Wen Ying passed the entrance exam for the provincial key school.
It wasn’t easy.
When she started tutoring, Wen Ying’s math score was only 79. In the entrance exam, she scored 131 in math, her highest score ever across nearly two months of practice tests.
Effort brings rewards. Xie Qian replied with “Congrats” and put down his phone.
“Uncle, I’ve made up my mind.”
Xie Yuping felt a headache coming on.
He liked Xie Qian for his intelligence and independence, but now that very independence was causing him trouble.
Xie Qian not only wanted to transfer to a school in Rongcheng but also planned to take his mother, Zou Weijun, there for treatment. From what Xie Qian said, he had no intention of returning to Beijing for the next three years.
As for after that, whether Xie Qian would return depended on which university he chose.
Zou Weijun was emotionally unstable, diagnosed with depression, and had recently exhibited extreme behavior.
Out of concern, Xie Yuping wanted his sister-in-law Zou Weijun to receive treatment in Beijing. But during her episodes, she lacked independent judgment, and her closest family were her husband and son. With Xie Qian insisting on taking her, Xie Yuping couldn’t easily intervene.
Grandma Xie was firmly against it. Xie Yuping tried to mediate, and as the head of the Xie family, resolving internal conflicts was his duty.
Publicly, Xie Yuping didn’t want the Xie family to lose a promising young member or for Xie Qian to grow estranged from the family.
Privately, he felt sympathy for Xie Qian and his mother. The situation had reached this point because of his third brother’s mistakes.
As an elder brother, Xie Yuping felt he had failed to guide his third brother, letting down Zou Weijun and Xie Qian.
Xie Qian shouldn’t be mired in family disputes. Leaving Beijing might not be the best choice, but it was the most suitable one for him now.
Once Xie Yuping weighed the pros and cons, he was decisive.
“Fine, I agree to let you take your mother to Rongcheng. But you must let me arrange the housing and doctors there. Do you agree, Xie Qian? I’ll convince your grandmother to let you and your mother settle in Rongcheng peacefully for three years.”
Xie Qian wasn’t unreasonable. His mother’s condition required care and companionship, and with Xie Yuping’s involvement, someone would handle all the details for him.
“Thank you.”
As Xie Qian was about to make one final request, there was a knock at the study door.
It was Xie Qian’s aunt, Xie Yuping’s wife.
“Your third brother just called. He’s probably on his way here.”
Xie Yuping slammed the table. “That bastard finally shows his face!”
After Zou Weijun’s incident, Xie Yuping had wanted to confront Xie San, but Xie San dodged him, claiming business abroad.
Xie Yuping felt his third brother had grown in age, wealth, and status but not in responsibility. Now, with Xie Qian planning to take Zou Weijun away, Xie San finally deigned to appear.
Xie Qian frowned.
Xie Yuping reassured his nephew. “Don’t get upset yet. Let’s hear what he has to say.”
If Xie San was willing to repent, the damage couldn’t be undone, but future harm could be minimized.
Repairing the rift could salvage Xie San and Zou Weijun’s marriage.
A stable marriage would benefit Zou Weijun’s condition.
Xie Yuping still held hope. Xie Qian didn’t immediately object but had no expectations for his father’s rushed return.
Xie Yuping led Xie Qian downstairs to wait on the sofa for Xie San.
Ten minutes later, Xie San’s car pulled up in front of Xie Yuping’s house.
Xie San stepped out, having come in such a hurry he hadn’t even brought a driver.
The dim yellow light at the entrance couldn’t hide Xie San’s handsomeness.
He was undeniably a striking man, and Xie Qian bore some resemblance to him.
But Xie San’s charm was mature, worldly, tempered by years in the rough-and-tumble of business and adorned with the extravagance of wealth. He was both handsome and rich.
Xie Qian, in his youthful prime, had a pure, untainted elegance, untouched by worldly corruption.
The wealthy and charismatic Xie San had once captivated Zou Weijun, who, against her parents’ wishes, insisted on marrying the businessman.
Back then, Xie Yuping hadn’t yet risen to prominence, and the Xie family was less distinguished. Though Zou Weijun was smitten, the Zou and Xie families were well-matched when marriage talks began.
Who could’ve predicted Xie Yuping’s meteoric rise over the next decade, elevating the Xie family’s status? Xie San’s business also flourished. As the passion of their early years faded, Zou Weijun had fewer means to rein in her husband. Before the facade was shattered, Xie San treated her well, and with his wealth, charm, and ability to resist the temptations of the business world, their marriage was a celebrated tale.
Only when the truth came out did it become clear that at least half of Xie San’s devotion to Zou Weijun was an act.
Every gift expressing marital bliss was likely born of guilt.
Xie San entered, tossing his car keys onto the table.
“Big Brother, Sister-in-Law!”
Xie’s wife felt sick just seeing Xie San.
As a woman, she deeply empathized with Zou Weijun’s despair.
“You talk. I’ll make tea.”
Not wanting to engage with Xie San, she left the living room.
Xie San’s gaze landed on his son, Xie Qian, who was staring at a narcissus plant on the coffee table, not sparing his father a glance. Xie San’s annoyance flared.
Who was the father, and who was the son?
To outsiders, it might look like Xie Qian was the father!
Before Xie San could speak, Xie Yuping cut in. “Xie Qian wants to take his mother to Rongcheng for a few years of treatment. What’s your opinion?”
Xie San scoffed. “Big Brother, you’ve already agreed. Why ask me? If I object, will you stop their mother and son from going to Rongcheng?”
Xie Yuping was exasperated.
It wasn’t about not objecting—this was a chance to mend things.
Opposing Xie Qian and Zou Weijun’s move to Rongcheng required a convincing reason!
But Xie San showed no remorse.
Xie Yuping suddenly realized Xie San hadn’t come to reconcile but to vent his anger. Xie Yuping had forced their mother to side with Xie Qian, sending Xie San’s mistress and her child abroad, a resolution Xie San wasn’t satisfied with. Unable to defy his elder brother and mother, Xie San turned his ire on Xie Qian, his son and junior, whom he thought he could control.
This was bad!
Before Xie Yuping could intervene, Xie San aimed his wrath at his son.
“People call you Young Master Xie, not because you’re so capable, but because I fed you, clothed you, and gave you a lavish lifestyle that bred your air of nobility! Without me, without the Xie family, what are you? Leaning on your uncle and grandmother’s favoritism, you keep pushing and making a fuss. Now you think you’ve won?”
