Xu Hanren had always been curious about this but could not figure it out. Hearing this, he casually asked: “What does second brother think?”
Xu Hanxiao slowly said: “I had an argument with the eldest brother yesterday, and mother is extremely worried, afraid we might truly split the family. So she immediately gave you two shops. You must know that the eldest brother and I came from the same womb. If we encounter an external enemy, we will naturally unite… Of course, I’m not saying you are an outsider, but mother probably thinks this way, which is why she suddenly said she wants to give you shops to manage…”
Xu Hanren suddenly understood.
We were just talking about you. How have you been?”
Xu Hanren forced a smile. “I’ve been well, thank you.” He glanced at Madam Xu, wondering what exactly they were discussing and feeling slightly uneasy.
“We were just discussing some family matters,” Madam Xu said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.
“I see,” Xu Hanren replied, trying to keep his composure. He felt the weight of expectations resting on his shoulders.
“Your mother’s worried about the future,” Yin Yianniang added, glancing between them. “It’s important to stay united as a family.”
“Yes, we need to work together,” Xu Hanren agreed, though his mind was still preoccupied with his conversation with Xu Hanxiao.
After a brief moment of silence, Madam Xu spoke again. “Hanren, remember, family is everything. Do not let external conflicts divide us.”
Xu Hanren nodded, though he felt the pressure of conflicting loyalties.
—
As night fell, Xu Hanren lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The shadows danced in the dim light, and a sense of uncertainty filled his heart. The words of his brothers echoed in his mind, reminding him of the impending division within the family. He knew he had to choose a side.
Have you eaten? How was your first day managing the shop?”
Xu Hanren was surprised that Madam Xu would come to ask such caring questions. He temporarily suppressed these thoughts and answered her question: “Hanren has not eaten yet. As for the shop, things went smoothly, but I do not understand many aspects of business management, so I went to ask second brother for advice.”
Yu Yi slightly nodded: “Your second brother has unique skills in business management. It is good for you to ask him, but he is shrewd. Some words you should listen to, but also know how to discern. Hanren, since you returned so late, I won’t stay long. Eat and rest early.” After speaking, she stood up to leave.
After sending her off with Yin Yianniang, Xu Hanren returned to his room to eat, pondering the day’s events while dining.
Xu Hanxiao’s initial words made him secretly startled, but after calming down and thinking carefully, if Madam Xu wanted to make enemies, she wouldn’t need to truly give him two shops. She could have simply chosen a few shops for him to temporarily manage.
Moreover, these two shops in the western part of the city were operating quite well, located in a bustling area, with the property itself being quite valuable.
If she merely wanted to use him, she wouldn’t have chosen such good shops to give him.
His second brother, while seemingly teaching him, was not a blood relative. He answered some questions, but not very clearly. Xu Hanren didn’t expect him to truly share everything, but his second brother’s attitude made him doubt his promises.
Yin Yiniang sat to the side watching him eat, noticing his slow chopstick movements and serious expression, said: “Hanren, now that the two brothers are fighting over family division, it has angered the Madam. It seems the Madam wants to give you a chance. You must work hard and show them that the Xu family cannot do without you.”
Xu Hanren laughed and said: “Mother, I’ve just started managing the shops and don’t understand many things.
I still need to learn everything step by step.”
However, his mother was right. Amid the elder and second brother’s continuous conflict, he could gain more opportunities to prove himself in the Xu family. He had been thoroughly disappointed with the family, which led him to focus on other interests. Now that he had a chance to showcase his abilities, he was determined to no longer be as playful as before.
Yu Yi couldn’t help but laugh and cry: “Father-in-law, Han Ren is also surnamed Xu. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if he could be as dedicated to the Xu family as Han Zhong and Han Xiao?”
Old Master Xu actually thought for a moment: “Han Ren? The one who’s always been running around wildly?”
Yu Yi hurriedly said: “Han Ren has already changed. Now he will never run around wildly again.”
Old Master Xu said again: “He is a concubine-born son.”
“But he bears the Xu surname and understands the principle of shared glory. If the Xu family prospers, he…”
Old Master Xu interrupted her: “Take back the shops. If you won’t handle it, Han Zhong will.”
Yu Yi raised an eyebrow: “Did Han Zhong tell you about this?”
Old Master Xu was stunned, then looked elsewhere: “Of course not.” Then he added: “Go take them back immediately!”
Yu Yi softly replied: “Yes.”
Yu Yi learned about the situation but did not understand management. Although she was angry at Han Xiao’s actions, she had no countermeasures to suggest. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Do you have any other ideas?”
Xu Han Ren said angrily, “What other ideas? My second brother is trying to drive me to desperation. Lowering prices doesn’t work, and not lowering prices doesn’t work either. These past two days, the shop has barely made a single sale.”
Yu Yi frowned and said, “No matter what, these two shops that I have given you, I will not take back. Keep the deed documents safe. I will find a way to deal with Han Xiao.”
Xu Han Ren was not truly asking his wife to take back the shops; he had just come to complain in anger. Upon hearing this, he put away the documents on the table.
At this moment, a servant arrived. Yu Yi recognized him as someone from the old master’s household. He said, “The old master requests that the madam and third young master come over.”
Yu Yi was stunned. How did he know that Han Ren had just come to her to speak a few words? It was clear that someone had been keeping an eye on Han Ren and informed the old master as soon as he arrived, knowing he was going to complain.
As for who this person was, there was no need to guess – it was Han Xiao.
While walking, Yu Yi whispered to Xu Han Ren, “Han Ren, the old master calling us over is most likely about the two shops I gave you.”
Xu Han Ren lowered his head and remained silent.
Upon arrival, Yu Yi and Xu Han Ren entered and paid their respects. Yu Yi then asked, “Father-in-law, may I ask…” Before she could finish, the old master said, “Han Ren, take out all the documents. You are not allowed to go to those two shops again.”
Yu Yi and Han Ren, though somewhat prepared, were surprised by the old master’s directness.
Xu Han Ren said nothing and did not move. Yu Yi tried to persuade, “Father-in-law, Han Ren is after all a member of the Xu family. He is intelligent. Your daughter-in-law was thinking…”
The old master snorted heavily, “He is nothing more than an unambitious playboy, indulging in pleasures and lacking motivation. I, Xu Ting, do not want such a grandson.”
Xu Han Ren’s face turned ashen.
However, the old master would not listen to reason and insisted that Han Ren hand over the deed documents.
Xu Han Ren remained silent, took out the shop deeds from his chest, and walked a few steps to hand them to the old master. The old master could not clearly see the text and turned to the person beside him, asking, “Xu Fu, take a look and confirm.”
