At the New Year’s Eve dinner table, Wen Dongrong got Zhu Meiqun and her husband so excited that their blood was practically boiling. Zhu Meiqun was ready to roll up her sleeves and dive into action. If it weren’t for the festive season, she would have rushed to check out the shop Wen Dongrong mentioned.
Zhu Meiqun may be honest and straightforward, but her drive is undeniable, a key ingredient for success.
Apart from Wen Kai trying to decline Wen Dongrong’s kindness, only to be swiftly shut down by a few choice words, the meal was a joyous affair for all.
The happiest person was Grandma Wen.
Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru were willing to help their elder brother and sister-in-law, who in turn showed gratitude. What mother wouldn’t be comforted by such sibling bonds?
Watching the lively family scene, Grandma Wen thought of Wen Hongyan.
This Spring Festival, Shu Guobing was still in prison, leaving Wen Hongyan and her daughter Shu Lu alone in their rural hometown. The villagers, unaware of the full story, had nosy aunts and grannies speaking up for Wen Hongyan in front of Grandma Wen. They said siblings shouldn’t hold grudges overnight, that any feud could be resolved with Grandma Wen’s mediation.
Could a son stay at odds with his mother forever?
Grandma Wen took these words to heart, especially with Wen Hongyan calling every so often, crying to her. The old lady had wavered.
Why not give it a try?
If it worked, great. If not, so be it.
On the way to Rongcheng to reunite with Grandma Wen, she had wanted to bring it up several times but never found the right moment.
Now, she let go of the idea completely.
When it came to helping, Wen Dongrong had done the most for Wen Hongyan’s family, practically raising her daughter Shu Lu. But how did Wen Hongyan and Shu Guobing repay him?
Shu Guobing, fearing he couldn’t ruin Wen Dongrong enough, sent a real-name complaint letter to his workplace.
Enough. In such a joyful atmosphere, why mention Wen Hongyan? Blood ties existed, but sibling affection did not. Wen Dongrong didn’t need a sister like her.
With her decision made, Grandma Wen felt lighter. Watching Zhu Meiqun and Wen Dongrong eagerly discuss the details of their business partnership, every wrinkle on the old lady’s face radiated joy.
It was the New Year, after all. The younger generation gave red envelopes to Grandma Wen, who in turn handed them out to the grandchildren.
This year, the Wen and Chen families gathered together for the first time. Grandma Wen didn’t leave out Deng Jie and Deng Hao when handing out red envelopes. Despite Chen Li’s repeated refusals, the envelopes ended up in the children’s pockets.
Chen Ru coughed lightly, “Let them take it.”
Both Chen Ru and Chen Li had distant relationships with their parents, and the Chen family had no proper elders left. What was wrong with Grandma Wen giving Deng Jie and Deng Hao red envelopes?
Chen Li finally agreed, and Deng Jie and Deng Hao, with envelopes in hand, sweetly chimed, “Thank you, Grandma.”
Wen Ying and Wen Kai also received red envelopes.
Their envelopes were equally thick. Wen Kai, seeing the matter settled, didn’t protest and ruin the mood. Silently, he noted another debt: though his second uncle’s family might not need his repayment, he couldn’t take their kindness for granted. He wasn’t yet capable of giving back, but when he could, he would never forget their generosity.
The joy of the New Year, the joy of moving to a new home. Wen Dongrong didn’t let Chen Ru overwork, and Grandma Wen’s inclusion of Deng Jie and Deng Hao in the red envelope tradition gave Chen Ru face. Chen Ru was genuinely happy today.
When Wen Dongrong suddenly brought up partnering with Zhu Meiqun to open a fruit shop, Chen Ru didn’t hesitate. Zhu Meiqun’s self-reliance, running her own stall, impressed Chen Ru. Zhu Meiqun refused to stay for free in Chen Ru’s spare new house, helped with the big cleanup, brought homemade wontons to the New Year’s Eve dinner, and, upon hearing Wen Dongrong claim financial hardship, immediately offered her family’s savings. These actions made Chen Ru genuinely respect Zhu Meiqun as her “sister-in-law.”
Helping a relative like Zhu Meiqun was no big deal.
Even if Zhu Meiqun’s fruit venture didn’t make big profits, it wouldn’t bankrupt Chen Ru’s family. Why oppose it?
Unless Chen Ru planned to divorce Wen Dongrong, she could never sever his ties with the Wen family.
Having a bunch of needy, troublesome in-laws versus self-sufficient ones, which was easier for Chen Ru? The math was simple.
These were reasons, but not the decisive ones.
Fundamentally, Chen Ru’s perspective had shifted. She treated the in-laws she liked as family and ignored those she didn’t.
Zhu Meiqun and her husband believed Wen Dongrong’s sob story, which Chen Ru found amusing.
No matter how hard those two honest folks tried, they couldn’t guess how much Chen Ru’s year-end performance bonus was. This year, her performance ranked first at her bank branch.
Compared to her bonus, the amount Wen Dongrong planned to invest with Zhu Meiqun was peanuts. That said, Wen Dongrong, that sly man, was getting a bit too bold, making decisions without consulting her twice in a row. Chen Ru would definitely give him a proper lesson in thought.
Thinking of this, Chen Ru shot Wen Dongrong a smile.
Wen Dongrong’s scalp tingled, but he kept a calm face, drinking with Deng Shangwei.
A man’s struggles, how could he show them so easily?
As long as his wife gave him face in public, he could handle sleeping on the balcony in private. He accepted it.
Amid the festive family cheer, Wen Ying thought of Xie Qian.
How would Xie Qian spend his New Year’s Eve?
…
Beijing.
This year’s Xie family banquet was fraught with tension.
Grandma Wen had little money but much joy. Old Lady Xie wasn’t as fortunate.
Before the banquet ended, Xie Jinghu struck first, bringing up the Hongqiao Airport demolition news. He congratulated Xie Qian on his investment foresight, “Once it’s demolished, that land’s value will more than double. With all that money, what do you plan to do?”
Xie Jinghu’s words dripped with envy, aimed at Old Lady Xie and Xie Yuping.
Those two always pitied Xie Qian, wanting to secure him more shares. If that land was demolished, the compensation would be massive, enough to make Xie Jinghu jealous and furious.
There was a bet with Xie Qian: if the land’s annual return was under 20%, Xie Qian had to study abroad. With demolition, forget 20%, even 100% was possible.
Xie Qian wouldn’t need to leave and would hold billions. Xie Jinghu could neither eat nor sleep.
The Xie family was stunned.
Was Xie Qian that lucky, buying a random plot that hit a demolition jackpot?
Xie Qian, looking young and smug, said, “First, there’s no confirmed word on the Hongqiao demolition. Second, the compensation, though substantial, can always be spent. I’m thinking of investing in the film industry. Any suggestions?”
