So thend certificate was indeed given to Wang Gebi by her elder brother and sister-inw.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They even knew it was Su Wen''s only lifetime savings, and they were aware that Wang Gebi had ulterior motives. Yet, for the sake of securing overseas immigration quotas for their family, they still chose to give thend certificate to Wang Gebi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t even an oversight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They deliberately kept it from Yan Wei and Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just then, a loud thunderp boomed outside the window.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Oh my, is the weather turning bad there? We have weather forecasts here in America. Do you have those there?" Liu Xiuying remarked upon hearing the thunder over the phone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men replied, "No, we don''t."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"That''s the difference between capitalism and socialism. Living in China forever must be such a struggle for you," Liu Xiuying sighed, finally regaining some confidence, and said in an especially intimate tone, "Well, let''s meet in Xiping City then. Men, I can''t wait to show you how exceptional Jim, my American-born child, is."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Click. The other end hung up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The couple had been arguing earlier, but now Chen Men couldn''t continue the fight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not only had her elder brother and his wife sold out their mother for glory, but even after ten years, they showed not an ounce of regret.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now wasn''t the time to be angry. Yan Zhao embraced her, and Chen Men didn''t resist, simply lying down to sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for little Jim, Chen Men would wait and see just how exceptional he really was.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Currently, Factory 271 was running smoothly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With Xue Mingfang handling production and Hu Xiaohua managing sales - one managing internal affairs and the other external - Chen Men didn''t need to worry too much.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Instead, she still needed to keep an eye on her Xingda Construction Team.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Overall, the Xingda Construction Team had it easy. Whenever they ran out of work, she would contact Cui Min.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Cui Min had many connections and could always help introduce some small jobs. They couldn''t make a fortune, but it was more than enough to support her elder brother''s family and Yan Bin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Additionally, Yanguan Vige would eventually face demolition. Chen Men had bought three apartments in the Dongfang Group building and spread word that she was willing to pay extra to exchange properties. After two years of trading, she finally managed to get all three apartments on the same floor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The three apartments would need to be connected and renovated. After renovation, they would need to air out for two to three years until the formaldehyde waspletely gone and wouldn''t harm Little Lang before they could move in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By then, Yanguan Vige would be ready for demolition, making their move perfectly timed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
For now, only Chen Degong knew about this besides herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had entrusted all the wall demolition and renovation work to Chen Degong.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Today was the weekend. Mainly worried that Little Lang''s eyes would be damaged from constant shooting practice, Chen Men brought the children to her elder brother''s home to meet with Jinbao, Zhenzhu, and Baozhu, letting the cousins y together.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If Little Lang continued practicing with the air rifle every day, his eyes would surely go blind.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although her elder brother had also bought three apartments, he had only renovated one so far, merely painting the walls,ying tiles, and installing a few cabs before eagerly moving in.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Qiaofang was naturally hardworking and especially good at keeping house. She had made the new home bright and clean, with the two girls sharing one bedroom, the couple in another, and Jinbao sleeping in the living room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Renovation was a process of learning from mistakes - people gained experience with each renovation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As soon as Chen Men entered, Zhou Qiaofang started sharing her insights, such as ensuring proper bathroom waterproofing and using quality hardware to avoid frequent repairs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Noticing the strong smell in the house that made her eyes sting, Chen Men asked Chen Degong, "Brother, where did you buy the paint? Why is it so harsh on the eyes?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Worried it might harm Little Lang''s health, Chen Men quickly opened all the windows.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Degong opened a room door and exined, "It''s all paint from Sanbao Paint Factory. The living room was done earlier with the old paint, but the bedroom has new paint - smell it, there''s no odor, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sanbao Paint Factory was now run by Xiong Dapao, and the paint quality had improved significantly - you could tell just from the smell.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men took another careful sniff before saying, "Brother, I''ll use this paint when I renovate my ce."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Don''t worry about the renovation, I''ll handle it for you," Chen Degong said generously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"That won''t do. When I renovate my house, we need to choose tile colors, toilets, and bathroom countertops together. It needs to be done ording to my preferences," Chen Men said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In her previous life, she had lived in many houses, but they were all decorated by Lu Jingyu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Everything was done ording to his aesthetic preferences - Roman columns, golden marble walls, yet oddly paired with Chinese furniture, making the houses neither here nor there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Without money, she had no say. Chen Men had never lived in a house that truly suited her taste. This time, she wanted to decorate one ording to her own preferences and livefortably.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Qiaofang knew that Men had three apartments on the same floor, which was quite good by current standards.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But being the type to boost others'' pride while diminishing her own, she chimed in: "Men, you probably don''t know, but Lu Jingyu has made good money in businesstely and boughtnd to build buildings. My Xueqin is going to be a real estate tycoon''s wife."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Degong disliked hearing Zhou Qiaofang mention Zhou Xueqin, so he retorted, "If you don''t speak, no one will think you''re mute."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Qiaofang got angry too: "Both my sister-inw and sister are doing well, I''m happy for them. Can''t I say a few words about it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She actually felt sorry for Men, especially since Men had brought the children and bought a live chicken, and was now busy ughtering it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But the apartment kitchen was too small to work in properly. While holding the chicken and lifting the sharpened cleaver, it hit the cutting board. Though she managed to chop off the chicken''s head, she lost her grip on the body, and the chicken escaped.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The children were in the living room when they saw a headless chicken rush out, blood spraying from its neck.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not to mention that Yuanyuan was terrified - even Zhenzhu and Baozhu, who were already teenage girls, turned and ran in fright. As the headless chicken was about to charge at Yuanyuan, Jinbao rushed over but missed catching it. However, Little Wang gently scooped it up like catching a basketball, deflecting it away from Yuanyuan, then grabbed it with momentum, mming the chicken against the window. With a stter of blood, he finally caught it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Degong was furious at this chaos and scolded: "Zhou Qiaofang, I told you to buy a plucked chicken, but you insisted on buying a live one. Look at this mess - is this tiny apartment a ce for ughtering chickens?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What do you know? Live ones are fresher and cheaper," Zhou Qiaofang replied dismissively, still holding the cleaver.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Children, being children, quickly got over their fright and became cheerful again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Since Yuanyuan was sttered with blood, her two older cousins took her to the bathroom to clean up and change clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men asked Chen Degong for his keys, nning to check out her new apartment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, just as she was about to leave, she heard Zhou Qiaofang talking to Little Wang in the kitchen: "Your mom couldn''t properly care for youst time, and she feels terrible about it. But she''s about to have money now. She says not to be angry aboutst time and to remember her. When she has money, she''ll definitelye back to take good care of you brothers, okay?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The mother Zhou Qiaofang referred to wasn''t Chen Men, but Zhou Xueqin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang stood there holding the headless chicken, staring at Zhou Qiaofang, his eyes instantly turning red.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His grip on the chicken loosened, and the headless bird suddenly flew towards Zhou Qiaofang''s face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Qiaofang, still holding the cleaver, ducked and screamed in the kitchen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang also turned and ran.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing this, Chen Men left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Clearly, after several years of detours, Lu Jingyu had returned to real estate development.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Real estate wasn''t just a money tree now - it was a money-printing machine. Securing a plot ofnd meant waiting for wealth to explode, and Zhou Xueqin would certainly be rich.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Chen Men would never believe that Zhou Xueqin would truly care for the children.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, as Lu Jingyu gradually became wealthy, he would be unfaithful, not only having affairs but likely fathering children with his mistresses. Almost every mistress would secretly bear his child.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He would gradually look down on Zhou Xueqin, openly and subtly mocking and belittling her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By then, Zhou Xueqin would have to swallow her bitter fate, unable to speak of her suffering even with broken teeth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Setting that aside, after passing two buildings on the second floor, Chen Men arrived at what would be her new home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The house was registered under Chen Men''s name, and she had bought it with her own money - it belonged entirely to her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Opening the door with her key, she found it was still in its bare shell state.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Three 65-square-meter apartments had beenbined into one unit by breaking through the non-load-bearing walls.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Though it was only 130 square meters, since houses were now sold based on interior space, the ce felt quite spacious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, because it was originally three units, there were many load-bearing walls, making it somewhat difficult to utilize the space efficiently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With renovation approaching, Chen Men needed to carefully consider how to make the best use of the space without wasting any.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The balcony was exceptionally long, spanning half the floor, with good natural lighting, but it took up too much space.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Standing with her hands on her hips, Chen Men observed for a while before suddenly having an idea - she could partition off the entire balcony to create a corridor, and install Little Lang''s air gun on one side, making good use of the space.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for Yuanyuan''s bedroom, it needed to berger to fit the piano. The walls and ceiling would need soundproofing, since they had neighbors above and below. With a child practicing piano daily, they didn''t want to disturb the neighbors and risk damaging rtionships.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As Chen Men was calcting all this, her mobile phone suddenly rang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was Cui Min calling, screaming into the phone: "Hello, Men, is that you, Men?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Just now, my father said that after discussions throughout the military district, they want to contract 291 to us. You guessed right - 291 is about to be ours!" Cui Min continued screaming.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was within Chen Men''s expectations.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Otherpanies had been defeated by Deputy Director Zheng, and thestpetitor, Yu Xiaoqiao, had been sentenced to prison.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The military leaders, wanting to avoid trouble, would naturally package 291 with 271.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men''s main concern was: "How much is the contract fee?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"300,000 yuan. We have that much in our ount, right?" Cui Min couldn''t hide her joy. "291 is even bigger than 271, with morerge machinery. We''re going to make a fortune now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Regarding profits, Chen Men had to pour some cold water on Cui Min''s enthusiasm: "The contract fee is 300,000, renovating the factory and paying wages will need another 500,000. Sister Cui, 271 has just started making profits, but with taking over 291, it''ll be at least two more years before we see any dividends."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The bigger the factory, the higher the investment needed. Using 271''s cash flow to support 291 meant that while their operation was expanding, they wouldn''t see any dividends or money in the short term.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It doesn''t matter, as long as we invest, we''ll see returns eventually." Cui Min was quite confident about this, but then she changed the subject: "Men, we got 291 ourselves, it has nothing to do with Gu Xiao, right? So we don''t have to share the profits from 291 with him, do we?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She was thinking that since their operation was getting bigger and they''d make more money, she didn''t want to share with Gu Xiao anymore.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At this point, Chen Men had to remind Cui Min: "Gu Xiao is our major shareholder in 271. If you use 271 to acquire 291, Gu Xiao will automatically own 49% of 291''s shares. How could we not share the profits with him?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Cui Min sighed: "It''s so unfair. You work yourself to death for just 30% of the shares, I only have 21%, while Gu Xiao does nothing and gets 49%. Capitalists make money so easily. Why don''t we keep two sets of books? If we make 500,000, we report 300,000 to him, and split the extra between ourselves?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I wouldn''t dare. If you want to do it, do it yourself," Chen Men said half-jokingly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Cui Min got excited: "Let''s do it then! I know someone who sells invoices. We can use them to pad the ounts and let Gu Xiao get less profit."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was obviously a joke.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although Gu Xiao hadn''t sent an ountant to supervise them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Chen Men had Qi Songlu keep the ounts crystal clear and transparent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, Gu Xiao was an old fox who had done business in capitalist countries for twenty years, and Chen Men didn''t think she could fool him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Back at her elder brother''s home, Zhou Qiaofang was cooking Chongqing-style food, making a spicy chicken hotpot both stir-fried and boiled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They had a honeb coal stove at home. She first stewed the chicken on the gas stove, then put it on the coal stove. Everyone gathered around it, adding Chinese cabbage, sausages, preserved meat, and handmade noodles, cooking and eating together.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Qiaofang was a good cook. As soon as Chen Men opened the door, she could smell the strong aroma of hotpot.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had learned from restaurants how to make the dipping sauce, crushing garlic and adding coriander and other seasonings for everyone.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Chen Men had left earlier, Zhou Qiaofang had been grumbling but generally happy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had only been gone for half an hour, but upon returning, Zhou Qiaofang''s face was clouded with gloom and appeared quite dejected.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang and Jinbao weren''t there, having gone out to y basketball.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The girls were busy setting up tables and chairs, while her elder brother was in the bathroom washing Yuanyuan''s blood-stained clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men went into the kitchen to help Zhou Qiaofang prepare the dipping bowls. As soon as she entered, Zhou Qiaofang sighed: "Ah, Xueqin''s life is probably ruined forever." Then she added: "Men, keep an eye on Little Wang. I hate to say what Xueqin said, but I feel that child will go astray sooner orter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What''s wrong with Little Wang now?" Chen Men''s tone hardened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Unlike before, when someone would say Little Wang would go astray, Chen Men would disagree silently but say nothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Gradually, she had be very resistant to people saying such things.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And when people brought it up, she couldn''t control her anger and would lose her temper.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin noticed the girls outside were listening, so she closed the kitchen door and said in a low voice: "I just told him his birth mother misses him and that he should be good to you but not forget his birth mother. That''s a nice thing to say, right? But do you know what he told me? He said to pass a message to Zhou Xueqin - if she dares to harass him again, he''ll burn down her house, kill her first and then himself. Tell me, is this something a child would say? He wants to kill his birth mother!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not only did he not want to see his birth mother, but he immediately talked about murder and arson. Zhou Qiaofang was shocked by Little Wang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Xueqin always said Little Wang was ungrateful, saying he appeared to be a good child on the surface but was actually very cruel inside.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Qiaofang had never believed it before, but just now, she suddenly found herself believing it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang''s tone and look in his eyes frightened Zhou Qiaofang, making her shudder. She felt the child needed some discipline.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men took a deep breath before saying: "Sister-inw, didn''t you just say Zhou Xueqin is wealthy now and about to be a real estate boss''s wife, living luxuriously? Doesn''t she have her own children? Didn''t she abandon Little Wang and Little Lang to raise the Lu family''s children? If Little Wang doesn''t want to see her, why does she keep trying to find him again and again?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"But they''re her flesh and blood, of course she misses them. Besides, sister-inw is thinking of your best interests. A child who can talk about murder and arson has problems - you need to discipline him!" Zhou Qiaofang raised her voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men tasted the dipping sauce she had just mixed and looked up saying: "My son Yan Wang Qi is about to enter sixth grade. He ranks fourth in the whole school and second in his ss. He hasn''t missed a single day of school since second grade. Though he doesn''t have any special talents and only takes basketball as an extracurricr activity, he can doundry and cook at home, and most importantly, he''s filial to his parents. I don''t think my son has any problems."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With that, she picked up two sauce bowls and pushed open the kitchen door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As she came out, she froze.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Because Little Wang was standing right at the kitchen door, holding a basketball.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The eleven-year-old boy was tall and thin, already looking like a young man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was covered in sweat from ying basketball, his nose glistening.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He must have heard the argument between Chen Men and Zhou Qiaofang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But he said nothing, just put the basketball on the rack and went to the bathroom to wash his hands.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men followed him and saw him turn on the tap, standing with his back turned for a long while. Suddenly, he punched the bathroom wall, then kicked it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for whether this child would turn bad, Chen Men couldn''t say.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But clearly, Zhou Xueqin''s constant harassment had created rage in Little Wang''s heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men needed to find time to properly counsel him, otherwise, a good child might really be driven to be a criminal by his mother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Little Wang,e out and eat hotpot!" she called out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang quickly wiped his eyes while turning away, and was already smiling when he turned back: "Yes, mom."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men had been waiting for Liu Xiuying because she had announced her visit in advance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for how exceptional Jim really was, Chen Men had no idea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Between the two cousins, Little Wang was only slightly better at academic studies in the test-oriented education system but had no other special talents.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was just an ordinary child.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Little Lang was truly exceptional - at just seven years old, he showed remarkable talent in shooting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He started practicing at three meters, then gradually expanded to five meters. Later, Yan Zhao cleared out the hall and set up an air gun at the courtyard entrance, a full 10-meter distance. After practicing for a while, Little Lang could still achieve perfect uracy, hitting the bullseye every time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yanguan Vige was located on a in where the wind was particrly strong, and it was said that wind greatly affected bullet trajectories.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But whenever Little Lang picked up the gun, at ten meters, his shooting uracy matched his father''s.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So Chen Men was quite confident, cing her hopes ofpeting with Jim on Little Lang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Initially, Liu Xiuying had said she woulde in July.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But now it was already September, with school about to start, and there was still no movement from Liu Xiuying''s side.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
During this summer vacation, Little Wang, who would be entering junior high next year, spent all his time studying except for daily basketball lessons.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yuanyuan, after Chen Men''s careful selection, had agreed to a movie called "The Empress is Expecting" and spent the summer filming another movie at the Xiping Film Studio.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lang remained steadfast in his routine, practicing boxing stances and shooting every day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
During this time, Chen Men had a particrly important task - it was the one-year anniversary of Gu Xiao''s investment, and she needed to report the ounts to him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This was a big deal because as the major shareholder, if Gu Xiao wasn''t satisfied with the ounts, he had the right to intervene in financial management. If he intervened in financial management andpany operations, Chen Men would be constrained.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So Chen Men was incredibly busy during this period.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She absolutely had to produce a financial report that Gu Xiao couldn''t find fault with.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was at this time that she received Liu Xiuying''s call.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Men, I''ve arrived in the capital and am about to board a flight to Xiping City. This time I''ve brought lots and lots of things for you all, I guarantee you''ll like them," Liu Xiuying said, then changed the subject: "By the way, we''re family, and I have a small request - could you keep Yan Zhao away today? I want to meet with you alone first, then meet himter, is that okay?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Recently, Yan Peiheng had been supervising work in the Central Theater Command and would return home on weekends.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was about to be promoted to the city bureau and currently had no new cases, so he wasn''t particrly busy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And since her sister-inw wasing, Chen Men would definitely need to notify Yan Zhao and have them meet today.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But she still said: "Alright, I won''t tell Yan Zhao yet."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Let''s get sister-inw here first, she thought, and see what kind of face these people would show - the ones who had given away their mother''s temple property to outsiders in exchange for opportunities to go abroad, and now shamelessly appeared without any sign of remorse, supposedly doing so well for themselves.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hearing Chen Men agree so readily, Liu Xiuying''s voice became particrly excited: "Men, I''ve always heard from Men that you''re a good person, and indeed, as sisters-inw, we''re so fortunate. I feel we really click."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men hung up and immediately called Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She told him toe home early tonight.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She also left work early herself, and on her way home, called the house to tell Little Wang and Little Lang to stay home and wait for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wasn''t about makingparisons - Jim was Little Wang and Little Lang''s cousin, born and raised in America, now returning from there. As family, they needed to meet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With modern transportation being so efficient, Chen Men got home around four in the afternoon. Upon entering, she went straight to the kitchen to check what vegetables Little Wang had bought during the day and to n dinner.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as she came out of the kitchen and was washing her hands at the tap, she heard a car horn outside, followed by someone knocking and saying "hello."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Looking back, she saw an extremely obese middle-aged woman wearing arge T-shirt with a jacket over it, her permed hair dyed wine-red, smiling at the door: "Is this Chen Men''s home?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I am... Sister-inw?" Chen Men said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The woman was so ordinary-looking, except for her wine-red hair, that Chen Men could hardly believe she hade from America. Moreover, she walked with a noticeable limp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Xiuying looked around and sighed deeply, starting with: "Looking at the journey here, our country has changed quite a bit. Although it''s still a hundred thousand miles behind Ennd and America,pared to those small African countries, it''s not bad at all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That was quite an interesting way of praising.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men noticed her severe limp and asked: "What happened to your leg, Sister-inw?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Xiuying patted her thigh and proudly said: "A scar of the times. I got rheumatism when I was in Qinghai. If I had let those ipetent traditional Chinese medicine doctors treat it here, I''d probably be paralyzed by now. But with advanced Western medicine in America, I can still walk."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men didn''t believe Western medicine was better than Chinese medicine for treating rheumatism - after all, Yan Zhao''s hand had been sessfully treated with Chinese medicine. But some people just blindly worship Western medicine, so she said nothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0Aliali: 67489a52c4f3f33ac47b5160
Little Wang and Little Lang had heard from Chen Men that their cousin from America wasing today, and the children were very curious about what their American cousin looked like. They all rushed toward the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang, being the tallest after four years of ying basketball, naturally ran the fastest. Being at an age of rapid growth, his movements were somewhat clumsy. As he rushed out the door, he nearly bumped into Liu Xiuying, and then directly collided with a blonde boy outside.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Xiuying, who had been smiling just moments before, first shouted "Oh my God!" then suddenly grabbed Little Wang''s hair, bursting out in old Beijing dialect: "Are you blind, you little brat? Jim is an award-winning violinist - if you damage his hands, his life will be ruined. Can you afford topensate for that?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not only was Little Wang stunned, but Chen Men was also dumbfounded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Weren''t they supposed to being from heaven? Where were their manners and education? Starting with profanity, and so much of it?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Moreover, she was surprisingly strong, pushing Little Wang back forcefully. Yuanyuan and Little Lang, who were also rushing out, couldn''t stop in time. Little Lang, who was running the slowest, fell to the ground with a thud.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Setting aside what Liu Xiuying hade for,<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And not mentioning the great difficulties she and Yan Jun supposedly had when they transferred Su Wen''s temple property to Wang Gebi,<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
To start things off like this before even entering the house - wouldn''t anyone be angry?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men picked up Little Lang and saw that his hand was bleeding. She lifted him uppletely and confronted Liu Xiuying: "Sister-inw, my son happens to be the nation''s most excellent marksman. If you''ve damaged his hand, his life will be ruined - you mustpensate!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0