Nephew as Family

In the evening, the whole family gathered, and they laid out a big table full of delicious dishes.

It was rare for the second, third, and fourth branches of the family to come together for a meal.

Su Shirong, because of doing business outside with his uncles, talked a lot when the topic of business came up.

During winter, Su Shirong and his uncles sold vegetables outside, and when they ran out of vegetables, they sold other profitable goods. Now with spring plowing and busy farming, everyone had returned home to plant crops.

At the table, Yuan Jie repeatedly asked about Su Shirong's business, and Su Shirong answered each question. Yuan Jie's smile grew wider, and his opinion of this nephew rose to a new level.

Su Shirong was indeed an honest man, very straightforward in business, never cheating or cutting corners, but he wasn't rigid either; he had his own style of dealing with people.

This was quite different from Su Sanyun's simple-minded honesty.

Yuan Jie glanced at his young son, Jin Dou, who was destined for an official career. Yuan Jie hoped his son would pass the imperial exams and bring glory to the family. But Yuan Jie's big business would need someone to help manage it when he got older.

A steward is a steward, but family is family. Yuan Jie saw that Su Shirong was a promising talent. Most importantly, Su Shirong had good character, respectful to elders but not blindly obedient—completely different from Su Shimao, who was scheming and full of tricks.

Yuan Jie stroked his chin, thinking this nephew was worth nurturing.

Su Shirong was busy talking about his business, completely unaware of his fourth uncle's intentions. Sun Shi, hearing her son's good report, was proud and said to Su Sanyun, "Look, our son has grown up and become more sensible! His uncles all praise how capable he is!"

Su Sanyun chuckled, took a sip of wine, and said, "My son is better than me! Now the pillar of our family is Su Shirong. Haha, as a father, I'm truly happy!"

The family clinked glasses and drank happily. After several rounds, Yuan Jie, flushed from the wine, said to Su Sanyun, "Third brother, my business is short on manpower lately. Can you lend me Shirong to help?"

Su Sanyun, being honest, didn't immediately catch on and said, "Fourth brother, if you need manpower, a nephew is like a son. Feel free to use him."

But Sun Shi was sharp and immediately caught Yuan Jie's hidden meaning—was the fourth uncle trying to support their son!?

Yuan Jie was a big boss with businesses all over the country. If Su Shirong could get this fourth uncle's backing, his future would be worry-free!

Su Shirong, upon hearing the fourth uncle specifically ask for him, having been in business long enough, also caught on and got a little flustered. He raised his cup to Yuan Jie and said, "Fourth uncle, rest assured, I will work hard with you!"

"Good!" Yuan Jie laughed heartily and drained his cup.

Su Li smiled as she watched her family. She had noticed Su Shirong's changes too; she hadn't expected her simple-minded brother to become so lively in just a few months.

But Su Shirong was still younger than Su Li, so he was too young to be the village head, which was not very appropriate.

Su Li thought that the person she initially chose was still the most suitable to be village head.

The family ate and drank happily. In the third branch, everyone except Su Lanxiang got drunk. Yuan Jie sent the third branch family home and was quite pleased himself. Back in his room, he told Chen Shi, "My nephew has potential. I’ll nurture him to be my right-hand man."

Chen Shi smiled and wrung a towel to wipe Yuan Jie's face, saying, "Look at how happy you are."

Yuan Jie was in a great mood. Reeking of alcohol, he wrapped his arm around Chen Shi's waist and suddenly kissed her on the lips.

But who knew that this kiss caused Chen Shi to cover her mouth, overwhelmed by the smell of alcohol, and rush to the side to vomit violently.