Tao Xudong thought Xiaoman wanted honesty, so he told her the truth about his family. He thought that after he finished speaking, Xiaoman would marry Da Ni to him. But Xiaoman told him that he and his mother were living in a conspiracy.
Tao Xudong mentally went through what Xiaoman had said: his great-grandfather almost lost his life because of that treasure; his mother married a heartless man because of that treasure; his maternal grandmother always blamed herself for his mother's situation, blaming herself for not choosing a good son-in-law for her daughter; and he didn't know who his biological father was because of that wealth.
Xiaoman raised an eyebrow: "What are you planning to do?"
“I plan to burn those ancient paintings in front of both families.”
"You've figured it out?"
"No."
"Then..." Xiaoman looked at Tao Xudong and said, "If you burn those paintings, you won't be able to get them yourself. Are you willing to accept that?"
Tao Xudong wanted to say he was willing. But… Tao Xudong felt it was best not to lie to Xiaoman: “I’m not willing. But that family has been eyeing our family for four generations in order to get the treasure left by my great-grandfather’s ancestors. My fake father has been putting on an act with my mother and me every day for this treasure. They’ve put in so much effort to get this treasure. If I don’t burn those ancient paintings in front of them, they’ll keep an eye on me for the rest of their lives. There’s no such thing as a thief who can guard against a thief for a thousand days. No matter how smart or careful I am, I might still fall into their trap. And…”
Tao Xudong looked at Han Gui and Tian Dahua and said, "If I hadn't resolved this matter, you wouldn't have married Da Ni to me."
Xiaoman laughed: "Do you know why they want to kill you?"
Tao Xudong didn't know whether to be happy or unhappy: "Because I'm too smart. They think I'll discover their conspiracy sooner or later. So, once they get the painting, they'll have to get rid of me."
Xiaoman nodded: "Do you know how they plan to get rid of you?"
"They even prepared this?"
Xiaoman: "Mmm."
Tao Xudong thought for a moment: If he had prepared in advance and was certain to kill him, then… Tao Xudong felt a chill run down his spine: “Is there something wrong with the room I’m staying in?”
Xiaoman: "Yes. They got their inspiration from your great-grandfather."
Tao Xudong: "My house would collapse if you pushed it?"
Xiaoman: "Hmm. But you have to find the right place. Otherwise, you won't be able to push it down." Xiaoman suggested a place: "If you have time, you can go back and push it down."
Tao Xudong broke out in a cold sweat. "If they had used their energy for good, they would be living a good life by now."
Xiaoman smiled and said, "You'd believe me if I said your dad isn't your biological dad?"
Tao Xudong: "You don't need to lie to me. Besides, I have my own feelings, but I just don't want to believe it. After I found out that my fake father had another family, I secretly went to see it. The way my fake father looks at his real son is different from the way he looks at me. Uncle, Aunt, Second Aunt, I'm going to ask the team leader for leave right now."
Xiaoman: "Even if you burned those ancient paintings in front of them, they wouldn't believe you. They'd think you were just trying to fool them with some random paintings. Also, are you going to tell your mother about this?"
Tao Xudong: "My mother really likes my fake father. On the surface, my fake father is very nice to my mother. If I told my mother this, she would think I'm crazy."
Xiaoman looked at Tao Xudong and said, "Even if you burn those ancient paintings, you can't burn away the greed in their hearts."
Tao Xudong: "Then... what should I do? I can't give them that treasure even if I want to. I don't even know where it is."
Xiaoman glanced at Han Gui and Tian Dahua.
Han Gui glanced at Tao Xudong: "Go and call Da Ni in."
Tao Xudong was secretly delighted: "Great."
A moment later, Da Ni followed Tao Xudong in: "Dad, Mom, Second Aunt, did you call me?"
Han Gui: "Yes. Didn't you write a letter to your second aunt? After receiving the letter, your second aunt went to his hometown to inquire about it."
Han Gui looked at Tao Xudong and said, "Tell Da Ni yourself."
“Okay. Dani, I…” Tao Xudong recounted what had just happened: “Dani, are you still willing to marry me?”
Xiaoman stood up from her chair: "Let's eat first, then we'll talk."
Han Gui also stood up from his chair: "Tao Zhiqing, you can eat here too. Da Bao, come in for a moment."
Da Bao answered and came in from outside: "Dad, what's up?"
“Take Tao Zhiqing out to eat.”
"Okay." Da Bao looked at Tao Zhiqing's feet: "Xu Dong, do you need me to help you?"
"Need not."
"Let's go then."
"Okay. Uncle, Aunt, Second Aunt, I'll go out now."
Han Gui: "Hmm."
After Tao Xudong and Dabao left, Xiaoman looked at Da Ni and said, "Think it over carefully before you speak."
"Second Aunt, I'm taking the exam..."
Da Ni was interrupted by Xiao Man as soon as she started speaking: "Sister-in-law, take her back inside. She's not thinking clearly right now."
"Okay." Tian Dahua tugged at Da Ni: "Come on, let's go back to the house with Mom."
"Mother, how could those people be so wicked? Xudong, he..."
Han Gui glared at Da Ni: "Shut up, go back inside."
Da Ni didn't dare to argue with Han Gui: "Second Aunt, I've thought it through. I'm willing to marry him."
Xiaoman smiled and said, "I'll talk about it tomorrow if I've thought it through."
Since Han Gui and Xiao Man had both spoken, Da Ni had no choice but to follow Tian Da Hua.
After Tian Dahua and Da Ni left, Han Gui asked Xiao Man, "What do you think of this kid?"
"Not bad. Smart, loves money, but is also willing to give it up when necessary."
Han Gui nodded: "His fake father has been asking him for those ancient paintings. So, is his interest in our Da Ni just so he can get Binzi to help him protect the things passed down from his maternal grandmother's family? After all, his fake father has other sons, and his mother is completely infatuated with his fake father."
"That's part of the reason. However, since he wanted to use Binzi to pressure his fake father, he should have known that if he dared to treat Dani badly, Binzi would also deal with him."
Han Gui frowned.
Xiaoman looked at Han Gui and said, "Binzi is Da Ni's uncle. No matter who proposes marriage to Da Ni, they will take that into account."
Han Gui smiled and said, "You're right. I was getting stuck on one thing."
Xiaoman raised an eyebrow: "Tao Xudong only has one biological mother now. If he treats Da Ni well, he will have a whole family of relatives to help him. If he doesn't treat Da Ni well, he will have a whole family of relatives to make things difficult for him. Tao Xudong is a smart man and knows what to do."
"Okay. Let's go eat."
"good."
After dinner, Han Gui called Tao Xudong to his side: "Xudong, Da Ni said she's willing to marry you. But I want her to think about it some more. So, come back tomorrow night."
"Okay." Tao Xudong greeted everyone and prepared to return to the educated youth settlement.
Xiaoman glanced at Dabao.
Da Bao immediately stood up from his chair: "Come on, I'll take you home."
Tao Xudong wouldn't let Da Bao deliver it.
Xiaoman: "It's getting dark, and your foot is injured again."
Da Bao: "Exactly. Come on, if your foot wasn't injured, I wouldn't have asked you to take me home."
Tao Xudong: "Alright then. Thank you, Second Aunt."
Xiaoman smiled.
After Da Bao dropped Tao Xudong off at the educated youth settlement, he wanted to say a few words to Luo Wenlan, but as soon as Luo Wenlan saw him, she went back into her room and closed the door behind her.
Da Bao thought Luo Wenlan was still angry, so he went back first.
When Da Bao returned, his older sister was sitting next to Tang Huihui, eating sunflower seeds. Upon seeing Da Bao, she waved to him.
After Da Bao went over, his older sister said, "Brother Da Bao, I've discovered something."
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