Chapter 112

Old Master went into Little Wang's bedroom to see his grandson, and Chen Meilan took the opportunity to call Yan Zhao.

She explained to him, in brief, how their refusal of Yu Xiaoqiao had led to Old Master eventually taking on the role of representing the family to oversee the 291 investment attraction in Xiping City.

Over the phone, Yan Zhao was silent for a long time when he heard that Yan Peiheng would be staying at their home for a few days.

After a while, he asked, "He brought people with him, right? How are they going to stay?"

"His secretaries said they're staying at a hotel, just he's staying with us," Chen Meilan replied.

"I'll talk to him when I get back," Yan Zhao said after a pause. "By the way, you've been wanting to find a sales manager, right? I have a suitable candidate. How about I take you to meet him tomorrow?"

Sales is a science, and it has nothing to do with Yan Zhao.

Chen Meilan had been offering a salary of 600 yuan a month and had interviewed over a hundred people, but still hadn't found a suitable sales manager. Yan Zhao, who knew nothing about sales, could actually help her find one?

Although she felt it was unlikely, Chen Meilan agreed enthusiastically because it was rare for Yan Zhao to show concern for her work. "Sure, just set the time. I'm free these days."

"Tomorrow then," Yan Zhao said and hung up.

Yan Wei heard that Yan Peiheng was here and rushed over urgently. Knowing that Old Master liked noodles, especially machine-made ones, he bought some and also planned to introduce Qi Songlu to Old Master.

However, Qi Songlu declined, citing work and being busy.

As soon as Yan Wei entered, he started bustling around in the kitchen.

Yan Peiheng, though smiling and amiable with Chen Meilan, didn't have a good face for Yan Wei. As soon as Yan Zhao entered, he directly argued with Old Master.

"You should stay at the First Brigade. Yan Wei has prepared a kang there, and it's very clean," Yan Zhao suggested.

Yan Peiheng immediately got angry. "What, this isn't my son's home? I can't stay here?"

"Isn't the First Brigade also your home? How many years has it been since my mother passed away? Can't you stay there for one night?" Yan Zhao retorted.

Yan Peiheng, with his hands behind his back, suddenly roared, "Get out!"

The tempers of these father and son were indeed explosive, always starting arguments out of nowhere. The three kids didn't like their grandfather anyway, and seeing him lose his temper, Little Wang, the most cunning, quietly went into the bedroom and rolled up the bedding on his kang.

As he rolled, he told Little Lang and Yuanyuan, "Tough luck, tough luck. I've rolled up the bedding, so Grandpa will have to sleep with you."

The two younger ones were so angry at this mischievous older brother that they couldn't even speak.

Yan Zhao, though not yelling back at his father's roar, calmly said, "Where are your toiletries? I'll take them for you."

"Yan Zhao!" Old Master roared again. "I'm staying here. What can you do about it?"

Yan Zhao saw the luggage bag with his father's toiletries under the eaves and went to pick it up without a word.

Yan Peiheng, like an angry lion, glared at him.

It seemed the father and son were about to come to blows.

Fortunately, Chen Meilan intervened, "Dad, my mother would definitely want you to stay at the First Brigade, right? Even though she's gone, her spirit is still there. Shouldn't you go and keep her company?"

The crux of the issue for Old Master not wanting to stay at the First Brigade was his fear that Su Wen's spirit would be displeased. Initially bristling, he suddenly deflated at Chen Meilan's words, waving his hand and saying, "No, your mother wouldn't be happy."

"You are my mother's husband and the master of the First Brigade. How could she not be happy to see you there? Wouldn't she prefer to see a harmonious family instead of hearing you argue and seeing you avoid her beloved courtyard as a husband?" Chen Meilan countered.

Yan Peiheng's eyes suddenly reddened, and he stood there, silent.

So, Yan Zhao was angry because he thought his father didn't care about his mother, while Yan Peiheng was timid and guilty, unable to express his feelings, using his anger as an excuse to vent on his son, making the conflict even more strained.

Fortunately, Yan Zhao, enlightened by Chen Meilan's persuasion, softly said, "Let's eat first, then I'll drive you to Lotus Temple."

Yan Peiheng's back suddenly bent.

He hadn't visited his wife's ashes yet, even though Gu Xiao had been there.

Not for lack of opportunity, but because he felt unworthy and afraid that his wife wouldn't want to see him.

However, with his son taking him there, his wife should be happy.

The children held their breath, all looking at their grandfather. Yan Wei looked out from the kitchen window, and Yan Zhao frowned, seeing Old Master slowly raise his hand and wave it.

Yan Zhao thought Old Master was going to refuse, but instead, he heard him say, "The unit's car has left. Find another one. I... won't take Gu Xiao's car."

Even though the military factory ultimately needed the capitalist's money to get back on its feet, and even though the car the capitalist gave to his daughter-in-law was indeed beautiful, making Yan Peiheng feel, upon seeing the children get out of it, that money was the best thing in the world.

He would never change his stance on not using Gu Xiao's money or possessions.

"I have an old car of my own. I'll take you there later," Yan Zhao said gently. "When I built the house, my mother was afraid you wouldn't want to come home, so she had me prepare a kang for you. How could she not want you to come home?"

So, Su Wen had been waiting for him to return all along.

As the evening deepened, it was the season for pagoda tree flowers, and the gentle breeze behind the house carried the scent of the flowers.

Yan Peiheng replied softly, "Alright."

With a sizzle from the kitchen, Yan Wei was stir-frying, and soon the aroma of scallion oil filled the air. In a family, harmony among the adults brings joy to the children. Now that the adults weren't arguing, the children felt relieved.

Grandpa was going to stay at the First Brigade, not bothering them anymore?

Little Wang quickly unrolled and smoothed out his bedding.

But then came the shocking news: Yan Peiheng said, "Let Yan Wangqi accompany me to the First Brigade to sleep."

Little Wang, still making the bed, was struck as if by lightning.

Little Lang and Yuanyuan on the ground pulled Little Wang down from the kang together: "Quick, go, brother. Grandpa has specifically asked for you to sleep with him tonight."

Poor Little Wang didn't want to sleep with Grandpa, but he couldn't resist, and after Grandpa and Dad finished offering incense, Dad picked him up with one hand and took him to the First Brigade, throwing him onto the kang.

The large hall of the First Brigade was so empty that even mice wouldn't stay, and there was the grumpy Grandpa sleeping beside him.

Grandpa kept turning and sighing, sounding like a monster.

This night almost scared Little Wang to death.

Yan Peiheng, with the "Contract Bidding Documents" of 10 companies, returned to the Seventh Brigade the next morning.

He then handed them all to Chen Meilan for her to review.

Since Chen Meilan was the first to engage in contracting and had experience, Old Master wanted her to choose which company was most suitable for contracting.

Chen Meilan skimmed through the documents. Among the ten units, each had to pay a sincerity deposit.

This sincerity deposit caught Chen Meilan's attention. While others paid three to five thousand, Yu Xiaoqiao paid a whopping 50,000 yuan upfront, making her stand out in the competition. It was said that among the military leaders, the most supported her.

Meanwhile, Xiong Dapao was also preparing to marry Yu Xiaoqiao.

Yan Zhao had called him several times, wanting to have a serious talk, but Xiong Dapao didn't engage.

Instead, he asked Yan Zhao if Chen Meilan was crying at home every day due to the sharp decline in sales at Dongpai Clothing.

Yan Zhao and Xiong Dapao were good comrades-in-arms, having fought side by side and trusted each other with their lives.

But people grow and change.

Especially money and women, the two things that can most profoundly alter a man.

Xiong Dapao was now holding a grudge, wanting to see how badly Chen Meilan would fare after he refused to help 271. Yan Zhao was pained by his comrade's transformation but couldn't just sit by and watch Dongpai Clothing's sales decline.

So, Yan Zhao had been looking for a long time.

Although it was the weekend and his father had come, they should have stayed home to accompany the Old Master, but they couldn't. He had to go with Chen Meilan to find a capable sales manager for 271.

Ever since Chen Meilan started changing her dress, Yuanyuan had been clinging to her: "Mom, let me go with you, I'll carry your bag."

Little Lang's reason was also quite sufficient: "Mom, you haven't spent a weekend with me for two whole weeks, you must take me today."

"Then Little Wang can stay with Grandpa, and we'll go out for a while," Yan Zhao said.

Yan Peiheng nodded: "Alright."

He had an appointment with Uncle Yan today, and they hadn't seen each other for a long time, so they planned to chat and play a few rounds of chess. Little Wang would help them boil water and pour tea.

With the arrangements at home settled, Chen Meilan and Yan Zhao took the two kids out.

As they left, they clearly saw Little Wang waving goodbye to them at the door. But as soon as the car left the village, Yan Zhao suddenly heard a thumping sound from the trunk. He stopped the car by the roadside, opened the trunk, and saw Little Wang lying inside, his face already turning blue.

Having promised to stay with Grandpa, he sneaked into the trunk and came along?

Yan Zhao was so angry that he almost raised his hand, but at that moment, Chen Meilan got out of the car and quickly said, "Alright, Qi Songlu is at home today, and Yan Wei will definitely come too. Little Wang coming along is not a bad thing, it gives Dad and Qi Songlu a chance to get to know each other better."

Everything, if you look at it one way and feel it's wrong, just look at it from another angle.

Try looking at it from a different perspective, and the anger will subside, right?

Chen Meilan had an old-fashioned mentality, always calm and composed. Sometimes, she really couldn't stand Yan Zhao's youthful and impulsive temper.

Yan Zhao drove, saying they were going to the train station. It was then that he wanted to tell Chen Meilan about the legendary life of the sales manager he had in mind.

So, Yan Zhao began to narrate: "This person once ran with the wrong crowd and was quite famous in Xiping City. He served a year in prison, where the entire prison was filled with his enemies. However, within a year, not only did he not get beaten, but he quickly became the second-in-command to the prison boss. That year in prison was quite comfortable for him."

"Go on," Chen Meilan said.

People, having been in prison doesn't matter, as long as they know how to correct their mistakes.

"After a year, he got out of prison and went to work as a salesperson in a liquor factory. In just half a year, he tripled the factory's sales performance. To celebrate, the factory owner bought a Xiali car. But on the day of picking up the car, the owner got drunk and crashed into three people, not only losing everything in compensation but also landing himself in prison. The liquor factory went bankrupt." Yan Zhao continued.

Chen Meilan then asked, "What happened next?"

"Next, he went to a motorcycle sales shop to sell motorcycles. The shop was barely surviving, but after he arrived, he managed to sell five motorcycles a day for three consecutive days. The owner got rich and went gambling, where he stabbed someone at the gambling table, causing the motorcycle shop to go bankrupt as well." Yan Zhao added.

It sounded like this person was a jinx.

But his sales ability was indeed strong; he could sell anything anywhere.

Chen Meilan became even more curious about this person and quickly asked, "Then what, Brother Yan, tell me quickly."

Little Wang and Little Lang were also listening intently, eager to hear what this sales genius did next.

According to Yan Zhao's account, this sales prodigy then sold soap, which also sold exceptionally well. However, after the cosmetics factory owner got rich, he took a mistress. The original wife, furious, burned down the factory, killing the owner.

Then he went to sell sausages. His sales skills were top-notch, but after sales picked up, the sausage factory neglected production and accidentally included dead mice in some sausages. When these reached the market and were discovered by consumers, the factory was shut down by the industrial and commercial bureau.

The owner didn't die but got into a fight with the sales genius, stabbing him, and ended up in prison.

After Yan Zhao finished telling the story, Chen Meilan was silent for a long time.

Little Wang hesitated and said, "Dad, doesn't it seem like every boss he works for gets into trouble?"

Yuanyuan, who understood human affairs better, said, "Could it be that his horoscope is bad and he's specifically inauspicious for bosses?"

Chen Meilan nodded deeply: "He sounds like a talent, just a bit hard on the bosses."

Then, Chen Meilan asked again, "Brother Yan, do you find me particularly annoying and want to get a new wife?"

She was just joking, but Little Wang immediately exclaimed, even unbuckling his seatbelt.

Little Lang also jumped up, shouting angrily, "Dad!"

Yan Zhao, not accustomed to joking, stopped the car by the roadside: "Meilan, why would you think that?"

Chen Meilan quickly waved her hand: "I was just joking, trying to lighten the mood, why are you all so serious?"

The two boys sat back down, but Little Lang still looked unhappy, pouting his little mouth.

Although they hadn't met the person yet, hearing such a legendary story, Chen Meilan felt that Yan Zhao hadn't been wrong; the person was indeed a sales prodigy.

However, he was a bit too hard on the bosses; every boss he worked for seemed to end up either dead or injured.

As the general manager of 271, Chen Meilan couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive. Could she handle someone like this?

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the train station.

The area around the train station was a large shantytown, mostly inhabited by migrant workers and streetwalkers.

Yan Zhao wasn't wearing his uniform today but a jacket. He got out of the car, signaling the children to stay close.

As they walked, he explained to Chen Meilan: "Because he's been bringing bad luck to his bosses, he's now somewhat famous in Xiping City and can't find a job. He's been stealing and loitering around the train station, probably living in this area. I'll catch him, and you talk to him. If you want him, take him to 271; if not, I'll take him to the police station."

It turned out he was a current criminal.

With many Hong Kong and Taiwan films being crime dramas, the children had seen a lot of them. Hearing that their dad was going to catch a thief, even Yuanyuan was excited, walking stealthily but feeling particularly exhilarated.

Little Wang was even more eager, muttering to himself, "Stop right there, don't move, I'm Yan Wangqi, Inspector of the Hong Kong Royal Police!"

At the door of a small house, Yan Zhao signaled Chen Meilan and the children to step back and gently knocked twice.

"Who is it?" someone inside asked.

Yan Zhao deliberately lowered his voice, coughed once, and suddenly, a noise came from the side window. In the blink of an eye, someone jumped out of the window. While Yan Zhao was still chasing from the door, Little Lang, like a little leopard, sprinted over with his short legs and threw a punch.

"Ouch!" the man groaned, clutching his stomach and bending over for a long time before Yan Zhao helped him straighten up. After a while, he managed to say, "What a hard punch."

He was a gaunt man with long hair and a full beard.

But at a glance, Yuanyuan recognized him and called out, "Uncle Hu."

"Zhaodi? Oh, little girl, I was just watching 'Return to the City.' You acted really well," the man said.

But as he spoke, he suddenly shrugged, and if Yan Zhao hadn't grabbed his neck, he would have tried to run again.

Chen Meilan took a good look before recognizing him: "Hu Xiaohua, is that you?"

Having brought misfortune to several bosses but excelling in sales, Chen Meilan had thought he was some kind of legendary figure, but it turned out to be Hu Xiaomei's brother, Hu Xiaohua.

Now Chen Meilan could place him.

Back then, he had been instructed by Yan Xishan to steal her money, which led to his imprisonment.

After getting out of prison, he had wanted to continue working with Yan Xishan, but Chen Meilan disagreed, so he went out on his own.

Three years had passed, and in that time, Hu Xiaohua had single-handedly brought down four bosses.

As a police officer, Yan Zhao, and Hu Xiaohua, now a thief, the latter was naturally afraid when caught by the former.

Raising his hands, Hu Xiaohua quickly said, "Sister-in-law, I heard you're now the general manager of a big factory. Be magnanimous, help me talk to Director Yan, let me go, I really didn't steal or rob, I've been begging lately."

He was quite tall, taking after Hu Xiaomei in looks, and was quite handsome, though now he was as thin as a skeleton.

Clutching his stomach and pointing at his rented small house, Hu Xiaohua added, "If you don't believe me, go in and look. I just packed up my TV, planning to sell it for some money."

Yan Zhao hadn't deliberately mentioned Hu Xiaohua before, naturally fearing Chen Meilan would have preconceptions because he had stolen money from her and wouldn't want him.

Of course, at this moment, Chen Meilan couldn't help but recall how during the divorce, Hu Xiaohua had stolen all her savings, causing her to endure those difficult days in Chen Village.

Yan Zhao noticed Chen Meilan's expression changing gradually, guessing she didn't want him, so he pulled him away, saying sharply, "Let's go!"

"Third Brother, I really haven't stolen anything lately," Hu Xiaohua pleaded.

The children were backing away while Chen Meilan bit her red lips with her white teeth, remaining silent.

Seeing no hope, Hu Xiaohua resigned himself, saying, "If it's detention, so be it. At least the state will feed me for a few days."

Chen Meilan stepped forward and suddenly slapped Hu Xiaohua.

When criminals break the law, they face legal consequences, but hitting someone was wrong of her. Hu Xiaohua dodged, and Yan Zhao pulled him behind himself, signaling Chen Meilan not to be impulsive.

"Xiaohua, have you ever regretted stealing my money?" Chen Meilan said, raising her hand to strike again.

Hu Xiaohua sneered, thinking a woman's slap had no strength, hitting his face like swatting a mosquito.

He spat and said, "Sister-in-law, my sister and mother are still in prison, and Brother Xishan was forced to leave with nothing because of you. Just because you married a good man like Yan Zhao? Hit me if you want, I don't care, but I despise women who rely on men, and I always will."

Even though he had fallen so low now, deep down, he still looked down on Chen Meilan. Sёarᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Back then, Yan Xishan instructed you to steal my money, and you did it for Hu Xiaomei, but when it came time to go to prison, Hu Xiaomei didn't even try to help you, choosing to pursue rich men instead." Chen Meilan stepped closer and spat back: "You were so loyal to Yan Xishan, treated him like a big brother, and now he's Xiping City's top coal boss, but he won't even help you when you're starving. I'm not just going to hit you, I'm going to mock you for being a brainless, blindly loyal dog."

Hu Xiaohua said, "It's not that Yan Xishan doesn't want me, it's you who doesn't want me. Don't think I don't know that my Brother Xishan's mines are all in your hands now."

Chen Meilan laughed coldly: "If Yan Xishan had just begged me a bit more, said even one word about how pitiful you are, I might have softened and taken you in. Do you know that in these three years, Yan Xishan hasn't mentioned you once in front of me? Do you know why? Because Yan Xishan is about to become a People's Representative now, he's a respected figure in the business world, and he's long forgotten about a dog like you."

Hu Xiaohua had grown up following Yan Xishan in the streets, treating him as his big brother, being unwaveringly loyal.

All along, he had thought it was Chen Meilan who refused to take him in, forcing him to live on the streets after his release from prison.

But it turned out that after all he had done for Yan Xishan - bribing police, beating people, fighting for territory, risking his life - Yan Xishan had forgotten about him once he achieved success and fame?

In fact, a couple of years ago, Yan Xishan would occasionally meet with Hu Xiaohua for drinks and chats, but in recent years, as Yan Xishan became increasingly busy, he truly had forgotten about Hu Xiaohua. Chen Meilan was telling the truth - as Yan Xishan gained status and moved in higher circles, he gradually cut ties with street-level followers like Hu Xiaohua.

For Yan Xishan, this was a good thing, but for Hu Xiaohua, who had taken the fall for him, gone to prison for him, and shouldered so many of his crimes, hearing this news was like being struck by lightning.

This was the first time the young man had tasted the flavor of betrayal.

"What should we do?" Yan Zhao's eyes signaled to Chen Meilan, asking if she wanted to take Hu Xiaohua.

"He's just a thief, take him to the police station. I don't want to see him," Chen Meilan said.

Yan Zhao felt that while Hu Xiaohua had his faults, he was genuinely talented in sales, and since much time had passed and Hu Xiaohua had paid for his crimes, they could try using him for 271's sake. This would be good for the factory.

However, since Chen Meilan was angry, he let it go.

He had handcuffs with him, so he cuffed Hu Xiaohua and signaled Chen Meilan to drive, taking Hu Xiaohua to the Jindong Branch Bureau.

Throughout the journey, Chen Meilan maintained a low mood, keeping a stern face without speaking, occasionally letting out deep sighs. Though the criminal was handcuffed, the children were quite frightened.

At the police station entrance, Yan Zhao escorted Hu Xiaohua inside.

The children sat quietly in the back, with the car's atmosphere becoming frighteningly silent.

Suddenly, as if having made up her mind, Chen Meilan turned around and said, "Little Wang, go after your father and tell him that you all felt sorry for Hu Xiaohua and begged me to let him be a manager at 271. Tell him I couldn't refuse you children and agreed, so he should bring Hu Xiaohua back."

Little Wang opened the door to get out: "Alright!"

Little Lang and Yuanyuan, being younger, were confused and said in unison, "But Mom, we never begged you!" They would never plead for a thief, a bad person.

Little Wang turned back and tugged on Yuanyuan's braid, saying, "Silly, this is called using both stick and carrot, showing both authority and kindness. It's a boss's strategy - you wouldn't understand."

With that, the little one jumped out of the car and ran towards the police station.

Though young, Little Wang had an exceptional talent for business and reading people.

He had seen that Chen Meilan wanted to use Hu Xiaohua from the moment she saw him.

But Hu Xiaohua didn't respect Chen Meilan and looked down on her from the bottom of his heart, so Chen Meilan needed to strike him down first, hit him hard, before offering the carrot.

Aliali: 6743211ac4f3f33ac42e7315

Little Wang had seen through this too.

However, Chen Meilan's final move surprised Little Wang - he had thought she would personally plead with Yan Zhao to save Hu Xiaohua.

Because that way, even if Hu Xiaohua still looked down on Chen Meilan, he would remember her kindness and work hard to repay it.

But Chen Meilan chose to send him instead, and even said it was because the three children had begged her - this confused Little Wang. As he ran, he thought about it, and suddenly understood!

Mom wanted Hu Xiaohua to be grateful to the three of them after he started working.

Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda - someone rescued from the brink of starvation and desperation in the urban village would remember their savior's kindness for life. And Hu Xiaohua, who had once risked everything for Yan Xishan, proved he was someone who valued loyalty and gratitude, so he would surely remember this kindness forever.

Little Wang stopped, looked back at the car, and saw his mom watching him, waving for him to hurry.

Turning around, Little Wang ran on with a smile.

This new mom, this beautiful, gentle new mom.

Whatever she did, her ultimate goal was always for the good of the three of them...