Tomorrow will be January 1st, 1992. Outside, through the vige loudspeakers, a singer named Yang Yuying''s sweet voice is ying: "Same sky, same face, I can''t live without your world..."


    This is the theme song from a TV series called "The Girl from Outside."


    It''s the song that Yuanyuan loves hummingtely.


    Yan Zhao asked in a very soft voice, "Who is that person really?"


    It was a strange feeling. Yan Zhao was certain he loved Chen Men, but not like other couples who simply lived day by day. His was a purepanionate love, like family. He knew deeply that he was a man no woman would ever love, so as long as Chen Men didn''t leave him, as long as she stayed by his side, he didn''t care about anything else.


    But this was the first time he realized his wife''s wisdom was beyond his reach.


    This was the first time he felt curious about his wife, just like their children. He was particrly curious about how she had so easily resolved the matter with Hu Xiaohua.


    Actually, that person was right under their nose.


    At that moment, someone carrying bags of all sizes walked straight into the courtyard without knocking, calling out: "Zhaodi, daddy has missed you so much." He then turned to re at the woman outside, signaling her to stay away.


    Of course, it was Yan Xishan!


    He wore a white suit jacket with a camel-colored wool coat, topped with a red scarf, sunsses, and had big wavy hair. In an era when most men wore dull grey or ck, his faceplemented this outfit better than any future TV heartthrob.


    The woman he red at was Chen Chunmei, his live-in partner who used to run honeypot scams.


    After reforming, Chen Chunmei had be devoted to Yan Xishan, but due to her questionable past, he rarely let her apany him in public. Today, she was just helping carry his things.


    She used to be quite the career woman in her own way, considering her previous profession, and had some self-awareness.


    But now, under Yan Xishan''s gentle maniption and constant criticism, she had be as docile as Chen Men once was.


    Terms like spendthrift, typical woman, useless, good-for-nothing had be her nicknames.


    Yet surprisingly, she seemed content following Yan Xishan.


    "Where''s Little Chen? Why don''t you let her in?" Chen Men asked.


    "She used to be in that business, why should shee with me? Don''t I have any face to save?" Yan Xishan removed his sunsses and smiled at Yan Zhao, but instead of shaking hands, he pressed his palms together after a pause and said: "Sawadee ka?"


    With his wavy hair and sunsses, and good looks, this gesture made him seem more effeminate than a Thaidyboy.


    "What does that mean?" Yan Zhao asked coldly.


    Chen Men exined: "It''s something he learned from Thaidyboys, probably means hello."


    Yan Zhao''s brow darkened as he asked, "Is being adyboy contagious?" Or was it transmitted between people?


    Yan Xishan protested: "How am I adyboy? In Thand, everyone says this, not justdyboys."


    He began unpacking the things he''d brought, eventually pulling out a smelly package wrapped in paper. He said it was something special Chen Men had asked him to buy - though he couldn''t stand it himself, he wanted Little Lang to try it.


    Little Lang and Jim were genuine foodies who would eat almost anything with sauce, even table legs if they could. But when they finally managed to unwrap the spiky thing from its paper, the two children sniffed it and exchanged looks: "Poop, dad, there''s a package of poop."


    Little Wang caught the smell and decided it was indeed foul, grabbing it to run to the toilet.


    Chen Men cried out - it was durian, her favorite! She quickly chased after him to retrieve it.


    Yan Xishan had brought many things, filling two wheeled suitcases and arge woven bag, letting the children rummage through them.


    After recovering the durian, Chen Men formally introduced Yan Xishan to Jim, then told the children that he would be the new sales manager for the 271pany.


    At that time, the tourism industry in Thand, Mysia, and Singapore was more developed than in China, and they had sales techniques beyond just drinking with clients.


    Yan Xishan was Hu Xiaohua''s mentor, and Hu Xiaohua''s tactic of ying the humble apprentice was learned from him.


    Chen Men had approved Yan Xishan''s overseas trip specifically so he could learn about these new sales methods from abroad.


    He''d been gone for a month, which should have been enough time to learn what was needed.


    Time was of the essence - after New Year''s Day would be the ordering fair. Chen Men got straight to the point: "East Fashion has 1.5 million in sales this quarter, and the ordering fair is on January 15th. Hu Xiaohua has been sick recently, but the clients will stille. The hotel is booked, and the promotions are in ce. Xishan, you''ll take the stage. Also, I need to hire some staff for training, and you''ll be their instructor."


    Yan Xishan took a long time to digest this news, the smile slowly fading from his face.


    The children also fell quiet.


    Would Uncle Yan Xishan really be more capable than Hu Xiaohua?


    Yan Xishan''s expression continued to fall, and after a long while, he finally said: "Men, you''re at the end of your rope, trying to step on me to survive. We''re family after all, but isn''t this like wanting me dead?"


    Yuanyuan had been sure her father would agree, but hearing Yan Xishan''s response, she tugged at his knee and softly called out: "Papa."


    Yan Xishan ignored even Yuanyuan, pushing her away as he tried to leave.


    But before he could stand up, Yan Zhao pressed him back down.


    "Xishan, let''s talk properly," he said.


    "Who is Xiaohua? My former subordinate who now hates me to death because I didn''t save him back then." Yan Xishan mmed his hand on the table: "Don''t think I don''t know what''s going on. Gu Xiao is watching like a hawk, ready to send in his own people if Chen Men loses money. Hu Xiaohua won''t take orders, wants to be the boss, and Chen Men is now surrounded by enemies. Of course I know how to do sales - I''ve been to Thand, Mysia, and Singapore, I''ve seen how foreigners do it, I have a whole new approach to sales and marketing. But Chen Men, why should I help you? Just topletely fall out with Hu Xiaohua and make him hate me more? Just because you once took away my Xishan Coal Mine?"


    The business world is a battlefield.


    If Yan Xishan stood by and did nothing, Chen Men would lose money, and once that happened, Gu Xiao would step in to take control.


    As Yan Xishan predicted, Hu Xiaohua would be Gu Xiao''s new general manager, loyal only to him.


    If that happened, before long, the 271pany would belong to the Gu family.


    That''s business - someone stronger can rece you at any time, and often it''s someone who used to work under you.


    While not exactly triumphant, Yan Xishan was certainly feeling vindicated at this moment.


    Just based on his lingering resentment from when Chen Men took over the Xishanpany, he could watch from the sidelines and enjoy seeing her struggle.


    The children were stunned, of course.


    Especially Little Wang - the business world he had looked forward to was showing its cruelest face.


    Yan Xishan had seven or eight degrees and had built Xishan Coal Mine into Xiping City''srgest coal enterprise. With both theory and experience, he would make an excellent sales manager, but he didn''t want to work under Chen Men - what could be done?


    "Papa, I love you, Papa," Yuanyuan said, shaking Yan Xishan''s leg.


    All the Yan children were watching Yan Xishan with pleading eyes as big as copper bells.


    Though Yan Zhao kept one hand pressed on Yan Xishan''s shoulder, his gaze also carried a plea for reconciliation.


    This gave Yan Xishan immense psychological satisfaction.


    This was an era dominated by nouveau riche, where money was supreme. Throughout Xiping City, all the nouveau riche would tremble at the mention of Yan Zhao''s name, but so what? He had no money, he could only frighten people with his dark face, but he was helpless when it came to his wife''s difficulties.


    At this moment, Yan Xishan was thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being sought after and desired by everyone.


    Yan Zhao suddenly spoke: "Tell me, if I do something, will you help Men with sales? Just name it."


    "In the future, when I go to nightclubs and get special services, you need to tell the police not to arrest me..."


    "Impossible," Yan Zhao said firmly. "If you should be arrested, you will be."


    "Well, there you have it. I can''t help you then. Men, this is Yan Zhao''s problem - he doesn''t want me to help you, so there''s nothing I can do." Yan Xishan spread his hands with a smile, extremely pleased with himself.


    Little Wang let out a long sigh, realizing that Yan Xishan was indeed talented, but not someone Chen Men could easily handle.


    However, at that moment, Chen Men said, "I''ll give you amission of 0.3%. That means for 1.5 million in sales, you''ll get 4,500 inmission..."


    "I have 740,000 in cash in my ount. I don''t need money," Yan Xishan said bluntly.


    But Chen Men hadn''t finished: "I''m going to hire arge sales team, and you''ll lecture them as a guest professor. I''ll pay you 150 yuan per lecture. Professor Yan, is that enough?"


    It was like riding a roller coaster.


    Not just Yan Zhao, but even Little Wang, who considered himself the shrewdest young businessman-to-be, hadn''t anticipated this.


    150 yuan wasn''t much; it was actually pitifully small andpletely unbefitting of Yan Xishan''s status as a big boss. But suddenly he chuckled and rubbed his hands together, appearing somewhat restless: "Professor? I couldn''t possibly... How could I deserve such a title?"


    Chen Men said, "In terms of sales, I believe you''re worthy of being called professor. The order meeting on the 15th will be your warm-up and establish your sess case. Go prepare, and let''s nail it."


    Yan Xishan looked around, his gaze falling on Little Wang: "Yan Wangqi, call me professor, let me hear it."


    "Professor Yan, you''re the most knowledgeable and elegant professor I''ve ever met," Little Wang, always ready, immediately offered ttery.


    "What wonderful times we live in, when even drifters can be professors. I''ll go prepare my teaching materials," Yan Xishan said. If he had a tail, it would surely be wagging in the air by now.


    And so, Yan Xishan became 271''s chief sales manager, despite risking bing mortal enemies with Hu Xiaohua and ignoring that Chen Men was the rival who had taken over hispany.


    After Yan Xishan left, Yan Zhao went to prepare dinner, as he always listened to Yuanyuan in such matters.


    Since Yuanyuan said she wanted Sichuan cuisine today, Yan Zhao went out and ordered several dishes from a Sichuan restaurant.


    In Yan Zhao''s mind, these dishes were all what Yuanyuan wanted to eat.


    But that wasn''t actually the case.


    Jim had returned from America, and that child had an intense passion for Sichuan cuisine - twice-cooked pork, spicy rabbit, pepper chicken - he simply couldn''t eat anything unless it was spicy. So today''s dishes perfectly suited Jim''s taste.


    It was truly remarkable.


    Liu Xiuying had been gone for three whole months, yet Jim hadn''t asked once where his mother had gone.


    After dinner, he voluntarily offered to apany Yuanyuan in ying the violin. When the two children started ying "Carmen Fantasy," a crowd gathered at the door again.


    Of course, Yan Zhao was thoroughly impressed by Chen Men.


    However, he was always more about words than action. He arranged the items Yan Xishan had brought back, ced her cosmetics on the dressing table, and even found her new wool coat in the closet and ironed it for her.


    Little Wang''s decision not to run training sses had upset quite a few people, especially Third Sister-inw Huang, who was very angry and wanted to argue with Men about it. Usually, Yan Zhao wouldn''t get involved in such family matters, but extraordinarily, today he took Little Wang out to visit each household and apologize to everyone.


    By the time they returned from apologizing, it was already 11 PM.


    Yan Zhao felt quite guilty about Little Wang''s predicament, but it was difficult to handle the situation properly. He figured if he punished Little Wang, Chen Men would be unhappy, so he just gave him a lecture and sent him to bed.


    Back in the bedroom, he saw Chen Men lying in bed reading magazines, wearing the face mask Yan Xishan had brought from abroad. Yan Zhao sat at the bedside for quite a while before saying, "Although Little Wang can be mischievous, he''s still very good to Yuanyuan. Please be more understanding in the future, and if there are any problems, just tell me, and I''ll educate him."


    "Alright," Chen Men smiled, turning a page in her magazine.


    "Jim has been very well-behaved too. He''ll be leaving in three months, and now we have three brothers all caring for our Yuanyuan, isn''t that nice?" Yan Zhao asked.


    "Yes, it''s very nice," Chen Men said.


    After a long silence, Yan Zhao suddenly asked, "So, you won''t fall in love with someone else, will you?"


    Chen Men burst outughing, almost dying of amusement.


    It wasn''t that Little Wang was good to Yuanyuan, or that Jim was well-behaved - it was Yuanyuan who had been taking care of all three boys. They were siblings, and Chen Men couldn''t point this out directly or criticize Little Wang and Little Lang, because children make mistakes and learn from them. Even biological siblings fight sometimes; it wasn''t a big deal.


    But Yuanyuan''s dedication and tolerance toward the boys was something this foolish man had never noticed even slightly.


    This was why Chen Men wanted to love him but couldn''t bring herself to do so.


    Though these were small matters, in her previous life, Yan Xishan and Lu Jingyu had never acknowledged Yuanyuan''s love or noticed the child''s devotion. She hadn''t been loved by them, and as a result, she had been hurt twice.


    In this life, Chen Men could tolerate the big things; she hadn''t evenined when Jim joined their household.


    But she couldn''t tolerate these small things.


    Her Yuanyuan was like a pearl, enveloping and harmonizing everyone in this family. It was bad enough that the children couldn''t see it, but for Yan Zhao to be blind to it as well was too unfair to Yuanyuan.


    Well, there was no use saying more. Since Yan Zhao was off work tomorrow, Chen Men decided to let him see just what those three troublemaking boys would do to him without Yuanyuan around.


    The next day arrived, and after briefly speaking with Yan Zhao early in the morning at six o''clock, Chen Men took arge durian and Yuanyuan, driving into the city to visit Qi Songlu.


    It was New Year''s Day, and the whole city was on holiday.


    Qi Songlu was naturally sleeping in.


    But Chen Men guessed that since she had been to the South, she might enjoy durian.


    Disturbing someone early on a holiday might be annoying, but bringing a durian made it different.


    And she had guessed right!


    When they knocked, Yan Wei answered with sleepy eyes. Smelling the durian, he frowned and said, "Men, did you keep this thing in the bathroomst night?" He was practically implying she was carrying excrement.


    Qi Songlu was still sleeping and came out with messy hair. Seeing the durian, she rubbed her eyes and said, "Boss, is that really durian? Where did you get it? I can''t believe our city has durian now. This must cost at least fifty yuan?"


    Yan Wei frowned again: fifty yuan for something that smells like excrement?


    They say opening a durian is like opening a treasure. Chen Men found a kitchen knife and was about to cut it open when Qi Songlu stopped her, with a mysterious and excited expression: "You probably can''t guess, but I''m pregnant... Let me open the durian."


    Qi Songlu was pregnant?!


    This news came unexpectedly.


    Chen Men handed her the durian and turned to look at Yan Wei: "Really pregnant?"


    It was well known that Wang Ding''an had been telling people that Qi Songlu was likely infertile and couldn''t have children. Even Qi Songlu herself, though unconfirmed, had secretly worried about her fertility since she hadn''t conceived during her previous two-year marriage.


    Now that Qi Songlu was pregnant, didn''t this prove that Wang Ding''an was the one who couldn''t have children?


    A man''s words can be like a knife killing a woman''s spirit, and how difficult it is for a woman to prove herself.


    Qi Songlu could finally prove herself.


    Yan Wei put his finger to his lips: "It''s only been a month, don''t tell anyone." After experiencing the pain of losing a child, this pregnancy made him extremely nervous, so much that he barely dared to speak about it.


    They say pregnant women bring double luck, and indeed, therge durian yielded six segments of flesh, each one plump and full.


    Yan Xishan had chosen this durian well - it was a Musang King, with small seeds and plenty of flesh, and an incredibly rich aroma.


    Early in the morning, Chen Men and Qi Songlu sat facing each other, eating durian one bite after another, feeling utterly satisfied.


    Yan Wei was so overwhelmed by the smell that he opened the windows despite the winter cold, letting the cold air rush in. He smiled and said to Yuanyuan, "Women, they''re really hard to understand. How can anyone eat this stuff?"


    Yuanyuan, still at an age of innocent honesty, wrinkled her nose and said, "They''re eating something that looks like poop."


    That expressed exactly what Yan Wei was thinking!


    While Chen Men was thoroughly enjoying her six-segment Musang King durian in the 1990s, thanks to Yan Xishan''s connections, let''s turn our attention back to Yan Zhao.


    Today''s meal was booked at the newly opened Junhao Hotel in Xiping City.


    Even though Yan Zhao was a down-to-earth person, in an era of strict family nning where each household was limited to one child, he couldn''t help feeling proud looking at the three boys.


    He was proud of their excellence, their sensibility, and their obedience.


    For instance, at this very moment, with a singlemand, he had several children collectively dress up, brush their teeth, wash their faces, and buy breakfast.


    However, they hadn''t yet realized that Chen Men and Yuanyuan were not at home.


    Little Wang first got himself ready, then tapped on the ss: "Mom, are you up? Is Yuanyuan in your bedroom? What would you like to eat?"


    "Your mom is not home today. Buy whatever you want to eat," Yan Zhao said.


    Little Wang was taken aback: "Mom isn''t home? Did she take Yuanyuan with her?"


    Little Lang let out a sharp cry: "Where''s Mom? Where''s my mom?"


    It had been five years since the second marriage, and this was the first time Chen Men and Yuanyuan were both absent from home.


    Yan Zhao hadn''t seen hisrades-in-arms in the capital for several years, so he needed to spruce himself up. He was shaving when Little Lang''s cry startled him, causing the razor to scratch half his face.


    "Your mom went out to visit someone. Now go buy your own breakfast," Yan Zhao said through gritted teeth.


    "Mom isn''t home today?" Little Wang repeated.


    Then, he told Little Lang, "Little Lang, it''s your turn to buy breakfast today. You know what I like, right? Five sticks of sausage, with lots of chili powder and cumin. Skip the porridge, I want a bottle of Jianlibao."


    With Mom and Yuanyuan gone, he was going to indulge, yay!


    Jim, Little Wang''s loyal follower, quickly said, "I want sausages too, eight sticks, with lots of chili powder and cumin."


    "Brother, give me the money," Little Lang said, reaching out.


    Little Wang whispered, "Your mom said today we should spend your money."


    "Oh, okay."


    Each of them had a weekly allowance of 3 yuan. Little Lang had saved 30 yuan, intending to buy a pair of sunsses for himself. But since Mom said to spend it, he naively took out the money and went to buy sausages.


    Yan Zhao felt something was off.


    Usually, Little Wang was responsible for buying breakfast, and Chen Men gave him the living expenses.


    Why was Little Wang making Little Lang pay for breakfast?


    However, even the most attentive man can be careless around children. Yan Zhao had this thought, but it quickly passed.


    So today''s breakfast consisted of 20 sticks of sausage and 3 bottles of Jianlibao.


    The three boys indulged for the first time, finishing a whole te of fried sausages, thoroughly enjoying themselves.


    Yan Zhao went out to wash the car.


    And then Little Wang suddenly turned to Jim: "By the way, didn''t your second uncle give you a lot of pocket money?"


    Yan Wei doted on Jim and had secretly given him some pocket money, plus what Chen Men gave, he now had fifty yuan.


    "Yes," Jim said.


    Little Wang tapped his fingers: "My mom said today she''s not home, we should spend your money. Let''s buy spicy strips and beef jerky,e on, give me the money."


    Unlike a few years ago when they used good oil and good bean curd to make spicy strips and beef jerky, nowadays, with the proliferation of gutter oil, such things are made with gutter oil.


    Of course, Chen Men asionally made them herself to satisfy their cravings, but she didn''t allow the kids to buy them outside.


    asionally indulging meant not being full, and not being full naturally led to cravings.


    Jim had been lucky enough to eat Chen Men''s homemade ones twice and loved them. Hearing there were ones sold outside, he ran wildly, unable to count change, and bought fifty yuan''s worth. The shopkeeper gave it to him in arge woven bag used for grain.


    One could imagine how delighted Jim was, having a whole bag of spicy strips that he could only asionally eat a few of.


    Having just eaten sausages in the morning, the kids were almost sick from overeating. Yan Zhao was still washing the car and wouldter need to fill it with gas. Normally, they could have held out until noon to eat the spicy strips.


    But Little Lang couldn''t resist the temptation and started eating.


    Usually, Yuanyuan would remind them, and the kids would wipe their mouths while eating.


    Now, with no one reminding them, Little Lang forgot about it, being just an eight-year-old kid.


    Jim, who was never very hygienic, had managed to stay clean in Yanguan Vige these past few months only because Yuanyuan either reminded him or cleaned up after him.


    Boys being boys, Little Wang liked to bully the younger ones. He suddenly reached out and smeared some red oil on Jim''s fair face. Jim didn''t back down and immediately smeared him back.


    The two older ones wrestled noisily, then turned around to see Little Lang, clean andposed, slowly eating the spicy strips. Each grabbed Little Lang''s hand and smeared him with oil.


    Could Little Lang be bullied?


    With both hands full of spicy strips, he simply smeared both brothers, even stuffing a couple into their underwear.


    Boys roughhousing isn''t a big deal.


    But when Yan Zhao finished filling the gas and returned, he saw three boys with flushed faces and colorful clothes.


    The key was that they didn''t realize it themselves, now throwing spicy strips all over the yard.


    Once, Chen Men almost tore Yan Xishan to pieces when she saw him leading the kids in mischief.


    Yan Zhao was furious at this moment, pulling out his belt and charging at the kids.


    ...


    And this wasn''t even the worst of today''s chaos.


    Boys, after a beating, a change of clothes, and a wash, can still go out.


    But once outside, new problems arose.


    Having eaten a lot of sausages and spicy strips, full of junk food, Jim vomited all over the car.


    Little Wang clutched his stomach, twisting in difort.Aliali: 674c2f66c4f3f33ac47d2


    Without Yuanyuan watching, scolding, and reminding, he had eaten too much gutter oil and had an upset stomach.


    On one side, Jim was vomiting wildly, while on the other, Little Wang kept calling for his dad to hurry.


    This was the first time Yan Zhao had ever driven recklessly, speeding, and not yielding to pedestrians.


    It was only 11:30 in the morning, just five hours since Chen Men and Yuanyuan left home.


    Chen Men and Yuanyuan had finished their durian, chatted with Qi Songlu for a while, and were just strolling to the hotel entrance.


    Chen Men hadn''t met Yan Zhao''srades-in-arms yet.


    But she had her first glimpse of the usuallyposed Yan Zhao in a state of disarray.


    As the car came to a stop, Jim rolled out, having vomited so much he was dazed, his eyes nk. Little Wang got out clutching his stomach, his face pale, sweating, and repeatedly asking, "Where''s the bathroom?"


    Little Lang was the steadiest, neither vomiting nor needing to go, calm as ever.


    But as soon as he stepped out of the car, a spicy strip fell out of his pants with each step, leaving a trail.