Chapter 1707 - 1647: The Counterpart in the Group Favorite Novel 77
Chapter 1707: Chapter 1647: The Counterpart in the Group Favorite Novel 77
An Yi didn’t agonize for many days.
Currently, it’s graduation season, and An Yi’s most pressing issue is job-related.
There are units wanting her to join them, but An Yi isn’t very satisfied with those places.
She originally planned to go to the Big Government Office, but after consulting some seniors who joined, An Yi decided against it.
Those units sound good on the surface and seem glamorous, but they are the most taxing places. Once you get in, most work involves trivial tasks that keep you constantly busy, and it’s really hard to stand out—usually, it’s about enduring and gaining experience. Anyway, An Yi feels she can’t handle it.
Now, she has two options: working as a freelancer doing translation work or financial work, or continue with postgraduate studies and then stay at the school as a teacher.
After discussing with Pei Laoshi and his wife, and consulting Anning, An Yi decided to pursue further studies.
While in Dream City, An Yi used her connection with Huang Long to find a private English tutor. Over a year, she learned English and self-studied several languages during her four years at university. In her junior and senior years, she worked as an intern and part-time translator and made some investments, earning some money.
An Yi then decided to pursue graduate studies, doing some part-time jobs simultaneously. After staying at the school, she could use her vacation time for translation or follow up on some financial investments, thus freeing up her schedule and ensuring she wouldn’t lack money.
Of course, staying at the school and teaching sounds prestigious. When people discuss it, they’d say Pei Family’s third child stayed at Capital University as a teacher and was quite talented; most importantly, with such an arrangement, her education would be high, her reputation good, and finding a partner easier.
Having decided, An Yi started preparing for the exam.
Whenever she decides to do something, she’ll go all out. During the preparation period, she puts aside Zhou Zhen, any junior students, any handsome boys, and doesn’t pay attention to them.
As a result, while she ignored them, Zhou Zhen became anxious.
For over two weeks, unable to find An Yi, calling would only get a busy message, leaving Zhou Zhen feeling empty and upset.
He invited her out several times, but An Yi declined, saying she had no time to meet.
After more than a month, Zhou Zhen couldn’t hold it any longer and directly went to An Yi’s residential gate to call her.
An Yi answered: "Hello Mr. Zhou, um, I’m quite busy lately. I need to prepare for exams, do some part-time jobs, and really can’t manage... What? You want me to help you with financial planning? Okay, wait outside, I’ll come down shortly."
Zhou Zhen waited outside for over twenty minutes before An Yi appeared.
She wore an ankle-length floral dress, had a plain face, and her long hair was loose. As she walked against the light, she appeared like a lady from a painting with an aura, deeply touching Zhou Zhen.
"Mr. Zhou."
An Yi approached with a gentle smile.
Zhou Zhen took a deep breath, trying to control himself from being too forward with An Yi: "Get in the car."
An Yi got into the car, and Zhou Zhen drove to a cafe.
Once they were seated, Zhou Zhen took out a file and placed it in front of An Yi.
An Yi opened and read it calmly: "What does Mr. Zhou mean by this?"
Zhou Zhen suddenly laughed: "These are some of my personal assets, I want you to manage them for me. Are you willing?"
An Yi also laughed, resting her chin on her hands: "No need for ambiguity in front of a straightforward person. Since Mr. Zhou wants me to help manage, you should know what kind of person I am. This money... is substantial. What happens if it’s lost?"
Zhou Zhen relaxed completely, his eyes fixed on An Yi: "Profits are yours, losses are mine. It’s a good deal, isn’t it?"
"Indeed." An Yi was satisfied, smiling as she signed her name and shook hands with Zhou Zhen: "Pleasant cooperation."
"Pleasant cooperation." Zhou Zhen tightly grasped An Yi’s hand: "Tomorrow I’ll have a detailed list of assets sent over and make another notarization with you."
"Okay." An Yi’s smile was evidently happier.
It’s not just about money; though Zhou Zhen offered a substantial amount, An Yi had seen greater sums before, and it didn’t shock her much. What pleased her was Zhou Zhen’s recognition of her and his willingness to open up without reservation.
Moreover, An Yi felt she could use this money to gain experience, enhancing her skills with someone else’s funds. Isn’t there a better deal out there?
Xiaxi Village
Over the past few months, Anning and Xiao Yuan spent a considerable effort, finally managing to turn the two kids’ personalities around.
Now Si Qi and Si Ya are much more diligent and know how to help adults with work. Also, they have stopped being picky eaters and become quite polite.
With the children educated, Anning and Xiao Yuan began alternating on child-rearing duties.
They each took care of the children for a few days while the other went to work, then switched. This way, work wasn’t neglected, and they each had alone time with the kids, cultivating a good relationship.
Just as Anning thought everything was on track and things would become simpler, Xiao Daguang called, asking Xiao Yuan to visit.
Following Xiao Daguang’s call, Zhong Liumei also called.
Upon connecting, she immediately began crying. Xiao Yuan asked what happened, but she wouldn’t say; she just kept ranting that she couldn’t continue, cursing this and that.
Xiao Yuan had no choice, so he coaxed her into not crying before hanging up and driving back home.
When he arrived home, he bumped into Xiao Feng and Zhang Xiaoyu at the door.
Seeing Xiao Yuan, Zhang Xiaoyu asked: "Where’s Anning?"
Xiao Yuan smiled: "She’s at home with the kids. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I feared that if I brought the kids over, we wouldn’t be able to talk things through. So, I didn’t bring them."
"What exactly happened?" Zhang Xiaoyu was also confused: "Our mom was crying on the phone, but wouldn’t say why. It’s quite worrying."
"Let’s hurry indoors and ask then." Xiao Feng pulled Zhang Xiaoyu into the yard.
Once inside the house, Zhong Liumei was sitting in the yard. Seeing her sons return, she couldn’t control herself and cried out loud: "You’re finally back. Just a bit longer, and the family would have fallen apart."
"What happened?"
Zhang Xiaoyu rushed to support Zhong Liumei.
Xiao Daguang also came out from the house, sighing heavily: "What else could happen? The second child is obsessed and insists on divorcing Nana. The child is still so young; even if not for anything else, he shouldn’t divorce for the child’s sake."
"Mom, let’s talk inside."
Xiao Yuan helped Zhong Liumei up and whispered: "It’s not the end of the world; it’s alright."
As they talked, they moved into the house.
Xiao Feng glanced around: "Where’s the second one?"
Xiao Daguang sighed heavily: "He went to call Nana; he’ll be back soon."
At this point, the house echoed with the cries of a child. Xiao Daguang quickly went inside and brought out Si Ze from Xiao Lei’s family.
Seeing the child, Zhong Liumei forgot her tears and reached out to hold him: "I’ll get food for the child; you can talk to them."
Once Zhong Liumei moved into the inner room, Xiao Daguang recounted Xiao Lei’s situation thoroughly.
These past two years, Nana and the second child have grown increasingly distant. Initially, the second child said he was taking care of your mom, so didn’t seek a job. But later, when your mom could walk, I urged him to find a job. I was there, and could manage your mom and the child. Yet he refused.
Nana earns quite a bit, but there’s so much expenditure inside and outside the home. Nana is decent, knows how to save money, but can’t resist the second child’s excessive spending.
When the second child ran out of money, he asked Nana for it. Later, the couple even fought. Only last winter did the second child go out to find work.
Once he left, he viewed Nana differently, dismissed Nana for not dressing up, and considered her foolish. Recently, he’s been insisting on divorce.
He wants to divorce, Nana also agrees; they won’t listen to any persuasion.