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by 陈年奶泡"You're always seeking help and establishing companies without letting your son understand your deep intentions. You, Qian Xi."
Zheng Caixia's anger grew as she threw the flower pot into the soil and scolded Qian Xi while pulling his ear, "Be careful or you might end up without a son to see you off!"
"Pain, pain, pain! Dear, let go quickly, it'll turn red and others will see it." Qian Xi tilted his head, protecting his ear carefully. Eventually, he couldn't help but express his thoughts.
"He argues with me and then runs away from home. When I saw his determination, I secretly supported him."
"I set up a company for him to see if he can make any accomplishments. If not, we'll just openly discuss the matter of inheriting the family business."
At this point, the couple sighed in unison and plopped down onto the field.
They began to criticize each other.
"When the restaurant first took off, I told you we should be honest with our son, but you insisted otherwise."
"Sis, our son was already in his teens then. How could we have brought it up? He was right at that age when rebellion is imminent. Look at my friends; their kids turn bad as soon as they have money, getting into drugs and clubbing."
Qian Xi sighed. "Do you really think I didn't want to tell him?"
They were born into humble backgrounds, and sudden wealth would overwhelm anyone, let alone a ten-year-old child.
"Adults might get carried away, let alone a young one?"
The fear of poverty, when coupled with newfound riches, can lead to extravagant spending habits. Without proper psychological guidance, it could also distort a child's mindset.
Qian Xi, with her clear-sightedness, didn't let the immediate prospects blind her. She considered the well-being of the child more extensively.
"Business isn't always smooth sailing. A new venture could fold at any moment. It's easier to slip into luxury from simplicity, but much harder to return to frugality from indulgence."
"Well, you can always share it once the business becomes more stable," Zheng Caixia initially agreed with her husband's decision to keep their situation hidden. After all, apart from the transactions on their bank accounts, their daily lives hadn't changed significantly.
They still worked the fields, still made time to be with their children, and still enjoyed simple meals. Zheng Caixia believed that such meals were healthier, as the vegetables and pork they consumed were raised at home.
"Actually, it's even worse," Qian Xi sighed. "When you reach greater heights, your perspective changes. I don't know what others see, but all I see are horrors."
"The wealthy businessman who was laughing and joking yesterday is now suicidal due to a failed investment, leaving behind a billion-dollar debt."
"How can we talk about it when the business isn't stable?"
Zheng Caixia became increasingly convinced. "You're always afraid of this and that. We agreed to tell him after he finished high school, but then you made him study finance when he wanted to learn programming. Eventually, you gave in."
"Isn't it because I don't want our family's pressure to restrict his dreams? After all, neither of us has a degree, and we still managed to succeed, right?" Qian Xi argued with conviction.
"I'm so furious with you! Can't we tell him after he graduates from college?" Zheng Caixia's face flushed red with anger, and her chest rose and fell rapidly.
"I did mention it. I was worried he wouldn't take it well, so I hinted at it." Qian Xi stretched out his hand, revealing a glistening Rolex. "It's the latest model. I even bought this watch as a hint."
"And what did he say?"
"Dad, don't wear a fake watch. I'll buy you a real one when I earn enough money."
To be honest, what deep grudge could there be between a father and son?
Qian Xi ultimately couldn't bear to hinder his child's pursuit of his dreams. Deep down, he also secretly wondered how far Qian Xiuyuan could go.
He hasn't indulged in luxurious living over the years; his needs for food, clothing, and daily necessities were modest. He could easily afford to lose tens of millions.
As for why he wasn't being straightforward about it.
Qian Xi also had his pride and couldn't bring himself to take the initiative to reconcile with his son.
"After all these years in the company, those old timers are all pushing their own children up the ranks," Zheng Caixia pondered, removing her straw hat. "If you're not going to do anything, I'll talk to our son myself. Why should we give away what we've struggled for as a couple to someone else?"
"I'll wait and see. If our son is still sleeping on the bridge the day after tomorrow, I'll send a Rolls-Royce to pick him up and buy him a villa," Qian Xi lit a cigarette and took a deep breath. "I'll give him two more days. If he can't come up with a game to sell by then, I'll force him to come home and inherit the family business."
"This time, whether he likes it or not, I won't allow him to object anymore."
"That's my good husband." The thought of a harmonious future with a dutiful son filled Zheng Caixia with joy.
"We've been running this business for so long, and we haven't made any major investments. Even if we suffer losses, it would still be enough for him to live comfortably for the rest of his life."
Suddenly,
A villager from the same village ran over, shouting anxiously, "Old Qian! Old Qian!"
"I'm here!" Qian Xi waved.
The villager panicked and rushed to the vegetable garden, pulling him along. "Why are you still here? I just heard that something happened to Lai Fu in Nine Dragons! He took his own life at the company and specifically asked my son to deliver a letter to you."
"What? Suicide?" Qian Xi trembled, the cigarette ashes trembling and falling to the ground with a soft pattering sound.
"Suicide! No way! How could Lai Fu possibly commit suicide?" Zheng Caixia exclaimed, her face turning ashen with disbelief.
The villager hurried them along. "I've already called a taxi for you. Go and see for yourselves right away!"
The couple arrived at the Kowloon Network Company, still trembling, with their clothes unchanged and wearing straw hats.
"My dear child, my little one, if you leave, your mother won't have the will to live on," Zheng Caixia repeatedly wiped away her tears as she pushed open the company door, only to be met with the unsympathetic chatter echoing from the office.
"Adding to his workload with tasks like serving tea and water, exploiting him relentlessly, and occasionally docking his wages."
"Intentionally leaving him alone to work overtime."
"Cousin Cong, you said we should isolate Qian Xiuyuan. Now he's driven to a state of mental confusion. Have we gone too far?"
Another clicked his tongue in disapproval.
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