"Mother, you all have a seat first." Ye Qiu poured a glass of water for everyone. Without Granny Ye, these people would be easy to handle. He didn't care much about brotherly affection, but his wife was now a well-known figure in the provincial city. It wouldn't look good if things got stirred up.
After all, at Granny Ye's age, aside from her darling grandson, she couldn't care less about anyone else.
Ye Qiu chuckled lightly, "Since everyone's here, let's put the past behind us. Xiao Yu is about to start middle school, too. Here's what we'll do: Mother, you live here in peace. For Xiao Yu, I'll find him a good school. As for my younger brother..."
"Elder brother, your own brother is definitely more reliable than outsiders. Look, how about letting him manage the accounts at your company?" Liu Ping couldn't wait to speak up before Ye Qiu even finished, her eyes lighting up as if the money was already in her pocket.
"Family is always better than outsiders; you can rest assured. Your younger brother is educated, good with abacus, and will keep a sharp eye on the outsiders for you, not letting them squander a penny."
Ye Qiu glanced at Ye Xiu, looking somewhat ashamed by what his wife had said, stammering without really saying anything.
Ashamed? Ye Qiu scoffed inwardly. Ye Xiu hadn't even finished elementary school and couldn't do basic multiplication, yet he wanted to manage accounts at his wife's company? Wishful thinking!
"The accountants hired by Chen Wen's company are all professionals, university graduates, with two even having studied abroad!" Ye Qiu mentioned casually, a comment that hit Ye Xiu hard.
Mumbling, with a simple smile, Ye Xiu said, "Elder brother, don't listen to your sister-in-law's nonsense. I don't understand that stuff. Just arrange whatever you think I'm suited for, anything will do."
Ye Qiu stared at him intently and then smiled with a teasing tone, "Second brother, look at you, always letting your sister-in-law make decisions. If you became a leader, you'd still be unable to make decisions on your own."
Ye Xiu and Liu Ping's hearts sank when they heard him, but then Ye Qiu continued, "How about this, I'll first arrange for you to work at a friend's construction company, be the security team leader. Gradually you'll learn how to manage people. We can make further arrangements later. Take the time to learn how to drive as well."
Of course, this so-called friend's construction company was actually his, a subsidiary, and only a few people knew that.
Though the position did not meet the couple's expectations, Ye Qiu's veiled promises undoubtedly put their minds at ease, and the arrangement for Ye Xiu to learn driving – could it mean that elder brother might also buy them a car in the future?
Despite resenting his wife for continuously oppressing him and preventing him from becoming a big leader, Ye Xiu felt confident in his ability to be a team leader.
And so, Ye Xiu's employment was settled. Granny Ye couldn't find fault with it, and actually greatly appreciated the elder son's sensibility.
"As for my younger sister-in-law, I won't be arranging any work for her."
"Why am I not getting a job arrangement? Elder brother, do you and elder sister-in-law still hold a grudge because I was foolish in the past!" Liu Ping became anxious. She came to the city to dress lavishly like the elder sister-in-law and live a life of comfort. If she wasn't going to be a leader, how could she flaunt her status in front of the villagers?
As Ye Xiu and Granny Ye also began to furrow their brows, Ye Qiu spoke slowly, "I've said before, let's not dwell on the past. Your sister-in-law and I have no intention to trouble you, but now that second brother is working and Xiao Yu is going to school, you can't possibly expect Mother at her age to still take care of a family of three, right?"
Granny Ye felt very pleased by these words. Exactly, her eldest son was successful now; she came to the city to enjoy life, not to be troubled! Granny Ye glared at her daughter-in-law, thinking her so ungrateful!
"I've also decided on Xiao Yu's school—an elite school in the provincial city. It's pricey, but the teachers are excellent, and the richest and most powerful families send their children there!"
Looking at the few, blooming with happiness, Ye Qiu sneered internally. The school was indeed good; if they studied hard and built good relationships, it would only benefit their future.
But for their domineering son?
Ye Qiu watched Ye Yu, who had been running around crazily since entering the door, wondering if this behavior could foster good relations with the children of the city's elite. It would be a blessing if he didn't offend anyone.
"Really?" Hearing that it was the best school in the provincial capital, and even an aristocratic school where children of the rich and powerful attended, the three of them immediately became overjoyed, feeling that their uncle was indeed valuing the family's only offspring.
"I'm not lying to you. As for the school selection fee, I reckon my second brother can't pay it for now, so as his uncle, I'll consider it an investment in my nephew. You don't need to worry about it." Hearing this, Granny Ye became even more satisfied, feeling as if the obedient eldest son she knew had returned.
As for Liu Ping, there was no need to say more. The fact that she didn't have to worry about her son's educational expenses, and presuming the salary her husband would get from his elder brother wouldn't be small, she would soon become a wealthy lady of the city.
However...
"Big brother, about this house..."
With just a glance, Ye Qiu knew that Liu Ping had her sights set on his house again.
The house had a great environment and layout, and he had personally overseen the decoration. The home décor was also quite valuable, and it was one of the rare elevator-equipped buildings in the provincial capital, so it was no wonder she was so attached to it.
"It's not that I'm stingy as your big brother, but this house really isn't suitable for you. The place where my second brother works and where Xiao Yu goes to school are both in the north of the city, which is a bit far from here. Moreover, with our mother's age, it would be inconvenient for her to go up and down the stairs in case of a power outage."
Granny Ye nodded vigorously in agreement, very satisfied with her eldest son's thoughtfulness, and internally reprimanded Liu Ping for her greed.
"I'll definitely get your house in the north of the city sorted out in the next couple of days. It will surely be bigger than this place. You'll just stay here temporarily for a few days."
Hearing this, Liu Ping, no matter how unwilling to leave this place, had no say in the matter.
After entertaining the few visitors for half a day, and with the sky turning dark, Chen Wen called. The company matters were largely settled, and she was on her way over with her daughter Manman to pick up Old Lady and Ye Yu's family to go out for dinner.
In order not to appear stingy to Old Lady and her sister-in-law, Chen Wen deliberately chose a restaurant that looked opulent and glittering.
Before even entering, a series of jokes had already begun.
Old Lady managed to keep her composure, and Liu Ping, regardless of her son running around everywhere, marveled at the revolving glass door, exclaiming: "My goodness, this must be where the Emperor dines!"
Hearing the mocking snickers from those around, Ye Xiu's face turned red with embarrassment, and he glared at Liu Ping angrily: "Shut up, you foolish woman, so uncultured!"
Ever since arriving in the city, Ye Xiu felt dissatisfied with his wife on many fronts, not just because she lost a significant employment opportunity, but also because she was constantly embarrassing him.
It's just a hotel; once he takes his brother's position, he will also be able to stay composed as if he were one of those imposing old masters on television.
Liu Ping, stunned by her husband's shout, immediately became furious. Ever since giving birth to their son, all these years, when had he ever spoken harshly to her? She was always the one being listened to at home.
However, glancing at the angry eyes of her husband and mother-in-law, and remembering her elder brother's daytime remark about her husband lacking decisiveness to hold a significant leadership position, she somehow managed to swallow the retort that had come to her lips.
It wasn't until they entered the private room and were away from the stares of outsiders that the emotions of the group slowly calmed down.