ll make the preserved vegetable pork belly tomorrow."

Everyone laughed. The incident with Zhang Yanhong did not affect the Zhu family’s New Year mood at all.

After the Little New Year passed, the countdown to New Year’s Eve began. The Zhu family had already cleaned up, and most preparations were done.

Next, besides daily New Year preparations, they focused on Zhu Yanyi’s affairs.

"The chef is hired, the menu is ready, the invitations are sent, and the cigarettes, alcohol, and candies are packed. Now we just need to borrow tables and chairs," Zhu Shunyao said.

Zhu Zhibin, who had returned, naturally participated in these matters. "I heard there are services that rent out tables, chairs, and tableware. Shall we ask about it?"

Zhu Shunyao agreed. "That’s good. Borrowing from house to house is too troublesome. If there’s a rental service, we’ll rent some."

Everyone agreed, so Zhu Shunyao and Zhu Zhibin went to inquire with Cheng Baokun.

Cheng Baokun knew about this and recommended a place, giving them the contact number. Zhu Shunyao contacted them immediately. Upon hearing it was for the Zhu family, the person agreed without hesitation and promised to deliver all the tables and chairs by the fifth day of the first lunar month.

With this matter handled well, everyone felt relieved.

"Now we just wait for the New Year," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile.

"Yes, waiting for the New Year. Then we can wear the clothes Ani bought us," Elder Chun said with a smile.

"You can wear those clothes now. It would be strange not to wear down jackets in this weather," Zhu Yanyi said, slightly speechless that the elders had put away the down jackets she gave them, saying they would wear them for the New Year. However, this made her decide to buy them clothes every New Year.

The lively days passed quickly. New Year’s Eve passed, and the first day of the first lunar month passed. Everyone began to busy themselves with Zhu Yanyi’s affairs.

Everyone knew that Zhu Yanyi had registered her marriage three years ago and had a child who was almost two years old. Although the wedding was being held recently, since it was in the countryside and people knew they had already registered in the capital, no one gossiped. Those who did gossip were mostly jealous of the Zhu family.

Zhu Yanyi had forgotten about Zhang Yanhong because she was busy organizing the wedding banquet at home. However, on the third day of the New Year, she saw Zhang Yanhong, looking pale, supported by Broken Zhang, entering the house.

Seeing Zhang Yanhong and her father enter, Zhu Yanyi did not appear. This was the Zhu family, so Zhu Shunyao was the one who addressed them.

"Old Zhang, what brings you and your daughter here today?" Zhu Shunyao asked Broken Zhang.

Broken Zhang looked guilty. "Shunyao, I came because my daughter has something to say to you." Then he said to Zhang Yanhong, "Yanhong, speak quickly. Uncle Shunyao is not unreasonable."

Zhang Yanhong also looked guilty. "Uncle Shunyao, I stole your ginseng mainly because someone instigated me."

"Shi Xiong?" Zhu Shunyao tilted his head, looking at Zhang Yanhong.

"That was just on the surface," Zhang Yanhong said. "Actually, Shi Xiong and I were just partners. The person who truly instigated me was not Shi Xiong, but a masked man. He promised me benefits. He said that if I could find your good medicinal herbs, he could help me transfer to Shanghai and get me a local Shanghai hukou. That’s why I agreed."

"Who is that masked man?" Zhu Shunyao asked.

Zhang Yanhong shook her head slightly. "To be honest, I don’t know. I’ve never seen her true face. Every time she appeared, it was strange, and her disappearance was mysterious. I really don’t know where she came from or where she went."

"Since you don’t know, aren’t you afraid that telling us this will bring you danger?" Zhu Shunyao asked again.

Zhang Yanhong seemed even more guilty and lowered her head. "Of course, I know this. But I feel that since you spared my father, I should repay you. And you saved me too."

"Didn’t you trade an inkstone for your father’s matter?" Zhu Shunyao interrupted her. "Since there was a fair trade, why do you still say this?"