This Life, I'm Raising the Right Man

The entire Zhang Zhaodi family invited over a dozen students to dine at Jiang’s Restaurant.

These students all come from affluent families; otherwise, they wouldn’t be hanging out with Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu.

Of course, they have one more thing in common: they’re academically struggling.

For these academically struggling, money isn’t a problem; what’s lacking most is recognition.

Zhang Zhaodi and others witnessed their glorious moments and kept urging them to eat and drink more.

”You’re number five, right? That swing you made earlier was amazing,” Zhang Zhaodi said. ”I’ve never seen such elegant skills. I dared not even breathe at the time, just fearing that if I did, you’d fall off the horse.”

”Haha, Auntie, you have great taste. That’s my signature move, and I’ve helped Wang Shu win a lot of matches with it!”

”You all performed really well.”

While Zhang Zhaodi was lavishly praising those students, Su Yaoguang was ordering dishes with the shopkeeper of Jiang’s Restaurant.

”Just serve what you think is best, put out a serving of each of your signature dishes.”

”Got it.” The shopkeeper accepted the order and went to arrange the dishes.

Just as Su Yaoguang was about to head back, Jiang Ziqian happened to come upstairs and called to her.

”Boss Su.”

Su Yaoguang turned around, smiling as she replied, ”Boss Jiang, what brings you here today?”

”I was planning to go out and collect payments, but I heard you were here, so I came to say hello.”

”Am I delaying your earnings then? You should go get busy; we can chat another day.”

”Alright!”

A young woman with a pregnant belly came over, smiling as she said, ”Is this the famous Boss Su?”

Su Yaoguang was puzzled and glanced at Jiang Ziqian with confusion.

Jiang Ziqian introduced her, ”This is my sister-in-law.”

Afterward, he said to Madam Yu, ”Sister-in-law, you startled Boss Su by coming over suddenly.”

”Do I really look so frightening?” Madam Yu said with feigned annoyance, eyeing Su Yaoguang, ”I’ve heard your name echoing like thunder.”

”Am I that famous in the city now?” Su Yaoguang said bashfully.

”Fame in the city is one thing; as a widow who never leaves the house, I don’t hear what others say. It’s my younger brother-in-law who talks about Boss Su all day; that’s how I know a kind-hearted Living Bodhisattva has emerged here.” Madam Yu laughed softly, covering her mouth.

Su Yaoguang looked towards Jiang Ziqian.

Jiang Ziqian looked a bit embarrassed and said to Madam Yu, ”Sister-in-law, why don’t you go downstairs first; I’ll be right over.”

Madam Yu patted her belly and nodded gently, ”Take your time talking; I’m not in a hurry.”

After Madam Yu left, Jiang Ziqian said, ”I need to collect payments, and I’m taking my sister-in-law to her maternal home to stay for a few days.”

”Your sister-in-law said you often mention me; are you saying bad things about me?” Su Yaoguang sensed the atmosphere was a bit awkward, intentionally joking to alleviate it.

Jiang Ziqian’s face turned slightly red, and he touched his cheek: ”Ever since my elder brother encountered bandits while doing business overseas and died at their hands, my sister-in-law has been growing frail with her pregnancy. You are the most strong and brave woman I’ve ever met, so I wanted to tell her about you, to let her know that women in this world don’t have to rely on men to survive; there are many women like you who are stronger than men.”

”I’m honored to be used as a positive example to encourage your sister-in-law.”

”My sister-in-law doesn’t have many friends, and after hearing your story, she’s quite interested in you. Would it be too much of a bother if she wanted to reach out for a chat?”

”We’re friends, and your sister-in-law is a friend of mine as well. She can reach out to me, and as long as I have time, I’d be happy to guide her, encouraging her to look at the sky outside more and not be bound in her own little world.”

”Thank you.”

”Aren’t you busy? You should get going, don’t keep your sister-in-law waiting.”

”Alright, let’s gather another time.”

Su Yaoguang turned and saw Zhou Wangshu leaning against the wall with a face full of displeasure.

”Didn’t I say there’s something not clear between him and his sister-in-law, and advised you to stay away?”

”Didn’t I also say hearing things without evidence isn’t a good habit? I see their interactions are straightforward and haven’t noticed anything amiss.”

Zhou Wangshu scoffed, ”Your eyes are too small; what can they see clearly?”

”Your eyes are indeed big, always watching nonsense,” Su Yaoguang retorted. ”Besides, how do their relationship affect me? Should their private relationship dictate my freedom to make friends?”

Zhou Wangshu glared at her and returned to the room.

”This brat, getting more and more weird-tempered.”

As the banquet ended, Zhang Zhaodi gained over a dozen godsons.

Zhang Yingdi and Zhang Pandi watched as Zhang Zhaodi happily responded to the godsons calling her ’godmother,’ each looking as if struck by lightning.

”Is this appropriate?” Zhang Pandi asked Zhang Yingdi beside her.

Zhang Yingdi, amused yet helpless, replied, ”Elder sister drank a bit much.”

However, she liked her elder sister’s flamboyant demeanor. Previously, she used to be entangled in family chores all day, like a resentful woman, with no spark on her face. But now, looking at Zhang Zhaodi, compared to half a year ago, she seemed a decade younger. Her skin was in great condition, her eyes shone with light. Plus, Su Yaoguang knew how to dress Zhang Zhaodi; while others aged, she grew more youthful.

”Mom, we’re leaving.” Su Yaoguang helped Zhang Zhaodi up.

If they didn’t take her home now, being called godmother again and again would leave her disoriented.

Su Yaoguang said to Zhou Wangshu, ”Take care of arranging your classmates yourself.”

She said, and discreetly slipped a stack of silver notes into his hand.

Zhou Wangshu: ”...”

How was he supposed to say he had silver and didn’t need to rely on someone else?

But he accepted it anyway!

For now, he didn’t need to rely on others, but soon he might not have much of a choice. Judging by her demeanor, she seemed quite fond of that Jiang fellow.

That Jiang fellow was older than him; if the two got married, they could become a real couple now. Compared to him as a younger brother, the Jiang fellow was certainly more appealing to her.

Humph!

Zhou Wangshu tucked the silver notes into his arms.

Su Yaoguang called the shopkeeper to settle the bill, and the shopkeeper smiled, ”Our boss said Boss Su is a friend, so there’s no need to pay; he’s treating.”

”That won’t do,” Su Yaoguang said. ”Is fifty taels enough for this table?”

”Your boss is really generous,” Zhang Zhaodi said. ”Tell him, if he has time, to come to Taoyao Square, I’ll personally cook him a few signature dishes.”

”Absolutely, I’ll definitely convey that,” the shopkeeper chuckled.

Zhou Wangshu took out the silver notes and slammed them on the counter, saying, ”There’s no reason for your boss to spend so much; keep the silver safely.”

”It’s too much.” The shopkeeper saw the amount on the silver note and quickly pushed it back.

”If it’s too much, just put it on account, and we’ll eat here again next time.”

After saying that, Zhou Wangshu pulled Su Yaoguang away.

Su Yaoguang turned back to the shopkeeper, ”Thank your boss for me, but as close as brothers can be, business should still be conducted clearly.”