Chapter 555 - 478: So Stingy
Chapter 555: Chapter 478: So Stingy
As their family’s cargo ship had just docked, the Zheng Brothers brought an entire truckload of goods with them.
Zheng Shaolian didn’t need any bodyguards; he personally carried four large suitcases over to Xiao Man and had her open them. They were all filled with the latest spring fashion from Paris, along with jewelry, shoes, and handbags.
Everyone else received gifts as well, even Gu Shaofeng, Gu Shaozhen, and the couple Gu Qiyuan and Tian Xueqin, who weren’t home. Gu Shaoling, whom Gu Qiyuan had brought back to Beijing only after the New Year, received two large suitcases. Because this was half of what Xiao Man received, Gu Shaoling clung to Granny Gu and burst into aggrieved tears. This earned her a stern scolding from Grandpa Gu. Granny Gu, her heart aching for her granddaughter, couldn’t help but start arguing with the old man, and the backyard fell into a bit of chaos. When Zheng Shaolian heard what was happening, he hurried over. Using some unknown method, he quickly coaxed Gu Shaoling until she was smiling again. Granny Gu was greatly relieved, patting Zheng Shaolian’s back with a wide grin and calling out repeatedly, "Oh, my precious grandson!"
Despite Zheng Shaolian’s once difficult and awkward personality, his transformation since joining the family business was plain for all to see. This was also thanks to the various aides assisting him. The current Zheng Shaolian not only appeared mature and steady, but he was also becoming smooth and sophisticated in his social dealings. His words and actions were extraordinary, projecting the perfect image of an elite boss. He was like a completely different person from the high court judge of his previous life, who had seemed proper on the surface but was actually gloomy and nitpicky.
However, everyone has two sides to them, and the Zheng Shaolian of this life was no exception; he was just a bit more normal than he had been in his last one.
He put on a convincing act at social functions, but when he was alone with Xiao Man, he would relax completely, as if he were back in Gongdao Village. He’d slump in his seat, say whatever was on his mind, and ask Xiao Man for food and drinks—insisting, of course, on the local goods from Southern Gongdao Village. He also cursed Zheng Shaojin for setting a trap for him, tricking him into joining the family business, from which it was now too late to escape. The two brothers held the largest shares, so one of them had to be at the helm. Zheng Shaojin had deceived him, asking him, as the older brother, to take the lead for a year. He had promised to come back and help after finishing his studies. But now, Zheng Shaojin announced he was going abroad to pursue a doctorate, blatantly dumping the entire burden onto Zheng Shaolian’s shoulders.
Zheng Shaolian gritted his teeth in frustration but was utterly helpless. After all, he had been the one to volunteer to jump into the pit first.
Xiao Man found it amusing. ’The dynamic between these two brothers is the same as in their last life. The younger brother is more like the older one, while the older brother always listens to the younger.’ Xiao Man even wondered if her own Mr. Tang, when he’d rushed to the grasslands to bring them back, had been so worried and flustered that he’d mixed the two brothers up. She’d heard that in their previous life, it was also Zheng Shaojin who had chosen the path of law for Zheng Shaolian and given him a push. She just couldn’t recall if the brothers had possessed such immense wealth at a young age, or if they had been personally involved in managing it like they were now.
Gu Shaojun was up front, socializing with his father and third uncle, when he found a moment to slip back to the rear courtyard. He learned that Gu Shaoling had thrown another tantrum over the gifts in an attempt to embarrass Xiao Man. He frowned, deciding he needed to have a talk with his cousin later. ’She and Jun Ran ganged up to bully Xiao Man last year—I heard about it from my mother, and I haven’t even settled the score with her for that yet. Now she’s reverting to her old ways. I absolutely cannot let this slide!’
However, when he saw the four large suitcases Zheng Shaolian had given Xiao Man, and the two of them enthusiastically admiring and discussing the fashionable clothes, exquisite high heels, and a dazzling array of jewelry—all things that couldn’t be found in the country—their intimate and congenial rapport was an eyesore. Bubbles of jealousy began to rise in Gu Shaojun’s heart.
He walked over and told Zheng Shaolian that his grandpa wanted to see him out front. Zheng Shaolian was skeptical. "For real? Grandpa just went over a little while ago."
"You don’t have to go. Some people from a couple of companies just arrived. Grandfather wants you to meet them and help entertain them."
Zheng Shaolian’s face instantly fell. "See, Manman? This is so annoying."
Xiao Man waved him off. "Go on, go on. You’re already used to these kinds of scenes. You handle them with ease, like a fish in water. You’re about to become a big shot who dominates the business world, so what’s there to be annoyed about?"
Zheng Shaolian laughed in exasperation and mimed rapping her on the head. "You just wait! Also, I’m staying over there tonight and leaving tomorrow morning. Get that food I mentioned earlier ready for me!"
"Ask Grandma Tang for it."
"No way, you have to get it! Grandma Tang is so stingy. Last time she gave me a huge, newspaper-wrapped bundle of dried fruit. I was so happy, thinking it was a lot. I was halfway down the road when I decided to try some. I opened it up and what did I see? Layer after layer of newspaper, with only a tiny bit of dried fruit inside. It wasn’t even a handful! Is she trying to fool a kid?"
Xiao Man pictured Zheng Shaolian squatting by the roadside with a pile of newspapers and a wronged look on his face. She couldn’t help but double over with laughter, and even Gu Shaojun couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
In truth, Grandma Tang was far from stingy. When it came to hospitality and gift-giving, if she wasn’t considered thoughtful, then no one was. She simply hadn’t understood at first that the "local specialties" Xiao Man brought home were exceptionally rare, so she had given them away freely. Later, after Grandpa Tang and Tang Qingshan explained it to her—and she herself had come to realize it—she started to be more frugal with them. She no longer gave away the things her granddaughter brought back to just anyone, only to her closest relatives and the children. Even then, she wouldn’t give too much at once, but she still wanted the packaging to look generous and presentable, to show how special the gift was. This was the reason for Zheng Shaolian’s pile of newspapers.
After joking for a while, Xiao Man agreed to get Zheng Shaolian some dried fruits, jerky, fish preserves, sauces, and other things, promising to sneak them to him without her grandmother finding out. Zheng Shaolian was overjoyed. Forgetting himself completely, he reached out to pull Xiao Man along with him to the front. Gu Shaojun, who was already feeling jealous watching the two sworn siblings get along so well, was not about to let him succeed. Zheng Shaolian’s physical strength was naturally no match for his older cousin’s. Moreover, as someone who had just begun his Cultivation, he sensed the Suppression of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and was forced to let go. He walked away alone, a resentful look on his face.
Gu Shaojun was resentful too, his voice low. "Didn’t you hate Shaolian in our last life? You two were completely at odds. You even told me to kick him out and never let him come back. Why are you so nice to him now?"
Xiao Man was speechless. "..."
’I wasn’t the one who told you to kick your cousin out. You did that all on your own.’
"The old Zheng Shaolian was certainly annoying, but he never actually had any ill intent toward me. He just felt I wasn’t good enough for you, so he wanted me to get plastic surgery and improve my taste to become a true Eldest Young Madam of the Gu family. He just never expected that I would be so resistant and frightened by all that... This time, I met him earlier. I helped condition his body and changed his constitution, so he’s much healthier and stronger than before, with more energy and a better state of mind. As a result, he no longer shies away from difficulties or acts like a deserter. He also visits Grandpa’s home in Gongdao Village often and hangs out with us country folk. You could say he’s more down-to-earth now, and he’s stopped being so passive-aggressive. Isn’t that great?"
"No, it’s not great! I’m not happy! You were supposed to come out and find me, but this brat intercepted you. I still haven’t gotten my wife, but he gets a sworn sister who’s so nice to him. I really want to beat him up!"