He dared not tell these things to his daughter, fearing that she wouldn't be able to handle it.
He and his wife agreed that they would be traveling abroad soon to enjoy some time alone together.
He knew that his daughter actually resented him.
But he had no choice. The burden of Tongjia Village was passed down from generation to generation by the Tong family. The brothers here were all brothers who had followed him or their ancestors through thick and thin, fighting for the country.
The year he learned that his wife could no longer have children, he considered disbanding the village's brotherhood, but in the end, his daughter's words changed his mind.
"Dad, I think nowhere else is as good as our Tongjia Village!"
Little did Tong Xiaohuai know that a single sentence she uttered as a child would change the course of her life.
"It's all fate!" Tong Xiaohuai, who was lying on the bed with aches all over after taking a shower, covered her eyes and said this.
Yes, from the moment she was born into this family, being the eldest child in the Tong family was her destiny.
She can be dissatisfied, she can vent her frustrations, but she cannot abandon the entire Tongjia Village.
...
Three days later is Tong Xiaohuai's eighteenth birthday, and the village of Tongjia is filled with a festive atmosphere these two days.
Because that day was not only Miss Tong's eighteenth birthday, but also the day when the eldest son of the Tong family passed on his position as the eldest son to Miss Tong.
Since returning from the boxing gym that day, Tong Xiaohuai has never left Tongjia Village.
Although she has a short temper, she understands reason.
In the blink of an eye, it was Tong Xiaohuai's birthday.
Following her parents' instructions, Tong Xiaohuai wore a light pink brocade cheongsam, a dress her mother had sewn for her. She knelt before the ancestral tablets and kowtowed three times. After offering incense and wine, she knelt before her parents and kowtowed three more times.
"Dad, Mom, thank you for giving me life and raising me. From today onwards, I will take care of you until you grow old."
With tears in her eyes, Tong's mother helped her beloved daughter up. The chances of her returning after this trip were slim, and she might not live to enjoy her daughter's filial piety and thoughtfulness.
"Xiao Huai, from today onwards, you are an adult. From now on, you must take good care of yourself. No matter what happens, the most important thing is to take care of and protect yourself first, understand?"
Tong's mother patiently instructed her daughter, for in her eyes no one was more important than her daughter. Therefore, if possible, she would gladly hand over the position of the leader of Tongjia Village to someone else.
"Mom, I understand!"
Tong Xiaohuai assumed that his mother said those words because it was his birthday and because he was going to take over the eldest son's responsibilities from his father.
Little did she know that there was something her parents had kept from her for many years.
Tong, the eldest brother standing nearby, was afraid that his wife would let something slip, so he quickly winked at his brothers, signaling them to hurry up and prepare for the handover ceremony.
Tong's mother pulled Tong Xiaohuai aside and talked on and on, while Tong Laoda sat obediently to the side and listened to his wife and daughter's chatter.
On one hand, he was afraid that his wife would say something wrong and reveal to their daughter that she had gone abroad for medical treatment, in which case the handover ceremony would be pointless.
On the other hand, I also thought that the mother and daughter were about to part ways. If we didn't say some things now, we might not have the chance to say them again in the future. No one could say for sure.
Because the attending physician said that his wife's illness had been delayed for too long, and the chance of a successful surgery was only 30%.
After a while, one of his men came to report, "Boss, everything is ready for the inauguration ceremony next door. Please come over, Boss, your wife, and Miss."
In addition to all the brothers from Tongjia Village attending this ceremony of both leaving and taking office, major clients who had business dealings with the Tong family were also invited. These guests, of course, all entered with invitations. Tongjia Village was like a country in itself in this city, and other people could not easily enter.
The hall where the ceremony was held was very large, large enough to accommodate over a thousand people.
After a complicated handover ceremony between the old and new leaders, Boss Tong walked onto the stage with his wife on his left arm and his daughter on his right. After a brief speech, he pulled Tong Xiaohuai to his side and said...
"From now on, Tongjia Village will be officially under the leadership of my daughter. All the rules will remain the same. However, your leader will no longer be me, but her. I ask all my uncles, brothers, and friends who have always cooperated with us to take care of and guide my daughter. I, Tong, will be eternally grateful!"
After Boss Tong finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
After the outgoing leader finished speaking, it was naturally the turn of the new leader, Tong Xiaohuai, to give his remarks.
Tong Xiaohuai stood in the center of the stage, glancing at the familiar faces below, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in her heart.
She wasn't afraid, though.
To say she was happy is even more inaccurate.
"Hello everyone, uncles and elders, I am Xiao Huai, I always have been, and I always will be. But besides that, I am still the eldest son of the Tong family. I will do the same things my father did before, and I hope you will support me as you supported my father!"
Tong Xiaohuai didn't say a word of nonsense, because she knew that neither what her father said nor what she said really mattered.
A person's prestige is always solidified by strength, not by a few words.
She knew that from this moment on, countless people were waiting to see her make a fool of herself!
But she, of all people, will not let them have their way!
The handover ceremony was thus completed. The Tong family prepared a very lavish buffet banquet, and the Tong family members and invited guests enjoyed a lively meal.
While the others were feasting, Tong Xiaohuai, as the main character, was receiving blessings and toasts from the brothers and guests along with Boss Tong. After drinking two or three cups, Boss Tong had someone change her water.
"Dad, forget it, no need. Let's just go to the bar."
Tong Xiaohuai knew that if she drank water now, she would easily get drunk when she needed to drink alcohol later. So, for now, she should just drink alcohol honestly.
Tong sighed inwardly, waved his hand, and signaled to his men that there was no need to change.
Tong Xiaohuai was entertaining guests with his father when a brother brought in a large bouquet of roses and walked straight toward Tong Laoda and Tong Xiaohuai.
"Miss……"
Boss Tong glared at his subordinate, who then realized he had called him by the wrong name. "Uh, no, it's Boss!"
"Boss, a Mr. Yan from outside the village is requesting an audience. These flowers are a gift from him."
"Mr. Yan?"
Tong Xiaohuai frowned slightly; in her memory, she didn't seem to know such a person.
"Yes, he said he saw you at the boxing gym three days ago!" The young man relayed the flower delivery man's words.
Tong Xiaohuai thought for a moment before remembering that Manager Xiao had indeed mentioned that someone wanted to see her that night.
"Let him go!" Tong Xiaohuai didn't want to get to know those good-for-nothing playboys.
He said his name was Yan Bo!
Tong Xiaohuai was about to say that she didn't care whether his name was Yan Bo or Yan Bo, she couldn't be bothered to see him, but unexpectedly, her father said, "Please invite him in!"
A short while later, a tall and elegant young man walked in. Ignoring the curiosity of the crowd, he walked straight up to Tong Xiaohuai, extended his hand, and smiled politely.
"Hello, my name is Yan Bo!"
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