Lin Yusen kept laughing all the way, making me quite annoyed.
“I can still fly away”… was that so funny?
Under my glare, he finally contained his laughter, “Sorry, I keep picturing a sun with wings flying away in my mind.”
I imagined it too: “Are the Earth and other planets following behind?”
“Of course, the sun has such a large mass, I’d have to chase after it.”
I was asking about the other planets!
Only then did Lin Yusen think to ask me: “What made you suddenly come to pick me up?”
“Just taking a walk after eating too much,” I replied haughtily, deciding not to tell him yet about Mom arranging a house for me. I’d wait until everything was ready to give him a surprise.
It would be a surprise, right?
“Where are we going this afternoon? We’ll just have lunch at your grandfather’s, right?”
“Yes, but I need to move some things to my place in Pudong, and we’re having dinner at my teacher’s house tonight.”
There are even plans for tonight? His teacher—is that the elderly man we met at the wedding banquet last time?
“It’s not that I don’t want to go, but Lin Yusen, don’t you feel like I’ve met all your relatives and friends in these two days?”
“I’m surprised too,” he wore a troubled expression. “These were all arranged beforehand—who knew you’d come to Shanghai? It wouldn’t be right to not bring you along.”
…What could I say to that?
If I say another word to him on the way, I lose!
I didn’t even last ten minutes…
Who told him to suddenly stop the car to buy me milk tea? I had to go over and specify the flavor, right?
“The sweetest one, with red beans and coconut jelly.”
Lin Yusen casually remarked while paying: “Weren’t you not talking to me?”
“Can’t help it, you don’t know my taste preferences. After all~ we’re not that close yet.” I deliberately emphasized the last part.
“I see.” Lin Yusen nodded, paid, and then pulled me to his side with one hand.
“Hey!”
What’s going on, is he trying to force familiarity? In public, with all the milk tea shop girls watching!
Just as I was about to break free, Lin Yusen wrapped his coat around me, “Getting out of the car without a coat, aren’t you cold?”
Oh, that’s a reasonable excuse. I stood on tiptoe, poking my head out to look around, hmm, there weren’t many people on this street… so I guess I’ll stay wrapped up like this, it’s warm and cozy, and I don’t want to move away.
However.
“Your coat seems a bit big.” Could fit another me in here.
“The size should be right, it’s the design.”
“Oh, then with all this space, aren’t you cold?”
Lin Yusen: “…Nie Xuiguang.”
“Hmm?”
“You know how to ruin a moment.”
I felt like now Lin Yusen was the one who didn’t want to talk to me.
Fortunately, we soon arrived at the Sheng family home.
The Sheng family mansion was similar to what I’d imagined of an old Shanghai luxury residence—tall black iron gates, neat and spacious lawns, somewhat Western-style architecture, everything exuding a sense of history.
The car drove for several minutes after passing through the black iron gates. When we stopped at the villa entrance, two young people were already waiting. Seeing us get out, they immediately came forward, with the young woman urging Lin Yusen, “Second Brother, quick, introduce us.”
“Sheng Xingle, Sheng Xingxiu, my second and third uncles’ children. Xuiguang, my girlfriend—didn’t you meet her at the birthday banquet?”
The girl, who must be Xingxiu, was dissatisfied with Lin Yusen’s casual introduction, “That’s way too perfunctory!”
She turned to me enthusiastically, “We only glimpsed each other that day, and didn’t get to talk properly. Let’s sit together during lunch!”
“Sure,” I agreed, handing her the other milk tea, “You’re Xingxiu, right? Yusen bought this milk tea for you.”
Sheng Xingxiu’s eyes immediately lit up, and she started drinking through the straw, “Second Brother, you do have a conscience after all.”
Sheng Xingle stood beside us, scanning me up and down meticulously, then said incredulously: “No way? Just one cup, where’s mine?”
“Aren’t you building muscle? You don’t want any.”
Lin Yusen pulled me with one hand while pushing Sheng Xingle inside with the other.
Sheng Xingle argued as he was being pushed, “What’s wrong with drinking it occasionally? Second Brother, you’re just stingy.”
Lin Yusen said: “You’re right, I am stingy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Just then, an elder came out—if I remember correctly, it should be Lin Yusen’s third uncle, Sheng Shukai. The Sheng brothers’ names were quite easy to remember: Sheng Bokai, Sheng Zhongkai, and Sheng Shukai. Sheng Shukai called out loudly: “What are you all doing at the door? Grandfather is waiting.”
The Sheng family really was large. Fortunately, Lin Yusen had timed it well—when we reached the living room, we just greeted everyone once before directly starting the meal, saving us from countless awkward conversations.
During the meal, Sheng Xingxiu didn’t sit next to me after all. Since this was my first visit, probably to show courtesy, Old Mr. Sheng had Lin Yusen bring me to sit at his left side, with Uncle Bokai’s wife—whom I called Auntie Qian—sitting next to me to look after me.
The dishes were already on the table, and everyone chatted while eating, with topics politely revolving around me. They asked when I graduated, if I was adjusting to work, why I went to Suzhou, and such—their attitude was casual, which helped me relax a lot. After my uncle’s warnings this morning, I had come with some wariness.
However, just as I was starting to relax, Auntie Qian picked up some food for me with her chopsticks and said with a smile: “No wonder Yusen was doing so well in Shanghai last year, then suddenly wanted to go to Suzhou—it turns out he was pursuing Xuiguang. What’s that saying? A gentleman pursues a virtuous lady.”
Eh?
What did she mean? Was she implying Lin Yusen going to Suzhou was premeditated?
Am I overthinking it? After all, I don’t know her well. I glanced at Lin Yusen and saw that his smile had noticeably cooled.
I understood then, deliberately appearing somewhat embarrassed, “Yusen also said he went to Suzhou for me.”
Lin Yusen calmly agreed: “Indeed, it was for Xuiguang. Why else would I go to Suzhou? I didn’t know anyone there, and the company branch didn’t offer much room for development.”
Auntie Qian was speechless for a moment, then forced a smile, “Yusen has always been ambitious. But you two hadn’t met before, right? How did Yusen hear about Xuiguang going to Suzhou and follow?”
“We had met!” I volunteered information, “At my godmother’s banquet, Grandfather Sheng brought Yusen there, though we didn’t speak then. He went to Suzhou because of me. Yusen only told me about this later.”
“Yusen has always been clever, deciding after just one look without even speaking to you, following you straight to Suzhou.” Auntie Qian, probably realizing I was quite dense, spoke more directly, as if afraid I wouldn’t understand. She turned to Sheng Xingji, “You should learn more from Yusen. There are no easy marks in business—you need to be more farsighted, understand? Also, you should seriously find a girlfriend too. ‘Matching social status’ are four very important words, though if the girl is especially good, we’re not snobs—we don’t require her family to be extremely wealthy.”
At this point, Second Uncle Zhongkai’s wife interjected, “Sister-in-law, the way you’re talking, it sounds like Yusen…”
“Enough.” Old Mr. Sheng put down his chopsticks heavily. “Xingji doesn’t need to rush, why push? Eat!”
With Old Mr. Sheng’s words, everyone immediately dropped the topic and started focusing on the food.
Uncle Bokai rotated the lazy susan, bringing a plain-looking dish of fish maw, abalone, and chicken in front of me. “Xuiguang must try this. It’s our chef’s specialty—you can’t find this taste anywhere else. Your father tried it before and couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
Though I was unhappy inside, I couldn’t say anything more. I picked up a piece of chicken, ate it, and politely praised it.
The atmosphere gradually eased.
Everyone chatted casually. Xingle and Xingxiu had a better relationship with Lin Yusen, talking to us across other people, and asking if we wanted to go drinking tonight, which Lin Yusen declined using the excuse of visiting his teacher. Sheng Xingji sat close to them but barely spoke. Later, the conversation turned to business matters, though of course, they wouldn’t discuss anything important with an outsider present.
Old Mr. Sheng didn’t speak much, and in the latter half was completely silent, as if deep in thought, with a servant helping him with his food. The Sheng family seemed used to this, continuing their conversations without disturbing him.
As the meal was ending, Old Mr. Sheng put down his chopsticks and suddenly spoke, asking Uncle Bokai: “Shuangyuan is our joint venture with the Nies? Who holds the majority stake?”
Shuangyuan was where Lin Yusen and I currently worked—Suzhou Shuangyuan Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., a mid-sized company in the industry. It was probably just one of many Sheng Yuan investments, so it was normal that Old Mr. Sheng didn’t know the details, though I wondered why he suddenly brought it up.
Uncle Bokai answered: “We hold 51%.”
“Transfer all shares to Yusen’s name.”
Everyone was stunned. I immediately looked at Lin Yusen, catching a flash of surprise in his eyes—clearly, he had no prior knowledge of this.
But the others’ reactions surprised me—why did they all look so pleased?
Auntie Qian particularly couldn’t contain her joy: “Suzhou is a nice place, comfortable to live in, unlike Shanghai—looks prosperous but exhausting.”
Uncle Bokai said: “This will need Chengyuan’s agreement too.”
Uncle Shukai chimed in: “How could he disagree with such a grand gift for his future son-in-law?”
Old Mr. Sheng nodded: “I’ll call the Nie family myself.”
Lin Yusen had already composed himself, smiling and nodding at the right moment: “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Everything happened very quickly, decided in just a few sentences, with everyone at the table smiling and harmonious. But in this environment, my intuition suddenly sharpened, instantly understanding the meaning behind these few words.
From the genuine smiles of the other Sheng family members, this probably wasn’t just a gift, but a kind of “exile”?
Was Lin Yusen being completely dismissed?
I felt a little sad, not because of Shuangyuan’s shares, which were trivial compared to Sheng Yuan. I had always believed that elders’ possessions were theirs to give to whomever they pleased.
Rather, it was because of the subtle atmosphere in this home.
Lin Yusen was treated as an outsider by most people in this family, even—an enemy.
But in this situation, as a family business, I couldn’t speak up rashly. I looked at the dining table; there was a delicious pan-fried butterfish that Lin Yusen hadn’t eaten. I planned to grab the last piece for him.
While I was seriously waiting for the butterfish to rotate over, Sheng Xingji spoke up.
“Uncle Nie should be satisfied now. Didn’t he mention wanting more Shuangyuan shares? Now with Yusen bringing it as a dow—no, betrothal gift, he’ll be happy.”
My attention immediately shifted from the butterfish to Sheng Xingji. He had been gloomy-faced before, but now his smugness was almost palpable.
Uncle Bokai immediately scolded him: “Don’t interrupt when Grandfather is speaking.”
I had decided before coming to speak less and just smile politely if there were no issues, but since Xingji mentioned my father, wouldn’t it be impolite not to respond?
After a brief thought, I said cheerfully: “My father will be happy, but not because of company shares or anything. Mainly because I don’t like managing companies, and now with Yusen helping me manage things, my father won’t have to worry. I just hope Yusen won’t find it too much work to handle alone.”
I glanced at Sheng Xingji. What are you so smug about? Even though you’re Sheng Yuan’s designated heir, don’t the other Shengs need their share too? Won’t you face all sorts of restrictions in the future? Dream on!
Unlike my family!
“I envy your big family. As an only daughter, I don’t have any siblings to help out—I’ll have to rely on Yusen in the future.”
Though I’d never thought about inheriting my father’s company before, right now I had to play the future CEO!
I gratefully thanked Old Mr. Sheng with a relieved expression: “Thank you, Grandfather Sheng, for raising Yusen so well. My father will be pleased to get a free heir.”
Sheng Xingji’s smug expression instantly vanished.
I just love annoying Sheng Xingji.
Because everything shows on his face, unlike the others who maintain smiles regardless of their thoughts, even Lin Yusen beside me, whose expression revealed nothing.
But he played along well, even giving me that last piece of butterfish, “I’ll do my best. Want another piece?”
“Yes, please!” I smiled sweetly.
“If Xuiguang likes it, I’ll have the kitchen pack some for you,” Auntie Qian said with a smile.
See! Without Xingji, my performance would have no feedback.
It was so fun annoying him, that I couldn’t help but continue.
I turned to Auntie Qian: “Thank you, Auntie, no need to pack any, but could I ask how this butterfish is made? Are there any special ingredients? I’d like to learn to cook it for Yusen.”
Auntie Qian smiled: “Why would you need to cook? We have chefs.”
“I don’t like having outsiders at home, and besides, when he’s at work, I’ll be bored at home—cooking would help pass the time.”
I put on the air of someone who planned to manage nothing and focus solely on being a housewife.
Auntie Qian’s expression stiffened: “Aren’t you working in Suzhou now? While girls don’t need to work too hard, you shouldn’t give up your career.”
Of course, I’ll work and have a career, but that doesn’t stop me from annoying you now.
“I don’t want to work too hard, isn’t it fine to let Yusen handle things? My mom did my fortune telling and said I’m destined for an easy life, never having to worry about anything myself.”
I was just making things up.
Sheng Xingji finally couldn’t hold back, “Uncle Nie is still young, isn’t it too early for succession? Besides, Uncle Nie is divorced, what if…”
“Xingji!”
Old Mr. Sheng’s loud shout cut off Xingji’s unfinished words.
I looked at Old Mr. Sheng, deliberately with some sympathy—so this is your chosen heir? Compared to Lin Yusen, the difference isn’t just vast—they’re not even comparable.
Old Mr. Sheng stood up wearily, “Yusen, come to my study.”
[Author’s Note: Xuiguang’s words at the Sheng family dinner were deliberately meant to provoke Xingji, not her real thoughts. Though this is clear in the text, I want to emphasize it again.
Yusen won’t take over any of Xuiguang’s family businesses in the future—she’ll be the future CEO, though she’s currently unaware of her destiny~ She has a rather casual personality and needs some motivation before she’ll want to take charge.
On another note, she’s always been the type to endure things that happen to her, keeping quiet about her grievances, but when people close to her like her mother or Lin Yusen get hurt, she’ll come out fighting, whether they need it or not. The first time Yusen met her was in such a scene at her godmother’s banquet. Now that he’s the one being protected, he must be feeling quite pleased.
The Sheng family’s storyline is mostly concluding, mainly serving to establish company management tasks. Only Old Mr. Sheng and Uncle Bokai will appear briefly again later.