Many things actually happen naturally.
Just like Wei Nian's personality, he has always been very business-oriented. But due to his background, many people of status cannot be approached by you just by being good at scheming. Even if Wei Nian became Madam Wen's son-in-law, it was still the same. Others might have a face relationship with Wei Nian because of Madam Wen, and the rest, most of them just wanted to get benefits from Wei Nian and the Wen couple. Wei Nian was not stupid, and he didn't want to make friends with these flatterers.
Therefore, even though he had a remarkable mother-in-law, Wei Nian did not get any other benefits from her except for some help after he went to study in the United States.
But suddenly, Wei Nian found that it was no longer a problem to interact with the real upper class. There were even some banquets where the Wen couple would directly bring Wei Nian and Chen Xuan to attend. Chen Xuan was fine. Although she had been concentrating on studying and raising children over the years, she was really experienced. Mrs. Wen wanted the couple to go together, so she would usually go. Wei Nian, however, had some unspeakable feelings in private. It was because when the couple went out with the Wen couple for social events, the three brothers Wen Shao, Wen Xin, and Wen Yin would usually be there, but Wen Yaying was not.
If Wen Yaying was not in Nanjing, it would be nothing, but Wen Yaying was in Nanjing. In fact, Wen Yaying returned to Nanjing with her husband last year.
Wei Nian felt that he and his wife and three brothers-in-law all followed their father-in-law and mother-in-law to the banquet, except for Wen Yaying and his wife. Although he knew that this must have been agreed by his father-in-law, Mr. Wen, Wei Nian was mainly thinking about his wife.
Wei Nian expressed his concerns tactfully. Chen Xuan was silent for a moment before saying, "Although my mother is not a warm-hearted person, she is not narrow-minded. She knows what kind of people to bring to what occasions." Chen Xuan's words were very objective. Ten years ago, when they were preparing to study abroad, they also stayed in Nanjing. At that time, Mrs. Wen did not take them to any banquets. Moreover, although Mrs. Wen was Wen Yaying's stepmother, Mr. Wen was her biological father. Moreover, Mr. Wen was not a person without his own opinions. He naturally had more correct considerations for his biological daughter.
Just when Wei Nian felt relieved, Wen Yaying brought her husband back to her parents' home.
Wen Yaying's husband's surname is Chang, and his given name is Song. He is more handsome than Wei Nian. However, Wen Yaying has a domineering personality, while Chang Song has a good temper. He has a friendly smile on his handsome face, but he speaks with wit. Seeing his father-in-law asking questions, Chang Song hurriedly explained, "Originally, my sister and brother-in-law came over this time, and we have children, so we wanted to come a long time ago. Yaying caught a cold a few days ago and it hasn't gotten better yet. She was afraid that if she told the elders, they would worry again. I was worried about her, so I delayed for a few days. Fortunately, my sister and brother-in-law are not outsiders."
Wei Nian immediately said, "If we knew that my sister was ill, we should have gone to visit her early in the morning."
Chang Song then asked Wei Nian some polite questions, asking if he had a smooth journey. As a result, Chen Xuan and Wen Yaying, the stepsisters who rarely interacted with each other, became as close to their husbands as real brothers.
At one point, Chang Song asked about the children again, and Wei Nian inevitably called the children over to recognize their uncle. Chang Song was obviously well prepared and gave them all gifts.
Madam Wen was adjusting the atmosphere between Wen Yaying and Chen Xuan. The two really had no common language. Regardless of the old grudge, Chen Xuan and Wen Yaying were completely different people. Fortunately, now that they were getting older, it was no problem for them to deal with each other.
Everyone chatted casually, the Wei family would not stay in Nanjing for too long, mainly because they hadn't seen each other for more than ten years, and Madam Wen wanted Chen Xuan and the others to stay in Nanjing for a few more days. In addition, Madam Wen and Wen Shao, Wen Xin, and Wen Yin would also go to the United States to continue their studies together. Madam Wen had a very good relationship with the Wei family over the years, and she also wanted to take this opportunity to invite the Wei family to come as guests.
Speaking of recent schedules, Chang Song originally wanted to invite the Wei family to his home, but Wei Nian and Chen Xuan were both very busy, especially Chen Xuan, who had to give lectures at Jinling University and Central University and had no time to visit Nanjing city.
Chang Song said with great admiration, "I have heard that my sister and brother-in-law are both very learned people. I really envy them. Unfortunately, I am not cut out for studying, otherwise I would have studied more."
Wei Nian said modestly, "I heard that my brother-in-law's foreign business is booming. Compared to my brother-in-law, I am just a half-nerd."
"How can they be the same? My brother-in-law is so knowledgeable, but it would be vulgar if he talked about business." Chang Song's attitude was extremely cordial and warm. He not only praised Chen Xuan and Wei Nian as the best in the world, but also praised several children. There was one silly girl named Alice Wei in particular, who loved to hear nice things and was so happy when Chang Song praised her that he didn't even mention her heartless look.
However, Chang Song didn't seem to have any ill intentions. Wen Yaying was the type who didn't like to talk to anyone. If Chang Song also acted in a cold manner, there would be no point in chatting that day.
After dinner, something awkward happened. Wen Yaying said she wanted to stay at home. The Wei family took all the people they could with them when they went abroad. Because there were too many people, the Wen family couldn't accommodate them, so they borrowed another villa. Now, Wen Yaying wants to stay at her parents' house, but there is no place for her and her husband to stay. Fortunately, Wei Nian is always smart and immediately said, "It's the same if I send Wei Yu and Xiao Yi to the house over there. My eldest sister likes these guys the most, and Wei Yu can also teach some English to the kids nearby."
Wei Yu was actually a little reluctant. When children are young, they are most attached to their parents. Although Wei Yu claims to be a big boy, he also likes to live close to his parents. However, his father has said so. This child not only looks like his father, but also has all these smart and clever traits inherited from the Wei family. In addition, Wei Yu had heard of Wen Yaying's reputation a long time ago, and knew that this elder who was not related by blood had a bad temper and was not easy to get along with. Wei Yu didn't want to embarrass his parents, so he nodded and said, "Then Xiaoyi and I will go pack the gifts first." This is also a habit that the children of the Wei family have developed since childhood. Whenever they go out, they pack their own gifts.
Seeing that Wei Yu was so sensible even at such a young age, Mr. Wen smiled and said to Wei Yu, "It's okay. Your aunt and uncle have their own house in Nanjing and don't live at home."
Wei Yu was young after all, and when he saw his grandfather say this, he didn't know what to do for a moment, so he looked at his father. Wei Nian naturally listened to his father-in-law's arrangements and nodded to Wei Yu. Mr. Wen looked at his eldest daughter and her husband, and Chang Song smiled and persuaded his wife, "Aying, my sister and brother-in-law are not our family, it will be the same if we come over tomorrow."
Chen Xuan and his wife had not seen Wen Yaying for many years. Time was so cruel that it inevitably left traces on everyone's eyes and eyebrows. Wen Yaying looked not much friendlier than she had been in years, except for some fine lines between her eyebrows. Especially after hearing Mr. Wen's words that they should go back home, a trace of anger flashed across her eyes. However, she was in her early thirties after all, so she quickly endured it, bit her lip, turned away, and said nothing more.
After Wen Yaying and her husband said goodbye, Wei Nian finally felt relieved. Wei Nian was really afraid of Wen Yaying's temper.
Chang Song made a good impression on Wei Nian, because Chang Song came almost every day, even if Wen Yaying didn't come, he would come and chat with the Wei family. His attitude was also very good, neither too intimate nor cold, and he was very generous to the children, which won Wei Jin's praise. Wei Xin also liked this step-uncle, but the children of the Wei family always had rules and could not ask for things from their elders. Wei Jin didn't mind getting some benefits, but now that he lived in the Wen family, Wei Jin didn't want to take advantage of Chang Song and be looked down upon, so he resisted the urge to take advantage of Chang Song. The restraint of the Wei family made others look at him with more respect.
Wei Nian and Wen Shao talked about Chang Song. Wei Nian said, "I heard Brother-in-law Chang talk about the dinner party with Mrs. Kong several times. I wonder if Brother-in-law Chang meant-"
Wen Shao had a real headache, pinching his brows and saying, "There really is no one more scheming than my eldest brother-in-law. He actually managed to get close to my brother-in-law."
Wei Nian whispered, "Of course this has nothing to do with me, but Brother Chang mentioned it several times and I always changed the subject."
Wen Shao said, "This elder brother-in-law should really put his scheming mind into doing real work."
During these days of communication, Wei Nian knew that Chang Song was quite good at managing relationships. This man had a plain background, and after meeting Wen Yaying, he claimed that he had found love and divorced his original wife. Although Wen Shao did not say it too clearly, Wei Nian could also hear that the Wen couple had a very ordinary attitude towards this marriage. Moreover, Chang Song was originally just a small business owner, but now that he had married the Wen family, he immediately expanded his business several times and often contracted some small government projects to do.
Wen Shao said, "Mrs. Kong's banquets are attended by the upper class. If my brother-in-law goes there to solicit business and build relationships, it won't look good."
Wei Nian thought that his father-in-law and mother-in-law did not look petty, and Chang Song seemed capable, so why did they have such polarized attitudes towards the banquet? It was self-evident why Wen Yaying returned to her parents' home. Mr. Wen still did not comment, thinking that what Chang Song was trying to do was not ordinary.
I have to say that Wei Nian is extremely perceptive.
At Mrs. Kong's banquet, the Wen family came with their entire family, including Chen Xuan, Wei Nian, Wen Yaying and Chang Song. However, there was a difference in the introduction. Wen Yaying had obviously known Mrs. Kong for a long time, and greeted her elegantly. Mrs. Kong had a round face and was very kind, but her eyes were slightly triangular, which made her look a bit fierce. Mrs. Kong said, "Yaying and your son-in-law are here, good, just treat them as your own family."
Chen Xuan and Wei Nian were introduced by Mrs. Wen. Mrs. Kong smiled and said, "I have heard of you for a long time. I heard that you, Xuan, are doing postdoctoral research abroad."
Chen Xuan said, "I have just applied for the project, and will officially start after returning to the United States."
Mrs. Kong has seen countless people, and she can tell from the bookish air on Chen Xuan that she is a scholar. Mrs. Kong nodded, "What a good child. My daughter and son-in-law are also in the United States. You can visit them more often."
Chen Xuan agreed naturally without being humble or arrogant.
Madam Kong and Madam Wen said, "This child looks exactly like you."
Madam Wen has a delicate appearance. In comparison, although Chen Xuan also has delicate features, she is two levels below her mother. However, what Madam Kong said is reasonable. Madam Wen said, "Before I got pregnant with her, I told her father that I hope the child can study more in the future. Over the years, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I have not been able to help her. It all depends on her own efforts."
This was the first time Chen Xuan heard Madam Wen mention her father in public. Her father had passed away when Chen Xuan was very young, and Chen Xuan had no impression of him at all. She just imagined him to be a kind and honest father. It was not easy for Madam Wen to have her current status, and Chen Xuan never mentioned her father in front of her. Isn't it embarrassing
Now it seems that Chen Xuan was wrong.
Mrs. Wen was so frank that she directly said "her father" and did not hide the fact that she was remarried.
From this, it can be seen that, firstly, Mrs. Wen and Mrs. Kong had a very good relationship, and secondly, it was not the first time that Mrs. Wen talked about her second marriage in public.
Chen Xuan was stunned for a moment and didn't respond to Madam Wen's words. Wei Nian was so smart that he smiled and said, "We are in the United States. Thanks to my mother-in-law's friends who took care of us, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to get into our studies so quickly."
Madam Wen introduced Wei Nian to Madam Kong. "They went to the same university together. After graduating with a doctorate, A-Nian stopped studying and now does some small investments."
Wei Nian bowed gracefully, and Mrs. Kong smiled, "What an outstanding person. I also have many business guests here, so why not chat with me."
Wei Nian thanked him quickly and said modestly, "It is my pleasure to ask for your advice, seniors."
Chen Xuan and Wei Nian actually met several acquaintances at Mrs. Kong's banquet. Some of them were people they had met in the United States, and there were also two presidents of Jinling University and Central University. Chen Xuan was familiar with them, as he had just given lectures at the two schools and had academic exchanges.
As for the rest, the three brothers of the Wen family also have their own social circles. In comparison, Wen Yaying can still socialize with the ladies, while Chang Song is a little neglected. He is really a capable person, so he follows Wei Nian and socializes with him. Wei Nian said that Chang Song is a hundred times stronger than Wen Yaying in temperament and skills, which is not a bad thing for businessmen. However, those who can enter Mrs. Kong's banquet are all the smartest of the smart. In comparison, Chang Song's little tricks in scheming are not good enough.
Wei Nian didn't really dislike Chang Song using his relationship as brothers-in-law to strike up a conversation with others. He just felt sad in his heart. If he had socialized with the Wen couple when he first came to Nanjing ten years ago, he would probably be in the same situation as Chang Song now.
As long as you have a thick skin, it's nothing, but compared to Wei Nian's current knowledge and financial resources, how can he be so humble and fawning. As long as people can stand up straight to get something, no one is willing to bend down.
Chen Xuan and Wei Nian were a very impressive couple. Even Mr. Wen personally introduced several high-profile people to Wei Nian. When introducing Wei Nian, he called him "the second son-in-law in the family." His tone of praise made Mr. Wen's political enemies complain in their hearts. They thought, it was rare for Mr. Wen to be so magnanimous that he was so affectionate to such a second son-in-law. If you didn't know, you would think he was Mr. Wen's biological son-in-law.
However, politicians are always characterized by their inner turmoil, but they remain calm on the outside. Not only are they calm, they also say happily, "What a good kid, he looks promising." After further inquiry, it turns out that he is not only promising, but also really promising. At the moment, he cursed again, thinking that God is really blind, why all the good things belong to the Wen family! The son-in-law is actually a doctor! Of course, after further inquiry, the daughter of the second daughter is more promising than the son-in-law. The daughter of the second daughter is doing postdoctoral research, and the people she associates with are some of the top figures in the academic world.
Therefore, although it was the first time for Wei Nian Chen Xuan to attend such a banquet, she was very accepting and accepted. Even among the grandmothers and wives that Chen Xuan was not familiar with, she could actually talk to them. There was no need to talk about anything else. These grandmothers and wives were either rich or noble, and every family had one or two relatives or friends studying abroad. Chen Xuan knew everything about education in Boston. In addition, she had an amazing mother, so no one dared to do anything to Chen Xuan.
The Wens were very satisfied with Chen Xuan and Wei Nian's performance in their first social occasion. If they had not returned to the United States, Mr. Wen would have really wanted to keep them by his side. Chen Xuan was a rising star in the academic world, and the academic world was optimistic about her. Wei Nian's major was economics, which was irrelevant to Mr. Wen's current career, but a son-in-law like Wei Nian, who was highly educated and had such flexible skills, would be like having a great general by his side.
Mr. Wen also said in the car, "These ten years have not been wasted for the two children."
Madam Wen said, "It's a small achievement."
Mr. Wen smiled and said, "As an elder, don't be too strict."
Mrs. Wen's eyes were gentle, "I always hope that they can be better."
Mr. Wen and Wen Yaying had a fierce quarrel, but Chen Xuan didn't know about it. She went to Jinling University to give a lecture, and the children followed her. The three Wen Shao brothers accompanied the two old ladies out for a walk, and Wei Nian was at home with Sibao. Wei Nian didn't know about it either, because the rooms in the Wen family were all soundproofed. How could he know that the parents were talking in the study
In fact, the father and daughter of the Wen family quarreled outside the house. Wei Nian was teaching Sibao to count. Wen Yaying came downstairs angrily and almost bumped into Sibao. Wei Nian quickly grabbed his son and frowned at Wen Yaying. Wen Yaying was furious at Wei Nian's look and said angrily, "It's a pity that your family can live here!"
Wei Nian did not bother with the mad dog.
Mr. Wen stood upstairs, his handsome face showing no emotion. He just said calmly, "Now this magpie's nest is not up to you, and it will never be up to you."
Wen Yaying's expression changed instantly, and she sneered, "People say that if you have a stepmother, you will have a stepfather. I didn't believe it at first, but now it seems that it is absolutely true."
Mr. Wen walked down the stairs step by step. His coldness was the only one Wei Niandu had ever seen. When Mr. Wen came to Wen Yaying, his voice was still gentle, but it was filled with cold disappointment. Mr. Wen said, "If I were your stepfather, I'm afraid you would have learned your lesson earlier. I told you long ago that if you were to marry a man who abandoned his first wife, there would be no need for us to talk about father and daughter anymore."
Wen Yaying's lips were as white as snow, and those two beautiful lips trembled again and again. She gritted her teeth and said, "Chang Song and his wife had an old-fashioned marriage. They had no feelings for each other a long time ago."
"If there is no love, just divorce early and don't delay others. He has been married for ten years without divorce, and when he met you, he immediately sent his first wife back to the countryside." Looking at the look in his eldest daughter's eyes, Mr. Wen mocked, "Yes, he gave his first wife some money so that she could have food and clothing for the rest of her life. I tell you, you did it too meanly and too low-class. My daughter can be spoiled and domineering, but her character cannot be vulgar. Let me tell you one more thing, you don't have to be jealous of anyone, Axuan is a hundred times better than you, that child is independent and strong, I only hate that she is not my biological child!"
Wen Yaying's thin body trembled violently, and her tearful eyes looked at her father in disbelief. Mr. Wen was not moved at all, "I asked you to study abroad because I hoped you would have a promising future. What does it mean to have a promising future? Even if your academic performance is ordinary, you must have a good character. You are only worried that your stepmother will covet the dowry left by your biological mother and interrupt your studies to return home to get married. The Zheng family that was chosen for you is a hundred times better than Changsong. You didn't manage your marriage well and divorced and went home. Your stepmother and I both hope that you can continue your studies. If you have half the ambition of Chen Xuan, you don't have to study for a doctorate, but I would be a little relieved if you graduate from college. But what have you done all these years? You have been muddle-headed and wasted your time. You have accomplished nothing, and in the end you can only marry such a villain who abandons his wife. The greatest achievement of your life is just being my daughter!"
"Yaying, you should obey whoever you are holding the bowl for. It is really beneath your dignity to hold the bowl for eating and then put it down to curse your mother." Mr. Wen said, "Since you still want to use my golden signboard, you should know how to be polite. I will teach you clearly today that you are not my only child, do you understand?"
Many years later, Wei Nian could not remember clearly how Wen Yaying left, but for some reason, Wei Nian remembered Mr. Wen's cold face for the rest of his life.
The author has something to say: ps: I have been out these days, so my typing time is not fixed. I typed it on the train last night. I wanted to post it in the morning, but the signal was not good in the first half of the night, and I got the password wrong in the morning. It was a big mistake. There will be one or two more chapters to finish the whole story. I am very sorry to have kept everyone waiting for so long.