With the help of his girlfriend's connection, Lin Chenghui got in touch with the head of the Tao family. After several rounds of verification, the other party believed that he was Lin Yao's nephew and promised to come to Nancheng in person for discussions.
Lin Yao had long anticipated such a result. He had managed Nancheng's business and economy so tightly that it was like an iron - clad fortress, and outsiders simply couldn't interfere. However, his business could expand externally. Especially in this era of highly developed internet and technology, it was extremely easy to develop foreign trade.
The key was that Nancheng was not a poor place. Under Lin Yao's leadership, the local economy was getting better and better. It was clearly a fat lamb, but one that could only be eyed but not devoured.
Now, because of the engagement of his own child, there was a high possibility of getting connected with Lin Yao and entering the Nancheng base, becoming the first outsider to get a share of the profit. The Tao family would surely not turn down such an opportunity.
But the Tao family played it coy. It was not until a month later that they came to Nancheng for the meeting. Tao Jing was also among them.
"I didn't expect that the future sister - in - law of Miaomiao would be your little aunt!"
Yao Mingxuan sighed with emotion. The world was really small. Wherever you went, it was all in the same circle.
"Neither did I. Miaomiao will be a generation older than me out of the blue from now on. But it doesn't matter. We'll just address each other according to our own ways."
Tao Jing knew that Miaomiao didn't understand the bad taste of taking advantage of seniority. To maintain her own status, she took the initiative without hesitation.
"Didn't that illegitimate child from your family come?" After Cheng Ruan learned that the Tao family was about to be engaged to Miaomiao's family, she had been worried about running into Tao Jing's younger brother. It would be an awkward encounter, and God knew what might happen. Unexpectedly, that guy didn't come at all.
"My dad isn't stupid. He treats this son like his own, but outsiders won't regard this son as a legitimate child. When meeting such a big boss, what would it look like to bring an illegitimate child? So my dad told him to stay at home obediently. Even if he shows favoritism at home, he still knows better outside."
Tao Jing shrugged and replied.
This was the biggest difference between an illegitimate child and a legitimate one. No matter how excellent this child was, once labeled as an illegitimate child, it was disgraceful to be seen in public. Moreover, this illegitimate child was not outstanding at all. He was even very dissolute. In any family, such an illegitimate child would never be brought to the public stage.
"That's good. It's best that he didn't come. By the way, Tao Jing, is this your first time in Nancheng? We'll take you around!"
Cheng Ruan exclaimed. They had always been in the imperial capital before. Tao Jing was the host, and they were the guests. It was always Tao Jing who showed them around. Now they finally had the chance to be the hosts and had to treat their friend well.
The five kids made this happy decision. It was rare for them to get together, so they had a wild time for several days. The adults were happily discussing the engagement, and Lin Yao made a small concession. Basically, the marriage was settled.
A week later, Tao Jing went back to the imperial capital with her family. In less than half a month, they would start school.
There was still a lot of work at the research institute, so Miaomiao and Wei Ziqi simply went back to the imperial capital with Tao Jing.
But just after getting off the plane, Miaomiao and the others saw Tao Cheng standing at the pick - up area with an imposing man.
When the Tao family saw these two, their expressions changed. Among them, Tao Jing and Tao Jingying looked the most uncomfortable.
"Who is this?"
Feeling that the atmosphere was a bit strange, Cheng Ruan couldn't suppress her gossipy heart and asked.
"You know Tao Cheng. The one next to him is my little aunt's fiancé, Lu Huai." Tao Jing leaned over and whispered.
"Isn't your little aunt basically engaged to Miaomiao's elder brother? What's this guy doing here? Is he angry and unwilling?" Cheng Ruan frowned. She really couldn't understand. This guy had no right, either in terms of status or emotion, to be involved in Tao Jing's little aunt's affairs anymore. But today he showed up with the illegitimate child, looking imposing as if to block them. Wasn't he crazy?
"My family didn't inform the Lu family before we went. My dad's initial plan was to discuss with Uncle Lin first. If it seemed suitable, then we would break off the engagement. So strictly speaking, he is still my aunt's fiancé. I guess he found out about the engagement cancellation and came here to demand an explanation. Most likely, it was Tao Cheng who told him."
Tao Jing told the story as if she were an outsider. She even seemed to be looking forward to some drama.
"So your family was looking for a better option while still in a relationship? Although it's understandable in theory, it's really hard to accept emotionally." Wei Ziqi was a bit speechless after hearing this. The Tao family had really calculated everything to their advantage.
"This has nothing to do with me. I look down on their actions. I didn't participate in this matter at all. Don't put the blame on me. Although I'm from the Tao family, I really don't think much of them."
Tao Jing quickly distanced herself from her family. It was better to cherish these few sincere friends around her than to value the so - called blood relationship.
If it weren't for the benefits, if her father hadn't seen her business talent that could take the Tao family to a higher level, her life would probably be even worse.
So she had always been disgusted with the Tao family's superficial unity and loving appearance. She even felt nauseous every time she saw it.
"Hey, Lu Huai. Are you here to pick up Xiaoying?" Father Tao walked up to Lu Huai. First, he glared at his son, then asked with a smile.
"Pick up? Old man, I'm telling you, there's no way you can break off the engagement. Our family may not be as good as before, but there's still the Gu family standing behind us. You'd better think carefully about the consequences of offending the Gu family before you think about marrying your daughter off to someone else."
Lu Huai seemed extremely angry. He showed no respect at all for his nominal future father - in - law.
Wei Ziqi keenly caught the key point in Lu Huai's words. When he was kidnapped by Mrs. Du, Lin Yao had only managed to trace it back to the Lu family. Digging deeper was impossible because the other party had hidden themselves too well.
Unexpectedly, today, in a fit of anger, the young master of the Lu family simply revealed the name of their backer.
A woman couldn't marry two men, and a subject couldn't serve two masters. The Lu family must have a backer, and it could only have one.
The Gu family. Now there was a clear target.
"Nephew, what are you talking about? It's the modern era. Don't you young people advocate free marriage? If my daughter doesn't want to marry you, can you force her? Whether my daughter marries you or not, I'm still your elder. Your father would show me courtesy when he sees me. Are you trying to be overbearing in front of me?"