From fear to evasion, from tension to bravely facing it, how difficult this inner journey was, outsiders could hardly empathise with Zou Weijun.
But once the first step was successfully taken, the second step did not seem as hard as imagined.
How happy Zou Weijun was after leaving Xie Yuping’s home, Xie Jinghu’s depression had to be multiplied by ten on top of that.
As soon as Zou Weijun left, Xie Jinghu could not help but lay the groundwork in front of Xie Yuping and the old lady. “Weijun has been a full-time housewife for many years with little work experience. If she comes to work at ‘Jinhu’ and interferes recklessly in the company’s investments, causing major losses, it will be hard for me to explain to the other shareholders. You all know that ‘Jinhu’ has long since ceased to be my company alone!”
Old Lady Xie was seasoned and not easily led by Xie Jinghu’s rhythm; she had her own views.
“Work experience is gained through practice. I see your wife did very well in Chengdu. If she truly falls short in anything in the future, you can just guide her more, can you not? Besides, doing business always involves gains and losses. After so many years in business, have you always made steady profits every time? If she does not understand, she can learn. Since she gave birth to such a clever son as Xie Qian, I believe in Weijun’s learning ability.”
Having been beaten by his mother and choked by her words today, Xie Jinghu began to doubt his life.
Could he actually be a child picked up from the roadside?
Eldest Brother Xie Yuping held the same stance and could not stand Xie Jinghu’s scheming ways, so his words were even less polite.
“Why would Weijun interfere recklessly in company investments? Losses at ‘Jinhu’ would be her losses too. Why would she mess with her own money for no reason? Do not talk such nonsense. Once Weijun starts working at ‘Jinhu’, you should be the one to behave. Her not divorcing is giving you a chance. If you harbour any more bad ideas, I will support Weijun divorcing. You must understand that without divorce, you are the largest shareholder at ‘Jinhu’. After divorce and splitting the joint property, you will likely only be the second largest.”
His mother seemed to have become Zou Weijun’s mother, and even his eldest brother had become Zou Weijun’s eldest brother.
The situation Xie Yuping described was precisely what Xie Jinghu feared: losing shares upon divorce!
Xie Jinghu shifted his gaze to his eldest sister-in-law Hou Zhixiu. Hou Zhixiu cleared her throat lightly. “Old Third, your eldest brother has never seen what his wage card looks like…”
Unable to find even one supporter, Xie Jinghu’s heart felt both weary and cold.
Xie Yuping possessed extraordinary insight.
Zou Weijun’s willingness to work at ‘Jinhu’ was of course a good thing.
But there had been no prior signs, and she was abandoning her thriving publishing work in Chengdu just like that, which did not quite fit Zou Weijun’s style of doing things.
There must be some change unknown to Xie Yuping that prompted her sudden decision.
Xie Yuping originally wanted to question Xie Jinghu a bit, but then thought better of it. There was no need to inform Xie Jinghu, and he could not let Xie Jinghu become too wary of Zou Weijun. His tone softened unusually. “Weijun does not understand company investments. Her going to work at ‘Jinhu’ has more symbolic meaning than practical. If you do not let her go to ‘Jinhu’, how can you put her mind at ease? In my view, this is actually a good thing, beneficial for easing your marital relations!”
This was true.
Zou Weijun truly lacked the relevant talents. A woman who had never cared how much was in the household deposits, how could she manage a group’s finances?
Thinking that Zou Weijun might not even understand the group’s financial reports, Xie Jinghu felt slightly comforted. As if struck by something, he immediately said he had company matters and had to leave first.
With Xie Jinghu gone, Old Lady Xie finally expressed her true emotions. “Weijun has returned to the capital, so why keep Xie Qian in Chengdu? Have him transfer schools back together. That way, I can see him more often.”
Xie Yuping patiently explained. “You know Xie Qian’s temperament. Even in Chengdu, he and Old Third keep their distance from each other. If he returns to the capital and the father and son see each other often, the conflicts will only increase. Better to keep them father and son far apart; that way, we can still mediate in between.”
Xie Qian looked like Xie Jinghu, but his temperament was like Zou Weijun’s, with a pride that would rather break than bend.
Zou Weijun was willing to play along and feign civility with Xie Jinghu to safeguard the family property Xie Qian deserved; this was a mother’s love for her son.
Then what of a son’s love for his mother?
As long as Zou Weijun raised “divorce”, Xie Qian would help her achieve that wish, even if it meant wanting nothing!
Xie Qian’s attitude towards money was too much like the Zou family: indifferent to having it or not. So the family property was not leverage to keep Xie Qian; emotional bonds were.
Old Lady Xie was one who could listen to reason. Though she missed Xie Qian, after Xie Yuping put it this way, the old lady did not insist on her view.
At least, Zou Weijun was no longer avoiding the Xie family and had returned to the capital. That was truly a great joy!
…
People’s joys and sorrows mostly do not interconnect. What delighted Old Lady Xie pricked Xie Qian’s ears like needles upon hearing.
“…You do not have to do this!”
The work in Chengdu was what Zou Weijun loved. There was the popular science book series she had launched single-handedly, Wen Ying the bestselling author, the ‘Spark’ magazine she had founded herself, and the outstanding authors discovered through essay contests. The Chengdu Literary Publishing House had already finalised collaborations with these authors, and the publishing house would successively help them launch full-length works…
One could say that Zou Weijun had toiled in Chengdu’s publishing industry for two years and was just about to reap a full harvest when she suddenly set this promising situation aside. Her decision to return to the capital and work at ‘Jinhu’ was self-evident!
Xie Qian ached for his mother, but Zou Weijun herself did not feel aggrieved. “This is my own choice. My marriage has problems, and I cannot evade them forever. I will temporarily set aside the work in Chengdu, but that does not mean I am completely giving up on the career I love. I have some ideas now, though the timing is not quite ripe. I plan to implement them gradually.”
Xie Qian did not know what to say. Zou Weijun asked him to keep it confidential for now and not tell Wen Ying.
“Wen Ying’s five-city book signing tour is not over yet; Chengdu is the final stop. On this matter, I must see it through to the end.”
Zou Weijun not only planned to follow Wen Ying back to Chengdu for the signing event but also to handle the work handover properly, which would take at least half a month.
“Um, I understand.”
Life was not a novel’s feel-good story. Even Xie Qian could not have everything go smoothly. His voice on the other end of the phone carried a heaviness, but Zou Weijun’s mood was indeed good, and she could even joke to lighten the atmosphere. “Today’s signing event should be over by now. Little Min has not called me, so it seems Zhang Nan did not cause any trouble.”
“Trouble of that level, she can handle.”
Xie Qian had great confidence in Wen Ying’s abilities, but Zou Weijun disagreed. “Wen Ying can handle it, but you cannot take it for granted and push it onto Wen Ying to cope with. This is trouble you caused for her, after all.”
For the first time, Zou Weijun worried about her son’s intelligence!
The innocent affections of the young were beautiful and moving, yet truly so green.
Overthinking when not needed, yet obtuse when sensitivity was called for. The person involved was unhurried, leaving the onlookers anxious instead.
Xie Qian was actually nervous too but embarrassed to show it. Hearing Zou Weijun’s reminder, he immediately went with the flow. “I will go find someone else to check on the situation.”
