Chapter 353: Chapter 354 Zhou Family Chapter 353: Chapter 354 Zhou Family The next day was the first class for these students.

The dorm had already split into two factions, and early in the morning, Lin Hongxia kindly invited Xu Ying and Zhang Shulan to have breakfast together.

Qu Huimin and Bai Yushui took soft bags and Sun Youdi out with them.

Xu Ying had enrolled in Qinghua’s program of Economics and Management, and as soon as the class was over, she ran toward the canteen, not sure if it was her imagination, but she felt especially hungry these past few days.

Moreover, her appetite seemed to have increased quite a bit.

When she arrived at the canteen, Xu Ying got a bowl of noodles and added a pancake, eating heartily.

Lin Hongxia and Zhang Shulan, who were in the same major, hurried over upon seeing Xu Ying.

Looking at the big bowl of noodles in front of Xu Ying, who was also holding a pancake, the two were somewhat surprised by how much she was eating.

But neither of them was the type to pry into others’ business, so they didn’t ask.

However, Qu Huimin, upon seeing this, opened her mouth to mock, “Typical country girl, never seen anything of the world.

This must be the first time in eight generations you’ve eaten food this good, huh? Aren’t you afraid of bursting?”

Bai Yushui, standing by, was extremely envious. Although Xu Ying came from the countryside, she seemed to have quite a lot of money. This meal must have cost over one yuan.

Yesterday, she even had roast duck, such a big one, which must have cost a lot.

The large bowl of noodles and the big pancake were quickly devoured by Xu Ying.

She looked up after feeling full and saw the astonished expressions of Lin Hongxia, feeling somewhat embarrassed, mainly because the canteen had large and small bowls of noodles, and she had asked for the large one.

“I don’t know what’s with me these days, I just get so easily hungry.”

As soon as she said this, Lin Hongxia looked at her with suspicion, “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

It wasn’t a big deal. When she had her son, it was like this too. While most people would feel nauseous and unable to eat during pregnancy, she was the opposite, constantly feeling a starving panic throughout her pregnancy.

Xu Ying was stunned and remembered that her period had indeed not come this month. It was normally just a week late, but this time it had been nearly half a month.

Zhang Shulan looked surprised, “You’re married?”

Xu Ying nodded, “My stuff was moved in by my man.”

“I’m also married, my child is already five years old.” Lin Hongxia admitted nonchalantly, her face lighting up when she brought up her man, “I was a ‘sent-down youth’ to the countryside, you have no idea how hard the rural work is.

Luckily, I met my husband. He might not be exceptionally talented, but he’s been good to me. Since I married him, I haven’t had to work in the fields at all.”

Zhang Shulan’s expression dimmed a bit upon hearing this, perhaps reminiscing about something, but she admired Lin Hongxia’s relationship, “You and your husband must have a really good relationship.”

“The relationship between Xu Ying and her partner is even better. On the first day of school, her man carried all the luggage himself, not letting her handle a single piece,” Lin Hongxia said with envy.

Xu Ying smiled, “My man is strong. Back in the countryside, he could lift up a wild boar weighing three to four hundred pounds all by himself.”

Lin Hongxia’s mouth fell open in shock.

While eating her meal, Qu Huimin kept her eyes on Xu Ying, still harboring a grudge from the day before about the bed incident, reminding herself not to forget it.

She glared at Xu Ying who was eating as if nothing was amiss, even better than herself, and her teeth clenched in fury as she glared in Xu’s direction.

“Are you the Xiao Xu from Yu County Food Factory?” Zhang Wu approached with his meal toward Xu Ying, and seeing the woman’s face clearly, he looked even more pleasantly surprised.

Xu Ying, with a face full of suspicion, asked, “Who are you?”

“We met this morning. I’m also a student of economic management. I didn’t expect it to be you. I’ve read about you in the newspapers and know you’re outstanding in foreign exchange dealings,” Zhang Wu said, his face full of admiration.

Zhang Shulan’s face was full of amazement, her mouth agape and eyes wide as saucers. The incredulity in her expression was almost laughable and completely at odds with her usual cool beauty, “Xu Ying, I was wondering why your name sounded so familiar.

I remember now, my father often talked about you at home. He said you’ve made significant contributions to our Huaxia’s economic development.

And that you hold a high ideological awareness and harbor a fervent patriotic sentiment.”

Zhang Shulan gazed at Xu Ying with bright, shining eyes. Having always held her father in high regard, there were very few people he praised, so Xu Ying, a person often praised by her father, had made a lasting impression on her.

Qu Huimin, watching Zhang Wu chatting and laughing with Xu Ying, couldn’t contain her anger, and with a “snap” put down her chopsticks and walked towards Zhang Wu, “Zhang Wu, are you very familiar with Xu Ying?”

Zhang Wu turned around upon hearing the voice, his brows furrowed tight, and his expression cooled instantly at the sight of her, “What do you want?”

Qu Huimin instantly exploded with anger at Zhang Wu’s attitude, fuming, “Zhang Wu, I am your fiancee. How can you laugh and chat with another woman right in front of me? How is that fair to me?”

Her outburst attracted a crowd of onlookers from the school.

Especially some of the female students who upon hearing that Zhang Wu had a fiancee, looked visibly disappointed.

Zhang Wu was not bad looking, quite attractive in fact, and with a friendly disposition, he was like central heating – warm and comforting.

Besides, his dress and demeanor suggested a noteworthy family background, which had not gone unnoticed by the girls harboring little crushes.

With brows deeply furrowed and eyes flashing with displeasure, Zhang Wu looked at her with disdain, “The arranged marriage was called off long ago.

We’re in a new society now, arranged marriages are no longer the fashion. Don’t use that to make a point.”

He lowered his voice, “You know full well what your family did as guests back then. I don’t want to speak of those things out loud. I’m giving your family face, so watch your mouth.”

Qu Huimin’s face was filled with shock as she stammered, “You know about it? Do my uncle and aunt know?”

Zhang Wu sneered. These filthy matters he had overheard from his parents’ conversations.

He could hardly believe that Zhang Zhiguo, his father, could be such a disgusting person. The Zhou Family had been wealthy and influential in the past, prominent merchants in their own right.

When the enemy attacked, the Zhou Family made significant contributions. They donated materials and weapons, saving many soldiers.

The Zhou family, with three sons and one daughter, was known for their generosity. The daughter had been doted on from birth, but unfortunately had blind faith, allying with Zhang Yuhua as close sisters, amongst them also being Qu Huimin’s mother, Sun Yan.

Originally, Zhang Yuhua and Zhang Yanlin were a couple in love, a relationship private and undisclosed. Then, somehow, the Zhou family’s youngest daughter, Yue Lian, ended up with Zhang Yanlin.

A poor scholar and a lady of wealth, one without even a bicycle, the other rode in private cars with a personal chauffeur.

Two people with no intersection, yet they ended up together.

Unknown to many, this was nothing but a clever tactic, and Zhang Yanlin benefited from the Zhou family’s patronage, attending high school and university.