Jiangnan Gaiden - Capítulo 40
"Three wives and four concubines? How could I possibly handle that? Otherwise, tell me, what other way is there?" He teased her intentionally. Actually, he was thinking that if Huan'er couldn't have too many children, he planned to transfer the family business to the descendants of Wuhen and Wujie. Although he had already given his two brothers considerable assets to manage, the operational control remained with him. Suitable candidates from the next generation needed to be selected and trained to safeguard the Shi family's assets; he didn't necessarily intend to pass it on to his own sons.
Huan'er had long wanted to discuss business matters with him. Just the fact that she hadn't seen him these past few days told her he was incredibly busy with work, while his two brothers seemed to be idle and doing nothing. She didn't love a workaholic husband.
"The problem is that you hold too much power, and you deserve to exhaust yourself! Why not let Wuhen and Wujie share the burden? Can't their children inherit the Shi family's property? When an enterprise grows big, it's time to divide the work. Some decisions can be delegated to them. That way, they'll have something to do, and I won't have to stay alone in my empty room. That would be ideal."
Unexpectedly, her thoughts aligned with his; she also understood the principles of business. She puzzled him once more. These concepts couldn't be learned from books, and she had never been involved in business before—how could she understand them? Moreover, she was a woman of peculiar thinking. Since ancient times, wives had invariably demanded separation from the family upon marriage, striving to secure the greatest benefits for their own family. How could they allow their husbands' wealth to be shared even a penny with their brothers? Yet Huan'er always seemed to be thinking of others, even lacking ambition for wealth, only wanting him to spend more time with her. Was she truly magnanimous, or did she not understand his immense wealth? No! Huan'er understood, but she didn't mind, Shi Wuji was deeply certain of.
He served her another bowl, and Huan'er finally had an appetite; she could count on one hand how much she had eaten in the past two days. Her mind was preoccupied with the conversation, and before she knew it, she had finished the bowl.
"Am I right?" Huan'er pressed.
“Yes!” he said with a smile.
“Then you can’t have other women! Even when I’m old and ugly, it’s still not allowed.” She sought reassurance.
"Sweetie, have another bite." He didn't answer. Only after Huan'er ate did he say, "Do you think I'd be able to find other women after having you? You've spoiled my taste! I wouldn't even look at someone as beautiful as you! Don't worry, little thing."
Huan'er beamed with joy, obediently eating the porridge he had personally served her. Knowing she couldn't resist his soft, gentle words, she willingly surrendered to his tender affection. Alas! The tenderness of a beloved is a woman's fatal weakness, a truth that holds true throughout history.
After finishing the porridge, he said softly:
"Get a good night's sleep. I'm going back to Haoran Building and will be back tonight."
Work! Her rival was her job! The joy of fatherhood still lingered in her eyes, but her heart was preoccupied with Haoran Tower. It had been a long, long time since they had such an intimate conversation. No! This time, she wouldn't let it go; she tugged at his sleeve. "Let's talk some more!"
"What are you talking about? So willful, you're about to become a mother." He sat down again and pulled the blanket up for her.
Unexpectedly recalling Su Hongxiang's threats, she asked.
“My sisters say that people in the North all share one wife, and especially when close friends come to visit, they even let their wives sleep with other men as a sign of respect. Is that true?”
Shi Wuji frowned deeply.
"You've only heard rumors, so how dare you marry into that tribe? This custom is only found in remote tribes, some in Miao villages, some in Xinjiang, all of which are undeveloped indigenous tribes on the edge of the country. Han people don't follow this custom."
Huan'er knew, of course, that it wasn't true.
"I was so scared I almost committed suicide! The terrifying name 'Northern Asura' is enough to make people tremble, how could such a name exist?"
He still frowned, and hearing the hurt look on her face as she tried to commit suicide to avoid marrying him, Huan'er chuckled inwardly.
"Because I'm ruthless and stop at nothing in the business world. Becoming the dominant figure in the northern business world in just ten years wasn't as glamorous as it seems on the surface; the bloody and dark side behind it is simply unspeakable to outsiders. My nickname spread because of my ruthless actions." Suddenly remembering something, he added, "I'll handle your mother's matter. You're not allowed to have any more crooked thoughts. If you're pregnant, you need to act like a pregnant woman, understand?"
She nodded obediently, then couldn't help but ask again:
What are you going to do?
“Bring your mother here. I have already sent Uncle Leng to Jiangnan.”