Zhizhong, who was just about to say something, heard Lu Yumei asking with concern, "What exactly is wrong with your health? You seem to be recovering well?"
"Mrs. Lu, I actually haven't been ill. I just discussed something with Minister Zhang from the City Committee..."
Zhizhong spoke with a smile, his voice smooth and magnetic.
Listening to him, Lu Yumei felt both happy and annoyed, and even lunged forward, slapping him on the shoulder.
The slap was quite hard; it made a loud smack.
"You dead man, you're literally mad! You had me, Yuqing, and Zhao Han so worried about you, fearing something terrible might happen to you! Turns out, you men are all liars, all liars! Liars, liars!!!"
As Lu Yumei scolded tenderly, she slapped Zhizhong's shoulder several more times.
The slaps were heavy, loud, satisfying, and relieving.
Zhizhong, looking very much like a masochist, just laughed heartily, visibly enjoying himself.
"Ah, Mrs. Lu, you're so adorable and touching. Like a young girl, haha..."
Zhizhong laughed meaningfully, his eyes bright and full of character.
Lu Yumei, however, suddenly felt embarrassed and shy, quickly responding, "Shut up! I'm old, no longer a young girl!"
"No, no, no, my mother-in-law is still young. Ordinary girls can't compare to your skin, nor to your figure, you're just beautiful!"
Saying this, Zhizhong gave a thumbs up, even his Southern accent he learned from the Xiang family's siblings slipped out.
Lu Yumei was amused, feeling quite flattered inside.
After all, which woman doesn't like to be complimented?
Especially such elaborate compliments are very effective.
Of course, Zhizhong quickly became serious again, "Actually, this is quite good. Minister Zhang supports it, and Minister Luo from the Provincial Organization Department supports it too! It eases the emotions of the Zhang Family; I get some leisure time myself and can even work on some influencer stuff! Look, I went to the Southern region to meet Ma Qingqing, and even bought a second-hand RV on the way, had a blast!"
"Uh-huh, I knew you went to the Southern region. I've been following Mr. L's works all this time! You rascal, are you emotionally involved with Ma Qingqing? You moved her profoundly!"
Zhizhong quickly waved his hands and shook his head, "You misunderstand! It's all for the public image, just for influencer marketing!"
"That's just shameless! Nowadays, influencer stuff is really appalling."
"There's no choice, as long as the goal of finding people is achieved, it's a good thing. Now, Ma Qingqing has gone to the UK with her birth parents for treatment, probably won't be back for a while."
Lu Yumei nodded, "She's a poor girl. If you guys could really find her family, allowing her to survive, it indeed is a noble deed. It seems like the ritual that my sister and I arranged for you was effective; your luck has improved."
"Eh? Rituals? What rituals?"
Lu Yumei didn't hide anything and told him all about the matter.
Zhizhong didn't discuss superstitions or explain about metaphysics or psychological implications, just felt deeply moved, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Mrs. Lu, for not treating me as an outsider, for treating me like your own son. I will always remember your kindness. No matter how the world changes, I'm still the Zhao family's son-in-law and will strive to make life better and more hopeful for everyone."
Seeing his focused expression, which was different from before and showed more maturity and gentleness, Lu Yumei couldn't help but nod her head, feeling very pleased.
"Having such determination is also a good thing. I hope you do better and have a good life with Zhao Yan!"
Zhizhong thought to himself, I still have to catch her cheating, and then see what she has to say. Get full chapters from 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
He responded, "Thank you for your understanding and support. I'll work hard. Coming back to Zhongzhou this time, I need to do two big things and will need Mrs. Lu's help!"
"Sure, tell me what it is. As long as I can help, I will!"
Zhizhong nodded and pulled out a cigarette.
Just as he was about to light it, Lu Yumei said, "Hey, you have a heart condition; smoke less…"
"Uh…" Zhizhong paused.
Lu Yumei's face turned red, she let out an embarrassed laugh, "Oh, listen to me, still thinking you're ill! Haha... go on, smoke if you want…"
Having his mother-in-law caring for him naturally made Zhizhong happy. So he lit the cigarette, took a drag, and then said,
"The first big thing, I want to resolve the mood of the Zhang family; the second big thing, after resolving things with the Zhang family, I promise to take you, Mrs. Lu, out for a trip, to cool off and relax!"
"Ha, you're treating..."
Lu Yumei blushed a bit, then felt very comfortable.
This dead man, treating her summer vacation as a big deal!
Though it's actually not mandatory, Zhizhong's attitude was upright and proactive.
Women are just this peculiar, aren't they? They care a lot about a man's attitude, right?
Lu Yumei could only say, "The summer trip isn't that important. The important thing is, settling the Zhang family's attitude towards you might be difficult!"
"So, that's why I need my Mrs. Lu's cooperation, right?"
"Me? What can I possibly help with? I'm just a powerless widow. How can I influence the Zhang family?"