Yan Xiaoliang was a man with little ability but a mind full of devious schemes. Xie Sui, having been too busy before, now saw an opportunity to deal with him.
He had Gu Lei arrange a meeting. Gu Lei had always wanted to use Gu Lei as an inroad, so Xie Sui wanted him to see Yan Xiaoliang for who he truly was.
Gu Lei picked up his wife and went home that evening. The new bride wasn't used to living at home and kept wanting to go to her parents' house. Director Gu didn't mind; everyone went through that phase.
The new bride was named Wang Meng, a textile factory worker. Director Gu had chosen her as his daughter-in-law, and there were no mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts yet.
Gu Lei rode his bicycle with Wang Meng on the back seat. She felt a bit uncomfortable and remembered their chat with her girlfriends. She asked, "Gu Lei, your factory has cars, can't you drive one? It would be so much more comfortable to ride in a car!"
Gu Lei thought she was overthinking it. "That's the factory director's private car, not a public company car. Anyone can drive it if they want? I'll get a motorcycle with the year-end bonus."
"That's still exposed to the wind and sun. People's skin gets rough."
Gu Lei coaxed her, "It will happen in the future. Look at who can afford cars now? Besides the county leaders, no one dares to use them for private matters; they are only for official business. Don't let my mother hear this; frugality is a fine tradition of the older generation!"
Wang Meng was helpless. She was just saying it casually, knowing it was impossible, but that didn't stop her from fantasizing!
When they arrived home, Director Gu was showing off her new clothes to her husband. No matter how old a woman is, she loves to dress up. These clothes were the latest, most fashionable, and suitable for her age. Director Gu was extremely satisfied.
When Wang Meng entered, she felt a pang of envy. "Mom, you bought new clothes? This material looks very good, it must be expensive, right?"
Director Gu said, "Where did I buy it? I can't bear to spend this money. Your wedding already cost a lot. It was Xiao Sui who came to see me and bought it for me specially. This child is so filial. He also got things for you, electronic watches, all Hong Kong goods, they are not cheap."
Gu Lei was happy. "Brother Xie came to visit? Why didn't you ask him to stay for dinner?"
"He's so busy, how could I keep him? You should visit his house more often. Wanwan is about to give birth. Help out with any chores or heavy lifting at home."
"I know, but Big Brother-in-law is also at home, so I don't have much opportunity to show myself."
Wang Meng held the watch, not feeling particularly happy. She originally thought she had married well, but compared to them, she felt like she had fallen from the sky to the ground.
Factory Director Xie was not old, and he drove a car and brought back gifts in big bags. How could her man not have that kind of capability?
"I'm going to my room to rest."
The Gu family's house was also small. The room could only fit one bed and a desk, which was already quite good. How many newly married couples didn't have their own room?
Director Gu saw she was unhappy and asked Gu Lei, "What's wrong? You're not happy even with gifts? Did you guys argue?"
"No, she envied the car. Isn't that just daydreaming? How many people in the county can afford one? It shouldn't be because of this, right?"
Director Gu, having met more people than him, said, "She wanted a car today, and tomorrow she'll want a plane? Vanity is a bad habit, and you can't indulge it. Talk to her later."
"I know, she's just saying it."
As they were talking about factory matters, Xie Sui was actually planning to build staff housing, which surprised Director Gu. "Your factory's performance is good, but it hasn't reached the point where you can build staff housing yet? This child Xiao Sui is too loose-lipped, I'll talk to him later."
Gu Lei said, "I feel like he's your real son, and I'm like a foundling?"
"If he were my son, I'd be overjoyed."
Wang Meng overheard these words and became even unhappier. That night, Gu Lei wanted to do something, but she refused, making him very displeased.
...
Xie Sui was busy cooking for Lin Wanwan. He wanted to perform well and talk to his future daughter to strengthen their father-daughter bond. Lin Wanwan smiled happily, not caring how much money he earned, as long as they were fed and clothed. She just hoped he could spend more time with her and the child.
The children ran around the courtyard, their laughter filling the air. This was the kind of life Lin Wanwan wanted.
The phone rang, and Xie Sui answered it. It was Du Feiyang, his voice laced with a hint of grievance. "Brother Xie, have you abandoned me? You're truly heartless, you cruel man."
Xie Sui's skin crawled. "Speak properly, you're disgusting. What is it? I'm busy, I'm hanging up if there's nothing!" He was now a shareholder of the group, a time of great success, and he was just bored.
"Don't, Brother Xie, don't hang up. There's really something. Uh, I'm afraid I've caused you trouble."
"If you cause trouble, refuse it yourself. If I get involved, I'll deal with you, the troublemaker, first."
Du Feiyang said fawningly, "I really have no choice. My third sister, I don't know what's gotten into her, but she insists on coming to find you, ostensibly to invest in the mainland. Everyone knows why she's coming, right? All mainland investments go to Shenzhen or Pengcheng, who goes up north?"
Xie Sui was speechless. "Your third sister is indeed sick. I won't entertain her. Let her do whatever she wants. I'm hanging up, I have soup simmering on the stove."
"Brother Xie, I want some too."
"Go eat elsewhere."
Xie Sui hung up directly, not taking it seriously. Her legs were on her own body; whether she came or not was not his concern. However, Xie Sui didn't expect that this Du Yujie would bring him a great surprise, one that almost made Xie Sui want to kill her.
Xie Sui also brought back a lot of dried seafood this time. After processing it, the seafood tasted very fresh, and the entire courtyard was filled with its aroma.
Secretary Liu and Secretary Tang walked in, sniffing the air. "We've come at just the right time. We're in for a treat, Mr. Xie, what delicious food are you making?"
Xie Sui wiped his hands in surprise and shook hands with the leaders. "Just some seafood. I've prepared some for you too. It's delicious and nutritious. I worked hard to bring it back, thousands of miles. The gift is small, but the sentiment is deep."
"Good, we won't be polite. But without a chef, we'll need your help, the head chef."
"It's my honor. You guys start, I'll bring the dishes, and we'll eat and chat."
Lin Wanwan also came to help and greeted the leaders. "Leaders, you've worked hard. If there's anything, just call him. Why are you coming here after work?"
Secretary Liu smiled and said, "We came precisely after work. This is personal, not official business. You're due to give birth soon, aren't you? Mr. Xie is a very responsible husband, coming back specifically to accompany you."
Lin Wanwan smiled shyly. "It's okay. You didn't see him when he was being wild. There's still a month left, but they might come early, twins usually do."
"Twins are great. Mr. Xie is truly blessed."
Xie Sui came out with the dishes. "What are you talking about me? If I had enough ingredients, I could make Buddha's Temptation."
"Have you ever tasted such deliciousness? We don't dare to imagine." - Sudan Novel Network
Xie Sui had tasted it before, when he went to Hong Kong. When it came to enjoyment, mainland officials had not yet become corrupt; they were all dedicated to the country and lived frugally.
"Seafood is cheap in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Buddha's Temptation isn't that expensive. Let's go for an inspection later, my treat."
After dinner, after several rounds of drinks, Secretary Liu brought up the main topic. "Everyone is saying you're planning to build staff dormitories. Have you really decided?"
Xie Sui replied, "Of course. This is not a joke. I was about to discuss it with you. My plan is to build the most advanced food factory, improve production, and improve the working environment. Then the staff dormitories will be built near the factory for easy commuting."
"How much land do you want?"
Xie Sui thought for a moment. "The bigger, the better. At least a hundred mu, up to five hundred mu."
"That much?"
Xie Sui explained, "It's not much. Besides staff housing, there will also be a shopping mall, a hospital, and even a school, equivalent to a new district."
Secretary Liu gasped. "How much will that cost?"
Xie Sui stated, "Money is not an issue. We'll even build roads and a new train station; it's all negotiable. If my own funds are insufficient, I can seek investment. Isn't the whole country attracting foreign investment and developing the local economy now? I have foreign investors. It depends on whether Secretary Liu has the courage to do this."
Secretary Liu's heart pounded. "I need to think carefully. You're young, but you have great ambition."
Xie Sui smiled without speaking. He didn't take this investment seriously; it would only cost a few hundred million. He was doing this to give back to his hometown and to create a model that could be replicated in any economically developed city in the future. The real estate boom would start with him.
Secretary Liu didn't have a good meal. Xie Sui's impact on him was too great. Secretary Tang saw the leader's pale face and worried he would have a heart attack from excitement. She shot Xie Sui a reproachful look, "Can't you be a bit more considerate?"
Xie Sui replied, "I'll write out a detailed plan later. This isn't something that can be decided on a whim; it's very complicated. I'll also go and inspect the area near the county town to see if there are any suitable locations."
"Alright, I will fully support you, Mr. Xie. If you truly succeed, you will be a meritorious official of our hometown."
"I dare not accept such praise; you are too kind."
After the leaders left, Lin Wanwan started clearing the dishes. Xie Sui snatched them from her. "You rest, I'll do it. Don't push yourself. It's hard to even bend over, why are you washing dishes!"
"I managed just fine when you weren't home. Am I disabled just because you're back?"
Xie Sui retorted, "What about those two nannies? Let them do it. We can afford them. Are you being petty again?"
"No, they had other things to do. I thought the children were old enough to go to school by themselves, so I didn't look for them."
Xie Sui insisted, "No, you need to find them now. Not just nannies, but also confinement nannies... those who specialize in caring for children, preferably with nursing backgrounds. With two children, can you handle it?"
"Didn't I manage before?"
"That was before. It's different now."
As they talked, Xie Sui worked diligently. It was unspeakably warm.
Xie Sui finished dealing with the affairs of the two factories and then focused on taking care of his wife at home, awaiting the birth of their child. He also went for a prenatal check-up. Everything was fine, except the baby was a bit big, so they had to be careful, as birth could happen at any time.