Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"I can't even ask my second aunt anymore!"

"Besides, I'm just worried about Lianxiang. I'm afraid she'll run into someone like Liu Guomin again," Zheng Ling retorted, sticking out her neck.

Chen Zaiguang smiled and said, "Second Aunt, Qingsheng runs a catering business in America. I heard that it's quite large, and he's a really good person. He and Adong have known each other since they were kids. His character is beyond reproach. My father and mother both agreed, and the old lady also said it was good."

Zheng Ling's eyes lit up slightly when she heard the words "restaurant business," but she didn't dare to ask any further questions because her husband was glaring at her. She just muttered, "That's good, that's good. Lianxiang has had a hard life, raising three children alone. We should all be happy for her that she has found a good family."

Zheng Ling said she was happy for Chen Lianxiang, but it was hard to say how happy she really was. Before, when Chen Lianxiang married Liu Guomin, her situation was not good because of her wicked mother-in-law, Liu Lishi. Now that Chen Lianxiang has remarried and married Lin Qingsheng, a wealthy American man, she has completely overshadowed her daughter Chen Lianzhu's husband's family.

It would be a miracle if Zheng Ling were truly happy for Chen Lianxiang. People derive their sense of happiness from comparisons. If I have something that you don't, then I'm better off than you. But if you have something that I don't, then I feel resentful.

This is human nature, and no one can avoid it.

Chen Lianzhu's husband's family is just an ordinary family, farmers. Over the years, they have only been able to build a new house and live a better life thanks to the dividends given to Chen Lianzhu by her eldest brother, Chen Zaiguang. I heard that they are planning to do some small business to make a living. Their two younger brothers support them, and today they went to town with others to look at shops.

"No," Chen Zaiguang shook his head, "I sent him away."

"That's good," Chen Xianfu said. "I was working in the fields at the time and didn't know Liu Guomin was coming. Otherwise, I would definitely have come over to support Lianxiang."

"Why would you need to step in? With the four brothers, A-Guang and A-Sheng, and our eldest uncle, there are no men like you. Guang Da Mu alone can handle this situation," Zheng Ling said, praising Huang Lanzhi but actually implying that Huang Lanzhi was fierce.

Chen Zaiguang shook his head and smiled without replying. His mother, Huang Lanzhi, was indeed known for her fierceness in Lianzhai. Zheng Ling, her sister-in-law, had never gotten the better of Huang Lanzhi. Every time Huang Lanzhi put her hands on her hips, Zheng Ling would be so frightened that she would shut up and dare not say a word.

Chen Xianfu clearly understood the hidden meaning in his wife's words, so he quickly changed the subject and said to Chen Zaiguang, "Okay, July 18th. Tell your father that I will definitely arrive early."

"Second Uncle, there's something else I need to tell you," Chen Zaiguang coughed lightly. "After Qingsheng and Lianxiang finish their engagement banquet, they plan to hold their wedding in America. My parents plan to go with them to attend Lianxiang and Qingsheng's wedding and meet their in-laws. This trip will probably take more than a month."

"My dad's idea during this period is to have Grandma stay with you and Third Uncle for a few days at a time, and then come back after the old house is renovated. I'm just letting you know today to see if it's convenient for you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianfu sat up straight. "The old house is going to be demolished?"

"Yes, we brothers have all discussed it and decided that when the fifth brother comes back, we'll have his construction team take over, demolish the old buildings, lay the foundation, and build a six-story Western-style house. We'll go to Secretary Tian's office tomorrow to handle the paperwork," Chen Zaiguang said.

"My dad's idea is to start construction while he and my mom are abroad, so there will be less dust. My grandma is getting old and it's inconvenient for her to come and go from the construction site, so we'll move it out first."

Chen Xianfu nodded. Zheng Ling, who was standing nearby, subtly changed her expression when she heard that the old lady wanted to take turns staying at her second house. Chen Xianfu noticed her expression but ignored it and said, "That's great! It's only natural for a mother to live with her son. Your father is the eldest son of the main branch. I didn't dare to mention it before, otherwise I would have wanted to bring my mother to live with us a long time ago."

"I think you shouldn't go ask the third brother anymore. Just let your grandma stay with the second uncle," Chen Xianfu said, ignoring Zheng Ling's persistent gesturing and decisively deciding to take on the responsibility of providing food and lodging for Grandma Wei Shufen.

"Second Uncle, that won't do," Chen Zaiguang shook his head. "I still have to go and ask Third Uncle, otherwise he'll say I acted on my own without even informing him, and he'll scold me."

"Okay, then go ask. I'll have your second aunt tidy up the room first," Chen Xianfu said, looking at his wife Zheng Ling. Zheng Ling rolled her eyes at him and didn't say anything.

Upon seeing this, Chen Zaiguang stood up and said, "Then, Second Uncle, I'll go to Third Uncle's place first. Please sit down, I'll be leaving now."

"Ah Guang, take these back," Chen Xianfu politely picked up the cigarettes and alcohol that Chen Zaiguang had brought and tried to hand them back to Chen Zaiguang, but Chen Zaiguang refused and waved his hand as he walked out, "Second Uncle and Second Aunt, we're family, no need to see me off, I'm leaving now."

When Chen Zaiguang returned, Zheng Ling couldn't hold back any longer and started complaining to Chen Xianfu, "What are you showing off for? Bringing the old lady over to live with you, making yourself look like a big shot! Are you afraid people will say you're unfilial?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? What's wrong with me bringing my mother here to live? She can stay here as long as she wants. If you keep talking, I'll slap you across the face," Chen Xianfu said, clearly enraged, his hand already raised.

"Your mother only thinks about the eldest son's side when there's something to gain, and she never thinks about you, her second son. Even if you bring her here and I serve her like a maid, she will still only think about her eldest son and grandson when there's something to gain," Zheng Ling said, ignoring her husband's pretentious attitude.

Chen Xianfu pointed at her and cursed, "That's why I said you're all talk and no action. You don't care about the monk's face, but you should at least respect the Buddha's. If Adong is here and the old lady wants to come and stay, do you dare say no? If you still want a share of the profits next year, then you'll get a piece of the pie!"

Zheng Ling pursed her lips noncommittally, not refuting her husband's words. Indeed, if they dared to disobey the old lady, she might actually make Chen Zaiguang and Chen Dong stop their company's dividends.

Seeing that his wife still had a cold face, Chen Xianfu was afraid that she would be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, so he continued, "When the old lady moves in, don't give me that look. It's only a matter of this month or so. Besides, there's still the third son's place. Maybe the old lady will stay for a few days and then move to the third son's place."

"That's true. Of the three sons, apart from the eldest brother, only the youngest brother can get a good word from the old lady," Zheng Ling said, feeling angry. She deliberately used her words to stab Chen Xianfu, making Chen Xianfu point at her, wanting to curse but unable to say it.

Chen Zaiguang went to his third uncle Chen Xianhai's house again. Chen Xianhai and Yang Xifeng readily agreed, saying that they would definitely arrive on July 18th.

As for Lin Qingsheng, his third aunt Yang Xifeng also wanted to inquire about him. Chen Zaiguang also repeated what he had said to his second aunt Zheng Ling. However, even when Yang Xifeng asked about the specific details, Chen Zaiguang just laughed it off.

After Chen Zaiguang left, Yang Xifeng immediately said shrewdly to her husband Chen Xianhai, "Xianhai, look at our eldest daughter, tsk tsk! Lianxiang dumped that good-for-nothing Liu Guomin, and immediately a wealthy American woman came to marry her. I bet it was Adong who introduced them."

"Impossible," Chen Xianhai shook his head in disbelief. "Besides, even if it was introduced by A Dong, as long as the person is of good character and treats Lianxiang and the three children well, it's still a good match."

Yang Xifeng rolled her eyes at her husband. "You really are a blockhead. Even though Lianxiang is a divorcee, Adong was able to introduce her to a rich man to help raise her three children. Our Lianzhen is a virgin in her first marriage, and she's also Adong's cousin. How could he not help her out and introduce her to someone too? Don't you think so?"

"Yeah, how come I didn't think of that? Hehe, you're so insightful," Chen Xianhai said, slapping his thigh excitedly. "I'll go talk to A-Dong later and ask him to keep an eye out for me."

"What's the rush?" Yang Xifeng poured cold water on him. "This can't be rushed. We have to take it slowly. After you attend Lianxiang's engagement party, find an opportunity to have a few drinks with Adong, and then find an excuse to bring up this matter. You have to be tactful, understand?"

Chen Xianhai asked, puzzled, "What does 'tactful' mean?"

"You're really illiterate," Yang Xifeng said, somewhat speechless. "Just don't be so direct. Beat around the bush. Don't let Adong think you came here specifically to ask, you know that!"

"Oh! You could have just said to avoid people, why bother with being tactful?"

"Forget it, I can't be bothered talking to an illiterate like you!"

"Fine, I won't tell you then. Who cares!"