Chapter 8 8

The universe stands up. Guo Meizhen said, "Take the jewelry back." The universe said in disgust, "I don't want it." "Your attitude is generally called rebellion. In fact, it is dissatisfaction with reality. The universe, you have everything, what else do you want?" Universe left Guo's office. She was naive, ignorant, and was taken advantage of, making a big fool of herself. The secretary chased after her, "Miss Zhang, Mr. Guan wants to see you." The universe never looked back. Suddenly someone called her: "Gesimu." The tone was a bit like her father's, and the universe couldn't help but stop.

"Have a cup of tea now." Universe walked into Guan Hongzi's office. Will he teach her ignorance, no, he has something more important to say. "Universe," he coughed lightly, "I've asked your stepmother for advice, and she fully agrees to give me your hand." Cosmos looked at him, "She's half unconscious." Guan Hongzi was not angry, he looked at the universe with piercing eyes, "Then, what do you mean?" "Not today, not recently." "I see." "We'll talk about it after stepmother leaves this world."

"She wants to see your wedding." "She can't tell the difference between a wedding and a funeral." "Then we're engaged first." The universe finds him aggressive. "This is a prenuptial contract, you should read it first." He was a moneylender, and indeed he should be so careful. Universe picked up the file, "I'm leaving." "universe." "What else is there?" "The engagement ring originally belonged to my mother. She wore it all her life and never took it off." He took out the ring from his inner pocket and solemnly handed it to the universe.

It was a small sapphire ring, lined with rose diamonds on both sides, very elegant, the voice of the universe couldn't help but lighten up: "It's too expensive, I'd rather have a ready-made one." Today, no matter what Guan Hongzi said, she would always dismiss it in order to save some self-esteem. It's funny how she still has self-respect. "Tomorrow night, we have a banquet, please attend." The universe has no choice but to nod. She can finally go home and rest. Universe unwrapped the brown envelope and saw that the contract had more than 30 sheets of paper, with various clauses, and even a slight effort to close the door after marriage would lead to lawsuits.

She just felt obscene and threw the whole document into the bottom of the drawer. Early the next morning, Lawyer Guo came to her. "congratulations." "You're welcome." "Have you read the contract?" She took out a copy from her briefcase, "Come on, I'll read it with you one by one. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can change it immediately." "This contract, I will not read it, and I will not sign it." Guo Meizhen was startled. "It's a deal." Lawyer Guo replied: "It must be beneficial to communicate and understand everything in advance."

"As a lawyer, don't you think it's insignificant to use your knowledge in such matters?" Lawyer Guo replied gently: "This kind of matter has become an important family affairs department in the United States and Canada, because there is a law in the United States and Canada: no matter if you are married or have lived together for more than three years, the property of both parties will be divided equally when breaking up. Guan Hongzi is an American citizen. He does not want to You are at a disadvantage, you will know when you read the fine print." The universe is silent.

"Universe, you are still young, you have not yet grasped the benefits of speaking first." The driver knocked on the door, brought in two large boxes and put them down. "The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary tonight, and everyone is in attendance." Lawyer Guo opened the box, and inside was a dark blue gauze dress. Because of its lightness, the color did not look heavy. "I picked this for you, what do you think?" "Sister Guo has the best vision and wisdom." Guo Meizhen smiled, she went into the kitchen to make coffee, and cut out a cake.

"Universe, come and try this lavender cheesecake, it's so tempting." "Sister Guo, tell me, how does it feel to be a single woman?" Guo Meizhen was startled, and took a sip of coffee slowly. "Dream back at midnight, will you feel miserable, old and retired, lost your career, will you be at a loss? I want to know, I am also planning to be celibate." Guo Meizhen coughed, "I am thirty-eight years old, and I haven't given up looking for a partner yet." "Sorry, I thought you had decided to be celibate." "Nowadays, women's childbearing age is extended, and they can become mothers as late as their forties."

"Don't you think it's ridiculous?" "Universe, it is definitely a good thing to have one more choice. Why are you so pedantic? No, you are cruel. Young people always think that human beings should prepare to face death when they are nearly forty." "If a person had to die alone, would it be like those lonely old people in the newspapers whose bodies smelled bad, and the neighbors would call the police?" Guo Meizhen smirked, "You think too much." "If my stepmother doesn't have me as a company, what do you think will happen to her?"

"If you are so scared, you should get married and have children, and form a big family. The children will surround you and entangle you, and you will not even have time to go to the bathroom." Universe suddenly said what was on his mind: "I long for love. I hope that after ten years of marriage and three children, my heart will still beat when I see him, and I want to secretly kiss his forehead." Guo Meizhen was surprised and lost her mind for a moment. "I don't want to meet each other at the breakfast table after we get married. I just opened up the daily newspaper to read the headlines, only to frown and say: 'When is the war between Israel and Palestine?'"

Lawyer Guo lowered his head and sighed. "Is this a luxury?" Guo Meizhen raised her head, "Pursuing unrealistic things will always lead to losses." "This reminds me of someone, has Reiko been discharged from the hospital?" "She is fine, and the elder brother and the doctor are taking good care of her." Guo Meizhen opened another box, and what Universe saw was still the colorful gemstone necklace, and it returned to its hometown again. The universe couldn't help laughing. Lawyer Guo opened the first page of the marriage contract and gently read out: "I, Zhang Yuyu, originally married Guan Hongzi as his wife, legally notarized and registered in this city, and the document registration number——" Universe didn't hear a word. Like the kind of unintentional students who go out of their minds in class and just enjoy the noise: there is a teenager practicing the violin next door, obviously playing the four seasons of peacekeeping, and suddenly the sound of the piano changes to the famous pop song "Are you tonight?" lonely". The universe smiles. Outside the window, the shadows of trees danced, she thought bitterly, her only relative was seriously ill, and would pass away soon, and would leave her. From now on, she would be alone, and having a marriage contract might be a good thing. "...After one to three years of marriage, if Guan Hongzi proposes to break up due to an accident, I can obtain the following properties..." Universe returned his gaze to the study. She asked the lawyer: "I have married someone of Guan Hongzi's status, will there be any chances in my relationship in the future?" "I can't answer that question," the lawyer said. The spirit of the universe is slack. "If there are children between two persons, whether male or female, each shall be entitled to ... Guardianship shall belong to both persons." Universe nodded, "Whether male or female, these four words are very good." The lawyer looked at her, "Are you going to sign?" "not today." "Universe, the other party is not someone who will have to wait indefinitely. Don't underestimate him. It is said that the rule of walking in the rivers and lakes is not to look at anyone." "I see." "The files are here." "understood." Then hair and make-up artists came up to dress up Universe, and Lawyer Guo left. She seemed to have finished tutoring for an urchin, and she was indescribably tired. Universe's hair is very short, she doesn't do anything, the make-up artist tried her best to put on a very heavy makeup for her. Guan Hongzi came to pick her up in person. Seeing the well-dressed universe, he was very happy to call her: "Gesimu." She is the little fairy in his garden, always a little thin, with a small waist that looks like she can only hold it, and the elf's melancholy big eyes with unknown thoughts. He holds out his hand. Universe wrapped his arms around his, and the two went to the meeting together. The banquet hall was full of employees and guests, and she couldn't see Quantum and Reiko. The universe is looking for a face. She hopes to dance with Chen Yingsheng. But I searched all over the banquet hall, but I couldn't find that tall and handsome figure. At the same time, the universe could not see Su Qunying either. Universe finally couldn't help it, and asked the receptionist at the banquet hall, "Chen Yingsheng hasn't come yet?" The receptionist checked the handheld computer: "Miss Zhang, Mr. Chen left for New York yesterday." Cosmic accident: "Is he on business?" "Mr. Chen and Ms. Su are traveling together. They went to New York to get married, and then both were stationed in Boston to work. They will not come back for the time being." The universe stood silent. Even a small receptionist knows their whereabouts, so it is not a secret at all, and the universe seems to have been slapped. Everyone knew, but no one told her. This has nothing to do with Zhang Universe. She took a deep breath and walked back to the venue. People in their twenties.You can't be like a child who lost his temper and tore off his clothes and left crying. She saw Lawyer Guo. She approached, "Sister Guo, I have something to say." She took a glass of whiskey with ice and drank it down. Guo Meizhen said, "Guan Hongzi is looking for you over there. He wants to introduce you to relatives and friends. How about this? After the banquet, I will accompany you to talk about dawn." "No, Sister Guo, now." She begged. Guo Meizhen quickly pulled her aside, "What's the matter?" "Chen Yingsheng and Su Qunying got married in New York?" Lawyer Guo was stunned, "They planned their wedding early in the morning, and while Chen Yingsheng was transferred out, they registered in the United States in a low-key manner, which is really a good thing." "He didn't mention it to me." "There are so many colleagues, they only left a small notice on the telegram." "I just met him not long ago." Guo Meizhen looked at the universe. She saw something. "Ying Sheng has had a relationship with Qunying for ten years. They were originally teachers and students, and later became masters and apprentices. Her boss has always taken care of him as a trainee. The relationship between the two is unbreakable. Some people once thought that they could be a third party, but it was all in vain. Be a villain." "Who transferred Chen Yingsheng away?" "Of course the boss." "You mean Guan Hongzi." At this time, the secretary came to invite someone, Guo Meizhen waved her hand without waiting for her to speak, she had to smile and back away. Lawyer Guo said to Universe: "You don't know Chen Yingsheng, and you don't know Su Qunying either. I think you misunderstood." "He deliberately transferred Chen Yingsheng away." "Every transfer in the company has been carefully considered. You have only met Chen a few times. He is indeed very pleasing and easily arouses the imagination of girls, but from the beginning to the end, he and Qunying are a good pair." At this moment, Guan Hongzi approached them in person. "You two are turning blue when you are arguing about something fiercely, don't hurt your peace over trivial matters." He took the hand of the universe, "Come on, I will take you to a place." With so many people, it was inconvenient for the universe to struggle, but she gently got rid of his hand. He took her to a conference room, and when the crystal lamp was turned on, he saw a ping-pong table in the center of the hall, with rackets and white balls on the table. Guan Hongzi smiled: "I'll play a game with you." Universe turned around, "I don't know ping-pong, I have a severe headache and feel very unwell, I have to go home." At this time, other colleagues saw the ball table, and they laughed and said, "Come on, two out of three sets, let's do some exercise before dinner." Guan Hongzi wanted to catch up, but was separated by his colleagues. The universe finally went home alone. The stepmother woke up when she heard the sound of the door, and asked softly, "Is that you?" The universe used to hold her hand, "It's the universe." The stepmother nodded, "School is over. I have some homework for today. I have to test whether I have arithmetic. In physics, I should be familiar with the problem of refraction or reflection of mirrors." "Know." The nurse came out, "Miss Zhang, you came just in time." The universe looked at her. "It's time to go back to the hospital." The universe is clear. "I'm calling an ambulance." "Please don't sound your horn." The stepmother said softly: "Universe, what did you have for lunch today? Tell me, the teacher will make it difficult for you, when will you send out the report card?" Universe held his stepmother in his arms. The nurse knew exactly what to do, she said, "Mr. Guan has given all instructions." The private ward was quiet and comfortable. When the doctor saw the patient, he said in amazement, "It's really not easy to delay until today." Before long, the patient fell into a deep sleep. The doctor said, "She won't wake up again, you can go home first." Universe was reluctant to leave, she paced back and forth in the waiting room, still wearing a gauze dress and jewels, but a sweatshirt over her body. A young doctor walks by and offers her a cup of coffee. "Who is it?" "Mother." "Ah." He had nothing to say and walked away. In the middle of the night, the caretaker comes out and the universe jumps up. "Mr. Guan is looking for you, you might as well go home." She shook her head, "I'll wait here." "Not necessarily tonight." "Let's talk about it after tonight." Cosmos fell asleep on a bench and dreamed of chasing a game on the deck of a ship. She was chasing a boy her age, and suddenly ran to the hallway, looked down, and saw her father and stepmother sitting by the open-air swimming pool. Father raised his head and had a face-to-face with the universe. His hair was blown by the wind and was a little messy. He was wearing a windbreaker, holding an orange in his hand, and was about to peel and eat it. His stepmother was sitting beside him, younger than usual. Universe stopped and was about to call them when someone pushed her awake. The universe opens its eyes and is caretaker. She said softly, "It's over." The universe sat up and remained silent. At this moment, Guan Hongzi arrived in a hurry. With his short stature, he is a bit funny when he rushes. He saw the universe sitting in a corner, his whole face seemed to be soaked in tears. He sat beside her, "Go back, I'm here." The universe still refuses to move. "I will take good care of you." Guo Meizhen also arrived, and she was standing aside in a suspender skirt talking to the doctor. The doctor was surprised and sighed, "You came from the banquet?" Yes, a funny and sad life, with weddings and funerals at the same time, the seventh floor is the delivery room, and the basement is the mortuary. "I'll accompany you back, universe, you've done your best, you've done your duty." Guan Hongzi pulled up the universe. Universe took a deep breath, stood upright, and walked towards the hospital door step by step. Dawn appeared on the horizon. The butler got out of the car, took out a large shawl, and put it on the shoulders of the universe. Universe approached Lawyer Guo and gave her the shawl as a gift. She stepped into the closed car and drove to the house. Some workers are already packing up the belongings of the stepmother. "Miss Zhang, do you have any orders?" Universe shook his head. "Then, send it all to charity." The universe nods. The butler said, "Miss Zhang, go back to Dangui Road and rest." The universe returned to his residence, could no longer walk, took off his evening shoes, and found his feet were red and swollen. The servant quickly found bath salt ointment. She leaned on the sofa in a daze. It was a sunny day, and the room was full of sunlight. Guo Meizhen came to her after changing her clothes and makeup. "Guan Hongzi said, if you don't mind, he wants to appear as a son-in-law in the obituary, that would be more decent." The universe thought, "My stepmother would be happy." "I'll do it." "Sister Guo, you are so kind to me." "It's Guo Hongzi who really treats you well. I'm just an employee doing errands." The universe does not turn its face. She fell asleep sitting on the sofa. When I woke up, the swollen feet disappeared, and it was my face's turn to be swollen, with wheals all over my body. She covered her head and face with a silk scarf to prevent allergies. Guan Hongzi asked the doctor, "Are you okay?" "Don't be afraid, it will subside in three or two days. I suggest you go on a trip. You can also see that she is under strong mental pressure." Guan Hongzi hesitated, "In terms of work..." "Work long and work long." "Doctor, you are right." After a few days, the lump on Universe's face subsided, but there was a faint red mark on his cheek, like the rouge left by someone's vigorous kiss. She said goodbye to her stepmother. The ceremony was very thoughtful, and the memorial service was held in the church without paying respects to the remains, and the elegant stele was made of pale yellow marble. The universe knew stepmom would like it. She gently thanked Lawyer Guo. Guo Meizhen pointed to Guan Hongzi, and Universe walked up to him, bowing and thanking him. Guan Hongzi turned his head, "Universe, let's go out and relax." "Is Miss Guo accompanying you too?" "She has other things to do." Cosmic went to hundreds of flower baskets and sat down. He had begged relatives and friends to donate to the cancer fund, but people he didn't know were still courteous. He guessed they were all friends of Guan Hongzi. Zhuang Jiaxin came and sat beside Universe. "You finally let go of one thing." Universe nodded. "You are finally married," Jiaxin said, "but you have never been grateful to me as an introducer." The universe is silent, no matter at what moment, Jiaxin only thinks about herself, so happy. "Guan Lizi is here." Universe hurried to greet her. Over there, Guan Hongzi discussed business with Guo Meizhen, and she said softly, "Congratulations to you two." Guan Hongzi's tone was a bit regretful, "I've been sitting next to her for the past few days. Sometimes she is calm, sometimes she cries. My shoulders are always waiting for her, but she didn't come close. How disappointed I am." "Don't be afraid, you are about to go on a boat and have a lot of time to spend together." "I only booked a suite." "It's enough for two people to rest." At this time, Zhuang Jiaxin approached, "Hongzi, what can I thank you for?" Guan Hongzi thought about it, "I will definitely come to congratulate you when you get married again." Jia Xin was very happy, "You said it yourself." He sits beside her. Guan Hongzi said: "There is a pavilion in your garden, and there is a ping-pong table in the pavilion. Remember, I recently learned to play ping-pong, and it was a test of my kung fu." Jia Xin is very frank: "I rarely go to the mansion, I don't remember." Guan Hongzi smiled, patted her on the shoulder, and said, "It's best to forget." "I heard that Reiko will remarry soon?" "The target is an accountant in the company. He is young and promising. After marriage, he will go out and start his own business. The universe will do his best to support it." "Get your blessing?" "One hundred percent." "Hongzi, you are always so authoritarian: Those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. If I were not afraid of your temper, I would have pursued you early in the morning, and it would have been Zhang Zhouyu's turn." Guan Hongzi saw the universe talking to Lizi over there. Li Zi looked calm, "It turns out that elder brother is right in everything." Cosmos was a little surprised, and Xiao Li's tone was even a little cheerful, which shows that her heart is dead, and now she is willing to accommodate as long as she can live. "Reiko." She took her hand. "Universe, you are very tolerant of me, and we will get along well." "Reiko, life will be better." "You too, please forgive me, I'll go first." Reiko leaves with the nanny. Under the careful arrangement of her eldest brother, she regained her status as Miss Qianjin. Guan Hongzi wins all round. It was hard to say whether he was right or wrong, if he had been more lenient, that person would have tried his best to please Lizi, and she would still be happy even today despite her ignorance. Also because of Hongzi's iron fist, the Guan family's money loss was minimized. Universe returned to the company from the church, but unexpectedly ran into someone. That person is Guan Quan. There is a middle-aged woman with heavy makeup next to him. Push him, "Speak." The universe watched them both. Guan Quan said to his female companion, "You go back first, and I will talk to my sister-in-law." The female companion was very worried, but had no choice but to leave. "Hi Universe, I heard about your stepmother. I am very lucky to meet you today." Universe doesn't want to rob him, it's meaningless to do that. Quantum looked a little haggard and helpless. The universe advises: "For some unreasonable requests, you may consider rejecting them." Quantum suddenly whimpered, "What is reasonable and what is unreasonable? That's my woman. I ask for a little bit, but it's just two daughters' college expenses, and I can't even help her pay for it." "That's not your daughter." Guan Quan exploded: "That's his biological mother, that's not even your biological mother, but the scene is like a state funeral, he can do anything by himself, and his siblings are like beggars, relying on him." The universe is silent. After a while, Quantum said sorry. Universe picked up the phone and spoke a few words with the accounting department. She said softly, "You know I have neither power nor money." Quantum blurted out, "Much better than us."