So much for being calm and composed – wasn’t he secretly plotting to buy a house and meet my parents all along?!
And if he was just going to recruit my mother, why did he need to meet my grandparents too?
On the weekend drive to Wuxi, I posed these soul-searching questions to Lin Yusen, wanting to see what excuses he could come up with.
However, I underestimated CEO Lin’s shamelessness. He replied with perfect composure: “Of course, it’s to conduct a background check on Ms. Jiang.”
“…You win.”
Lin Yusen smiled gently. After driving for a while, he suddenly said, “I want to see where you grew up.”
I turned to look at him.
“And try those pancakes you’ve been bragging about.”
“I wasn’t bragging,” I tried to suppress my smile. “Two-fifty each, my treat.”
The drive from Suzhou to Wuxi wasn’t far, taking just over an hour to reach my home. Standing in the elevator, I suddenly grew nervous and desperately reminded him of important details.
“Mom bought this apartment for my maternal grandparents originally. After they fell ill and passed away, it was empty until Mom moved here after the divorce. So there are lots of photos of my grandparents around – don’t ask about them, okay?”
Lin Yusen loosened his collar. “Got it. What else?”
“That’s probably it,” I reassured him. “Don’t be too nervous. Mom usually doesn’t receive guests here – she has a small club where she usually meets people. She must have a good impression of you to invite you directly to our home. That’s all thanks to me always speaking well of you.”
“Thank you, we’ll settle the compensation when we get back to Suzhou.”
Lin Yusen looked genuinely nervous, not even smiling at his joke. However, as soon as we stepped out of the elevator, he suddenly relaxed, instantly becoming composed and at ease.
I looked at him in amazement several times, wondering if this was what they called a test-taking personality.
I rang the doorbell, and footsteps quickly approached from inside. When the door opened, it was my mother herself. She had prepared for today, with her hair up in a bun, wearing formal attire, and even makeup.
“Mom.”
“Hello, Auntie Jiang.” After my greeting, Lin Yusen immediately offered his polite greeting and placed the gifts he was carrying by the entrance.
Mom looked Lin Yusen up and down, a slight smile appearing on her face. As someone with high standards for appearances, she had approved of Lin Yusen’s looks.
“Hello, Little Lin, right? No need to be so formal, come in and sit.”
Mom led us to the tea room. It had a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Lake Li, offering a panoramic view of the lake and mountains. Several fresh plants had been added to the room, filling it with a subtle fragrance.
“Sit.” Mom gestured to Lin Yusen. “I have Anji white tea, West Lake Dragon Well, and Yixing red tea. Which would you like?”
“Thank you, Auntie. I’ll try the red tea – I don’t think I’ve had it before.”
Mom nodded and prepared the tea with flowing graceful movements. I watched in shock, hardly believing my eyes. Our tea room was usually just for show – Mom usually made tea as casually as I did. How had she suddenly become so skilled? She couldn’t have learned this in the past few days, could she?
“I’ll have red tea too.” I was afraid if I chose something else, she’d reveal her lack of expertise.
Sure enough, Mom didn’t bother preparing a second type, drinking red tea herself as well. As the tea’s fragrance wafted through the air, Mom gazed at Lin Yusen, as if searching for traces of someone from the past.
“Over twenty years ago, I had the honor of meeting Young Miss Sheng once. She was extraordinarily graceful – you have traces of her in you.”
Lin Yusen set down his teacup and said respectfully: “When I first mentioned Xiguang to my mother, she told me about this.”
Mom was surprised: “Back then, her father and I were nobodies. We had to use connections just to get in. How would your mother remember?”
Lin Yusen said: “She had a deep impression of uncle and auntie, saying you were properly dressed and carried yourselves with dignity – that a girl from such a family must be exceptional.”
Mom smiled immediately, then sighed: “I hear she’s been abroad. Is she doing well?”
“She’s gradually becoming more relaxed and well-fed, but still maintains her grace.”
“That’s good. As we age, we realize inner peace is more important than anything.” Mom lifted the purple clay teapot to refill Lin Yusen’s cup. He didn’t dare refuse, raising his cup slightly with both hands.
Setting down the teapot, Mom said slowly: “There’s something I’d like to ask you about.”
“Please ask, Auntie.”
“Xiguang’s father had an old friend who always relied on her father’s help. This shouldn’t concern you, but a few days ago, I ran into Xiguang’s godmother’s son, Jiaqi. He suddenly came to tell me that he and you are good friends and that everything was the fault of that old friend’s daughter. He spoke vaguely about it and asked me to keep it from his mother. He seemed to think I knew something, and I didn’t want to ask too much. Today I wanted to ask you directly – what happened? How did you get involved with them?”
Lin Yusen looked at me when he heard this.
I quietly gripped my cup with both hands. “Sorry, Mom, I forgot to tell you something.”
I then explained to Mom about Ma Nianyuan impersonating my father’s daughter through Shao Jiaqi’s invitation, Lin Yusen’s car accident, and how he could no longer be a surgeon.
Mom’s expression grew colder as she listened, finally reproaching me with slight anger: “Why didn’t you tell me immediately about such an important matter?”
“I didn’t want to upset you,” I lowered my head. “And I seem to care less and less about things related to Dad, so I didn’t want to bring it up.”
“Nie Chengyuan is becoming more and more worthless, I see,” Mom said coldly.
After a moment, her expression softened as she looked at Lin Yusen. “I’m very sorry that our family affairs caused you such harm.”
Lin Yusen laughed: “Auntie, this has nothing to do with you or Xiguang. If we calculated grudges this way, they’d never end.”
“You’re a perspicacious person.” Mom nodded, then sighed again. “As you can see, Xiguang has always been this way – doesn’t hold grudges, naturally gentle-hearted. I could never decide whether to let her live a stable, comfortable life or take over the family business. That’s why I let her go to Suzhou – far enough away, but not too far – to see how she would develop on her own. Unexpectedly, under your guidance, she’s developed some career ambition.”
Lin Yusen said: “You’re too kind, Auntie. I haven’t done anything, haven’t guided her – she developed her own interests.”
Mom studied him: “Xiguang says you want me to help in Suzhou?”
I nodded while munching on nuts beside them. I had already given Mom a heads-up about this – otherwise, it would have been too abrupt for Lin Yusen to bring it up suddenly.
“Not just help, but to take charge overall and help Guangyu and Xiguang establish a firm footing,” Lin Yusen said sincerely.
“I’ve been idle for several years, just a retired person having tea with friends. Why would you think of me?”
“Auntie is in her prime – your retirement is a loss to the Yangtze Delta business circle.”
Lin Yusen was being more complimentary than I’d ever seen him. I secretly observed Mom’s expression – she seemed to be enjoying it. Yes, everyone likes hearing nice things – I should learn this skill.
Lin Yusen continued: “Actually, I heard from Grandfather years ago that Auntie was the first to propose developing the photovoltaic industry, but unfortunately Uncle Nie hesitated and missed the initial boom years. When we entered later, the best timing had passed. Auntie’s foresight surpasses many men – I’ve always admired that.”
“If the best timing has passed, why are you still seeking me out?”
“Only the first wave of best opportunities has passed – there are broader prospects ahead. The country has recently introduced a series of policies, and the direction is clear. The state won’t abandon new energy development plans; the only question is where products will be sold in the future. Methods may differ, but the direction won’t change.”
Lin Yusen raised his hand and took the initiative to pour tea for Mom. “Discussing this with Auntie is like showing off my limited knowledge before an expert. Auntie must also see potential in Guangyu, otherwise, you wouldn’t have encouraged Xiguang to take over Uncle Nie’s shares.”
Mom glanced at me: “You certainly tell him everything.”
I sheepishly stuffed a piece of fruit in my mouth.
Mom looked back at Lin Yusen: “If you’re so optimistic about the photovoltaic industry, why not do it yourself? Why give this future to others? Won’t you regret it if Guangyu grows strong one day?”
“Everyone can see the prospects, but reaching that point involves countless hardships. How could it be called giving it to others? And of course, I won’t regret it.”
A flash of surprise crossed Mom’s face: “You’re so young, yet think so thoroughly – that’s quite remarkable.”
“You’re too kind. There’s another consideration in inviting Auntie to return.” Lin Yusen said, “For the company, my original plan was to build a management team, participate in major decisions myself, but not get too involved in practical matters. But now that Xiguang has developed a genuine interest, it’s different. She currently needs someone to help her maintain authority. Otherwise, if people’s hearts change and the core management team isn’t united, it won’t be good for Xiguang’s and the company’s future development.”
It wasn’t surprising that Lin Yusen always thought things through thoroughly, but what did he mean by “now that Xiguang has developed a genuine interest”? Was he joking when he first said I should support him?!
And I had just gradually taken the bait myself?
I looked at him in disbelief. Lin Yusen patted me reassuringly: “I just didn’t want to pressure you, hoping you’d develop according to your wishes.”
I: “…”
…I’ll settle accounts with you later.
Mom watched our back-and-forth, amusement flickering in her eyes though her expression remained neutral. “Telling me all this won’t persuade me.”
“Of course.” Lin Yusen understood immediately, pulling out a document from one of the gift bags he’d brought into the tea room. “These are the detailed cooperation terms and equity incentive plan. Please take a look, Auntie.”
I was dumbfounded – when had he prepared this?
Mom accepted it naturally, lowered her head to read, and finished browsing quickly. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly glanced at me and said, “Xiguang, go to the kitchen and get some more fruit.”?
I looked at the fruit on the table – we’d barely eaten any. Mom was being too obvious about sending me away.
“Can’t I listen?”
“Afraid you’ll side with outsiders.”
“…I wouldn’t.”
Though I said this, since Mom had spoken, I obediently got up to cut fruit in the kitchen. The housekeeper was preparing lunch in the kitchen, and I dawdled for long enough before returning with the fruit.
In the tea room, they seemed to have finished talking. They weren’t speaking, just quietly drinking tea. But Mom looked reluctant and Lin Yusen wore a bitter smile – they both looked like they’d suffered a great loss…
Had the negotiations failed?
No, no – knowing them both, they must be acting, right?
For a moment, I seemed to see two clever foxes, big and small, playing mind games after finishing their negotiations because they were bored. I set down the fruit plate speechlessly and asked them: “Are you done talking?”
“Yes, we’re done.”
As Lin Yusen spoke, his expression grew serious, and he said formally to my mother: “From now on, we’ll trouble Auntie with everything at Guangyu.”