Chapter 22: A Family on the Brink

Xu Zhiquan shook his head helplessly, his expression one of a spectator waiting for the show to begin.

Xu Chen was quite pleased with his father’s reaction.

This was perfect.

So his father wasn’t some naive pushover after all!

Unaware of his son’s thoughts, Xu Zhiquan lowered his gaze to the ¥60,000 on the table and said,

“Son, you really made Third Brother open his wallet today!”

Xu Chen smiled.

“He owed you far more back then. This is chump change!”

Xu Zhiquan sighed, as if recalling memories he’d rather forget.

Xu Chen spoke up again,

“Dad, keep this ¥60,000. Someone’s bound to drop out tomorrow—consider it a bonus for them.”

Xu Zhiquan paused. “No, I can’t take it. I’ve been holding onto every yuan of that money. This ¥60,000 is your earnings. Your old man can’t accept it!”

Xu Chen countered, “Dad, your sapling business is just getting started. You need every penny. Spend it however you like!”

He added, “Besides, you already give me plenty of pocket money each month—I can’t even spend it all.”

“If you really feel bad taking it, think of it as a loan or my investment in your business!”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled twice.

“What are you talking about? Everything your old man owns will be yours someday.”

“I’ve already drawn up my will. If anything happens to me, it all goes to you. No one can contest it!”

Xu Chen shook his head. “Dad, you’re not allowed to say that again!”

…

…

The next morning.

Xu Chen was about to get up and wash when a knock came at his door.

A woman’s voice called from outside,

“Xiao Chen, are you up? Aunt Lan made breakfast for you!”

Xu Chen frowned and muttered,

“How did I forget about her…”

Aunt Lan was the factory’s accountant.

She also secretly held the role of Xu Zhiquan’s girlfriend.

Though their relationship wasn’t openly acknowledged, everyone suspected it.

Xu Chen’s mother had passed away years ago, and his father buried himself in work ever since.

About two years ago, Aunt Lan had been introduced to manage the factory’s finances.

She was a widow in her middle years with no children.

She appeared gentle, competent, well-educated—a perfect partner by all appearances.

But Xu Chen, having returned from another life, knew she was far more complicated.

In his previous life, after the factory went under, Aunt Lan revealed her true colors and deserted his father.

When he went to settle debts and audit the books, he found glaring discrepancies.

Though the sums weren’t huge, someone had been skimming funds.

The culprit was the accountant—Aunt Lan herself.

But at the time, his father was overwhelmed by bankruptcy and powerless to pursue her…

Aunt Lan was a ticking time bomb for the family.

If his father’s business thrived again, who knew what schemes she might hatch? He’d have to find a way to deal with her.

Lost in thought, Xu Chen opened the door wearing a wide smile.

“Aunt Lan!” he called out, feigning innocence.

Aunt Lan appeared holding a tray, her face lit with practiced warmth.

Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she wore a deep-red suit—graceful and refined.

In a small town, she stood out as a striking woman.

Xu Chen took the tray. On it were a fried egg pancake and a cup of hot soy milk.

“Thank you, Aunt Lan!”

“Your eldest uncle and aunt just arrived too. Your father said to finish breakfast and come downstairs.”

“Got it!”

After watching Aunt Lan head downstairs with a smile, Xu Chen returned to his room.

He ate a few bites, quickly washed up, changed clothes, and went downstairs.

In the living room, the big table was already surrounded by family.

“Xiao Chen is down!”

“You’ve grown so much in just a month!”

“Your college entrance exam is coming up—finally we’ll have a university student in the Xu family!”

…

Amid the chatter, Xu Chen politely greeted each relative.

The guests were the three families who partnered with his father in the factory.

His eldest uncle and cousin.

His fourth uncle and aunt.

His paternal aunt and her husband.

They treated Xu Chen warmly purely because he was Xu Zhiquan’s son.

Without Xu Zhiquan’s factory, they’d all still be farming back home.

Aunt Lan served tea and passed around cigarettes.

Soon Xu Zhiquan emerged from the inner room, his potbelly prominent.

Yet worry creased his face.

When he appeared, everyone except his eldest brother jumped to their feet. Xu Zhiquan smiled and gestured for them to sit.

He was the second brother in the family. Though he went into business with his eldest brother, that older sibling still held a big-brother’s pride.

They made small talk while Xu Chen sat quietly in a corner, sipping tea and listening.

After a while, Xu Zhiquan got to the point.

“I called you all here for an important matter.”

At his words, the room fell silent.

“I know you’ve all been following the Bright Machinery Factory bid. The results are in.”

“I won’t sugarcoat it— we lost the contract.”

When Xu Zhiquan finished, the eldest uncle, fourth uncle, and paternal aunt’s family looked stunned.

“What?!”

“Brother, don’t scare us like that…”

“How did we lose? Didn’t they say we were about to sign the deal?”

“Yes, and Boss Huang’s backing was solid. This bid was supposed to be a sure thing!”

…

The Bright Machinery Factory bid was hugely important to everyone.

A win would elevate the Xu family business and boost their monthly earnings further.

Now, hearing they’d lost, no one could accept it.

Some grumbled in frustration.

Xu Zhiquan waved them down, halting their complaints.

“That’s the outcome. Whether good or bad, it’s done and over with.”

“Second Uncle, what exactly happened?”

The question came from his eldest brother’s son—Xu Chen’s cousin.

Xu Zhiquan replied,

“It’s complicated and involves Boss Huang’s side. I heard the factory is still open for bids, but we can’t participate anymore.”

His words sparked another round of sighs and complaints.

Xu Zhiquan lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and waited for them to absorb the news.

Aunt Lan, aghast, held the teapot but forgot to refill his cup.

Xu Zhiquan set the empty cup down, cleared his throat, and the room settled—though the air still crackled with dismay.

“I won’t hide it: business is getting tougher.”

“With the machinery contract gone, the factory can’t sustain itself.”

“So I’m considering shutting it down.”

Xu Zhiquan’s announcement deepened the shock on everyone’s faces.

“What?! Brother, you can’t do that!”

“Yes, how can you just close it?”

“We all rely on the factory for our livelihoods! What will we do if it shuts down?!”