Rebirth Begins with Rejecting my Childhood Friend - Chapter 352

Most of the leaders in the organization greatly admire Xu Xiuwen, the new owner of the distillery.

In their eyes, this young man is exceptional, with great ambition.

Even if they knew about the aged wine cellar, who would dare to buy the distillery?

And even if they did buy it, who would be confident and capable enough to revive the distillery?

Soon, the second wave of activity at Guangming Distillery began.

Guangming Distillery started hiring!

During this time, if you didn’t know about Guangming Distillery in Guangming City or even Langya City, you were definitely out of the loop.

The new wine from Guangming Distillery, the century-old wine cellar, and the love-hate relationship between the new owner and the factory manager’s daughter had become the topic of much gossip in Langya.

Many people were secretly paying attention to the distillery.

Now that the distillery was hiring, it stirred up a huge wave.

Not only did former employees of Guangming City rush in, but young people from Langya City and other county-level cities also flocked there.

However, at this bustling moment of hiring at Guangming Distillery, Xu Xiuwen quietly left through the back door.

His destination was his home in Langya City.

The truth was bound to come out eventually.

Ning Wanqiu had finally seen the special program Xu Xiuwen had filmed.

Xu Xiuwen was driving, and thinking about Ning Wanqiu’s calm voice on the phone earlier, he instinctively shivered.

What he feared most was not her anger, but the period before it—a looming storm with uncertain severity.

Today’s weather seemed to reflect this reality.

The sky was dark, and clouds covered it completely.

Rain drizzled down, hitting the car’s windshield, followed by a loud clap of thunder as the rain intensified.

Xu Xiuwen adjusted the windshield wipers, which swiped away the rain from the front glass.

When he reached the city, he stopped at a red light, gazing at the turbulent rain outside, which splashed into countless ripples on the ground.

The figures of pedestrians were somewhat blurred.

They hurried along, each with their destination and tasks.

Xu Xiuwen disliked this weather.

When the green light finally came on, Xu Xiuwen drove through the intersection and continued on to his next route.

Arriving at his apartment complex, he turned off the engine, opened the car door, quickly closed it, and dashed into the building, though part of him still got wet from the rain.

At the door of his home, Xu Xiuwen took out his keys and unlocked it.

“Click.”

He opened the door and called out to the air, “Mom, I’m back.”

As soon as Xu Xiuwen closed the door and turned around, he heard voices coming from the living room.

He walked into the living room and was surprised to see three women sitting on the sofa: Ning Wanqiu, Zhang Ruoshu, and Gu Pandi.

Xu Xiuwen greeted them politely, “Aunt Zhang, Aunt Gu, good evening.”

Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi’s faces lit up upon seeing Xu Xiuwen.

They looked at him with smiles and admiration.

On the other hand, Ning Wanqiu’s expression was not very pleasant.

Xu Xiuwen cautiously called out, “Mom, I’m back.”

Ning Wanqiu glanced at him with a somewhat stern look, making Xu Xiuwen’s heart skip a beat.

Fortunately, Zhang Ruoshu spoke up first, “Xiao Xu, you’re back.”

Gu Pandi also nodded at Xu Xiuwen.

Xu Xiuwen saw this and tentatively asked, “Mom, if you don’t have anything else, should I go back to my room?”

He was about to turn and head to his room when Ning Wanqiu coldly said, “Stop! Did I give you permission to go to your room?”

Xu Xiuwen had no choice but to stop.

He turned to Ning Wanqiu, forcing a sheepish smile, and asked, “What’s wrong, Mom? Did someone upset you?”

Ning Wanqiu snorted, “Stop pretending! Keep pretending!”

Xu Xiuwen asked, “Mom, I’m not pretending. If you’re unhappy about something, just tell me. How can I know what I did wrong if you don’t say anything?”

Ning Wanqiu cut straight to the point, “Did you buy Guangming Distillery or not?”

Xu Xiuwen noticed Ning Wanqiu’s serious expression.

He also saw that Aunt Zhang and Aunt Gu were watching him with widened eyes, concerned.

Xu Xiuwen had suspected that Ning Wanqiu had called him back because of Guangming Distillery.

After all, the distillery’s advertisements had been blasting on local TV for days.

Even if Ning Wanqiu didn’t watch TV, her friends and colleagues must have seen it.

Xu Xiuwen decided not to continue hiding it and admitted directly, “Yes, I bought the distillery.”

Ning Wanqiu’s expression tightened, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you mention such a big thing to me? I heard the distillery was sold for 80 million. Where did you get the money to buy it?”

Xu Xiuwen quickly explained, “Mom, don’t panic. Let me explain. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. Don’t worry, I have everything under control. Plus, the 80 million isn’t paid all at once; it’s spread over five years.”

Ning Wanqiu replied, “Not wanting me to worry? You’re in debt by tens of millions. How can I not worry? Tens of millions—no amount of selling everything won’t clear it.”

Ning Wanqiu was both angry and worried.

She hadn’t hit Xu Xiuwen in many years.

This time, she was truly furious.

She suddenly stood up from the sofa, went to the balcony, grabbed a clothes rack, and came back with a stern face, looking as if she was about to hit Xu Xiuwen.

Xu Xiuwen was startled when Ning Wanqiu picked up the clothes rack.

He hadn’t been hit by her in many years, and now, after being reborn from his forties, he faced the prospect of being beaten.

It was unbelievable.

But Xu Xiuwen didn’t dare to dodge or resist.

He knew Ning Wanqiu’s temperament well.

If he tried to dodge or resist, it would only make her angrier.

Xu Xiuwen also knew that buying the distillery and the resulting debt was hard for most people to understand.

So, seeing Ning Wanqiu’s anger, he didn’t try to avoid it.

He stood his ground, ready to take the hit.

Fortunately, Aunt Zhang and Aunt Gu didn’t just watch.

Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi quickly stood up and each grabbed one of Ning Wanqiu’s arms.

Zhang Ruoshu said, “Wanqiu, Xiao Xu has grown up now. How can you still hit him?”

Gu Pandi added, “Yes, Wanqiu, you’re still a teacher. You can’t use violence. If there’s an issue with Xiao Xu, just communicate properly.”

Ning Wanqiu suddenly started crying, “Communicate properly? How can we communicate? He bought the distillery without a word, accumulating tens of millions in debt. Has he considered that we could never pay it off in a lifetime!”

Xu Xiuwen hurriedly said, “We can pay it off, we can pay it off. Guangming Distillery’s orders are booked for six months ahead. The distillery is already making money, so I can definitely pay it off. Plus, our company’s second TV drama is almost finished filming and will soon be released. It’s expected to bring in at least 10 million. I’m sure we can manage!”

Ning Wanqiu paused and asked, half-doubtfully, “Really?”

Xu Xiuwen nodded repeatedly, “I wouldn’t dare lie to you. You’re my biological mother.”

Ning Wanqiu muttered, “I’m not your biological mother!”

Xu Xiuwen replied, “Of course, you are my biological mother. If you’re not, who is?”

After a pause, he added, “Look at you, crying at your age. If your students saw this, what would they think?”

Ning Wanqiu couldn’t help but say, “It’s because of you.”

Ning Wanqiu’s tone was more exasperated than angry.

Xu Xiuwen didn’t sense anything wrong.

He chuckled, “It’s my fault, my fault.”

Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi, who had intervened to stop Ning Wanqiu, also breathed a sigh of relief.

The three women sat back down on the sofa.

Xu Xiuwen sat down as well.

Then, the three of them began a thorough interrogation.

With Ning Wanqiu leading the questioning and Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi assisting, Xu Xiuwen was grilled about every detail.

Seeing that he could no longer hide the truth, Xu Xiuwen had to reveal when he bought the distillery, how much he spent, and how he planned to change the distillery, explaining it all step by step.

After hearing Xu Xiuwen’s explanation, Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi were stunned.

The fact that Xu Xiuwen, with less than 20 million, dared to buy a distillery worth 80 million left them in awe.

They exchanged a glance, realizing that neither they nor their own husbands had the audacity to make such a decision.

Such courage was astonishing.

If the distillery failed, the debt of tens of millions could easily crush an ordinary family.

Xu Xiuwen also told his mother about his film and television media company in Jinling and that it was currently filming a TV drama.

When Xu Xiuwen mentioned that the film company could earn 20 to 30 million a year, Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi were once again dumbfounded.

They could hardly believe that Xu Xiuwen’s figures were in the tens of millions.

They were used to dealing with amounts of a few dollars, ten or twenty dollars, or maybe a few hundred dollars.

Occasionally, they would spend a bit more on furniture or appliances, but tens of millions was a concept beyond their imagination.

It was terrifying!

Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi didn’t think Xu Xiuwen was bragging or lying.

They intuitively believed what he said.

They now looked at Xu Xiuwen with admiration.

If he were to marry their daughter, it would be an ideal match.

Xu Xiuwen was unaware that he had become the top candidate for son-in-law in Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi’s eyes.

After finishing his explanation, he said to Ning Wanqiu, “Mom, now you understand why I dared to buy the distillery. I’m not afraid of debt; I can definitely pay it off. And as you can see, the distillery is thriving. I might become the richest person in Langya City soon.”

After hearing Xu Xiuwen’s words, Ning Wanqiu also relaxed a bit.

At this moment, she couldn’t help but give Xu Xiuwen a sideways glance and said, “Stop boasting!”

Xu Xiuwen shook his head and said, “I’m not boasting. Don’t worry, in a few years, I’ll be the richest person in Langya City, and you’ll be the richest mother.”

Ning Wanqiu replied, “Stop with the nonsense.”

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between mother and son, Zhang Ruoshu couldn’t help but say, “Wanqiu, Xiao Xu has really grown up. You don’t need to worry about him.”

Gu Pandi added, “Yes, Wanqiu, Xiao Xu is so capable. I think he’s the most capable person in our neighborhood.”

Ning Wanqiu glanced at Xu Xiuwen’s smiling face and said with a smile, “Oh, don’t praise him too much. If you keep praising him, he’ll start thinking he’s invincible.”

Aunt Zhang and Aunt Gu both laughed at her remark.

Xu Xiuwen rubbed his stomach and said, “Mom, you’ve already had dinner. I haven’t eaten yet, and I’m starving.”

Ning Wanqiu said, “I haven’t eaten yet. We’ll wait for you to eat together.”

She turned to Aunt Zhang and Aunt Gu and said, “Sister Zhang, Sister Gu, please stay for dinner. I’ll start cooking now.”

Aunt Zhang and Aunt Gu agreed after a moment’s thought.

Ning Wanqiu got up and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Zhang Ruoshu and Gu Pandi naturally didn’t just sit idly on the sofa; they followed her to help out.

With nothing else to do, Xu Xiuwen went back to his room and lay down for a while.

Soon, the meal was ready, and Ning Wanqiu called Xu Xiuwen out for dinner.

The four of them sat down at Xu Xiuwen’s dining table.

Xu Xiuwen curiously asked, “Mom, how did you find out I bought Guangming Distillery? Who told you?”

Ning Wanqiu replied, “Many people told me. At first, I didn’t believe it until I saw it on TV and realized they were telling the truth.”

Xu Xiuwen nodded and said, “I see.”

He gave a dry laugh.

Zhang Ruoshu suddenly said, “Xiao Xu, when I first saw the program and learned you were the new owner of Guangming Distillery, I thought I must be seeing things. I wondered how you could be the owner of the distillery. I asked your mom, and she said she didn’t know either. I thought I must have been mistaken.”

Xu Xiuwen didn’t know how to respond and stayed silent.

Gu Pandi added, “It’s not just Ruoshu. Even your Uncle Jiang and I couldn’t believe it. Your Uncle Jiang even said you must be the spokesperson for the distillery and that the TV station made a mistake.”

Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, “It’s quite normal, considering my age.”

Zhang Ruoshu said, “Xiao Xu, I heard from your Uncle Xiao that their office is planning to use your new distillery’s wine for their annual dinner this year.”

Gu Pandi said, “Yes, Xiao Xu, your Uncle Jiang’s office mentioned the same thing. They said your wine seems hard to get; they couldn’t even buy it.”

Xu Xiuwen smiled and explained, “Aunt Gu, the distillery’s production can’t keep up with the demand right now, so we have limited supply. But the distillery is hiring more staff, and we’re working overtime to ensure everyone can get the new wine.”

Gu Pandi said, “Xiao Xu, your Uncle Jiang has been eagerly wanting to try the new wine. Do you think you could get him a couple of bottles? We’ll pay for them.”

Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, “Aunt Gu, don’t be so formal. It’s just a few bottles of wine. I have two boxes in my car. I’ll have one sent over for Uncle Jiang.”

Hearing this, Gu Pandi was very happy and said, “Then I’ll thank you on behalf of your Uncle Jiang.”

Xu Xiuwen waved his hand and said, “It’s nothing.”

Noticing that Aunt Zhang was also looking at him, Xu Xiuwen quickly added, “Aunt Zhang, after dinner, take a box of wine home with you as well.”

Zhang Ruoshu pretended to refuse, “That might not be appropriate.”

Xu Xiuwen said, “There’s nothing inappropriate. Consider it a gesture of respect from me.”

Zhang Ruoshu suddenly recalled that morning’s incident.

Her face turned red.

She instinctively glanced at Xu Xiuwen.

Xu Xiuwen happened to look over as well.

Their eyes met in the air.

The next moment, Zhang Ruoshu quickly averted her gaze.

She said, a bit flustered, “Alright, then I won’t be polite.”

Xu Xiuwen noticed Zhang Ruoshu’s anxious look and tone.

At first, he didn’t understand, but then he recalled what happened that morning.

A shiver ran through him.

He decided to stay silent and quickly focused on his meal.

Seeing him eating only plain rice, Aunt Gu put some vegetables on his plate and said, “Xiao Xu, eat more. You seem to have lost some weight.”

“Thank you, Aunt Gu,” Xu Xiuwen politely thanked her.