George was also helpless:

“Dear, can we not think about past conflicts right now? I heard from Father that things aren’t going well in America. Some of their businesses couldn’t be protected and were taken by Uncle Harold… I think Mother just wants to come to China to clear her mind!”

He felt useless as a son, only able to watch his parents being bullied by Harold.

George felt deeply frustrated.

But what could he do? Challenge Harold?

If George could match Harold, the Wilson family wouldn’t have given Harold control back then. Even if Evan wasn’t suitable, George was older than Harold and could have been given control.

Ji Ya’s head ached.

She had chosen George for his devotion and capability.

But she hadn’t expected George’s family to fall into such trouble. Combined with his parents’ poor attitude, Ji Ya felt her second marriage had been too hasty.

She should have been more selective – why had she been in such a rush?

It was all Tang Hongen’s fault, his being with that countrywoman had provoked her.

Ji Ya pressed her lips together.

Neither spoke as they drove toward customs.

Before they reached customs, Tang Hongen had already arrived home.

“Xiao Wang, come up with me. This roast goose is too big – the three of us can’t finish it alone.”

Xiao Wang remembered the bitter gourd Grandmother Yu had forced him to eat; whenever his mind wandered, that bitter taste would unconsciously return to his tongue.

As a shrewd driver, should he follow the leader upstairs at this moment?

Heh.

Of course not!

With Xia Xiaolan so busy, it wasn’t even certain she’d be home for dinner. If he eagerly followed them upstairs, he might interrupt the leader’s private time.

Xiao Wang shook his head like a rattle drum.

The roast goose smelled wonderful, but think about that bitter gourd!

Eat, eat, eat, always thinking about food – use your head a little!

Tang Hongen made a couple of casual attempts to persuade him but didn’t insist.

As Xiao Wang drove away, he slowly carried the roast goose upstairs. Ji Ya had seen him buying the goose, but Tang Hongen hadn’t had time to notice a passing car.

Xiao Wang’s intuition was right. When Tang Hongen brought the roast goose home, only Liu Fen was there.

She was carrying a bowl of soup from the kitchen when they met face to face. Some soup spilled from the bowl, scalding her hand:

“Oh dear, I forgot to call you – Xiaolan said she won’t be home for dinner! Did you buy too much roast goose?”

“That’s so hot, give it to me, give it here!”

Tang Hongen took the bowl from Liu Fen.

“It’s fine if she’s not coming back, she’s busy with work in Pengcheng. Why are you getting flustered and hurting yourself?”

The roast goose could be eaten tomorrow if they couldn’t finish it – they had a refrigerator, so it wouldn’t spoil. It wasn’t an issue.

Year-end was busy for everyone – he was busy, and Xiaolan was busy.

His Ah Fen was busy too, but she had sacrificed her time to accompany him in Pengcheng. The roast goose was forgotten as he put down the bowl and took Liu Fen to the kitchen to run cold water over her hand.

“It’s just a bit red…”

“Don’t move. I remember we have medicine – I’ll find it and apply some.”

The severity of an injury depended on where you were.

In the Xia family, even if your skin peeled off from a burn, you’d just put some cooking oil on it and keep working.

Tang Hongen applied the medicine, carefully coating the small burn twice, and wanted to wrap it with gauze.

Liu Fen kept pulling her hand back, “Don’t make such a fuss, it’s not that serious!”

“Fine, no bandage, but from now on you’re not allowed to touch water – can’t wash off the medicine.”

No touching water?

She could avoid washing dishes and clothes, but could she not wash her face?

Even wringing out a washcloth would need Tang Hongen’s help – wouldn’t that make her seem disabled?

Liu Fen had no secrets from Tang Hongen because everything she thought showed on her face.

“I’m your husband, I should take care of you. We’ve been married for so long – are you still drawing such clear lines?”

No, it wasn’t about drawing lines.

It was precisely because the contrast between now and the past was so stark that sometimes it felt like a dream.

Liu Fen could now survive without relying on anyone.

She had a daughter more capable than herself.

But the care from her daughter, from Grandmother, from her elder brother – it all felt different from this intimate care from a partner.

Liu Fen felt incredibly blessed.

She was someone who was easily satisfied.

She didn’t know that Xia Ziyu had already identified her as a deeply hidden final boss!

…

Xia Xiaolan indeed had a social engagement tonight.

She was definitely in Pengcheng but did not meet with Du Zhaohui, Bai Zhenzhu, or Liu Yong.

Chen Xiliang and Zhang Xiao had invited her to dinner.

It was indeed time to strengthen relations with Chen Xiliang – Luna still held a small portion of Zhou Cheng’s shares.

Only when Xia Xiaolan arrived at the restaurant did she realize others were present.

Chen Xiliang had brought a friend, Old Duan, whom Xia Xiaolan had met twice before – a second-hand electronics dealer from Yang City.

“Brother Duan, long time no see. How’s business?”

Old Duan was overwhelmed by the honor, “Director Xia, you’re too kind! My small business isn’t worth mentioning in front of you.”

Previously, when Xia Xiaolan called him Brother Duan, it would make Old Duan feel proud.

After all, what man didn’t enjoy attention from beautiful young women? Even without ulterior motives, it was pleasant to look at. Back then, Xia Xiaolan was just a clothing vendor getting stock from Chen Xiliang, and had partnered with Chen Xiliang to sell him a batch of radios – of course, he deserved to be called “Brother Duan.”

But how could it be the same now?

She could be casual with Chen Xiliang because of their past friendship.

But he had no such connection with Xia Xiaolan, whose business had grown so large… Old Duan felt quite regretful. Though he had accumulated some wealth these past years, it was all small-scale operation, nothing substantial.

Look at Chen Xiliang – from a clothing wholesaler to creating his brand, featured in national newspapers.

Bai Zhenzhu, who had also sold radios back then, now ran building material stores and brick factories, becoming Boss Bai.

And Xia Xiaolan needed no mention – she had directly entered real estate.

Was land so easy to acquire?

Old Duan thought Chen Xiliang had connections, even in Chengrong Plaza, but Chen Xiliang only told him after much pestering that the real connections belonged to Xia Xiaolan. Old Duan had been trying to arrange a dinner with Xia Xiaolan – if she would give him some guidance, he would be eternally grateful!

They say important people often forget others, but unexpectedly, Xia Xiaolan not only recognized him but still called him Brother Duan!

What brother – he just wanted to be a protected younger brother, running errands behind the boss, content with soup while the boss ate meat.

As Old Duan put on an apprehensive manner, Xia Xiaolan felt a headache:

“Brother Duan, when we first met, there was no ‘Director Xia.’ You’re Brother Chen’s friend, we’re all friends – why create such distance?”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know why Chen Xiliang had brought Old Duan, but guessed he had some business.

Since Old Duan was Chen Xiliang’s friend, Xia Xiaolan naturally had to give Chen Xiliang a face.

Zhang Xiao picked up the conversation, “Old Duan, don’t be so formal. Xiaolan isn’t that kind of person. We helped arrange this meeting for you – whatever business you have, you need to speak up yourself.”