1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 169 Internal Strife in the Grand Mansion: Wang Fan Drops Out of School and Inherits the Company

What does "highway" mean?

Wu Meng looked on with curiosity.

"You don't even know what a highway is?"

Wang Fan turned around from the passenger seat and looked at her with a surprised expression: "Don't tell me you're a student from Suzhou University, you'll embarrass your school."

"I don't know what's wrong?"

Wu Meng got angry and was about to retort when Lin Xiyu, not wanting the driver to see her make a fool of herself, quietly tugged at her sleeve.

"highway."

Gu Bin patiently explained to her, "The Jinan-Qingdao Expressway is the first expressway in our Shandong Province. It is a fully enclosed, two-way, four-lane expressway. It only takes 4 hours to drive from Jinan to Qingdao."

"Oh oh."

Wu Meng laughed awkwardly, "I thought it was a high-speed jet plane."

"Pfft."

Lin Xiyu couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Wu Meng, you really are a source of joy."

Wang Fan joked with a smile, "You provided all the laughs on the way back. From now on, don't call yourself Wu Meng, call yourself Dai Meng instead. I think that name suits you better."

"Get lost, you're the idiot!"

Wu Meng rolled her eyes, while internally ranting and raving.

"I think this name is quite fitting."

Gu Bin found it amusing and, unusually, showed a bit of his cunning.

"right?"

Wang Fan echoed him, saying, "I knew those two words suited her perfectly; she's adorably naive, both silly and funny."

"Xi Yu, those two are bullying me."

Wu Meng was displeased and glared at him with a pout.

"You two should stop now."

Lin Xiyu was both amused and exasperated: "Aren't you afraid that Li Liang will be unhappy if he finds out about how you talk about Mengmeng? He might come back and teach you a lesson."

"Oh dear, I'm so scared."

Wang Fan patted his chest, pretending to be scared.

"Li Liang might be thinking the same thing."

Gu Bin bluntly revealed the truth: "I just didn't say it because of my fiancée's domineering attitude."

"Hahaha."

Wang Fan was amused and laughed heartily.

-

It took 40 minutes to get back to the city from the airport via the highway.

As soon as he got off the bus, Wang Fan went to the barbershop and cut his striking yellow hair into a buzz cut and dyed it back to black.

His parents lived in a villa in the southern suburbs, and there was a commotion at home when he entered.

His father's mistress usurped the family's position, thinking that since the old man was sick, she could take charge of the household. She wanted to kick out his biological mother and older sister and transfer the property to her own name.

Now that Wang Fan has returned, he naturally won't grant her wish.

He had a private talk with his sick father for an afternoon, and in the end, his father had a change of heart, saw through the mistress's true colors, and agreed to let him drop out of school and come back to take over the business.

With his father's support, Wang Fan gained the confidence to reorganize the company with swift and decisive measures.

His other two half-sisters and brother, although a year or two older than him, were spoiled from a young age. They were good at playing tricks and causing trouble at home, but when it came to doing business, they were still too inexperienced.

Wang Fan ventured out into the world, started his own company, and his methods and ruthlessness were unmatched by the two of them.

The mistress and her two children gained nothing and were kicked out of the company. Their cronies, whom they had planted in the company, were also completely eliminated, with none of them left out.

Before the Year of the Dog rang, the power struggle within the Grand Mansion came to an end. Wang Fan took over the reins of the company and, as the rightful heir to the building materials company, instantly became a highly sought-after figure in the second-generation elite circle.

-

The internal strife within the Wang family has absolutely nothing to do with Lin Xiyu.

She had just returned from the airport and entered the house, and before she could even have a heart-to-heart talk with her grandmother, her cousin hurriedly dragged her out of the house and took her to the Dongmen Small Commodities Wholesale Market.

Just as my cousin described, the old East Gate was bustling with activity. People buying New Year's goods were all beaming with joy, carrying large bundles and small bags home as if they were free.

My cousin's shop has been closed for two days because no one is watching it. She missed the prime time for selling her goods, and she's really heartbroken about it.

With her cousin back, there was no time to delay. The two sisters were of one mind and immediately got to work at their family shop.

-

"Leilei, is this your sister who was on TV?"

The shop's fence had been taken down, and the proprietress next door came over with a smile to ask when she saw people arrive.

"Yes, Sister Wu, thank you for your help these past two days."

My cousin greeted the newcomer warmly: "If it weren't for you keeping an eye on things for me, all this stuff would have been sitting here unattended, and it would have been a huge problem. I bet someone would have taken half of it."

"What's the trouble?"

Sister Wu smiled and looked Lin Xiyu up and down: "I'm just killing time anyway, so I'll just take a look. I'm not really putting in any effort, so there's no need to be so polite."

"Hello, Sister Wu."

Seeing that she was looking at her, Lin Xiyu returned her a sweet smile.

"Your sister is even prettier than she looks on TV."

Sister Wu's eyes lit up, and she kept praising, "You're so pretty and have such fair skin, no wonder the TV station chose you to make a documentary."

"Absolutely, my sister is beautiful."

My cousin doesn't hold back when praising her family: "He's got great physique, a natural clothes hanger, he looks good in anything."

Lin Xiyu was wearing a tight-fitting wool sweater and straight-leg jeans, showing off her slim waist and long legs, making her a striking sight.

Does your sister have a boyfriend?

Sister Wu, harboring her own secret thoughts, quietly approached her cousin.

"She's taken."

My cousin decisively dismissed her idea: "Forget about introducing me to someone. My brother-in-law is incredibly handsome; most people can't compare."

"Oh well, never mind then."

Ms. Wu laughed awkwardly, "I was thinking of introducing him to my younger brother, but he's not lucky enough."

How much is this wool sweater?

Lin Xiyu has impeccable taste; the wool sweaters she buys wholesale are very popular. Not long after the two sisters hung up the samples, people came to inquire about them.

"A customer has come in; you can go and get busy."

Seeing that a customer had come in, Sister Wu didn't want to bother her any longer, so she left awkwardly.

"49 yuan each, buy two and get a 10% discount"

"This is a genuine Shanghai wool sweater. Look at the workmanship and the bright colors."

"I guarantee you, you absolutely won't be able to buy such authentic Shanghai wool sweaters for such a low price anywhere else but here."

My cousin immediately switched to sales mode, her little mouth babbling away, convincing the customer and selling one item very easily.

The two sisters were overjoyed with the grand opening. The older sister counted the money and continued to happily solicit business.

"Sis, don't you have to go to work?"

Lin Xiyu was puzzled to see that she was staying in the shop and showed no intention of leaving.

"not going."

My cousin said defiantly, "Since my bonus is going to be docked anyway, I might as well just make skipping work a reality. Otherwise, I'll feel nauseous and angry just thinking about it."

"Are you still angry with him?"

Lin Xiyu's eyes showed concern: "Continuing to go against the grain like this isn't a sustainable approach. Should I help you mediate?"

"No need." My cousin surprised everyone by saying, "I've already decided that I'll apply to be transferred to the Shanghai branch after the New Year and I won't work in Jinan anymore."

"what?"

Lin Xiyu couldn't hide her shock: "Didn't you already get promoted to assistant store manager? It was so great in Jinan. Going to Shanghai means starting all over again, not knowing anyone, and you can't understand Shanghainese, so business won't be easy to develop."

I understand everything you're saying.

My cousin was still upset: "But I just feel uncomfortable. I can't stand Li Xiao and I can't get along with him."

"It's all for Coke, isn't it?"

Lin Xiyu suggested to her, "Bring it to the shop, and I'll watch it for you."

"Can you do it?"

My cousin hesitated a bit: "You're already so busy running the shop by yourself, how can you have time to take care of this?"

“I’ve already arranged with Mengmeng; she’ll come and help me.”

Lin Xiyu smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry, the two of us can easily keep an eye on a dog. Just bring the leash too, so it doesn't run around."

"That's it"

My cousin is a little tempted.

"Don't hesitate."

Lin Xiyu gave her a strong dose of medicine: "Losing your bonus is a small matter, but delaying other business is a big deal. Wang Fan is also back from Shanghai. If Li Xiao is quick to speak and tells him, and he has a bad impression of you, then you won't be able to transfer to Shanghai."

"oops."

My cousin slapped her forehead, her face changing drastically: "How could I have forgotten about that?"

Lin Xiyu was secretly delighted, thinking that her cousin had finally come to her senses and was going back to work. But then she heard her cousin say with great frustration, "If he comes back, I won't have anywhere to live. Cola and I will be homeless and kicked out."

"Ugh."

Lin Xiyu sighed helplessly: "You're still living with him?"

"If I don't stay with him, where can I stay?"

My cousin looked reluctant: "If I want to go back to Grandma's house, I have to get rid of the dog. Cola is such a good boy, I can't bear to part with him."

Wang Fan did not get off the bus near No. 1 Middle School.

Lin Xiyu suggested to her cousin, "Maybe he'll be staying with his parents during the New Year. Why don't you give him a call to confirm?"

"This is a big deal, I need to ask him right away."

My cousin was overjoyed upon hearing this. Forgetting all about selling clothes, she rushed down the stairs like a whirlwind.

Lin Xiyu called out from behind her, "While you're at it, call Mengmeng for me and tell her to come over quickly."

My cousin didn't turn around, but waved her hand with her back turned, as if she had heard her.

-

Wu Meng arrived quickly, and she was incredibly excited when her cousin told her she would be helping sell the goods.

Wu's mother also wanted to buy some New Year's goods, so she came to the small commodity wholesale market with her daughter.

"Auntie, you're here too."

Lin Xiyu was promoting clothes to customers when she saw the mother and daughter. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over to greet them.

"You go about your business."

Wu's mother squeezed up from downstairs, a little out of breath from climbing the stairs. She found a stool, sat down, and looked her up and down with a smile.

"It's okay, it's not too busy right now."

The shop had just opened, and while there were many people looking, few actually buying. Lin Xiyu didn't have her cousin's persuasive skills; she would answer questions briefly, but let those who didn't ask choose for themselves.

I want to buy a new outfit for the Chinese New Year.

Wu's mother wanted to support her: "Your wool sweaters are nice, can you help Auntie pick one out?"

"to make."

Lin Xiyu smiled gratefully and picked out a bright orange cardigan from the hanging samples.

"this?"

Wu's mother hesitated a bit: "Is it too bright for someone my age to wear?"
"Mom, why don't you try it on?"

Wu Meng, true to her best friend status, wholeheartedly supported her: "Xi Yu picked this out for you, it's definitely the right choice."

"alright."

Unable to resist her daughter's encouragement, Wu's mother took off her coat and put on a wool sweater, thinking she would try it out and not buy it if she didn't like it.

"It looks great!"

The wool sweater looked great on her. As soon as Wu's mother put it on, Wu Meng's eyes lit up. She happily went over and, quite perceptively, helped her button it up.

"Auntie, look in the mirror and see if you like it."

Lin Xiyu moved the floor-length mirror in front of Wu's mother.

"Tsk, tsk."

Wu's mother clicked her tongue twice in surprise: "After making clothes for so many years, I never realized that orange-red could complement one's skin tone so well. It's not tacky at all; on the contrary, it's very eye-catching."

"Do you believe me now?"

Wu Meng chuckled and said, "Xi Yu has an exceptionally good eye. Even the dormitory supervisors at her school ask her to help them with their shopping. No matter what age group you are, as long as she puts together a good selection, she'll guarantee you'll be satisfied."

These words inadvertently served as free advertising for Lin Xiyu, and the customers choosing wool sweaters began to look at her with increasing enthusiasm.

"I'll take this one. How much?"

Wu Ma was delighted to hear this and decisively bought the wool sweater.

"What are you talking about, money?"

Lin Xiyu felt embarrassed to make money off her, so she leaned closer to the mother and daughter and whispered, "If you like it, you can take it. Consider it a gift from me."

"This is not okay."

Wu's mother refused: "You work very hard in your business, and you have to ship everything back from Shanghai. The shipping costs alone are quite high. As an elder, how could I possibly take advantage of you?"

"You're not an outsider, it's just a piece of clothing."

Lin Xiyu's eyes flickered slightly, too embarrassed to say that she had actually found this wool sweater in the 10% off section, and it only cost her a dozen yuan.

"Mom, please don't refuse."

Wu Meng saw through her scheme and helped persuade her, "I'm helping Xi Yu sell clothes, and I make money. Consider this dress my gift to you. I'm helping her out for free today."

"You helped Xiyu sell clothes, and you still have the nerve to ask for money?"

Wu's mother glared at her, feigning displeasure.

"I'm just trying to earn some living expenses so that you and Dad don't have to work so hard."

Wu Meng also has a sweet tongue and knows how to make her parents happy.

“Mengmeng is so filial, Auntie, you are so lucky.”

Lin Xiyu smiled and agreed, then put the sweater in a plastic bag and stuffed it into Wu's mother's hands.

"Let me watch the shop for you two for a while."

Feeling bad about taking it for free, Wu's mother also decided to help as more people came in.

"No need, Auntie."

Lin Xiyu smiled and declined, "Mengmeng and I are fine. The shop isn't big, and it won't be able to move around if there are too many people."

"Mom, didn't you want to buy Dad a hat?"

Wu Meng chimed in with a smile, "There are hat shops downstairs, you can go browse by yourself, don't worry about us."

"How late are you going to finish working?"

Wu's mother was still worried: "What are you going to eat tonight? Should I cook something at home and bring it to you?"

"The small commodities market closes at 21 p.m."

Lin Xiyu smiled apologetically: "Grandma's house is nearby, and my aunt will bring the food, so you don't need to bring it. But when you close the door tonight, could you please come and pick up Mengmeng? It's too late for her to go home alone, and I'm worried about her."

"to make."

Seeing that her words implied that she was thinking of her daughter, Wu's mother felt very warm and comfortable: "Then I'll go back first, and come back when I close up tonight."