Generally speaking, embezzling company funds would be recovered, people would be fired, and hot-tempered individuals would directly deal with them. As long as the connections were strong enough, no one would pursue it.
This is a money-driven society; money can solve ninety percent of problems, and the remaining ten percent are simply because you don't have enough money.
Xie Sui didn't do that. He not only wanted to recover the public funds but also to keep his hands clean. He also wanted everyone under him to know that his money wasn't easily taken. Merely returning it with no loss would foster a sense of complacency.
Chen Zhuoguang didn't expect Xie Sui to move against him so quickly. The police showed up on the third day and took him away. He would likely be sentenced to a few years.
The Chen family was of moderate means. When Mrs. Chen saw her husband being taken away, she panicked and went to the newspaper office to plead with Xie Sui, but he wasn't there. He had to settle matters there before inspecting the factories; he was very busy.
Mrs. Chen visited several places and asked many people before finally meeting Xie Sui at the financial company.
Mrs. Chen was very beautiful, seemingly a former model. Under thirty, she was tall and attractive.
"Mr. Xie, please be merciful and spare my husband."
Mrs. Chen pleaded with him. Xie Sui was puzzled, "And who is your husband?"
"Chen Zhuoguang. We are willing to return the money, please just let him go."
Xie Sui raised an eyebrow. "No, he should have considered the consequences when he took the money. I am merely acting according to procedure; I am not bullying him.
If you have this much time, you might as well find a lawyer. Perhaps you can get a shorter sentence. Of course, the money must be returned. Mrs. Chen, please leave."
Mrs. Chen wept, her face streaked with tears. She said resentfully, "Mr. Xie, my husband knows he was wrong. Please show leniency. We have a newborn child. I am just a woman and don't understand anything; I can only beg you."
Xie Sui was unmoved. "That is your family's affair. I am not a savior who can save everyone. I'm sorry, but I can't help."
Secretary Jin blocked her. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Chen, please leave."
"I'll kneel for you..."
Before she could finish, Xie Sui waved his hand. Ah Hua and Secretary Jin pulled her away, one on each side. Xie Sui had already entered the company, giving her no chance to pester him.
Mrs. Chen's crying was heartbreaking, making her appear pitiful and helpless, attracting many onlookers. Xie Sui was also a celebrity now. Some reporters took photos, which might be useful.
Xie Sui paid no mind. There were so many pitiable people in the world; could he pity them all?
In the evening, he had some free time to call Wanwan. This was his most relaxing time.
The children were all well. With two nannies taking care of them and Xie's mother coming to the city to help, Lin Wanwan could also help at the factory. Life was fulfilling.
"Are you coming back before the New Year? Second sister is about to give birth. Won't you, as an uncle, go and see her?"
Xie Sui said, "I'm an uncle, not a father; it doesn't matter if I see her or not. Her husband is there. But I will definitely go back. I can't let you women be miserable and forlorn. It would break my heart."
Lin Wanwan laughed, "I'm afraid you'll be the one who's lonely. We won't be. Eldest sister, second sister's whole family is here, and our parents too. You're the only one who's alone."
Thinking about it, it seemed true. Xie Sui felt wronged. "It's okay. I work hard to earn money, isn't it all for you to live a good life? As long as you are happy, no matter how hard or tired I am, it's worth it."
Lin Wanwan knew he was exaggerating his hardship, but she still felt a pang of concern. "Don't push yourself so hard. Enough money is fine. We'll wait for you to come back. Remember to eat well and don't neglect your health."
"Got it. I'm the father of four sons. Just thinking about it is scary, four money-devouring beasts. It will be quite lively when they grow up."
Lin Wanwan laughed heartily. "Indeed. Four daughters-in-law, plus grandchildren and granddaughters. Oh, then we'll truly have a house full of descendants."
Xie Sui, thinking of so many descendants, felt a headache coming on. "Let's split them up then; everyone lives their own life. Don't expect us to babysit for them!"
Lin Wanwan laughed uncontrollably. "If you don't babysit, who will? Be careful, or your sons might not be filial to you. Say, why don't we have another daughter?"
Xie Sui shivered. "No more. Family planning has started, and they don't allow us to give birth freely; there's a fine."
He wasn't afraid of the fine, but he was afraid of having two more boys. Xie Sui couldn't handle that.
Women are also strange; they scream in pain during childbirth and swear they'll never do it again, but soon forget and feel like they can do it again.
Lin Wanwan was like this. She had already forgotten the hardships of pregnancy. Many women are forgetful.
The main reason was that Xie Sui had become a better person now, taking care of her and the children everywhere. With nannies and his mother watching the children, she was like those young unmarried women, with clothes and accessories that were unique in the county.
She didn't have a son, and she wanted an intimate daughter to make her life complete.
Xie Sui hung up the phone. That night, he dreamt of children, like Tang Sanzang surrounded by Hong Hai'er, and woke up startled.
He got up for a drink of water and suddenly heard a faint click outside the door. Instantly, he broke into a cold sweat. Someone had entered the house.
He quietly got out of bed, stuffed a pillow into the blanket, and found nothing convenient at hand. He had to roll under the bed.
He held his breath, thinking, what if it was just his imagination?
Unfortunately, things didn't go as Xie Sui expected. Click, the bedroom door opened, and a dark figure entered.
The moonlight was good that night, and Xie Sui could see the gleaming dagger in the intruder's hand. He closed his eyes to steady himself. Damn it, they were here to kill him.
This was the downside of Hong Kong City; it was too chaotic. As long as the money was right, any assassination, car accident, or mishap could be arranged.
Xie Sui quickly stabilized himself, relaxed his breathing, and his heartbeat slowed down. Since they were here, he had to find a way to deal with them. Heaven was still looking out for him; he wasn't going to die here obscurely.
"Puchi!"
The sound of a knife piercing the quilt. The attack had begun. Xie Sui also acted, grabbing the intruder's ankle and yanking hard. With a thud, the intruder's back of the head hit the ground with such force that he almost died.
While the assassin was dazed, Xie Sui grabbed his dagger and plunged it into his heart.
The assassin wasn't professional. He died with his eyes wide open, his mission unfulfilled.
Xie Sui dodged and hid behind the door, worried about accomplices.
Indeed, hurried footsteps sounded, and there were two more people. Xie Sui's palms sweated; two people would be difficult to deal with.
However, the commotion had not only alerted the assassin's companions but also Ah Hua in the next room.
Xie Sui valued his life and had Ah Hua guard him twenty-four hours a day. He just hadn't expected these people to be so capable, managing to infiltrate his home.
It seemed the neighborhood's security needed to be strengthened.