Xie Yuping took Xie Qian to the study.
Hou Zhixiu, in a foul mood, sighed repeatedly, “Your third uncle is really too much! Poor Third Aunt, poor Xie Qian…”
*What’s so pitiful about Third Aunt?*
Word was, Zou Weijun was thriving in Chengdu’s publishing world, launching hit science books, bestselling novels, nurturing star authors like Wen Ying, and organizing major literary events—all in under two years. Didn’t that prove her capability?
A capable woman didn’t need pity!
Xie Tang believed Zou Weijun just needed time. Once she sorted herself out, she’d surely dump Third Uncle Xie Jinghu.
The family’s hopes of a reconciliation were naive!
Xie Tang didn’t look down on Zou Weijun, though her handling of the marriage crisis was messy. Xie Tang respected her choices.
Xie Tang’s breakup with Yan Yuchuan was swift because it was just dating.
They hadn’t reached the meet-the-parents stage, and their social circles barely overlapped, so the split was clean.
Zou Weijun’s situation was different.
It was a marriage.
Nearly twenty years of marriage, entwined economically and emotionally, with Xie Qian in the picture. A woman’s best years, from youth to maturity, were poured into it—how could she just let go?
Xie Tang kept these thoughts from others but was open with her mother, “What’s the use of pitying Third Aunt and Xie Qian? Why not do something practical? Third Uncle’s got too much money, so he’s got wandering eyes. If he transferred his shares to Third Aunt, turning from ‘Boss Xie’ to her wage-earner, would he still have the mood to keep a mistress? Mistresses want money—once he’s broke, they’d run… Ouch, Mum, why’d you hit me? Isn’t that the truth?”
Xie Tang started reserved but got carried away, speaking freely.
Hou Zhixiu, seeing her go too far, smacked her arm, cutting her off.
“The truth? It’s not your place to decide elders’ affairs! Say that to me, fine, but don’t bring it up with your dad. Don’t give him more to worry about!”
Zou Weijun was indeed pitiful.
Xie Qian was innocent.
But to Xie Yuping, his brother was closer than his sister-in-law.
With Jinhu Group’s scale, Xie Jinghu respected his elder brother Xie Yuping. Xie Yuping could push for Xie Qian to get some shares, leveraging Xie Jinghu’s guilt, but could he demand Xie Jinghu transfer all his shares to Zou Weijun?
No.
No law gave Xie Yuping that right!
Even if there were… giving shares to Xie Qian was one thing; to Zou Weijun, another.
The law didn’t mandate “leaving with nothing” for the guilty party in a marriage. Fairly splitting marital assets was already tough, and in reality, it wasn’t about who was at fault but who was weaker that got less!
Hou Zhixiu looked at Xie Tang with worry.
With the Xie family’s protection, Xie Tang didn’t need to deal with such dirty games, but could the Xie family stay strong forever?
Hou Zhixiu hoped so.
But she knew it couldn’t.
Xie Yuping would retire someday!
Without his authority, Xie Jinghu would likely run wild.
Jinhu Group was growing, and while Second and Fourth Xie excelled in their fields, they couldn’t fully suppress Xie Jinghu.
The Xie family’s future depended on the younger generation’s competence.
Fourth Xie’s daughter was too young to judge.
The ones to watch were Second Xie’s son Xie Qi, Xie Qian, and… Xie Tang herself!
Hou Zhixiu’s mood grew complex, recalling her husband’s words at dinner.
If they couldn’t protect Xie Tang forever, better to let her forge her own path now. Mistakes now could be cushioned by her parents; lessons learned would help her grow. Enough mistakes, and Xie Tang could stand on her own.
Watching her daughter stumble hurt a mother’s heart.
But shielding her now meant bigger falls later, when aging parents couldn’t catch her.
In that moment, Hou Zhixiu’s perspective shifted, “Fine, study in Shanghai if you want. But let me be clear—you’ve got a place there, which solves a big issue. If you’re set on staying in Shanghai, don’t expect more support from home!”
Xie Tang was surprised.
So middle-aged women’s minds changed that fast?
Just moments ago, urging her to study in Beijing or abroad, now leaving it to her.
But it suited Xie Tang perfectly.
“I’m grown! Xie Qian’s not even in college and runs a company. I’m older than him—how embarrassing would it be to rely on home? Don’t worry, Mum, I’ve saved some money, and grad school has stipends. I can manage in Shanghai.”
A house?
Why live there?
School dorms were great!
An unused house could be rented out.
Xie Tang had it all planned.
She wondered what Xie Qian was discussing with her dad in the study… She lowered her voice, “I won’t say this to Dad, but is it right for the family to stop Third Aunt from divorcing?”
Every individual is free.
Freedom lies in will and personal autonomy!
Hou Zhixiu thought seriously, then said firmly, “Of course it’s not right.”
Before Xie Tang could rejoice, Hou Zhixiu countered, “Think carefully. Has anyone in the family explicitly forbidden your Third Aunt from divorcing?”
Yes—her dad, her grandma, Third Uncle himself… Xie Tang almost said it but swallowed her words.
They didn’t want Third Aunt to divorce.
But if Zou Weijun was determined, willing to pay any price, neither her dad, grandma, Third Uncle, nor even cousin Xie Qian could stop her!
In the end, Zou Weijun needed to stand firm, unshaken by others’ opinions.
“Mum, I get it, but I still say, pity in words is useless. If Third Uncle’s money doesn’t go to Third Aunt, giving it to Xie Qian’s fine, right?”
Before Hou Zhixiu could reply, Xie Tang’s phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, she grinned.
—Peng Greenhair.
Hou Zhixiu saw it too. Having just resolved to let her daughter go, her resolve wavered.
What kind of name was that!
Hardly a decent person.
Xie Tang’s social circle stressed Hou Zhixiu out!
Xie Tang stepped to the door to answer, “Peng Guoqing, why’re you calling? Not afraid of a beating?”
Peng Guoqing’s voice carried three parts caution, seven parts pride, “Sister Tang, I know you won’t hit me. I did something, but I can’t tell you yet—”
Xie Tang cut in briskly, “Don’t want to hear it. Hanging up!”
Peng Guoqing panicked, “No, no, don’t hang up! I’ve got Tai Wu and the others. How do I hand them over to you?”
