Zhi Jun was in the car.
He was a righteous and upright middle-aged man. Due to years of engaging in border trade, his temperament carried a touch of bold ruggedness.
Xie Qian still remembered seeing Uncle Zhi Jun as a child. The man’s coat pocket seemed to always be stuffed with sweets whenever he went out, and upon spotting the children in the compound, Uncle Zhi Jun could pull out a handful of colourful candies at any moment.
The little children adored Uncle Zhi Jun!
Of course, the adults did not mind him either. Zhi Jun always managed to source scarce goods and sell them to everyone at prices below market rate.
No matter what one wanted to buy, a word to Zhi Jun would suffice. He would keep it in mind and exhaust every means to help procure it.
As soon as Xie Qian said Happy New Year, Zhi Jun beamed with delight. He pushed open the car door, got out, and gave Xie Qian a hug, slapping him heartily on the back: Not bad at all. Not only have you grown taller, but your build is sturdier too. You look like a proper young lad now!
That was Zhi Jun for you.
Most people thought Xie Qian aloof and would not dare hug him uninvited, but Zhi Jun could not care less.
No matter how aloof, that was still a child he had watched grow up. What was there to hesitate about?
For a fleeting moment, Xie Qian felt that with a slight raise of his hand, he could easily pluck a few hairs from Zhi Jun’s head.
Hairs with follicles attached, perfect for DNA testing!
Unfortunately, the opportunity was gone in a flash. Zhi Jun patted Xie Qian’s back and released the embrace.
Zou Weijun knew her son’s mind best and feared he might betray some sign of his thoughts. Thus, she smiled and asked Zhi Jun: And where are you off to?
Zhi Jun grinned too: What a coincidence. I just came from Big Brother Xie’s place. A while back, I asked a friend to source some red sausages. Sister-in-law Zhi Xiu said Big Brother Xie enjoyed them, so since I am back in the country for the holiday, I brought some more for him.
Zhi Jun was no small-time boss himself, yet he personally made the trip on New Year’s Eve for mere sausages. The man handled everything with meticulous care, no wonder everyone liked him.
At this moment, Zhi Jun looked at Zou Weijun with eyes full of concern.
He seemed eager to inquire about her recent situation but, mindful of the occasion, swallowed his words.
Sister-in-law, you and Xie Qian are off to the New Year’s Eve dinner, I suppose? I will not hold you up. Should you need anything from me, just say the word. My number is still the same!
Zou Weijun glanced at her watch and nodded: You should head home for your meal too. We will call if anything comes up.
Zhi Jun turned to leave but suddenly halted, slapping his forehead:
I must be addled with haste. I nearly forgot. You turn eighteen this year. Eighteen is a major milestone birthday. I may not be in the country then, but now that I have run into you, it is the perfect chance to give you your birthday present early.
With that, he pulled a box from his coat pocket and thrust it into Xie Qian’s hands.
Inside was a watch.
Xie Qian recognised the brand but not the exact price. The dial was encircled by a ring of tiny diamonds, with a black strap and a deep grey face.
The fine sparkle of the diamonds adorned the watch nicely without overpowering it. Worn on the wrist, it would not scream nouveau riche… It must have cost a pretty penny.
Xie Qian closed the box and demurred: Uncle Zhi Jun, this is too expensive. I cannot accept it.
How expensive can something bought with money be? Take it. This watch was custom-made for you. If you do not want it, I cannot give it to anyone else.
The watch was indeed bespoke. The back of the case bore not only Xie Qian’s birth date but also the initials XQ. If Xie Qian refused, Zhi Jun truly could not pass it on to another.
Xie Qian had no choice but to accept: Thank you, Uncle Zhi Jun.
What thanks? Do not stand on ceremony!
Zhi Jun clapped Xie Qian on the shoulder and climbed into the Toyota. This time, he truly departed.
Once Zhi Jun’s car was out of sight, the mother and son headed into the courtyard. Zou Weijun asked her son: Your mind is still set, then?
Xie Qian nodded: Yes, unchanged.
Such words might sound heartless, especially since Zhi Jun had just given Xie Qian a watch.
The price was secondary. What mattered was that Zhi Jun, despite not seeing Xie Qian for two years, still remembered his birthday and held his eighteenth, his coming-of-age, close to heart, going so far as to commission the watch in advance.
Moreover, Zhi Jun had carried the gift on his person, ready to present it whenever he encountered Xie Qian. Such thoughtfulness was rarer than any sum of money!
Precisely for this reason, Xie Qian was all the more determined to dig deeper.
Had Tai Jing lied? Was Uncle Zhi Jun a great villain or a great good man? The DNA paternity test would reveal all!
Zou Weijun said no more. By the time mother and son entered the house, the rest of the Xie family had already arrived, save for Xie Jinghu. He probably knew full well he was unwelcome among kin and thus had not rushed to his eldest brother Xie Yuping’s home early.
With the old matriarch’s barbs, his brothers’ disdain, and even his nieces and nephews ignoring him, such a New Year’s Eve dinner must feel quite pointless to Xie Jinghu.
You are finally here.
Hou Zhi Xiu welcomed the pair to their seats and had Xie Tang call to hurry Xie Jinghu along: Ask your third uncle where he has got to. The whole family is waiting for him to start the meal!
Xie Tang dearly wanted to roll her eyes.
Why wait for that scumbag third uncle? If he skipped the New Year’s Eve banquet, all the better. It would spare third aunt the sight of him and save her appetite!
Xie Tang shot Xie Qian a look. The siblings stepped into the courtyard, where Xie Tang whispered: Uncle Zhi Jun was just here…
I know. We ran into him at the gate. He gave me a watch as a birthday present.
Xie Qian said, showing the watch to Xie Tang.
It is lovely. What are you planning to do? Wear it every day?
Wearing it daily and flaunting it before Zhi Jun might ease the man’s suspicions.
Zhi Jun’s whereabouts were unpredictable. Failing to obtain paternity test material while he was in the country would make it far harder once he left again.
Wear it every day?
Xie Tang had a carefree heart, but Xie Qian was cautious: I plan to dismantle it.
…What?!
Such a beautiful watch, and dismantling it seemed a pity!
Xie Tang opened her mouth but ultimately held back her劝说.
Fine, dismantle it then. Compared to the truth, no watch, however expensive, mattered as much.
If the watch held no issues, it could be reassembled after inspection.
Xie Tang mimed making a call and stepped aside to phone Xie Jinghu.
He said it would be another twenty-odd minutes. Xie Tang was speechless: Third uncle, the whole family is waiting for you. It is New Year’s Eve, and even Dad took the day off.
For the Xie’s New Year’s Eve banquet, Old Madam Xie had grudgingly permitted her third son Xie Jinghu to attend, yet he seemed less than grateful, arriving over half an hour late.
Old Madam Xie was displeased. Midway through the meal, she took the initiative to bring up the shares in Jin Hu.
Third son, Xie Qian turns eighteen soon. The shares previously transferred to him, is it not time he managed them himself?
Xie Jinghu was unhurried: That was the original plan, but Xie Qian has his own ideas. He agreed with me to first practise on a film company in the magic capital. Once he has that one running smoothly, we can discuss the rest. Mum, this is not me pressuring Xie Qian. He proposed it himself!
Everyone at the table turned to Xie Jinghu.
Xie Qian spoke fairly: It is true. Dad and I signed a wager agreement.
Old Madam Xie let out an oh and said: It is fine to leave the shares unmanaged for now. But for Xie Qian’s eighteenth birthday, as his father, you ought to make a gesture. I hear Zhi Jun gave Xie Qian a watch…
Zhi Jun gave that wretched son a watch?
Xie Jinghu was about to say he could gift a watch too, or if watches did not appeal, let Xie Qian pick a car. If that was not enough, a Beijing property could be transferred to the boy’s name. After all, the wretched son’s birthday was still some days off, so he could take his time selecting a birthday gift.
Old Madam Xie seemed to see through Xie Jinghu’s thoughts. None of those gifts would do.
I feel the shares under Xie Qian’s name are still too few. He is your only son, so be generous and transfer a bit more of Jin Hu’s shares to him.
