Ye Fang, who lived across from Liu Ping, might have had it a bit easier, but the increasingly deeper wrinkles on her face also revealed her discontent with life.
Her husband, Zhao Haiyang, although he beca an administrative manager because of his elder brother's influence, hadn't managed to get a promotion in many years, and his salary wasn't even higher than that of Brother Ye, the security team leader.
As a result, for a long ti, her in-laws and husband harbored deeper and deeper disapproval of her. Although they didn't dare to quarrel with her openly, the three of them united in ostracizing her, treating her as if she were an outsider, even their son, under the instigation of the grandparents, wasn't close to her, his mother.
As ti passed, Ye Fang's resentnt towards her elder brother and sister-in-law grew stronger. Clearly, they possessed a wealth that they wouldn't be able to spend in a lifeti, so why wouldn't they extend a helping hand to their own sister?
Thinking this, Ye Fang left the house in a huff, carrying her bag. Liu Ping, from across the hall, heard the sound of the door slamming and, after so thought, stealthily followed her.
Both families had been in the provincial city for several years, and it was impossible for Ye Qiu to keep his real address from her forever, but today was the day of the college entrance exam, and both Ye Qiu and Chen Wen were at the company. Ye Fang hadn't phoned beforehand, so she arrived to find no one ho.
With no one in the house, Ye Fang didn't bother to ponder the reason, simply assuming that her elder brother and sister-in-law were deliberately avoiding her. She didn't try to contact anyone and instead went to the clothing company.
Now, Chen Wen's clothing company had expanded several tis over its original factory site, and a few years ago, they even built a skyscraper of over thirty stories right here, creating the coveted fashion Empire in the fashion world.
Since Ye Fang and Liu Ping frequented the place all year round, the receptionists recognized them. Ye Qiu had also specifically instructed that whenever they arrived, they were to be led to the reception room and notified imdiately.
No sooner had Ye Fang arrived than Liu Ping appeared; the two sisters-in-law, embroiled in long-standing quarrels, weren't on good terms and showed no pleasant faces upon eting, yet they didn't dare to start a commotion here.
Both had previous incidents, all of which were eventually suppressed by Ye Qiu, with evident consequences: because of them, husbands that could have been promoted had not moved up in years.
Of course, that was the explanation given by Ye Qiu. In truth, even if they hadn't caused disturbances, he wouldn't have allowed their n to climb to higher positions.
Ye Qiu and his wife hadn't been at the company for long before receiving a call from the front desk. He greeted the receptionist and went downstairs. Ye Qiu never let Chen Wen ddle in these family matters, preferring to handle them personally.
Sotis Chen Wen would feel sympathetic, but was always stopped by Ye Qiu. His wife might not know the affairs of the past life, but he rembered everything and wouldn't just let it go.
"What brings you two here together today?" Ye Qiu sat opposite the two sisters-in-law, gently sipping his tea, his tone calm, devoid of any emotion.
But even this seemingly gentle elder brother made Ye Fang and Liu Ping secretly swallow hard, mainly because Ye Qiu had built up too much authority over the years; even when the Old Lady was still around, they brought in reporters but failed to gain any advantage from him.
Instead, when the story went out, the public criticized them for their insatiable greed.
Ye Qiu and Chen Wen have always focused on philanthropy and are recognized as charitable entrepreneurs by the state. They did not hide their donations and contributions. Instead, they hired professionals to manage and supervise them, publishing financial statents to the public every month, showcasing the direction of charitable funds, ensuring the money truly reached every person in need.
However, this couple, full of love and patriotic spirit, was slandered by their own family mbers as being indifferent and unfilial, sothing most people did not believe.
Especially when a whistleblower from Ye Village revealed that the Old Lady favored males over females, Ye Xiaoi tornted her elder sister-in-law before marrying off, and Brother Ye's family even viewed Ye Qiu's and his elder sister-in-law's company as their own son's property, the public's denunciation of both families grew even fiercer.
What era are we living in that we still have preferences for sons over daughters? The state advocates gender equality. Why should the hard-earned family business of a couple not be left to their daughter but instead be passed on to the nephew, or else they're considered unfilial? The Old Lady may be confused, but Brother Ye's family is shalessly despicable.
Later, the whistleblower continued to disclose that Ye Qiu did not mistreat his younger siblings; he not only bought them houses and arranged jobs but even took care of their children's tuition fees. Although he did not give them high positions in the company, wasn't that because they lacked both the education and ability? Despite this, the salary Ye Qiu gave them was not low – it was several tis more than the average white-collar worker!
As a result, whenever the two families stepped out, those who recognized them would show them all kinds of contemptuous looks. A group of ungrateful, insatiable people found life in this city even harder.
It was only after the New Year when the heat of the issue dissipated that the two families' lives started to improve a bit.
Since then, the frequency of the two families coming to seek Ye Qiu had diminished, and each ti they did co, they no longer dared to cause trouble.
Liu Ping and Ye Fang looked at Ye Qiu nervously, their hands wringing together, heads lowered, mumbling. They exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking first.
Ye Fang rushed over today because her husband did not return ho last night. On a whim, without overthinking, she ca here. And Liu Ping? Thinking that with Ye Fang leading the way, it would be best if she could get sothing from her elder brother. But if not, at least her younger sister would be in front, so there wouldn't be any repercussions on her. But to her surprise, as the mont of truth neared, the younger sister-in-law began to balk!
"It's nothing, elder brother," Liu Ping glanced at Ye Fang, "I just heard the sound of Xiaoi slamming the door, was worried sothing happened to her, so I ca to check on her."
"You would be so kind-hearted?" Ye Fang sneered, but consud by thoughts of her husband's chronic absence from ho, she didn't argue with Liu Ping. Feeling anxious, she then addressed Ye Qiu: "Elder brother, Zhao Haiyang didn't co ho again yesterday."
"And what of it?" Ye Qiu asked nonchalantly, "What use is it to co to with your marital issues?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Fang clenched her hands, her lips turning white: "He resents for not being close to you, for not getting a good position for him. Elder brother, I am begging you, Haiyang has an education, he can do well, just let him work at sister-in-law's company."
"If he thinks he's so capable, why doesn't he resign and seek better opportunities?" Ye Qiu looked at Ye Fang and retorted.
"He..." Ye Fang was at a loss for words, well aware that after so many years of marriage her husband was arrogant yet incompetent, greedy, and timid. If he really went out to find a job on his own, he could only manage the work of an ordinary laborer and earn less than half of what he does now.
But now that the in-laws have retired, planning to move into the city to live with them, when the three of them unite, will she even have a place in this ho?
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