Reborn with the ability to read minds, I became a heartthrob.

"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Zhou Liwan asked in a coquettish tone, while Shen Nanzhou across from her raised his eyebrows almost imperceptibly.

"Goodness, I'm asking you, why did I only find out about your affair with the Chen family after it was already settled? Do you even consider me your grandfather?!"

Zhou Liwan really didn't expect that her grandfather would call because of this matter, but it was true that her engagement with the Chen family had long been an open secret.

She sat cross-legged on the chair, her voice soft and soothing: "Grandpa, don't be angry, listen to me..."

"You come back to the old house right now and explain yourself to me in person, or you're not welcome to visit me again!"

The person on the other end sounded like a complete child. Zhou Liwan looked at the disconnected phone and shook her head helplessly.

Looking up, she said with a wry smile, "Let's go. It seems that my plan to invite my uncle to dinner tonight is ruined. Let's go back to the old house for dinner instead."

The man nodded silently, stood up, and draped his suit jacket over his arm.

The two returned to the old house together. As soon as they entered, Jiang Hongshan sat on the armchair with a stern face. When he saw Zhou Liwan return, he snorted coldly.

Zhou Liwan dropped her bag, knelt down on the old man's lap, and said sweetly, "Grandpa, I can explain about the marriage agreement with the Chen family!"

Shen Nanzhou was surprised. He had just gone on a business trip, and this girl was already engaged?

The Chen family was indeed quite prominent a few years ago, but in recent years, as Mr. Chen has gotten older, he has often been unable to participate in the company's affairs.

None of the Chen family's descendants have achieved anything significant, so in recent years their family has become increasingly worse than before.

Why would a smart family marry their daughter into such a family?

Only a fool would be so focused on such petty gains; such a person is short-sighted.

But what does all this have to do with him? Shen Nanzhou’s cold gaze seemed to carry a hint of mockery.

Without lingering, I went straight back to my room.

Zhou Liwan continued on the other end: "Grandpa, don't worry, it's not real anyway."

Jiang Hongshan was confused: "What do you mean, 'not true'? What do you mean?"

Zhou Liwan sat down on another armchair, propped her chin on her hand, and said softly, "I never thought about really marrying into the Chen family. I'm not stupid. Why would I marry into the family and wait to suffer later? It's just that my father urgently needs the Chen family's help to get the company out of its predicament."

Jiang Hongshan snorted coldly, glancing at him indifferently: "You're quite considerate."

Zhou Liwan chuckled, seemingly not understanding Jiang Hongshan's veiled sarcasm, but explained, "I don't want to be the daughter of a bankrupt company's CEO. Besides, he arranged the engagement. What can he do to me if I disagree?"

Hearing this, Jiang Hongshan's expression softened a bit, and he gently tapped Zhou Liwan's head: "Don't go back tonight either. Your Uncle Xu and the others will be coming over for dinner later."

Zhou Liwan thought of Xu Zimu, that troublesome guy, and couldn't help but ask, "What are they having for dinner here tonight?"

Jiang Hongshan was in high spirits at this point, his face full of pride: "Of course it's because of you!"

"Because of me?" Zhou Liwan was completely bewildered and had no idea what was going on.

Jiang Hongshan smiled mysteriously: "You'll find out when the time comes. Come on, go change out of that evening dress first! It's just too formal for dinner at home."

"Oh, okay!" Zhou Liwan smiled brightly, her eyes shining like the brightest star in the night sky.

Under the illumination of this star, Jiang Hongshan's heart gradually melted.

The wardrobe was full of her mother's dresses from when she was young. Her grandfather couldn't bear to throw them away. Zhou Liwan rummaged through them and picked out a classic long dress to change into.

When she came downstairs, the Xu family father and son were already downstairs.

Zhou Liwan looked down at the boy in surprise. He had shaved his bright red hair into a buzz cut and dyed it back to black.

It made him look much more capable and domineering. Shedding his spoiled rich kid persona, he actually looked like a righteous and upright young man.

The boy didn't miss the surprise and approval in Zhou Liwan's eyes, and blushed: "Zhou Liwan, I came here today to thank you."

After Zhou Liwan called out to Xu's father, she raised an eyebrow and asked, puzzled, "I don't understand what you mean."

Xu Zimu wasn't the kind of person who would be coy and forget gratitude, so he said directly, "Last time at the Zhou family, thanks to your few words, I had the courage to try my long-held dream. Guess what?"

The boy's eyes lit up as he spoke. Zhou Liwan already knew what had happened thanks to her cheat system, but she pretended to know nothing: "What happened?"

Xu Zimu excitedly shouted, "I have passed the military's assessment and will soon officially become a Marine Corps soldier!"

Zhou Liwan covered her mouth in surprise, speechless for a moment, before giving her a congratulatory hug: "Congratulations from the bottom of my heart. I knew you could do it, and you certainly didn't disappoint!"

Looking at his younger brother's happy face, Mr. Xu said with satisfaction, "If it weren't for Wanwan's careful guidance, how could Zimu have made so much progress?"

Zhou Liwan disagreed and retorted: "Zimu is very opinionated and has his own ideas, but no one is willing to take his words seriously. They all ignore them and disregard them, which is why he has been rebellious for so many years and has been misunderstood for so many years."

Mr. Xu was stunned. No one had ever said these words to him before. He had always neglected his son's feelings because of his work.

Looking back now, there were many times when he tried to talk to me, but what about me?

Xu's father looked at Xu Zimu with guilt, and subconsciously murmured, "Zimu..."

Xu Zimu stood there dumbfounded. He had never imagined that someone would understand him so well.

A slight stirring in my heart, and my palms began to warm.

He stared intently at Zhou Liwan, completely ignoring his father's guilty look.

Zhou Liwan chuckled and ruffled Xu Zimu's hair, saying with a smile, "Alright, alright, let's hurry up and eat! Consider this an early celebration for you, Xu Zimu!"

The girl's smile, warm and genuine, bloomed quietly, and Xu Zimu couldn't help but smile along, following her without the slightest hesitation.

Xu's father was completely ignored from beginning to end. He could only stand up, rubbing his ears, and pat off non-existent dust from his clothes in solitude.

Then, with a warm smile on his face, he walked towards the restaurant.

They had already started chatting freely, bursting into laughter every now and then.

Once young people establish a friendship, when they get together, it's like a floodgate has been opened, and the topics of conversation just keep flowing.

Jiang Hongshan exchanged a helpless glance with Xu's father, then raised his glass to interrupt their conversation: "Come on, let's have a toast to celebrate Zimu's upcoming becoming a glorious member of the People's Liberation Army!"

"cheers!"

The night sky was clear and dotted with stars.

Every house was brightly lit, echoing the Milky Way in the sky—it was absolutely beautiful.