Everyone must make compromises in life.

The poor compromise with their circumstances—not because they want to haggle over every penny, but because they must. They too would prefer to wear clean, proper clothes to dinner parties rather than arguing with vendors over a few cents’ difference.

The rich must also compromise with life. To close a business deal, they might need hospitalization for stomach pain for one hour, then take painkillers to attend a dinner meeting the next. When business partners propose a toast to celebrate, that drink is unavoidable!

Take Tang Yuanyue—wealthy as he was, he still had many worries. Yuhua Group had numerous employees, all depending on him as chairman to put food on their tables. The first thing on his mind each morning was business. His brother still hadn’t given up suing him. Though he had feelings for his wife He Zhitong, it wasn’t the romantic love between a man and a woman.

‘Love’ was too luxurious for Tang Yuanyue. After Tang Jinyun’s death from illness, he had hurriedly taken over Yuhua, responsible for both family and employees. ‘Love’ couldn’t help Tang Yuanyue, but the He family could—so he married He Zhitong!

This arranged marriage was Tang Yuanyue’s compromise. Like many wealthy heirs, he chose a strategic marriage—enjoying the privileged life their family status brought meant personal sacrifices were normal.

Tang Yuanyue genuinely considered Du Zhaohui a friend. Despite Du’s dog-like temperament and today’s coldness, he could never forget Du’s help during the Tang family’s turmoil. He knew Du still considered him a friend too—friends could quarrel. Tang Yuanyue didn’t mind Du’s attitude and was willing to speak frankly with him. If Xia Xiaolan weren’t married, he wouldn’t have brought this up. While he hadn’t been lucky enough to equate love with marriage, what if Du had the chance?

Marrying Xia Xiaolan would have the same effect as an arranged marriage—and an excellent one at that. She didn’t need to bring many resources as dowry; she was the most valuable alliance!

But Du Zhaohui hadn’t married her.

A year into Xia Xiaolan’s marriage, Du was still like this—was he waiting for her to get divorced? What if she remained happily married for life without any marital problems? What would Du do then?

Though Du’s face clearly showed “mind your own business,” Tang Yuanyue continued: “Liking her doesn’t conflict with arranging a marriage elsewhere. Keep your feelings private, marry someone of equal status—it’s like a business partnership, raising children together… Zhaohui, don’t take offense, but if you remain childless, who will inherit the Du family fortune? Don’t spend your life fighting and building the business only to leave everything to Du family members you dislike!”

Sons were the first choice for inheritance, then daughters if there were no sons or if they proved incapable. Without children, it would fall to siblings or nieces and nephews.

Unfortunately, Du Zhaohui despised all his half-brothers and sisters.

He probably wouldn’t look kindly on their children either!

Tang Yuanyue’s words hit Du Zhaohui’s weak spot. He was about to jump up but deflated like a punctured balloon.

An arranged marriage was impossible—he was still waiting for Xia Xiaolan to divorce or become widowed—

But the issue of inheritance was indeed troublesome.

He had no enthusiasm for having children, given his unhappy upbringing—his mother died early, father was a scoundrel. Du Zhaohui lacked confidence in being a good father himself.

Having never lived comfortably, how could he care for the next generation?

But Tang Yuanyue’s words reminded him about who would inherit his wealth.

He couldn’t donate it all.

Bah! Why should he give away what he’d fought so hard to obtain?

Find a woman to bear his child?

What kind of woman would be worthy of such a handsome man as himself?

No, sleeping with those women wouldn’t be him taking advantage—he’d be the one losing out… Remembering past losses, Du Zhaohui’s face darkened, though he remained defiant:

“Damn it, worry about yourself! I have my plans! You want me to marry someone like He Zhitong, who’s supposedly suitable but dumb as a rock? I’d be irritated just looking at her—I’m not like you, I only want the best, I’ll never settle!”

Du Zhaohui actually admired Tang Yuanyue somewhat—marrying an idiot like He Zhitong yet having the nerve to give him advice.

This advice was just wrong!

Have children with a fool, and the children might be foolish too—Du Zhaohui wouldn’t accept such heirs. While he despised Du Chengrong’s methods of raising children, he was unconsciously influenced by them. If his future children lacked ability, he probably wouldn’t show much fatherly love either.

A tiger father shouldn’t have a worthless pup—what good would it do to produce a spineless worm?

Tang Yuanyue was speechless. The conversation was impossible to continue, but fortunately, the auction was about to begin. A Ye City government official announced they could enter, and Tang Yuanyue left Du Zhaohui behind.

Passing by Du Zhaohui, Xia Xiaolan asked curiously: “What did you say to Tang Yuanyue? He seemed upset.”

Du Zhaohui was truly remarkable—even someone like Tang Yuanyue, whose true emotions were usually unreadable, could be provoked to anger. Xia Xiaolan didn’t know how to evaluate this talent.

Du Zhaohui chuckled: “I just said his wife was stupid, who knew he’d get angry? So much for friendship—it’s true that men forget their friends when women are involved!”

Du Zhaohui never held back when criticizing Tang Yuanyue—a rather unique friendship indeed.

Xia Xiaolan coughed. “You should mind how you speak.”

Even if it was true, it shouldn’t be said aloud. Of course, Tang Yuanyue would be angry—it was embarrassing.

He Shi’en protested, “Du, who are you calling stupid?”

Du Zhaohui wasn’t afraid of such youngsters. “I’m calling your sister He Zhitong stupid—am I wrong? Knows nothing but dares to play the stock market, losing tens of millions at once. Your He family must have money to spare!”

“You—”

When Du Zhaohui brought up He Zhitong losing her dowry in stocks, He Shi’en couldn’t argue back.

How childish was Du Zhaohui? Nearly ten years older than He Shi’en, yet finding amusement in teasing a child.

“Alright, let’s hurry inside, the auction’s starting. He Shi’en, go back to your brother-in-law—you’re here to learn, so watch what he does!”

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t have peace unless she separated Du Zhaohui and He Shi’en.

He Shi’en was reluctant, wanting to say he could learn from staying by Xia Xiaolan’s side, but they weren’t related—why should she teach him?

Liu Yong and Meng Guanchao lagged a few steps behind. Meng Guanchao cautiously probed Liu Yong: “Director Xia seems very familiar with the Hong Kong companies?”

How could they proceed with today’s auction? Were they, the individual investors, just here to make up numbers?

Liu Yong modestly replied, “Not particularly close, just nodding acquaintances.”

Nonsense—did they think everyone was blind? They were quite friendly. Meng Guanchao couldn’t help but think of the preferential resale agreement he’d signed with Xia Xiaolan.