The next day, Xie Sui was up early, a rare sight that surprised his sons, Doudou and Dingding. They thought their father was preparing for hibernation, only appearing in the evenings.
Xie Sui pecked his sons on the cheek, who recoiled, "Dad, you haven't brushed your teeth!"
"If you don't like it, fine. My wife doesn't mind. If she wants a kiss, I'll give it to her!"
Hu Pan emerged, blushing slightly and feeling a pang of envy. Their family radiated happiness, complete with twin sons. Sister Wanwan was truly blessed.
Lin Wanwan chided him, "We have a guest, don't talk nonsense. Didn't you say you were decorating the car yesterday? Hurry up and go. Come back for breakfast."
Xie Sui ducked his head, "Miss Hu Pan, you'll have to help me with some work from now on. I've made quite a sacrifice for you."
Hu Pan, good-natured, replied, "I'll help with anything I can. Thank you."
Lin Wanwan added sheepishly, "Don't mind him. He gets carried away. It's just one early morning, as if he's achieved a great feat. When winter comes, this man just wants to curl up indoors and not go anywhere, practically hibernating."
Hu Pan burst out laughing, "I don't want to go out in winter either. Sister Wanwan, you and Xiao Sui are truly loving!"
"Pah, what loving? It's unavoidable. Life has to go on. You can't spoil this man too much, or he'll think he's the emperor!"
If Xie Sui could have heard, he would have argued with Lin Wanwan, saying he was optimistic and easily content.
Xie Sui drove the agricultural vehicle himself. The back was covered with canvas, creating a cabin. Welders had built a frame, and when tied down, it looked like a small, sealed house, insulated with cotton quilts, warmer than a bus.
If he hadn't worried about carbon monoxide, he would have put a stove inside to avoid suffering on the road.
"Wanwan, what do you think? We can fill some hot water bottles to take along, it won't be cold on the road."
Lin Wanwan was pleased, "It's very good. As a reward, I'll give you an egg."
Xie Sui beamed, "Thank you, wife. You'll ride in the passenger seat, I'll drive. Zhang Wenfeng is busy at the factory. We'll be back in a couple of days. Second sister, you stay home and take care of the children. If anything happens, find Big Brother-in-law, Accountant Xu, Director Gu, or failing that, Secretary Tang. We really need to install phones in the village; it's too inconvenient."
Xie Sui was worried about He Liang causing trouble. If it weren't for the cold, he would have dealt with him already.
They drove back to the village with a cart full of people. Compared to the villagers' former enthusiasm, this time many greeted them with sarcastic remarks. Because Xie Sui had closed the workshop, people lost their income, and they harbored great resentment towards him.
Xie Sui remained indifferent. He had seen enough of human nature's fickleness in his past life. When you're useful, they treat you better than their own father; when you're not, they'd gladly trample you to death. These were all petty individuals!
Of course, these people didn't dare to speak ill of him to his face. Grandma Xie alone could silence them with her words, so they could only gossip behind his back.
When Xie Chen returned, he once again became the center of attention in the village. Although they were unhappy with Xie Sui, they had to admit that both branches of the Xie family were successful. Xie Chen was slated to become the town mayor, so who would dare offend him?
They were eager to curry favor. The entire family was talking in the new house, along with villagers, filling the courtyard. Xie Sui felt a bit listless; socializing with them was less appealing than sleeping.
Everyone was more curious about Hu Pan. She was fair-skinned and beautiful, clearly from the city, though her attire was a bit rustic. Her shoes looked like the simple cotton-padded ones the villagers made themselves!
Gu Pan's leather shoes were in the county town. The cotton-padded shoes were warm, and she was reluctant to take them off.
"Who is this young lady?"
Just as Aunt Xie was about to speak, Xie Sui interjected, "She's an economic consultant hired by our factory, also a university student, and a classmate of cousin. Please don't stare, you'll make her shy."
Aunt Xie was displeased. Why couldn't she say she was her future daughter-in-law, the mayor's daughter, so these people would be envious and she would gain face?
Xie Sui exchanged a look with Xie Chen. Xie Chen understood and stopped Aunt Xie from speaking out of turn, "Panpan, go and keep Grandma company."
"Okay, I'll go over then."
Gu Pan felt increasingly uncomfortable under their scrutiny. She finally understood the meaning behind her father's gaze when she left. She insisted on coming, and now she would have to endure the consequences.
She glanced gratefully at Xie Sui. Fortunately, he had defused the situation, otherwise, she would have been mortified by their gawking like she was a spectacle.
Grandma Xie, with her sharp eyes, pulled her to sit beside her, handing her melon seeds. "Girl, my youngest grandson is clumsy with his words and has wronged you. Tell Grandma anything, and Grandma will stand up for you."
"Thank you, Grandma. I'm fine."
Afterward, Grandma Xie lavished praise on Xie Sui, her youngest grandson being her favorite. Her eldest grandson, besides being studious, lacked social graces terribly. Grandma Xie felt he might not even be a good town mayor.
Of course, she didn't say this to Gu Pan. Gu Pan, however, learned about Xie Sui's family matters, his initial recklessness, and his sudden awakening. The Gu family prospered in business, and everyone in the village praised him.
Lin Wanwan helped her mother-in-law boil water and cook. With so many people, they couldn't even boil enough hot water. Mother Xie, however, loved the lively atmosphere. When Xie Sui was still unruly, no one visited their home; those who did were creditors. Such lively times were rare.
The aunts also came to help, mentioning the workshop in their conversations, hoping Xie Sui would reopen it. They had realized by then that to earn money, they had to apologize and let Xie Sui lead them.
Lin Wanwan said, "The family workshop was always losing money, so it can't be reopened. Eldest sister is attending night school, and eldest brother-in-law is learning to drive. There's no one to manage it. Reopening it isn't as simple as just saying it."
Cai Jinhua had the best relationship with Xie Sui and regretted her past actions the most. She had dared to stop those people from doing foolish things. Xie Sui, valuing the village's relationships, wouldn't have closed it easily. By causing this commotion, Xie Sui had managed to get rid of them all.
She implored Lin Wanwan, "Wanwan, Aunties truly know we were wrong. We'll listen to whatever you say from now on. It's not easy for the village to have a profitable venture. Can you and Xiao Sui plead with him and help us, please?"
Lin Wanwan disliked their unreasonable demeanor but didn't directly refuse, "I'll ask him."
"Oh, Auntie thanks you in advance. You rest, we'll handle things. Please rest."
Lin Wanwan then went to accompany Hu Pan.
On Xie Sui's side, people also brought up the workshop, hoping Xie Sui would lead the villagers to prosperity. They looked at him with eager anticipation, seeming somewhat pitiful.
Xie Chen understood the situation and joined in persuading Xie Sui, "It's the off-season in winter. You have the ability; leading the villagers to earn money is also giving back to society. I'm returning to be the mayor, and this can be vigorously promoted to solve more labor issues. Xiao Sui, why don't you expand the scale? If every village had a workshop, wouldn't that greatly improve the economy?"