Reborn as an 80s-aged woman, her unfilial son begs for forgiveness on his knees.

The old lady hurried to the door, grabbed Li Wenhai's arm, and said in a trembling voice, "You...you really want to do this?"

Can't we just talk things out properly?

Your mother is already angry, why can't you, as her son, just apologize?

"Grandma, please don't try to persuade me."

I think she's just incredibly arrogant!

How long has it been since the country relaxed its policies?

But she sold her respectable job to become a self-employed individual.

If I get caught, where will I put my face?

Grandma, my dignity and future have long been trampled under my feet by my mother.

All she cares about is money and that dilapidated courtyard; she doesn't care about me, her son.

I will give her money for her retirement.

Even if I'm broke in the future, I'll give my life back to her!

The old woman's hand froze in mid-air as she watched her grandson's resolute back disappear into the alleyway. It was a long while before she turned around.

She gazed at Zhang Wenying standing in the main room, her lips moved a few times, but in the end, only a sigh escaped her lips: "Wenying, why are you doing this to yourself?"

Zhang Wenying didn't turn around, but simply said, "Mom, some roads you have to walk yourself."

I never want to be led by the nose again in my life.

He Caifeng rushed over upon hearing the news. When she heard that Zhang Wenying was to receive a thousand yuan a year in alimony, she stomped her feet in anger: "A thousand? Why doesn't she just rob us? Wenhai, are you out of your mind!"

Besides, all the money you earn is mine, why should I give her a thousand?

Li Wenhai irritably shook off her hand: "Alright, it's already signed, what else can we do?"

Besides, this is my business, mind your own business!

Why can't I interfere?

If you give her money, we'll get a divorce!

"If you don't want to live together, then get a divorce!"

I'm fed up with him yelling at me all the time!

Li Wenhai stormed off, leaving He Caifeng standing there, tears streaming down her face.

"Zhang Wenying, Li Wenhai being born as your son is the worst luck imaginable!"

The old general waited quietly for two days, but still felt an unprecedented sense of warmth from Zhang Wenying, so he asked Shen Mingyuan to accompany him to Zhang Wenying's shop.

"Uncle Zhang is here?"

Please have a seat, Comrade Shen, please also have a seat.

Zhang Wenying came out from behind the counter and neatly wiped two chairs.

"The shop is simple, please don't mind."

The old general waved his hand, his gaze lingering on the shop for a moment, and said with a touch of emotion, "Your skills are indeed quite impressive."

"This shop may be small, but it's clean and has a certain vitality." After he sat down, his gaze fell on Zhang Wenying's face.

"There aren't many people who quit their government jobs to start businesses these days, but those who dare to take this step are all courageous."

Opening a shop is a good idea.

The country has begun to vigorously develop the economy, and there is a bright future for individuals.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenying paused in her tea-pouring motion, then smiled and said, "Uncle Zhang's words reassure me."

I don't have any special skills; I just want to earn a living honestly with my own two hands.

There's nothing shameful about not stealing or robbing.

The old general looked at Zhang Wenying with admiration, feeling that this woman was efficient in her speech and actions, neither humble nor arrogant, with clear eyes, and also had a lot of ideas and courage.

"Uncle Zhang, my mother-in-law wants to eat dumplings. Luckily, the shop has some dumplings in stock. If you don't mind, please have a bowl here before you leave."

Upon hearing this, a hint of gentleness flashed in the old general's eyes: "Alright, then I'll take the trouble to trouble you."

Zhang Wenying turned and went into the kitchen. Soon after, she brought out two bowls of steaming dumplings with thin skins and generous fillings, and a wonderful aroma.

The old general picked up one, took a bite, and his eyes lit up slightly. After chewing for a moment, he slowly nodded: "This tastes somewhat like what I ate back in my hometown."

Shen Mingyuan nodded repeatedly after eating.

With Comrade Zhang's culinary skills, it's no wonder the old general hasn't been eating out lately.

A plate of dumplings, a plate of braised beef, and a plate of smashed cucumber.

The old general ate to his heart's content. When he put down his chopsticks, his gaze lingered on Zhang Wenying for a few more seconds: "With your cooking skills, you'll never go hungry, no matter where you are."

If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me.

Even though I've retired, I can still have a few words to say in this city.

The more the old general looked at Zhang Wenying, the more he felt that she resembled an old friend, and the sense of intimacy in his heart grew stronger.

Could she be his daughter?

He wanted to ask directly, but he was afraid of being too abrupt and disturbing her.

He suppressed his impulse, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly asked, "Wenying, is there anyone else in your family?"

Zhang Wenying paused slightly while wiping the table, then naturally lowered her eyes and said calmly, "My parents passed away early, and apart from my older brother, I have no other relatives."

"Brother?" The old general's hand holding the teacup tightened slightly, and his voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

"What's his name? How old is he?"

The old general's tone was somewhat urgent.

Zhang Wenying noticed, but took it as a sign of concern from an elder, and answered truthfully: "My eldest brother is named Zhang Hongyuan. He is fifty years old this year, not nine."

My brother is six years older than me.

I never met my parents when I was little; my older brother carried me as I grew up.

He provided for my education, taught me how to be a person, and acted as both father and mother to me, allowing me to grow up safely.

When talking about her brother, Zhang Wenying's tone was filled with deep gratitude and dependence.

As the old general listened, his eyes reddened slightly, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table, as if he was trying his best to control some emotion.

Forty-nine?

According to his age, he should be this age.

His son... is also named Zhang Hongyuan!

This was a name he chose for his son by flipping through the dictionary, one character at a time, signifying great ambitions and lofty aspirations.

The woman in front of him, Zhang Wenying, must be his daughter.

"Hongyuan, does he have a birthmark on his left shoulder?"

The old general's voice trembled slightly, his gaze fixed on Zhang Wenying's face.

He didn't want to wait any longer.

Zhang Wenying froze, and the rag in her hand slipped off the edge of the table.

She looked up, a look of surprise and disbelief appearing in her eyes for the first time: "How...how did you know?"

My brother has a black birthmark the size of a coin on his left shoulder, and hers is on her left shoulder too.

The old general gripped the teacup lid tightly, his knuckles turning bluish-white from the force, and a breath caught in his throat, leaving him unable to catch his breath for a long time.

Shen Mingyuan quickly stepped forward to support his back and soothe him gently, saying, "Old Chief, please speak slowly and don't get agitated."

After a long while, the old general finally raised his wrinkled hand, wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, as if it had been sanded: "Children, I've been searching for you for over forty years..."

I am your father, Zhang Zhenguo!

During the hasty retreat, your mother and I were separated by secret agents, and we have been missing ever since.

"I've been searching for so many years, and I've finally found you!"