Wang Jiancheng said, "I can see she likes you, but forgive for being blunt, it’s very difficult for you two to be together. It’s not that I want to ruin your relationship, but even without , the Qiao Family would not agree to your association."
Xu Chunliang calmly looked at Wang Jiancheng, actually admiring Wang Jiancheng’s rationality and composure. Wang Jiancheng was clearly reminding him that the real issue lay with the Qiao Family.
Xu Chunliang raised his wine glass and clinked it with his, and both of them drank the glass of wine. Perhaps it was due to this conversation, they did not feel any hostility toward each other.
Wang Jiancheng believed that he and Xu Chunliang might not beco enemies, but they certainly wouldn’t beco friends. Their social classes determined their different worlds. Wang Jiancheng began to re-evaluate the marriage alliance between the Jiang and Qiao families, questioning whether he could accept a woman who already had feelings for soone else.
Their al together did not take too long, as both happened to be the kind of people who disliked wasting ti.
Xu Chunliang declined Wang Jiancheng’s offer to have soone drive him back, and instead took a taxi back to Dongzhou Restaurant, sending a ssage to i Ru Xue on the way to let her know he was safe.
i Ru Xue had been waiting for his ssage, and only when she saw that he returned safely did she feel relieved.
When she went to draw the curtains, she saw it had started snowing outside, and her brother had returned from outside.
When Qiao Rulong looked up at the light on the third floor, i Ru Xue had already drawn the curtains.
Qiao Rulong stood in the first snowfall of the new year, his shoulders already white. He left early and returned late every day, and could no longer rember the last ti he saw his sister. It was then he realized that since he brought his sister back to the Capital City, they had rarely spoken, he shook his head and went inside.
The reason he ca back to his grandfather’s place today was that Ye Qingya was also here.
Qiao Rulong headed straight for his room, but before he reached it, he saw Ye Qingya coming down from upstairs. Ye Qingya pointed to the study.
Qiao Rulong imdiately understood that his grandfather had not yet gone to bed and was waiting for him to arrive.
Ye Qingya pointed upstairs again, and Qiao Rulong knew she was going to chat with his sister tonight. He nodded, as there were originally not many words between him and his wife. He believed deep down, Ye Qingya did not love him, and even sowhat despised his worldly ways. Although Ye Qingya never said so, he knew she did not like his current identity as a businessman.
Ye Qingya helped Qiao Rulong take off his coat, trying her best to fulfill the duties of a wife, and Qiao Rulong expressed satisfaction with her. They respected each other like courteous guests, akin to a gentleman’s friendship that is as insipid as water. So have said this is the best state for a married couple to be in.
Qiao Rulong tiptoed to the study, adjusted his breathing, and knocked on the door.
Receiving permission, he entered the study and saw his grandfather reading under the lamp.
"Grandfather!"
Elder Qiao put down the Mao selection he held, took off his reading glasses, and gave his grandson a glance. Qiao Rulong placed a box of Goryeo ginseng on the desk: "I originally planned to bring it to you tomorrow. Just as you hadn’t slept yet, what do you think of this Goryeo ginseng?"
Elder Qiao remarked, "Your uncle is not coming back for the Spring Festival."
Qiao Rulong replied, "Recently, Pinghai is unstable, and he is busy with work. It’s understandable that he cannot leave."
"Busy? What is he busy with? It’s not like the promotional work in Pinghai is brilliantly executed anyways?"
Qiao Rulong laughed. He moved behind his grandfather and massaged his shoulders: "Do you miss him? How about our whole family goes to Pinghai for the New Year?"
Elder Qiao shook his head, saying Pinghai is too warm, without the slightest feeling of New Year. He still preferred the New Year in the Capital City.
Qiao Rulong knew his grandfather had been to Pinghai a few months ago, but did not visit his uncle, Qiao Yuanjiang, stationed in Nanjiang. He had no idea what caused the rift between father and son. His grandfather must be disappointed in his uncle.
Among Qiao Rulong’s father’s generation, the one most suited for politics was actually his father, Qiao Yuanshan. His grandfather had also invested significant care in his father, but ultimately his father stumbled over life issues.
To save his father’s political career, his grandfather used a lot of connections, but in the end, his father still broke his heart, leading to a complete severance of their father-son relationship.
In Qiao Rulong’s mory, his father abandoned him and his mother to marry a woman surnad i, even betraying the Qiao Family, but he did not attain the happiness he sought. The woman surnad i passed away shortly after giving birth to his sister, i Ru Xue. His father sent i Ru Xue to the Qiao Family, and from then on, vanished without a trace.
Qiao Rulong could see that deep down, his grandfather must have deeply loved his father. Over the years, he would not allow anyone to ntion his father’s na in front of him, but he personally raised his sister, i Ru Xue.
Qiao Rulong never understood why his grandfather insisted that his sister carry the surna i, and what the reason behind this was?
Elder Qiao said, "Your mother ca to see today and brought up when you and Xiaoya might let her hold a grandchild."
Qiao Rulong laughed, "She’s been quite idle lately." After her divorce, his mother never remarried, and his grandfather claid to only acknowledge her as his daughter-in-law. His mother was very filial and planned to live with the Qiao Family for her entire life, until the day his father sent i Ru Xue over. The day his grandfather took in i Ru Xue, his mother left the Qiao Family. Qiao Rulong knew that his sister was always a thorn in her heart.
Elder Qiao said, "You’ve been married for five years now, right?"
Qiao Rulong nodded: "I’m quite busy with business, and Xiaoya insists on having her own career, so we plan to have children in a couple of years."
Elder Qiao sighed and said: "Normally, it’s not my place to interfere, but having a child together is what gives your family true aning."
"Grandfather, I’ll make sure to work on it."
Elder Qiao said: "Xiaoxue looks very happy tonight."
Qiao Rulong said: "Wang Jiancheng invited them to a concert tonight."
"Oh! Are they getting along well?"
Qiao Rulong laughed: "I suppose so."
Elder Qiao’s deep-set eyes scrutinized his grandson, as Qiao Rulong stood properly, just like his sister, both having grown up under their grandfather’s guidance.
"Have you ever considered taking a position at Hua Tou?"
Qiao Rulong paused, pursing his lips: "It wouldn’t be suitable. My uncle is the executive there; if I go, there will be gossip. Besides, Mingsheng Capital is currently on the rise, and I haven’t thought about ending it just yet."
Elder Qiao said: "Your capability has already been proven, and you have achieved financial freedom long ago. Continuing with Mingsheng is just playing a numbers ga. In business, one must know when to retreat."
Qiao Rulong realized that his grandfather never really valued the business world. In the old man’s heart, there was a deep conviction; he hoped that among his descendants, soone could take up the mantle of leading the family, maintaining the Qiao Family’s status in this social stratum.
So things money can’t achieve, only power can!
His father had once been chosen by his grandfather as the heir, but his father’s downfall caused him deep distress. Although his uncle entered politics and joined the Pinghai leadership, his uncle’s ability and age ant there was no more room for advancent; in the coming years, he would be at best marking ti.
Among Qiao Rulong’s generation, he was the only male descendant. The Qiao Family never had high expectations for daughters. Although his sister, i Ru Xue, was in politics, everyone in the Qiao Family viewed her current work as just a whim, never truly placing any hope in her.
Initially, Qiao Rulong didn’t choose to go into politics directly, and his grandfather tacitly approved of his decision. But as he beca more successful in the business arena, he found a newfound expectation in his grandfather’s eyes, perhaps those expectations had always been there, just well-hidden.
Qiao Rulong realized that sooner or later, he would take the political path, but he had always been conflicted—freedom or power, which should he choose? Maybe he would ultimately choose the latter, but he hadn’t yet experienced true freedom.
Elder Qiao said: "The best business people often transition to politics. Your years of hard work have already prepared you for anything at Hua Tou. Now is the best opportunity."
Qiao Rulong said: "Aren’t you afraid of gossip?"
Elder Qiao calmly said: "The Wang Family should have the understanding to value talent regardless of personal ties."
Qiao Rulong understood that his grandfather would not personally intervene. His mother’s visit today was likely not just about wanting grandchildren. Although she no longer lived with the Qiao Family, she was still the Qiao Family’s daughter-in-law, deeply respecting his grandfather, who treated her like his own daughter, except for the issue of raising i Ru Xue, on which they never disagreed.
Qiao Rulong believed that his grandfather and mother had already reached a consensus on his future developnt direction.
The Qiao Family needed a newcor to lead the family’s future. His grandfather had probably been planning this for years, which was why he hadn’t opposed him going into business initially.
His grandfather was like an experienced hunter in the political arena, knowing precisely when was the perfect mont to act.
Opportunities are fleeting. As his grandfather aged, his influence slowly waned, evident from the declining number of people coming to pay New Year visits each year. It seed his sister’s placent in Dongzhou Lake Mountain Town was no coincidence; Qiao Rulong now realized that his sister might be a stepping stone.
Qiao Rulong quickly made up his mind: "I’ll go visit Uncle tomorrow."
Elder Qiao gently shook his head: "He will co to you."
Qiao Rulong was slightly startled. Given Uncle’s current status, he probably only respected his grandfather outwardly. But the grandfather spoke with such certainty, indicating he had a firm grasp on the situation. Uncle’s current position was undeniably tied to grandfather’s support in the past, leading Qiao Rulong to wonder if his grandfather’s aid was part of a broader plan for his future.
Elder Qiao picked up the ginseng from Goryeo: "Tomorrow, go to the Wang Family and deliver this ginseng to your Uncle Wang."
Qiao Rulong said: "He is very reclusive and rarely receives guests."
Elder Qiao calmly said: "You are delivering the item; you don’t necessarily have to et him."
Qiao Rulong imdiately understood that his grandfather wanted him to use the ginseng to gauge the Wang Family’s stance.
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