After the divorce, her life flourished day by day.
Zhou Honglin, on the other hand, spiraled downward. Though it was Zhan Yin who sabotaged him behind the scenes, causing him to lose his job, no employer dared hire him.
Initially, Zhou Honglin planned to join the Shang Corporation, knowing they were rivals to the Zhan Corporation.
He hoped to make a name for himself at Shang, then wield their banner to get back at Zhan Yin.
But he never expected that Mrs. Shang was the aunt of the Hai sisters.
Mrs. Shang had spent decades searching for her sister, only to find her two nieces, whom she cherished like daughters.
Shang Xiaofei and Hai Tong, though romantic rivals, became close friends, even sisters, with Shang Xiaofei giving up her long-held affection for Zhan Yin.
Now, she too had found her own happiness.
Zhou Honglin’s plan fell apart, Shang wouldn’t take him, and he couldn’t use them. In Guancheng, aside from Shang, no company dared openly clash with Zhan.
Thus, Zhou Honglin couldn’t find work and resorted to driving for ride-hailing apps to scrape by.
Compared to her ex-husband’s struggles, Hai Ling was living in a honey pot.
Lu Dongming kissed her cheek. “Things will only get better for us.”
Hai Ling smiled.
Yes, they would keep getting better.
“I’ll call Yangyang.”
Thinking of her son, Hai Ling pulled out her phone. “I’m usually busy late into the night. Tonight, I can head home early. Yangyang’s probably still awake, so we can have a proper chat.”
“Yangyang gave me an earful,” Lu Dongming chuckled. “Said I didn’t tell him I was coming to Jiangcheng, claimed I was here for work, but he didn’t buy it.”
“That kid’s sharp as a tack.”
“No fool would believe it, and Yangyang’s no fool.”
Hai Ling made a video call, and Hai Tong answered.
“Sis.”
Seeing her sister, Hai Tong smiled and greeted her. “You’re free early tonight, no engagements?”
“Just left the hotel, on my way home. Thought I’d call Yangyang since I’ve got nothing else tonight and he’s likely still up. Usually, I’m busy when he calls, it’s late, and I don’t want to keep him up for school, so we only talk briefly.”
Hai Tong noticed her sister was in the car, with her brother-in-law seemingly beside her.
She said, “Yangyang’s downstairs, playing chess with my father-in-law.”
The little guy had started learning chess, barely grasping it, yet boldly challenging Zhan Yin’s father to a game.
“Uncle Zhan didn’t go out?”
Hai Tong laughed. “Grandma took my mother-in-law and two aunts to Mu Qing’s place. They won’t be back until I have the baby. My father-in-law was bored at home, so he’s staying with us for a bit.”
“He takes Yangyang to kindergarten, picks him up, helps with homework, calligraphy, piano, chess, and even works out with him. Having a kid around keeps him from being bored.”
“Sis, hold on, I’ll head downstairs so you can talk to Yangyang.”
Hai Tong carried her phone, chatting with her sister as she walked out.
Hai Ling reminded her to walk slowly, take her time, and be careful on the stairs.
When her sister stood, Hai Ling noticed her belly seemed to have grown even more.
“Sis, I’m not a kid anymore.”
Being cautioned about stairs, really?
“No matter how old you are, you’ll always be a kid in my eyes, my little sister.”
Five years her junior.
