Siheyuan: I have a multi-dimensional chat group!

Especially Xiao Guoqing, since he was living in the Zhou family's house, which meant he was asking for their help.

Sun Ganchao was a little better off, but he had long been under Zhou Bingkun's command.

Zhou Bingkun patted Xiao Guoqing on the shoulder: "It's okay, Guoqing. We've been childhood friends for so many years, I definitely trust you! Don't worry, as long as they don't cause trouble later, I won't make things difficult for you."

Xiao Guoqing said gratefully, "Thank you, Kun'er, thank you!"

Zhou Bingkun understood Xiao Guoqing's situation; he had brought up the "Guangzi" card, which allowed him to avoid contact with Qiao Chunyan and the others.

But Xiao Guoqing and his group are different. They see each other all the time, so it's impossible for them to really become enemies because of his affairs.

The adult world is not black and white.

Seeing that Zhou Bingkun really had no intention of blaming or leaving, Xiao Guoqing and Sun Ganchao both breathed a sigh of relief.

It wasn't that they wanted to curry favor with Zhou Bingkun, but rather that they genuinely didn't want any conflict with him.

After all, they have been childhood friends for so many years and cherish this friendship very much.

By this time, Wu Qian and the other two had almost finished preparing the food and placed the wine on the table.

Wu Qian then greeted Zhou Bingkun with a smile, "Bingkun, you're here!"

Zhou Bingkun replied politely, "Wu Qian, I'm so sorry to have bothered you today."

"What are you disturbing? We're the ones who should be thanking you for using your house to entertain you."

She is a very fierce person, and sometimes selfish and ruthless.

But she was still very grateful to Zhou Bingkun for this matter.

If Zhou Bingkun hadn't lent them the house, they would have had to squeeze onto a kang (heated brick bed) with their in-laws and a whole bunch of other people, which would have been truly miserable!

Yu Hong was a rather shy woman; she simply nodded at Zhou Bingkun without saying a word.

Compared to Wu Qian, she had little connection with Zhou Bingkun.

Even when they were working at the bathhouse, Qiao Chunyan often complained about Zhou Bingkun.

If her husband hadn't said Zhou Bingkun was righteous, she would have really thought he was a treacherous person who would turn his back on someone!

As they were talking, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Xiao Guoqing immediately smiled and said, "It must be Qiao Chunyan and Cao Debao. I'll go open the door."

When the door opened, Qiao Chunyan was indeed outside, but Cao Debao was nowhere to be seen.

"Chunyan, why did you come alone?" Xiao Guoqing asked in surprise.

Qiao Chunyan said with a smile, "Debao had something to do at home today, so I came alone."

Stepping into the room, she looked at everyone and greeted them, "Gan Chao, Wu Qian, Yu Hong, and Brother, Juan'er, you're all here! It's quite a gathering!"

Wu Qian quickly pulled Qiao Chunyan over: "Come on, Chunyan, sit down."

Sun Ganchao joked, "Chunyan, Debao isn't here today, so you'd better drink a few more cups for him, or we won't let you leave."

Qiao Chunyan said heartily, "Of course! Let's drink! Who's afraid of who! Don't think you can outdrink me just because you're a man."

"Haha, overtake me? You've been underestimated." Xiao Guoqing laughed.

It's better that Cao Debao didn't come; this actually makes everyone more relaxed.

After all, apart from the three outsider wives, Qiao Chunyan and Zhou Bingkun had known each other since childhood.

After Qiao Chunyan arrived, Zhou Bingkun didn't speak again, nor did he look at Qiao Chunyan or participate in their conversation. He just sat with Zheng Juan.

Zheng Juan knew Zhou Bingkun best. She gently squeezed Zhou Bingkun's hand, telling him not to be angry.

Xiao Guoqing picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for everyone: "We're happy today, everyone should have a drink."

When it came to Zheng Juan's turn, both Zhou Bingkun and Zheng Juan reached out to stop her.

Zhou Bingkun said with a smile, "Zheng Juan can't drink."

"What's wrong? Are you worried about Juan'er? It's the New Year, a drink won't hurt," Wu Qian said with a smile.

Zhou Bingkun shook his head: "She's like you, she can't drink alcohol right now."

Wu Qian's eyes widened instantly, and she asked in surprise, "Juan'er, are you pregnant again?"

Only then did the others understand why Zhou Bingkun hadn't allowed Zheng Juan to drink.

Zheng Juan nodded generously: "Yes, I just found out recently."

"Congratulations, Zheng Juan! Among all of us women, you're the first to have a second child," Wu Qian said with a smile.

Qiao Chunyan exclaimed in amazement, "Yes, congratulations, Juan'er. If it were me, I definitely wouldn't dare to have a second child, because I definitely couldn't afford to raise one! My brother is so capable that he dares to raise two children. If my Debao had half the ability of my brother, I would dare to raise two or three children."

Taking the opportunity to congratulate him, she looked at Zhou Bingkun with a face full of apology: "Brother, why don't you say anything? Are you still blaming me and Debao? Brother, you are a magnanimous person, please don't hold it against us. I have already disciplined Debao, and we have realized our mistakes. How can you forgive us?"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room immediately became serious.

The group fell silent, their eyes fixed on Zhou Bingkun.

Faced with Qiao Chunyan's sincere gaze, Zhou Bingkun felt no emotion whatsoever.

He knew Qiao Chunyan all too well!

At this moment, she seemed to be sincerely apologizing, but Zhou Bingkun scoffed at it.

If you truly realize your mistake and want to apologize, you and Cao Debao can personally visit each other to apologize; that would show more sincerity.

At this time and place, when everyone was having a meal together, Qiao Chunyan suddenly offered an apology.

What do you want to do?

Is this an apology that's a form of moral blackmail?

If he doesn't accept it, won't it make others think he's heartless?

Therefore, Qiao Chunyan's so-called apology lacks any sincerity whatsoever!

Chapter 175, Qin Huairu borrows money from He Yuzhu! (Please subscribe!)

Zhou Bingkun then looked at Qiao Chunyan and said, "Chunyan, you don't need to apologize! Neither you nor Cao Debao did anything wrong, so there's no need for you to apologize to me."

Qiao Chunyan immediately looked aggrieved and said, "Brother, I know we went too far! But you're so kind, please forgive us this time! We know we were wrong, we really know we were wrong!"

Zhou Bingkun said stiffly, "I said you didn't do anything wrong, no need to apologize! Today is a gathering of our childhood friends. It's only a few times a year that we can all be here, so let's not disturb everyone's enjoyment. National Day, let's catch up, come on, let's have a drink."

Zhou Bingkun's attitude made the atmosphere at the dinner table even more awkward.

Xiao Guoqing and Sun Ganchao exchanged a glance, then simultaneously raised their glasses and replied with smiles, "Alright, let's have a drink."

Compared to Qiao Chunyan, the two of them were definitely closer to Zhou Bingkun.

At the same time, they also realized that Qiao Chunyan's apology was completely insincere.

Qiao Chunyan's face immediately turned extremely ugly.

She originally wanted Cao Debao to come along, but he refused to come no matter what, so she had to come alone in the end.

Although she was mentally prepared, her heart still skipped a beat when she saw Zhou Bingkun's attitude.

In reality, her apology wasn't because she truly believed she was wrong, but rather because she was apologizing for what Cao Debao had said at Ma Shouchang's house that day.

As for what happened before, she felt that they hadn't done much wrong.

She overestimated her relationship with Zhou Bingkun, and Zhou Bingkun was too ruthless.

The reason for apologizing was simply to repair the relationship with Zhou Bingkun.

After all, Zhou Bingkun is becoming more and more capable, and they might need his help in the future.

Therefore, she wanted to repair her relationship with Zhou Bingkun in preparation for the future.

With this mindset, how sincere can her apology be?

She thought she had humbled herself, but in reality, she was still putting on airs and showed no sincerity whatsoever.

Although Wu Qian and Yu Hong wanted to ease the tension, they didn't dare to say a word when they saw Zhou Bingkun's attitude.

Although the meal was finished, the atmosphere was really awkward.

Zhou Bingkun and Qiao Chunyan did not exchange any words throughout the entire process.

In the end, Qiao Chunyan couldn't take it anymore and left early.

After dinner, Zhou Bingkun and Zheng Juan stayed for a while longer before saying goodbye and going home.

Looking at the table full of barely eaten food, Xiao Guoqing sighed heavily: "Wu Qian, next time we eat with Kun'er, let's not invite Chunyan. Look how awkward this is!"

Wu Qian said with some dissatisfaction, "How was I supposed to know it would turn out like this? It seems Bingkun is really angry, not giving Chunyan any face at all."

Xiao Guoqing cursed, "How can you blame Kun'er for being angry? Look at what Chunyan and her husband did! Kun'er lent them the house to live in for half a year, but they just refused to leave. They have no shame at all! How can you blame Kun'er?"

"That's true, but Bingkun is too ruthless! After all, we grew up together and have been neighbors for so many years. Chunyan has already apologized."

"You don't know anything!" Upon hearing Wu Qian's words, Xiao Guoqing cursed, "Does Qiao Chunyan look like she's apologizing? Don't even mention Kun'er, even if it were me, I wouldn't forgive her. What kind of person is she! Don't learn from Qiao Chunyan."

"Why would I learn anything from her?" Wu Qian said, still shaken.

She had indeed considered staying there, but fortunately Xiao Guoqing did not agree.

Otherwise, their relationship with Zhou Bingkun would very likely become like that of Qiao Chunyan and Cao Debao now.

On the way home, Zheng Juan asked Zhou Bingkun, "Bingkun, are you still angry with Chunyan?"

“It’s not that I’m angry, it’s just that I’m annoyed by her self-righteousness!” Zhou Bingkun sighed. “She used to be a bit loud and boisterous, but she wasn’t that annoying. But now she’s really changed a lot. I don’t know if she’s been influenced by Cao Debao.”

Zheng Juan gently patted Zhou Bingkun's back and said softly, "After all, Chunyan has known you for so many years, and her mother and our mother have such a good relationship. I don't think it's necessary to make the relationship so strained."

“Some things aren’t as simple as you think! People’s hearts are unpredictable. I know you mean well, but sometimes good intentions don’t necessarily bring good results!” Zhou Bingkun pedaled his bicycle. “Forget it, don’t think about these things. Leave these matters to me.”

Zheng Juan muttered softly, "I'm not a child, I know what you're thinking! But I think some things don't need to be taken too seriously, sometimes suffering a loss is a blessing."

Zhou Bingkun smiled nonchalantly and didn't say anything more.

After Qiao Chunyan returned home, she told Cao Debao what had happened.

The two started arguing after only a few words.

Qiao Chunyan was already angry, and seeing the spineless Cao Debao only fueled her anger. Naturally, she didn't hold back and hurled extremely offensive insults.

Although Cao Debao is usually tolerant, he couldn't stand Qiao Chunyan's insults today and started fighting with her.

When Zhou Bingkun returned home, he found that Zhou Rong had not come back.

This made Zhou Zhigang noticeably depressed during dinner.

Fortunately, Zhou Boyan was there. With Zhou Boyan's antics, Zhou Zhigang's mood quickly improved.

On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Bingkun went to the provincial compound alone to visit Ma Shouchang and Qu Xiuzhen, and had lunch with them before leaving.

He knew that Cao Debao and his group would visit Qu Xiuzhen on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, so he went to visit them on the fourth day to avoid running into them.

Just after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei packed their things and prepared to leave.

Although their corps and village were closest to Jichun, they also had the fewest holidays.

So they had to go back before Zhou Rong's family returned.

The day after Zhou Bingyi and the others left, Zhou Zhigang was also leaving.

He has been eagerly awaiting his daughter's return these past few days.

Unfortunately, this wish was not fulfilled.

Even as he was about to leave, he still hadn't received any news from his daughter.

He could only leave his hometown with regret and return to the mountain city.

“They’re all gone! They’re all gone!” Li Suhua didn’t stop talking during the first meal after Zhou Zhigang left.

He wouldn't eat rice or vegetables, muttering to himself, and seemed very listless.

Fortunately, after being comforted by Zheng Juan and Zhou Boyan, Li Suhua finally regained some of her spirits.

On the eighth day of the lunar new year, Li Suhua received a telegram from Zhou Rong, saying that her family would return in mid-March.

After receiving this news, Li Suhua finally regained her spirits.

In response, Zhou Bingkun couldn't help but grumble a couple of times in the chat group.

Zhou Bingkun: "I never imagined that even after seven years, my parents' longing for my sister would still be as deep as ever!"