Having been complaining and stirring up trouble, Second Sister-in-law Song was stunned by her husband’s sudden harsh rebuke.

Despite marrying up into the Song family and being married for many years, she was used to being submissive to her husband.

Still beautiful in her youth and maintaining some charm in middle age, she immediately put on an aggrieved expression: “What’s the use of being harsh with me? Am I complaining about myself? I’m doing this for you – what’s wrong with the old man, not caring for his son but caring for others?”

How many in the Song family had investigated whether Tang Hongen was the old man’s illegitimate son?

First, they looked nothing alike, and second, the old man’s character was impeccable, with no history of philandering – only then was this suspicion suppressed.

However, whenever Tang Hongen’s treatment came up, the Song family still felt unsettled.

Song Zhicheng, Old Song’s second son, though nearly fifty, still felt uncomfortable when questioned by his wife this way.

All men have ambitions.

Throughout history, which capable man didn’t want to become an official or minister?

Others lacked the conditions and could only be commoners.

The Song family had the conditions, but the old man strictly limited family members from entering officialdom. While outsiders praised Old Song’s integrity, the Song family harbored much bitterness.

Especially Song Zhicheng, who was about Tang Hongen’s age. Watching Tang Hongen rise step by step to become Pengcheng’s mayor while he could only be a vice president at some enterprise… in comparison, Song Zhicheng, not being a saint, naturally resented Tang Hongen.

He resented his father too but dared not say so, so all that discontent was directed at Tang Hongen.

After a moment’s distraction, Song Zhicheng wasn’t a pushover controlled by women, and lost patience with his wife:

“Stop saying useless things. Who can Xuan blame for her grievances? A woman has many ways to make a man marry her. Tang Hongen was single all these years, she had plenty of time to act, but what did she do? Now that Tang Hongen is remarrying, do you think he would divorce his current wife and have a third marriage with Xuan just to avoid criticism about his conduct?”

Men are practical.

Compared to their future, what did women matter?

A third marriage would only harm Tang Hongen – Song Zhicheng wouldn’t do it either, let alone Tang Hongen!

His words made Second Sister-in-law Song’s face darken.

Indeed, what was Xuan thinking? Marrying Tang Hongen should have been the goal, but Xuan got it backward, wanting his heart, waiting for him to forget his ex-wife – now she’d wasted years!

Tang Hongen did forget his ex-wife, but it wasn’t Xuan he fell for.

Second Sister-in-law Song felt Xuan was too proud, thinking her youth and beauty would surely capture Tang Hongen. Now everything was ruined, and she’d been humiliated.

People are biased – Second Sister-in-law Song didn’t consider that if Xuan hadn’t schemed, who would have humiliated her unprovoked?

With Song Zhicheng angry, Second Sister-in-law Song dared not defend her cousin anymore and could only steer the topic to tomorrow’s meeting:

“So tomorrow we have to happily congratulate Tang Hongen on his marriage? Let me be clear – I refuse to associate with that country woman. Making me socialize with her? I won’t lose face like that!”

Her own family was ordinary but at least urban workers.

That woman was a rural woman running a clothing store in Beijing, a self-employed merchant dealing with customers daily, having to put on countless smiles… Tang Hongen must have gone mad to marry such a woman – how much would she hold him back?

This time Song Zhicheng stayed silent.

Though Tang Hongen had remarried and the old man wanted them to meet tomorrow, while Song Zhicheng dared not defy his father’s will, he didn’t need to flatter Tang Hongen.

Tang Hongen had married someone unfit for polite society – why should they pretend otherwise?

Song Zhicheng wouldn’t indulge him – whoever wanted to could do so!

“Don’t make it too obvious tomorrow. Watch the old man’s attitude.”

Second Sister-in-law Song muttered, “What attitude could the old man have? He used to praise Xuan.”

Second Sister-in-law Song worried.

Xuan’s heart was set on Tang Hongen. Now she couldn’t marry him, but feelings couldn’t just be taken back – what should Xuan do?

She silently blamed her father-in-law.

If he’d spoken up earlier, Xuan and Tang Hongen might even have had children by now – how could there be room for another woman?

…

Early Saturday morning, Xia Xiaolan was exercising in the courtyard.

Liu Fen woke up later and seeing her moving about in the courtyard, warned her to be careful:

“It snowed yesterday. Isn’t the courtyard slippery? Don’t jump around – you’re scaring me!”

Xia Xiaolan stamped her feet, “Sister Xiaoju cleared away the snow and ice. It’s not slippery.”

Xia Xiaolan always had a habit of running. At school, she could run on the track, but during breaks, she was usually busy with business and couldn’t exercise. Rarely did she have a weekend when she didn’t need to go to Pengcheng, so now she had free time.

Tang Hongen came out too, “Young people should exercise well. Fen, don’t worry about her. Are you hungry? I’ll go buy breakfast.”

The pan-fried bun incident had made Tang Hongen aware of his culinary talents – bought breakfast was more reliable than his cooking.

Liu Fen had been thinking about going to Xiangshan since early morning, but Tang Hongen wasn’t hurried at all, still busy deciding what to eat.

Xia Xiaolan, feeling sufficiently warmed up, didn’t stand on ceremony with Tang Hongen:

“Uncle Tang, I want Yang’s steamed buns from the next alley.”

Yang’s buns were fine with Liu Fen – she wasn’t picky. Tang Hongen found a large thermos in the kitchen and left.

Buying breakfast was like this now – buns and fried dough sticks were simple enough, but for liquid foods like porridge, bean drink, and soy milk, you had to bring your own containers.

Some used lunch boxes, some thermoses, and some enamel cups.

Just as Tang Hongen left, Min Xiaoju darted out: “Boss, how much longer do I need to guard Sister Liu? You’re married now, surely no one would dare cause trouble?”

Tang Hongen glanced at her, “What, you think there’s no danger following Fen around, no room for you to be useful like it’s a waste of talent?”

Min Xiaoju thought so but dared not say it.

Mainly she ate a lot and couldn’t help much – it seemed unfair to Tang Hongen’s payment.

“You went to Pengcheng this time and saw that man Ge Jian? He used to be Xiaolan’s bodyguard, but look at him now – who still sees him as just a bodyguard? You’re not young anymore, you should plan for your future. Do you want to go back to farming?”

Min Xiaoju wanted to say farming wasn’t so bad, but Tang Hongen’s gaze could pierce through hearts – if she were truly content with farming, he wouldn’t have gotten her to leave the mountains.

Was Mayor Tang suggesting she learn from Ge Jian, not just being a bodyguard but becoming Liu Fen’s capable right hand?