The Good Dad System (Arc 11) Chapter 83.3: A Patriarchal Family (21)
Every year, the profits from the factory were earmarked for anti-son preference propaganda in various regions. They also collaborated with women’s federations in many places to establish special funds for women and children’s care. The women’s federations would then connect with schools and other organizations to provide financial support to women who had dropped out of school, faced forced marriages, or were subjected to violence or arranged marriages. Of course, this caused a huge uproar at the time. Many people criticized the factory online, determined to bring it down. They felt the factory had ulterior motives, were social scum, and were trying to instigate a women’s uprising.
Tang Zhaodi was very uneasy at the time, but her husband comforted her: “Zhaodi, entrepreneurs should have a sense of social responsibility. Before, I could only stay at home, love and respect you, but my strength was limited. But as Wapin grew bigger and bigger, not only you, but I also felt that we should do something for this society. You did nothing wrong, I support you.” She drew strength from her husband and published an article online under her real name, recounting everything she had encountered in the simplest language.
—In fact, the story wasn’t tragic; rather, it was quite “gentle.” Wasn’t it just that her life revolved around her younger brother? But the most terrifying thing is the slow, gradual boiling of the frog. The ordinariness was chilling because so many people had become “accustomed to it,” unaware of the problem.
Then, one after another, from among the many female workers, they rose up in support of the boss who had given them another choice in life, telling their own stories.
Some women, because they gave birth to daughters, became their husbands’ punching bags, even facing infidelity just a few years into their marriages, simply because they couldn’t have a son; others, because they weren’t born sons, were given away to other families, only to be harassed and forced to pay money after they got jobs… They spoke of their lives lightly, grateful for their current happiness, as if their past suffering was insignificant, but to outsiders, it was terrifying enough.
Public opinion finally reversed, and Wapin continued steadfastly on this path, repeatedly being recognized as one of the most responsible entrepreneurs. Although some people would occasionally appear out of nowhere, hurl insults, and leave, most chose to support them.
“What’s wrong?” Tang Zhaodi finished the phone call, facing her two children, her expression softening. She gently stroked her daughter’s head affectionately, then paused, and for fairness, also stroked her son’s head—you see, every time she touched her son’s head before, it was always hard (due to excessive gel), that unpleasant feeling had given her psychological trauma.
“Mom, my cousin texted me saying he wants to work at Wapin.” Pei Zihao hesitated before speaking, afraid of upsetting his mother. He knew perfectly well that his mother’s biggest weakness was his maternal grandmother’s family.
Sure enough, Tang Zhaodi immediately snorted coldly, her expression particularly unpleasant. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Why are you contacting him?”
She wasn’t that heartless, but her nephew and his younger brother had grown up to be exactly alike, bossing their older sister around as if she were their servant. Tang Zhaodi had seen this once and was furious. Now that her two nieces were working at Wapin, she hadn’t given them any special treatment, only helping to arrange a factory far from Heping Township, with room and board provided, at least giving the two girls a place to live. But her own foolish brother was still harassing the two girls every day.
“No, he added me himself.” Pei Zihao was a little embarrassed. His cousin had added him by searching his phone number, and once he added him as a friend, he wouldn’t stop calling. He couldn’t just delete him immediately, could he?
“You don’t need to pay attention to him, you can delete him.” Tang Zhaodi’s expression was cold. She knew perfectly well that even though she had spoken harshly to her sisters, how could she really ignore him? When their father was seriously ill and on his deathbed, her younger brother said he was busy with work and then just left, abandoning their father in the hospital room without even paying for the funeral. What could she and her sisters do? They could only come and take turns caring for him until their father passed away and the funeral arrangements were made. Only then did her younger brother realize when he had returned.
When their father passed away, looking at his three daughters standing beside him, holding his wife’s hand, two lines of tears streamed down his face. He wanted to speak, but by then he was speechless, only able to murmur his lips before quickly losing consciousness. After arranging their father’s funeral, Tang Zhaodi and her sisters huddled together and cried for a long time. The only question that lingered in their hearts was simple: “Did he regret it?” Then they wiped each other’s tears, just like they had done countless times when they were children, lying to each other to face their anxieties together.
Of course, this question would never be answered.
Later, Tang’s mother was taken away by her younger brother. Like a giant bloodsucker, he quickly found the side with the greater benefit and made his choice. He didn’t want to leave his mother in the care of his older sisters, only to end up without receiving any money.
“What if Uncle calls me?” Pei Zihao was quite embarrassed. How could he tell his mother that his uncle had called and launched into a long explanation, saying that his mother had been brainwashed by his aunts, was ignorant, and misunderstood him? Knowing the whole story, he was completely defeated by his uncle’s shamelessness. In the end, he could only silently say, “Okay, thank you, Uncle,” and hang up.
“Don’t pay any attention to it,” Tang Zhaodi said calmly, both outwardly and inwardly. When you truly become strong, few things can defeat you. Her former obsessions had largely dissipated with her father’s passing. Even if they truly regretted it, who could make up for the pain she and her sisters had endured over the years? Since it can’t be made up for, and the past can’t be retrieved, the younger brother is only able to bother her now because their mother is still alive. Once their mother is gone, they will sever all ties with him.
She and her sisters did all this not because they were foolish, nor because they were pushovers, but simply to fulfill this bond between parents and children, and not wanting to carry the burden of guilt for the rest of their lives. After all, they and that heartless brother were never meant to be together.
“Alright, alright, come and eat! Stop chatting!” Pei Naochun came out shortly after going in. Wu Guizhi was incredibly efficient; she had already prepared all the food. After all, she was quite leisurely these days, with nothing much to do, and only got busy a few times a year.
“Coming, coming!” Pei Zihao quickly pulled his sister and mother over, afraid that his mother would recall unhappy things. They quickly sat down and took turns praising Wu Guizhi’s cooking, making her beam with joy, before starting their meal.
Halfway through their meal, Pei Naochun casually turned on the TV. He was showing the animated feature film produced by Wapin Animation this year, which was currently playing in the cinema. He had a copy on hand: “Let’s keep this on our watchlist and support our own company’s animation.” Just as he finished speaking, the movie started, and the whole family became engrossed.
Pei Xiaoping, watching the film, was particularly moved. Wapin’s animations mainly fall into two categories: one is a lighthearted anthropomorphic animation featuring a family of dogs, with each episode lasting less than half an hour; the other is a youth animation about several teenagers who, after gaining special powers, save the world. Today’s film was a spin-off of the latter.
In this world-saving animation, the female protagonist named Pingping stands out. Although she and her twin brother Haohao often tease and joke with each other, they are willing to do anything for each other in crucial moments. These two characters were drawn based on photos of Pei Xiaoping and Pei Zihao. In the animation, their roles are equally prominent and both are outstanding, earning them a considerable fanbase.
In high school, Pei Xiaoping saw a five-star review for an animation. It wasn’t long:
“Why is this animation still a favorite among many girls? — Because it tells us that girls can be heroes, girls can change the world, and save the world.”
She was instantly struck by this. Her mother always told her that she and her grandmother, coming from the countryside and illiterate, could manage shops and factories well. Her father was the same; he always said, “If you want to do it, and you can do it, then do it.”
She wanted to manage Wapin and felt willing to put in the effort, so why not do it? It was then that she finally made her decision to include Wapin in her dreams.
Fortunately, her idea received the support of her whole family.
Pei Naochun, halfway through the meal, suddenly said, “Time flies. In the blink of an eye, it’s been over twenty years since we came to S City.”
“Yes,” Wu Guizhi especially remarked.
“You two need to grow up quickly. I’m planning to take your mother and grandmother on a world tour someday.”
Pei Zihao immediately refused, “Dad, I told you, I can’t do it! I’ll take the money, but managing the company is out of the question. Give it to my sister.”
Tang Zhaodi immediately rolled her eyes, “We weren’t expecting anything from you anyway!” She laughed, “Anyway, we have our own plans. If you don’t want to manage the company, then take over a few shops and get more real estate so you can be a landlord.” She understood the principle of treating everyone equally.
“Yes, that’s what I’m planning too.” Pei Naochun nodded in affirmation. In fact, this wasn’t just a casual remark; he, his mother, and Zhaodi had already discussed it and were almost ready to write a will. Pei Zihao suddenly leaned on his sister’s shoulder like a little bird, “Sister, I’ll be relying on you from now on. If you don’t support me, I’ll have to work even harder. ”
If he didn’t work hard, he’d have to go home and inherit the family business.
“Okay .” Pei Xiaoping was amused by her younger brother and leaned her head in as well. The two siblings snuggled together, very affectionately.
…
Later, Pei Naochun kept his word. He worked until he was sixty-five, then successfully retired with his wife, handing the company over to his daughter. He then traveled the world with Wu Guizhi and Tang Zhaodi, accompanying them through the final years of their lives.
The work of Wapin fell almost entirely on Pei Xiaoping’s shoulders. She wasn’t overwhelmed by the pressure; instead, she took on the responsibility and helped Wapin grow bigger and bigger.
Pei Zihao, on the other hand, continued his bricklaying career, making a name for himself in the civil engineering field. He also had another identity: a landlord. Pei Naochun fairly distributed the assets, putting properties and shops of roughly equal value to the company under his son’s name, and even giving him some shares so he could eat and receive dividends every year. He often joked that he was carrying a fortune to lay bricks, but everyone thought he was just bragging and didn’t take it seriously until much later when it was proven true.
Pei Naochun saw his mother and wife pass away, and even took on the role of “nanny” again, caring for his grandchildren as they grew up, before finally passing away at the age of eighty-nine. In the year he died, Wapin had become a world-renowned brand, encompassing luxury goods and fashion—a veritable behemoth.
His death coincided with the release of their animated feature film. At that time, Wapin’s animated film was already a global IP, with a related theme park attracting countless visitors. He squinted at the television screen, watching the familiar Pingping, so vivid and spirited, saying, “We girls are just like that, capable of anything.”
[Eleventh World Assessment Passed.]
EmpressYue Corner
The end of Arc 11……
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