Xiao Ming smiled but remained silent.
In his previous life, when Duan Hongqing was still alive, he had partnered with Qingyuan Group to set up an energy company, and their cooperation was quite pleasant.
But as soon as Duan Hongqing died, his successor Duan Zhengwei immediately began to secretly acquire the company's shares, attempting to squeeze him out of the power core and monopolize the company.
As a result, not only did the company become his absolute say, but he also got kicked out of the entire Qingyuan Group, with tens of billions of investments yielding no returns, and the group's stock price plummeted a full eleven points, evaporating over twenty billion.
For this reason, Duan Zhengwei was voted out of his president position by the shareholders' meeting, completely losing the Duan Family's control over Qingyuan Group.
It could be said that his current demands were not only for the sake of making a secure profit but were also helping the Duan Family. Unfortunately, Duan Hongqing could not foresee the future and didn't realize this fact.
"Since you look down on my second son so much, then do you dare to compare him with a bet?" Sir Duan said, "If you win, not only will the company let you hold a 34% stake, but except for management rights, there are no restrictions."
"What if I lose?"
"Let this old man take a 34% stake in your investment company."
"It's a deal."
Duan Hongqing raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to ask what the competition is about?"
Xiao Ming shook his head, "Apart from comparing assets and age, the only possible loser is your son."
"You cheeky brat, so arrogant!"
Duan Hongqing slammed the table, startling everyone.
"What's gotten into you now?" Zhou Jicang asked.
Duan Hongqing pointed at Xiao Ming's nose, "This kid looks down on my second son. I plan to let the two of them have a comparison, betting their respective company's shares, and he has already agreed to it."
"Compare what?"
"Let me think about it."
"Damn! Xiao Ming, you don't even know what it's about and you dared to agree?"
Xiao Ming shrugged his shoulders, not answering.
"I bet on Ming... cough, Uncle Ming to win!" Zhou Qingyuan raised her little hand high.
Zhou Jicang glanced at Duan Hongqing, "I also think Sir Duan is asking for a humiliation."
"Damn! I think you father and daughter are bewitched by this kid."
Duan Hongqing was furious, "Just wait, this old man is going to call my second son right now."
After saying that, he took out his cell phone, briefly introduced Xiao Ming, and then mentioned the competition.
Soon, he said to Xiao Ming, "My son says that in business, the quickest thing is the stock market.
Just recently the market has been dismal, almost entirely in the red.
How about this, tomorrow both of you select three stocks that are falling, and we'll see who earned more or lost less by the end of the day.
Do you dare to compare?"
"How much capital are we putting in?" Xiao Ming asked.
"It doesn't matter. The outcome will be judged only by the profit or loss ratio."
"Okay."
Xiao Ming stood up, "The old man can go back and prepare the contract."
After the banquet, Xiao Ming helped the now-unsteady Jiang Yonghan upstairs when they reached his apartment in the complex, after being driven home in Zhou Jicang's Bentley Azure.
As soon as they opened the door, Jiang Xue was there to meet them.
"Ah! Why did you let dad drink so much?"
"Don't offer your hand, be careful not to fall again. Let me do it."
After helping Jiang Yonghan into the spare bedroom, taking off his coat, shoes, and socks, and covering him with the quilt, Xiao Ming came out.
"It's rare for dad to be so happy, so I didn't stop him much."
As he spoke, he went to the bathroom to wet a towel with warm water and then went to wipe Jiang Yonghan's face, dodging Jiang Xue who wanted to do it herself.
"It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?" Xiao Ming asked.
Jiang Xue leaned against the doorframe, looking at him attentively caring for his father, feeling warmly content inside. "You guys weren't coming back, and I couldn't sleep, so I just decided to work on some drawings."
Xiao Ming's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything until he was done with his tasks, then he grabbed her hand.
"Xue'er, you saw today that I'm now capable of buying you a car, and providing for you and the child is absolutely no issue.
To put it bluntly, the salary Yang Hanqing pays you could only buy a few more cans of good baby formula, and it's truly not worth letting you tire yourself out so much.
What if, after finishing these two current jobs, you quit, and I take care of you?"
Jiang Xue looked at him with soft eyes, "Do you want me to become a housewife who can only support her husband and educate her children?"
Xiao Ming couldn't help but laugh, "How could that be possible!
I clearly remember a dream you once mentioned, which was to become a painter and open your own gallery.
Since we got married, not only have I not given you a single day of peace, but you've also had to demean your talents to help support my family, working as a designer.
Now, I finally have the opportunity to fulfill the promise I made to you, and I implore you to believe in me one more time, to give me this chance to redeem myself properly.
I promise, your every wish, every lifestyle you've ever wanted, will be the sole goal of my efforts from now on.
The only purpose of my life is to make you happy, and then to bask in the happiness of your happiness."
Jiang Xue's eyes were already brimming with tears. She rested her face in his embrace for a moment before pushing him away.
"Stop trying to sweet-talk me. When all is said and done, isn't it just about making me stay at home to serve you and the child? No way!
I want to be an independent woman, independent in personality and financially.
At least... if one day in the future you turn into a jerk again, I'll still have the means to wait for you for two years instead of having no choice but to leave you after crying my eyes out."
What more can a husband ask for, with a wife like this?
Xiao Ming was moved, nothing but moved.
"Xue'er, I want to kiss you."
Jiang Xue didn't hesitate. She stepped forward, tiptoed, pecked his lips quickly, then swiftly backed away, her face playful.
"You reek of alcohol. Go wash up. I... I'll wait for you in bed."
Xiao Ming whooshed into the bathroom, while Jiang Xue giggled sweetly, her face flushed with a charming red.
As a woman barely two months pregnant, of course, there wasn't much they could do, so the couple simply enjoyed a brief intimacy before lying down together.
"I support your desire to work."
Gently stroking his wife's long hair, Xiao Ming said, "But no matter what, your body isn't suited for hard labor right now.
Why not just quit your job for now, and after you've had the baby, you could join my company. I'll keep the secretary position for you."
Jiang Xue, with her eyes closed, resting on his chest, pouted, "What's the difference between being your secretary and serving you at home?
Moreover, Qing has already promised me that taking maternity leave won't affect my job or position at all. I can return whenever I want.
So, just focus on running your business, and strive to save up enough to buy a house sooner. Don't worry about my job; I'll manage my own body."
What else could Xiao Ming say? In his heart, he dragged Yang Hanqing, who had once again taken liberties, out and was more than ready to wallop him.
The next day, a still hangover-ridden Jiang Yonghan was groggy, Jiang Xue hoped he would rest at home for the day, but he insisted on going to work and would not be swayed otherwise.
Xiao Ming knew he wanted to discuss his consultancy position for Qingyuan Group with his superior as soon as possible, so he helped persuade Jiang Xue for a while and sent his father-in-law off in a taxi after lunch.
Then, he took a cab to the securities company to set up an account, ready to deal with buying stocks.
Meanwhile, Wan Xingping, looking haggard, had just stepped out of the police station, and Hu Xiaotong, who had been waiting by the roadside, immediately approached him.
"Yo! Isn't this the young missus? She's really beautiful!"
There was also a burly bald man with Wan Xingping, grinning with yellow teeth on full display, not hiding his lecherous gaze.
Hu Xiaotong frowned but didn't speak.
"Yes, she's my wife." Wan Xingping smiled as he pulled her along, "What are you dawdling for? This is Zhang Kehu, Brother Hu, go ahead and greet him."