Qin Jiao’s attention shifted thanks to Wen Ying’s words, and she began pondering how Wen Ying could earn over ten thousand yuan in just two months over the summer.
Qin Jiao did some quick math for her, “You said tutoring fees are 9,000 yuan, school tuition plus dorm fees are 3,000 yuan, and then there’s living expenses for the first semester. Let’s say 500 yuan a month—that’s over 2,000 yuan for the semester. So, before school starts, you need at least 14,000 yuan!”
That was no small sum.
In Rongcheng, a typical job paid maybe a thousand yuan a month. Fourteen thousand yuan was a year’s savings for an average worker without eating or drinking.
Qin Jiao knew work came in all forms, but it boiled down to two types: brain work or brawn work.
Earning with knowledge and skills or with physical labor—Wen Ying had to pick one.
Physical labor? Wen Ying wouldn’t hold up. But earning with knowledge and skills—would anyone take her seriously?
Qin Jiao started worrying for her.
Boss Qin spared no effort raising his kids, often bringing Qin Jiao to business dinners. But she was still in high school, and he didn’t want her dabbling in business yet. In his words, every stage of life was precious—study when it’s time to study; there’d be plenty of time for business later.
Her brother Qin Yi, though, was in college now, with more financial freedom. Boss Qin didn’t stop him from “real-world practice.”
“My brother’s coming back in a few days. Should I ask him for you? I know he made some pocket money this past semester,” Qin Jiao offered.
Wen Ying had a plan in mind but didn’t turn down Qin Jiao’s kindness.
The two chatted animatedly, Qin Jiao temporarily forgetting the day’s troubles, fully focused on helping Wen Ying win her bet.
…
While Wen Ying and Qin Jiao brainstormed in the room, Deng Shangwei timed his exit to meet Yu Wenhao.
Deng Shangwei now felt nothing but disgust for Yu Wenhao, no gratitude left. To keep him fooled, he hid his true feelings, treating him as warmly as ever. Before Yu Wenhao could speak, Deng Shangwei jumped in, “Brother Wen, I just called Boss Qin. He’s pretty mad, but accidents like this—no one wants them. Qin Jiao’s shaken up from falling in, but once she recovers, Boss Qin’s anger should fade. Boss Wang’s the tricky one, though. That’s their only kid. I tried calling him, and he hung up before I could say a word!”
Deng Shangwei then scolded Yu Wei for being reckless, “Little Wei, you’re not a kid anymore. Why are you still hanging with those street punks? Your dad’s worried sick over you!”
Yu Wei remembered Deng Shangwei from his teens—a nobody tagging along behind his dad, jumping at Yu Wenhao’s every word. Even Yu Wei, the “young master,” could boss him around.
Now Deng Shangwei dared lecture him, just because his dad had gambled away their fortune?
Yu Wei recalled his days of glory as the big shot. Now the Yu family was a hollow shell—his old crew barely gave him the time of day.
Those friends now played with sports cars worth millions. Yu Wenhao wouldn’t buy him one, and without an in, Yu Wei was slowly pushed out of that circle.
It was just the start.
If the Yu family didn’t bounce back, his social standing would sink even lower!
Never having it was one thing—losing it after tasting it? That stung Yu Wei hard.
To reclaim his past glory, he bowed his head and swallowed Deng Shangwei’s “lesson.”
Yu Wenhao frowned, “Your Uncle Deng’s looking out for you, and this is your attitude?”
He raised his hand to slap Yu Wei again. Deng Shangwei pretended to intervene but didn’t stop it, letting Yu Wei take another solid hit.
Deng Shangwei relished it inwardly but didn’t overplay his act, quickly stepping in for real, “Brother Wen, talk it out. Little Wei’s grown—give him some face outside.”
Discipline kids behind closed doors.
Hitting them in public? That’s for show!
But Deng Shangwei wouldn’t say that. He used to see Yu Wenhao as a big brother, while Yu Wenhao treated him like a dimwit. Whether Yu Wei turned out decent or not—what did that matter to Deng Shangwei now?
After his fake mediation, seeing Yu Wenhao still fuming, he spoke up for Yu Wei, “Brother Wen, I think Little Wei’s just got too much free time. If he had something proper to do, he’d drift from those ‘friends.’ I’ve had this idea for a while but never found the chance to bring it up. What if Little Wei joined me in the seafood business?”
Deng Shangwei’s tone was tentative, as if worried his suggestion might bruise Yu Wenhao’s pride.
Yu Wei’s head snapped up, glancing at Deng Shangwei, then his dad.
The seafood trade? His dad had long wanted in, but Rongcheng’s market was locked down by Qin Xianming and a few others. Forcing his way in, Yu Wenhao could only scrape leftovers from Qin Xianming’s table—barely a dent in their debts, let alone a return to glory!
Leftovers wouldn’t cut it. They’d need to replace Qin Xianming and dominate Rongcheng’s seafood market.
Yu Wei hadn’t expected Deng Shangwei to suggest this now. The original plan was for Yu Wei to save Qin Jiao, then naturally earn Qin Xianming’s gratitude… With the plan off track, Deng Shangwei’s sudden offer threw him off—he didn’t dare agree outright.
Yu Wenhao stayed silent so long Yu Wei thought he’d refuse. Finally, he sighed heavily, “Plenty send flowers in good times; few bring coal in the snow. Shangwei, as your brother, I thank you!”
He patted Deng Shangwei’s shoulder, brimming with emotion.
For a fleeting moment, Deng Shangwei recalled the past, when he’d truly been grateful to Yu Wenhao.
But the thought of Yu Wenhao setting Pan Li to seduce him, aiming to ruin his family, hardened his heart to steel.
His wife and kids were his world. If Yu Wenhao needed help, Deng Shangwei would’ve lent his savings without a second thought for a comeback.
Yu Wenhao didn’t want his measly savings—he wanted to climb over him to get at Boss Qin. That, Deng Shangwei couldn’t stomach!
“Brother Wen, we’re brothers for life—why thank me? If Little Wei’s willing to join me in business, I’ll use this mess to introduce him to Boss Qin. I’ll put in a word with Boss Wang too. After all, it wasn’t Little Wei who knocked Wang’s son into the water—why pin it all on him?”
Yu Wenhao nodded, “Business can wait. I need to see Boss Qin and Boss Wang soon. Little Wei messed up first—we’ll apologise properly. I won’t let outsiders mock me for lacking honor!”
Deng Shangwei mentioned he’d booked a room at the hotel and invited Yu Wenhao and son to stay. Yu Wenhao said he had other plans, telling Deng Shangwei to rest early—they’d meet at the county hospital tomorrow.
As Deng Shangwei turned to leave, Yu Wenhao remembered, “Your niece was at Changtan Lake today, right? She gets along well with Boss Qin’s daughter, though she seems a bit timid.”
Deng Shangwei brushed it off, “Boss Qin’s daughter likes how obedient she is. She grew up in the countryside—kinda shy, not cut out for the spotlight.”
He had no urge to downplay Wen Ying.
But in front of Yu Wenhao, praising her was pointless. Better he overlooked her entirely!
Yu Wenhao had only asked casually. He’d met Wen Ying a few times but barely registered her. Just his wife’s niece—hardly worth a kidnapping.
Deng Shangwei returned to the hotel and briefed Boss Qin on the meeting.
“Yu Wenhao doesn’t suspect a thing.”
“Greed blinds him. A pie falling from the sky? Of course he won’t doubt it. His son joining your business is a front—he wants a line to my seafood channels. I was worried he’d hold back. As long as he bites, it’s fine. I don’t fear his greed—just that it’s not enough!”
What others couldn’t pull off in business, Boss Qin could, thanks to his connections.
Yu Wenhao wanted in? Boss Qin was confident he could trap him in the game.
As they spoke, Deng Shangwei’s phone rang.
Seeing the number, he frowned. Boss Qin laughed, “Keep Yu Wenhao steady—you’ll need to play along a bit longer. But watch yourself. Don’t actually cross your wife, or when she flips, I won’t back you up!”
Deng Shangwei gave a wry smile, “Fool me once, lesson learned. I’ll never forget this one.”
He’d paid dearly for playing along.
If he’d refused Yu Wenhao’s nightclub invites from the start, Pan Li wouldn’t have had a chance to pin a pregnancy on him.
Deng Shangwei stepped out to the stairwell to take Pan Li’s call.
She still didn’t want an abortion.
He nearly snapped, “Then keep it—let’s see who panics more when it’s born.” But he could act for Yu Wenhao, so he kept his patience with Pan Li.
He played the part of a man terrified of trouble at home, desperate to hush his “pregnant mistress,” raising her payoff from 30万 to 35万 over the phone.
Pan Li might’ve agreed if she weren’t scared of Yu Wenhao’s retaliation.
“Brother Deng, I’m going for a checkup tomorrow. Can you come with me?” she pleaded.
Deng Shangwei shot it down, excuse at the ready, “Brother Wen’s got trouble here—I’m not even in Rongcheng. Don’t know when I’ll be back. Lily, think it over. 35万’s a lot. That’s all I can swing. More, and my wife’ll notice—I can’t explain that.”
“Brother Deng, I’m not after your money…”
Deng Shangwei thought, *Not money? Then what?*
Even if Pan Li wasn’t Yu Wenhao’s honey trap, a music college girl might fancy today’s Deng Shangwei but never the fishmonger he’d been a decade ago.
His wife Chen Li stood by him through the hard times. These outside women wanting to share the good life? Dream on!
He hung up and returned to the room. Xie Qian slowly climbed the stairs from the other side.
Mosquitoes in his room had kept him awake, buzzing incessantly. The front desk line was busy, so he’d gone down to grab a repellent himself.
He hadn’t expected to overhear Deng Shangwei offering 35000yuan to silence a mistress.
Wen Ying’s uncle really had a lover—and she was pregnant. No wonder Wen Ying hired a detective.
Xie Qian felt Wen Ying’s aunt was pathetic, dumping the burden of protecting their family on Wen Ying. Weren’t they worried it’d crush her?
