After a day of social engagements, Xie Sui was tired but had to maintain a smiling facade, unwilling to let these people witness his discomfiture.
Finally, he was out. Having spent so long in a detention center for the first time in both his lives, he felt a unique sense of release.
Smith had also come, constantly praising Xie Sui for finding such a good wife, his eyes filled with envy. He admired Lin Wanwan, but she was already married, so he had to put those thoughts aside.
However, he still thought that perhaps he could wait for them to divorce. As long as they weren't in coffins, it wasn't too late.
This foreigner harbored beautiful fantasies. If Xie Sui knew what he was thinking, he would surely smash his high nose with a fist. Not even a chance.
Li Hongze also arrived, representing the Li family to express apologies to Xie Sui. Xie Sui didn't dwell on it; Li Junhao had already been ostracized. It wasn't a bad thing for him to maintain a good relationship with the Li family.
Today was just his release, without any planned reception. Everyone came to see him, left their gifts, and departed.
Du Feiyang and Tang Ling, along with their brothers, stayed to socialize and see guests off, busy and lively.
However, there were also uninvited guests: Du Feiyun and Du Yujie arrived, smiling with ill intentions.
"Congratulations, President Xie. Hong Kong City would be much less entertaining without you."
Du Feiyun clasped Xie Sui's hand tightly, acting as enthusiastically as a blood brother. However, the force of his grip caused Xie Sui a pang of pain. This man, at his age, still resorted to such tricks.
He immediately bent down and crouched: "Ouch, it hurts! Young Master Du, please be gentler. You know my constitution is weak, yet you use so much strength. My hand feels like it's going to break!"
Du Feiyang immediately pulled Du Feiyun away: "Big Brother, what are you doing? Brother Xie is still recovering. Have some shame! It's meaningless to use such underhanded tactics. Do you find this amusing?"
Everyone looked at Du Feiyun with contempt. Bullying a patient, Young Master Du was truly regressing with age.
Du Feiyun was furious. He was still so treacherous. He had only applied a little force; how could it be so exaggerated?
"It's alright, it's just that I'm too weak. Young Master Du was just too enthusiastic and couldn't control his strength. It's not his fault, really."
If he hadn't been trembling and forcing himself to endure the pain, people might have believed him.
Lin Wanwan said with concern, "Do you need to see a doctor? Young Master Du, if you're here to cause trouble, please leave. Although the Xie family isn't as wealthy as the Du family, we don't rely on the Du family for sustenance. We cannot afford a friend like you. Please, leave."
Du Feiyun was furious. If he were kicked out by this woman today, he would become a laughingstock in the upper circles.
Du Yujie stepped forward and said, "Mrs. Xie, don't be so angry. It was just a joke. Just like your matter with Mr. Smith, wasn't it all taken with a laugh? In the business world, being too serious is meaningless."
Lin Wanwan's expression changed. She dared to bring up that matter, trying to instigate things in front of Xie Sui. It was truly insidious.
Du Yujie continued to smile innocently, "I didn't mean to instigate your marital relationship. It was reported in the papers back then, and President Xie would have found out sooner or later. It was just gossip, not to be believed..."
Xie Sui hadn't paid much attention initially. Who was Smith? It was unlikely he would have designs on his wife after just one meeting. Basic morality still existed.
However, before he could speak, Lin Wanwan raised her hand and slapped Du Yujie across the face. Everyone was stunned.
"You, you dare to hit me?"
"Miss Du, I apologize. My hand slipped. Being too serious is meaningless. I don't have as many schemes as you, Miss Du. I just can't stand dirty things. When I see them, my hands itch, and I can't help but slap them away."
Du Yujie was furious and complained to Xie Sui, "President Xie, aren't you going to discipline her? With this temper, she'll offend everyone sooner or later. This is Hong Kong City, not your remote countryside in the mainland!"
Xie Sui immediately took Lin Wanwan's hand and blew on it, "Does it hurt? In the future, if you encounter something unclean, don't do it yourself, it's so dirty."
"You guys..."
The couple ganged up to bully her. Du Yujie was so wronged she almost cried. Du Feiyun pulled her aside, "It seems President Xie is determined to be at odds with our Du family. Very well, we'll see."
"Can you represent Old Master Du?"
Xie Sui's expression turned cold. His amiable smile vanished, and his imposing demeanor made Du Feiyun feel as if he saw his own grandfather. This was his own doing, and he wasn't sure of his grandfather's stance.
Du Feiyang said, "I'm going home today to have a good talk with Dad about the messes you two have made."
"Do as you please. A young master of the prestigious Du family, acting like a lackey behind a mainlander. You've disgraced the Du family completely. Do you still have the nerve to complain?"
"If you want to be a dog, Brother Xie doesn't need one. Besides, we're friends. If Brother Xie is in trouble, I'll stand by him. When will you ever? No wonder you have no friends. A self-preserving person like you will never achieve anything great. You think you're smart, but no one is a fool!"
Xie Sui almost wanted to praise him, saying he cursed well.
"Young Master Du, please leave. Your behavior today was extremely impolite," He Mengchao said coldly, showing him no respect.
The two left dejectedly. Du Feiyang spat, "What kind of person is he? Just because he was born of the main wife, he thinks he's superior? What era is this? Still practicing the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born children. What an idiot."
Xie Sui said, "You're right, we don't practice that anymore. But only capable people can stand firm. In the future, focus your energy on making money and don't just wander around all day."
"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Xie." Du Feiyang replied obediently. What lackey? He was just jealous.
Xie Sui invited everyone to dinner before they each went home.
The villa had burned down, and the new property was a bit small. Xie Sui finally had the chance to hug his sons.
Unfortunately, the sons weren't cooperative and cried profusely. Xie Lan scolded him, so he had to go bathe and regretfully returned to his room.
As he entered, Lin Wanwan pounced on him, her tears soaking his shirt, "Do you know how scared I was?"
"You don't have to be afraid anymore, Wanwan. You did very well. How fortunate I am to have such a beautiful and capable wife. Come, to comfort your wounded heart, tonight I will exhaust all my efforts until death."
He then carried her to the bed. What could be more relaxing and conducive to strengthening their bond than making love?
Lin Wanwan blushed. They had four children, but she still felt shy. However, tonight she was more proactive. The pressure of the past few days had finally been released.
While Xie Sui and his wife enjoyed their reunion, the atmosphere in the Du family was somber.
Du Feiyang kept his word and complained to his father without delay. Old Master Du had already received the news and was unexpectedly disappointed by his children's disgraceful behavior.
He was already angry, and Du Feiyang added fuel to the fire. "It's not wrong to cause trouble; the mistake is getting kicked out and slapped! Can't you fight back? This isn't like your blood!"
Du Feiyang gloated. The old master was angry enough to have a heart attack. "And you, you're a family of brothers. Instead of helping your own, you're siding with outsiders, letting everyone see the Du family's internal strife. Are you happy about that?"
Old Master Du scolded both of them, almost having a heart attack. He was old-fashioned and believed in the eldest son inheriting the family business, but his eldest son's actions increasingly disappointed him. As for Du Feiyang, he knew the capabilities of this son. He was a good-for-nothing, a heartless person. If the Du family were handed over to him, it would be ruined sooner or later.
Du Yujie said aggrievedly, "We went to congratulate them with good intentions. Who knew they would be so disrespectful? Dad, it's not entirely our fault. This Xie Sui doesn't take the Du family seriously at all. Only you can control him."
Old Master Du glanced at her, feeling very disappointed. She had studied abroad for so many years in vain. If he were to intervene, it would mean a fight to the death with Xie Sui. Moreover, Xie Sui was a junior and should call him uncle. He still had his reputation to consider.
Du Feiyang said, "Third Sister, what you said is wrong. Why must we suppress Brother Xie? Can't we coexist peacefully? Look at the prominent families in Hong Kong City; which one dominates alone? Even the Li family is polite to everyone. Business isn't about making enemies. With such a narrow mind, you'll never achieve greatness."
"Can you achieve greatness? You just fawn over others."
The two started arguing. Old Master Du shouted, "Stop arguing!"
But they still wouldn't comply and were about to fight. The old master swayed and stood up, then his vision went black, and he fainted.
The entire family panicked and rushed him to the hospital.
...
Xie Sui woke up early, unable to sleep. His biological clock had been reset. It was a side effect of being in the detention center. He almost put on a straight posture with a basin and lined up to wash his face.
Lin Wanwan was still sleeping soundly; she was exhausted last night. He kissed her forehead and then got out of bed.
The two boys were already awake. Eldest sister Xie Lan and the nanny were feeding them formula. In the kitchen, another nanny was preparing breakfast.
"Xiao Sui, up so early? Don't you want to sleep in more?" This younger brother had always been a late riser, only going to school after missing the first class. Xie Lan couldn't imagine him waking up so early.
"I can't sleep anymore. Son, Dad will hold you."
"Wait until the baby finishes his formula. Wanwan was so anxious hearing about your situation that her milk supply stopped. Now he can only have formula."
Xie Sui said, "Having formula is also good. They're so big now; they should be independent babies and not bother their mother."
The nanny couldn't help but smile, "President Xie is different from other fathers. Others worry about their children not getting breast milk, but you worry about their mother. When families have two sons, aren't they doted on like precious jewels?"
Xie Sui replied, "You can't say that. Without the mother, where would the children come from? It's only right to care for the mother, isn't it? Right? From now on, anyone who dares to make your mother angry will get a spanking."
"Waaaa..."
The child started crying loudly. The third child, who had just been fed, also started crying. Xie Lan angrily slapped him, "Don't get in the way, you're just causing trouble."
Lin Wanwan was woken up and came out, "Why are they crying so loudly? Mommy will hold you. Time to eat!"
"Do you still have milk?"
Lin Wanwan replied, "Let's try sucking. Maybe it'll come out again. The babies are so small; breast milk is still more reassuring."