Manager Chen is not someone easily fooled.
Wen Dongrong presented several thank-you letters from impoverished students, and Chen Ru was momentarily stunned, overwhelmed with memories of her youth.
Once the wave of emotion passed, reason returned, and Chen Ru still had doubts about the matter.
Sponsoring one impoverished student costs 200 yuan per month. How many students is Wen Dongrong sponsoring?
Why would Deng Shangwei suddenly involve Wen Dongrong in such an endeavour?
Given Deng Shangwei’s lavish spending habits, he might not even let Wen Dongrong pay, covering the full cost of sponsoring the students himself, letting Wen Dongrong take the credit for free.
These were all highly likely possibilities!
In business, Wen Dongrong was no match for Deng Shangwei, but when it came to manipulating people, Deng Shangwei was far from Wen Dongrong’s equal. He could easily be tricked by Wen Dongrong, perhaps even sold off and still foolishly counting the money for him. Even if Wen Dongrong genuinely sponsored students, it wouldn’t change the fact that he secretly took money from his daughter, Wen Ying.
If it’s for a good cause, what’s there to hide?
Unless Wen Dongrong’s intentions weren’t pure from the start.
In any case, it was wrong for Wen to secretly use Wen Ying’s money!
Chen Ru sought confirmation from Deng Shangwei. As an elder sister figure, Chen Ru commanded respect from Chen Li, and Deng Shangwei didn’t dare act rashly in her presence.
“My brother-in-law does often go with me to visit students in the countryside,” Deng Shangwei said honestly. “At first, we just donated and delivered books. As we visited more and got to know the students, my brother-in-law felt compassion. He’s sponsoring three students, 200 yuan per month each, covering tuition and living expenses. Sister, you can’t imagine how tough it is for those kids. They want to study, but their circumstances don’t allow it! In this society, you can’t get by without education. I’ve suffered from my lack of learning. Honestly, I can’t bear to donate my entire fortune, but this amount doesn’t hurt me or affect my family’s life, so I’m happy to do it.”
Deng Shangwei’s words carried admiration for Wen Dongrong.
Didn’t Deng Shangwei know that Wen Dongrong used to look down on small-time business owners?
Deng Shangwei was well aware!
In the past, Wen Dongrong was aloof, and Deng Shangwei wasn’t eager to cosy up to him either, maintaining only superficial respect.
If not for the events triggered by Wen Ying’s publication of *Teen Idol*, the two would never have considered private interactions.
Deng Shangwei’s book donations to rural students led Wen Dongrong to realise that his brother-in-law, though not fond of studying in his youth, now valued learning as a businessman and wasn’t just a vulgar money-grubber.
Likewise, Wen Dongrong’s decision not to use his charitable acts for career advancement changed Deng Shangwei’s view, making him see his brother-in-law in a new light.
When Chen Ru asked, Deng Shangwei praised Wen Dongrong heartily.
“And you? How many students are you sponsoring?” Chen Ru asked.
Deng Shangwei, a bit embarrassed, said he was sponsoring just a few more than Wen Dongrong.
“I’m different from my brother-in-law. I’m in business, with more cash on hand. He’s on a fixed salary, yet he’s willing to cut his own spending to do good deeds. I admire that!”
What’s to admire? He hasn’t cut back on his own spending; he’s using Wen Ying’s money to sponsor those students!
In front of Deng Shangwei, Chen Ru spared Wen some face and didn’t mention it.
One student at 200 yuan, three students make 600 yuan.
Wen Dongrong’s accounts were surprisingly accurate, which caught Chen Ru off guard.
This made it awkward for Chen Ru to confront Wen Dongrong or scold Wen Ying too harshly.
First, Wen Ying’s spending didn’t exceed 1,000 yuan, so she was free to decide.
Second, with exams approaching, Wen Ying had been studying diligently.
Every night, Wen Ying’s room stayed lit late. When Chen Ru brought in milk, Wen Ying was always reviewing, doing practice questions, or analysing answers. No one improves their grades by lying idle; progress in class rankings comes from steady effort.
As for writing, Wen Ying managed her time scientifically, never disrupting her study schedule.
Wen Ying fulfilled her duties as a student, and did so well, earning Chen Ru’s leniency.
Thus, a potential family storm passed without incident. When Wen Ying spoke to Xie Qian about it, she was still emotional. “I don’t know how to judge my dad’s actions. At first, I thought he was noble, but now I think he’s cunning. He legitimised taking my monthly money and even had the cheek to ask for an extra 1,000 yuan. What kind of person is that?”
What kind of person?
Her biological father, that’s who. The power of blood ties is strong!
Before, Xie Qian hadn’t felt this, mainly because Wen Ying rarely mentioned her parents, so he didn’t know much about Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong.
Now—
The hamster has the nerve to call her dad cunning?
Father and daughter were clearly cut from the same cloth, both sly and evasive, sharing the same blood.
Honestly, Wen Ying would get mad, so Xie Qian softened his words. “Your dad has a contingency plan, just like you. You can’t simply judge his actions as good or bad; everyone has many sides.”
Taking his daughter’s money and secretly sponsoring students aren’t mutually exclusive. People are multifaceted.
Wen Dongrong’s complexity was endearing, while Xie Jinghu’s was repulsive.
Xie Jinghu betrayed Zou Weijun and Xie Qian, yet was devoted to his overseas mistress and illegitimate children.
He constantly guarded against Xie Qian, interfering with him, but was a doting father to his illegitimate kids.
Comparing Xie Jinghu to Wen Dongrong was an insult to Wen. Wen never betrayed his family, which made Xie Qian envy Wen Ying. Her playful battles of wits with her parents were the kind of family warmth Xie Qian longed for but could never have!
…
Xie Qian thought of his deadbeat father, and far away in Shanghai, someone was thinking of Xie Qian.
Zhao Dong was quite surprised.
Based on Jiang Youjia’s character, Zhao Dong had tailored a trap, and Jiang Youjia fell right in, facing a hefty compensation.
The sum was crippling for Jiang Youjia, but Zhao Dong didn’t care about the money.
Beyond teaching Jiang Youjia a lesson, Zhao Dong’s main goal was to drag Jiang Xuekun down.
Hitting the son to draw out the father—when the son’s in trouble, the father would surely step in. Once Jiang Youjia was ensnared, Jiang Xuekun would follow… but unexpectedly, Jiang Youjia fell into the trap, yet Jiang Xuekun remained unmoved, showing no sign of intervening!
What was going on?
Was Jiang Youjia adopted by the Jiang family?
It was millions! If the Jiangs could pay it without flinching, Jiang Xuekun had bigger problems. Zhao Dong would seize the chance to crush him, cutting off a major ally of Xie Qian and his mother in Chengdu.
Zhao Dong never imagined that the Jiang family held back because Jiang Youjia married a good wife, Lin Lin, who used her dowry and savings to give Jiang Youjia the confidence to face the financial crisis.
Pay the compensation, fine. The court would decide the amount, and Xie Qian had even arranged a lawyer for Jiang Youjia!
The Jiang family didn’t fall into chaos as Zhao Dong expected, but Jiaksin Film Company, now under Xie Qian’s control, saw new changes.
One of Jiaksin’s shareholders had transferred their shares to someone named Peng Guoqing.
Who was Peng Guoqing?
Xie Qian’s alumnus!
