Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven

According to Mrs. Wang's previous plan, if Wang Xingcai was unwilling to give the bulk of the family assets to his own son, she would take the marriage certificate and go to Shanghai, confident that a lawsuit would succeed.

In doing so, his marriage with Lin Xianglian would become an invalid marriage and a source of amusement for others during tea conversations.

Even at the time of his marriage, he was already a laughingstock in the eyes of others.

The children were already so grown; who didn’t know what was going on?

Now that Wang Xingcai had given a large portion of the assets to her son, Mrs. Wang thought it necessary to reconsider.

Previously, Lu Mingzhu had asked for $3.15 million, of which approximately $2 million was spent personally by Wang Bohui and couldn’t be considered part of the assets Wang Xingcai divided. The remaining million or so was equivalent to 20% of the Wang family’s assets in Shanghai, meaning roughly $4 million were still remaining. If her several sons could get half of that, Wang Xingcai would only have around $2 million in assets left.

Moreover, Mrs. Wang still held a collection of jewelry and antiques, which, though small in quantity, were of considerable value.

As funds for old age, it would be sufficient.

In this situation, suing Wang Xingcai again would mean that, although he could be punished, outsiders might view her and her sons as greedy and instead sympathize with Wang Xingcai as a father and husband, making his divorce seem like the right decision.

In terms of moral obligations, the five of them were naturally in a weak position.

Mrs. Wang couldn’t allow herself and her sons to fall into such a situation, especially since they had already secured the lion’s share of the assets.

She felt content.

Weighing the pros and cons, a direct divorce was the better option.

She was desperately eager to end her marriage with Wang Xingcai; every extra day bearing the title of his wife was another day of suffering.

Before Mrs. Wang could brief her sons and daughters-in-law, she heard Old Mrs. Lu curiously ask Wang Bohui, "How did you manage to obtain it? Did the second son put in a lot of effort? Your father isn't as generous as Changsheng’s father."

Lu Changsheng helplessly said, "Is generosity really such a good thing? No matter how much money, it all gets spent on outsiders."

If it were up to him, he could save countless people. The more he thought about it, the more it hurt.

Lu Mingzhu could tell from his tone what he was thinking and said with a grin, "Big brother, I agree with you. Next time you see Dad, you have to tell him that spending money on family is the right thing to do, especially on your youngest daughter."

Not only Lu Changsheng, but even Wang Bohui and his family of three were amused by her.

After the laughter, Wang Bohui patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder.

"It’s good that you’re back." Before going to Shanghai, although he had spoken with Lu Changsheng on the phone, they hadn’t had time to meet. This was their first meeting in over twenty years.

He was very emotional.

After all, he was a hero who had participated in the war against Japan for over twenty years and had survived to return home.

Everyone has a hero complex, and Wang Bohui was no exception.

Old Madam Lu saw this and quickly said, "Bohui, don’t hit my Changsheng. He was involved in a car accident overseas and had a difficult time recovering. Those wicked foreigners tormented him every day, and he returned with injuries."

Wang Bohui was startled for a moment, then immediately recalled the story Uncle Lu had shared several months ago and laughed, "Granny Lu, don't worry. I was very gentle. It's his own fault for being as fragile as porcelain nowadays."

Old Madam Lu nodded in satisfaction and then steered the conversation back to her own concerns.

Recently, during her recovery, she had been bored to the point of annoyance.

"Getting half is still a loss for you four brothers. After all, there are four of you. If you divide it, how much does each person get? It's the concubine's side of the family that gets to monopolize half." Grandma Lu was very good with numbers. "You should learn from Lu Mingzhu."

Although she detested Lu Mingzhu intensely, she had to admit that Lu Mingzhu was good at getting money.

The girl received only slightly less than Pingan.

Grandma Lu didn’t know that even before the family assets were divided, Lu Mingzhu had already received tens of millions in assets and a box of top-tier jewelry and antiques, far more than the 8 million assets that Lu Pingan received.

If she knew, she would be even more jealous.

Since ancient times, no girl had ever been able to split the family assets equally with her brothers and claim the largest share.

Yet, Lu Mingzhu had achieved it.

Hearing Grandma Lu's words, Wang Bohui thought of the scene where Wang Zhongzhao asked for money and couldn't help but laugh along with Liao Wanru.

Wang Zhongzhao had always placed great importance on money.

He didn’t have the business acumen of his elder brother or the specialized skills of his third and fourth brothers, who were quite well-known in their fields. All he could do was buy properties to rent out, a safe investment.

He used to think that Wang Xingcai had given too little to his brothers and must have secretly given the larger share to his elder brother, Wang Bohui. He had secretly cursed Wang Bohui for several years, but later found out that Wang Bohui had tirelessly worked to purchase supplies for the country, donating them to boost the Wang family's reputation. Meanwhile, the old man was planning to leave the majority of the family assets to his concubine and a pair of illegitimate children.

Wang Zhongzhao flew into a rage.

As the eldest, Wang Bohui was expected to get the larger share. Though envious, Wang Zhongzhao understood that Wang Bohui had earned it by managing the family business for over twenty years. But who were the concubine and illegitimate children? How dare they get more property than the legitimate brothers?

The whole way, he cursed non-stop.

They first took a boat to the City of Flowers, then flew to Shanghai, and went straight to the Wang mansion. They happened to catch Lin Xianglian scolding Uncle Li. The reason was that Uncle Li had been sent away by Wang Xingcai over a year ago and had only returned today, without calling her 'Madam.'

Uncle Li had been a childhood friend of Wang Xingcai and had served the Wang family for more than forty years. He was respected as 'Uncle Li' by Wang Bohui and his brothers. How dare she humiliate him in public?

Wang Zhongzhao, who had never struck a woman before, felt an overwhelming urge to tear Lin Xianglian apart at that moment.

Uncle Li was deeply moved and immediately said to Wang Bohui, "Young Master, if you don't mind, I'll go with you to Hong Kong and continue serving as your butler."

This household could no longer accommodate him.

It's better to stay under a large tree for shade. Although the times had improved, without power or influence, one could still be easily taken advantage of. Uncle Li decided to seek refuge with Wang Bohui.

They knew each other's personalities well and would get along.

Wang Bohui agreed and, without even looking at the teary-faced Lin Xianglian, walked straight into the main hall, telling the servants, "Call the master. Tell him we, the brothers, have returned."

Of course, the servants didn't dare to disobey.

Lin Xianglian might be the new Madam, but Wang Bohui and Wang Zhongzhao were the eldest and second young masters. They carried significant authority. If they were to seriously hold a grudge, by the time the real Madam returned, Lin Xianglian's position would be illegitimate, a self-deception.

Before they could inform Wang Xingcai, Lin Xianglian tearfully called him, complaining that his son had hit her, with half her face swollen.

Wang Xingcai was deeply distressed about his young wife, who was thirty years his junior, and immediately rushed home.

Seeing Wang Bohui and Wang Zhongzhao, he felt uneasy and couldn't help but say, "Mingzhu is not righteous. She got the money and still told you about everything!"

Wang Zhongzhao was puzzled. "What does Mingzhu have to do with this? My elder brother and sister-in-law attended the Chen family's banquet and met many fellow countrymen. They found out that you had divorced your wife and remarried in Shanghai and asked me to come over and question you. Have you disgraced my mother and us brothers? Did you use my elder brother's hard-earned money to support a concubine? Do you really think you can leave the majority of the family assets to the concubine and her illegitimate children? Let me tell you, there's no way!"

The matter concerns the inheritance that Wang Zhongzhao could receive, and his attitude was exceptionally poor, short of pointing his finger at Wang Xingcai to scold him for being disrespectful in his old age and condemning Lin Xianglian for her shamelessness.

As for Lu Mingzhu taking the money, we can talk about that later.

Wang Zhongzhao knew what was important.

Looking at his furious and ferocious second son and then at his poor little wife with her swollen face, Wang Xingcai's inclination naturally leaned towards the latter. He angrily scolded Wang Zhongzhao, "It's my money, I'll give it to whoever I want."

"Pah! You earned it all? Are you not afraid of becoming a laughing stock? My elder brother managed the family business for over twenty years, expanding his small factories into large ones. With the help of Uncle Lu's influence, he opened a hotel in the concession and bought land that multiplied in value several times over. Even the materials donated in the name of the Wang family recently were all paid for and arranged by my elder brother, who also owes favors for it. How dare you claim the credit?" Wang Zhongzhao, though not skilled in business, was not unaware of the family matters, especially when it concerned the inheritance he might receive.

The bigger Wang Bohui grew the family business, the happier Wang Zhongzhao was, as it meant he would receive a larger inheritance in the future.

Now, the more he spoke, the angrier he became, pointing at Wang Xingcai's nose and saying, "We're not here to mess around. Give us our share of the family property, and we'll leave immediately, guaranteeing not to disturb you and this young concubine in your love nest! If you don't give it to us, just watch if I dare to stir up a storm, ensuring none of your little family of four will end up well!"

"Impossible!" Wang Xingcai said without a second thought.

Lu Mingzhu took 3.15 million USD, almost half of the Wang family's wealth. He couldn't possibly divide what was left.

Lin Xianglian was young, and the kids were young; he needed to think about the future. After all, his first four sons were all in their late thirties and successful; they didn't need his concern.

Wang Zhongzhao asked, "So you're really not giving it to us?"

"No," Wang Xingcai answered firmly.

Wang Bohui and Liao Wanru felt extremely disheartened. "No wonder you could so naturally divorce your wife and remarry. We are nothing to you."

Hearing Wang Bohui's words, Wang Xingcai had a sudden inspiration and said, "I had Mingzhu take the money over. It's 3.15 million USD, which should count as your share of the family property."

3.15 million USD?

Seeing Wang Zhongzhao's eyes light up, Wang Bohui immediately said, "I owe Mingzhu, Pingan, and Xie Junyao about 7 million HKD. Even if it's an extra 10 million HKD, that was money I spent on purchasing materials. It can't be considered our family inheritance."

Wang Zhongzhao nodded, "That's right!"

Like Wang Xingcai, who had initially been deceived by Lu Mingzhu, he hadn't realized that out of the over 10 million HKD Wang Bohui spent on materials, 7 million was borrowed. This meant Wang Bohui had only spent 3 million HKD of his own money. After using the 3.15 million USD to pay off the debt, he would still have over 10 million HKD left, with 3 million HKD already spent, leaving a pure profit.

It wouldn't be wrong to consider it part of the family inheritance.

Just as Wang Xingcai was about to explain the truth he realized after Lu Mingzhu had gone, Wang Zhongzhao didn't give him the chance. "We'll settle the money Mingzhu brought back when we return. Right now, I'm asking you for the family property. If you dare to refuse, I'll immediately hire someone to kill your young concubine and your young son and daughter!"

He sneered and continued, "I don't even need to show up. There are plenty of people willing to take money to get things done without involving me. Once they're dead, how many days can an old man like you live? All the family property will be ours, the brothers."

Does he really think I'm a paper tiger because I haven't shown my claws?

As soon as these words left his mouth, Lin Xianglian was frightened out of her wits, trembling as she hid behind Wang Xingcai, "Master!"

Wang Xingcai blustered, "Wang Zhongzhao, how dare you!"

Wang Zhongzhao shrugged, "I wouldn't dare. I wouldn't kill my father, but others might, after all, money talks!"

Both Wang Bohui and Liao Wanru were scared by his words.

Wang Zhongzhao didn't look like he was kidding around.

Seeing that no one had anything to say, Wang Zhongzhao wore a triumphant, somewhat ferocious smile.

He said to Wang Xingcai, "Give us half of the family property, and everything will be fine. Otherwise, you'll be picking up the pieces, and we four brothers will inherit everything."

If Lu Mingzhu really took 3.15 million USD, then us taking half would be just about right.

If we push too hard, Wang Xingcai will definitely panic and do something desperate.

Wang Xingcai immediately agreed without hesitation, not even stuttering once, "The remaining assets are worth around 4 million USD, or less than 20 million HKD. I’ll split them with you, but you must leave and never come back. I don’t want to see you again!"

He had 50 billion in cash, but he still needed funds for his business, so he could only give them half. As for how they would transfer it to Hong Kong, that was their concern.

The rest would be settled with properties and hotels.

At this point, Wang Bohui sighed, "The third and fourth brothers arrived just then, and seeing that the matter was settled, they helped handle the assets. I made it clear to them that the money Mingzhu brought back, after subtracting my expenses, would leave me with a few million HKD. I also need to give Mingzhu a share, so the money I demanded shouldn’t include what she brought back. They each received just over 600,000 USD, roughly 3.6 million HKD, but they cannot lay claim to the money Mingzhu brought back. After getting their agreement, I returned with Wanru first. Butler Li stayed behind to help them and would return with them after everything was settled."

"Only a villain can deal with another villain!" Even the wicked and harsh old Mrs. Lu nodded in agreement, then gloated, "This time he did well. You really can’t compare to him."

Wang Bohui, gentle and honest, had been obedient for decades and really couldn’t bring himself to tear into Wang Xingcai like Wang Zhongzhao did.

Wang Bohui forced a bitter smile, "At least this trip wasn’t for nothing."

Mrs. Wang nodded and asked, "Does the old man have a handwritten divorce letter? For the sake of his new wife and children, he should be eager to end my marriage."

Both Wang Bohui and Liao Wanru were taken aback and looked at each other.

"What’s wrong?" Mrs. Wang frowned, "Didn’t he write it?"

Wang Bohui nodded slightly, "I didn’t think of this. He didn’t write it. He claimed that he had announced the divorce at the time of his wedding with Lin Xianglian, and it was widely known."

Mrs. Wang sneered, "An announcement is enough? How naive."

She paused and said to her son, "Bohui, I need you to publish a statement on my behalf in the newspaper, stating that on this day, I, Zhang Xiuying, have separated from Wang Xingcai, officially ending our marriage. We part ways, each to live our own life."

As for what others thought, that was their business.

Wang Bohui agreed to his mother’s request.

Mrs. Wang sighed in relief, "After the official divorce, the two of us will be unrelated. No matter what happens in the future, I will have nothing to do with him. Others can’t say it’s my fault."

Remarrying first and divorcing later, anyone with eyes could see what was going on.

Everyone deeply agreed.

Even the malicious and harsh old Mrs. Lu nodded, "With a young concubine to take care of him, you’ve saved yourselves a lot of trouble."

With an age difference of several decades, she could certainly care for Wang Xingcai until his last days.

Getting the family assets without the responsibility of caring for him? The future for these four Wang brothers would be very comfortable!

The following day, as Lu Mingzhu read the newspaper, she saw the divorce announcement published by Wang Bohui on behalf of Mrs. Wang, prominently displayed on the front page of the Hong Kong Daily, with large, eye-catching headline fonts.

The content was consistent with what Mrs. Wang had said, though the wording was more elegant.

"An old man who has changed his heart should be tossed aside, as far away as possible."

Lu Mingzhu admired Mrs. Wang’s decisiveness, with the spirit of a modern woman, unlike some who would cling to a loveless marriage that was only outwardly together and think they were doing something noble.

Of course, Lu Mingzhu wasn’t referring to the women of her own time.

Most women of that era were illiterate and had lost their independence after thousands of years of feudal oppression. After a divorce, they had no place to go and had to swallow their grievances.

Lu Mingzhu admired the literacy campaigns in the mainland and the promotion of gender equality, which had awakened women’s consciousness.

Although true gender equality was still hard to achieve in some aspects before she traveled through time, the status of women was incomparably better than before liberation. So much so that Lu Mingzhu would rather live in the 21st century, working a nine-to-five grind, than be a pampered princess in a feudal society.

The two are completely incomparable in terms of freedom.

Modern life is incredibly convenient, with cars, trains, planes, and ships. You can go anywhere you want. There are also smartphones to scroll through, TVs to watch, and computers to play on. What was good about ancient times? There were no vaccines, no advanced medical treatments, and most people's lives weren't even guaranteed. Most people went hungry.

I'm digressing, digressing.

Lu Mingzhu pulled her scattered thoughts back from the horizon and went back to reading the newspaper.

Once Lu Mingzhu and Liao Wanru returned, she wouldn't have to visit and keep Mrs. Wang company at the hospital every day.

Xie Junyao couldn't get extended leave, so he couldn't accompany her.

Lu Mingzhu had a vague sense that Xie Junhao probably thought Xie Junyao, nearing thirty, needed to become more responsible, which was why he was urging him to focus on work.

Poor guy, no time to relax even if he wanted to.

Lu Mingzhu sympathized with her boyfriend for a few seconds in her mind, when she suddenly saw a report in the newspaper announcing the end of the war, taking up most of the page, written in great detail.

It was a bit later than the news Lu Mingzhu's father received.

Below that were various commercial advertisements, with real estate ads taking up half the space.

Housing prices were set to skyrocket.