Chapter 162

Chapter 162

At this moment, the Xu family was preparing to welcome Xu Jibai and his wife back.

They had two plans. The first was to help them find Xu Meng and then demand a sum of money from Xu Jibai and his wife, cutting ties completely. Even if there had been friction over the years, Xu Jibai would likely honor the agreement and give them the money. The second plan was to replace Xu Meng with Xu Jia. However, this carried a risk—what if Xu Jibai decides to take Xu Jia with him?

Wang Meili gritted her teeth. "If they really want to take Jiajia away, then let them. What good is she here at home? We can’t even arrange a job for her here."

Xu Jia immediately put on a moved expression. "Mom, if I really get to go to America, I’ll bring you over someday so you can live in comfort."

Granny Xue immediately scolded, "You all act like I’m already dead!"

Everyone was planning to leave—who’d look after her when she’s old?

Xu Jia was a risk-taker with guts.

Since things could blow up anyway, why not pretend to be their daughter? Xu Jibai and his wife had managed to live in America for so many years, so they must have money put away. The family guessed that the couple was doing well—even if they returned from abroad in the worst possible state, could they really be any worse off than us?

Wang Meili made the decision. "I agree with Xu Jia’s idea. She’s lived with Xu Meng all these years and knows her well. Now, let’s ask Mom if Xu Meng had any birthmarks or anything like that."

When the child was first brought over, none of them had interacted with her. It was the family patriarch and the eldest son who went to pick her up. She was still very young at the time, still nursing.

Granny Xue’s selfish nature wasn’t something that developed overnight—she had always been like this. Aside from her precious eldest grandson, she couldn’t stand the other kids. When Wang Meili gave birth to Xu Jia, the old woman only glanced at her once. Seeing it was a granddaughter, she wouldn’t lift a finger to change a diaper.

A woman like her wouldn’t give an adopted kid the time of day.

When asked about this, Granny Xue went silent.

"I don’t know."

"What do you know, then? What else do you know?" Wang Meili felt her blood boiling with anger. This damn old woman was worse than useless.

Wang Meili was furious but didn’t want to do anything to the old lady just yet. So she told Xu Jia to think carefully. This time, Xu Jia got serious and seriously tried to recall. She had grown up with Xu Meng, and though their relationship wasn’t great, they knew each other well.

Xu Jia said, "I’ve lived with her for so many years. I may not have studied her closely, but I’d still know the general details. There’s nothing that stands out. Besides, we even have the same blood type. Even if they want a blood test, I’m not afraid."

Wang Meili sighed. For now, it was the best they had.

The next day was the day Xu Jibai and his wife would arrive in Beijing. Xu Laoer and his wife decided to take Xu Jia with them to the airport to meet them. After finalizing their plans, it was already midnight.

...

Meanwhile, not far from the Xu family, the Chen house was still lit up. Chen Hu's mother counted the money they had recently earned, while his father brought up their son’s prospects.

Chen Hu was only three older than Xu Meng, making him twenty-one this year.

As a child, Chen Hu, like all the other boys in the neighborhood, was sweet on Xu Meng. But the Chens knew better—Xu Meng was beautiful and strong-willed. A blockhead like Chen Hu didn’t stand a chance.

Yet Chen Hu's father couldn’t help feeling a bit unwilling. He genuinely liked Xu Meng.

Now that the family had earned some money, his mind started racing.

Chen Hu's mother glanced at the room and lowered her voice to scold him. "I like Fei Xiang too—should I go chase after him?"

Chen Hu's father scowled. "What kind of nonsense is that? I just thought, since our family’s situation has improved, I’d mention it. The way you say it makes it sound like our son is worthless. Chen Hu isn’t bad at all."

"Not bad, not bad. Just don’t bring this up in front of him. Some thoughts are like little sparks—once ignited, they’re hard to put out. Let me ask you, where did we earn this money from?" Chen Hu's mother tapped the table lightly. "It was Xu Meng who acted as the middleman. Do you think she didn’t earn anything from this?"

"Wasn’t it her friend’s factory?"

Xu Meng's stake in the business wasn't disclosed to outsiders to avoid trouble, with Zhang Mingqing being the public face as the boss.

But while others might not know, Granny Xue was well aware. She figured Xu Meng was more than just a middleman—she really had Boss Zhang’s ear. Looking around to make sure no one was nearby, she whispered to her husband:

"Keep this between us—don’t you dare blab. If she hasn’t mentioned it, we act like we don’t know. That Xu Meng’s got big ideas—she definitely has shares in the hotpot restaurant. They don’t just supply us; I make some, but she’s raking it in. That’s why Wang Meili keeps trying to hitch onto me, but I won’t let her. This opportunity came from Xu Meng, and we’d be fools to screw this up by getting too cozy with Wang Meili."

So, Xu Meng was even wealthier.

Pretty, rich, and top of her class—what part of your son could possibly match her?

Deflated, Huzi’s dad slumped outside for some air. When he returned, he asked, "What’s going on at the Xu family’s place? Why are all the lights on so late, with everyone gathered in Granny Xue’s room? Are they discussing something big?"

Granny Xue kept counting money. "What’s it to you?"

Then she paused. "A meeting in Granny Xue’s room?"

That spells trouble.

As Xu Meng’s loyal ally, Granny Xue had always been grateful to her, though it was usually Xu Meng helping their family. With years of soap-opera-watching experience, she instantly sensed trouble. Ever since Granny Xue lost financial control, the Xu family hadn’t held big meetings in her room—whenever they gathered, it spelled trouble.

She shooed him away. "Go check."

A while later, Huzi’s dad returned, looking jumpy.

"You won’t believe what’s up." His expression was grim.

Granny Xue caught the tension in his voice. "What happened?"

————

Wang Shuanzhu had called in a favor with the Chang family to secure a spot on the freight train.

Wei Qiang was the one accompanying the shipment. As he put it, he hardly slept a wink—two days and a night of vigilance. Only when the train finally stopped at the station did he finally relax.

The moment the freight arrived, Wang Shuanzhu hired trucks to haul everything away. Meanwhile, Wei Qiang ate while gabbing excitedly about his experiences from the South.

"No joke, they build roads so fast down there! I passed by one stretch, and two days later—boom!—it was finished. The place is booming. Mark my words, another Beijing’s gonna pop up soon!"

Feng Yanwen enjoyed listening and refilled his soup bowl with a smile, urging him to eat more.

Wei Qiang had survived on dry bread and cold water for days, but his youth and strength carried him through. After a hearty meal, he was back in high spirits.

Wang Shuanzhu rarely talked about such things at home.

Seeing him wolf down two huge bowls of noodles, Feng Yanwen said, "It’s late. We figured—stay the night. Clean up after eating."

It was nearly ten—no way we’re sending him home now.

Wei Qiang knew their place had a guest room in the side wing. He thanked them and went to clean himself up.

After days on the train, he was filthy and scruffy. Half an hour later, scrubbed and shaved, he was still buzzing. He gave his clothes a quick wash, hung them to dry, then noticed Wang Shuanzhu waiting in the living room.

Feng Yanwen, heavy with pregnancy, had already gone to bed.

Wang Shuanzhu waiting up? Had to be something important.

Just as he finished hanging the clothes, he saw Wang Shuanzhu walk out. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and handed it to Wei Qiang, asking, "Picked up a lot from your trip down south, huh?"

Wei Qiang nodded. His body was back, but his mind was still stuck down south. Over the past few days, he had thought a lot—about the tiny counter back in his hometown and the roads in the south that were said to be built in just a week. His mind started racing with ideas.

"Yeah, Brother Wang, I’d still like to work for you, run jobs if you need me."

"Then tell me, so what’s the south got that we don’t up here?"

Wei Qiang waved his fist excitedly, recounting everything he had seen and felt during the trip. His eyes lit up as he talked, full of excitement.

They talked for nearly an hour before a loud knock at the door cut them off.

Wang Shuanzhu went to open the door and saw a tall middle-aged man. He was sure he’d never seen the guy before.

The man looked frantic, sweat pouring down his face. Seeing the unfamiliar man at the door, he hesitated before asking, "Sorry to bother you—does Feng Yanwen live here?"

Wang Shuanzhu gave him a once-over and was about to speak when the man added, "I know Teacher Feng isn’t in the best condition right now. I’m actually looking for Xu Meng."

"Who are you?"

"Oh—right, sorry," the man said, rubbing his head. "My surname is Chen. I used to be Teacher Feng’s neighbor back when she lived near the big locust tree. I’m here because of Xu Meng’s business. Actually, it doesn’t even have to involve Teacher Feng—I can just talk to Xu Meng."

By now, Xu Meng was probably already asleep.

Earlier, he had considered knocking on Xu Meng’s door, but as he approached, he heard dogs barking inside.

Besides, he’d heard Xu Meng lived in a shared courtyard with some kids. A guy showing up at her door late at night would freak her out.

Wang Shuanzhu thought for a moment. If someone came looking this late, it must be urgent. So he asked Huzi’s father to follow him, grabbed a power bank flashlight, and headed over to Xu Meng’s place and knocked.