Chapter 133: Just a Security Guard

The two young people were Xu Hong's son, Wu Liang, and daughter, Wu Wan.

"Uncle, let's go to a restaurant for dinner. Xu Jie and his friends will be arriving soon," Wu Wan said, looking at Xu Kai.

Her gaze shifted to Mo Han, who had come out with Xu Kai, as well as Li An'an and Xu Fang sitting to the side. Her expression was not particularly friendly. Her mother had already told her about what happened at noon, which had left her feeling very uncomfortable.

"Let's just eat in the parlor downstairs. We can set up two tables; going to a restaurant is too wasteful," Xu Kai suggested.

"Uncle, those friends of Xu Jie's are his business partners. They are all bosses. Do you really think they would want to dine with a group of ordinary people?" Wu Wan looked at Mo Han and Li An'an with disdain.

Even if Xu Kai were slow-witted, he understood exactly what Wu Wan meant: her boyfriend and his associates looked down on Xu Fang’s family.

Xu Fang was a sharp woman, and as soon as she heard Wu Wan’s remark, she felt displeased. "Xiao Wan, Xu Jie is your boyfriend, right? What line of business is he in?" Xu Fang asked.

"Aunt Fang, Xu Jie runs a company. He’s a business owner, and his friends are all company owners as well," Wu Wan replied proudly.

Xu Fang raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected Wu Wan to find such a successful boyfriend, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. She was worried that Xu Jie’s achievements might surpass her own daughter's and cause them to lose face.

"By the way, Aunt Fang, I heard Mo Han is still working as a security guard?" Wu Wan glanced at Mo Han, a flash of contempt in her eyes. She had already inquired about him and knew he was a security guard at the Li family’s pharmaceutical factory. Compared to her boyfriend, he was nothing but a loser.

"That's right. I'm just working as a security guard at the pharmaceutical factory, trying to make a living," Mo Han said, inwardly sneering. How could he not understand the subtext of Wu Wan's words?

Xu Hong interjected, "Second sister, even though you live in the city, there’s no future in being a security guard. Why don't you let Mo Han stay here in Xiuwen? I’ll have Xu Jie arrange a job for him later."

"That won't be necessary. Mo Han is the security department manager now; he's doing just fine," Xu Fang said coolly.

"A security department manager? Are you kidding me?" Xu Hong scoffed. "Second sister, please try to be realistic. He’s a live-in son-in-law; to put it bluntly, he’s just a freeloader living off his wife. What ability does he have to be a manager? Don't say such things in the future, or people will laugh at you."

"My mom is just joking, Auntie. You shouldn't take it seriously. I’m just an ordinary security guard," Mo Han said with a laugh before Xu Fang could retort.

He wanted to see just how shameless Xu Hong’s family could be.

Seeing Mo Han wink at her, Xu Fang immediately understood. She smiled and said, "Don't take it to heart, sister. Mo Han has only been working for a little over a month; how could he be a manager? I was just teasing. However, if you really could find Mo Han a good job, we would appreciate the help."

Watching her mother play along with Mo Han’s charade, Li An'an was speechless, but realizing Mo Han must have a plan, she kept quiet. She, too, had reached her limit with Xu Hong’s family.

"What trouble? It's just a word from us," Xu Hong said triumphantly, seeing Xu Fang’s grateful expression.

"Let’s go then. We’ll go to the restaurant. We insist on treating," Xu Fang added.

"Forget it. Xu Jie and his friends certainly wouldn't eat at a common restaurant. I’ll make the reservation," Wu Wan said.

Hearing this, Xu Fang let out a cold snort. She was about to say something, but Li An'an frowned at her, signaling that it wasn't worth arguing with them—it was simply too tedious.

"Oh, alright," Xu Fang shrugged, deciding not to push the matter. She had wanted to use the opportunity to show Xu Hong’s family what wealthy people actually ate, but since her daughter wasn't interested, she let it go.

After Wu Wan booked a private room, she told Xu Fang and the others to head to the restaurant. Just then, Mo Han’s phone rang. After answering, he said, "You all go ahead. I have something to take care of and need to step out."

"What is it?" Li An'an asked.

"Chen Jianpeng is also in Xiuwen and asked me to join him for dinner," Mo Han explained. In truth, Chen Jianpeng had learned from Li Qilang that Mo Han was in Xiuwen and had called him. He had already opened a commercial building in town, but he was looking to invest in new projects and wanted to ask for Mo Han's advice. Although Mo Han didn't usually manage company affairs, Chen felt that Mo Han was methodical and had an excellent grasp of market analysis.

"Well, Aunt Fang, why don't you and An'an come with us? To be honest, it would be better if Mo Han didn't come. I’m afraid he’ll be looked down upon by Xu Jie’s friends, and it would cause bad blood," Wu Wan said bluntly.

A look of amusement flickered in Mo Han’s eyes, but Li An'an was clearly displeased. "You go ahead. My mother and I will just eat at my uncle’s house."

"Second sister, are you really not coming? The restaurant Xiao Wan just booked is a high-end place that costs over a thousand per table," Xu Hong said with a smile.

"Aunt Hong, we won't go. You guys go ahead. We aren't used to eating thousand-dollar meals," Li An'an said, a trace of disdain curling her lip. They were used to dining at Jade 36, where the private imperial rooms started at a minimum of one hundred thousand.

"A bunch of country bumpkins living in the city," Wu Wan muttered with contempt as she walked out. Although her voice was soft, everyone heard her. Xu Fang and Li An'an felt even more annoyed.

"Hehe, don't mind her. Wanwan has been going to school in the city since she was young, so she has a bit of a temper and her words can be sharp. Don't take it to heart," Xu Hong said, though there wasn't a hint of sincerity in her voice as she offered the excuse.

Mo Han chuckled as well. He stopped Xu Fang and Li An'an, who were clearly indignant, and headed out.

"Brother, it’s fine if we eat at your place, right?" Xu Fang asked, clearly bothered.

"Of course it's fine. I’ll cook for you guys in a bit," Xu Kai said. He was also fed up with the snobbery of Xu Hong’s family and had no desire to dine with them. Besides, he had to host the people who had come to help him, so he couldn't go anyway.

"Xiao Kai, you're not going either?" Xu Hong asked.

"You guys go ahead; I have guests to host," Xu Kai replied.

"Alright then, we'll go ahead and eat," Xu Hong said as she stepped out. In truth, she had only been being polite. Her son-in-law’s friends were all small-time bosses who would never have cared for her poor relatives.

***

At the restaurant:

"Xu Jie, my second aunt's family is here in Xiuwen. You have to help me save face tonight," Wu Wan said, sitting next to Xu Jie. She had always disliked Xu Fang’s family because they used to show off in front of hers. Now that she had a capable boyfriend, she naturally wanted him to help her assert her status.

"Say no more. They’re just a few hillbillies from the city. I’ll show you how to save face," Xu Jie laughed. He had heard about Xu Fang’s family being ordinary people. To him, helping Wu Wan save face was simple—he just needed to flaunt his wealth in front of them.