Chapter 91

After the four people left, Bai Manshan smiled at his son and said, “You only know how to charge out. Is it useful to just charge out?

Now that you are back, you need to learn how to do business from your father. This is the first lesson.”

Bai Ziqian knew his father was on his side, but he couldn’t help but say, “Dad, you were too polite to them!

You even paid for them. For people like that, I feel it’s a waste to even give them a steamed bun!”

They were already on opposing sides, so why be nice to the enemy?

Especially with all the smiling, making those four think they were so important, as if his father was trying to curry favor with them.

Just thinking about their smug expressions made him feel disgusted!

His back was suddenly slapped with great force, accompanied by a loud, straightforward voice, “You brat, follow your father and learn well!

Your father might not be amazing in other areas, but in business, who doesn’t praise him? Who doesn’t admire him?

Haven’t you heard the saying ‘a barking dog doesn’t bite’? What’s the big deal about paying a bill? Even a condemned prisoner gets a last meal with a chicken leg!”

Bai Manshan: Wife, if you want to praise someone, do it properly. What do you mean by “not amazing in other areas”?

Luckily, our son is still young. If he misunderstood, where would that leave my dignity as a father?

Bai Ziqian: A barking dog doesn’t bite? Anyone who knows you would understand you’re praising Dad, but those who don’t might think you’re insulting him.

No wonder you’re always overpowered by Grandma. You can’t even praise someone properly, how could you ever outmaneuver her?

In the end, Bai Manshan coughed to regain control of the conversation, “Your mother speaks bluntly but she’s right.

However, it’s not about being a barking dog. In business, we need to be like a fox internally but appear harmless like a pig, so others let their guard down. They might even thank you after being tricked by you.

This is what it means to play dumb to catch the tiger.”

After thinking it over, Bai Ziqian realized it made sense. His father’s recent behavior did make him seem like a foolish, wealthy pig.

Those four would probably never suspect his father was behind their future misfortunes.

Calming himself down and suppressing his previous anger, he respectfully asked, “Father, is this part of the thank-you gift for Uncle Fan’s family?”

He knew his parents had been preparing a gift for Uncle Fan’s family to thank them.

Since coming back, he had been listening to Aunt Shuisheng’s teachings and was determined to follow his father’s lead in learning business.

He would not be swayed by his aunt’s provocations!

“This isn’t a gift; it’s what we should do! We’re just fulfilling our duty, no need for them to know.” Bai Manshan set the tone, taking the opportunity to teach his only son some experience. “A gift needs to be something others need and like.

A good gift touches the recipient’s heart.

Don’t learn from your aunt. Look at her, managing the Wu family for over ten years, what has become of them? They’ve declined day by day!

Also, don’t follow your grandmother’s ways. Her knowledge is limited to the inner chambers. She has schemes and tactics, but all her energy is spent dealing with your mother, to no avail.”

Talking about the gift for his son’s lifesavers, he couldn’t help but get angry!

In contrast, he admired the generous heart of the family who saved his son. They didn’t say anything unpleasant or hold grudges against his mother and sister.

For the first time, Bai Ziqian calmly discussed his grandmother and aunt with his father.

In his memory, his grandmother was always criticizing his mother, putting on a dramatic show in front of his father, while his father outwardly sided with his grandmother and comforted his mother in private.

But no matter how much his father comforted his mother in private, his mother still lost in public.

“Father, you know Grandma is manipulative?” he asked incredulously.

If his father knew Grandma was wrong, why did he still comply with her?

Bai Manshan sighed. One should not speak ill of their mother. He vaguely replied, “If you can see it, don’t you think your father can?”

His son wasn’t stupid, of course he could see. But for various reasons, it was difficult to intervene.

Bai Ziqian couldn’t understand or agree with this.

Li Huyu said nonchalantly, “I live with your father, not your grandmother. As long as your father is sensible, it’s fine.”

She just feared her husband wouldn’t understand.

She was still satisfied with Bai Manshan as a husband.

“If I were as clever as your father, your grandmother wouldn’t have been able to dominate me. I wouldn’t need your father’s intervention; I wouldn’t be bullied by your grandmother. But unfortunately, I’m straightforward and can’t deal with all the scheming.” She envied those who could speak well.

She wasn’t mean, but when bullied, she could fight back!

She often couldn’t react in time when others criticized her, only realizing it much later and then feeling furious. She would vow to retaliate next time, but when the moment came, she would again be at a loss for words.

She could only fume to herself.

Bai Ziqian saw the envious expression on his mother’s face.

He first thought of the small thatched house in the remote Shanshui Village.

Although the thatched house was small, the people inside were extraordinarily kind.

If his mother knew Aunt Shuisheng, they would certainly become close friends. With Aunt Shuisheng around, his mother’s days might be much more pleasant than they are now…

---

When Fan Jin brought the ragged and filthy Lingran back to the village, Sun Jinhua, who was munching on fried soybeans and gossiping at the village entrance, saw them. Once the four had walked away, she snorted through her nose, “Their family isn’t content with just being a laughingstock?”

The other women had been chatting aimlessly, but now that the topic turned to the Shuisheng family, they all fell silent.

They had all, to varying degrees, received help from Fan Jin and Shuisheng. How could they eat someone’s food and then curse them? What kind of person would that make them?

Sun Jinhua glanced at the silent group with disdain, disgusted by their unwillingness to bite the hand that fed them. She spat and continued, “Last time, they at least rescued a young master who was clearly from a wealthy family and only got three bags of rice in return.

Oh, right, they didn’t even receive the three bags of rice, just ended up feeding him for over a month for nothing. And now they’ve brought back a beggar. What were they thinking?”

Some women couldn’t stand it anymore and spoke up, “That’s not fair. Fan Jin is a scholar after all, different from us.

Besides, they’re building a house and raising livestock. They need more hands. Taking in another person isn’t a big deal.”

“Exactly, this boy looks much older than the last one, he can do a lot of work.”

“Not to mention, having someone help with building the house is beneficial. It’s just a few extra meals in return.”

Sun Jinhua hated hearing anyone praise the second Fan family over her own!

What kind of life did Shuisheng live before? She was constantly under her thumb, following her orders. Why should things be any different now? Shuisheng wasn’t any better than her!

She immediately retorted, “Different, my foot! You outsiders don’t know the truth, you only see my brother-in-law’s family building a house. Let me tell you, they don’t even have enough money for it!”