Chapter 476: Persuade Li Ming

Qian Niang hurriedly asked me: "Er Hai, is this really true? Did you see that girl?"

"Qian Niang, can I lie to you? I've seen that girl, she's really beautiful, not just beautiful, she's also very kind. Zhou Wei is the one she's been taking care of."

Xiao Long's girlfriend this time is really good."

I praised Fang Rui.

Hearing me say that, Qian Niang laughed,

"Xiao Long, when will you bring that Fang-something over for Grandma to see?"

"Your grandpa said it's not bad, it should be fine."

"Grandma, her name is Fang Rui. She came back to Zaocheng with us; it's easy to see her, I'll contact her now and have her come over." Xiao Long said.

I also said: "Qian Niang, do you know? To let Xiao Long settle in Zaocheng in the future, I've already spoken with Dean Yang of the city hospital, asking her to work at the city hospital."

Dean Yang has already agreed."

"Grandpa, Dean Yang really agreed?" Xiao Long asked.

"She really agreed, and has already had Fang Rui submit her personal information to the hospital's human resources department.

"But there's a three-month probation period. Don't worry, there should be no problem." I said.

Xiao Long was overjoyed,

"Thank you, Grandpa. When should I and Fang Rui treat you to a meal?"

"Good, kid, this meal will definitely give you the chance." I laughed.

"Er Hai, that girl has a job but Xiao Long doesn't; what should we do? Are we not good enough for her?" Qian Niang worried.

"Mom, Xiao Long's job situation will be resolved soon,

you don't need to worry about anything; Xiao Long is also excellent.

"They are a perfect match of talent and beauty." I praised Xiao Long to Qian Niang.

Qian Niang laughed happily,

Those things just now are already past.

"Sigh, Qian Niang is old; I should try not to make her angry. Later I'll advise Li Ming not to quarrel with Qian Niang over anything."

"She is seventy after all, and she lives in her own understanding; for example, when returning from the provincial capital, Li Ming threw something into Qian Niang's hands, and I got a bit angry."

"This matter, I need to secretly advise Li Ming."

"Qian Niang is happy, and I am happy too."

I said to Xiao Long: "Then hurry up and contact Fang Rui, let your grandma see her, this future granddaughter-in-law.

"Otherwise, your grandma won't be able to sleep tonight."

Xiao Long said: "Okay, Grandpa, I'll contact her now."

Qian Niang said: "Xiao Long, how about this: don't call Fang Rui to come over; drive and take Grandma to the hospital. I'll go outside for a walk, I could make your dad furious."

"All right, Grandma." Xiao Long said happily.

I asked Xiao Long: "Which room is your sister Ru Meng sleeping in? I'll go check."

Xiao Long said: "Ru Meng is in room 1108, she's sleeping. I'll go wake her first."

"Then forget it.

"You first take your grandma for a walk; I'll go find your dad for a chat." I said.

At this moment Qian Niang said: "Er Hai, Mom, there's something I must tell you: returning to Niushiling. Treat it as a proper matter; those few rooms, find someone to help me tidy them up, however much it costs, I'll pay. I'm old and just want to go back."

"Don't worry, Mom, I've always remembered. After I finish my current affairs, I'll fix up the Niushiling house—not only do you want to go back, I want to go back too." I said.

"Alright, then we two mothers will say that." Qian Niang said, then stood up and followed Xiao Long away.

Qian Niang followed Xiao Long away.

I then came to the room where Li Ming and He Qing live.

After knocking, He Qing opened the door.

He Qing, seeing it was me, said: "Brother, you've come."

I said: "Where is Brother Li Ming?"

He Qing replied: "He's sleeping."

No need to ask; after arguing with Qian Niang, he went back to the room and slept.

I said to He Qing: "Sister-in-law, go outside and buy some cigarettes; I've run out."

He Qing nodded and went out.

I sent He Qing away so I could chat with Brother Li Ming,

If I directly chatted with Li Ming and his wife together,

that would be troublesome. You know Li Ming loses his temper, whether or not He Qing speaks up afterward.

Qian Niang and He Qing are after all a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.

The hardest thing in this world is the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.

No matter how much Qian Niang and Li Ming argue, it's fine; Li Ming is my own son.

But if I ever lose face with He Qing, then there's no hope of ever recovering.

Li Ming hadn't gotten up,

I walked to the bedside,

I patted Li Ming's shoulder with my hand,

"He's really asleep. Get up, let's have a chat."

Li Ming pretended to rub his eyes,

got up from the bed,

"Brother, you're here."

I nodded,

then sat on the chair, took out a cigarette and tossed it to Li Ming,

"Brother, what's up? We haven't met for half a year; why has your temper changed?"

Hearing me say that,

Li Ming felt a bit embarrassed,

"Mom, that person really... I made a few calls this afternoon to inquire about matters at the office, and she just thought I was meddlesome. Brother, tell me why I came back. If I can't return to work at the office, what's the point?"

I lit a cigarette. Took a drag,

"Brother, what you say is right. If we can't return to the way things were, what's the point of our hustle?"

But, I want to tell you,

that everything is irretrievable. Time flows like water; once it passes, it never returns."

"Brother, what do you mean by that?" Li Ming asked.

I smiled,

"Brother, it's not just your office that may change; actually, my Da Heng Group has changed even more."

Li Ming, upon hearing that, stood up immediately,

"Brother, I'm even more confused. Didn't we win? The Zhou Family is finished, Kong Shi has also stepped down. All the villains have been toppled, so why can't we go back?"

What about the Da Heng Group?

If the Da Heng Group doesn't belong to me,

this truly makes no sense."

"No, it has meaning. We can now walk the streets openly; when we return to Zaocheng, won't we clarify the issue? I'm no longer a fugitive.

You're not a detention officer either.

Everyone has regained their freedom. That carries great significance."

Hearing me say that, Li Ming sneered,

"Brother, what meaning does such freedom have.

Before, you were the chairman of the Da Heng Group, and wherever you went you were surrounded by admirers.

Wherever you went, everyone vied to meet you.

If there were no Da Heng Group,

you'd just be an ordinary citizen.

What does being an ordinary citizen matter,

look at those street vendors selling vegetables; they're so free. Is this kind of freedom all we strive for?"

Li Ming became a bit agitated,

"Brother, you should look forward, not limit yourself to this point.

This freedom is hard‑won.

Those vendors, they enjoy their own lives; isn't that happiness? Life doesn't have to be about great wealth and status to have meaning.

After going through this, I understand many things.

Why people plotted against me? Because I possess enormous wealth. If I didn't, would they still scheme? To be honest, I just want an ordinary life.

Honestly, brother, I'm a bit tired.

For over a year now, I've been on the road constantly; I'm exhausted.

I want to rest.

Today, Hou Laoban contacted me,

He voluntarily returned the large villa he had originally bought from me,

You also brought up the house issue; I think I'll give this villa to you,

From now on, you, Qian Niang, He Qing, and Xiao Long can all live in it. How does that sound?"

I looked at Li Ming and said.