The previously somber Xie family home finally had some laughter.
Mrs. Xie: "Make a wish quickly, then blow out the candles!"
Xie Hongtian: "Oh dear, you guys really are something. I told you I wasn't celebrating my birthday, why did you still buy such a big cake!"
Mrs. Xie: "Of course we're celebrating! I specifically asked our son to order the cake! And today's birthday is especially meaningful!"
Xie Youlin: "Yes, Dad. No matter how busy you are, we must have a meal together. That's what makes a birthday meaningful."
Xie Hongtian: "I don't have any wishes. I just hope my wife stays healthy."
Mrs. Xie: "Birthday wishes shouldn't be spoken casually."
Xie Hongtian blew out all the candles in one breath.
Xie Hongtian: "Alright, alright."
Xie Youlin quickly picked up the cake knife and handed it to Xie Hongtian.
Xie Youlin: "Dad, you have to cut the first slice."
Xie Hongtian was a bit impatient, but he did as he was told.
Mrs. Xie glanced at Xie Hongtian, then gave her son a look.
Mrs. Xie: "Hongtian, since it's your birthday today, our son has prepared a birthday gift for you."
Xie Hongtian: "Why spend the money."
Xie Youlin handed Xie Hongtian a file bag from his chair. This was probably the best way he could repay his father.
Xie Hongtian grumbled as he opened the bag.
Xie Hongtian: "Shareholder agreement?"
Mrs. Xie: "Your son gave it to you."
Xie Youlin: "Dad, thank you for raising me all these years. I'm giving you and Mom 10% of my company's future shares."
Xie Hongtian immediately became serious. He quickly flipped through the agreement.
Xie Youlin: "Although the company isn't listed yet, I've already secured the first round of angel investment. Venture capital firms are very optimistic about my company's future prospects. So... I also want to use this opportunity to completely transform the education center into an education group."
Xie Hongtian: "Your little run-down education center is fit to be listed?"
Mrs. Xie: "So you should help your son. It's easy for the Xie family's group to support their own son's company. In return, your son is willing to give you 10% of his future shares. If you agree, why not let Youlin's company become your subsidiary?"
Xie Hongtian flipped over the cake on the table. When the cake fell onto the carpet, Mrs. Xie was completely terrified.
Xie Hongtian: "Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
Xie Youlin: "Dad, my project really has potential. Investment companies have already approached me. If I succeed in going public, it will be very profitable."
Xie Hongtian pointed at Xie Youlin, then glared at Mrs. Xie.
Xie Hongtian: "Was it you who gave him the money?"
Xie Youlin fell silent, while Mrs. Xie stuttered an explanation.
Mrs. Xie: "I... I just wanted to help my son."
Xie Hongtian: "Listen to me carefully. I will not invest a single penny in your company or your dreams! You will never become my subsidiary, you are not qualified, understand?"
After speaking, Xie Hongtian tore the elaborately bound agreement into pieces and threw them directly at Xie Youlin's face.
Mrs. Xie covered her mouth, she couldn't believe why Xie Hongtian would treat his son like this.
When Xie Hongtian left the dining room, Xie Youlin sat down on the chair helplessly. Mrs. Xie squatted down and picked up the pieces of the agreement from the floor.
Xie Youlin: "Mom, will I ever get Dad's approval?"
Mrs. Xie quickly stopped and squatted by Xie Youlin's legs.
Mrs. Xie: "You've already done very well, son. No matter what, Mom supports you."
Xie Youlin: "But the company really needs money. I don't want to lose control of the company after it goes public..."
Mrs. Xie: "Give your dad some more time. He'll come around and support you."
Xie Youlin helped Mrs. Xie up, he hugged her tightly. Although he said he would listen to his mother, his eyes were no longer those of the obedient son he once was.
If filial piety couldn't earn him what he wanted, then he would seize it. He would take everything Xie Hongtian had!