Having a capable future daughter-in-law is, of course, a good thing.
The premise, however, is that this future daughter-in-law must listen to Xie Jinghu’s words!
Thinking of Wen Ying’s “untamed arrogance”, Xie Jinghu felt a massive headache.
Fortunately, Xie Jinghu knew that the father-son bond between him and Xie Qian was currently as thin as paper.
How thin?
The kind that could be torn with the slightest force.
This made Xie Jinghu不敢 to act rashly against Wen Ying.
Wen Ying was not only deeply attached to Xie Qian but also very close to his ex-wife, Zou Weijun. After some thought, Xie Jinghu deliberately mentioned Wen Ying in front of his elder brother Xie Yuping. “Xie Qian has a girlfriend at school. Seems like a high school classmate of his, and she’s a bestselling author too!”
Xie Yuping’s expression remained calm. “How do you know?”
Xie Jinghu, fearing Xie Yuping might suspect ulterior motives, quickly proved his innocence. “I went to visit Xie Qian and saw a girl acting intimately with him. Later, I happened to spot the same girl dining with Weijun at a restaurant. I haven’t done anything to her. There’s a confession post from her to Xie Qian on the Zhendan University campus forum!”
The post on the Zhendan University campus forum had been locked, viewable only by registered members.
This was arranged by Wen Ying, who had contacted the forum administrator.
Wen Ying did not mind people discussing her relationship with Xie Qian, but she did not want the media to report it extensively and cause unnecessary disturbance to Xie Qian. Thus, she deliberately controlled the spread of the information.
This made things difficult for Xie Jinghu, who wanted to read the post. He had to borrow Zhao Qian’s account to log in.
After borrowing Zhao Qian’s campus forum account, Xie Jinghu had no intention of returning it. The Zhendan forum not only had Wen Ying’s confession post to Xie Qian but also occasional discussions about Xie Qian and Wen Ying from students.
Those students were “shipping the CP”.
Xie Jinghu did not understand what “shipping CP” meant, but he discovered that the forum was a way to keep up with Xie Qian’s latest activities!
Thus, Zhao Qian’s account naturally became occupied by Xie Jinghu.
Xie Jinghu opened his computer and showed the post to his elder brother Xie Yuping.
Xie Yuping saw several on-site photos, a smile flashing across his face.
When he looked up again, Xie Yuping’s expression was serious. “Old Third, I never imagined you not only had a hobby of prying into others’ privacy but also such questionable taste. Perhaps you should have a chat with a psychologist?”
“What?”
Xie Jinghu was baffled.
Xie Yuping pointed at the account’s avatar.
Zhao Qian’s account nickname was “Peerless Young Lady”, and the avatar was a pink Hello Kitty. This pink Kitty cat even wore a sparkling diamond necklace, with a dreamy pink background that fully reflected Zhao Qian’s aesthetic and inner state.
Xie Jinghu instantly felt as if someone had struck him on the head.
“Big Brother, this isn’t…”
Xie Yuping’s gaze was sharp. “Isn’t what?”
If he claimed this was not his account, Big Brother would surely probe further. Questions would lead to digging up the Zhao siblings and eventually his past intentions. In the end, he would come out worse!
Xie Jinghu swallowed his explanation.
Xie Yuping used this account as a starting point to criticise Xie Jinghu for several minutes, calling him childish and irresponsible. Xie Jinghu did not dare retort a single word.
Finally, after Xie Yuping finished scolding, Xie Jinghu hurriedly steered the topic back. “Big Brother, I’m talking about Xie Qian having a girlfriend!”
Xie Yuping raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with him having a girlfriend? At Xie Qian’s age, it would be strange if he didn’t have one. I just looked at the post. This girl is very outstanding and does no dishonour to Xie Qian. I have no objections. Do you plan to oppose it?”
No objections?
Xie Jinghu could not help adding, “This girl comes from an ordinary family background. Her hometown is a county below Rongcheng. She offers no help to Xie Qian.”
Xie Yuping chuckled. “Coming from an ordinary family yet achieving success proves the girl’s excellence, doesn’t it? No help is no help. It’s better than a girl with a complicated family background who might drag the entire Xie family into trouble with one misstep. Old Third, don’t look around. Don’t you have any self-awareness? I’m talking about you in your youth. Xie Qian is much clearer-headed than you ever were!”
How complicated the Zhuo family affairs were.
Back then, the Xie family had not shut out Sara Zhuo because of the Zhuo family’s troubles. Now, they certainly would not nitpick Wen Ying’s family background!
Xie Jinghu was rendered speechless.
Xie Yuping softened his tone and advised, “I know you regret things and want to mend relations with Xie Qian. A three-foot freeze is not formed in a single day. The rift between you two has existed for years. How could it be healed in a short time? The more anxious you are, the more likely you are to err. Better to leave everything to time and let time dilute the resentment!”
When Zou Weijun divorced Xie Jinghu, the property division was crystal clear.
There was no legal tie nor marital affection left between them. Xie Jinghu’s desire to “rekindle the flame” was merely wishful thinking.
Xie Yuping knew Zou Weijun would never turn back but did not burst Xie Jinghu’s delusion. Xie Yuping had his own motives. He hoped Xie Jinghu would reflect during this process.
Of course, most importantly, as long as Xie Jinghu harboured hopes, he would act with restraint!
With Xie Yuping’s words, Xie Jinghu’s intentions indeed wavered.
Wen Ying was indeed untamed and not sweetly obedient.
But Xie Qian had not brought the girl home yet. Dating and marriage were still far apart. Young people’s love comes quickly and goes quickly. Perhaps they would break up soon. Why interfere?
Xie Jinghu suddenly saw the light. “Big Brother, you truly have foresight!”
Xie Yuping felt suspicious at Xie Jinghu’s flattery. This scoundrel comprehended so quickly?
Xie Yuping was not reassured and probed further. Xie Jinghu candidly shared his thoughts. Xie Yuping’s gaze swept around the study, momentarily unable to find a suitable tool.
He knew this scoundrel would not truly understand!
If there were a handy tool, Xie Yuping would genuinely give Xie Jinghu a beating.
Suppressing the urge to hit, Xie Yuping followed Xie Jinghu’s train of thought. “Exactly. Xie Qian hasn’t brought the girl home. Why are you in such a rush? Stop logging into that childish account daily to spy on Xie Qian’s romance. With that energy, focus more on the lawsuit progress.”
Thinking of the lawsuit against Sara Zhuo, Xie Jinghu’s blood surged with anger.
At the first hearing, Zhang Zhijun admitted paternity with Zhuo Yue and offered to repay the child support to Xie Jinghu.
Sara Zhuo, proud and aloof, refused Zhang Zhijun’s money and promised to repay Xie Jinghu herself.
Xie Jinghu was infuriated to the point of spitting blood by this woman skilled at distributing green hats.
Meng, the lawyer handling Xie Jinghu’s case, advised him to accept first. Recovering all the money at once was difficult. Whatever could be obtained should be secured quickly. Money was safest in Xie Jinghu’s hands!
Xie Jinghu heeded Meng’s advice and accepted the money Sara Zhuo repaid.
Though substantial, this child support was not enough to cripple Sara Zhuo’s entire fortune.
Even so, repayment was difficult for Sara Zhuo. She had to sell the luxury house registered under Zhuo Yue’s name, a property originally purchased by Xie Jinghu for her. Now it simply returned to its rightful owner!
Xie Yuping pondered. “The Zhuo woman is struggling so much to repay because Zhang Zhijun is not supporting her financially? Even now, they want us to believe there’s little entanglement between them.”
How could there be no entanglement?
Without entanglement, how did they produce a child!
The odds of conceiving from one night were too low.
Xie Jinghu gnashed his teeth. “There must be entanglement!”
Xie Yuping encouraged Xie Jinghu to fight the lawsuit well. “The illegitimate daughter’s support money the Zhuo woman can produce without Zhang Zhijun’s help. But the money you gave that woman over the years far exceeds child support. She cannot repay it alone. In the end, she will surely seek help from Zhang Zhijun.”
If Sara Zhuo sought help, would Zhang Zhijun assist?
If Zhang Zhijun did, it would expose their alliance. His excuse of a “one-night stand” would collapse.
Zhang Zhijun’s true intentions would finally be revealed!
If Zhang Zhijun refused, Sara Zhuo, with nowhere to turn, would likely fall out with him. Their alliance would crumble, making them easier to defeat individually.
Former allies turning enemies. If Sara Zhuo bit back at Zhang Zhijun, his true intentions would similarly be exposed!
Xie Yuping instructed Xie Jinghu, “Old Third, you must fight this lawsuit properly. This is no longer just your personal grudge with the Zhuo woman. It concerns the entire Xie family. If you encounter difficulties, feel free to ask me. I won’t refuse where I can help!”
It had been a long time since Xie Yuping spoke such words to Xie Jinghu.
Xie Jinghu completely set aside thoughts of Wen Ying. Looking at his elder brother Xie Yuping, his heart filled with emotion.
Big Brother still cared for him despite scolding and resenting him!
Just like before, whenever he caused trouble, Big Brother cleaned up after him!
Since his affair with Sara Zhuo was exposed, every meeting with Big Brother involved reprimands. Over time, he had nearly forgotten how protective Big Brother used to be.
Xie Jinghu thought that if even Big Brother Xie Yuping could change his attitude, Zou Weijun and Xie Qian would too.
Big Brother was right. Time should resolve the resentment!
As for that Wen girl, he could worry about her later if Xie Qian truly brought her home to the Xie family!
Xie Jinghu completely abandoned his petty scheme to replace the daughter-in-law. Assistant Qi was moved to tears. Had the heavens finally opened their eyes? The repeatedly self-destructive President Xie had actually come to his senses once?
Xie Jinghu snapped angrily, “Why are you sniffling? She’s just a little girl. Do you think I would stoop to bother with her?”
Assistant Qi shook his head vigorously. “She’s not your daughter-in-law yet. Why would I care about her? I’m happy for you. Elder Mr Xie has finally forgiven you.”
Xie Jinghu’s expression softened. He murmured, “Brothers fight together in battle. Big Brother won’t stay angry forever.”
Xie Jinghu wallowed in emotion. Xie Yuping cared nothing for what his scoundrel brother was thinking.
Casually placating him was merely to push the scoundrel into battling Sara Zhuo and Zhang Zhijun.
Xie Yuping informed his wife about Xie Qian and Wen Ying’s official relationship.
Hou Zhixiu had long heard of Wen Ying. “I really want to meet her, but I’m afraid if we all swarm over, we’ll scare the poor girl.”
Xie Yuping could not help laughing. “You want to meet her, and so does the old lady. But neither of you is as lucky as me. I met her long ago.”
Did it matter whether she had been brought home to the Xie family?
Wen Ying was loyal and righteous. She had long earned recognition from the entire Xie family.
After the old lady Xie’s serious illness, her health was not as robust as before. Xie Yuping often encouraged her to keep exercising, to hold on until Xie Qian brought his granddaughter-in-law home!
