Xie Qian had never had a particularly good impression of Qin Yi. Hearing that Qin Yi had misappropriated company funds to trade stocks, Xie Qian was somewhat surprised, yet not entirely so.
Last year’s stock market had been extraordinarily bullish!
It was normal for Qin Yi to succumb to temptation. His greatest mistake was not losing money in stocks, but using company funds to do so. However, Xie Qian had little direct interaction with Qin Yi anyway. With Qin Yi exiting ‘Prawn King’, Xie Qian would have even less need to deal with him.
Thinking this way, Xie Qian simply skipped over topics related to Qin Yi.
Wen Ying held Qin Jiao in high regard, and Xie Qian agreed. “She does seem more like someone capable of great achievements.”
Those affected by the New Year stock market turmoil were far more than just Qin Yi.
In any case, the people close to Wen Ying and Xie Qian had mostly withdrawn from the market unscathed. As for whether others were trapped, the two would not meddle.
Nanny Xiao Tian, who cared for Old Lady Xie, had once lent Zou Weijun a 50,000 yuan passbook when she first started learning to trade stocks.
When Xie Qian returned to the capital to visit his grandmother, Zou Weijun entrusted her son to return the passbook to Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian returned the IOU to Xie Qian without even checking the amount in the passbook.
“I said no need for an IOU, but Sister Zou insisted on writing one.”
“It’s proper procedure.”
Xie Qian carefully pocketed the IOU. Xiao Tian felt warmth in her heart.
When Xiao Tian finally opened the passbook, she exclaimed in shock. “This isn’t the money I lent Sister Zou!”
Xiao Tian panicked and tried to return it. Old Lady Xie smiled and stopped her. “Return what? Let this old lady see how much Weijun made to make you fuss like this!”
Old Lady Xie was delighted to see her precious eldest grandson whole and healthy. She smiled all day, especially when Xie Qian took a few steps in front of her, making her beam uncontrollably.
Taking the passbook from Xiao Tian, the old lady was genuinely surprised. “So much?”
Xiao Tian had lent Zou Weijun 50,000. Now the passbook showed over 280,000.
Old Lady Xie had long guessed that if Zou Weijun profited from stocks, she would return principal plus interest to Xiao Tian. But she had not expected such substantial gains!
“Last year’s market was exceptionally strong, and my mum’s luck was good too. That’s how she managed to earn this much by chance.”
Xie Qian said this not out of false modesty. Having just heard about Qin Yi’s misappropriation leading to losses, he worried Xiao Tian might be tempted to dive recklessly into stocks.
If Qin Yi incurred losses, the Qin family could cover them. If Xiao Tian lost money, no one would bail her out.
A shrewd person like Xie Qian planned three steps ahead. An honest soul like Xiao Tian lived one step at a time. How could she dare trade stocks herself? The passbook felt burning in her hands!
High-interest loans did not yield returns like this.
Old Lady Xie decided Xiao Tian should keep it. “Since Weijun gave you this amount, she truly earned plenty. Accept it. This is your reward for kindness!”
Zou Weijun’s trading capital had included Old Lady Xie’s savings. Xie Qian mentioned his mother had invested the bulk elsewhere. Far from angry, the old lady was pleased. “I never asked her to repay me. She can use it however she wishes.”
Indeed, Old Lady Xie had never intended for Zou Weijun to return the money.
Repaying would treat her as an outsider. Not repaying made them family.
The 280,000 shocked Xiao Tian profoundly. She was dazed all day, even oversalting the lunch dishes.
Xiao Tian was embarrassed. “I’ve never seen so much money…”
Xie Qian recalled how Wen Ying always urged others to buy property and immediately borrowed her reasoning to advise Xiao Tian. “If you think it’s too much, buy a flat.”
Xiao Tian was even more bewildered.
Buy what flat?!
“In the capital. It doesn’t need to be big or new. Prioritise a good location. You… never mind. I’ll have someone keep an eye out and tell you about suitable options.”
As a perfectionist, Xie Qian did not think Xiao Tian could select a good property herself. Since the suggestion was his, he would handle this small favour effortlessly.
Old Lady Xie watched her precious grandson and thought how much he had changed.
Xie Qian had always been filial, but that filial piety was directed solely at her. It never extended to her nanny.
Many people and things could not enter Xie Qian’s heart before.
Now, he was willing to spend effort helping Xiao Tian choose a home. This showed he was becoming more warm-hearted.
Old Lady Xie smiled encouragingly at Xiao Tian. “With Xie Qian willing to help, you needn’t worry. Once he finds a good place, we’ll view it together. If your money isn’t enough, I’ll lend you some more.”
Xiao Tian was both terrified and thrilled.
As an outsider in the capital, Xiao Tian dreamed of owning a home there.
Without extraordinary luck, it remained a dream.
Now, the dream was becoming reality. How could she not be excited?
Old Lady Xie said Xiao Tian’s kindness was rewarded. Yet Xiao Tian felt she had done nothing special. She had merely lent 50,000 to Zou Weijun. Ah, such a good person as Sister Zou, yet Mr Xie did not cherish her. Now divorced, did Mr Xie regret it?
Hmph, regret was deserved.
But regret was useless. Sister Zou would never forgive Mr Xie!
What even Nanny Xiao Tian understood, Xie Jinghu did not.
When Xie Qian returned to the capital, Xie Jinghu eagerly approached, disappointed not to see Zou Weijun. “Your mum didn’t come back with you?”
“I am surnamed Xie. My mum is not. Naturally, she returns to the Zou family.”
Xie Qian showed no mercy. Xie Jinghu frowned. “What kind of talk is that? Even if your mum and I are divorced and she no longer associates with me, surely she still associates with your grandma and uncle?”
What kind of talk? The truth, of course!
Xie Qian could not be bothered arguing with his scumbag father. Xie Yuping missed his nephew dearly. After work, he hurried to the old lady’s residence, just in time to hear Xie Jinghu using him as an excuse.
“Whether Weijun associates with us or not, why do you care? Have you been too idle lately? Is it that Jinhu lacks profitable business to keep you busy, or has your lawsuit concluded?”
Xie Yuping eyed Xie Jinghu suspiciously. Xie Jinghu’s mood darkened.
The lawsuit was dragged into after the New Year.
That was not the worst. The worst was gaining another cuckold’s hat!
The capital’s cold wind seemed to pierce walls. Two vivid green hats offered no warmth. Xie Jinghu’s temples throbbed.
No one sympathised with Xie Jinghu.
Since Xie Jinghu thick-skinnedly stayed for dinner, Xiao Tian placed the oversalted lunch leftovers before him.
Xie Jinghu took a bite and nearly spat it out. “So salty!”
Xie Yuping glared. “Do you expect a state banquet here? So picky. Eat if you can, leave if you can’t!”
Xie Jinghu turned to glare at Xiao Tian. She looked innocent.
Old Lady Xie reached for her nearby cane. “Don’t frighten Xiao Tian. If you scare her off, will you come daily to care for this old woman?”
Xie Jinghu swallowed his grievance and ate the leftovers.
The room brimmed with cheer. Only Xie Jinghu suffered alone.
After dinner, as Xie Qian prepared to leave, Xie Jinghu chased after him.
“You still can’t walk?”
Xie Qian remained in his wheelchair.
Xie Jinghu suspected Xie Qian’s rehabilitation doctor was inadequate and wanted to recommend a better one, but knew his son would not trust him.
Indeed, though Xie Qian paused the wheelchair and turned, his gaze held no ripple. His response was formal. “I am working hard on rehabilitation.”
“Oh, then rehabilitate well.”
After that, Xie Jinghu could think of nothing more. Father and son fell into silent awkwardness.
Assistant Qi often roasted Xie Jinghu, but even he felt pity now. If not for Mr Xie’s own actions, a fine person like Young Master Xie would surely have been very filial.
“I’m leaving. No need to see me off.”
Xie Qian left these words. With the driver’s help, he boarded the car steadily.
Xie Jinghu stood frozen in place.
Besides Xie Jinghu watching Xie Qian, another gaze lingered from the street corner.
Only when Xie Qian’s car vanished did the hidden observer reluctantly raise the window.
“Why not get out and greet him?”
Tai Wu sat in the driver’s seat. Zhang Nan occupied the passenger side.
Zhang Nan shook her head gently. “I just wanted to see him. I don’t want to disturb him.”
Seeing Xie Qian in a wheelchair firsthand still pained her heart.
How could such a good person as Xie Qian be confined to a wheelchair?
Tai Wu wanted to say more, but Zhang Nan turned away. “Drive. Take me home.”
Returning home, Zhang Nan found the whole family gathered, including her most disliked uncle, Zhang Zhijun.
Zhang Nan avoided speaking to Zhang Zhijun. She pulled Tai Wu upstairs.
The two hid in Zhang Nan’s room. Tai Wu eavesdropped at the door crack.
“They’re discussing your aunt’s inheritance. Your dad says your aunt’s estate should go to your cousin.”
“Does that even need discussion?”
Zhang Nan yanked the door open. “That belongs to my brother anyway!”
Zhang Zhijun had given his son Zhang Hua 3% of ‘Jinhu’ shares. Xie Qian and Wen Ying felt Zhang Zhijun should not remain idle.
Xie Jinghu was now like a volcano. A little provocation could erupt endlessly. Xie Qian subtly guided Xie Jinghu to harass Zhang Zhijun.
Xie Jinghu fussed over Zhang Hua daily, replicating what Zhang Zhijun once did to Xie Qian. He often publicly championed Zhang Hua, worrying a stepmother might disadvantage him.
Repeated often enough, the Zhang family caught on.
Though they knew Xie Jinghu’s concern for Zhang Hua was ulterior, his worries held truth.
Lu Meishu’s inheritance should indeed go to Zhang Hua soon.
Today, the Zhangs gathered precisely to discuss this.
As Zhang Nan descended, it was Zhang Zhijun’s turn to speak.
“Not just Meishu’s portion. Even my businesses should go to Xiao Hua. I plan to manage them for him until he finishes university. He can’t keep suspending studies…”
That made sense too.
The Zhang family valued education highly.
Old Master Zhang asked Zhang Hua’s thoughts. Zhang Hua, seemingly bought by the ‘Jinhu’ shares from his father, said he would follow his dad’s arrangements.
Zhang Nan grew anxious, about to warn her cousin not to be foolish, when the landline rang.
It was the gate guard.
The guard reported a thinly dressed young girl shivering in the cold wind at the community entrance.
“…She says she’s a child of the Zhang family, here to acknowledge her relatives.”
