After finishing the meal, to prevent her mother from continuing to nag about the previous topic, Zhan Bei Jue made an excuse about accompanying the children with their homework and hastily escaped from the dining table.
Mrs. Zhan and Gong Bei Bei sat together, and surprisingly, they reached a consensus on the conversation they had just had.
Zhan Bei Jue disliked women who stayed at home. To gain his favor, it seemed the first step was to get her career going.
Gong Bei Bei proactively said, "Aunt Zhou, I actually think what Ah Jue said makes a lot of sense. I'm so young, and it feels too shameful to waste my life staying at home every day. I'll have someone help me send my works from Northern Europe back. In the future, I'll establish my own art studio in Nancheng, pursue a career, and keep you company, how about that?"
Seeing that she was not only not angry but also willing to make a change, Mrs. Zhan was naturally delighted. "I'm so happy you think this way. Bei Bei, why are you so kind and so understanding? If only Ah Jue were half as sensible as you."
Gong Bei Bei said shyly, "Aunt Zhou, you say that. I've dated the wrong boy before, and it really broke my father's heart. How can I compare to Ah Jue? Father often says it would be great if I could be half as outstanding as Ah Jue."
Mrs. Zhan comforted her, "What's wrong with having dated before? Who hasn't had some life experience in this life? One becomes mature through experience. This stage of you and Ah Jue are a perfect match."
"Speaking of which, Bei Bei, Aunt Zhou wants to ask you sincerely. If Aunt Zhou hopes you and Ah Jue will end up together in the future, would you be willing?"
Although Gong's father was a doctor, his nature was to gamble.
Over the years in Northern Europe, he gambled and made foolish investments, almost losing two-thirds of their family fortune. Now, all that remained were two old houses in Nancheng.
If she hadn't felt a survival crisis, Gong Bei Bei wouldn't have broken up with her boyfriend of over three years and rushed back to become a stepmother.
She had known Zhan Bei Jue since childhood, and they were not the same kind of people.
At that time, she had the capital to be proud and disdained to compromise in front of him. But now...
Her mother had passed away many years ago, and her maternal uncle's family had almost cut off contact with them. If she didn't find a backer, relying on her father's ways...
Zhan Bei Jue's actions yesterday and today had initially worried her, but hearing Mrs. Zhan's words at this moment, she finally felt a little more at ease.
"Aunt Zhou, you say that... you don't mind that I've dated before?"
Mrs. Zhan looked magnanimous. "What era is this? Aunt Zhou is not that old-fashioned. Moreover, we've known each other for so long, and Aunt Zhou knows your character. I wouldn't negate you entirely just because you've had a relationship."
"Don't overthink it. Focus on getting your career started first. If you're willing, there will be plenty of opportunities to cultivate feelings with Ah Jue in the future. I'll create them for you myself."
With this pleasant conversation, Gong Bei Bei busied herself with her art studio for the next few days, and the Zhan family returned to peace.
In the blink of an eye, it was the weekend. Jiang Nan Fang's first legitimate opportunity to visit the children arrived.
Early in the morning, she quietly called the two children and asked them where they wanted to go today.
The two children dared not tell her that Zhan Bei Jue would accompany them. They pretended they hadn't thought about it yet and told her they would discuss it when they met.
The company car that Vice President Gao had promised had not yet been assigned, so Jiang Nan Fang had to take a taxi to pick up the children.
Before she could get close to the Zhan family villa, the stern security guard shouted through the surveillance, forbidding her from approaching. To avoid scaring the driver, Jiang Nan Fang had to wait by the roadside.
Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long before Zhan Bei Jue's grand motorcade emerged.
Seeing her by the roadside from afar, the two children excitedly lowered their car windows and waved to her, "Mommy!"