Little Cai was sent by Boss Cai to assist Shu Guobing, sticking to him nearly 24/7, only parting when Shu Guobing went home to sleep.
Assistance was also surveillance.
To prevent Shu Guobing from squandering Cai’s money, and to ensure he stirred enough trouble to meet Zhao Dong’s expectations.
To inflate Shu Guobing’s ego, Boss Cai even lent Little Cai an old Audi, chauffeuring Shu Guobing everywhere.
With such meticulous packaging, in a short time, Shu Guobing’s skills hadn’t grown, but his boss-like airs had, fooling outsiders into thinking he was wealthy.
A million in startup funds, generously given.
A house rented for him.
Settling-in fees paid promptly.
Shu Lu’s school transfer arranged.
The Audi at his disposal.
These perks gave Shu Guobing the confidence to order Little Cai to deliver thirty thousand yuan home.
Little Cai, always by Shu Guobing’s side, had long known about the issue.
Why hadn’t he resolved it earlier?
Because Boss Cai instructed otherwise.
Cai wanted the feud between the Shu family and Wen Ying’s family to deepen.
Now was the right moment, when Shu Guobing asked for the money, Little Cai feigned difficulty, “Brother Shu, thirty thousand is nothing to Boss Cai, he sometimes loses more than that in a business card game, but your second brother-in-law’s family, really… ugh, I shouldn’t say this, Brother Shu, don’t take it to heart.”
What shouldn’t be said? Shu Guobing loved hearing others bash Wen Dongrong, urging Little Cai to continue.
Little Cai, sounding entirely in Shu Guobing’s corner, said Wen Dongrong’s family lacked familial bonds, “Brother Shu, they look down on you, thinking you’ll never rise, that’s why they’re chasing you for a measly thirty thousand.”
Initially, Shu Guobing was wary of Little Cai, seeing him as Cai’s spy to monitor him.
Why did he now rely on Little Cai? Because Little Cai was capable, and his words always hit Shu Guobing’s sweet spot.
Already fuming, Shu Guobing’s hatred for Wen Ying’s family of three intensified with Little Cai’s instigation.
Wen Dongrong, with his cushy job and leadership role, acted superior, if Shu Guobing could ruin that, let’s see how arrogant he’d be… Shu Guobing mused.
Seeing Shu Guobing’s anger stoked, Little Cai offered to deliver the money to Wen Ying and Chen Ru.
Of course, though Boss Cai didn’t mind the sum, he needed to be informed.
Little Cai stepped out to call Boss Cai, his tone devoid of respect for Shu Guobing, Cai Youlun laughed and cursed, “That turtle Shu Guobing really thinks I’m an ATM, the money can be given, but it has to be worth it!”
Worth it?
Selling Shu Guobing by the pound wouldn’t fetch thirty thousand in Cai’s eyes.
Shu Guobing’s only value was being Wen Ying’s uncle, a relative who could cause significant damage.
Cai hinted to Little Cai, who understood perfectly.
“If I can’t handle a Shu Guobing, I might as well go back to farming,” Little Cai said.
Cai Youlun laughed, “Alright, I know you’re suffering, but building the aquatic business at Qingshiqiao is profitable, once we kick Shu Guobing out, I’ll hand that business to you. You’re not helping anyone, you’re building your own fortune, so put in the effort!”
With Cai’s promise, Little Cai was even more motivated, driving over with thirty thousand yuan.
A red Mazda was parked at the neighborhood entrance, Wen Ying and Chen Ru inside, enjoying Chen Li’s air-conditioned car.
Little Cai called Wen Hongyan, who dragged Shu Lu downstairs.
Both sides met again at the entrance, Little Cai brought the money, and Wen Hongyan put on her boss’s wife airs, “Little Cai, count the money in front of them, settle it once and for all, so they don’t bother me again!”
This was Little Cai’s first direct encounter with Wen Ying.
He knew Cai supported the Shu family to target Wen Ying, though the reason was unclear.
Now, face-to-face, Little Cai couldn’t help but glance at Wen Ying twice.
Not as striking as Shu Lu!
While Little Cai sized up Wen Ying, she observed him.
This Little Cai was Cai Youlun’s cousin, a key ally in Cai’s rise from his brick factory days, as highlighted in Inspector Luo’s report.
Little Cai’s presence beside Shu Guobing was more dangerous than the money Cai gave for business, he’d likely be the one strategizing against Wen Ying, not Shu Guobing, so she studied him closely.
Little Cai thought Wen Ying less dazzling than Shu Lu, Wen Ying saw him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, seemingly docile but ruthless.
Hearing Wen Hongyan’s bluster, Wen Ying was about to retort, but Chen Ru beat her to it, “Bother you? Repaying debts is only right, if you’re not convinced, we can sit down and calculate the interest.”
Thirty thousand already pained Wen Hongyan!
Though the money came from Boss Cai, keeping it for herself would’ve been delightful.
Two gold bracelets, one for each wrist, and thirty thousand wouldn’t even be spent!
At the mention of interest, Wen Hongyan finally shut up.
Little Cai counted the money in front of them, Chen Ru checked it, no one could fool her on the amount or authenticity.
“It’s thirty thousand.”
Chen Ru, uninterested in arguing with Wen Hongyan, took the money, returned Shu Lu’s pawned gold bracelet, and prepared to leave, Wen Ying smiled, “Mom, family’s family, but money matters need clarity, let’s give Aunt a receipt.”
This thirty thousand was repayment, not Chen Ru’s extortion or a bribe to Wen Dongrong.
Wen Hongyan loved the idea!
A receipt would end it, preventing Chen Ru from demanding interest or new debts, she’d never acknowledge more.
Wen Ying was such a fool!
Feeling she’d won big, Wen Hongyan strongly supported the receipt.
Chen Ru thought it over and agreed.
Getting thirty thousand from the Shu family was already tough.
With Wen Dongrong uncooperative, squeezing more was nearly impossible.
Chen Ru had no patience to deal with Wen Dongrong now, of the thirty thousand, twenty thousand was her loans, the extra ten thousand counted as interest, as for Wen Dongrong’s share, if he couldn’t recover it, that was his problem.
Both sides agreed to the receipt.
Little Cai watched silently, saying nothing, but inwardly revised his view of Wen Ying, she wasn’t as striking as Shu Lu but was smarter, a receipt wasn’t a loss, it cut off future hassles!
Wen Ying, young but sharp, wasn’t easily fooled.
Little Cai noted this, planning to report it to Cai Youlun.
Two copies of the receipt were written, Chen Ru and Wen Hongyan pressed their fingerprints, and Chen Ru and Wen Ying returned to the car with the money, Chen Li was beyond words, her face-conscious sister had stooped to reclaim thirty thousand from the Shu family, money destined to be lost!
Chen Li hadn’t admired Chen Ru in years, now her gaze held a sister’s reverence for her elder.
