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

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenying almost dropped her teacup. She put it down, smiled, and said, "Brother Zhou, I appreciate your kind gesture."

I know you're a great catch, but it would be more suitable for us to be neighbors.

I'm a stubborn person, and I'm used to raising my child alone. I don't want to add any more burdens.

If you feel bored, you're welcome to come over anytime, have some tea, and chat.

As Zhang Wenying spoke, she poured Zhou Weiguo another half cup of tea, her tone carrying a hint of gentle detachment.

Old Zhou isn't a bad person; she wouldn't say anything too harsh.

"But as for living together, that's really not going to work out. I'm a stubborn person, and now that we're divorced, I have no intention of going back to my husband."

Besides, I'm so busy all day that I don't have time to stay home and take care of anyone.

So, Brother Zhou, let's not mention this matter again.

Zhou Weiguo wasn't annoyed. Instead, he nodded, looking understanding. "It's alright, it's alright. I'm just being frank. It's okay if you don't want to. I won't force you. You can still come to eat in the future. I won't disturb your business."

He is also a cultured person who knows when to stop.

If someone doesn't want to, he can't just keep pestering them.

I'm just a little disappointed.

How come such a wonderful woman doesn't like me?

Once things were out in the open, Zhang Wenying felt more at ease. Seeing that he wasn't pressing the issue, she breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and raised her teacup to clink with his: "Then thank you for your understanding, Brother Zhou."

Just after we saw Old Zhou off, another old man came into the shop.

Compared to Old Zhou's impeccable manners, this old man seemed rather self-important and arrogant.

"Boss lady, give me a bowl of rice, a plate of braised pork, and a plate of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar."

When other people come here to eat, they all order set meals.

This old man is something else. Every time he comes, he orders à la carte, and he's incredibly arrogant, as if the whole world owes him two hundred yuan.

Zhang Wenying didn't argue with him.

It's just packaged separately, isn't it?

Then let's charge a higher price.

She charges others 1.2 yuan for a serving of braised pork rice, but for this old man, she charges 2 yuan.

Anyway, the prices for individual dishes are about the same as those in state-run restaurants. If he thinks it's too expensive, he can go to a state-run restaurant instead of coming to her little shop.

Zhang Wenying despised people who looked down on women and self-employed individuals.

She knew perfectly well that the old man just thought she was a woman running a restaurant and couldn't hold her own, so he was deliberately putting on airs.

I never expected that the old man was also after me.

"Boss lady, my husband passed away three months ago."

It's just that she was unlucky and couldn't enjoy the blessings our family has.

I was thinking that there always needs to be a woman in the house to manage things. I see that you are quick and efficient and honest. Why don't you come back with me and help me with the housework? You won't need to run this restaurant anymore, so you won't have to show your face in public and let people gossip.

I'll give you thirty yuan a month, that's enough for you and your mother to eat, wear, and live on.

I have three sons and five grandsons.

You can cook for them normally.

I was a level seven fitter at the Qianjin Factory, and my monthly pension was 120 yuan.

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhang Wenying twice, as if to say: it's her good fortune that he's taken a liking to her, and she should be grateful and agree.

"Oh, you flatter me too much, old man."

Zhang Wenying tossed the spatula in her hand, not turning her head, her tone carrying a faint, indifferent smile.

"You have many children and a prosperous family business. I am not worthy of such a woman who shows her face in public."

Besides, your three sons and five grandsons are all pillars of society; why would you need an outsider like me to take care of them?

"You should keep this thirty yuan and buy yourself some good food to nourish your body."

Old Sun was so angry he almost fell backward.

He's only 58 this year, how come he's considered an old man?

"You..." Old Sun stammered, his face turning bright red.

"How can you talk like that, woman? I'm just trying to give you some peace and quiet, and you're so ungrateful!"

She thinks he's too old? How young is Zhang Wenying anyway?

She's not even a mother of five yet, and she's already past her prime.

Zhang Wenying's eye twitched.

This old man is really confident.

Even Lao Zhou wouldn't say something like that.

Is a monthly salary of 120 a lot?

She earns more in a day than he does in a month.

Moreover, only three months after his ex-wife passed away, this old man was already eager to find a new wife, not even caring that her body was still warm.

As a woman, she felt heartbroken for her deceased sister-in-law.

"Based on my observations of you over this period of time, you are a fairly diligent and virtuous person, and your appearance meets my standards, but you are too shrewish."

However, if you come with me, I can tolerate these flaws. After all, a woman needs a man to keep her in line to stay well-behaved.

Once you marry me, you won't need to show your face in public anymore to do business.

The women of the Sun family cannot afford to lose face like this.

My second son just came back from the rural educated youth settlement and hasn't been able to find a job. You could ask him to help you manage this shop.

You just need to stay home and take care of me and the family.

Old Sun's tone was as if he were bestowing charity, as if his words were an immense favor, and that Zhang Wenying, if she had any sense, should immediately kneel down to express her gratitude.

That's exactly right.

A woman who insists on divorcing her husband but still goes out and does business is asking for a lesson.

Once she marries him, he will naturally "discipline" her properly and teach her what it means to be a good wife.

Zhang Wenying finally turned her face around, tapping the spatula against the edge of the wok with a crisp sound. Her smile faded slightly, but a cold glint appeared in her eyes. "Old Sun, that's quite a novel way to put it."

In my thirty-plus years of life, I, Zhang Wenying, have never seen a man so brazenly arrange someone else's life. You've certainly got a good plan, making me work like a slave for you, having your son manage the shop for me. So you're trying to get something for nothing, wanting to get a capable wife for free, and also solve your second son's livelihood problem on the side?

That was a very shrewd deal.

Old Sun choked, his face turning bright red.

"Comrade Zhang, what... what are you saying?"

What does it mean to be treated like a beast of burden?

What do you mean by getting something for nothing? Do you think I, Old Sun, am that kind of person?

I'm doing this for your own good!

"What kind of image does it project for a woman like you to be out in public doing business?"

Zhang Wenying sneered, put the spatula on the stove, wiped her hands, and said, "For my own good? I think you're doing this for your own good, for the good of your family."

I run my own restaurant and earn my living with my own hands. It's all aboveboard. What's wrong with that?

It's much more respectable than some people who, under the guise of doing what's best for others, scheme to exploit their family's livelihood.