Chen Ru insisted on lending money to Chen Li, and Chen Li couldn’t refuse—she had to accept.
“At a time like this, forget about pride. Holding onto substance is enough!” Chen Ru said.
Chen Li clutched the bank passbook her sister forced on her, her eyes stinging with emotion.
Her sister was indeed domineering, unrelenting when right, and sharp-tongued, but if Chen Li’s family truly went bankrupt, the first to help would be this fierce sister.
“Sis, this isn’t a small sum. Have you discussed it with Brother-in-law?”
Chen Ru scoffed, “Would he dare object? Over the years, I’ve lent plenty to the Wen family—he knows the score. If he disagrees now that I’m lending to you… hmph!”
If he disagreed, they’d meet at the civil affairs bureau.
Once Chen Ru embraced the mindset of divorcing if things became unbearable, she found many issues that once frustrated her were now simple to handle.
With the Shu family as a precedent, Wen Dongrong was always on the back foot with Chen Ru.
Besides, delaying renovations wasn’t a big deal.
Deep down, Wen Dongrong loved feeling needed. Why would he oppose the loan?
Unable to decline, Chen Li, though not short on money, accepted with gratitude.
Chen Ru was genuinely looking out for Chen Li, opposing the house sale, lending money for turnover, and suggesting ways to cut costs.
When Deng Shangwei was earning well, Chen Li could shop freely, generously giving Wen Ying money and hiring a nanny to help with the kids. Now that Deng Jie and Deng Hao were older, no longer needing constant care, couldn’t Chen Li save on the nanny?
A thousand yuan monthly meant twelve thousand yearly.
That was just Deng Yaomei’s salary, excluding her food, lodging, and the clothes Chen Li occasionally bought her. Roughly calculated, forgoing a nanny could save Chen Li’s family twenty thousand a year.
Deng Yaomei trembled, terrified Chen Li might follow Chen Ru’s advice and fire her.
She even told Chen Li she’d work without pay, refusing to leave, eager to care for Deng Jie and Deng Hao for free.
“Chen Jie, keep me on! I’ll work harder, eat less!”
Chen Li reassured her multiple times she wouldn’t be sacked, but Deng Yaomei still had nightmares for two days.
With someone so loyal willing to stay through hardship, Chen Ru felt awkward pressing Chen Li to fire the nanny.
Chen Li secretly called Wen Ying: “…Your mum scared Yaomei half to death.”
Wen Ying realized she hadn’t contacted Deng Yaomei in a while.
She’d promised to tutor her, but plans changed when Chen Ru transferred to Rongcheng. Living apart from Chen Li, tutoring fell through.
Deng Yaomei took Wen Ying’s words as gospel, diligently studying even without Wen Ying around.
On the phone, Deng Yaomei’s voice quavered: “I don’t need pay—just don’t send me away. I’m still reading, just slowly. Don’t think I’m dumb, Wen Ying.”
To Deng Yaomei, her rural family, though blood, treated her as a cash machine, indifferent to her well-being.
Deng Shangwei brought her to the city, and she clung to Chen Li’s family, never wanting to leave. This attachment made Wen Ying sigh.
“Yaomei, no one’s sending you away, but you need to think: do you want to be a nanny forever?”
Even when Deng Jie and Deng Hao grew up, housework remained. Without Deng Yaomei, Chen Li would hire another nanny.
A loyal, hardworking nanny like Deng Yaomei was rare. If she wanted to stay, Chen Li wouldn’t let her go.
Because Deng Yaomei was so good, Wen Ying wanted better for her.
Being a nanny wasn’t bad, but Deng Yaomei could have options. With education and skills, she’d gain confidence to stand firm in society. Losing one job? No big deal—others awaited.
Deng Yaomei didn’t fully grasp Wen Ying’s words.
What was wrong with being a nanny forever? Many young migrant workers got scammed, but Chen Li’s home was a safe haven!
Wen Ying’s head ached. “This time, my mum’s just overanxious. Aunt’s situation isn’t as bad as she thinks. But what if Uncle’s business fails for real next time? Having a backup plan won’t hurt.”
This, Deng Yaomei understood.
Wen Ying wouldn’t harm her. Taking the advice to heart, she studied harder.
Wen Ying made a schedule for Deng Yaomei, organizing tasks efficiently. Many chores could overlap, and with planning, Deng Yaomei had more free time than Wen Ying.
While Wen Ying helped Deng Yaomei explore life’s paths, Yu Wenhao and Yu Wei, father and son, schemed together.
With Deng Shangwei’s seafood company shuttered, reduced to selling cars and houses to cover debts, the Yu duo relaxed.
“Dad, no need to worry now. Deng Shangwei’s done for. Boss Qin bans his name. Qin’s daughter is still in high school, useless for now, and his son’s too busy with his girlfriend. Qin’s complained multiple times, saying the girlfriend’s beneath them.”
Yu Wei grinned.
Their plan to cozy up to Boss Qin was smooth, like divine intervention.
Ousting Deng Shangwei, Yu Wei became Qin’s top aide. In just two months, his seafood quotas surpassed Deng Shangwei’s old share.
Qin didn’t just favor Yu Wei in business but trusted him personally.
Yu Wei offered suggestions, and Qin adopted them, refining imperfect ones and explaining them patiently.
Qin was teaching Yu Wei the trade!
Realizing this, Yu Wei was thrilled, even touched.
His own father, Yu Wenhao, had never been so kind.
But knowing Qin wouldn’t pass his billion-yuan fortune to him over his own kids, Yu Wei hardened. Money trumped fleeting gratitude. With wealth, who needed care?
Yu Wei craved success and dreaded slip-ups.
“Pan Li’s left Rongcheng, Dad. Is that a problem?”
He worried Pan Li might spill their plot against Deng Shangwei, alerting Qin.
Yu Wenhao sneered, “Don’t worry, she won’t dare. She’s no threat. You, though—move faster, but be cautious. Qin Xianming’s steady in business, not easily fooled.”
