A person who cannot even sweep a room cannot conquer the world. Do not talk about how difficult it is for an honest official to settle family affairs; that is due to a lack of ability. If one cannot even handle household matters, how can they manage business?
Xie Sui was also giving Lin Weiguo a taste of his own medicine. If Lin Weiguo could not be helped, he would achieve nothing in his life.
Life would be fine, but making a fortune and achieving great wealth was not in his destiny.
Du Feiyang understood and said, "Hu Pan's family is full of aunts and cousins, and your in-laws are troublesome. My family is even more chaotic. Alas, no family is ever peaceful."
"That's life, isn't it? What's the point of being alone?"
The real estate matters were progressing smoothly. Xie Sui's current focus was on the new factory in the suburbs. Dormitory buildings were not being constructed here, so the progress was even faster than in the urban area. He found a new contractor, and both sites began construction simultaneously.
As a result, it seemed as if many people had suddenly appeared in the county town, and the businesses of the merchants improved. Even selling shoes from a street stall could earn a good amount daily.
Not only that, but many temporary workers were also hired locally, and villagers from nearby communities found employment. While other counties were facing layoffs and a bleak outlook, their county was thriving and becoming increasingly prosperous. Secretary Chen looked at Xie Sui as if he were his own son every time.
The road construction in the villages and the sponsorship of impoverished students also began under Secretary Tang's leadership. He had extensive experience in grassroots work, and it was proceeding smoothly.
The employee dormitories were almost complete, and now it was time for the commercial building. Xie Sui personally oversaw the design blueprints, as this was an endeavor Lin Wanwan wanted to undertake, and it had to become a landmark.
Although the county town could not compare to the city, with more factories and rapid population growth, a county could be transformed into a city. One should not be constrained by its name.
The county's population was now increasing rapidly, and the county's civil servants could no longer slack off. They were all assisting various departments. Secretary Chen felt for the first time that the county needed more people, unlike his previous post where there were too many idle people, which was annoying.
That was a story for another time. For now, Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan were reviewing the blueprints from the design companies. He chose a bidding process, selecting whoever submitted the best proposal.
Lin Wanwan had also been diligently studying the operations of commercial buildings lately, examining the designs of many shopping centers worldwide and coming up with numerous ideas.
These design companies were all domestic, departments under state-owned construction companies. Their designs were not bad, but they lacked novelty. Lin Wanwan lost interest after just one look.
Compared to beautiful and distinctive shopping centers, these designs were like a rustic courtyard in the countryside.
So, she politely declined: "I'm sorry, your designs are good, but they do not meet our requirements. We look forward to future cooperation."
Unexpectedly, the other party became displeased. Designers supported by the state were exceptionally arrogant. With a face of embarrassment and annoyance, they asked, "You don't like our designs?"
Lin Wanwan was taken aback: "They do not meet our requirements. Different strokes for different folks; there's no question of liking or disliking."
"Then you still don't like them. We are top domestic designers. Aside from Master Ning Huaiyuan, we dare to say we are second to none in the country. If you don't like this, you won't find any better designers."
Lin Wanwan's expression turned grim: "Whether I can find anyone else is my problem. Right now, your designs do not meet my requirements, so we cannot cooperate. Are you going to force me to use your designs against my will? What a joke! Would I pay to be treated this way? Please leave. We will not cooperate with you in the future."
The other party also retorted stubbornly: "Fine. You'll regret this. Let's go. Don't come begging us if you have the guts."
Lin Wanwan was so angry she wanted to curse. Was she supposed to eat tough meat because there was no butcher?
When Xie Sui heard about it, he rushed to comfort his wife: "Don't bother with those old fogeys. If we can't find suitable designs domestically, we'll look abroad until our Wanwan is satisfied."
"I'm angry about their attitude. Business should be done with goodwill, yet they are so arrogant. I'm paying, and I still have to endure their temper!"
"Yes, we won't endure their temper. I'll help you deal with them."
"Forget it. It's better not to stir up more trouble. I'll ask Ruyi to help me find some designers from Hong Kong."
Xie Sui's expression changed: "I think it's better not to get involved with Sheng Ruyi in these matters. Let Tang Ling or He Mengchao find them. Their connections are wider."
"Do you have a problem with Ruyi?"
Lin Wanwan's intuition was sharp. Every time Xie Sui mentioned Sheng Ruyi, his expression was not quite right.
"It's not that I have a problem, but between women, closer relationships are not always better. We can go shopping, get beauty treatments, and have fun together. That's fine; everyone needs companionship. However, when it comes to one's own interests, it's best not to test human nature. I've seen many best friends fall out. There should be boundaries."
Lin Wanwan understood somewhat: "You mean Ruyi would harm me?"
"I don't mean that, I just want you to be careful. Compared to Sheng Ruyi, I trust Tang Ling and He Mengchao more."
"You trust your friends, and I naturally trust my friends. Recommending a few designers, how could they harm me?"
Xie Sui was speechless. He couldn't possibly say that Sheng Ruyi had taken a liking to him and wanted to steal him away.
"Alright, you decide."
Xie Sui stopped trying to persuade her. His wife was becoming more assertive, even rebellious, like a teenager. She had also been easily angered lately, prone to outbursts.
Lin Wanwan felt annoyed by Xie Sui's words, so she simply went home to rest.
Her two sons could already walk unsteadily. Seeing her return, they wobbled like penguins, wanting to be held.
Lin Wanwan's mood improved slightly: "Have you been good and obedient? Say Mama!"
"Mama."
"Yes, such good sons."
Actually, the sons had learned to say "Papa" first, but Xie Sui didn't mention it, fearing she would get angry. This woman was like a barrel of gunpowder now, exploding at the slightest displeasure.
Dou Dou and Ding Ding returned, calling out that they were hungry the moment they entered: "Mama, I'm starving! You're back quite early today. Where's Papa?"
"Mama is being lazy, so Daddy has to work. Otherwise, what would we eat and drink? Is it exam time? Have the report cards been issued?"
"No, they'll be given out at the parent-teacher conference tomorrow. Who will go to the parent-teacher conference, you or Daddy?"
"Ask your father. Let him go."
When Xie Sui returned, the two children reminded him to attend the parent-teacher conference the next day. School would be starting summer vacation, and after the conference, they could return to help their mother with their younger brothers.
Xie Sui realized this was the first time he would attend a parent-teacher conference for his sons, and he had to take it seriously. The next morning, he got up early and even put on his suit vest, which he hadn't worn in a long time, admiring himself in the mirror narcissistically.
"Daddy will definitely be the most handsome dad in the whole school."
Lin Wanwan: "It's just a parent-teacher conference, do you need to be so dramatic?"
"Extremely dramatic. This is my first parent-teacher conference for my sons, so it must have a sense of ceremony. I can't embarrass my sons. Sudan Novel Network. Our sons study well and bring honor to their father, so I must make their classmates envious of having a father as handsome and successful as me, and make those parents envious of having two such intelligent and sensible sons."