Wen Dongrong’s words snapped Chen Ru out of her shock.
A business earning over 100,000 yuan in two months was no small feat!
Earning tens of thousands a month meant hundreds of thousands a year. Why should Wen Ying hold the largest share in such a venture?
Chen Ru felt a heavy weight in her chest.
One could lack ability, but never dignity.
No matter how modest their family’s circumstances, there was no need for Wen Ying to grovel before rich kids.
But Wen Dongrong’s reaction quelled Chen Ru’s anger. Unwilling to align with him now, she countered his skepticism, “What else could it be? It’s because Wen Ying has the ability. She got those kids to follow her lead, so she deserves the biggest share!”
Chen Ru meant to oppose Wen Dongrong, but as the words left her mouth, she paused, a spark of anticipation rising. What if Wen Ying truly had that capability?
Why couldn’t her daughter outshine her peers? Wasn’t that what Chen Ru had always wanted?
Wen Ying had indeed changed. Though Chen Ru hadn’t seen her business firsthand, Wen Ying had outmaneuvered the Shu family with sharp wit. Funnily enough, Chen Ru’s trust in her daughter stemmed from their joint triumph over the Shus.
Wen Ying could guess Chen Ru’s mindset and felt mixed emotions about her mother’s support.
Perhaps improving their mother-daughter relationship wasn’t as hard as she’d thought.
Her mother was domineering but could be swayed with the right approach.
Her father, however, was the stubborn one, despite his good reputation at work. Wen Ying smiled, unfazed by Wen Dongrong’s doubts, “Dad, regardless of why my friends agreed to let me take the lead, my 40% share is earned through my strength. I didn’t cheat or break any laws. Cleanly earned money—how is that not a win?”
Even if Qin Jiao and the others “pitied” her, would rich kids’ sympathy be so freely given? Without their recognition of her as a friend, Wen Ying wouldn’t have been considered for their compassion.
Wen Ying knew her 40% stake came from providing the braised crawfish recipe, charting “Shrimp King’s” growth, and making decisions that transformed it from a temporary stall to a storefront with two franchisees.
She held that 40% with a clear conscience.
Wen Dongrong was left speechless.
Wen Ying smiled faintly, “If you don’t believe me, I can call all of ‘Shrimp King’s’ shareholders here to explain in front of you.”
Qin Jiao, Wang Shuang, Tang Yifeng, Geng Xiao, and Xie Qian, who wasn’t in Rongcheng, were the shareholders she meant.
Forget the others—bringing just Wang Shuang to meet Wen Dongrong would leave him mortified.
The Wang family, father and son, had been so warm to Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru because of Wen Ying. When the Wen family bought their apartments, Wang Jun’s influence saved them over 100,000 yuan in interest.
If they were willing to grant such a favor, what was surprising about letting Wen Ying hold 40% of a night market stall?
When the crawfish stall started, no one imagined it could earn tens of thousands a month. The business grew gradually. Wen Ying’s ability aside, her luck and choice of partners were undeniable.
Deng Shangwei chimed in with a grin, “Brother-in-law, you’ve seen Ying’s books. Want to check mine? ‘Shrimp King’ gets its daily crawfish from my shop. Surely I’m not faking it to back her up.”
As the saying goes, two fists can’t fight four hands. Wen Dongrong, alone against four, was at a disadvantage.
In the past, Chen Ru stood by him, and he never felt this way. Now, not only was Chen Ru against him, but her words carried barbs. Wen Dongrong’s mind raced, and he forced a smile, “I just didn’t expect Ying to do so well. She’s my daughter, not my enemy. If she wins the bet, would I, her father, deny it? Ying, you underestimate my magnanimity. I questioned you to keep you grounded, to push you to be even better!”
Seeing the tide turn, Old Wen quickly adopted an enlightened, fair stance.
Chen Ru rolled her eyes. Wen Ying played along, smiling, “I understand your intentions, Dad. You want the best for me. But I did win the bet. From today, I can choose my tutoring, my clothes, my hairstyle, and my future university and major, right?”
Her words were directed at both Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru.
Wen Dongrong waited for Chen Ru to object, but she refused to play into his hands, vaguely agreeing, “Fine, you win.”
Wen Ying’s smile widened, “Mom, you’re more straightforward than Dad.”
Wen Dongrong couldn’t have been more frustrated.
Where was their marital teamwork?
All because he didn’t help with a repayment list, Chen Ru was now opposing him at every turn. Wen Dongrong was thoroughly displeased.
Chen Li, sensing Wen Ying should quit while ahead, reminded the family it was time to register at school.
Wen Ying pushed the paper bag of money toward Chen Ru, “Mom, my registration fees, tutoring costs, and first-semester living expenses are all in here. From today, I’ll try to support myself and not burden you and Dad financially.”
Chen Ru thought for a moment and took the bag, “Alright, I’ll hold onto this.”
She had her own plans. Managing Wen Ying would wait until Wen Dongrong left.
A soon-to-be high school student handing over 20,000 yuan would surely get cocky.
Once school started, Wen Ying had to prioritize studies. No matter how profitable, the business would stop. Without income, she’d have to listen to her parents.
Chen Ru didn’t trust Wen Ying with the 20,000.
Wen Ying had been striving for independence. Though Chen Ru’s view of her had softened, she couldn’t fully trust her.
Adults could be swayed by money, let alone a teenager with little self-control. Wen Ying couldn’t manage that sum.
Chen Ru thought she’d seized Wen Ying’s financial lifeline, unaware that Wen Ying didn’t care about the 20,000 and had no intention of halting “Shrimp King.” With the business, she had a steady cash flow; 20,000 was insignificant.
The mother-daughter truce was largely driven by Wen Dongrong’s actions. Each with their own thoughts, the family, accompanied by Chen Li and Deng Shangwei, headed to the provincial key high school to register.
…
Shu Lu was also registering that day. At the school gate, she kept an eye out.
Knowing Wen Ying hadn’t yet registered, Shu Lu lingered at the entrance.
She no longer feared facing Wen Ying.
The Shu family had repaid their debt, owing nothing to Wen Ying’s family.
With Wen Dongrong under investigation, Wen Ying should be the one ashamed.
Shu Lu’s lips curled, urging her father to wait, “If Second Uncle’s family sincerely begs, Dad, maybe let Second Uncle off once.”
As for what “sincerely begging” meant, Shu Lu had her own standards.
Shu Guobing sneered, “You’re too soft. Only if your Second Uncle kneels and begs will I let it go!”
Shu Lu wasn’t keen on Wen Dongrong groveling. She’d rather see Wen Ying plead pitifully. Wen Ying had to feel the humiliation Shu Lu endured, ensuring she couldn’t hold her head high at school for the next three years.
