Xie Sui also felt that this matter should be brought to an end. They did not dare to be arrogant, and of course, they had no capital to be arrogant. They were not even considered opponents, so they let the bodyguards let them in.
Xie Sui was holding the child and playing with him. The six-month-old child could smile and turn over, with two front teeth having grown out. He was so adorable when he laughed.
Without even glancing at them, he asked, "Speak, what is it?"
Li Jiaqing wanted to get angry. What was it? His mother was still in the police station, and he was asking what it was?
But with a careless glance from Xie Sui, he deflated like a tire with a punctured valve and said, "Director Xie, we are here to apologize."
"Empty-handed? You should have brought a few pounds of eggs to help nourish Young Master Du."
Village Chief Li said, "We brought some to the hospital last time. Young Master Du has been discharged and looks quite energetic. Can the case be withdrawn now?"
Du Feiyang was leaning back watching TV. There was not much entertainment, so he could only identify past celebrity girlfriends.
He said lazily, "The doctor said I have after-effects and need to rest. You see me as fine, but my brain is already damaged, a complete mess. I also get frequent headaches. My life is ruined, with no hope. It's a pity I haven't married yet or had children. How will you compensate me?"
Village Chief Li was prepared to be difficult, but he was still extremely angry. "Young Master Du, please be merciful and don't hold it against us villagers. Or else, I'll kneel for you."
"Don't, it's like I'm a villain. Besides, is kneeling down so amazing?"
Du Feiyang found the old man disgusting, like a rat from a gutter.
Xie Sui said, "You can go back. If Young Master Du has no serious issues, the case will be withdrawn. Live an honest life farming from now on; it will be better than before. Don't think about taking shortcuts; you're not cut out for it."
The father and son repeatedly thanked him, not daring to ask when the case would be withdrawn, and left dejectedly.
"If I had known it would be this simple, I wouldn't have taken their nonsense last year. A Chao rushed back because he was afraid I would eliminate them. Now that I think about it, it's as if my father was afraid of them."
Xie Sui said, "A Chao did the right thing. This is the mainland. Don't bring your Hong Kong ways here. Keep your hands clean. We are businessmen, not gangsters. Don't get your hands dirty. There are many ways to solve problems in the world; violence is the lowest form."
Du Feiyang said, "I understand, Brother Xie. My old man never reasoned with me like this. Sometimes I feel you're like my dad."
Xie Sui chuckled mischievously, "Then call me 'Dad' and let me hear it. I don't mind having one more son."
"Get lost, I mind! You get carried away with one compliment. Come here, little nephew, Uncle will hold you. So cute!"
Lin Wanwan came out with the dishes. "Dinner is ready."
"Coming, sister-in-law, you've worked hard, cooking so many dishes again."
"My elder sister and the nanny made them. I just helped out a bit, carrying some dishes."
The nanny took the child to soothe him, and they ate first.
"Feiyang, if you are truly serious about dating Hu Pan'er, perhaps you could visit her family on the Lantern Festival to meet her parents. It's a matter of etiquette and your sincerity."
Du Feiyang scratched his head. "What if they kick me out?"
"No way, are you afraid of meeting your mother-in-law? With your thick skin, what are you afraid of!"
It seemed all sons-in-law were afraid of their mothers-in-law. However, Xie Sui was not. His mother-in-law was as good as non-existent; they were practically estranged.
"Alright, I'll risk it. I'll go back with Pan'er tomorrow. It's a pity my old man is still in a coma and can't take her back. I'll deal with the mother-in-law first, then it will be easier on my side."
Xie Sui felt it wouldn't be easy on his side. His marriage was not just his own affair. The Du family also needed alliances, marrying a suitable wife to consolidate cooperation.
Hu Pan had not planned to go home, not wanting to face her family's urging to marry. Unexpectedly, Du Feiyang proposed to go back with her. Hu Pan thought it was feasible, so they prepared gifts and went to Hu Pan's home in the city to meet her future father-in-law.
Du Feiyang's attire was all prepared: a Rolex watch, diamond cufflinks, a suit vest, and polished leather shoes that could reflect shadows.
Two Mercedes-Benz cars were used, one for them and one for the gifts. The driver also served as a bodyguard, quite ostentatious.
Xie Sui felt sorry for Du Feiyang. Such a high-profile display would be a plus for ordinary families, but the Hu family were city officials and preferred a low-key lifestyle. The older generation favored hard work and simplicity.
Twenty years later, someone like Du Feiyang would be a golden bachelor. Now, he was a bit provoking.
However, Xie Sui miscalculated. The Hu family, though city officials, were also ordinary people. The entire family gathered, discussing children's matters, showing off and boasting. The vanity among relatives was even more exasperating.
The couple listened with blank faces as everyone talked about the next generation, occasionally using Hu Pan as a negative example. She had liked a poor college student and insisted on giving him everything, but he didn't want her and never returned. Now she was starting a factory locally and not doing her job properly at home. Had she wasted her university education?
Some people even incited the Hu mayor and his wife to be more forceful, saying that important life events should not be left to the children's whims; they were the ones spoiling her.
Mayor Hu's wife, Xu Wanning, said, "Pan'er is doing very well. She has settled many laid-off workers and received many honors. She did not waste her university education. Our daughter has her own career and is in no hurry to get married."
"What career does a girl need? A leisurely job arranged by the unit, a well-matched son-in-law, and a comfortable life for a lifetime, isn't that good? What if she makes a foolish choice and finds a poor boy, bringing a bunch of rural relatives into your family? We'd all be shamed."
Xu Wanning said, "She won't. Pan'er won't be so foolish. Don't worry, eat your food, and let's not talk about her anymore."
The more they didn't want to talk about it, the more some people became animated. Hu Pan's eldest aunt said, "The son of the director at my unit has been inquiring about her. Let them meet, and perhaps it will work out."
Mayor Hu said, "I know your director. His son dropped out of school early and hangs out with a bunch of troublemakers, racing cars and fighting. My daughter would never fall for that kind of person."
"Young people, they all like to have fun. Once they are married, it will be fine. If she doesn't like him, who does she want to marry?"
As they were speaking, Hu Pan and Du Feiyang returned, giving everyone a shock.
They hadn't expected the entire extended family to be gathered for dinner at home. Usually, they had family dinners at Hu Pan's eldest aunt's place. Why were they at their home this year?
"Everyone's here, Dad, Mom, Aunt, Uncle, Uncle, Eldest Uncle. Happy Lantern Festival."
"Good, Pan'er, and this is..."
"My boyfriend."
Hu Pan blushed a little, feeling a bit shy.
Du Feiyang felt the stares of so many eyes, like spotlights, more piercing than any reporter's. He felt inexplicably nervous and scared.
"Your boyfriend? What does his family do? Why haven't you mentioned him? You child, this is a surprise visit! Hurry and invite him to sit down. He looks quite spirited."
Hu Pan's eldest aunt was somewhat dissatisfied. She had just mentioned introducing someone to her, and now Hu Pan had brought her boyfriend back without any prior notice.
"This is my eldest aunt."
"Hello, eldest aunt. Just a small gift, nothing much. My family is from Hong Kong. My surname is Du, Du Feiyang. Everyone, nice to meet you."
Du Feiyang gave a gold necklace. Anyway, Xie Sui had plenty of gold, enough for everyone. He had distributed fifty jin of gold, all made into gifts to be given away.
Hu Pan's eldest aunt was initially indifferent, but when she opened it, her eyes widened. "Is this gold?"
"Yes."
Du Feiyang was a little nervous, wondering if it was too little, only ten grams. He said, "I didn't prepare much for our first meeting. Next time, I'll have a fifty-gram bracelet made for you, eldest aunt."
"Oh my, that's too extravagant. That must cost a lot of money."
"It's nothing. My family doesn't have many merits, except that we have a lot of money."
Everyone's faces were numb. Was he showing off?
Yet, his nervous expression didn't seem faked.
Hu Pan's aunt, who loved to get a good deal, said, "It's good to have money. The country is now promoting a free economy and encouraging people to get rich. Little Du, hello, I'm Pan'er's aunt."
"Hello, aunt."
Du Feiyang, being sensible, gave gifts. Afterward, everyone received the same gold necklace, and the men received watches, which he had bought with Xie Sui and were perfect for the occasion.
Mayor Hu reprimanded him, "Little Du, you are too extravagant. I must criticize you."
Du Feiyang became nervous. "Ah, criticize me? What did I do wrong? Please tell me, I will definitely correct it."
"Sit down and talk. This is the child's first visit, don't have such a stern face, you'll scare him."
Xu Wanning smiled and beckoned him to sit down, deciding to shut these people up first, no matter what.
Which girl didn't have vanity? Hu Pan didn't care about money before, but this time, she felt it was quite satisfying to use money to slap their faces.
Hu Pan's cousin was married into the best family and had a son. She always stole the spotlight at every gathering, being the center of attention. Now that she was overshadowed by Hu Pan, she was a bit jealous and asked, "You still haven't said what your family does? There are many wealthy people in Hong Kong. It's too far away; is Hu Pan going to marry that far?"
Du Feiyang said, "She doesn't have to marry and move there. I will be developing in the mainland for the next few years. There's no need to go to Hong Kong. Of course, if Pan'er wants to live there, that's fine too. We will definitely prepare a marital home. Although our Du family can't compare to the Li family or Huo family, we are a listed group and rank eighth on the top ten richest list."
The Hu family members were all silent. They had heard of the Li and Huo families. They were not involved in the business world but had heard of their names; they were too famous.
The Du family ranked eighth, and they were a listed group. What he said was true; they were indeed wealthy.
Hu Pan's cousin said, "When the families are not well-matched, it's not a good match. Our family members are all employees of state-owned units. The wealthy families in Hong Kong are capitalists, aren't they?"
Hu Pan retorted, "Cousin, please don't say that. So many years have passed; who still cares about that? Pan'er and Feiyang are dating, not because of his family. Today, we are just meeting everyone. Marriage is still far off. You can get to know them slowly later."
Du Feiyang added, "I am willing to accept Uncle Hu and Aunt Xu's tests. I am sincere about Pan'er. If there's anything you're not satisfied with me, I will change. I truly have many flaws and don't deserve Pan'er, but I like Pan'er very much and will be good to her for a lifetime."