Zhang Yuehong became more and more furious as Tang Yanran recounted what happened at the hospital. She wished she could immediately kick Chen Wanli out of the house. "Can't we ask Yanran's uncle for help now?" Chen Wanli furrowed his brow. "The matter has been resolved. There's no need to ask Yanran's uncle for help." Zhang Yuehong sneered, "I never agreed to Yanran marrying you in the first place. It was Dapeng who said you had good character, but who knew you'd turn out to be like this after recovering from your illness! You didn't even dare to protect Yanran at the hospital, and now you're spouting nonsense!"
Tang Yanran remained silent with her head bowed, deeply disappointed in Chen Wanli's behavior at the hospital.
Chen Wanli choked with anger and didn't bother to explain further. He simply took the tea leaves to the kitchen. "Dad, these tea leaves were a gift from someone else. They should be good. Keep them for yourself! Haha, you're considerate!" Tang Dapeng still had a smiling expression.
Standing at the kitchen doorway, Zhang Yuehong sarcastically remarked, "Who would give you anything good? You probably bought this from a street vendor and fooled your father-in-law. You're really filial! This is top-grade Da Hong Pao!"
As soon as Chen Wanli spoke, Zhang Yuehong rolled her eyes and mocked, "It's good tea, suitable for making tea eggs!"
With that, she stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a few eggs, threw them into the pot, and opened the tea leaves Chen Wanli brought back, pouring in nearly half the bag to make tea leaf eggs. She provocatively glanced at Chen Wanli before leaving the kitchen in a huff.
Chen Wanli's mouth twitched, and Tang Dapeng, still smiling, comforted him, "Forget it, your mother just has that temper. Don't mind her tantrums!"
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Zhang Yuehong immediately put on a smiling face and went to open it. "Haimin, Shuya, come in, come in!"
Zhang Haimin, in his forties, was a bit short, dark-skinned, and sturdy, with a dignified aura. His wife, He Shuya, was just an ordinary middle-aged woman, but somewhat discerning.
As soon as they entered, He Shuya sneered, "My sister never invites people over without a reason. Why suddenly treat us to a meal today?"
"Come in first, and we'll talk inside!" Zhang Yuehong smiled apologetically.
As soon as they entered, Tang Yanran stood up to greet them, and Chen Wanli followed suit.
He Shuya glanced at Chen Wanli a few times and asked Tang Yanran, "Is his condition still not cured?"
"It's cured!" Tang Yanran replied.
He Shuya shook her head disdainfully. "Even if he's cured of his mental illness, there's no future for him. What company would dare to hire someone with a history of mental illness? In the future, he'll just have to work in your family's herbal garden."
A few words were enough for Zhang Yuehong's face to turn red with anger. If it weren't for being indebted to someone, she would have exploded long ago. All her anger could only be directed at Chen Wanli. If it weren't for this unlucky son-in-law, would she have to endure this?
Zhang Haimin chuckled, "I'll go see what your brother-in-law is cooking!"
Saying that, he walked towards the kitchen. "Oh, the kitchen isn't tidy, just wait in the living room for the meal!" Zhang Yuehong said as she hurried after him.
In the kitchen, Zhang Haimin's eyes inadvertently fell on the tea box on the windowsill, and his eyelids twitched.
The tea box seemed familiar. It was the same tea they drank when attending a meeting at the security bureau. It was said that this tea cost tens of thousands per catty, something only people like Director Shen could afford.
"Brother-in-law, how's the business at the herbal garden?" Zhang Haimin couldn't help but inquire.
"The same as usual! Haha, it's just getting by!" Tang Dapeng replied casually.
Seeing Zhang Haimin looking at the tea box, Zhang Yuehong thought he was showing off cheap goods and laughed awkwardly, "The tea for making tea eggs is nothing special. Don't mind it, little brother."
With that, she put away the tea box and took out another one. "This is the good tea from Old Tang. Let me brew it for you!"
Zhang Haimin's mouth twitched. "Sis, tens of thousands of yuan per catty tea for making tea eggs, and three thousand yuan per catty tea for your little brother to drink. You're something else."
"Huh?" Zhang Yuehong's smile froze on her face. "Are you joking? Tens of thousands per catty for this tea?"
Seeing the teasing smile on Zhang Haimin's face, she knew she had misunderstood. She hastily opened the rice cooker.
As soon as she lifted the lid, the fragrance of tea filled the air. There were indeed seven or eight eggs in the pot.
"What a waste!" Zhang Haimin's mouth twitched with heartache.
Zhang Yuehong realized she was telling the truth and felt a mix of regret and embarrassment. Oh my God, tens of thousands of yuan tea was used to make tea eggs with half a pack left... What a foolish thing she had done!
Tang Dapeng was also shocked, unable to close his mouth.
"Wanli said it was a gift from a friend. I thought it was just ordinary goods," Zhang Yuehong said awkwardly with a black face.
Zhang Haimin chuckled, "Maybe I made a mistake. It's just as well we're out of tea at home. Any tea will do for me; I'm not picky!"
With that, he snatched the tea box and grabbed two tea eggs before leaving the kitchen.
Zhang Yuehong was dumbfounded. That was Da Hong Pao worth tens of thousands per catty. She really wanted it back.
Tang Dapeng frowned and lowered his voice, "Forget it, it's just as well we need his help! Consider it a thank-you gift. It's all because of that Zhang Zhili; he didn't explain clearly!"
"Zhili said it, who told you not to believe him! 66"
Zhang Zhili listened in the living room and found it amusing but couldn't be bothered to intervene.
Soon, the meal was ready, and the whole family sat down.
"Haimin, let me toast you. Among our relatives, you're doing well now. You're already a bureau chief at forty, and you'll still rise in the future!" Tang Dapeng raised his glass.
"Our Haimin is highly regarded by Director Shen at the security bureau now. I wouldn't be surprised if you're promoted further after the New Year," He Shuya said proudly.
"Congratulations on your promotion! Let's have another drink!" Tang Dapeng smiled.
Zhang Haimin was somewhat elated by the praise. "Well, being a bureau chief at the security bureau is more comfortable than being the village head. Although I'm just a deputy, I'm in charge of the day-to-day affairs!"
"All the big and small figures nearby have to give me some face," Zhang Zhili said proudly.
Zhang Zhili, lowering his head, focused only on eating. When Tang Yanran nudged him with her foot, gesturing for him to toast his uncle, Zhang Zhili raised his head, looked confused for a moment, and then showed a knowing expression. He picked up a spoonful of sweet and sour fish and put it into Tang Yanran's bowl, saying, "Dad's cooking is delicious. Try it!"
The two's actions made He Shuya burst into laughter.
Tang Yanran blushed with embarrassment, feeling utterly ashamed. Was Zhang Zhili's illness really cured? Was he dumb?
After a few rounds of drinking, Zhang Haimin, with alcohol on his breath, said, "Brother-in-law, you invited me to dinner; there must be something going on, right? Just tell me, I can't guarantee I'll be able to handle it, but if I can, I'll definitely help!"
"You can definitely handle this matter. At Yanran's uncle's birthday banquet the other day, Han Feihu owed a debt, and it escalated to a scene at the banquet."
"Zhili got into a fight to protect me. Now things are uncomfortable, and we want you to help smooth things over," Tang Dapeng explained in a few words.
Zhang Haimin burped and glanced at Zhang Zhili. "Brother-in-law, not to criticize you, but you need to manage your son-in-law. There are too many people we can't afford to provoke in this world nowadays!"
"Your family only runs a small business. If you get into trouble, you'll lose everything! Moreover, why did your son-in-law interfere when someone was collecting a debt from Han Feihu?" 66
Tang Dapeng was displeased, but he didn't show it. He smiled and said, "It was just a coincidence. That day, it seemed like someone called He Laosi and a few other lackeys!"
Hearing that it was just some small-time thugs, Zhang Haimin breathed a sigh of relief. "That's a small matter. Those thugs are like mice seeing a cat when they see me. But money will definitely be needed. Prepare fifty thousand, and I'll sort it out for you!"
"Fifty thousand?" Tang Dapeng gasped in shock. The Tang family did have some money, but fifty thousand wasn't a small sum.
"Brother-in-law, in this day and age, you need to spend money to get things done," Zhang Haimin grinned, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.
"I have a good relationship with my third sister, so I'm only taking your money. If it were someone else, I wouldn't even bother, let alone if they didn't pay!" Zhang Haimin spoke confidently, but inside, he sneered.
Want to get work done without paying? Who the hell do you think you are? You even boiled tea leaves worth tens of thousands into tea eggs. Fifty thousand for peace of mind is nothing compared to that!
Zhang Zhili had finished eating and wiped his mouth. "Uncle, my dad didn't explain clearly just now. Actually, I fought with Huang Wuye's little brother. Today, I also fought with Huang Wuye. Are you sure fifty thousand will be enough to settle it?"
The entire family's eyes turned to Zhang Zhili. His tone sounded like fifty thousand was quite cheap. Who is this guy? A spendthrift?