Before coming, Wang Xueru had already given Yang Hao a heads-up. She said that her aunt has a rather loose tongue, which was clearly a euphemism.
From what Yang Hao observed after entering the private room, the other party genuinely enjoyed putting some people down while praising others, constantly showering praise on Wang Jingru and Sun Jixing who had returned from Capital City.
The same went for an executive from Jiangcheng Shipbuilding Group, a former colleague of Wang Changda.
There are many such people in society; almost everyone has similar relatives, and for veteran food and beverage man Yang Hao, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
“Inviting Yang over is just to have a meal, what’s the need for gifts!”
Birthday boy Old Wang Changda tried to smooth things over before shooting a glare at his sister, who had stirred up the trouble.
Sun Jixing was an official son-in-law, whereas Yang Hao was only the younger daughter’s boyfriend. Comparing the two was fundamentally unfair.
Moreover, they hadn’t been dating for a long time; whether he made a gesture or not on the elder’s birthday was not something to nitpick about.
But coming empty-handed wasn’t a good look, yet as a senior engineer, Wang Changda had perspective and wouldn’t fret over such things.
“I was just speaking off the cuff.”
“That’s the way the conversation went.”
Seeing Yang Hao didn’t respond immediately, Wang Hong’e felt her objective was somewhat achieved. She could later tell her niece, Wang Xueru: You’re not doing well with this man, he doesn’t even give a gift for your father’s sixtieth birthday!
Your aunt will introduce you to someone much better!
However, at that moment, Yang Hao’s face broke into a smile. This low-level game was completely within his control. He could manipulate it as he pleased.
Sun Jixing was in a rather good mood at this time. This made him, the elder sister’s husband, look good.
He mercilessly flashed his sense of superiority at his wife’s family!
“Second sister, you see, this eye for men needs to be learned from the elder sister…”
At that moment, Wang Hong’e’s daughter Fang Yan muttered a complaint under her breath.
Cousin Wang Xueru had perfectly inherited her mother’s traits. Though she spoke softly, those around her could still hear her.
Wang Bingru and her family were also present today. Her father was the third elder, but he married late, making her a year younger than her cousin Fang Yan, to whom she had to address as sister.
After hearing her cousin’s words, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes and then looked at her aunt and cousin with a certain sympathy.
She knew the true capabilities of her own boss; the pocket money was always given in tens of millions, and yet they still had this attitude?
It could only be said that the higher they jumped now, the more painful their faces would be later!
However, Wang Bingru didn’t bother to warn them. Her family was from a small town outside the area and had not been spared from the snide remarks of this socially climbing aunt at family gatherings.
Her aunt knew she had come to Jiangcheng for internships and studying, but only showed superficial concern by telling her to come over for a meal when she was free, never actually contacting her in private, showing no sincerity!
“Yanyan, that’s too much!”
Wang Xueru had anticipated that bringing her new boyfriend to her divorced mother’s side would attract special “attention” from her aunt.
But she couldn’t stand seeing her man criticized!
Especially since Yang Hao’s willingness to accompany her back was already touching for Wang Xueru, she would never allow him to endure such treatment.
As a result, Wang Xueru, who was usually good-tempered, directly snapped back at her cousin Fang Yan, with a very cold tone!
“I’m just stating the facts,” Fang Yan pouted, and added in a low voice, “Just look at the elder sister’s husband.”
In fact, she wanted to say that even her former brother-in-law Shen Mingshan wouldn’t have come empty-handed, but she dared not say it out loud, only muttering it in her thoughts.
Seeing his rarely-seen cousin praise him so much, Sun Jixing subconsciously puffed out his chest and glanced a few extra times at his cousin. Although she was not as pretty as his own sister-in-law, she was quite attractive.
It had to be said that the Wang Family genetics were really strong. The little aunt from the third uncle’s family was strikingly beautiful, making him, the brother-in-law, itch with desire, though it was a pity there wasn’t much opportunity to interact.
“Xueru, Yanyan is only looking out for your best interest!”
Wang Hong’e jumped in to defend her daughter, and “for your good” had become the standard opening line for moral coercion.
I’m doing this for your own good, don’t be ungrateful.
I’m doing this for your own good, just listen to whatever I say and that’s it!
This is the unspoken subtext of many who use this phrase!
“Xueru, people often say that one should learn from one’s mistakes.”
“You’re someone who’s learned from past lessons, so indeed, Yanyan’s reminder isn’t wrong, you really need to open your eyes!”
“Society is way too complicated nowadays, whether it’s judging people or assessing situations, you can’t just look at appearances.”
“Isn’t it always said online, to know if a man truly cares for you, don’t listen to what he says, look at what he does.”
“Money may not be the sole criterion to measure a man’s affection, but if a man is unwilling to spend money on you, then you really need to be careful…”
Wang Hong’e started her sermon, skillfully quoting popular wisdom from the internet.
And once she brought up money, Wang Xueru couldn’t help laughing.
If you want to talk about money, then there’s really a lot to discuss.
“Xueru, what’s with that expression?”
“Your aunt is only doing this for your good!!”
Wang Hong’e felt her niece’s smile was clearly one of mockery and immediately furrowed her brows.
“I think auntie makes sense.”
“And by auntie’s logic, then Yang really has been true to me!”
Wang Xueru said cheerfully.
“Huh?”
“Xueru, what do you mean by that?” Wang Hong’e looked puzzled.
Fang Yan was also confused, looking at her cousin for explanation.
Everyone else at the table was also confused, of course, except for Wang Bingru.
“Auntie, do you know where I am interning?”
At this, Wang Bingru spoke up.
“Jiangcheng Newspaper Group, right?”
“Quite a good place to work, it’s just a shame that you still have to pursue your master’s, which is just a short-term study!”
“Actually, if I wanted to, it would be very easy for me to stay on at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group and become a full-time employee,” she added, “Even a promotion and a raise wouldn’t be out of the question!”
Although Wang Hong’e didn’t know why her niece suddenly brought this up, she still paraded her knowledge.
Wang Bingru, following this thread of conversation, said: “Actually, if I want to become a regular employee, staying at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group would be very easy. Even thinking about a promotion and a salary increase is not impossible!”
When she said this, Wang Bingru subconsciously glanced at her boss.
At that moment, Yang Hao was leisurely drinking his tea. He hadn’t expected to be at odds with an old lady like Wang Hong’e.
Now that Wang Xueru and Wang Bingru, the sisters, had joined forces, he didn’t even need to speak.
Coercing Wangs, often comes from lurking in the background!
Yang Hao felt like he must have been a pencil box, a three-tiered one at that, in his last life!
“Bingru, how have you learned to boast at such a young age?”
Wang Hong’e looked at her niece with a face that said, “I can’t believe this,” as the girl first shifted the topic to herself and now was talking about promotions and salary increases at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group!
Mysterious moves!
But as an elder, Wang Hong’e still felt the need to give her niece a lesson.
“From what you’re saying, Bingru, it seems you are quite familiar with the leaders.”
“So, could you perhaps help me secure a job at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group, too? I’ve been wanting to change jobs for a long time but haven’t found the right opportunity.”
It was then that Fang Yan took over the conversation.
Her words were pointed, but the latter half was true; she graduated from an ordinary second-tier university and was currently working at a small company with little pay and lots of work.
Naturally, a job at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group would be a prime choice!
“Want to get into Jiangcheng Newspaper Group? Isn’t that easy? Just ask your brother-in-law!”
Wang Bingru chuckled in response, then even winked at Yang Hao.
Yang Hao, who had been watching the drama unfold from behind, shook his head slightly; his “little aunt” had sold him out!
At this, Fang Yan was taken aback: “Ask… ask the brother-in-law?”
She gaped in astonishment, then looked towards her elder sister’s husband, Sun Jixing, hearing that he was a senior corporate executive with an extensive network.
Given what Wang Bingru had said, it was highly likely that she knew the elder sister’s husband had connections with the leaders of Jiangcheng Newspaper Group.
“Elder sister’s husband, do you know the leaders at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group?”
Fang Yan immediately asked, filled with hope.
“Uh?”
“Jiangcheng Newspaper Group?”
Unprepared for the conversation to suddenly turn to him, Sun Jixing was baffled.
Just as confused were Yang Hao and Wang Bingru.
Yang Hao had been ready to admit, “I’m done pretending. It’s out in the open, I’m a billionaire.”
And Wang Bingru was in awe of her cousin’s top-tier comprehension skills.
Clearly, she had been looking at her own boss, but her cousin had bypassed the optimal solution and gone off on a tangent!
In front of so many people, Sun Jixing still wanted to keep up appearances, especially with all these beautiful young aunts present.
Regardless of whether it was Bingru, Xueru or Yanyan, grabbing hold of one would do.
Getting hold of all three would be outstanding!
Acting tired as a brother-in-law wouldn’t be a problem!
While his thoughts floated, Sun Jixing, with a smile, said, “There’s a media industry conference happening in the Capital City these days. The leaders from Jiangcheng Newspaper Group are there too, I met them at the conference and we had a nice chat.”
“Yanyan, if you want to work at Jiangcheng Newspaper Group, I can make an inquiry, but I can’t promise anything!”
Sun Jixing knew just how to pace himself while boasting—not to overcommit, but still show off just enough swagger.
He really had attended the media conference in the Capital City, but he went as an underling, and at his level, he wasn’t qualified to converse with the media moguls.
But he could still make the claim, after all, no one would know the difference.
“Really? That would be amazing!”
“Elder sister’s husband, you’re so capable!” Fang Yan was overjoyed, rushing to shower him with flattery.
“Jixing, then I’ll have to trouble you. Actually, it’s alright to pay for it,” Wang Hong’e quickly followed up, then said to her daughter, “Yanyan, quickly toast your elder sister’s husband.”
“Elder sister’s husband, cheers to you~”
Fang Yan obediently raised her glass.
“No need to be so formal, we’re all family here,” Sun Jixing chuckled as he lifted his glass, then downed the drink in one gulp.
Sitting beside him, Wang Jingru was somewhat speechless—whether her husband really knew the leaders of Jiangcheng Newspaper Group, she knew all too well.
After Sun Jixing put down his glass, she whispered, “Let’s see how you get out of this one!”
Sun Jixing pretended not to hear; after all, how many boasts made at a dinner table ever come true?
What mattered was tonight; he was planning to have a thorough discussion with his little aunt, Fang Yan, about her job…