Transmigrated as a vicious stepmother, I raised a child who became a heartthrob.

Around 8 p.m., the restaurant was still brightly lit. The parking lot was almost full.

Jiang Zhuhua parked the car neatly and led Pei Hui inside.

"Ma'am, do you have an appointment?"

Upon seeing the people arrive, the staff immediately came forward with smiles on their faces.

"His surname is Jiang."

When Jiang Zhuhua is with other people, his facial expressions are less varied and he appears somewhat indifferent.

"Hello Ms. Jiang, this way please."

The staff member smiled and was about to lead the way.

"Hey, Mr. Jiang."

Just as they were about to go inside, a cheerful voice suddenly shouted.

Jiang Zhuhua turned around and saw a young man she didn't recognize waving at her. He even had a smile on his face and looked a little excited.

Standing next to the young man was a familiar face—Zhang Wuling, whom he had met not long ago.

"Director Zhang, we meet again. And this is?"

Jiang Zhuhua was polite and distant, preparing to exchange a few pleasantries and leave. But that person, unfortunately, didn't seem to realize this.

"President Jiang, I am Ji Anrui. I've long admired your name. I heard from Zhang Wuling that you two also discussed cooperation."

Ji Anrui came over with a grin, blinking his eyes incessantly, looking a little excited.

He still admires you a lot, please forgive him.

Zhang Wuling gritted her teeth and tried to speak calmly, pulling the person behind her.

This person is like a dog seeing a bone, rushing towards it. They don't even know him.

"It's alright. Your friend is quite lively."

There was no offense whatsoever; the other party was just a little agitated.

Jiang Zhuhua naturally wouldn't hold a grudge over this.

"Sorry, sorry, I just got a little excited. My dad mentioned you before, and after learning more about you, I really admire you. Your investment acumen is absolutely amazing. You're only a few years older than me, and you've already reached this position."

Ji Anrui kept talking, his eyes practically overflowing with adoration. He had eyes full of stars.

Jiang Zhuhua found it somewhat amusing. Zhang Wuling wasn't very talkative, while Ji Anrui was quite talkative. He wondered how these two had become such good friends.

"You will achieve great things in the future. Don't envy me."

Moreover, this wasn't the empire I conquered. Jiang Zhuhua silently added in his heart, gaining a different understanding of the original owner.

Aside from damaging relationships and having an arrogant and unrestrained style of doing things, the original owner was outstanding, needless to say.

"Mmm, I'll borrow your words."

Ji Anrui nodded repeatedly. He somehow ended up next to Jiang Zhuhua and the others again. Zhang Wuling took two steps forward, grabbing him by the back of his collar, practically wanting to bite him to death.

"Ji Anrui, mind your image."

It was unbearable to look at. Suddenly, she felt a little embarrassed in the bustling lobby. What was wrong with her? Zhang Wuling wanted to cover her face and leave. At the same time, she was also a little afraid of running into someone she knew.

"You don't think I'm embarrassing you, do you? Zhang Wuling, you can't be like this. I'm just a little excited to meet my idol."

Ji Anrui's already round eyes widened even more suddenly, with a hint of disbelief in them.

"No."

Although Zhang Wuling said those words, his usually aloof face had already crumbled, and he couldn't help but cover his face with his hands, as if that would prevent others from recognizing him, even though it was a self-deceptive act.

"Go on."

Ji Anrui was satisfied upon hearing this.

"Let's be friends! We can hang out sometime sometime. Okay?"

As he spoke, Ji Anrui pulled up a QR code. His eyes sparkled.

Looking into those round, bright eyes, Jiang Zhuhua practically imagined an excited puppy. It was so lifelike. And he'd even dyed his hair chestnut curls. It looked even more like a puppy.

Suppressing the urge to ruffle the other person's hair, Jiang Zhuhua slightly averted his gaze.

"it is good."

It's just adding someone as a friend; they might just end up gathering dust in the contact list. Jiang Zhuhua was about to take out his phone when someone tugged at his sleeve.

"Mom, I'm so hungry."

Pei Hui spoke softly, tilting his head back, looking equally pitiful.

"Feel my belly, it's all deflated."

As Pei Hui spoke, he gently shook her hand, his voice filled with a pitiful ache, as if it could be squeezed to release tears.

This was the first time he had shown such a vulnerable expression, the first time he had proactively said he was hungry. Jiang Zhuhua naturally couldn't ignore it.

"Okay, let's go eat right away."

Jiang Zhuhua rubbed his head.

"This is the child. He's a bit thin, but he's quite good-looking."

The news had already spread throughout their circle; everyone knew she left with her ex-husband's child. Ji Anrui didn't feel much about it, only that Jiang Zhuhua had a hard time raising the child alone.

Pei Hong doesn't even want his own son; he's really inhuman.

"Hello, uncle."

Pei Hui spoke in a clear, crisp voice, but it sounded as if something else had shattered. Oh, it was Ji Anrui's heart.

"Little friend, would you like to take another look? Do I look old?"

Ji Anrui could hardly believe it; had he already fallen to the age where he was being called "uncle"? He had just graduated from university.

Uncle? Who is the uncle?

"But I'm only six years old."

That innocent little face was full of naivety and cuteness.

Ji Anrui couldn't bear to be harsh on a child, although he was still a little bothered by the age issue.

"Never mind, you're only six years old."

Ji Anrui sighed. He prepared to continue asking for contact information.

"Mom, let's go eat quickly, or I'll starve to death."

As soon as the QR code was displayed, Pei Hui started acting coquettishly and even tentatively pulled Jiang Zhuhua away.

"Uncle, we're in a hurry today. If you're destined to meet my mother, we'll definitely run into each other again in the future."

After Pei Hui finished speaking, he cautiously looked up at him.

"Don't be angry, I'm really hungry today. Afternoon tea at kindergarten is around 2 p.m., and I haven't eaten anything for almost six hours."

The conversation was full of casual banter. Zhang Wuling heard it all clearly; after all, the entertainment industry was no stranger to such people. Ji Anrui, however, didn't catch anything and continued to grin foolishly.

"It's just exchanging contact information, it won't take long. How about I treat you to a meal, kid?"

Because she couldn't understand him, Ji Anrui's incoherent ramblings only made him seem like the one arguing. Zhang Wuling almost wanted to pry open his head to see what he was thinking, but then she thought about it again—he'd always been like this.

You have to accept the friends you chose yourself, even if it means gritting your teeth.

"You guys go eat first. Let's get together another day. I have some other things to do today."

Zhang Wuling couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she pulled the man into her arms with one hand, covered his mouth, and smiled politely at Jiang Zhuhua.