The matter of going to Shenzhen was still a long way off. Xie Sui first had to arrange affairs in the county. The charity foundation needed to be established, and the road repairs and assistance for poor students in his hometown had to be arranged immediately. School was about to start, and many children were eagerly waiting.
Since he was going to do it, he would do it big. It wasn't just for his own village, but for all the poor children in the county to receive assistance.
Though it seemed like a lot, if one only selected bright and talented children, there weren't that many. And the assistance was only for junior high and high school students, further reducing the number. Nowadays, most children couldn't even finish junior high school; graduating from primary school was considered good.
Calculated this way, a thousand students a year would be quite a lot. Students didn't actually cost much; about three hundred yuan for tuition and living expenses a year would suffice.
A thousand students would only cost three hundred thousand yuan, a drop in the bucket for Xie Sui, but it could change the fate of countless scholars.
Moreover, money donated to charity was tax-exempt, and it could also enhance social status and build a good reputation. It was a win-win situation.
This was why, as businesses grew larger, they became enthusiastic about charity. There were reasons for this.
The selection of personnel for this foundation had to be done carefully. Many charitable endeavors failed to reach their intended recipients, with the money enriching staff members while Xie Sui became a sucker.
Xie Sui went to Secretary Chen to recommend candidates. Secretary Chen praised him continuously: "I thank Director Xie on behalf of the people. You've done a great deed for the county.
What do you think of Secretary Tang for this position? He can take on the role part-time while still serving as the former deputy director. He's young, and adding more responsibility is a sign of trust."
"That's excellent. Secretary Tang is upright and has rich work experience. A part-time role is also very suitable. So, it's settled.
We also need to arrange for an accountant and administrative staff. The initial investment is five million yuan, and I hope this five million yuan truly reaches the children.
I have a candidate in mind, someone enthusiastic and principled, who can serve as Deputy Director Tang's right-hand person. She's the women's director at the cotton mill, Director Gu. Director Gu is a good person, though a bit older. Let's see her willingness."
"Alright, I'll meet with Director Gu then."
Both Director Tang and Director Gu were considered Xie Sui's people. The county would arrange for other staff. The two sides would mutually supervise each other, and the accounts would be public and transparent. Xie Sui felt that nothing would go wrong.
For Director Gu, it was like a pie falling from the sky. The cotton mill was not doing well, and she was already semi-retired, looking after her grandson at home. She hadn't received her salary for a year.
Fortunately, Gu Lei's salary was high, and their family lived a comfortable life.
Now, suddenly, she was offered a part-time position as vice president of a charity foundation, established by Xie Sui himself, with a salary better than the factory's and direct communication with the county secretary. Director Gu's life had ascended to a new level.
Secretary Chen also reviewed Director Gu's resume and found it to be good, placing high hopes on her. Director Gu returned home, feeling floaty, as if in a dream.
When Gu Lei returned home, Director Gu clapped her thigh and said, "Xiao Lei, your mother only helped Director Xie a little back then, and now she's received such a great reward. You must work hard and not embarrass your mother."
Gu Lei replied, "I've always been working hard. Is there some good news?"
He hadn't told Director Gu about the incident with the fat cook, knowing he would get an earful. Director Gu said, "Director Xie has established a charity foundation and asked me to be the vice president.
The monthly salary is at the deputy director level. The president is the former Secretary Tang. Director Xie is truly sentimental and loyal."
Gu Lei was happy. "Really? That's great news! You're about to retire, and you're getting promoted. It's worth celebrating."
"Absolutely. Tomorrow, Mom will visit his house. What do you think we should bring?"
"He's so rich, what would he possibly want from us? Just buy some fruit."
"No, that's too perfunctory. I'll make a couple of pairs of shoes for the children. A small gift with great sentiment."
Director Gu acted on her words. She finished making two pairs of children's shoes overnight and went to Xie Sui's house the next day to express her gratitude.
Lin Wanwan was at home looking after the children and also handling some matters from Hong Kong. She kept the phone nearby while self-studying English, keeping very busy and making rapid progress.
The children were looked after by her elder sister, Xie Lan, and a nanny. She only needed to give instructions.
Of course, when the children were clingy, she would hold and soothe them. These two little ones ate well and didn't fuss, making them easy to manage.
When Director Gu entered, Lin Wanwan was reading a book while listening to English recordings. Director Gu felt inexplicably nervous. Look at her, a mother of four, still studying so diligently. No wonder she was prosperous.
"Director Gu, what brings you here? Please come in and sit down."
Lin Wanwan greeted her warmly upon seeing her and asked the nanny to pour tea.
"I came to see Xiao Sui. You continue with your work. Wanwan, you're getting more beautiful. No one would guess you're a mother of four. It's all thanks to Xiao Sui's good care. You're truly blessed."
Lin Wanwan smiled and said, "Yes, I'm blessed. Everyone says I'm blessed. Having such a good husband, they don't see how much I suffered before."
"Wait a moment, I'll call Xie Sui to come back."
"No, don't disturb him. Let him be busy. I just wanted to thank him for recommending me for the charity foundation position. I never expected to have a career in my old age.
These are shoes I made for the children. See if they fit?"
"They're beautifully made. I'll have the children try them on. These two children are just starting to learn to walk, and I've been holding them back, thinking it's too early."
"If the children want to walk, let them try. It's good for them. Take your time."
"Everyone says if children walk too early, their legs will become bow-legged and weak, growing crooked. I'm just worried."
"No, that's usually due to calcium deficiency. I used to work in the nursery at the factory and have experience with children."
"Then I'll often seek your advice in the future."
The two women chatted animatedly about children. Women's topics usually revolved around children and husbands. She stayed for lunch, but since Xie Sui didn't return, Director Gu left.
Lin Wanwan walked her to the door and sighed softly. With Director Gu settled, Gu Lei's position as general manager might be at risk.
As she was about to enter, she saw Lin Shishi and her parents approaching from afar. Lin Shishi called out to her in surprise, "Sister, we have a telepathic connection! Are you here to welcome us?"
Lin Wanwan said faintly, "I've met people with thick skin, but never anyone as thick as you. What's there to welcome about you?"
"How can you speak to your sister like that? Have you no sisterly conduct?"
Lin Wanwan leaned against the doorframe. "If you're here to lecture me, then there's no need to come in. I'm not your good daughter. After Lin Shishi came along, do you even remember you have another daughter?"
"You..."
Lin Wanwan's gaze was cold. Lin Shishi tugged at their mother's arm, "Sister, we're still a family. Don't be so cold."
"From the day you spread rumors that my child wasn't legitimate, I've had no kinship with you. My parents sent me to the countryside, and I've repaid your nurturing grace. These words won't work on me."
Lin Shishi's face darkened. "Sister, must you be so heartless?"
"You are not benevolent, so I cannot be righteous."
"Aren't you afraid I'll find the media to expose you? You don't even recognize your own parents, you're heartless and unjust. Aren't you afraid of being drowned by spit?"
Lin Wanwan's fighting spirit flared. "Go ahead, do it now. Let's see who dares to come! Lin Shishi, you didn't come this time to return to Hong Kong and continue being your big star, did you?"
Lin Shishi's face contorted. "Can't I? I have a contract with the company. Why can't I go back?"
"When you returned, I had already terminated your contract with the company. Do you think work is something you can do when you want and stop when you don't?"
"Are you determined to ruin me?"
"You brought it upon yourself. No one else is to blame."
Lin Shishi's face turned pale. She was so utterly ruthless.
She gave their mother a look, and her mother clapped her thigh and sat down, wailing, "You unfilial daughter! You're forcing your own sister to her death. You don't even care about your parents. You earn so much money and don't provide for your parents. Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?
Come everyone, take a look! See how cruel this unfilial daughter is..."
Lin Wanwan's expression turned grim. She had gone to such lengths for Lin Shishi, even sacrificing her own dignity.
Before the neighbors could gather, a towering figure emerged from the shadows. He was two meters tall with broad shoulders that were as wide as two ordinary people. He bowed respectfully and asked, "Madam Xie, shall I clear them out?"
Lin Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief. Xie Sui had kept people to protect them all along. She said, "Yes, send them away. Don't disturb the children's sleep."
"Understood. Madam Xie, please go back. I'll handle it with my subordinates."
As she entered the house, the half-sectioned iron tower blocked the door, coldly saying, "Leave on your own, or I'll throw you out."
Lin Shishi gritted her teeth and flashed a seductive smile. "Big brother, this is our family affair. Please be accommodating. These are Madam Xie's parents. It's difficult for an upright official to resolve a family dispute. It's best if you don't get involved."
The gorilla looked down at her. "I don't care who you are. Madam Xie said you're not allowed in and not allowed to cause trouble. I'm just here to ensure that. I'll count to three. One..."
"Why are you so rigid?"
"Two..."
"Let's go. We'll find brother-in-law. We'll go to his factory. He can't treat me like this..."
Lin Shishi was unwilling to give up. The gorilla took out his large mobile phone and dialed. "Wu Xiong, Wu Xiong, someone is causing trouble for the boss. Send people to clear them out. Reply upon receipt."
"Damn it, you're making a phone call like it's an intercom. I got it."
The gorilla calmly put away his phone. "Still not leaving?"
The three people's ears felt like they were struck by lightning. They were so scared they hurried away. If he landed a blow, he could knock their heads off.
As soon as they left, a small figure followed behind them. It was Dry Monkey. Taking advantage of the crowd, he snatched their money and introduction letters.
After Lin Shishi and the others finished their meal, they discovered their money was gone. They were almost sent to the public security bureau for dining and dashing.
It was only when Lin Shishi used her own watch to pay that they were allowed to leave the establishment.
The watch was worth over ten thousand yuan. The meal cost less than ten yuan, so it was settled. The owner was still unhappy, which made Lin Shishi's liver ache.
"All our money is gone, how are we going to get back?"
"Let's go find brother-in-law. He won't abandon us."
They took a three-wheeled vehicle, giving the address of Xie Sui's factory. The driver kept his head down, and his face was unclear. Lin Shishi racked her brain for a plan, not noticing the surrounding roads. By the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late.
They were taken to a secluded courtyard. Several scruffy men with cigarettes in their mouths sized them up. One spat and said, "The young one is quite pretty, worth a few dollars. What can these two old people do? Waste of food?"
"Who are you?"
"Good people, haha... You're in our territory now, so be good and you'll suffer less."
The old couple were terrified and instinctively hid behind Lin Shishi. Lin Shishi was helpless and said, "My brother-in-law is Xie Sui. Try to touch me, and he won't let you off."
The men exchanged glances. This woman was truly foolish. Just because she was a sister-in-law, did that make her special? She wasn't his wife, and she expected him to revolve around her? Shameless.
"Lock them up first."
Their mouths were gagged, and they were bound and thrown into a room, then left alone.
The old couple were terrified. They had run into human traffickers. Was the county's security so poor?
If they had known, they shouldn't have come. They regretted it. Their eldest son could earn money and didn't need to support the family. They were all retired and lived leisurely lives, cooking and strolling. Lin Shishi's return had caused constant arguments at home.
They had always protected her, and coupled with Lin Shishi's increasing beauty, she had given them a lot of money. She was like a queen at home.
But Lin Shishi was not one to be content. Having experienced luxury, it was difficult for her to live a normal life. She wouldn't even look at those vulgar and superficial men.
After the New Year, she wanted to return to Hong Kong. She called Lin Wanwan, who ignored her. She looked for Lin Weiguo, but he hid. He could avoid trouble by hiding.
So, she had to come to the county town to find Lin Wanwan herself. The old couple were also instigated by her to come. They wouldn't give up until they achieved their goal.
As a result, they were kidnapped and brought here, where their cries for help went unheard. Who wouldn't regret it?
Lin Shishi asked her mother to pull the gag out of her mouth and gasped for air. "We need to find a way to save ourselves."
Lin Shishi looked out through the crack in the door. It was quiet, with no movement. She found a sharp object and used it to grind at the ropes. It took nearly half a day of effort to cut through the ropes on her hands, but someone returned outside, so she had to lie down and pretend to sleep.
It was just after the New Year, and the weather was still very cold. There were people guarding outside. They were hungry and cold, and they didn't know when they fell asleep.
Lin Shishi woke up again. The sky was turning white. There was no movement outside. She called the old couple to wake up, but their faces were flushed, and they were still unconscious, with fevers.
"Mom and Dad, hold on. I'll go find someone for help." Sudian Novel Network
Lin Shishi ran off by herself. This time, she didn't dare to take a three-wheeled vehicle. She walked on foot, and it took two hours to reach Xie Sui's factory.
However, he wasn't there. She went to the construction site to look, and this time she saw the burly bodyguard. She was scared to get close and could only wait outside.
Finally, Xie Sui's car came out. Lin Shishi rushed forward to block it. "Brother-in-law, save me. I've finally met you."
Xie Sui got out of the car and looked at her mockingly. "Who are you? Don't shout random names. I don't have a sister-in-law as dirty as you."