The Crazy Son-In-Law

“Tell mom I won’t be home for dinner tonight.”

Approaching the end of the workday, Xiao Shun dropped by Yao Cen’s office to inform her that he had made plans to discuss matters with Tang Li.

Yao Cen didn’t ask what he was going to do, nor did she look up. She just responded with a faint “Mm.”

Upon hearing the door close, she lifted her gaze towards the doorway, her emotions complex.

“If you love him, then win him back. The colder and more distant you are, the more likely you’ll push him into the arms of another woman. If you don’t love him, then turn a blind eye. Don’t expose the truth, and you’ll always be the legitimate partner. Isn’t that good too?”

A friend had said this to her, but she felt conflicted. For the first time, she was so dependent on a man. She loved him but couldn’t bear the thought of turning a blind eye.

Xiao Shun had simply moved from the bed to the floor, while she had practically broken all her personal boundaries. No woman would want to share her man with others. Wouldn’t they all wish for a man who is loyal to them alone?

Xiao Shun, straightforward and uncomplicated, naturally couldn’t fathom the intricacies of a woman’s heart. To him, it was a nuisance.

When he arrived at the Emperor Hall, Tang Li and Tang Shishi were already in the private room. After a few brief exchanges, they settled down.

“There’s no need for formalities as we’re not strangers. I may be a few years older. If you don’t mind, I’ll call you Shun. How does that sound?” Tang Li said with a smile.

He had recovered well recently, exuding a sense of dominance in his gestures. However, in front of Xiao Shun, he seemed more like a kind elder.

“That’s fine,” Xiao Shun replied casually.

“Good. Shun, we’re not strangers, so I won’t beat around the bush. I came here specifically for your scar-removal formula. Shishi told me you’re not interested in selling, so let’s cooperate in a different way. Kumi Group will handle the capital, production, promotion, and sales. You only need to provide the formula. As for shares, Kumi Group will hold forty percent, and you’ll have sixty percent. I hope this shows my sincerity,” Tang Li proposed.

Xiao Shun pondered briefly. With sixty percent, he could control the company, and he trusted the Tang family enough not to cheat him. So, he nodded and agreed, “Since Tang is so sincere, what else can I say?”

Tang Li seemed taken aback. This was more straightforward than he had expected.

Just like bargaining in a clothing store, when you suggest a price and the shopkeeper immediately agrees, you start to wonder if you’ve underpriced.

That was precisely what Tang Li felt now. However, as a businessman, he understood the value of Xiao Shun’s formula. Even with only forty percent shares, it was a good and long-term profit growth point for Kumi Group. Besides, the initial investment was not substantial. For him, this deal was profitable.

His moment of surprise quickly passed, and he raised his glass, “You’re a straightforward man. Let’s drink to that.”

After draining their glasses, Tang Shishi blinked at Tang Li and asked, “Dad, can you let me run the new company?”

Tang Li and Xiao Shun looked at her with disbelief, both saying in unison, “You?”

Tang Shishi frowned, “What’s wrong with me? Are you looking down on me?”

Tang Li and Xiao Shun exchanged a glance, silently agreeing with her statement.

“Shishi, your dad isn’t looking down on you. You’re my daughter, how could I look down on you? But setting up a new company is a big deal, with a lot of tedious work. It will be tiring, and I’m worried you won’t be able to handle it. Your dad is just concerned for you,” Tang Li said gently.

As a father, he didn’t want to dampen Tang Shishi’s enthusiasm. Yet, as a businessman, and especially since this was a company in partnership with Xiao Shun, he had to be responsible not only for the company but also for his partner.

He knew his daughter well. She didn’t like to be confined to one place; she loved to wander around aimlessly. After Tang Li had entrusted the Harrow branch to Tang Shishi, she hardly ever visited. Fortunately, the company already had a set process, so it didn’t fall into chaos.

If he handed over the new company to her, Tang Li was genuinely worried. He could assign a team of assistants to help her, but what if she became frustrated one day and just walked away, dropping everything behind?

“Your father was right, it’s such a tiring job. Wouldn’t it be better for you to dress up beautifully every day, go shopping, and enjoy afternoon tea?” Xiao Shun added.

Tang Shishi wasn’t a fool. She clearly understood what they were implying-they didn’t want her to get involved.

“Just let me try. I’m your daughter, and I’ve definitely inherited your best genes. Haven’t you always wanted me to help you? Consider this an opportunity for me to learn. I won’t disappoint you,” Tang Shishi appealed to Tang Li with a coquettish look.

Tang Li, feeling helpless, looked at Xiao Shun. He had always doted on Tang Shishi, and considering what had happened to her mother, he felt that he owed her too much to outright reject her request.

Tang Shishi noticed his gaze, understanding that he was considering Xiao Shun’s opinion as a partner. She immediately turned to Xiao Shun and said, “Mr. Xiao…”

“Don’t tell me,” Xiao Shun cautiously replied, looking at her.

Biting her lip, Tang Shishi let go of her pride and said sweetly, “Mr. Xiao, considering that I took a bullet for you, could you give me a chance?”

Her brazenness surprised him, the way she called him Mr. Xiao was unlike others, it was too beguiling, almost making him lose his composure. Xiao Shun silently sighed.

“Bullet? What bullet?” Tang Li, probably used to Tang Shishi’s whims, didn’t find anything wrong and looked confused.

“Oh, nothing really, it’s a young people’s phrase. You know what a shield is, right? It’s similar to that,” Tang Shishi quickly covered up her slip of the tongue.

“Oh,” Tang Li responded, believing her explanation.

Xiao Shun felt a twinge of worry. If Tang Li knew his daughter had taken a bullet for him, would he regret offering him sixty percent of the company shares?

After seeing Tang Li’s reaction, he felt reassured.

From Tang Li’s perspective, as long as Xiao Shun agreed, his pressure would be greatly reduced. After all, the company was fundamentally based on Xiao Shun’s formula.

Tang Li had his own selfish motives. The Tang family had always criticized his daughter, accusing her of not contributing to the family, living in luxury and neglecting her duties.

This time, Tang Li deliberately sent her to secure the overseas agency rights of Starline to quell these rumors.

If Tang Shishi could get the new company up and running, she would establish her position among the younger generation of the Tang family, securing a place not only in his lineage, but in the entire Tang clan.

Although Tang Li had cleared the poison from his body, his health was not as good as before. After all, age was catching up with him, and he wanted to plan for Tang Shishi’s future.

“Why don’t we let her try? If it doesn’t work out, we can always replace her,” Xiao Shun suggested.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He could tell that Tang Li was actually siding with Tang Shishi, but found it hard to admit. He knew that even if Tang Li handed over the company to Tang Shishi, he would take it seriously and wouldn’t let Tang Shishi mess around.

Another point was that considering Tang Li’s grand plan, the new company definitely wouldn’t be in a small place like Stillwater. This was a good opportunity to send her away.

Upon hearing his words, Tang Li and his daughter were overjoyed. Tang Shishi almost jumped at him to give him a kiss, but fortunately, Tang Li was present, so she restrained herself.

A single meal couldn’t clarify everything, but it did reach a preliminary agreement. After resting for a night, Tang Li took Tang Shishi back to the capital to start preparing for this endeavor.