Persuaded by her husband and two sons, Yang Shuangyan was finally convinced that since her maiden family was so wealthy, she, as a married daughter, should also benefit.
The next day, she brought Feng Jiandong and his two sons to find Yang Shuanglin.
"Brother, Mom was lucid for a while yesterday. After recognizing me, she cried for a long time and insisted that I stay by her side. She also told me about the family situation and how Er Jian got into such big trouble."
Yang Shuangyan prepared to use a roundabout tactic, using their mother as a shield.
Yang Shuanglin was not surprised. As long as his sister's family stayed one more day, they would find out about the factory.
"Yanzi, Mom's health is deteriorating. It would be good if you could stay and take care of her, and also ease your sister-in-law's burden.
However, you are also about to become a grandmother, and your in-laws' family needs you more. I cannot selfishly ask you to stay here to care for Mom.
If you are truly concerned, please visit more often in the future. After all, she doesn't have many years left, and every meeting counts."
"Brother, my parents-in-law have already passed away. Yesterday, Jiandong and I discussed it. Since there's nothing much for us to do back home, I'll stay here to take care of Mom. You can arrange a menial job for Jiandong, like guarding the gate."
Yang Shuanglin was greatly surprised, "You two are staying here? Isn't Xiao Wen getting married on May Day? It's March after the New Year. Don't you need to prepare for the wedding?"
"It's fine, the wedding is simple. The new house is ready, and we just need to have a banquet back home. It won't take more than a few days."
"Is that so? Then that's fine. You've been married for so many years, and Mom has always missed you. Having you by her side in her old age would be without regret. If Jiandong doesn't mind the low salary here, he can guard the gate at the template factory."
Yang Shuanglin still had deep affection for his sister and naturally didn't object to her staying at home. Moreover, their mother's health was declining, and it was a bit strenuous for Liu Xingzhi to care for her alone. She was also nearing sixty and not in good health. Having an extra person to help with care was certainly a good thing.
Upon hearing that his brother-in-law was so accommodating, Feng Jiandong was overjoyed. "Brother, I don't mind the low salary. It's better than farming here."
"Well, guarding the gate is definitely better than farming, and it's quite easy, but it carries great responsibility, requiring vigilance against fire and theft."
"Don't worry, brother, I can definitely handle it."
Feng Jiandong felt relieved. In his youth, he was actually a bit of a rascal, traveling far and wide and being a smooth talker. Otherwise, he wouldn't have managed to lure Yang Shuangyan to Xiangnan.
"Uncle, since my parents are staying here, why don't you arrange a job for me too?"
With his parents' matter settled, Feng Wen began to make his request, believing his uncle would surely agree.
Yang Shuanglin looked at him suspiciously, "Aren't you and Xiao Wu doing big business in the south? The day before yesterday, you were talking about finding a job for your brother Jian."
Feng Wu knew he had boasted too much and found it difficult to back down. He quickly changed his strategy, "Uncle, I'm doing a small business over there, and Brother Wen is an employee. Why don't you let him do something at the template factory?"
Yang Shuanglin shook his head, "It's not that I disagree. I can make decisions about gatekeeping and menial tasks, but I have no say in the factory's hiring and management. If Xiao Wen wants to work here, he'll have to wait for Director Jiang to approve."
"Uncle, isn't the template factory invested in by Brother Jian? Why should someone else make the decisions?"
"Your brother Jian is just one of the shareholders. He doesn't get involved in factory management. Director Jiang has experience managing large enterprises, and he is also a major shareholder. He has his own management model, and we cannot interfere."
"What about the trading company?"
"The trading company is the same. It's an enterprise supported by President Lu, and the management personnel are also arranged by him. Your brother Jian's shares are under your sister Hui's name; he only receives dividends and does not participate in management."
Yang Shuanglin's words greatly disappointed Feng Wen and Feng Wu. They had never expected that the rural workshop-style enterprises would introduce professional management talent. Their dream of controlling the template factory and trading company was clearly difficult to achieve.
"Uncle, then could you speak to Director Jiang? I have sales experience in the south, which is better than being a rural worker here, isn't it?"
Feng Wen was still unwilling. He wanted to get into the company first, believing there would be opportunities later.
"Alright. Director Jiang will be here on the seventh day of the lunar new year. I'll arrange for you to meet him then. If he agrees, you can stay; if not, I can't do anything."
"Okay, I'm sure I can do it." Feng Wen was confident.
Feng Wu temporarily gave up the idea of staying here, as it would look too greedy and arouse his uncle's displeasure.
The eighth day of the first lunar month.
Following Bai Zheng's arrangements, Afeng went to Hong Kong to study casino management, accompanied by over twenty young men and women.
Yang Jian continued to supervise the entertainment city, living a routine life, with his daily activities confined to his residence and the entertainment city.
On Phoenix Street, with Anan and Junjun present, no major incidents occurred. Yang Wu's reputation still held some deterrent power.
Most importantly, Fang Zhicheng was stationed on Phoenix Street. He publicly declared Yang Wu as his brother, and he was now in charge of Phoenix Street.
In the blink of an eye, it was the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.
As Yang Jian was starting his shift at the entertainment city, he received a call from Luo Jianhua.
"Cousin, hello. Have you arrived in Nanhai?"
Yang Jian knew he was calling to relay information about Hong Xing.
"Mr. Yang, I arrived the day before yesterday. Are you doing well over there?"
"I'm doing very well here. How about it, have you started the kiln?"
"We've started the kiln. I'll begin dispatching vehicles tomorrow. Mr. Yang, I saw Hong Xing last night. I heard they are planning to start classes. Would you like to come?"
"Cousin, thank you for your thoughtfulness. The thing is, Biao Biao and the others are estimated to go to trial in April. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, I don't plan to deal with Hong Xing before then."
"Oh, will Biao Biao be sentenced?"
"Don't worry, I've already asked someone to help him with connections. He won't be sentenced too heavily, likely under three years, and perhaps even probation."
"That's good. Mr. Yang, when Biao Biao gets out, you'll need to support him. His father is a reckless person and doesn't manage him at all. If no one guides him, Biao Biao will surely go astray."
"Cousin, don't worry about this. Biao Biao is my sworn brother. We share fortunes and face hardships together."
"I believe you, Mr. Yang. Do you still need to monitor Hong Xing?"
"No need for deliberate surveillance. Just check his whereabouts at the chamber of commerce occasionally. I'll come over when I have time."
To ensure his own acquittal, Yang Jian accepted Lu Hao's suggestion. Before Li Jin's trial, there could be no unexpected events, so he temporarily abandoned his plan to attack Hong Xing.
Furthermore, Hong Xing had been operating in Nanhai for many years, possessed considerable influence, and had the support of local bigwigs. Yang Jian felt that it would be very difficult to deal with him with just his own small group. This matter still required the assistance of Bai Zheng. Nanhai was not far from Dongjiang, and he was an established local figure who should have connections with the underworld forces there.