Chapter 222: Taking Advantage of the Sister-in-Law

Mei Naizi, even more torn between sorrow and joy, quickly gently rocked the child and said, "Good, call out 'mom' again."

Mengmeng, however, turned toward Xu Yuexin.

"Dad… Dad…"

This time, her enunciation was clearer, and her watery eyes stared blankly at Xu Yuexin.

Xu Yuexin was so delighted he almost seemed to take off on the spot, and hurriedly took her little hand.

"Good, I am dad, she is mom, you are Mengmeng."

Xu Yuexin, smiling brightly, leaned close to his daughter's face and said.

The daughter nodded as if half-understanding, half-not.

Then, she tilted her head and fell asleep.

"Congratulations, she learned to speak so quickly; she must be a smart baby."

Huizi congratulated Xu Yuexin and Mei Naizi.

Xu Yuexin smiled so broadly his features relaxed, hands on his hips in delight, and said, "Of course, can anyone inherit my genes and not be smart?"

Hmm, the daughter can speak at three months.

At that moment, Xu Yuexin really felt a bit elated.

Mei Naizi also showed a smile on her face, and at the same time tears streamed down.

"I'm not going back today."

Mei Naizi instructed the nearby Bodyguard, "Cancel the plane ticket; I want to stay here two more days."

Today was one of the happiest days of her life, second only to when her daughter was born.

Mei Naizi, no matter what, wanted to spend more time with her daughter.

"Hi."

The female Bodyguard obeyed, trotting to the airport counter.

Because Mei Naizi wanted to stay longer with her daughter, she brought Mengmeng to the New Bridge Hotel this time.

Consequently, Xu Yuexin ran to the New Qiao Hotel, rather than Mei Naizi running to Shen Qingru's home.

"This is a cup, this is a table…"

That afternoon, inside the hotel, Xu Yuexin patiently pointed out objects to his daughter, trying to teach her more vocabulary.

Mei Naizi gently watched her daughter from beside, her eyes full of her.

At that moment, Huizi, holding freshly prepared milk, walked to the adults and child.

Mengmeng immediately shifted her gaze from Xu Yuexin and Mei Naizi, staring tightly at the bottle.

"It's time to drink milk."

Huizi whispered as a reminder.

Xu Yuexin carefully handed the child to Huizi, and together with Mei Naizi watched her feed the milk.

Mengmeng clutched the bottle with both hands, sipping the milk in small mouthfuls, not blinking an eye.

After the daughter finished the milk, Xu Yuexin wanted to hold her and speak again.

"Burp…"

At that moment, the daughter let out a big burp, closed her eyes, and fell asleep again.

Xu Yuexin and Mei Naizi both laughed.

This child, isn't it good to give her more chances to interact?

Huizi carefully placed Mengmeng onto the bed and covered her with a baby blanket.

Xu Yuexin and Mei Naizi watched her as she fell asleep, whispered a few words, then went out onto the balcony.

"The child looks really wonderful."

Xu Yuexin reflected, "Perhaps, her walking speed later will also be faster than other children."

"Hmm, it should be."

Mei Naizi said with a smile in her eyes.

At that moment, the two turned their gaze together toward outside the balcony.

Outside, a forest of construction sites stood, all still lit and working even at night.

"Your capital has started massive construction, right?"

Mei Naizi asked dreamily.

"Yes, now we not only build houses for young people returning to the city, but also factories, malls, providing them employment."

"Moreover, population mobility has been relaxed, and farmers are now moving to the city to work."

"Oh… the situation is thriving."

Mei Naizi said, her gaze fixed in the distance, as if lost in thought.

Xu Yuexin also looked into the distance.

At present, within Jingcheng's Three Ring there are still many vacant lands, farmlands.

But soon, this place will be filled with more and more skyscrapers.

For the nation, this is an economic takeoff.

For an individual like him, it means opportunities for wealth.

It is the same for Mei Naizi, who holds a financial conglomerate.

As long as she is willing to enter, the mainland market will offer her astonishing returns.

"So, interested in investing?"

Xu Yuexin asked Mei Naizi.

"Hmm, I want to try."

Mei Naizi said, somewhat excited, "I just took charge of the group; I need to produce results to make those elders convinced."

"If, as you say, the mainland is continuously increasing its openness to the outside, then I will seize this opportunity."

"Come, I welcome you on my own behalf."

Xu Yuexin said with a cheerful smile, "That way, your chances of meeting the child will increase."

"Hmm…"

Mei Naizi agreed, turning to look at Mengmeng, who was sleeping soundly in the room.

Time passes quickly; although Mei Naizi decided to stay two more days, the day of departure arrived soon enough.

Xu Yuexin escorted Mei Naizi to the international airport and waved goodbye to her.

Because the wind was strong today, they didn't bring Mengmeng along.

Of course there was another reason: they were afraid Mei Naizi would see the child and then be reluctant to leave.

"Make sure you take good care of the child."

Before leaving, Mei Naizi clasped Xu Yuexin's large hand with both of hers and said, "She is my life."

"Don't worry, she's my life too."

Xu Yuexin said, placing his other large hand over Mei Naizi's.

After leaving the airport, Xu Yuexin returned home, took out fifty thousand yuan, went to Xicheng District, and knocked on Shen Qingru's small courtyard.

Upon entering, Xu Yuexin teased Mengmeng, then asked Huizi to bring the child back to the room, and he took out fifty thousand yuan from his backpack.

"What are you doing?"

Aunt Shen, seeing so much money piled on the table, looked at Xu Yuexin in surprise and said.

"The child will need to stay at your place for a while longer, and there will be many expenses during that period."

"Of course, it's mainly to thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"No need, having a child at home is fine."

Aunt Shen pushed the bundled banknotes toward Xu Yuexin and gently refused.

Xu Yuexin laughed at the sight.

"You've also grown fond of this child?"

"I told you, Mengmeng is so smart and beautiful; you must like her."

"At least she won't be that lonely."

Aunt Shen thought for a moment and said.

"To be honest, I actually plan to leave the child with you for the long term."

"So you should accept this money."

Xu Yuexin urged.

Earlier at the airport, Mei Naizi also said she would thank Aunt Shen again.

But if she said it to Shen Qingru now, she would definitely refuse, so Mei Naizi mentioned it once and then didn't bring it up again.

"No need; the money you gave me before hasn't been used much."

"Besides, the supplies are yours; she can't cost me much."

"Then you have to keep it."

Xu Yuexin said, "Consider it money I paid on behalf of Mei Naizi."

"After all, she's from a big conglomerate in Japan; leaving the child to be raised by others…"

After speaking, he turned toward the bedroom and said, "I won't keep talking to you; I'm going to see my daughter."

"Hey, wait a moment…"

Aunt Shen hurriedly called out.

Regarding the money covering the table, she truly had no solution.

Xu Yuexin didn't reply, walked straight into the bedroom, closed the door, and began to tease his daughter.

"What is this called?"

Xu Yuexin picked up the music box on the bedside, waved it at his daughter lying in the small rocking cradle, and said.

"Dad… Dad!"

The daughter looked clear‑eyed and said firmly.

Xu Yuexin and Huizi laughed.

The child now only knows how to call out "dad" or "mom," so whenever she sees something, it's either dad or mom.

"This is a music box, not dad."

Xu Yuexin smiled and corrected his daughter.

"Dad, dad…"

The daughter still didn't correct herself, continuing to babble.

It's okay if she can't say it yet; after all, she started calling dad and mom early enough.

She'll learn the rest gradually.

Xu Yuexin thought to himself.

He took a laid‑back attitude toward the child's development, not deliberately pushing her ahead.

Regarding his daughter's current state, he was already very satisfied.

A few days later, inside Guogongfu.

Xu Yuexin, after seeing his daughter return home once again, tidied the flowers and plants in the front courtyard.

These days, besides going to Shen Qingru's house to act as a nanny, he also met with Soviet trade officials twice.

During the meetings, the other side again requested a barter trade; after Xu Yuexin negotiated with them, he issued an order to the Xiangjiang side, directing them to supply another batch of TV chips to the Soviet Union.

The profit from this trade batch is larger than the previous one, conservatively estimated at 7.2 million US dollars.

If the goods provided by the Soviets can be sold at a normal price, the profit will be even higher.

Xu Yuexin has also planned the use of this money.

He will not move any of it; all will be invested in chip research and development.

The previous R&D investment Xu Yuexin provided has already borne fruit; the company's 28‑micron chips have passed wafer testing and are about to enter production.

Compared with the 40‑micron chips, the 28‑micron chips can be used in higher‑end TV models and are priced higher.

Currently, the market price for a 40‑micron chip is $30 per unit, while a 28‑micron chip sells for about $80 per unit.

After deducting R&D and production costs, the process improvement lets Xu Yuexin earn an extra $40 per chip, quadrupling the factory's annual profit.

Excluding the barter trade with the Soviets, the Kwai Chung Factory will thereafter earn 12 million Hong Kong Dollars per year.

Xu Yuexin currently does not intend to expand the production scale of Huaguang Crystal Element, because the company's chip processes will continue to advance.

Each advancement, however, means a complete overhaul of the assembly line.

Expanding the scale prematurely would instead raise the cost of line upgrades.

Seizing the technological high ground first is the most important.

Regarding the chip company's development, Xu Yuexin told everything to Chen Yixue.

"One hundred twenty million Hong Kong Dollars a year? That's plenty,"

Inside the house by Tuanjie Lake, after Da Yizi finished playing the piano, she said to Xu Yuexin, "Do you want to visit Xiangjiang often?"

"To better grasp the company's situation?"

"I do plan to go there once."

Xu Yuexin replied, "I haven't set a date yet."

"Oh…"

Da Yizi nodded and said, "I also want to take a stroll in Xiangjiang; shall we go together?"

"Sure, when are you free?"

Regarding Da Yizi's invitation, Xu Yuexin was naturally eager to accept.

"How about in a week?"

Da Yizi said.

"I'll buy the plane ticket in advance."

"Hmm, I think I'll stay in Xiangjiang longer this time."

"How long?"

"I don't know. I want to set up a record company; I'll only return once the company is officially established."

Da Yizi also wants to go to Xiangjiang to found a company?

Xu Yuexin felt a stir of interest, and some ideas formed in his mind.

Perhaps he could let her join the company he and Lin Qingxia run, becoming a shareholder?

Xu Yuexin mused.

"You've already founded an Entertainment Company?"

When Xu Yuexin told Da Yizi his idea, she replied in surprise.

"Indeed, I've long planned to branch out."

Xu Yuexin raised an eyebrow slightly, striking a very cool pose.

Da Yizi hesitated.

Da Yizi knows that venturing alone into Xiangjiang's music scene is not easy.

But joining Xu Yuexin's company, she fears she might be tightly controlled by him.

Fine, hasn't he already squeezed her enough before? Da Yizi thought it over and finally gritted her teeth, saying,

"I don't want to take your shares for free."

After a while, Da Yizi stated, "I'll invest money for shares."

"Hey, what are you thinking? I never intended to give you dry shares."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully.

Da Yizi flushed at his words, realizing she had misread his intentions.

Seeing Da Yizi's embarrassment, Xu Yuexin calmly explained.

"If I were the only shareholder of the company, I would of course give you dry shares."

"But the company still has Lin Qingxia's shares, and I have to consider her feelings."

"I understand."

Da Yizi's awkwardness eased a bit, and she nodded, "How much is a share of your company right now?"

"Uh, we haven't reached the stage of a joint‑stock limited company yet, so there's no per‑share price."

"When we get to Xiangjiang later, I'll combine the company's development status and tell you the price for each 1% stake."

Xu Yuexin said, "By the way, have you been practicing the piano a lot lately?"

"Quite a bit, why?"

"I'd like to listen a bit more; play a few of your signature pieces."

Xu Yuexin asked.

"Then play 'Für Elise' first, then play 'Autumn Whispers'."

Da Yizi finished speaking, sat in front of the piano, and placed their hand on the keys.

As the melodious, crisp piano sound rose, Xu Yuexin closed his eyes and leaned on the sofa behind Da Yizi.

Compared with before, Da Yizi's piano skill had improved a bit.

According to Xu Yuexin's intuition, their current piano level, even among professional performers, belonged to the higher tier. The piano sound flowed through the living room like a stream, and Xu Yuexin quietly appreciated it until the piece ended.

"If you were still in the Cultural Troupe, just with this piano skill, you could attain a senior professional rank."

When Da Yizi stopped, Xu Yuexin immediately opened his eyes and flattered them.

"I love hearing that."

Da Yizi smiled, turned their head to look at him, and said, "But the Cultural Troupe only has one senior rank slot for an instrument, so it probably won't rotate to me."

"Is there anyone in the Cultural Troupe who plays better than you?"

Xu Yuexin pretended to be surprised.

"Of course. Our Cultural Troupe selects the nation's top talent; we lack no experts in any field."

Speaking of their former unit, Da Yizi turned, slightly lifted their face, and said like a proud peacock.

"You really are impressive; you entered at such a young age."

Xu Yuexin quickly continued to compliment.

Since being with him, Da Yizi had fallen into depression several times.

It's rare to see Da Yizi so happy today; he must seize the chance to pamper them.

"Indeed. That year, the Cultural Troupe's children's division had only one slot in the whole city, and many families wanted to send their children in."

"Sigh…"

Saying that, Da Yizi let out another sigh.

"Why, isn't this a happy thing? Why sigh again?"

Xu Yuexin asked concernedly.

Da Yizi shook their head, walked to the sofa beside him, sat down, lifted their face and stared at the ceiling, as if recalling the past.

Xu Yuexin, seeing Da Yizi's demeanor, roughly guessed some things.

By calculating the time, when Da Yizi entered the Cultural Troupe, their parents happened to be in the period of being sent down.

Da Yizi originally entered the Cultural Troupe as a one-in-ten-thousand talent, and then, still young, worked hard; their goal was surely to support their parents and younger sister, holding up the family.

Who would have known that after they helped the family through the toughest time, their mother turned against them over money.

If anyone else faced this, they'd be heartbroken just thinking of it.

Xu Yuexin couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, gently wrapping his arms around Da Yizi's shoulder.

"Think about what we need to handle later in Xiangjiang."

Xu Yuexin didn't comfort directly, but diverted Da Yizi's attention, saying, "Even if I agree to your Shareholding, we still need to ask Lin Qingxia's opinion."

"Mm, I know."

Da Yizi took a deep breath, leaned on Xu Yuexin's shoulder, and said.

Since finishing the Dongyang trip, Xu Yuexin has kept his promise to Da Yizi, visiting them from time to time.

Whenever Da Yizi's mood fluctuated, they would receive his timely comfort.

Consequently, unknowingly, their reliance on Xu Yuexin grew, and they became accustomed to confiding their thoughts to him.

"I think, if I lived in a normal family, I could get along very harmoniously with my parents."

Da Yizi murmured on Xu Yuexin's shoulder.

"That's for sure. Which family has a daughter like you? You'd wake up laughing even in your dreams."

Xu Yuexin said.

"Mm…"

Da Yizi left Xu Yuexin's shoulder, looked at him solemnly, and said, "I never told you."

"Actually, my mother recently contacted me, wanting to make peace."

Zhou Zhifeng seeking reconciliation with Da Yizi? Xu Yuexin felt a jolt.

If she makes up with her, wouldn't Da Yizi then have a bottomless pit by their side? With Zhou Zhifeng's nature, even a mountain of gold and silver, she could swallow it in one bite without spitting it out.

"Oh? How are you thinking about it?"

Xu Yuexin looked at Da Yizi seriously and said.

Da Yizi let out a snort laugh.

"Look how nervous you are."

"I definitely won't agree."

"I just yearn for that warm family, but I won't be foolish enough to imagine she can give me that atmosphere."

Da Yizi pressed their face to Xu Yuexin's chest, closed their eyes, and said with a hint of relief, "Anyway, in today's society, a person can live very well alone, right?"

"No, there's also Qiao Qiao, and me."

Xu Yuexin wrapped both arms around their shoulders and said.

"Qiao Qiao can have it; you just give up."

Da Yizi hummed.

"Do you really think so?"

Xu Yuexin pretended to be angry, then gave Da Yizi's peach-like butt a hard pat.

"Stop messing around."

Da Yizi hurriedly rose from Xu Yuexin's arm, her face flushed as she gave him a glance and said, "I have to go pack my luggage."

"We're leaving next week; what's the hurry?"

Xu Yuexin, following behind her, said.

"Even so, we have to prepare in advance."

Da Yizi said, then wrapped her jade arms around her plump, firm peaks, and added, "Fine, don't follow me in; I want to pack alone in peace."

"What, am I not at ease when I'm with you?"

"Then you're far too easily distracted."

Xu Yuexin deliberately teased and said.

"Heh, don't think I don't know what you're up to."

After Da Yizi finished speaking, she turned, hurried into the bedroom, and locked the door from the inside.

Xu Yuexin was left flustered by Da Yizi's actions.

When Da Yizi leaned on Xu Yuexin's shoulder, he felt quite ticklish.

Yet now she has locked the door, isolating herself.

Isn't that a dilemma?

Xu Yuexin thought gloomily.

He decided to play some mind games with Da Yizi.

"I'm still not willing to enter your room."

Xu Yuexin pretended to be indifferent, said, then got up and walked to the doorway.

"I'm leaving."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Yuexin turned the doorknob and slammed the door shut.

Of course, he didn't actually go out; he tiptoed back inside and leaned on the balcony.

Inside the bedroom, Da Yizi heard Xu Yuexin's movement and breathed a sigh of relief.

She had always feared Xu Yuexin would do her harm.

Now that Xu Yuexin left, she could finally go out.

With a "creak," Da Yizi pushed open the bedroom door and walked into the living room in a lighthearted mood, planning to play two more piano pieces.

However, at that moment, Da Yizi discovered Xu Yuexin comfortably leaning on the balcony, looking at her with a mocking smile.

Got tricked…

Da Yizi thought gloomily and turned to go back to the bedroom.

But Xu Yuexin had been prepared; he quickly stepped forward, grabbed Da Yizi's shoulder, preventing her from moving forward.

"What are you trying to do?"

Da Yizi tried to break free, asking irritably.

"What, did the luggage get packed the moment I left?"

Xu Yuexin asked in Da Yizi's ear.

Da Yizi was at a loss for words.

"As long as you don't act recklessly, I won't have to deceive you."

After a moment of silence, she said seriously.

Seeing Da Yizi's somewhat suppressed expression, the heat that had been rising in Xu Yuexin's body eased a little.

Since the last time he returned, having found Da Yizi in a depressed mood, Xu Yuexin, fearing something would happen to her, had refrained from being intimate with her.

Even when the two lived in a small farmyard house in Dongyang, each had their own bed.

Today, Xu Yuexin originally wanted to test Da Yizi to see if her mind had recovered.

However, Da Yizi only seemed outwardly cheerful; when intimacy arose, she would still have depressive episodes.

Xu Yuexin became a bit frightened.

"You… feel okay now, right?"

He released Da Yizi and asked cautiously.

"I'm fine, not as sad as before."

Da Yizi walked toward the balcony on her own, hand on the railing, muttering, "As long as… you don't provoke me."

"Provocation?"

"Specifically, that means…"

In Xu Yuexin's mind, many possible meanings floated up.

First, when it comes to Chen Qiaoqiao, one must be careful not to trigger Da Yizi's sense of guilt.

Also, the two still shouldn't be intimate for now, otherwise Da Yizi's mood might turn sour.

Xu Yuexin analyzed in his mind, returning to the balcony to accompany Da Yizi in gazing into the distance.

Yet Xu Yuexin still found it a bit odd.

Earlier, when he patted Da Yizi's peach‑shaped butt, she clearly blushed.

Why did she become upset afterward?

Xu Yuexin, puzzled, asked Da Yizi this question.

"I don't know… anyway I'm definitely not hating you."

Having spent so much time with Xu Yuexin, Da Yizi could open her heart to him, so she said honestly, "But whenever I calm down and think of Qiao Qiao, I feel deeply sorry for her."

"It makes my heart ache."

So it's still the old problem…

Xu Yuexin, after listening, let out a long sigh.

It seems this problem isn't that easy to solve.

"You don't have to think you're at fault; it's all my fault."

Xu Yuexin, speaking earnestly to Da Yizi, said, "Without me, there wouldn't be so many troubles today."

"..."

Da Yizi gently closed her beautiful eyes, thought for a moment, then opened them wide and shook her head vigorously, "No, I can't deceive myself with such words."

"I really can't keep deceiving myself…"

Da Yizi's expression shifted dramatically as she spoke, startling Xu Yuexin into hastily embracing her.

"Don't worry, I won't act recklessly toward you again."

Xu Yuexin, at once, pledged to the Da Yizi in his arms.

Whether or not he could actually do it, stabilizing Da Yizi was the most important thing now.

But he must never disturb her mind; that would be true wickedness.

Da Yizi only then calmed slightly, weakly pushing Xu Yuexin away.

"Can you be serious with those words?"

She stared blankly at Xu Yuexin, her once dignified and beautiful face now looking pitifully delicate.

"I can be serious; I keep my word."

"But you've deceived me many times."

"This time I will definitely not deceive you again."

Xu Yuexin gritted his teeth, held Da Yizi's shoulders, and said, "If I deceive you again, I'll leave you and Qiao Qiao on my own."

Da Yizi lowered her eyes and nodded slightly.

"Alright, I'll trust you one last time."

"Don't disappoint me again."

"Mm."

Xu Yuexin replied softly.

The situation had reached this point, a bit beyond Xu Yuexin's imagination.

Originally, he thought that with his own qualifications and his concern for Da Yizi, he could easily win her over.

But who knew that even after winning her, it wouldn't be stable.

The reason lay in his underestimation of the moral views of people in this era.

Xu Yuexin thought with a headache.

While the two were talking, a dark cloud drifted across the sky outside.

The wind also began to howl.

"Let's go back, don't stand in the wind."

Xu Yuexin told Da Yizi, and this time he didn't even dare to hold her hand.

"You go back, I want to feel the wind."

Da Yizi closed her eyes and said, facing the cool breeze blowing from the balcony.

The sky was overcast and the wind fierce; outside the window only the rustling of leaves could be heard.

Da Yizi stood against the wind, eyes tightly shut, expression melancholy, her thick jet‑black hair slightly disheveled by the gust.

Xu Yuexin also dared not return alone, so he stayed on the balcony to keep Da Yizi company.

"Ah—..."

Half an hour later, Da Yizi sneezed.

"Let's go back, you're catching a cold."

Xu Yuexin tugged Da Yizi's wrist and said.

"Mm..."

Da Yizi nodded, withdrew her wrist, and said.

She had intended to clear her mind with the cool breeze, but ended up catching a slight cold.

Back inside, Xu Yuexin cooked dinner for the two of them.

Outside, a heavy rain was imminent; unable to go out for groceries, he used the vegetables on hand to make two bowls of vegetable noodles for himself and Da Yizi.

After preparing the noodles, Xu Yuexin carried the two bowls to the table and buried himself in eating.

After eating a little less than half a bowl, he looked up and saw that Da Yizi hadn't eaten two strands.

"Why aren't you eating?"

"I have no appetite."

Da Yizi shook her head slightly, saying, her expression lazy, her face showing an unnatural pink flush.

Xu Yuexin sensed something was off, reached out and touched her forehead.

Sure enough, she had a fever.

In the end, it was that gust of wind that caused it.

"You're running a fever; drink some hot water and lie down back in the room."

Xu Yuexin set down his chopsticks and asked, "Do we have any antipyretic medicine at home?"

"No, I'll just rest."

Da Yizi said weakly, standing up to head back to the bedroom.

But as soon as she stood, she felt the world spin, and her body uncontrollably toppled to the side.

Xu Yuexin's eyes were sharp and his hands quick, and he hurriedly pulled Da Yizi into his arms: "Lie still, I'll go get you some antipyretic medicine."

"Mmm…"

Da Yizi murmured vaguely, for at this moment she was so feverish that she could barely speak.

"I'll be back in a moment."

Xu Yuexin helped the weak Da Yizi into the bedroom, laid her on the bed, then went downstairs, mounted his motorcycle, and headed for the distant pharmacy.

Rumble—…

Before long, a fierce clap of thunder sounded on the horizon.

In an instant, torrential rain poured down, the sky leaking like a faucet.

(End of chapter)