When Xie Sui was still a prodigal son, Xie's mother and Xie's grandmother always felt guilty and tried their best to treat her well. In their eyes, Lin Wanwan was like their own daughter.
Now, upon hearing that such a good child like Wanwan was disliked by her own mother, they immediately became indignant and found Lin's mother thoroughly displeasing.
Lin's mother originally looked down on Xie Sui. She had only made some money through sheer luck. She was still a country bumpkin, how could she compare to a proper city worker?
Even though Xie Sui built a courtyard full of new houses and countless friends came to congratulate her, Lin's mother still disdained the Xie family.
Du Feiyang and Tang Ling were not present, having become child leaders. Yesterday they found a rabbit, and today they decided to catch pheasants, dig for bird eggs, and go ice skating, enjoying themselves freely.
After all, they had nothing to talk about with these people. They were like chickens talking to ducks, unable to communicate. They might as well play with the children and recapture some long-lost childlike fun.
So, when it came to holding down the fort, both of them slacked off.
Lin's mother stopped trying to persuade Lin Wanwan. Unhappy, she found the Xie family displeasing to look at, like proud little hens. As soon as she sat down, Xie's mother spoke: "In-laws, Wanwan is a filial and sensible child, the best child. Why don't you like her?"
Xie's grandmother also asked, "Exactly, anyone who doesn't like Wanwan is blind. She is the darling of our Xie family. If anyone bullies her, this old woman will be the first to object."
Xie Min added, "I've met Lin Shishi. She lies, is vain, selfish, and vicious. My Xiao Sui dislikes Wanwan even with her face, and only those who are blind and heartless cherish her."
Lin's mother was stunned. She hadn't even spoken, yet she was being lectured by them in succession.
"This, this is our family's internal affair. You don't understand, don't speak rashly. Both palms are flesh, but someone has to make some sacrifices. Wanwan is the elder sister..."
"Nonsense, is it a crime to be the elder sister? We have older and younger children too, and our parents also favor the younger son. My younger brother is the only male heir, but we don't treat him like you do, oppressing the elder sister to death. Oh, so the elder sister can't be considered a person anymore?"
Xie Min didn't care about politeness anymore, she was so angry.
Xie's mother also said, "Exactly, you can't let one child sacrifice. The elder sister should take care of her younger siblings, but she should also let them know gratitude. They are all your own children. Your idea is wrong."
Xie's grandmother: "Confused, you won't be able to raise even one child well sooner or later."
Lin's mother couldn't argue with the few of them and didn't even want to eat, thinking of leaving. What kind of hospitality was this?
On Lin's father's side, Xie's father was also praising Lin Wanwan incessantly. Lin's father became embarrassed. Honestly, he had never really taken care of his elder daughter.
On the other hand, his younger daughter had been sweet-mouthed and good at coaxing people since she was young. Of course, she also liked to cause trouble. Having become accustomed to worrying about her, he naturally neglected his elder daughter.
At some point, the elder daughter became like a shadow, only remembered when needed.
Lin's father was deeply moved and finally reflected on himself.
The full moon banquet went smoothly. After the meal, the village aunties helped clean up. Zhang Wenfeng drove the tractor to see off the chefs and the cooking utensils, pots, pans, tables, and chairs that the chefs had brought.
The county town already had a one-stop service for events, from buying groceries to chefs, to tables and chairs, everything was brought, of course, for a fee.
Xie Sui didn't care about such a small amount of money; peace of mind was more important than anything.
Lin's father and Lin's mother felt like they were sitting on pins and needles at the Xie family's home, like being disciplined by a homeroom teacher in elementary school. If they dared to retort, the Xie family, with their sharp tongues, could verbally tear them apart. In the end, they simply shut up and listened obediently.
Xie Sui was very satisfied; they deserved to be taught a lesson.
"Weiguo, let your parents stay at home tonight. Talk to Wanwan properly."
Lin's mother instinctively objected: "We should go back. We're not used to staying here..."
Xie Sui's face darkened: "You're not used to it after just one day, but Wanwan has lived here for seven or eight years. Don't you want to experience what kind of life Wanwan has been living?
You came all this way just for your younger daughter? Alright, then I won't keep you. Weiguo, see them out."
Lin's father immediately said, "Don't, your mother-in-law speaks without thinking. We are certainly willing. It's just that we don't want to trouble you."
Xie Sui was then satisfied. "Why would it be trouble? I've always wanted to treat you two elders as my own parents and be filial. It all depends on whether you give me the opportunity."
The two of them stayed, feeling extremely uncomfortable. Lin's mother didn't want to talk to the Xie family at all.
Du Feiyang finally returned with the children, covered in dirt. Xie Sui was speechless. Had you two de-aged?
"Dad, look what we have!"
Dou Dou and Ding Ding each held a sparrow for him to see. Xie Sui: "..."
"Ancestors, why did you kill them? They were lives, after all. You two are going to school, and you're still playing this?"
"Uncle Du wanted to play. He even wanted you to roast them and eat them."
Xie Sui looked at Du Feiyang: "How old are you?"
"Hehe, don't blame me. Your son said roasted sparrows are delicious. This little brat is really good with a slingshot, he hit one right away. We almost caught a pheasant. Your son is very promising."
Xie Sui helplessly said, "Being good with a slingshot is promising? Are you hungry? There's food left in the kitchen, let's eat."
"Okay, Dad, what do we do with the roasted sparrows?"
"Easy, leave it to Dad."
How could he not fulfill his son's request?
Xie Sui molded mud and directly made beggar's sparrows. Such a small amount of meat, it wasn't even worth the effort of plucking the feathers. Anyway, he just ate a little bit of meat from the legs and belly to make them happy.
The children washed up, changed into clean clothes, and returned to being polite and beautiful children.
Du Feiyang and the other person were also refreshed. Their mouthful of Cantonese-accented Mandarin shocked the Lin elders.
Lin's mother was still displeased with Dou Dou and Ding Ding. Even their maternal grandmother came, and they didn't even greet her. They were as mischievous as monkeys. However, when they saw Du Feiyang's demeanor, she immediately shut up.
Xie Sui intentionally didn't introduce them. They didn't deserve it. Their children were all grown up, and as grandparents, they hadn't even sent a greeting. Did they expect the children to be close to them?
The beggar's sparrows were soon ready. Dou Dou first offered one to Xie's grandmother: "Great-Grandma, eat sparrow."
Xie's grandmother smiled: "Grandma's teeth aren't good, she can't chew it. That's for your maternal grandfather and grandmother, give it to them."
Dou Dou then saw the two of them: "The legendary maternal grandmother, the mother of the bad aunt! You bullied my mom, I don't like you."
Ding Ding followed: "Exactly, you made Mom cry, bad maternal grandmother."
"How are you two children talking? Do you not know manners?"
Dou Dou: "My dad said some people don't need respect. You don't have to be polite to everyone."
Ding Ding followed: "Exactly, you bullied my mom, and you still want politeness? Dad said that those who bully Mom deserve to die!"
The elders were so angry they almost had a stroke. What kind of children were these being taught?
Lin Weiguo awkwardly said, "Dou Dou, Ding Ding, you've misunderstood. Your maternal grandparents also love your mom. It's just that they live far away and don't have time to visit you. You can't talk like that, your maternal grandparents will be sad."
Dou Dou: "Heh!"
Ding Ding snorted coldly, tilting his head away from him. His uncle was also bad. No one from the bad aunt's family was good.
"We're going to see our younger brother. Uncle Du, the sparrow is for you to eat. We ate a lot, so we'll give it to you. You're a guest."
The two little rascals ran back to the room. Although Lin Wanwan had completed her postpartum confinement, the weather was cold in winter, and giving birth had weakened her body. She needed to rest for a longer period this month and couldn't go out in the wind.
However, she knew everything that was happening outside. With her family protecting her so well, Lin Wanwan's resentment completely dissipated. She wasn't unloved. Why should she make everyone worry about herself for the sake of her biased parents?
When the children ran in, Lin Wanwan felt their little hands one by one. Fortunately, they weren't too cold.
"Mom, we love you. The bad maternal grandparents wanted to bully you, so we used our slingshots to scare them away."
"I also helped Mom teach them a lesson. Mom isn't sad."
Lin Wanwan said, "Don't talk about your maternal grandparents like that, it's impolite. And don't use slingshots to hit people. They didn't bully Mom. Dad will handle it, don't make trouble.
Take out your younger brother's diapers and let Dad wash them."
"Okay, Mom, you're really not sad?"
"Not sad, with you all here, Mom is very happy!"
The children looked at their younger brother for a while, then took the diapers to Xie Sui. However, they still didn't like the Lin family.
Some people say that maternal grandparents are closer to their grandchildren than paternal grandparents, and they dote on their grandchildren more. This is not absolute. Every family's situation is different. The Xie family's paternal grandparents were closer to the children.
The task of washing diapers would of course not be given to Xie Sui. His elder sister Xie Lan and Xie's mother vied to do it. How could they bear to see him work hard?
Xie Sui took the opportunity to be lazy. He could cook, but he avoided washing diapers and doing housework whenever possible.
Just then, the phone rang, and Xie Sui went to answer it.
It was from Hong Kong, He Mengchao. He first congratulated Xie Sui on his twin sons' full moon: "Congratulations to Brother Xie on the golden celebration of your young masters' full moon! I've sent gifts, they should arrive a little late."
"Thank you, you're thoughtful. Everything is fine. How are things on your end?"
He Mengchao said sternly: "Brother Xie, I think you should come back. The company's situation is a bit chaotic, especially the entertainment company. There are really a lot of problems, and only you can resolve them."
"Oh, the entertainment company? Who is causing trouble?"
Xie Sui frowned. He thought the entertainment company was the least likely to have problems. The gangs wouldn't dare to trouble him anymore. As long as they made good movies, they wouldn't lack directors, actors, or funding. How could it be chaotic?
"One is Lin Shishi. This person forms factions, targets this person and ostracizes that one. Even Guan Zhizhi has been targeted by her.
Another is Director Xu. He has a lot of opinions about us. The industry is ostracizing us, and the newspapers are full of negative news.
Mr. Lin of Jiaye Film and Television even declared that a makeshift team like ours would collapse within a year. Making movies isn't just about having money, and they've poached many of our people. Now the morale is a bit unstable."
"Lin Shishi? If she dares to cause trouble, deal with her. Others may not know her backing, but you do?"
He Mengchao: "She recently got close to Mr. Lin and has intentions of leaving us. She thinks she's capable enough now."
Xie Sui chuckled: "I actually admire this woman. She's shameless enough. With a little opportunity, she can climb up. She's a talent!
I wanted to spend the New Year at home, but it seems I can't. They're just some ghosts and monsters, not really troublesome.
Thank you for your help. I'll treat you to drinks when I get back."
He Mengchao said embarrassedly, "I'm also doing it for myself. To be honest, Brother Xie, I'm even guest-starring. I suddenly feel that acting is very fun. Does Brother Xie's entertainment company want me to be a shareholder?"
Xie Sui chuckled: "You actually like this? Play around as you wish. Maybe you can even win a Best Actor award. As for investing, I just do it casually. Don't let your money go to waste.
Then you take good care of that side. Let anyone who wants to leave go. Handle it according to the contract, and don't let go of any liquidated damages.
Let those who are seriously making movies be interfered with less. Just say it's my instruction. I only look at the work, nothing else."
"Okay, Miss Guan Zhizhi's filming is going very smoothly, but Young Master Liu has come a few times, and they seem a bit uneasy."
Xie Sui burst into laughter: "Miss Guan's charm is indeed invincible. Young Master Liu can't resist her beauty either. What about Liu Zixiong? What's his reaction?"
"He heard he's sick, from anger."
Xie Sui: "..."
Serves him right, what great news!
They chatted for half an hour before hanging up. Xie Sui didn't call Qiu Caixie and the others at the steel mill. This was a test for them. If they couldn't handle these matters, Xie Sui would doubt their abilities.
However, he called Anan to manage the company's finances. As long as the finances were in order, nothing else was a problem.
Anan might not be good at expanding, but he was very good at managing. Xie Sui's financial company and some factories were doing well. The procedures had all been transferred, and only Xie Sui needed to return to arrange production.
"By the way, Mr. Xie, the Jun family is almost done. We've already acquired sixty percent of the shares. There are no more scattered shares on the market. The major shareholders have all withdrawn and been absorbed by us. When do you want to wrap things up?"
Xie Sui asked, "What's Old Master Jun's reaction? What about Young Master Jun?"
"Young Master Jun has gone abroad, sent to the UK. Old Master Jun is still holding on, liquidating a lot of fixed assets, and I've bought them all.
This old man is also confused. He gave all the liquidated money to Young Master Jun, but his legitimate son got nothing, and might even have to bear debts."
Xie Sui was also surprised: "Could it be that the children in the family aren't his biological children?
Sigh, it doesn't matter. It's their family affair. Men sometimes have a obsession. What they can't get is always the most tempting. Maybe the old man is obsessed with Young Master Jun's mother?
I'll arrange it as soon as possible. Keep an eye on Young Master Jun. This person has a large amount of money, and he will definitely not be at peace. If necessary, help him. Don't think that he can get away with shirking his debts just because he's escaped.
Let Secretary Jin handle it, giving him a chance to vent his anger."
"Okay, Brother Xie, congratulations on your young masters' full moon celebration. We've all pooled money for you, not much, just a token of our appreciation."
"Thank you, then I won't be polite. I'll hold a banquet later to thank everyone."