The Tu family, after having their gift money returned, was followed by the Huang, Cai, and Wu families who also departed after their gifts were rejected.
Old Mr. Shen, upon learning of this, told his youngest daughter, "You are alarming the snakes by beating the grass."
Shen Jianrong shook her head, "I simply didn't want to accept their gift money. I was worried it was tainted."
"And I truly didn't want any personal dealings with them."
As the guests left, Tian Jing and her husband also emerged.
Shen Jianrong recounted her actions to Tian Jing, who approved, saying, "For these families, there's no need for framing or malicious accusations. We can simply use their past misdeeds against them."
Old Mr. Shen nodded, "I've investigated those families; they are all severely involved in tax evasion."
"I've already reported it. They will soon be fined or imprisoned."
Tian Jing was speechless. Was there nothing left for her to do?
Regardless of whether Old Mr. Shen's intentions were to protect his four granddaughters, she found it inconvenient to intervene further.
However, Mrs. Gong's maiden family, the Huang family, who were Shen Xiaoping's in-laws, had a building materials business that still offered opportunities for leverage.
As for Shen Xiaohui's in-laws, the Tu family, with their chain of supermarkets, she would wait.
Ma Xingxiang brought her two daughters and their husbands to find Tian Jing, "Captain Tian, this is my elder son-in-law, Tu Changhua, and this is my younger son-in-law, Cai Huanming."
Tu Changhua and Cai Huanming said in unison, "Captain Tian, we've heard great things about you."
Before Tian Jing could speak, Ma Xingxiang chided her sons-in-law, "What Captain Tian? Call her mother-in-law."
Tu Changhua and Cai Huanming hesitated for a moment before reluctantly calling out, "Mother-in-law."
Tian Jing nodded faintly, uttering a soft "Mm."
Shen Xiaohui stepped forward, pulling her husband along, "Mother-in-law, my mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law..."
"Captain Tian."
Zhao Qilan, seeing her elder sister-in-law bringing her sons-in-law to seek attention, also brought her own two sons-in-law over, interrupting Shen Xiaohui's words, "Captain Tian, allow me to introduce, this is my elder son-in-law, Huang Zongliang, and this is my younger son-in-law, Wu Zhiyan."
Huang Zongliang and Wu Zhiyan said in unison, "Mother-in-law."
Tian Jing still responded with a faint "Mm."
Zhao Qilan's expression soured. What did Tian Jing's attitude mean?
She was unaware that her elder son-in-law's sister had thoroughly offended Tian Jing.
Shen Xiaoping pulled her mother back.
Huang Zongliang seized the opportunity to step forward, "Mother-in-law, my elder sister has that kind of temper. Please be magnanimous and don't mind her."
Tian Jing waved her hand, "Let's not discuss unrelated people and matters. If you speak as members of the Shen family, then we can converse. Otherwise, I don't know anyone and have nothing to say."
Huang Zongliang's expression remained unchanged, "Mother-in-law is right. We are all Shen family members, and we should speak and act from the Shen family's standpoint."
Wu Zhiyan, Cai Huanming, and Tu Changhua also echoed, "Yes, yes, we are all Shen family members, and we all stand with the Shen family."
Tian Jing glanced faintly at Ma Xingxiang and Zhao Qilan, noting that these two sisters-in-law were foolish women who favored their sons-in-law and belittled their daughters-in-law. "Then remember what you've said today. I'm tired, please make yourselves comfortable."
With that, Tian Jing turned and went to sit at the table with the Li family.
Zhao Qilan's face grew even more displeased. What did Tian Jing mean by this? Who was she showing a sullen face to?
Shen Xiaoping pulled her mother aside and told her about her elder sister-in-law offending the Li family.
"Serves her right!" Zhao Qilan gloated, "A bunch of country bumpkins, what are they wearing formal attire for?"
"Look at that aunt, she's walking so wobbly in those high heels. Fortunately, the guests have all left, otherwise, it would have been truly embarrassing."
Shen Xiaoping followed her mother's gaze. Indeed, the Li family's aunt was stumbling with every step, and just looking at her, her own ankle felt sore. "Mother, be careful what you say. Little aunt and Grandpa aren't planning to let the Huang and Gong families off the hook."
"They dare!" Zhao Qilan said sternly, "If they dare to deal with the Huang and Gong families, I will report them for using public office for personal vendettas."
Shen Xiaoping didn't believe her mother could bring down her grandfather and uncle-in-law. However, it was good that her mother supported her. Her child was already over ten years old; what future was there for her if she divorced and returned to the Shen family?
She glanced at her younger sister not far away. Shen Xiaoqin's gaze shifted towards the Li family.
Li Min, with Li Weiyan's support, went to the seven-seater car and changed out of her high heels into her cloth shoes.
Once she had on her cloth shoes, she felt much more at ease walking.
As soon as she returned to the table, she exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, wearing high heels is sheer torture. I wonder who invented high heels; they're comparable to foot binding in the past."
Ouyang Meihua laughed at her, "You've never experienced foot binding, why are you so resentful?"
Li Min casually sat down, not caring how wrinkled her skirt would become, "I haven't experienced it, but I've seen it. Their feet were deformed, and it hurt just to look at them."
Ouyang Meihua rolled her eyes at her, "The kind you saw were bound late. Girls bound at three or four years old had normal feet, but they were small, truly only three inches long."
Mother Li chided them both, "Can't you say something normal?"
Normal?
Li Min had plenty of topics. "We've been out for so many days. Not to mention the nursery, our home must be covered in a layer of dust by now, right? When we go back, there'll be a big cleaning again."
Ouyang Meihua retorted, "Why don't you say you're having more fun than anyone else? You wish you didn't have to go back."
Li Min shot back, "You said you wish you didn't have to, not that you truly don't. It's just an expression of my feelings. Who doesn't miss home when they're away?"
"Oh~" Ouyang Meihua drawled, "It's good to get out and see the world. Even your vocabulary has changed."
"That's right," Li Min unceremoniously accepted her sister-in-law's sarcastic compliment. "Little sister-in-law also said she'd bring the female employees out to experience things. I'll come out again then."
"Captain Tian," Ouyang Meihua stopped bickering with her sister-in-law, "Where do you plan to take us female employees?"
"South," Tian Jing had already made plans. "When it gets cold, only going south is suitable."
Ouyang Meihua and Li Min pressed her for details about where in the south, but Tian Jing remained tight-lipped because she hadn't decided on a specific location yet.
...
Li Weiyan and Li Wanzhen found themselves increasingly in sync, as both had the intention of developing their relationship further.
Li Wanzhen didn't say much, but whatever Li Weiyan said, she could pick up on it, and if there was anything she didn't understand, she would directly ask.
Li Weiyan patiently explained to her, and incidentally showcased his 'worldly knowledge.'
Li Wanzhen secretly chuckled. She didn't notice Li Weiyan's quick temper, but she could see his penchant for showing off.
Li Weiyan caught a glimpse of the smile on her lips and couldn't help but recall something Brother Hao Hao had said: 'Some people cannot be judged by their surface.'
However, this Li Wanzhen was indeed quite good, willing to listen to his rambling talk about everything under the sun.
...
Over at Chen An's side, he was hounded by the bridesmaids and had to ask his cousin for help.
Li Weiyu offered a mischievous suggestion, "There's still a while until dinner, why don't we go tease the newlyweds?"
Chen An immediately shook his head. Brother Xiao would chop him up.
The two bridesmaids, however, egged Li Weiyu on, "Go ahead! We've only heard that Ziyu's new house is a villa and haven't seen it yet. After dinner, we'll be going home. If we don't have fun today, we won't have another chance."
Li Weiyu thumped his chest, "Alright, I'll go find the bride and groom right now."
Chen An couldn't hold him back and could only follow his cousin.