"Your dad?"
Never having known Ah Zhong's family relationships, Zhou Jinbei was suddenly intrigued when the topic came up.
"How good is your dad? Can you tell me about him?"
Ah Zhong shrugged. "There's nothing much to tell. My dad is just an ordinary man who's been divorced."
"But after his divorce, he never remarried for my sake."
"He works an ordinary job. Lives an ordinary life. That's it."
Zhou Jinbei blinked her big eyes at him, her curiosity piqued as she pressed further.
"What kind of ordinary job, what kind of ordinary life? Can you tell me more specifically?"
Ah Zhong smiled. "My dad is from the countryside, not highly educated. He's fifty-six this year."
"When I was little, I knew he worked as a bricklayer on construction sites. Later, as I got older, to support my studies, he started a small business."
"He just opened a farm and raised some cattle and sheep. His entire fortune is less than a million yuan. He's a genuine farmer, truly nothing special to talk about."
Zhou Jinbei hadn't expected Ah Zhong's family background to be like this.
His father was actually a cattle farmer, no wonder his girlfriend left him.
But Zhou Jinbei didn't mind. Perhaps because she hadn't experienced hardship, she found it rather interesting.
"You work in Nancheng and are rarely home. He hasn't remarried. Doesn't he get lonely by himself?"
Ah Zhong said, "He must be lonely. So, I've been encouraging him to find a companion in recent years."
"But my dad is quite old-fashioned. He thinks remarrying at his age isn't good for my reputation, and he worries that a future daughter-in-law might mind. So, he's never looked for anyone."
"I've told him many times that I don't care, but he just won't listen. It's a real headache for me."
To think there was such a simple and honest father in the world.
For his son's happiness, he was willing to live a life of hardship himself.
Zhou Jinbei sighed, realizing that indeed, all the good men were someone else's.
"Happiness has nothing to do with being rich or poor. Your dad, though not wealthy, has a heart more genuine than gold. And us?"
Ah Zhong understood what she meant.
Ever since he became Zhan Beijue's special assistant, he had interacted with many people from high society.
He had witnessed too many dramas and knew well that the index of happiness was not directly proportional to the index of wealth.
The wealthier people were, the more sinister their hearts became.
Family affection had become a luxury, let alone love.
It seemed Zhou Jinbei had indeed encountered relationship problems.
"So, Miss Zhou, why are you asking so much? Do you have someone you like?"
Zhou Jinbei turned to look at him and spoke truthfully.
"I'm a normal person too, with emotions and desires. Of course, I can be moved by others."
"Isn't that great? You're so outstanding, others are bound to notice you. Wouldn't that be mutual affection?"
Zhou Jinbei shook her head.
"You don't understand. I don't like people who chase after me aggressively. I prefer men who are indifferent to me. I like unrequited love."
"..."
Miss Zhou, who was beautiful, wealthy, and intelligent, indeed had a way of doing things that was different from ordinary people.
She actually liked unrequited love?
Ah Zhong shook his head in disbelief.
"I can no longer understand the thought processes of you young people. Do whatever you want."
"However, I can tell you one thing clearly. Whether it's requited or unrequited love, if anyone bullies you and you need me, you can call me anytime."
She felt that this sentence should have been said by her own brother, Zhou Jinxiu.
But that guy was immersed in his own world every day, paying no attention to his family.
Moreover, even if he did pay attention, with his impulsive personality, he wouldn't be able to do anything good.
Zhou Jinbei stared at the road ahead and thought for a while, then couldn't help but sigh again.
"Can I trust your words 100%, Brother Zhong?"
"Whenever I need you, no matter what I ask of you, will you help me?"
"Of course." Ah Zhong saw her troubled expression and, wanting to cheer her up, made a joke.
"Don't look so dejected. Are you worried about future exams and submitting assignments?"
"Coincidentally, we're studying the same major. If needed, you can send your assignments to me, and I'll help you write them."
That would be wonderful.
Actually, Zhou Jinbei hadn't originally intended to ask him for this; it was an unexpected bonus.
"Okay. But besides writing assignments, there's something else I need your help with."
What significant matter had happened that made her hesitate so much?
Ah Zhong looked at her seriously. "What problem have you encountered?"
Zhou Jinbei finally spoke. "You have to keep this a secret, Brother Zhong. My dad had an affair."
"..." The steering wheel veered slightly.
Ah Zhong glanced at her. "When did this happen?"
Zhou Jinbei leaned back in her chair listlessly.
"More than a year ago. I don't know how many times this has happened, but he's been with this woman for over a year."
"That woman is pregnant and wants to keep the child. My dad agreed."
"How did you find out?"
"A few days ago, I went to my dad's company. His phone was on the desk, and that woman sent him a message that I saw."
No wonder she was so moody today.
Anyone would feel uncomfortable encountering such a situation.
Ah Zhong understood her perfectly.
"So, you're the only one who knows about this?"
Zhou Jinbei said, "My mom is superficial and has never earned a cent in her life except for giving birth to two children for my dad. If she knew, besides crying, she probably couldn't do anything else."
"As for my brother, I don't know what he's up to all day, he pays no attention to the family."
"Moreover, my dad has a very low opinion of him. They start arguing within three sentences. If he found out, I'm afraid this family would fall apart even faster."
"..."
He hadn't expected such a young girl to bear so much for her family.
"So, what are you planning to do now?"
When it came to the matter, Zhou Jinbei lost her earlier listlessness.
"I definitely can't let her have the baby."
"Our family's business is declining year by year. My dad is getting old, and my brother hasn't gotten his act together yet."
"If another child comes along to divide the family assets, how are we supposed to live?"
"So, you plan to go find her?"
Zhou Jinbei shook her head.
"I'm not that foolish. What's the point of going to her directly?"
"The root of this problem lies with my dad. As long as he doesn't change his ways, even if I drive this woman away today, there will be a fourth, fifth, and sixth one in the future."
Men and women think differently, and Ah Zhong couldn't guess what she meant.
"So, what exactly do you want to do?"
Zhou Jinbei turned her head, her gaze fixed on him with determination.
"I want you to step in."
"Me? I'm just an assistant to President Zhan. I have no connection to your dad, and I don't know that woman. What can I do by stepping in?"
Zhou Jinbei explained.
"I've already made a plan in my mind, but I need to find someone I trust very much to cooperate."
"I've been agonizing over who would be a good choice recently. Brother Zhong..."
"You just said that no matter when I need you, you'll help me."
"..." The boast had been made too early.