Wang Qiqi was positively thrilled at the prospect of the good show awaiting them today, laying out her outfit early. “What a marvelous day this is.”

Looking out at the blazing sunshine, Wang Qiqi didn't need to consult the almanac to know this was destined to be an auspicious day, a truly great day.

Han Tao rolled over, watching Wang Qiqi stand before the wardrobe, holding up clothes and making gestures with them. He propped himself up on one elbow. “What are you muttering about to the mirror?”

Although the clothes were indeed quite nice, there was no need for such a sinister grin. “Even though we know there’s a good show to watch today, everyone else doesn’t. Don't overdo it, or we’ll end up being the main spectacle ourselves.”

“We went there specifically to watch the spectacle.”

Wang Qiqi pouted. “Relax, I know how to keep up appearances. Besides, if we laugh too hard, I worry your uncles will turn their guns on us instead.”

“Exactly. We need to be low-key, low-key, as low-key as possible. We’ll pretend we know nothing about the situation. Besides, regarding their money troubles, I bet quite a few relatives nearby are already aware.”

Han Tao figured, given Xue Hong’s temperament, she would never have resorted to asking family for money unless she absolutely couldn't borrow it elsewhere.

Wang Qiqi could only shake her head. What a mess. On her son’s big wedding day, needing to borrow money to cover the expenses, and yet no one would lend it. It just showed how offensive that person must have been usually. “I’m half-tempted not to wear new clothes, otherwise they’ll see us as rich and bleed us dry, won't we lose out?”

“Why shouldn’t you wear them? Just because we dress well, are we suddenly targets for extortion? How can we lend money if we don’t have any?”

Han Tao thought to himself that they should deliberately dress handsomely for the wedding, just to make Xue Hong miserable, though they still needed to maintain appearances.

“Besides, if we show up looking shabby, those relatives will surely say we’re not doing well. Otherwise, why dress like this for such an important occasion? And Qiqi, this is your first time participating in the Han family’s affairs; countless people will be watching you.”

Han Tao knew for a fact that many relatives would inevitably compare Qiqi with Han Jun’s wife, Ding Meina.

Hmph. Her family might have money, but could they compare to Qiqi’s wealth? Furthermore, in Han Tao’s estimation, a girl barely twenty years old getting involved with an aimless man and ending up pregnant—it just spoke volumes about her intelligence, or lack thereof.

Moreover, despite her young age, she supposedly worked at her father’s company, claiming it was preparation for inheriting it. In reality, to put it bluntly, she probably hadn't applied herself during her studies. Now, working only at the old man’s company, which other boss would hire her? Only thick-headed people like Xue Hong would keep such a daughter-in-law around.

Wang Qiqi looked at Han Tao, who was determined they should dress well for the event.

She stopped arguing. After all, judging by that extremely potent performance from a certain man yesterday, it was clear he wouldn't hesitate to unleash fire again if provoked. “Then I’ll bring the LV bag I bought this year.”

Although this bag was quite expensive domestically, Wang Qiqi had snagged it at a discount during a sale in the US and found it too lovely to pass up. It was, after all, an addition of a high-end brand to her collection.

Seeing his wife finally seeing reason, Han Tao crawled out from under the covers and went behind Wang Qiqi, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“That’s right, we need to flaunt it a bit. My relatives are such snobs. The better your condition, the more they’ll flatter you. Even if you ignore them, their attitude won't change.”

Han Tao felt his relatives were absolute worshippers of wealth. In his memory, all his life, every relative had praised Han Jun as smart and promising, yet now Han Jun was turning into a complete hoodlum. “I actually think it’s a blessing in disguise that Han Jun’s old girlfriend broke up with him. Maybe she can find a good man now.”

Wang Qiqi didn't know much about Han Jun’s former girlfriend. “You think it’s good for her to leave Han Jun, but maybe your grandmother and the others think it was a good thing for your brother to leave that girl. Still, your uncle’s family is probably losing money, right?”

“If they weren't losing money, they wouldn't be human. I heard that girl had an abortion twice.”

“Han Tao truly doesn’t understand what Han Jun was thinking. He knew abortions were bad for girls, yet he never considered that? He’s brainless. Of course, that girl is brainless too. Compared to them, my wife is different. Without protection, my wife absolutely wouldn’t sleep with me. It’s not that we can’t afford a child, but we’re both focused on our studies right now, so this kind of accident shouldn’t happen. Is it really as Qiqi suggested—the lower the level of inquiry, the greater the desire for children and the younger the age for bearing them?” Luo Hongjuan walked out of the unit entrance and saw her son already waving to her from the taxi. She quickened her pace. “You look quite sharp. By the way, do you two know who Xue Hong went to borrow money from yesterday?” After settling into the taxi, Luo Hongjuan immediately said in a hushed, mysterious tone. She didn't bother with formalities, just used names directly; after all, yesterday they had publicly stripped away all face and dignity.

Han Tao shook his head. “Would anyone have lent her money overnight yesterday? If they were willing, they would have done so already. Why wait until now?”

“Old Lu. He used to be involved in the underworld. I hear he’s running a loan shark business now.”

Luo Hongjuan was stunned that Xue Hong dared to approach someone from the criminal element for a loan. She knew that kind of money was easy to borrow but hard to repay, with steep interest, especially since non-payment wasn't an option.

Borrowing from loan sharks? Han Tao’s mouth dropped open. While he had never dealt with such people, he knew they weren't easy to deal with—vultures who’d swallow you whole. How did Xue Hong get the guts? “Mom, how do you know?” The events of last night—how did Mom find out so quickly? Han Tao didn't believe Xue Hong would have the time or inclination to tell his mother, considering how busy she was today.

“Old Lu was your father’s classmate back in the day; they were quite close. But your father got sick during those years, and Lu went inside. Otherwise, your father wouldn't have ended up like this. Sigh.”

Luo Hongjuan had privately met Old Lu a few times, but due to his profession, she hadn't kept in close contact. Old Lu had sought her out early this morning, telling her that some debts needed collecting soon and that this time, he would definitely teach Xue Hong a lesson. That’s how Luo Hongjuan found out.

Han Tao learned for the first time that the uncle who occasionally brought gifts during the New Year was involved in the underworld. Although he didn't look like someone who did legitimate business, because he was kind to Han Tao and his mother, always sending things over, in Han Tao's mind, Uncle Lu was a good person. But to hear this now… “Mom, it only gets harder being in that life. Uncle Lu is getting old.”

So many people now didn't study hard; when they entered society without good grades, they just became hoodlums. And those people would do anything for money, never caring about righteousness or honor. Uncle Lu was old; how could he contend with them?

Wang Qiqi, upon hearing that Xue Hong had actually taken out a high-interest loan, started calculating in her mind. Judging by the expression on that woman's face when she left yesterday, Wang Qiqi worried that the loan shark might end up dragging the lender to Luo Hongjuan’s house. Those people were ruthless; what if they terrified Luo Hongjuan? It wasn't impossible. But it turned out Xue Hong had gone to borrow from Han Tao’s father’s friend, and it seemed that person held no good feelings toward her at all. Wang Qiqi suspected this IO might just mark the beginning of Xue Hong’s miserable life. They were people who dealt in compounding interest; they would do anything to get their money. How would Han Jun’s father-in-law ever agree to repay this debt? Wouldn't the old Han house be at risk? Would Old Madam Han, whom she once favored so highly, end up spitting blood from anger? Wang Qiqi was filled with eager anticipation.

“Don’t worry, your Uncle Lu told me he’s getting out of that life by the end of the year and planning to retire overseas.”

Luo Hongjuan hadn't failed to advise Old Lu. An old man like him, with a son doing well in Australia, why suffer in the country? Moreover, several of his subordinates had begun forming their own independent plans. Why keep struggling? Only now did Luo Hongjuan understand why Old Lu always said it wasn't time to retire—it turned out he was waiting for Xue Hong.

“Son, you must remember those who helped your mother and me, you understand?” Han Tao certainly understood gratitude, but the issue was, “Uncle Lu… I honestly don't know how to repay him, and besides, that person…”

Han Tao figured that if the other party was insistent on getting revenge on Xue Hong, they probably didn't want Xue Hong to know about their connection to him. If that was the case, why would he have revealed it so easily?

Of course, Luo Hongjuan knew the implications. “It just means that if we happen to see Uncle Lu on the street, we smile at him. Later, once he’s settled this matter here, we can treat him to a nice meal. We won’t have many chances to meet again.”

Luo Hongjuan knew that if Old Lu hadn't secretly looked out for them, she and her son might not have made it this far. Just because Old Lu didn't mention some things didn't mean Luo Hongjuan was unaware.

Han Tao made an "oh" sound and stared straight ahead. “What a pity. I was looking forward to a good show today, but it seems there won't be one after all.”

While sleeping, Han Tao had been dreaming of the guests pointing and gossiping about Han Ximing and his wife, causing them immense shame. But the thought that Xue Hong might soon become the subject of the old woman’s accusations—selling the house and ruining the family property—was satisfying enough for him. That was one of the very reasons the old lady insisted on reclaiming the house.

“If there’s no show, then there’s no show. We’ll just eat quietly. We’ll have plenty of shows to watch in the future anyway.”

Wang Qiqi thought this was perhaps for the best. What if it came down to the old woman kneeling before him, forcing him to choose whether to lend money or not? Since Xue Hong had sorted out her financial issues now, they could just pretend they knew nothing.

(To be continued. If you like this work, please give us recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. )〖Book Network∷Fast Update∷No Pop-ups∷Pure Text∷