Stepmother Reborn: Dad, my mom hasn't hit me for three days

Youcai rolled over and got up from the ground, with dust all behind him. He didn't even bother to play, and smiled foolishly at Zhenzhen, "Why are you here?"

Zhenzhen smiled and said, "My dad wants to meet your parents. When is convenient?"

Youcai was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked at Zhang Xiuhua.

Zhang Xiuhua nodded, "Meet me? Sure, I'll come over after dinner?!"

Zhenzhen nodded, "Then I'll go first."

Youcai invited her to sit down and have dinner together, but Zhenzhen refused.

After waving goodbye to everyone, Youcai saw Zhenzhen out.

Not long after, Youcai came back with droopy brows and a look of being troubled.

Jidong asked a little worriedly, "I saw her eyes were a little red. Did she cry?"

Youcai nodded, "I guess so."

Zhang Xiuhua patted Youcai's shoulder and said, "I think it's better to forget it. Zhenzhen doesn't seem to like you. You can't force relationships."

The talented person responded weakly.

Zhang Xiuhua saw him like this and knew that he didn't listen at all. She had also been through this before, and children of this age always take feelings very seriously, but when they get older, the restlessness will calm down.

After dinner, Jidong returned to school, and Youcai took Zhang Xiuhua to Zhenzhen's house.

Zhenzhen's father, Youcai's master, was ill and had been resting at home for the past few days. Of course, he was moving his store to the street and was renovating it, so it didn't affect his business.

It was her first visit, so Zhang Xiuhua couldn’t go empty-handed, so she bought some fruits.

Zhenzhen came over to open the door and invited them into the study. Zhenzhen and Youcai did not follow them in and waited outside.

This study is decorated in an antique style and there is a special place for drinking tea.

Zhang Xiuhua sat on the chair and looked at Master Zheng’s graying hair.

To be honest, he looks older than an average person. He is only five years older than Li Jianguo, but the wrinkles on his face make him look more than 20 years older than Li Jianguo. He suffered a lot in those days.

After Zhang Xiuhua greeted him, the other party supported her waist and sat up, "I heard Youcai say that you are his stepmother?"

"Yes! His biological mother died when she gave birth to her third child. I married into their family a year later. I am from Jiangxi Province." Zhang Xiuhua briefly explained her family's situation.

“Youcai always praises you in front of me, saying that you were the one who taught him cooking in the beginning.” Zhenzhen’s father is Zheng Wenyan, and he speaks in a very literary and bookish manner.

Zhang Xiuhua smiled and said, "I have never learned cooking before, and my cooking skills are only average. This child has loved cooking since he was young, and he has a talent for it, so I taught him."

"Yes, Youcai is a good boy." Zheng Wenyan praised. He coughed for a long time. Zhang Xiuhua was startled and quickly stood up to pat him on the back.

He coughed for a long time and finally felt better. Zhang Xiuhua picked up the teapot on the tea table and poured him a glass of water.

After Zheng Wenyan finished drinking, he continued, "I plan to marry Zhenzhen to him. We in the Zheng family have many recipes that are only passed down to relatives."

Zhang Xiuhua understood what he meant, that is, the recipe was Zhenzhen's dowry. After thinking it over, she said, "I think a recipe is a recipe and a person is a person. You have to pay attention to Zhenzhen's feelings. I know Youcai likes Zhenzhen. If he knew you promised Zhenzhen to him, he would be very happy. But some things can't be forced. If you force Zhenzhen to marry Youcai, Zhenzhen will be angry and she won't be happy. People's lives are only a few decades long, and life is all about happiness."

Zheng Wenyan looked at her steadily, "Don't you want Zhenzhen to marry Youcai?"

"It's not my turn to make the decision on this matter. Nowadays, marriage autonomy is important. As long as they both agree to this marriage, why should I get involved? I've also met Zhenzhen, she's a good kid. I know you like Youcai, and I think Youcai can bring happiness to Zhenzhen. There's nothing wrong with your perspective on people. But you can't force relationships. Zhenzhen is only twenty years old. She doesn't have your experience, and she can't see the good in Youcai. This has to be done slowly!" Zhang Xiuhua reminded him in the tone of an experienced person, "The more you try to break up the couple, the more rebellious Zhenzhen will become. She might even take it out on Youcai. I don't think it's worth it."

Zheng Wenyan coughed and suddenly asked, "Youcai has always loved cooking. He is simple-minded and broad-minded. Zhenzhen actually has a strong personality, so she needs someone like Youcai who can tolerate her."

Zhang Xiuhua nodded, and he agreed with Youcai's judgment. Youcai has always been simple-minded and carefree. Zhenzhen and him are actually quite compatible, but being compatible does not mean they have to be together. "Do you want Zhenzhen to be happy? Or do you want to find a successor for yourself?"

This question stumped Zheng Wenyan. He thought for a moment and asked, "Can't I just entrust it to one person?"

"No sugar cane is sweet at both ends." Zhang Xiuhua spread her hands, "Zhenzhen doesn't like Youcai, but you insist on marrying her to Youcai. She won't be happy. You recognize Youcai as the successor, and he is also your apprentice. It is only natural to teach him the recipe. If that's not enough, why not adopt him as your adopted son?"

Zheng Wenyan shook his head, "When it was passed down from our ancestors, it was only passed down to close relatives."

"Then Youcai's first child has the surname Zheng, so he can be considered a close relative!" Zhang Xiuhua spread her hands, "Zhenzhen will eventually get married, and her child won't have the surname Zheng. Why not let Youcai's child inherit your Zheng family's legacy, and also inherit your Zheng family's incense."

Zheng Wenyan was stunned. He had never thought of doing this. "Do you have the talent to agree?"

"I'm just offering a possibility." Zhang Xiuhua spread her hands. "But Youcai should agree to it for the sake of the recipe. He can even agree to the one you just proposed. But this kid has never been very thoughtful. He does whatever he wants without considering the consequences. We are both experienced people. You should consider Zhenzhen, and I have to consider Youcai too."

What if the two are not happy after marriage and have to divorce? Then they will become real enemies. If Youcai can't stand Zhenzhen's lack of love for him one day and wants to end this marriage, and takes the initiative to file for divorce, outsiders will say that Youcai is ungrateful and turned against her as soon as he got the recipe! Then Youcai's reputation will be completely ruined. How can he do business in the future?

"If I let Youcai marry Zhenzhen, what would you do?" Zheng Wenyan asked after a moment's hesitation.

Zhang Xiuhua thought about it seriously, "If Youcai has thought it through and Zhenzhen is willing to listen to you, then you can only accept it. I will respect his opinion, and his father will let him make his own decision. After all, this is their own life event. As elders, we can only give advice, not make decisions for him. Everything depends on his own wishes. It's not the same as before, arranged marriages are not popular. We can't be responsible for his marriage."

Zheng Wenyan pondered for a long time, and finally thanked Zhang Xiuhua and said that he would carefully consider her opinion.

She came out of the room and found several people sitting in the living room. One of them was a very energetic young man, or, to use the words of ten years later, he was extremely handsome.

After Zhang Xiuhua greeted them, she went back.

Youcai went back with her.

Zhang Xiuhua asked curiously, "Are those your fellow apprentices?"

Youcai nodded, "Yes! What did the master ask you to come in to say? Why didn't you let me hear it?"

Zhang Xiuhua repeated her original words, and Youcai's expression was a little subtle.

"Are you angry? Do you think I'm not standing on your side?" Zhang Xiuhua knew he was unhappy when she saw his expression.

"No. I know you want me to find a girl I like, but I just think Zhenzhen is good. She looks especially good when she smiles." Youcai kicked the stone at his feet. The stone rolled to the side.

Zhang Xiuhua sighed, "It's not a pleasant feeling to be rejected. If you really want to accept your master's proposal, then I can only wish you the best."

Youcai pursed his lips and said, "I know. I didn't get involved in their affairs. The master mentioned this to me last time, and I refused."

Zhang Xiuhua was surprised. Didn't he like Zhenzhen very much? How could he miss such a good opportunity? "Have you figured it out?"

"No. Zhenzhen and the second apprentice brother are still dating. It would be inappropriate for me to get involved." Youcai also has his own pride. He would not be happy if he married a woman who had someone else in her heart. He is not ashamed to admit, "If they break up, I might take advantage of the situation."

Zhang Xiuhua was speechless. She thought of the energetic young man she had just seen in the living room. Seeing how close he was to Zhenzhen, they must have a close relationship. "Who is that guy in the black jacket?"

Youcai's expression changed, "Second Junior Brother."

Zhang Xiuhua looked strange, "Zhenzhen may not only like sweet words, she may also be obsessed with looks."

This second apprentice is so competitive. Not only is he good-looking, he is also tall and straight, and he is also sweet-mouthed. It is normal for Zhenzhen to like him. On the contrary, he is talented. He is not ugly, but after losing weight, his face is still round and his body is tall and strong. He looks like someone who is not easy to mess with. He is also very bold and looks like a gangster.

Youcai looked at his sturdy arms and clenched his fists, "Only if I am strong can I protect my wife."

Zhang Xiuhua twitched her lips and just told him, "Don't get involved in their business. If you want to learn cooking, learn it openly. Your father is an upright man, and you are his son, so you have to be open and honest when pursuing a girl."

"understood."