At some point, Xie Qian had started being very accommodating in the way he spoke to her.
Thinking about it was truly unbelievable.
What kind of person was Xie Qian? Calling him detached from worldly affairs would be an understatement. Some might even believe he lived on clouds, sipping wind and dew!
So when exactly had Xie Qian started changing? Wen Ying thought for a moment but could not pinpoint it. She could not help but smile to herself.
This was Xie Qian’s special consideration for her. She held a unique place in his heart. Just thinking about it made her happy!
Glancing back, Pang Jinglong had finished his call with He Zhen and was beaming, eager to arrange a celebratory dinner for everyone at a restaurant. Wen Ying felt even happier.
Free from his gloomy state, and without that ferocious scar on his face, Pang Jinglong was indeed a handsome young man.
Wen Ying had never seen Boss Pang’s illegitimate sons, but she did not think Pang Jinglong would be inferior to them.
If nothing else, at least Pang Jinglong had good judgement in people. Quality over quantity in friends. Having someone like He Zhen was enough.
Similarly, how outstanding was Xie Qian? Yet in her previous life, Xie Jinghu had actually handed the Jinhu Group to his illegitimate son Zhuo Chen to inherit.
These men, one after another, were not only scumbags but also lacked discernment!
But it did not matter. Every one of these scumbag fathers would regret it sooner or later!
While Wen Ying was happy here, Boss Pang could not be happy at all.
Since Mrs Pang refused to withdraw the lawsuit, and Boss Pang could not tear up the court summons like he had Lawyer Liao’s business card, he returned to the villa and instructed the female secretary to throw away all the clothes and personal items Mrs Pang had left at home.
Mrs Pang had moved out in a hurry and had not had time to take many of her clothes.
The female secretary had long wanted to discard these things. Upon hearing this, she winked at the toady.
Auntie Tang, the toady, thought that many of Mrs Pang’s clothes and bags were designer brands. This task could be profitable. She immediately rushed to the basement to haul the items.
Seeing Boss Pang still cursing, the female secretary felt uneasy. “Old Pang, if she does not withdraw the case, will it really go to court? She has never involved herself in business matters. You worked so hard to build all this wealth. It cannot be that she says she wants half and just takes half…”
Although the female secretary said this, she felt that she had contributed greatly to Boss Pang’s business success.
From the early years until now, many of Boss Pang’s company deals were closed over drinks. When she was young, the female secretary could hold over a jin of baijiu and would still drink until she vomited at the table.
It was because she could drink that Boss Pang kept her by his side, finding her useful for business negotiations over alcohol.
Frequently coming and going together, their relationship naturally became ambiguous.
The female secretary had known early on that Boss Pang was married with a child, but back then she did not care.
A rustic yellow-faced wife from the countryside. How could she compare?
Facts proved that Mrs Pang was indeed inferior to her in every way.
The female secretary had been with Boss Pang for nearly twenty years. She knew that no matter how much money she spent at beauty salons, her current state could not compare to young girls.
Finally about to become the official wife, the new “Mrs Pang”, how could she tolerate the yellow-faced wife, inferior in every aspect, taking half of Boss Pang’s fortune?
Even without the female secretary fanning the flames, Boss Pang was already extremely angry.
Only now did Boss Pang remember that his company had a legal department.
He made a call, briefly explained the situation, and asked gruffly, “The money is all earned by me. Why should half go to her!”
Why?
Of course, because of the Marriage Law.
Boss Pang was a very stingy boss, skimping on employees, and not particularly generous to his legal team either.
The legal staff handled company matters, but there was no reason for them to fight the boss’s divorce case.
Especially when the boss was a stingy legal illiterate. One could guess with their toes how difficult this case would be.
Of course, the legal staff could not refuse outright. They said this was a highly specialised matter and required hiring a professional divorce lawyer.
Boss Pang found it troublesome. “I pay your salary every month. You cannot even handle a divorce case?”
The legal staff thought, yes, you pay salary every month, but that salary is not high in the industry.
For that pay, expecting them to handle divorce cases too. They could leave and go solo for more money.
Boss Pang cursed them as useless and called two friends who were also bosses.
Both had been divorced and might know divorce lawyers.
To be close to Boss Pang, they were similar legal illiterates. Though divorced, their processes had not gone to court.
Naturally, they had not split property evenly with their original wives, but unlike Boss Pang’s stinginess with just one house plus 1 million cash, they were more generous.
One gave the ex-wife two residences, two shops, a car, and several million in cash. The other gave less cash but two more houses.
Houses for living.
A car for use.
Millions in cash to spend, plus shops for rental income.
Receiving this, the ex-wives had security for future life. Not wanting to make it too ugly and affect relations with children and ex-husband, they dragged it out a bit but agreed when no turnaround was possible.
Boss Pang’s divorce actually going to court surprised his two friends.
“Old Pang, no need for a lawsuit.”
“You know the saying: the plaintiff and defendant both lose, lawyers take all the money!”
“What divorce terms did you offer exactly?”
Compared to his two boss friends, Boss Pang was too embarrassed to admit offering only one house and 1 million cash.
After hanging up, Boss Pang quickly felt justified again.
One house plus 1 million cash was plenty.
Giving more would just let that yellow-faced wife squander it.
Besides, she could not drive. Giving a car would be wasteful.
Boss Pang thought it over. Though his business was big, his circle had only one cultured friend: He Zhinian.
In recent years, He Zhinian had inexplicably distanced himself from Boss Pang.
Boss Pang felt He Zhinian had become arrogant after getting investment from the capital side. Not wanting to chase coldly, he stopped associating much with He Zhinian.
Now, Boss Pang wanted He Zhinian’s help to introduce a lawyer.
Receiving the call, He Zhinian almost knelt to Boss Pang’s thick skin.
“Old Pang, sorry. I have never considered divorce since marrying. I really do not know much about this…”
Boss Pang accused him of lacking loyalty. He Zhinian firmly claimed not to know any divorce lawyers.
He Zhinian distanced himself precisely because he despised Boss Pang’s character.
He knew one could not be morally picky in business, but Boss Pang was truly awful.
Getting rich and despising the original wife. Divorce was fine, but at least settle her life properly?
Keeping the son from the original wife in the country while sending illegitimate sons abroad to study. What logic!
He Zhinian would not help, nor allow his wife Dai Chenglan to. “Boss Pang wants divorce. He Zhen is buying a ticket back upon hearing. We cannot push our son away again!”
Dai Chenglan claimed to let He Zhen fend for himself, but after no contact for so long, she still worried.
Pang Jinglong’s parents divorcing was a good chance to mend ties with their son.
“No need to remind me. I know! But I am surprised. With Zhang Liqun’s personality, she actually hired a lawyer for divorce. I thought Old Pang would bully her to death.”
Zhang Liqun was Mrs Pang’s full name.
Dai Chenglan had not expected Zhang Liqun not only to hire a lawyer but a capable one.
She heard courts usually avoid property preservation in such cases, yet Zhang Liqun’s lawyer somehow managed it.
Dai Chenglan was curious. “Can Zhang Liqun really take half of Old Pang’s fortune?”
He Zhinian nodded. “In theory, yes. When they married, Old Pang was dirt poor. All property was earned post-marriage. Now it must be split half to his wife.”
Taking half meant halving his net worth.
If Boss Pang had known divorce cost so much, even with ten mistresses outside, he would keep the original wife stable!
Dai Chenglan, knowing Boss Pang’s character, guessed, “Once in court, Old Pang might regret it. He probably does not want divorce anymore.”
Boss Pang was shameless enough to say in court he did not want divorce.
He Zhinian was noncommittal. “He could do that, but now it is not him wanting divorce. His wife insists on it. Old Pang went too far. Not divorced yet but already sending remarriage invitations. Leaving no face. Even a cornered rabbit bites!”
Poor men cannot afford divorce. Divorced, hard to remarry.
Rich men actually cannot afford it more. Divorce costs half their fortune.
Like Jinhu’s Mr Xie.
He Zhinian flew to the capital to meet Xie Jinghu, prepared for withdrawal of investment. Unexpectedly, Xie Jinghu was polite.
After hearing He Zhinian’s report, Xie Jinghu told him not to overthink.
Business is business, favours are favours.
Though introduced via Sara Zhuo, the investment decision was Xie Jinghu’s own.
Xie Jinghu had already lost half his fortune. The He family investment was going well. He had no plans to withdraw.
He Zhinian had intended to pull out. After deep talk, finding Xie Jinghu appreciative, his feelings were complicated.
No moral pickiness in business.
Some are poor husbands and fathers but have business acumen. He Zhinian felt Xie Jinghu was such.
Some said Xie Jinghu rose via father-in-law’s tech. Others said luck in financial crisis. He Zhinian thought so before. But after talking, Xie Jinghu’s optimism on medical industries convinced him of real vision.
Boss Pang got rebuffed by He Zhinian. Somehow, before first hearing, he hired a professional lawyer.
Hearing the situation, the lawyer had a headache.
Heavens, how could such a legal illiterate amass billions?
With billions, offering only a small house plus 1 million cash in divorce. Too stingy!
Illiterate and stingy not worst. Worst was impatiently sending remarriage invitations before divorce.
Years appearing publicly with mistress, having two sons. Company staff thought mistress was boss’s wife. Business events, brought mistress openly… Bigamy evidence ironclad!
The lawyer reminded, “Mr Pang, if court finds you guilty of bigamy, you will go to prison. You know that, right?”
Boss Pang’s eyes widened. Of course he did not!
So many bosses keep mistresses. He never heard of prison for it.
Boss Pang asked what to do. The lawyer thought seriously and advised, “Better reconcile with your wife. Meet her divorce terms. Get her to withdraw.”
Reconciliation minimised loss.
She sued because unhappy with property split.
Lawyer suggested sitting down to negotiate. Boss Pang offer sincere split. Persuade Mrs Pang to withdraw.
Boss Pang unsure what terms would satisfy the yellow-faced wife. Asked for other ways. Lawyer took deep breath. “Yes. Best is no divorce. Divorce loses property. No divorce, it stays in the pot. Your money remains yours.”
But feared Mrs Pang would not agree.
The lawyer thought inwardly.
Boss Pang was confident. Slapped thigh hard, annoyed. “How did I not think of this simple solution? I can just not divorce!”
Previously no divorce had not stopped his second family.
Lived like this for years. He must have been crazy to want divorce.
Disliking the yellow-faced wife, just go home less.
Boss Pang no longer wanted divorce, but could not reach Mrs Pang by phone.
Called in-laws. No answer.
Sigh, fine. Go in person. Give the yellow-faced wife a way out.
