“Let’s go.”
Just two simple words, concise and cool.
Jiang Fuyue watched the group disappear through the gate.
Only when they were completely out of sight did she finally turn to leave.
After the exchange students departed, No. 1 High School returned to its usual peace and quiet.
In the blink of an eye, December passed and it was now New Year’s Day of 2051.
Jiang Ji Private Kitchen remained open and was even busier than usual.
Jiang Da had no choice but to personally take the lead with his “Chef Avengers” team, working tirelessly.
As for the pancake shop, since the students of No. 1 High School were all on break, Han Yunru simply closed it for the holidays and stayed home, busy cooking up delicious treats for her two kids.
“Yueyue’s still too thin. Eat more.”
With that, a piece of sweet-and-sour pork rib landed in Jiang Fuyue’s bowl.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Han Yunru then looked at her son. Little Brother Jiang had his chopsticks paused mid-air—plop, his piece of meat fell.
“Mom…” he whined pitifully.
Han Yunru sighed and personally picked up another piece for him. “It’s not that you can’t eat, but you need to eat in moderation. Learn to control yourself, okay?”
“Mm! Eat till I’m 60–70% full, that’s enough.”
Han Yunru nodded.
Little Brother Jiang: “But… I’m only 30% full now. Can I have more?”
“…”
What could a mother do? Of course she let him eat.
After the meal, Han Yunru washed the dishes and placed a neatly arranged fruit platter on the coffee table.
The siblings didn’t even need to get up—they could reach it with ease.
“By the way, Grandma said she wants to come spend New Year’s with us,” said Han Yunru.
Jiang Fuyue: “She’s free?”
The SZ Group managed by Shi Qingzhi wasn’t small—especially with its recent golden growth phase, expanding into multiple sectors with limitless potential.
“I’m not sure. She brought it up herself, so I assume she cleared her schedule.”
Jiang Fuyue nodded. “When’s she arriving?”
“Tomorrow morning’s flight. She’ll arrive around noon.”
“I’ll go pick her up with Chenxing?”
“Good. She’ll be overjoyed to see you two.”
Sure enough, the next day, the moment the old lady exited the gate, she saw a tall girl and a short boy waiting not far off.
The elder sister was slender and elegant; the younger brother, wide-eyed and adorably handsome.
They were her granddaughter and grandson! Shi Qingzhi’s heart melted instantly.
“Grandma!”
The siblings called out in unison.
Shi Qingzhi looked at one, then the other, completely enamored. “Good children…”
Back home, Han Yunru had already prepared lunch.
The family sat together, eating and chatting.
Han Yunru asked, “Why didn’t Uncle Qin come?”
“There’s a project overseas. His subordinates couldn’t handle it, so he flew over last night.”
“But Uncle Qin’s leg…”
“Don’t worry,” Shi Qingzhi patted her daughter’s hand reassuringly. “He brought two life assistants who’ve been with him for years. It’s very safe.”
“That’s good.”
Jiang Fuyue: “Grandma, have some vegetables.”
Jiang Chenxing: “I’ll get Grandma some rice.”
Shi Qingzhi beamed. Wrinkles formed gently at the corners of her eyes, like a white chrysanthemum blooming gracefully.
Elegant, serene, and dignified.
Time spares true beauty—and this had already proven true with Han Yunru. But with Shi Qingzhi, it felt even more fitting.
A true beauty should bloom boldly, and then age gracefully.
“Oh right, Grandma brought something for you two.” Shi Qingzhi reached into her bag and pulled out two document folders, handing one to each of them.
“Take a look.”
Jiang Fuyue accepted hers and opened it. A moment later, she raised an eyebrow.
Shi Qingzhi caught the subtle reaction and smiled wider. “Seems like Yueyue already knows what it is.”
Little Brother Jiang looked up, whispering to his sister, “Sis, what is this?”
“A stock transfer agreement.”
Han Yunru frowned. “Mom?! You…”
Shi Qingzhi raised her hand, stopping her. “I’m giving it to the kids, not to you. Say no more.”
Han Yunru was exasperated. “Mom…”
“Eat your food.”
Han Yunru sighed helplessly.
The agreements transferred 5% of SZ Group’s shares to each of the siblings. Until they turned 18, guardians would manage them. After 18, they could do as they pleased.
Given SZ Group’s current growth, that 5% was no small matter. Even without selling the shares, just the annual dividends were a massive amount.
Shi Qingzhi took out a pen and handed it to Jiang Fuyue. “Come on, sign it.”
Jiang Fuyue looked at Han Yunru for a moment.
Shi Qingzhi scowled in mock anger, “Grandma is giving it to you. Why are you looking at your mom?”
Jiang Fuyue found her grandma’s attitude amusing and charming.
So without another word, she took the pen and swiftly signed her name.
Shi Qingzhi nodded approvingly. “Yueyue takes after me. Decisive and clean-cut.”
Seeing that, Little Brother Jiang looked at his sister, then at his grandma, and hurriedly signed as well.
He wasn’t wishy-washy either.
And just like that, the matter of shares was settled.
After lunch, Shi Qingzhi immediately called her lawyer to confirm the validity of the agreement and asked them to process it quickly.
“Mom, you’re spoiling them too much,” Han Yunru said, clearly disapproving. “You built the company with your own hands, and it finally became what it is today. You shouldn’t split it up so easily…”
“What are you worried about? You think Yueyue and Chenxing would turn against their own grandmother over some shares?”
“There’s always some risk…”
“No more of this.” Shi Qingzhi waved her hand and suddenly squinted. “What, you’re not jealous of your own kids, are you?”
“Mom! What are you saying?” Han Yunru didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“That’s the end of that. I’ve only got one daughter in my life, and you only have these two kids. If I don’t give it to them, who should I give it to? I want to.”
Han Yunru hesitated. “But what about Uncle Qin…”
“You’re overthinking. He’s the one who suggested it. We’re getting old—sooner or later, the group will need to be handed over. If Yueyue or Chenxing have the ability, SZ Group will belong to one of them.”
“Mom!” Han Yunru cried out. “Why are you saying these things?”
“At this age, why not? I’m not superstitious.”
“But still… Yueyue and Chenxing are still young. Can you really let go?”
“I can’t… But the one I can’t let go of the most is you.”
Han Yunru’s eyes grew misty.
Shi Qingzhi continued, “We’ve missed so much as mother and daughter. You were just a young girl, and now you’re a mother of two. I want to make up for all the best things I couldn’t give you.”
“I understand, I really do…” Han Yunru blinked back tears.
Shi Qingzhi stayed with the Jiang family for two days. During that time, no matter how busy he was, Jiang Da made sure to come home before dinner and cook for his mother-in-law personally.
“If this keeps up, I won’t be able to control my weight.”
Jiang Da didn’t know how to respond. He just stood there grinning awkwardly.
Shi Qingzhi sighed and shook her head.
This son-in-law of hers…
Forget it.
Not bad after all.
At least he gave her Yueyue and Chenxing—smart and lovable kids.
After New Year’s, Shi Qingzhi’s brief vacation came to an end.
Just as she was preparing to return to the capital, she suddenly received a call from abroad.
“Are you Qin Yuancheng’s wife?”
Shi Qingzhi’s expression tensed. “Who is this?”
“Bring 100 million USD to Nanyue within three days, or prepare to collect your husband’s corpse.”
Click.
The call ended before she could even react.
“Hello?! Say that again! Hello—?”
No response. Nothing.
Shi Qingzhi stumbled, nearly collapsing. Fortunately, Han Yunru was quick to catch her—
“Mom?! What happened?!”
“It’s your Uncle Qin…” Shi Qingzhi steadied herself, then her knees gave out again. Jiang Da rushed over and pushed a chair behind her, helping her sit down.
He also silently handed her a cup of warm water.
Everything was done without a word, just quietly and effectively.
Han Yunru: “Mom, what happened to Uncle Qin?!”
Shi Qingzhi’s eyes filled with tears. “He might’ve been kidnapped in Nanyue!”
“What?!”
“Just now, the kidnapper called—he said we have three days to bring a hundred million dollars, or they’ll kill him.”
“What do we do?!”
Shi Qingzhi took a deep breath. “Stay calm—we mustn’t panic. We need to contact a lawyer. Yes, a lawyer…”
She started looking for her phone, flustered and disoriented.
Jiang Chenxing whispered, “Shouldn’t we call the police?”
Shi Qingzhi froze, suddenly snapping back to her senses. “Right! Call the police!”
She reached for her phone to dial 110—
But suddenly, a hand reached over, covering the screen, stopping her.
“…Yueyue?”
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