C17 The 17th Chapter Was Hopeless.

"Hmph, don't think I haven't given you a chance," Wang He said with a newfound calm, "Junwen's in his twenties now; it's high time he had a real job. He just hasn't found the right fit yet. Just slot him into a similar role at Tang's Group, and we'll consider the matter settled."

Anger? What was there to be angry about?

He actually felt a twinge of satisfaction when he heard about Wang Junwen's mishap.

He simply chose not to express it.

Wang Junwen, barely containing his excitement, chimed in, "I won't settle for just any job. It has to be a high-ranking one, something with a bit of authority."

Tang Xueqi appeared uneasy. "This..."

If Wang Junwen truly had any skills, she would be scrambling to recruit him, not dealing with Wang He's demands.

But what skills could Wang Junwen possibly have? He spent his days loafing around with thugs, causing trouble. What good would he do at Tang's Group?

Wang He's face soured at her hesitation.

Wang Yulan quickly interjected, "Come on, Xueqi, find a position for Junwen. We're family after all. I bet Junwen could really make a difference at your company."

She gave Tang Xueqi a meaningful look.

If they didn't resolve this now, how could she face her family later?

Tang Xueqi let out a resigned smile. "Fine, a department manager is about to leave the company..."

"Department manager?" Wang He's expression darkened. "Xueqi, I'm your uncle, and Junwen's your cousin. You think a department manager is enough after all this?"

Tang Xueqi was taken aback.

Wang Junwen, feigning distress, clutched his arm. "Dad, my arm hurts."

"See what I mean..."

"Okay, okay," Wang Yulan interjected. "Xueqi, let's find another position."

"But..."

Before Tang Xueqi could finish, Wang He stood up with a bang on the table.

Luo Yun cast a glance their way.

But before Wang He could blow up, Tang Xueqi quickly offered a solution, "Fine, we'll change it. Uncle, please, no more anger. We'll switch it up. The finance director position is open; Junwen can take that."

Finance director? Wang He nearly burst into laughter, his demeanor instantly softening. "Alright, Xueqi, I'm not trying to be difficult. The fault does lie with you after all."

"Finance director?" Luo Yun quirked an eyebrow.

The mood shifted uncomfortably. Tang Xueqi urged, "Luo Yun, enough."

She turned to Wang He and his son, "Finance director it is. Cousin, come by the company tomorrow."

"Sure," Wang Junwen said, barely hiding his delight.

Tang Xueqi sighed, glancing at Luo Yun. What was he implying?

She knew all too well. Luo Yun was far from a good fit for finance director.

The role was crucial; it could make or break the company's operations.

Yet, the only vacancy was that of the finance director, and creating a spot for Wang Junwen by dismissing another executive could spell disaster if word got out.

"Alright, that settles it," Wang He declared, rising to his feet. "It's not worth making a fuss over. We're family, after all."

"Yes, yes," Wang Yulan responded quickly.

"We won't stay any longer. Junwen, say goodbye to your aunt; we're heading back," Wang He said with a smile.

"Aunt, cousin, we'll be leaving now," Wang Junwen said as he stood up, his demeanor polite and respectful.

He cast a smug glance at Luo Yun and added, "And brother-in-law, even though you've made a mistake this time, I won't stoop to your level. We're family, after all."

Wang Yulan gave Luo Yun a nudge in the waist.

Luo Yun, taken aback, uttered, "Hmm?"

"She was speaking to you!" Wang Yulan said through clenched teeth.

Wang Junwen's face grew stormy.

"Was that directed at me?" Luo Yun asked.

With a huff of anger, Wang He retorted, "Junwen, let's go. Don't bother with someone like him."

"Hey, brother, take care!" Wang Yulan quickly got up to see them out, unconcerned this time about Wang He's reaction.

It was Luo Yun's problem, not hers.

Luo Yun noticed Tang Xueqi's displeased look and shrugged. "I honestly didn't realize he was talking to me."

Tang Xueqi let out a sigh and walked upstairs with the documents in hand.

Shortly after, Wang Yulan returned from outside, still grumbling, "Such bad luck! Look at the mess you've made!"

Luo Yun gave her a sidelong glance.

"You hit me before, and now my nephew. What do you want, Luo Yun? Are you satisfied only when our Tang family is ruined?" Wang Yulan fumed.

"It was your own doing," he retorted.

"You..."

Wang Yulan's anger was interrupted by a knock at the door. She stood up with a dark expression and said, "I'll deal with you later."

She went to answer the door.

"Excuse me, is Mr. Luo here?"

"What do you want?"

Wang Yulan eyed the young man at the door with a scowl, her mood souring further when she realized he was looking for Luo Yun.

The young man nervously handed her a card, unsure of his mistake. "This is for Mr. Luo. The PIN is six zeros. It contains all of Zhang Peng and his wife's assets..."

Money?

Wang Yulan snatched the card, saying, "Just give it to me. I'm his mother-in-law."

"Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

"Go ahead."

Wang Yulan shut the door with a smile, quickly tucking the bank card away.

Luo Yun glanced over once more.

"What are you looking at? Consider this money as compensation for hitting my nephew. It's not like you'd be safe with it anyway," Wang Yulan huffed.

Luo Yun was indifferent; such a sum meant little to him.

With the money in hand, Wang Yulan ceased her complaints.

...

That night, Luo Yun was asleep in his room when a "click" woke him. He opened his eyes, puzzled, and looked at the wall.

Though married to Tang Xueqi, they had always slept separately; his bed was in the adjacent study.

He rose and went to the study, where he found Tang Xueqi asleep at the desk, a pen on the floor beside her.

Why was she asleep here?

Luo Yun approached, surprised to see a small clock on the desk showing it was already three in the morning.

He scooped up the pen from the floor and set it on the desk before lifting Tang Xueqi, intent on taking her back to her room. It was then he noticed she was sprawled across a document.

"Tiansheng Group?"

Luo Yun gave it a cursory glance. It appeared that Tang's Group was gearing up to bid in a tender hosted by the Tiansheng Group.

Tang Xueqi, cradled in his arms, seemed to stir, her eyes fluttering open in a daze. Recognizing Luo Yun, she tilted her head and snuggled closer, drifting back to sleep.

Luo Yun could tell she was genuinely exhausted.

Without giving the contract another look, he carried Tang Xueqi to her room, then made his way back to his own to catch some more sleep.

Come morning, Luo Yun stepped out of his room only to see Tang Xueqi emerging from hers.

She massaged her neck, casting a slightly confused glance his way.

"Stiff neck?" Luo Yun inquired.

"No, just a bit sore," Tang Xueqi replied, shaking her head. "About last night... thank you."

Luo Yun simply nodded in response.