Tang Wan couldn't stand it anymore and got up to go for a massage. She asked Jiang Fan if he wanted to join her. Jiang Fan mumbled under his breath, worried that you might choose a male masseuse. Tang Wan sneered at him disdainfully. In the end, Tang Wan decisively chose a familiar female masseuse. But when Jiang Fan was about to find a young girl for himself, Tang Wan didn't give him a chance to speak.
"Find him an experienced one. His arm muscles might be strained."
Not long after, an uncle came in carrying a small box.
Then Tang Wan got up and said she was going to get a scraping massage. Jiang Fan seemed to be challenging her, saying she shouldn't go. And Tang Wan really didn't go.
Wearing the massage uniform, Jiang Fan lay on the bed and whispered,
"Did anyone ask about your gossip at work yesterday, seeing me pick you up in front of everyone?"
Tang Wan replied weakly,
"No one asked. They already knew I was married. Few people knew I was divorced. Naturally, they considered you my husband. It's also good like this. It saves me from some people who always boredly try to pair me up with Lin Xuan. It's so annoying. I feel that as long as Lin Xuan gets the support of the board of directors, he will come after me immediately. At that time, it might not be about ability anymore. If the board of directors wants to remove me, Old Tang alone can't protect me."
"Oh, let's go buy a phone later."
Jiang Fan was still obsessed with the phone. His mind was also on Tang Wan's words. The shares held by the Lin father and son seemed to exceed 40%. That was the combined holding of Lin Xuan's parents. Forty percent was enough to wield significant influence on the board of directors, because the only remaining major shareholder was Old Tang, and the rest were scattered shares.
Tang Wan firmly rejected Jiang Fan's suggestion of buying a phone. Jiang Fan didn't continue to nag. He frowned, thinking about the interests at stake he now knew about.
The richest people in the city were the Lin father and son, followed by Qian Ling, Old Tang, and then Li Dahai, whom Jiang Fan didn't know much about, along with some others Jiang Fan didn't know. They were the backbone of the city's wealthy.
Glorious and Joyful were arch-rivals. The relationship between their shareholders was very distant. Moreover, Liu Shengge was the biggest boss of Glorious. He wouldn't allow anyone from Glorious to help Tang Wan.
There was another guy.
Tu Xiao could be considered a relatively struggling rich businessman. However, both Glorious and Joyful corporations were hesitant to provoke this "black boss". This guy didn't have much money. He gave all his money to his subordinates, which is why he had so many loyal followers.
Tu Xiao had his own survival skills; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so stable for so many years.
Glorious and Joyful were like two wealthy merchants, while Tu Xiao was a butcher who sold pork.
The poor fear the rich, and the rich fear those who are reckless.
Jiang Fan found Tu Xiao very useful. He was the crucial figure to balance a company.
No one wants their wife and children to be watched and worried every day.
Thinking of this, Jiang Fan picked up his phone and dialed Guan Dagou's number. The call was answered immediately. Jiang Fan smiled,
"Brother Guan, it's a sunny day. How about coming out for a chat?"
Hearing Jiang Fan call Guan Dagou, Tang Wan instantly sat up, waved to the two masseuses to leave first, then got off the bed and squatted next to Jiang Fan's head to listen to their conversation.
Jiang Fan smiled and patted Tang Wan's head. Tang Wan pushed Jiang Fan's hand away. On the other end of the phone, Guan Junbiao sighed.
"Ah, Brother Jiang, my heart isn't sunny at all. The procedures that were originally prepared were suddenly blocked by a government agency. I'm like an ant on a hot pot now, my mouth is bubbling with anxiety."
Oh? This news surprised Jiang Fan. At the same time, it made him exclaim how lucky he was. He couldn't help but clench his fist, joy appearing on his face, pretending to be difficult.
"Brother Guan, your news doesn't make me sunny anymore. Tu Kun is my niece. If you breach the contract, you'll have to pay a lot of money in compensation. What about your boss? Can't he help?"
Guan Dagou didn't speak, nor did he hang up the phone. Listening to the sound of a lighter constantly coming from the other side, Jiang Fan smiled.
"Tang Wan and I are at the seaside sanatorium. Can you come and pick me up?"
"It would be my honor!"
Guan Dagou hung up the phone. Jiang Fan smiled and put down the phone. Just as he sat up, Tang Wan pounced over, kneeling opposite him, staring at him alertly, whispering through gritted teeth,
"How can you be so in sync with Guan Dagou? Who is he? Tu Xiao's biggest henchman. Who in our city isn't afraid of him? There are too many people who aren't afraid of Tu Xiao, but not many who aren't afraid of Guan Dagou. Why does he listen to you?"
Jiang Fan reached out and pinched Tang Wan's cheek, smiling gently,
"If I were here alone, he definitely wouldn't come to pick me up, but my precious Tang Wan is here."
Tang Wan slapped Jiang Fan's hand away and frowned,
"Who's your precious? Am I big? What does it matter whether I'm here or not to Guan Dagou? No way! I don't want you to contact him. Let's go home. You go to work."
Jiang Fan frowned and grabbed Tang Wan, who was about to get off the bed, slightly dissatisfied.
"Come back. Who's the one without a brain between us? Tell me why everyone is afraid of Tu Xiao, including Lin Xuan, but your family doesn't seem to care about him at all."
"Because my first and second uncles are both in government agencies... Hmm? Jiang Fan, do you want me to give Guan Dagou special treatment? I'm a businessman. I need reasons and benefits."
"To stabilize your position in the company, let's get ready. When Guan Dagou comes, let's go find Tu Xiao as a couple and save the money for lunch."
A couple?
Tang Wan didn't feel shy at all. They were already divorced. What couldn't be said?
Guan Dagou arrived in less than twenty minutes, jogging and bowing to Tang Wan, praising how much prettier and more elegant Deputy General Manager Tang was compared to the General Manager Su of Glorious, and how well she took care of Jiang Fan.
Guan Dagou had hit the nail on the head. Tang Wan loved being praised, and she didn't feel embarrassed at all.
After getting in the car, Jiang Fan handed Guan Junbiao a cigarette, which Guan Junbiao firmly refused. This Volvo had become Guan Junbiao's ride. He only used it to transport Tu Kun and nothing else. The ride back was very smooth.
Guan Junbiao had been thinking about something while driving. As they were about to arrive at Tu Xiao's company, Guan Dagou suddenly spoke up,
"Brother Jiang, should we deal with that..."
"Shut up."
Guan Dagou wanted to do something good for Tang Wan, but Jiang Fan didn't give him the chance.
Jiang Fan frowned at Guan Junbiao, who frowned and sighed in frustration. The government agency blocking Tu Xiao was within Jiang Fan's speculation, but he didn't expect it to really happen. Guan Dagou should also be helpless and was trying to curry favor with Tang Wan through Jiang Fan.
But Jiang Fan didn't want Tang Wan to know about this matter. With her temper, she would definitely go to Lin Xuan.
It wasn't that Jiang Fan was confident that Tang Wan would protect her; it was just that she would definitely do it.
The car stopped at the entrance of Tu Xiao's company. When Jiang Fan got off the car, Tang Wan didn't get off. She coldly looked at Guan Junbiao and said in a cold voice,
"Jiang Fan is hiding something from me. He definitely won't tell me. I can't do anything to him, but it doesn't mean I can't do anything to you. I can make sure your permit is never issued. Tell me! Who is messing with Jiang Fan?"
Guan Dagou looked at Jiang Fan with a dilemma. Jiang Fan got angry and kicked Guan Dagou's butt seven or eight times in succession, then turned and walked towards the company, saying as he walked,
"Guan Dagou, I can't deal with her. You figure it out yourself. Don't you know you've screwed me over again?"
Guan Dagou slapped his own face. Wasn't this being smart for nothing?
With a mournful face, he pleaded with Tang Wan,
"Tang Deputy General Manager, please don't ask. If this gets out, Jiang will definitely hold a grudge against me."
"Fine, I'll call my second uncle right now."
"No! Li Jinhai wants to take down my boss the most. I'll tell you! Lin Xuan offered me 400,000 to buy Jiang's legs and gave me a 100,000 deposit."
Tang Wan's face changed instantly, and Guan Dagou quickly explained when he saw this.
"No... I told Jiang about this a long time ago. I also gave the 100,000 to Jiang. I'm about to become sworn brothers with Jiang. I feel uncomfortable thinking about him framing Jiang, so I want to help Jiang get even."
Tang Wan's face turned ashen, and she said coldly,
"Why are you so good to Jiang Fan? What do you expect from him?"
Guan Junbiao shook his head slightly.
"I don't expect anything. I told Jiang this information because my young mistress asked me to apologize to him, which was during the time when we fought. I thought that since my young mistress calls Jiang her uncle, I couldn't harm him. Later, Jiang helped my boss transform and gave this Volvo to my young mistress. I am grateful!"
"Why did you and Jiang Fan fight?"
"Because Jiang heard me cursing you behind his back. He beat me up that day and left me lying in the alley. He asked me for ten yuan, saying he wanted to buy some cold noodles."
Tang Wan sat in the car, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. After a long time, she opened the car door and got out, gritting her teeth and cursing,
"He's just an idiot!"
She then looked at Guan Junbiao.
"Don't let me find out that you're using Jiang Fan. Guan Junbiao, let me tell you the truth. Li Jinhai is my second uncle, and he's only where he is today because of my first uncle's support. If I want to deal with you, it's very easy! Very easy! Now tell me, how many women have unclear relationships with Jiang Fan?"
"Grandmistress, I can only say that, excluding you, the East Palace Concubine, there's also a West Palace Concubine and two little concubines."
"Are you telling me a historical drama about the Forbidden City?"
"Grandmistress, please let me off. I really can't say more."
This was because Jiang Fan was standing at the door, holding a baseball bat and looking at Guan Dagou angrily.
Where did the East Palace Concubine and West Palace Concubine come from?
Tu Xiao looked at Jiang Fan with anger on his face and then at Guan Junbiao, who was standing at the door without entering. He chuckled.
"Kid's uncle, did Biao piss you off? I won't meddle in your brotherly affairs. I heard he can't beat you. Luckily, I have a small sparring arena here. Want to go and have some fun?"
Jiang Fan glared at the guilty-looking Guan Junbiao and angrily said,
"I'm not bothered by him. He just came up with this East and West Palace Concubine nonsense. What's going on? Has he been watching too many historical dramas about the Forbidden City?"
East and West Palace Concubine?
Tu Xiao looked at Tang Wan sitting beside Jiang Fan and immediately understood. Biao wasn't wrong. The honorable CEO Su treats Jiang Fan exceptionally well. This guy has some (romantic entanglements), no, it's more like (rose entanglements).
The two most beautiful women in the city are both ambiguous with him. It's no surprise if it gets complicated.
Tang Wan, sitting beside Jiang Fan, said angrily,
"If it weren't true, would he dare to say it? The East Palace Concubine is me, and the West Palace Concubine is Su Qing. I'm not curious about that, but I want to know who those two little concubines are. Yang Jin? Ji Jing? Qian Wan? Jiang Fan, you're quite something. Less than half a month after your divorce, you want me to go around catching your mistresses? Do you think I'm idle? I'll tell Mom everything when I go home for the New Year."
Oh!
Jiang Fan gritted his teeth and glared at Guan Junbiao, who turned around and left, saying he would prepare lunch.
He's definitely been watching too many historical dramas about the Forbidden City at home.
Jiang Fan was amused by the anger and chuckled bitterly at Tu Xiao,
"Tu Boss, I made a bad friend choice. Brothers should cover for each other, but this guy is good. I'm still fine, but he's already coming up with all sorts of things. Forget it! Someday, I'll let him buy me a drink. I heard your permit is stuck?"
Mentioning this, Tu Xiao nodded and frowned,
"After receiving the transfer from CEO Su on Saturday, I went to prepare. Everything was agreed upon, but suddenly it's stuck. This is very strange. Logically speaking, the airport land is a headache for government units, and they're also in a hurry. It's impossible for them to reject it just because it's me, Tu Xiao, doing the construction."
"Then you asked Guan Junbiao to give me a hundred thousand? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Jiang Fan ruthlessly exposed Tu Xiao's hypocrisy. Tu Xiao blushed, stood up, picked up the teapot, walked to Jiang Fan and Tang Wan, placed it on the table, covered his head with his hands, smiled bitterly, and sat down.
"Hey, I didn't want Biao to tell you at first. The first time you and Biao got drunk, and then something happened to you at the company the next day, so there was no opportunity. Kid's uncle, I know you're busy, so I thought I'd let Biao try harder. Who knew this good-for-nothing would actually tell you? Kid's uncle, I think someone is playing tricks here, and I have a good guess who it is."
Jiang Fan poured a cup of tea for Tang Wan and handed it to her after blowing on it. This girl's task is more important now. Let's forget about those little concubines first. After handing the cooled tea to Tang Wan, Jiang Fan probed,
"You mean Gao?"
"Gao?"
Tu Xiao frowned and asked in return, then understood who this Gao was and frowned, smiled bitterly, and shook his head.
"It's just a guess. If he's stalling me, it's the same as stalling Su Qing. No matter how it goes, it's very disadvantageous for Su Qing. But I don't think Gao Lvxing has this capability. I don't know how much backup he's brought. In short, I don't even know where my permit is stuck!"
Jiang Fan nodded, turned around, looked at Tang Wan, and gently said,
"Ask around. If this delays, Tu Kun will suffer too."
"I don't care. Tu Kun always competes with me. He calls you little uncle but calls me sister."
Jiang Fan really can't do anything about this bearish temper. Tu Xiao blinked and looked at Tang Wan, then stood up and roared at the staff outside the door,
"Are you all idle? Go to the school and bring that rebellious kid back for his old man. He's really spoiled! Discipline is a mess. Can we have no manners towards our elders? Kid's auntie, don't be angry. This kid lost his mother when he was young, and I, as his father, neglected his discipline. When he comes back, I'll let him kneel and apologize to you. Kid's uncle, don't stop him."
Tang Wan looked at Tu Xiao with delayed understanding, then mechanically turned her head to look at Jiang Fan and whispered,
"Is Tu Kun from a single-parent family?"
Jiang Fan didn't speak and pointed at Tu Xiao's bookshelf. Tang Wan saw the enlarged photo and took a deep breath, whispering,
"Tu Boss, I was just playing with Tu Kun. Last time when she went out for hot pot with Jiang Fan, she even knew to pack some for me. A few days ago, Li Er called me and said he wanted to recognize Tu Kun as his sister. Li Er calls me sister, and he calls Tu Kun sister, so it's not wrong to call me sister too. Don't scare the kid."
"Kid's auntie, don't persuade me. This kid only has me as a family member. If I don't discipline him, no one else can."
Tu Xiao's acting was not bad, and Tang Wan didn't persist. Less than half an hour later, Tu Kun came back bouncing. When she entered the office and saw her father coming towards her with a golf club, Tu Kun screamed in fear and ran to Tang Wan, hiding in her arms and shouting,
"Little Auntie, save me."
Oh? This change is quite fast. Tang Wan smiled instantly and hugged Tu Kun in her arms. Seeing this, Tu Xiao couldn't go forward and pointed at Tu Kun with the golf club, scolding,
"If I hear you being disrespectful to your uncle and auntie again, don't blame me as your father for disciplining you."
Tu Kun ignored Tu Xiao and whispered into Tang Wan's neck,
"Little Auntie, I heard that Little Uncle is being seduced by a fox spirit named Su Qing. You should be careful."
"Su fox? You also think she's a fox spirit, right?"
"Right. Little Uncle has poor taste. Little Auntie, who should only be an angel in heaven, he doesn't cherish, but instead likes a fox."
Upon hearing this, Tang Wan smiled brightly, while Jiang Fan sneered and muttered about the two being childish. Both girls stuck out their tongues and made faces at Jiang Fan. Tang Wan hugged Tu Kun and used her other hand to make a phone call. After hanging up, she immediately called Li Jinhe.
"Mom, Tu Xiao's permit is stuck. Jiang Fan said he'll help him get the permit. I just made a call, and they said mentioning anyone is useless."
"Don't speak. Give the phone to Xiaofan."
Tang Wan was so angry that she almost threw her phone. What kind of mother is this? She believes in Jiang Fan but not her? Tang Wan unhappily handed the phone to Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan took the phone and explained the situation. Li Jinhe's voice on the other end sounded unhappy and noisy, as if she was playing cards.
"Why are you mixing with Tu Xiao again? If you need money, just tell your dad. Why do you always worry so much? By the way! Your second uncle said you're going to his place for dinner in a few days? Keep in touch... Wait... Yao Ji? Jia Hu... I'm playing cards with your Aunt Yu now. Later, I'll let your Aunt Yu make a call. Fan, your head is better than Tang Wan's. I don't interact much with her uncles. You take care of her. What can happen after a divorce? Others don't know, right?"
"Don't know? Who wouldn't know after you say that?" Jiang Fan felt a slight headache and whispered.
"Hmm, Mom, I got it. That... Aunt Yu?"
"Hmm, she... Her original match was from the Urban Construction Bureau. Hey! Your mom here, I just serve a few officials' wives all day, always trying to send me money. Oh! Your Aunt Yu has finished her call. Let Tu Xiao prepare the procedures tomorrow to pick them up. Someone has intervened in your matter. That's it! If you call me when I'm playing cards again in the future, I'll hit you."
Jiang Fan quickly hung up the phone. Tang Wan heard everything clearly on the phone. Jiang Fan inwardly marveled at his mother-in-law's toughness and really wanted to thank these two elders. Their love for Jiang Fan was not less than that for Tang Wan.
It was even more.
The phone was returned to Tang Wan. Jiang Fan looked up at Tu Xiao with a frown and said,
"The matter is probably resolved, but you still need to be careful. I estimate that Gao Lvxing won't let Su Qing smoothly get this mall done. Keep an eye on it, and besides, I also have something to ask for your help today."
Tu Xiao smiled and waved his hand, saying,
"What's the difference between family and outsiders? If you help me, I won't be grateful to you. Don't keep me in the dark when you need me. Just tell me what it is. Eat and chat? Eat here, I'll cook. If we eat out, it depends on what your aunt and the child want to eat."
After Tu Xiao finished speaking, Tu Kun tugged at Tang Wan's sleeve and whispered,
"Don't let my dad cook. His cooking is too salty. Auntie... How about dog meat hot pot?"
Tang Wan touched Tu Kun's cheek and smiled,
"Your uncle doesn't eat dog meat! Jiang Fan, how about barbecue?"
"You decide."
"Seafood! Let's go!"
Jiang Fan's face changed instantly. Tang Wan was definitely not joking, and he felt a bit regretful.
Isn't it good to eat boxed meals?