The villagers’ feelings were understandable to Xie Sui, but so what?
As long as he was happy, and the children were happy, that was enough. After living two lives, why should he care about others’ opinions? He would despise himself if he lived a life of quiet desperation.
Lin Wanwan heard about it from neighbors who never visited. She waited by the door, and when she actually saw Xie Sui returning with his son, her eyes widened in surprise, “Did you buy a bicycle?”
“Yes, it’ll be more convenient for running errands from now on. Doudou, Dingding, get down first. We’ll ride every day from now on. Dad will buy you two small ones too.”
“Okay, Dad, you keep your promise.”
“Pinky swear!”
After sending the children home happily, Xie Sui pushed the bicycle, and Lin Wanwan followed him inside.
Zhao Xiue came with water to wipe it down, “It’s got so much mud on it. And the paint’s chipped! Take better care of it when you ride. It cost a lot.”
“Mom, no need to wipe it. I bought it to ride. Can I wipe it every day?”
Zhao Xiue stubbornly continued wiping, “You go rest. Don’t bother. I’m happy doing some work.”
Xie Sui had no choice but to let her be.
Lin Wanwan watched him wash up, her almond-shaped eyes filled with scrutiny. She had to admit, this guy kept surprising her.
“Wife, don’t stare at me like that, you’ll make me blush.”
“Speak properly. You bought something this big without discussing it with me. How much did it cost? Do we have enough money?”
Xie Sui coaxed her with a grin, “It’s my fault. I should have let my wife pick it out. I needed it urgently, so I acted first and reported later. It won’t happen again.”
“We have enough money. The fee for the affiliation can be paid later. As soon as the products are stocked and paid for, the money will flow in like a river, unstoppable.”
“When we have a bit more cash, I’ll buy you one too. Everyone in the family will have one. What’s a bicycle compared to what we’ll have in the future? We’ll have cars, we’ll live in villas!”
Lin Wanwan gave him a glare, “Why don’t you just live in a palace then?”
“That can also be arranged.”
Sometimes money was truly omnipotent. With so many small countries in the world, buying one of their palaces wasn’t that difficult.
Lin Wanwan dismissed it as him bragging and went to the kitchen to make him a meal. A simple bowl of hand-pulled noodles was enough to make Xie Sui very content.
The boxes of dried fruit were already made. Ten thousand seemed like a lot, but it only filled a few boxes. It didn’t even take a full day.
Mainly, it was the first time doing it, and they weren’t used to the heat-sealing machine. It would be faster in the future.
“Xiao Sui, Wanwan, we’re going back now. Will you come again tomorrow?”
“Yes, we will. No need for an announcement, we’ll be here every day.”
“Okay, goodbye then.”
Lin Wanwan saw them out. Xie Sui finished his noodles and leaned against the doorframe to rest. He had been running around all day, it was exhausting.
“The dried fruit is made. What about sales?”
“I’ve found people, don’t worry. The first batch is all for sampling. I’ll bring new packaging tomorrow, and then we’ll order some cardboard boxes. The products need to be professional.
Wanwan, have I told you that our factory is called Chunfeng Food Factory?”
“No.”
“I was too busy and forgot. Do you think this name is good? Give me some feedback.”
Lin Wanwan said, “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“Don’t say you don’t mind. I want your participation in everything. That’s what a couple is all about.”
Lin Wanwan’s mood was complex. “I’ll take care of the home, and you make the decisions outside. Men manage external affairs, women manage internal affairs. You’re doing a great job.”
Xie Sui looked at her earnestly. Lin Wanwan avoided his gaze. Although things were better now, the past hurts had already been inflicted, and she needed time to change.
“Dad, Mom, Xiao Sui, we’re here.”
Eldest sister Xie Lan entered with her husband and son. Hu Zi had recovered and been discharged from the hospital. He ran in and hugged Xie Sui’s arm affectionately, “Uncle, I want candy.”
“Okay, uncle will buy it for you.”
“Eldest sister, brother-in-law, please sit. Is everything okay at home?”
“Good. Now that the child is well, nothing else matters.”
Lin Wanwan poured them water. Doudou and Dingding were generous too, offering their snacks and toys to Hu Zi. The children quickly started playing together.
Xie Dahe sat smoking, not speaking. Zhao Xiue asked about matters at home, then went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Her daughter was here, so they had to have a meal. Fortunately, they had meat and rice. Killing a wild chicken would make for a very sumptuous feast.
Xie Sui said, “Eldest sister, our family has opened a dried fruit workshop. If you have time, you can come and work. You’ll get paid like the others. Brother-in-law, if you’re willing, you can join us too.”
“Okay, thank Xiao Sui quickly.”
Li Wenjun stood up and bowed, “Thank you, little brother. I will work hard. I can’t offer much else, but I’ll do all the heavy lifting.”
“Well, half of your salary will be deducted as repayment. I’m saying this upfront, so don’t have any objections.”
“No, without your loan, Hu Zi might not have made it. Brother-in-law is not an ungrateful person.”
Li Wenjun was honest, his eyes red. The despair he felt at the hospital was still vivid. He would gladly work for Xie Sui for free.
With the matter settled, dinner was ready. Hu Zi, seeing such a lavish meal for the first time, started grabbing food with his hands. Lin Wanwan, Doudou, and Dingding couldn’t eat, only chewing on plain rice.
Xie Lan doted on her son, especially since he had just been discharged from the hospital. She should have favored him, and didn't stop him.
Xie Sui slammed the table, “Hu Zi, how old are you? Do you need to be taught how to eat? Can you use chopsticks? Can you eat properly?”
Zhao Xiue persuaded, “Hu Zi just got out of the hospital. Don’t scold him. The child needs to regain his strength.”
“Mom, regaining strength has nothing to do with manners and upbringing. The dining table is where upbringing is most evident. A child at three reveals their elder self. If you don’t teach him now, there will be plenty of people to teach him outside the home.
Look at him. Does he have any manners?
Eldest sister, I’m not talking about you, but this child cannot be spoiled. Do you want him to grow up crooked?”
Xie Lan was unhappy. The delicious food didn’t taste good anymore. She muttered, “Weren’t you raised the same way?”
Xie Sui: “……”
He was speechless. He had indeed been a little tyrant when he was young. He vaguely remembered that his family would wait for him to finish eating before eating the leftovers.
He suddenly wanted to die. Heavens, why didn’t I get reborn into a wealthy family? I would have been a well-behaved baby from the moment I nursed.
“Dad, really? You used to grab food with your hands when you were little? Doesn’t that make you a savage?”
Doudou’s jab again made his father’s tall image crumble a little.
Xie Sui’s old face blushed, “That’s why I want to change. Do you want Hu Zi to grow up to be like me, oh, no, like I was before?”
Xie Lan shook her head, “No, I don’t. Xiao Sui, you’ll grow up and naturally be sensible. Hu Zi will be the same, right?”
Xie Sui wanted to say, no, it’s different. Not everyone has the chance to start over.
“Eldest sister, what can I say about you? If parents don’t teach their children well, society will teach them how to be a person. How much hardship did I endure before I knew to be sensible?”