Xie Sui's years of experience in dealing with women told her that when arguing with a woman, one should not reason with her but go along with her, and she would calm down on her own.
If you argue with her and insist on a right or wrong, she will only become more defiant, like a rebellious child, and the situation will become even more unmanageable.
Lin Wanwan was still angry, but upon hearing this, she calmed down. "Forget it. She's pregnant. If she's scared and something happens, she'll hold us responsible again."
"Ah, my wife is sensible. I just won't argue with a pregnant woman. Otherwise, I'd rip her skin off. If you dare to do it, you have to bear the consequences. I'll make sure she can never show her face again. What kind of person is she?"
Lin Wanwan comforted him instead, "We're fine, aren't we? Forget it. Let's not stoop to her level. I won't hang out with her anymore."
"Mm, don't hang out with her. We won't even give our leftovers to her dog anymore."
"Indeed. A dog can guard the house and wag its tail at us. She's just an ungrateful wretch."
"Ungrateful wretch."
They both laughed as they spoke. This incident was enough to see through someone's character.
Gan Hou'er had made a contribution this time, and it also made Xie Sui realize the importance of information. In his previous life, he only cooperated with people in the underworld and didn't have much contact with them. He would pay money to resolve issues when needed, generally not wanting to get involved with them because it was too dangerous.
In this life, he actually wanted to cultivate his own manpower.
With money and a way to get things done, Xie Sui invested, and Wu Xiong became the boss. They opened several video arcades and billiard halls, monopolizing the entertainment industry in the county.
Not only in their own county, but the factories that Hu Pan had developed also established their territory and placed their informants.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Hu Pan, but that subordinates could deceive their superiors and inferiors, and Hu Pan, being stretched thin, might not know everything.
Everything proceeded as if by a gentle breeze, and in the blink of an eye, summer vacation arrived. The engineering projects were on track and no longer as busy. Du Feiyang received news from home: his father had woken up.
He had been away from home for more than half a year, and Du Feiyang really should go back to see him.
He didn't care about the management power of the Du family, but he couldn't completely ignore it, as he had his own shares.
Since he was going back, he wanted to bring Hu Pan to meet his parents. He left all family matters to Xie Sui, who was thus stuck doing the hard work. Xie Sui wished them early success.
Xie Sui had a premonition that this marriage wouldn't be smooth sailing.
As expected, when Du Feiyang arrived home, his concubine cried. He had lost so much weight. When had he ever suffered hardships?
Du Feiyang said, "Don't cry yet. Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Miss Hu."
Hu Pan hadn't expected that the Du family would have concubines, as well as a main wife, second wife, third wife, and fourth wife. Du Feiyang was just the child of the fifth wife. She felt a sense of prosperity and backwardness merging, like returning to the Republic of China era.
"Hello, you can just call me Pan'er."
The fifth concubine was the first to be picky. "Pan'er, that's a nice name, but you're a bit thin and small. Can you have sons?"
Du Feiyang's face darkened. "Auntie, Pan'er is your daughter-in-law. Aren't you undermining your own family by saying that?"
The fifth concubine realized what she had said and, linking her arm with Hu Pan's, said, "Auntie, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to play the part of a mother-in-law. After years of being a daughter-in-law, one finally becomes a mother-in-law. If I don't pick on you a bit, wouldn't it be a wasted opportunity to be a mother-in-law?"
Hu Pan found it amusing. Fifth Auntie, saying that makes you seem even less authoritative.
The main wife scoffed, "You consider yourself a mother-in-law? I am the legitimate mother-in-law. Don't be in such a hurry to acknowledge a daughter-in-law. The master hasn't even acknowledged her yet. It's not that simple to enter our Du family.
What kind of family do you come from? What have you studied? Do you speak English? You look so unfashionable. Don't embarrass our Du family when you go out."
Hu Pan was completely confused. This main wife was so fierce.
The fifth concubine said, "Yes, she does look a bit unfashionable. Pan'er, let's go shopping later, and Auntie will dress you up. I guarantee you'll be dazzling and rich, and you absolutely mustn't embarrass the Du family.
Um, butler, this is to save face for the family, so it should be paid from the public account. Thanks a lot, eldest sister. Eldest sister is the best."
The main wife: "..."
This old fifth is always trying to be clever, but she's so petty.
Du Feiyang felt embarrassed for the first time. He wasn't short of money, and his auntie acting this way also brought him no glory.
Hu Pan'er, however, said, "Alright, thank you, eldest sister. In the inland areas, we value simplicity and frugality. I'm not from a wealthy family either. My father is just a mayor. I truly don't understand your family's rules.
However, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I'll listen to eldest sister."
"Hmph, a mayor isn't that significant. Even the mayor of Hong Kong is not qualified to visit our home."
As soon as she finished speaking, the butler reported, "Eldest Madam, Mayor Huo is here to see the master."
"Ah, let the eldest young master entertain him. Where is he? Where is he hiding?"
Du Feiyang said, "I'll go. Eldest brother might be with father. Let's not trouble eldest brother."
The main wife was furious. He had snatched away such a good opportunity. He was becoming more insidious by the day. He had always been annoying since he was little.
She would absolutely not allow such a person to enter the family, no matter what kind of goods he brought back.
Mayor Huo was from the Huo family and was very enthusiastic when he saw Du Feiyang. "Young Master Feiyang, why have you lost so much weight? It must be hard work in the mainland. Have you made a lot of money?"
"Ah, don't mention it. I've never suffered so much in my life. Am I the kind of person who does manual labor?
It was unavoidable. I cooperated with Brother Xie and built a few factories for fun. Sister-in-law Xie is pregnant, so I had to step in. Mayor Huo, please come in quickly.
Oh, this is my girlfriend, Miss Hu."
"Hello, Miss Hu. You have an elegant demeanor. You must be a cultured person."
Hu Pan smiled gracefully and said, "I majored in management in college, so I can't really be considered cultured. Hello."
They shook hands. Mayor Huo also knew about Hu Pan's university, so they chatted for a while on this topic.
They went together to see the old master Du. Du Feiyang's smile was continuous. He was determined to marry this wife. She was cultured, dignified, generous, and beautiful. What was even rarer was that she didn't look down on him, a dissolute rogue.
Old Master Du had also lost a lot of weight and wasn't in good spirits. Du Feiyun was by his side, personally attending to him and discussing some matters of the group, diligently playing the role of a filial son.
"Old Master, how are you feeling?"
"Mayor Huo, I'm fine. The doctor said to rest. Thank you for your concern."
"That's good. Don't worry about anything. With two capable sons like these, the Du family will surely be even more glorious in the future. You can just wait to hold your grandchildren, enjoy your old age, and live a long life."
"I hope so."
Du Feiyun spoke ill of Du Feiyang to Du Feiyang's face: "Feiyang, when did you get back? You didn't even come to see Dad first. He's been thinking about you."
This was implying that Du Feiyang was thoughtless and unfilial. Du Feiyang's expression changed. His eldest brother was still so insidious, digging traps for people with his words. His mind was as full of schemes as a sieve.