The Du family's grand plan, to use Du Yujie's beauty as a honey trap, was something Xie Sui could foresee. He had seen plenty of such tactics in his past life, and had even half-heartedly accepted women who did no work.
However, in this life, he was not alone. His wife and children were his top priority, and he had long grown tired of carnal desires, losing any interest.
In this life, he only wished for a peaceful existence with his wife and children, living a different kind of life. He was utterly weary of the deceit and cunning of the business world.
Once he recouped forty billion from the stock market, he could develop slowly and build a solid foundation. Xie Sui was more confident than ever that he could build a commercial empire even larger and more stable than the one in his previous life.
Returning to the company and looking at the cramped break room, Xie Sui no longer wanted to stay there. He envied the Du family's spacious mansion.
Wanwan and the children deserved to live in such a house; that was what a good life meant.
He acted on his thoughts. The next day, he asked Lin Nan, "Are there any villas for sale on Banshan? Keep an eye out for me. I want to buy one. Also, find two larger units nearby and buy them. I'll live there in the future, so it'll be closer to work."
"Understood. It's relatively easy to buy near the company, but Banshan is difficult. After all, that area is home to true aristocratic families, passed down for generations. Without considerable wealth, one cannot afford to live there."
"We'll find an opportunity. No rush. The main thing is that I have many children, and a small place won't allow them to run around freely."
Lin Nan knew about his family situation and expressed some envy. "You truly are blessed. If it were me, I couldn't afford to raise four children; one is already a handful."
"That's why I have to work harder to earn money. If there are two boys in the oven, that's four boys. They'll drain me dry, this old man!"
"That won't happen. When sons grow up, they can help you share the burden. Everyone wants sons. If you have four daughters, you'll need to prepare four dowries. Giving them away to bear children for others is not cost-effective. Sons are better."
Lin Nan comforted him, and Xie Sui's mood improved. "That's true. You have a daughter, don't you?"
"Brother Xie, it's fine. I'll go get back to work. Think about how you'll divide your inheritance among your four sons in the future."
Lin Nan no longer wanted to chat with him; it was too heartbreaking. So what if he had a daughter? Daughters are well-behaved, obedient, and sensible. Aren't they better than unruly boys?
Xie Sui chuckled maliciously. It seemed having sons wasn't bad either. In the future, there would be four fathers heartbroken.
Du Feiyang rushed in, "Brother Xie, something big has gone wrong."
"Why are you telling me something's gone wrong first thing in the morning? Stay calm. What big trouble could there be?"
"My father agreed to my conditions and is letting me join the board of directors, but he's only giving me one percent of the shares."
"That's a bit little. Five percent would be more appropriate. You can negotiate this. If he gives you little, invest a little less. A few hundred million is enough to show your filial piety."
Xie Sui felt that Old Master Du lacked foresight. Since he had agreed, he should generously offer his son shares according to market value. Eventually, it would all belong to the Du family anyway.
Du Feiyang stamped his foot in anger, "That's not the worst of it. He's giving my eldest brother the same amount of shares. That makes us equals!"
Xie Sui smiled. "The old man is playing for balance, afraid you'll become too powerful on your own. He wants your eldest brother to check and balance you. It's fine. Agree to it, but the shares must be five percent. This is his bargaining chip for you. However, invest thirty billion in him. The remaining ten billion, let's invest in the mainland. We can earn more profits. The mainland is developing rapidly now; you can get rich just by collecting scrap. If we don't seize this opportunity and just stay here, it's pointless. In less than five years, what seems important now will be trivial."
"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Xie. I'll go back and talk to Old Man now."
"No, go talk to him through a lawyer. It's too damaging to father-son relations to discuss matters directly. When it comes to money, leave it to the lawyers. You continue to play the filial son. How you fight behind the scenes is your business, but on the surface, you must be a filial son and father." Su Dan Novel Network
"I understand. Brother Xie, you're so clever. I'll go find a lawyer now."
Xie Sui stood up. "I'll go with you. I also need to hire some legal personnel for my company. We'll need them in many places later. I'll help you assess their capabilities. Your family matters require a capable lawyer."
"Alright, Brother Xie, I'll feel more at ease with you to screen them. Brother Xie, if I were a woman, I'd definitely marry you! What would I do without you?!"
Xie Sui: "..."
"Even if you were a cross-dresser, it wouldn't work; you're too ugly."
The two walked out of the company, laughing and joking. A'Fei had already brought the car and was waiting at the entrance. Two cars, one in front and one behind, were the bodyguard vehicles.
He opened the car door and invited them in. A'Fei skillfully started the car and slowly pulled away.
Xie Sui remembered his girlfriend and asked, "How was that girlfriend of yours resolved?"
A'Fei replied, "Naturally, we broke up. Thank you for your concern, Brother Xie."
"Just broke up? Didn't you get back the money you gave her? That was money you risked your life to get, not a small sum. With that money, you could have bought a small apartment and had a home for life. Letting that kind of person get away with it, can you feel at ease?"
A'Fei said, "I just didn't want to go too far. The money was already given to her father, and it was definitely lost. Even if I forced them to death, they couldn't get it."
"Forget it. Consider it a lesson learned. Next time you find a woman, sharpen your eyes. It's hard to find a three-legged toad, but aren't women with two legs everywhere?"
Du Feiyang said, "If you find someone you like, let me help you assess her. I can tell if she's a gold digger at a glance."
"That's a good word. 'Gold digger' is suitable for you, not for A'Fei."
Xie Sui was amused that Du Feiyang even knew about gold diggers.
"I learned that from you, Brother Xie. What about gold diggers, scheming women, green tea girls, white lotus girls? Brother Xie, where did you get such rich experience with women? You're even better than me."
How could Xie Sui say that he had dated all sorts in his past life? Did that mean he had experience?
"The most formidable is the 'sea woman.' Men are like fish she raises, all backup options, playing with them in the palm of her hand. Your girlfriend was a combination of green tea and a sea woman, and quite skilled. A'Fei is an honest kid; he couldn't play her."
"Sea woman? Learned another word."
A'Fei's lips curled. Brother Xie was always right. From now on, he would listen to Brother Xie about everything. He wanted to treat Xie Sui like his own elder brother but felt unworthy. He just wanted to follow him silently, content with being able to drive for him.
Du Feiyang knew the two most famous law firms in the city, which collaborated with many large companies. They were not far away, and they arrived in half an hour. The tall office buildings housed several law firms, and their grandeur made the security guards open the doors cautiously.
They took the elevator to the sixteenth floor. This was a law firm called Cheng Hui. The owner was a woman, which was quite remarkable for someone who could open a law firm. Du Feiyang told Xie Sui about the owner's rise to success. Xie Sui envisioned a capable, serious, middle-aged woman in a smart suit.