Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Cai Wenqing asked Sister Zhang to take out the seafood, but Jiang Cheng said, "Just take some of it. Shu Yao will be back in a few days, and she likes to eat it too."

But Cai Wenqing said, "Shu Yao has been abroad for several years. Her taste must have changed; she may not like it anymore. Yiyan is here for a rare visit, and she loves seafood. Let's leave it all for her."

As she spoke, she helped Jiang Cheng sit down on the sofa nearby and continued talking about Shu Yao.

"Shu Yao has been gone for five years. In those five years, she hasn't come back once. If I hadn't visited her a few times when I was traveling with you, I might have forgotten what she looks like now. This child... She's so stubborn. Once she says she won't come back, she really doesn't, even ignoring her parents at home."

To Jiang Cheng, this wasn't an issue.

"She went abroad to study, so naturally, her studies were her priority. Besides, after finishing her education, isn't she thinking of coming back to work right away? I think Shu Yao is a great kid, sensible, hardworking, and ambitious. Look around us—how many children do we know who have pursued a doctorate? Shu Yao has truly brought honor to our Jiang family."

Jiang Cheng was very satisfied with this goddaughter.

Though not his biological daughter, her doctorate had been funded by the Jiang family.

In social circles and among peers, this would give him considerable prestige.

Jiang Cheng took pride in this, as did Cai Wenqing even more so.

And she knew that with her daughter's return from overseas studies, bolstered by her doctoral degree and her status as the Jiang family's goddaughter, her future was secure.

"A couple of days ago, I talked to her on video. From what she said, she doesn't want to go into business; she wants to find a position at a university in Shenzhen," Cai Wenqing said as she picked up an apple from the coffee table and began peeling it. "I told her that such a big decision couldn't be made without consulting your father and brother."

As she spoke, Cai Wenqing skillfully peeled the apple and handed it over, then probed, "Ah Cheng, do you think it's better for Shu Yao to join the company or work at a university?"

Jiang Cheng had a son, and he was now semi-retired, with most company affairs handled by his son.

If someone as talented as Shu Yao could help her brother at the company, it would be ideal. But if she had her own plans, Jiang Cheng wouldn't interfere.

"The kids are grown and have their own ideas. We should let them decide."

Cai Wenqing nodded. "I'm glad you agree. I was worried that after all the effort we put into her education, if she didn't join the company, you and Xu would be unhappy. Still... it's a shame. If she joined the company to help her brother, it would ease some of the pressure on Xu. Lately, he's been coming home later and later. I suspect things aren't going well at work; he seems to have lost weight."

But Jiang Cheng showed no concern for his son.

"What's a little hardship? Without these challenges, he won't be able to weather future storms."

Cai Wenqing said, "I know you're toughening him up, hoping he can take full control of the company sooner. But I'm a woman and don't understand business matters. I've watched Xu grow up and consider him my own child. It hurts me to see him struggle."

Jiang Cheng smiled. "You've been a wonderful stepmother. Don't put too much pressure on yourself." He reached out and covered Cai Wenqing's hand. "After all these years, both Xu and I recognize you as part of the family."

Cai Wenqing hesitated.

Jiang Cheng knew what she was thinking and said directly, "With me here, Yiyan won't dare do anything, and I won't let her." Then he added, "What happened five years ago is in the past. We won't mention it. But rest assured, I'll find someone better for Shu Yao."

Cai Wenqing's eyes welled up with tears. She leaned into Jiang Cheng's embrace and said gratefully, "Meeting you in this life is a blessing I've earned through many lifetimes. How fortunate we are, my daughter and I, to have met someone as good as you."

Cai Wenqing was content and grateful for her current life and the Jiang family. As long as the father and son protected her and her daughter, she wasn't afraid of Yiyan's enmity.

Around half-past ten, Little Chen's car entered the courtyard of the Jiang family's standalone villa.

.

The guard had already called to report the arrival, and upon hearing this, Cai Wenqing got up to greet them.

The Jiang family's villa wasn't located within the city center but in an area where wealthy people gathered. However, each villa was far apart, giving every residence a large garden.

After entering the gate, it took a few more minutes of driving to reach the front door.

The environment here was clearly better, with fresh air and lush greenery surrounding the property, resembling an estate.

Stepping out of the car, Jiang Yiyan surveyed her surroundings before focusing on the elegantly dressed middle-aged woman waiting at the entrance.

The woman looked well-maintained, of medium height, with a slender figure. Her smile was warm and welcoming, exuding grace and kindness.

If her guess was correct, this must be Shu Yao's mother, Ms. Cai Wenqing.

In the novel "True Love," Cai Wenqing was different from her daughter Shu Yao. While Shu Yao was a highly educated woman, Cai Wenqing was a parasitic vine completely dependent on Jiang Cheng.

Without Jiang Cheng, she seemed unable to survive.

Ironically, Jiang Cheng, with his strong patriarchal views, was drawn to Cai Wenqing's type.

Typical of Jiang Cheng, he responded to softness rather than toughness, which was why Yiyan and her mother often found themselves at a disadvantage.

Yiyan approached and politely greeted her as Aunt Cai.

Cai Wenqing was taken aback at first but then became even more enthusiastic, inviting Yiyan inside.

"It's been a while since we last saw each other, and Meimei has grown taller." After greeting the elder, Cai Wenqing didn't forget to acknowledge the younger one.

Wen Meimei stood next to her mother, looking up at the adult in front of her without saying a word.

She recognized this person. Every time she saw her, her father would tell her to call her grandmother, but her mother forbade it.

Since her father wasn't there today, she obediently followed her mother's instructions.

But Jiang Yiyan told her daughter, "Meimei, greet her."

Wen Meimei looked at her mother curiously.

Her mother smiled warmly and said, "Children should be polite. When you meet elders, you should greet them. Call her Grandma Cai."

For a moment, Cai Wenqing's smile froze on her face, but she quickly regained her composure.

Meimei found the adult world complicated. One moment they acted one way, and the next, another. It was quite perplexing.

However, after scratching her little head, she still listened to her mother's words.

"Grandma Cai," she called out in a childlike voice.

Grandmas could be many; any elderly person on the street could be called grandma. But there was only one maternal grandmother, always the original body's own mother.

"Where's Dad?" he asked Cai Wenqing as he led his daughter inside.

Cai Wenqing kept up a smiling face, brimming with warmth.

"Your father has been waiting for you to come back. As soon as he knew you were returning, he didn't even go to the company." While chattering, she called out, "Ah Cheng, Yiyan is back."

Ever since Jiang Yiyan's mother left, the relationship between father and daughter had been strained.

As an elder, Jiang Cheng couldn't lower himself to apologize to a junior.

And the original body, harboring resentment towards her father and being straightforward by nature, couldn't bring herself to put on a good face.

Inhabiting the original body, Jiang Yiyan wouldn't go against its original wishes too much. However, in handling certain matters, she became more tactful.

Upon entering, Jiang Yiyan took the initiative to call out "Dad."

Jiang Cheng responded with a stern face but ignored his daughter, instead directing all his smiles at his granddaughter, Meimei.

The original body herself had a tense relationship with her father, but she didn't stop her daughter from being close to him. Therefore, Wen Meimei had a decent relationship with her grandfather.

Wen Meimei had a lively personality and could play well with anyone. So even though she hadn't seen her grandfather in a while, she wasn't distant.

Cai Wenqing, sensing not to interfere with their familial bliss, turned to help in the kitchen.

Jiang Yiyan's visit to the Jiang family today had no specific purpose. She simply came for a meal, also preparing for mending ties later.

Today's lunch was a seafood feast, with plenty of seafood on the table.

Some of it Jiang Yiyan recognized, some she didn't recognize, let alone tasted.

Cai Wenqing offered, "These are all fresh, air-freighted from the sea just a couple of days ago. Knowing you love them, your father specifically instructed to take some out. Yiyan, you must try them."

Cai Wenqing spoke with artistry. These words seemed ordinary, yet held deep meaning.

It was common for wealthy merchants and dignitaries in Shenzhen to directly air-freight seafood from the sea. It wasn't strange for the Jiang family to have these.

But seafood, precious and delicious, was difficult to store. If obtained, it was usually immediately enjoyed with family or friends.

The Jiang family had brought these back a few days ago but hadn't mentioned calling their daughter back for a meal until now. It was clear who these were prepared for.

With Shu Yao returning in a few days, that's why Cai Wenqing said "take some out" first.

These precious foods were actually prepared for Shu Yao.

Seeing through this, but not pointing it out, Jiang Yiyan gave an ambiguous smile.

"Remember how Shu Yao loves these? She'll be back in a few days, so save them for her." Jiang Yiyan wasn't sure if Cai Wenqing's words were intentional or not. If unintentional, it was fine; if intentional, her thoughts ran deep.

Regardless, Jiang Yiyan wasn't the original body, and she wouldn't cause a scene over this.

Thus, she remained calm and even said graciously, "Though I married early, I stayed in Shenzhen, close to home, and came back frequently for meals over the past five years. Shu Yao's situation is different. She studied abroad for five years and rarely got to eat at home. These precious foods should be reserved for Shu Yao."

Her sudden maturity greatly comforted Jiang Cheng.

If she had been so magnanimous earlier, why would father and daughter have fallen out like that?

Cai Wenqing was also deeply moved by Jiang Yiyan's humility and generosity.

She maintained a humble attitude: "Yiyan, these were actually specially prepared by your father for you. If Yao Yao gets some, it's because of your favor."