Every year, June 7th and 8th are undoubtedly the most nerve-wracking days for high school seniors and their parents. Even though Ye Qiu and Chen Wen, the couple, have accumulated billions in wealth and told themselves that it wouldn't matter if their daughter did poorly on the test, when the day actually arrived, they couldn't help feeling anxious.
Ye Manman herself, on the other hand, seemed confident, her demeanor calm and composed as she methodically organized her ID card, admission ticket, and other necessary examination materials.
Ye Qiu looked at his daughter who stood tall and graceful, and he couldn't help but see her as the three-year-old girl clinging to his leg and acting coy. In the blink of an eye, his child had grown up.
The daughter perfectly inherited both her parents' good features: thick eyebrows, big eyes, a high and refined nose, fair skin, an oval face, and a tall figure, truly a classic beauty. At that moment, she had her hair in a high ponytail, wore a white dress from her mother's company's new teenage brand, and paired it with white shoes, looking even more outstanding than the stars on TV.
Although he and his wife were well-known successful entrepreneurs, they had always kept their daughter from appearing in front of cameras. They initially wanted to send her abroad for studies, but Manman insisted on participating in the domestic college entrance exam, thinking that top colleges in the country also rank high globally, so they didn't force her.
Moreover, even if she didn't do well, it didn't matter; a real estate empire and a fashion empire were waiting for her to inherit!
"Dad, Mom, don't worry. My teacher said that as long as I perform normally, getting into Qing University and Jing University wouldn't be a problem." Ye Manman gave each of her parents a hug. "You just wait at home; the exam center isn't far. Ah Heng and I will go there together."
Ah Heng again, always Ah Heng, so affectionately called! Ye Qiu admitted he was jealous, but since the two families had already decided to arrange the engagement after the college entrance exam, he had no reason to stop it.
"Hello, uncle and aunt!" Ling Heng gently knocked on the door and walked in.
Now eighteen, he was slightly taller than Ye Qiu, about 185 cm, with sharp facial contours just like his father Ling Zhiyuan. He was polite to everyone but always kept a distance, only showing a softer expression when facing Ye Manman.
Two years earlier, Ling Zhiyuan had moved from the provincial capital to Jing City, leaving only Ling Heng living next door. He usually had meals at the Ye's, very familiar with Ye Qiu and Chen Wen, already accustomed to his future mother-in-law's warmth and future father-in-law's cold looks.
"Dad, Mom, we'll head off first." Ye Manman naturally passed her backpack for Ling Heng to carry, and left the house cheerfully.
Ling Heng slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, forcefully restraining himself from holding his little girlfriend's hand in front of his future father-in-law, as it would only backfire on him. He turned around and left Ye Qiu with a cold back.
"A grown child will not always be under the parent's control!" Ye Qiu sighed deeply, appearing very dejected.
"Alright, stop pretending." Chen Wen playfully slapped her husband on the back. "I think the kid Ling Heng is great. Good family background, we know his parents, they are all reasonable people. He's hardworking himself and is wholeheartedly devoted to your daughter. I will feel very relieved to entrust Manman to him in the future."
"Isn't it a bit hasty? Our daughter hasn't even turned eighteen yet in a little over a month. It would be too much of a favor to this boy." Ye Qiu begrudged, blaming himself for agreeing so quickly when his father persuaded him!
"Come on, it's just a matter of time. If you keep dragging your feet, our daughter will become impatient with you. Would you be able to bear that?" Chen Wen gave him a glance, knowing well that he was actually very pleased with Ling Heng internally. If it weren't for his true satisfaction, how could he agree just after being asked twice by Ling Zhiyuan and his wife, and even considering Ling Heng as a successor? Deep down, he was really satisfied with the boy, but he just wouldn't admit it.
"In my whole life, I only have this one precious daughter, how could I bear for her to be unhappy." That was also precisely why he recognized Ling Heng's capability but had always shown him a displeased face, feeling his daughter was still so young and already tricked by this cheeky boy.
"Let's go, we're free today anyway, let's visit the company," Chen Wen said, grabbing her bag and changing her shoes at the door.
Now, Chen Wen's clothing company is a major taxpayer in the provincial city, with dozens of well-known fashion brands under its umbrella, not to mention the later development of bags, leather shoes, watches, perfumes, etc., forming a complete fashion industry chain that is as internationally sought-after as those of Italy and Star Country.
Besides the annual new product launch and fashion shows, Chen Wen also invites international supermodels, fashionistas, acting award winners, and socialites to attend her fashion charity gala. Each year, those invited take pride in receiving an invitation to what is dubbed the Eastern Fashion Oscars.
Chen Wen is also acclaimed internationally as the godmother of Eastern fashion.
When she heard this title given by the outside world, others thought it was just fitting, but she herself laughed for a long while. Who could have imagined that fifteen years ago, she was just a villager dressed in plain shirts and gray trousers, feeding pigs?
Time really flies. She is very grateful to her husband for not confining her to managing household and raising children, but instead, greatly supporting her own career. Compared to her, her husband actually spent more time managing matters at home.
In this regard, her husband has also created several times more wealth than her.
Sometimes she really feels that her husband is a genius, easily solving all kinds of troubles with family and work, just like a god.
She feels incredibly fortunate to have met him in this life. Because of him, her family is happy and her career is successful, with no worries or distress. Even though she is now in her forties, she still looks as young as she did in her thirties.
In contrast, her younger sister-in-law, who is two years younger, and Ye Xiaomei, nearly ten years younger, look much older than her. This is the difference between having a caring husband and not.
Meanwhile, in a northern district of the city, Liu Ping is worried about the living expenses for the next month.
Her son just called to ask her for twenty thousand yuan. Over the years, although her husband is just a security team leader, thanks to his elder brother's connections, his monthly salary is twenty-five thousand, which is several times more than an average white-collar worker.
But her son's expenditures are huge, requiring at least ten thousand a month for living expenses alone, frequently finding various reasons to ask for more money. If not given, the son throws tantrums, claiming his friends look down on him.
She knows a few of her son's friends, all rich second generation who will inherit their family businesses. Fearing that her son might lose face and thus lose these important connections if he doesn't have money, she is caught in a dilemma.
But with her husband's salary only being so much, and the need to have money for living expenses and his cigarettes and alcohol, there is hardly any leftover money. After so many years in the city, she has been extremely frugal, even afraid to buy a slightly expensive piece of clothing. Yet, her husband and son often criticize her for not managing the household well and for being not presentable enough to bring outside.
But could all this be blamed on her? If only her husband were as capable as his elder brother, she too, like her elder sister-in-law, would have a maid to serve her daily, use expensive cosmetics, and leave the house looking young and dressed brightly.
It all comes down to her husband's incompetence. If only she had married the elder brother instead!