CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 279: VISITING BROTHER XIN HUA

Besides feeling a bit stifled, Qiao Xingbang thought that listening to that damn girl’s words was actually pretty good. At least his Old Dou was becoming increasingly kind-hearted, and his allowance kept growing. There was even a time when Old Dou affectionately called him "Xingzai", which almost moved him to tears. You have to know that he hadn’t been called like that by his Old Dou since he was seven!

Sisi sneered with scorn: Dumber than a pig. Previously, Qiao Zhenbang always made you the front man to play the villain, no wonder your Old Dou was pissed!

The brotherly and sisterly love between Sisi and Qiao Xingbang was growing stronger, which made Boss Qiao and Mu Xiulan more and more gratified, and at the same time, made Qiao Zhenbang increasingly depressed.

Sure enough, Boss Qiao invested in a movie company. However, he didn’t start a new company but took over He Chunfeng’s Ming Guang Company. In fact, it wasn’t exactly an acquisition. After He Chunfeng heard a hint of Sisi’s intentions, he actively approached Brother Li, wanting to sell his movie company to Boss Qiao.

He Chunfeng was a genius director but not a good businessman. Plus, he didn’t have the time to manage the company. Thus, after just one year, he was already at his wit’s end. Now that Boss Qiao wanted to open a movie company, it occurred to him to sell it to Boss Qiao, and he could just focus on making movies.

The most important thing was that He Chunfeng didn’t make movies for the money; he did it for the dream. Therefore, whether he ran a company or not really wasn’t important to him. What mattered most was being able to focus wholeheartedly on filmmaking without anyone disturbing him. Boss Qiao just happened to be able to meet this requirement.

Of course, Boss Qiao had no objections; he didn’t shortchange He Chunfeng either, leaving him with 10% of the shares. He also gave He Chunfeng tremendous authority over the film decisions, which made He Chunfeng extremely satisfied and even more respectful towards Boss Qiao.

Boss Qiao: I don’t understand that film stuff, I just care whether it can make money or not.

What surprised Sisi was that Boss Qiao actually allocated 10% of the shares to her as well, saying it was for her dowry. This was quite a substantial amount—after all, Boss Qiao himself only had 45%, and the remaining 35% was distributed by Boss Qiao to the gang’s leaders, to everyone’s delight.

Sisi didn’t want this hot potato. If she really took this 10%, Qiao Zhenbang would surely loathe her to death.

Qiao Zhenbang, heartbroken: ... so painful, those are all mine, all mine, what right does a Mainland Girl like you have to take them?

But Boss Qiao has always been a man of his word, never taking back what he’s given. So Sisi had no choice but to accept it. However, seeing Qiao Zhenbang’s gloomy face, she couldn’t help but feel elated inside.

Qiao Xingbang, on the other hand, didn’t have much of a reaction. He wasn’t one to value money highly (Qiao Xingbang: I consider wealth like dung), as long as Old Dou didn’t cut his allowance each month, that was fine by him. Shares and such were of less value to him than a cigarette.

The enjoyable summer vacation came to an end. Qiao Zhenbang and Qiao Xingbang returned to the United States first. As they left, Sisi smiled sweetly and waved at Qiao Xingbang, who made a cutting sound and rolled his eyes to the sky. His feelings towards Sisi were not as resistant as before, especially since this cheap sister had given him a designer watch yesterday. With this watch, he was confident he could impress the school beauty when the new term started.

Sisi was also about to return to the Mainland. Before leaving, she specifically reminded Mu Xiulan to be cautious around Qiao Zhenbang and shared with her the incident that had happened at the horse farm.

"Mama, that Qiao Zhenbang is very scheming and has a good façade. You have to be careful in the future; you can’t trust a word he says."

Mu Xiulan already had some understanding of Qiao Zhenbang. However, she hadn’t expected that Qiao Zhenbang would intend to harm his own sister. What an ungrateful creature. Mu Xiulan made up her mind to whisper more into her husband’s ear so that he would favor their younger son more. As for the elder son, he can just buzz off.

"Mm, Ah Nan, rest assured, Mama understands. Just watch how Mama will avenge you!"

Mu Xiulan’s means of revenge were unknown to Sisi, who had already boarded the train bound for Beijing, while Qiao Zhenbang in the United States sadly discovered that his allowance had shrunk to a third of its original size. His father further called to suggest he start working part-time and studying.

"Zhenbang, isn’t it popular to work part-time while studying in the United States? I think it’s quite good. You can give it a try. Starting next month, I won’t be sending living expenses over anymore. Old Dou believes you can certainly do it!"

Holding the receiver, Qiao Zhenbang felt like crying but had no tears. Where was he supposed to earn money? Was his father trying to starve him?

How could he socialize without money? How to pick up girls? How to live in style?

Old Dou, what wires got crossed in your brain?

Of course, Boss Qiao’s wires hadn’t gotten crossed at all because lately, Mu Xiulan had been looking at him with eyes full of admiration, melting his heart and often saying things like:

"Husband, I really think you’re amazing. You entered the Jianghu at sixteen and became a Boss at eighteen. Husband, you are so impressive!"

"Husband, the young people these days really can’t compare to you. People in their twenties still rely on their parents, truly lacking in ambition. How can such people inherit the family business?"

"Husband, I believe that young people need to endure hardship in order to stand out among others. Look at yourself, you are the perfect example!"

......

Boss Qiao strongly agreed, thus Qiao Zhenbang in the United States was tragically tasked with the saying "one must endure the bitterest of the bitter to become a person among people."

As for Qiao Xingbang, because of a single comment from Mu Xiulan – "Xingbang is still young, he can endure hardship later!" – he had narrowly avoided the ordeal, much to his relief!

During the summer vacation, Tian Xinhua was not in Beijing. He had been sent to Hebei by Mr. Yun, tasked with surveying the public mood and incidentally making some money to bring back. Tian Xinhua did not go alone; he took Ma Xiaoming with him, who had now become his capable assistant.

He Chengsi, as usual, went for military training, joined by Kang Mianhua. The two of them had become inseparable friends, akin to Jiao not leaving Meng and Meng not leaving Jiao. Of course, it was Kang Mianhua who kept sticking to him, but He Chengsi didn’t reject her either.

Sigh, children grow up. Sisi felt somewhat bittersweet. She had always treated He Chengsi like a little child, but now the child she had watched growing up had spread his wings and taken flight, leaving her feeling somewhat lost.

September in Beijing was still somewhat hot. The glaring sun made people dizzy. Sisi, carrying a suitcase, walked out of the departure gate in a white dress and white sneakers, a beautiful girl fresh and cool, bringing a breath of fresh air to the hot station, a sight for sore eyes.

"Ah Nan!" Already waiting outside, Tian Xinhua happily went up to greet her, taking the suitcase from Sisi’s hand.

The 18-year-old Tian Xinhua had completely grown into a man, with a height of six feet, having shed all his former immaturity, exuding the aura of a mature man, especially with his thin lips curled in a half-smile, naughtily!

Sisi was also attracted to this version of Tian Xinhua. Unconsciously, had that boy from back then matured so much? And he was damn sexy to boot!