Chapter 35 Grandfather’s Inheritance

Chapter 35: Maternal Grandfather's Legacy

That evening, when Zhao Yunshu returned home, she was surprised to find the living room filled with numerous gift boxes.

"What's going on?" Both Zhao Yunshu and Jiang Huaiyuan were stunned.

Sister Juan replied, "These are all birthday gifts for you, ma'am!"

Zhao Yunshu opened them to find limited-edition shawls, museum-quality pearl necklaces, emperor-grade jade earrings...

This made her uncomfortable. She made a point to ask Elder Qin whether such extravagant gifts should be returned.

Elder Qin chuckled on the other end of the phone: "This means they value you and understand my stance—it's time to sever ties with Lin Chengdong. Returning the gifts would make those petty types think you're still angry and targeting them, and they might unite to give you trouble later. Since they're birthday gifts, just keep them graciously, call to thank them, and put their minds at ease."

"Understood, Elder Qin."

Zhao Yunshu had no qualms about these people spending money on gifts, but the necklace Jiang Huaiyuan had bought for over a million yuan... she thought it was unnecessary.

At 10 p.m., Jiang Ruotang returned from the art studio, hurried upstairs, and dove right into solving problems, hoping to ask Lu Guifan for help before 11.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yunshu came to discuss persuading Jiang Huaiyuan to return the necklace.

Jiang Ruotang chuckled when he heard this: "Mom, just keep it. In three to five years, it'll appreciate in value."

Zhao Yunshu shook her head in amusement: "Don’t fool me. High-end pieces like this claim to hold value, but when reselling, they’re only valued for their materials. A million-yuan piece of jewelry would be lucky to fetch 200,000."

"That’s why Dad specifically chose a limited-edition masterpiece by a renowned designer. It’s not just rare—it’s the work of a master. Like how an ordinary art student’s painting sells for 2,000 yuan, but a modern master’s work can fetch millions. It’ll appreciate—just keep it in the safe."

Jiang Ruotang knew this designer was highly sought after by high society but would die unexpectedly in three years, causing his works to skyrocket in value. "Birds and Clouds," his classic piece, would later resell for nearly triple its original price.

"Fine. I don’t trust your father’s taste in this, but I trust you."

After Zhao Yunshu left, Jiang Ruotang immediately threw himself into his homework.

Meanwhile, Lu Guifan was flipping through the journals Jiang Ruotang had given him, glancing at his phone every few pages to see if Jiang Ruotang had sent any messages or images.

But today, his disciple was uncharacteristically quiet—probably because of the birthday celebration at home.

Just as Lu Guifan was nearly finished with a journal, Jiang Ruotang finally sent a photo.

Lu Guifan had expected Jiang Ruotang to get stuck on the third-to-last problem of the math test, but despite his sloppy, roundabout method, he had actually solved it correctly. His struggles were with the last two problems—the hardest on the test.

Propping his chin on his hand, Lu Guifan looked down at Jiang Ruotang’s handwriting, almost picturing his frustrated expression.

Since Jiang Ruotang had paid for his phone plan, Lu Guifan bought a phone stand to record himself solving the problems while explaining, then sent the video.

He didn’t explain the last two problems—Jiang Ruotang’s current level made them too challenging. It was better to focus on basic concepts.

When Jiang Ruotang opened the video, he saw a sheet of scratch paper and Lu Guifan’s fingers holding a pen, the neat handwriting appearing like a visual pleasure.

The first watch, he only noticed how long and elegant Lu Guifan’s fingers were. The second, how calming his voice was. Only by the third did he realize Lu Guifan was explaining the problem he’d struggled with.

Lu Guifan’s method was more direct and logical—easy to follow if one paid attention.

Just as Jiang Ruotang finished his fourth watch, Lu Guifan messaged: [No response? Did you understand or not?]

Jiang Ruotang quickly replied: [Understood! Your method is simpler. I took a detour to the edge of the galaxy, but you drilled straight to the core. I’m impressed, so I watched it a few more times.]

Lu Guifan added: [You’re still strengthening your basics. The last two problems are too advanced—I’ll explain them, but don’t force yourself if they’re too hard.]

Jiang Ruotang obediently replied: [Okay.]

As Lu Guifan predicted, the last two problems were like gibberish to Jiang Ruotang, as if his thinking had to ascend to another level.

But that didn’t stop him from using Lu Guifan’s video as a sleep aid.

With headphones on, it felt like Lu Guifan was whispering in his ear—clear and intimate. Listening, Jiang Ruotang soon drifted off.

The next morning, Xiao Gao drove Jiang Ruotang to school.

Having slept at 12:30 a.m., he was still exhausted. Leaning against the window with a cushion, he slept like the dead.

Zhao Zhangfeng shook his head helplessly. "No idea what you were up to last night."

Passing a commercial building, Xiao Gao suddenly braked. Jiang Ruotang’s head jerked, the cushion fell, and he bumped against the window.

"Ah… what happened?" Rubbing his eyes, he sat up, wondering if Xiao Gao had hit a reckless scooter rider.

But Xiao Gao sighed. "Shouldn’t have come this way."

"Why?"

"Today’s the M5 smartphone release. Kids have been lining up since midnight. The queue’s spilling onto the road—no one’s managing it. Dangerous." Turning the wheel, he prepared to detour.

Jiang Ruotang watched the crowd and suddenly thought of Xiaolan, the struggling domestic phone brand.

He remembered an interview with its founder, He Zhangqin, a decade later. At just 43, He’s hair was already graying as he smiled, recalling his team’s struggles—no collateral for loans, sales crushed by foreign brands, no market foothold, no like-minded investors, nights spent in tears, fighting their way up from the mud.

Yet they rose from the ashes.

Young Jiang Ruotang had thought He Zhangqin was a lucky survivor. Later, he realized He succeeded because he endured longer than others.

"Xiaolan’s actually pretty good," Jiang Ruotang blurted.

Zhao Zhangfeng paused, then amusedly flicked his head. "Then don’t ask anyone to queue for the M5."

"Fine, I won’t." Jiang Ruotang tilted his head and shoved the cushion at Zhao Zhangfeng’s shoulder.

"What—what are you doing?" Zhao Zhangfeng leaned away irritably.

"Tall people should share their light and warmth. Little brother, lend me your shoulder."

Zhao Zhangfeng’s scalp prickled. Jiang Ruotang had found his weakness—invoking family ties left him defenseless.

By noon, exhaustion hit early. Nearby, Lin Lu and Bai Yingchuan were discussing how to buy the M5. Lin Lu almost poked Jiang Ruotang to ask if he wanted one, but Bai Yingchuan stopped him.

Instead, Bai Yingchuan circled to Jiang Ruotang’s desk, leaned down with hands on the edges, and listened. Jiang Ruotang, sound asleep, let out tiny snores.

Smirking, Bai Yingchuan angled his phone and snapped a photo of Jiang Ruotang curled up like a little octopus, his cheek squished adorably against his arm.

Lin Lu frowned, tugging Bai Yingchuan’s sleeve. "Let’s go eat. President Zeng’s daughter’s birthday lunch is waiting—she’ll be upset if we’re late."

"Mm, let’s go." Bai Yingchuan’s smile faded as they left.

Jiang Ruotang slept like a log until an unknown number called. Glancing at it, he wondered—was his food delivery here?

"Hey, can you..."

Just drop it off at the school gate.

Before he could finish, a calm, neutral tone spoke up.

"Hello, Mr. Jiang Ruotang. I am Dai Ming, the attorney representing your grandfather He Daochen. If you have time, could we discuss something?"

Jiang Ruotang felt as if struck by lightning, jolted upright.

Dai Ming? Why was he calling now? Wasn't this supposed to happen after the New Year next year?

After a dazed pause, Jiang Ruotang slapped his forehead.

In his past life, due to his "meddling," Jiang Huaiyuan and Zhao Yunshu hadn’t gotten married until after the New Year, and Lawyer Dai had only contacted him then. One of the inheritance conditions in his grandfather’s will must have been tied to Jiang Huaiyuan’s remarriage.

This time, with his help, Jiang Huaiyuan and Zhao Yunshu had registered their marriage half a year earlier—so Lawyer Dai’s call came earlier too.

His heart pounding wildly, Jiang Ruotang took a deep breath to steady himself and replied, "Let’s meet at noon. I usually have classes and studies."

"Very well. I’ll await your arrival."

A few seconds later, a message with the address was sent to Jiang Ruotang’s phone.

Taking a taxi, Jiang Ruotang arrived at Lawyer Dai’s firm, located in the heart of the business district—a high-value location that showed volumes about the lawyer’s standing in the industry.

After living through this once before, he stepped once more into that office with its wall of windows, where Lawyer Dai sat behind the desk with the same posture and smile as before.

A secretary entered, bringing coffee for Jiang Ruotang.

Silently, Jiang Ruotang thought: *The cup will tilt, and the coffee will spill.*

Sure enough, as the saucer touched the desk, coffee spilled over.

"My apologies," the secretary said.

"It’s fine."

The exact same scene was replaying itself... Jiang Ruotang’s heart raced. It was clear why Lawyer Dai had asked him to come here.

Lawyer Dai produced the documents whose contents Jiang Ruotang already knew, going through each point carefully.

Jiang Ruotang’s mother, He Yun, had been a renowned photographer from a wealthy family. Though her parents were somewhat conservative, they doted on her.

When Jiang Ruotang was six, He Yun and a few fellow photographers traveled to a remote area for a shoot. Jiang Huaiyuan, still working on a project at the time, didn’t accompany them.

Heavy rains caused a devastating mudslide, and He Yun never returned.

Blaming Jiang Huaiyuan for failing to protect his only daughter, He Daochen swore to cut all ties with him.

A year later, He Daochen passed away from illness, barring any Jiang family members from attending his funeral.

He Daochen had been a Chinese immigrant entrepreneur who followed his forebears to Southeast Asia in his youth, and his funeral was held locally.

Jiang Ruotang only remembered being woken in the middle of the night by Jiang Huaiyuan, dressed in a little black suit and shoes, boarding a long flight to the cemetery. Under a large black umbrella, they watched from afar as his grandfather was laid to rest.

Jiang Ruotang’s sole memory of his grandfather was of a strict, uncompromising man. So in his past life, when he inherited the fortune, he felt nothing—only that the stubborn old man must have had no other heirs left to leave it to.

He Daochen’s estate included the copyrights to He Yun’s photographic works, cash, and other assets, totaling roughly 80 million yuan.

A decade later, that sum wouldn’t even cover a film’s promotion costs, but at this moment, 80 million was enough to make anyone greedy.

According to He Daochen’s stipulations, the inheritance would remain in a trust until Jiang Ruotang graduated, serving as his seed money and financial support to secure his position at Universe Pictures.

Additionally, if Jiang Huaiyuan remarried and Jiang Ruotang turned eighteen, he would also meet the conditions to inherit and control the fortune.

Jiang Ruotang understood his grandfather’s concerns. If he inherited the money at six, it might be squandered by Jiang Huaiyuan, who had no financial acumen.

And if Jiang Huaiyuan remarried while Jiang Ruotang was still young, his easily influenced nature might lead him to hand the money meant for his grandson to his new spouse, leaving Jiang Ruotang with nothing.

But if Jiang Ruotang was eighteen and Jiang Huaiyuan remarried, possible ownership battles could arise, making the inheritance crucial for Jiang Ruotang.

What He Daochen hadn’t anticipated was that Zhao Yunshu would turn out to be a good person—while the real danger lay in the so-called friends around his grandson.

"Mr. Jiang, you now have two choices. One is to leave the estate with the trust and receive regular distributions. The other is to take full control of the inheritance," Lawyer Dai paused. "I recommend the former. You’re still young, haven't even taken your college exams yet. Handling such a large sum may not yield better returns than the trust could provide."

His advice was sound, but in his past life, Jiang Ruotang had immediately shared the news with Lin Lu.

Lin Lu told him that with this money, he could start his own film company, invest in the movie starring Bai Yue, and freely support Bai Yingchuan—wouldn’t that make Jiang Ruotang Bai Yingchuan’s "financial backer"?

At eighteen, Jiang Ruotang’s head was in the clouds. Without telling Jiang Huaiyuan, he invested heavily in Lin Chengdong’s film projects.

And who was Lin Chengdong? He effortlessly conned Jiang Ruotang out of his entire inheritance.

Jiang Ruotang tried to keep it a secret, but Zhao Yunshu, with her financial background and extensive connections, soon found out about it.

Back then, Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Yunshu were always clashing. He could throw tantrums at meals, but she still advised him: "The Lins are not to be trusted. Learn from this mistake."

Zhao Zhangfeng was so furious he wanted to "knock some sense into his idiot brother," yelling, "How could you fall for such an obvious scam? Lin Lu’s obvious lies—how could you believe them?"

Jiang Ruotang refused to hear a word against Lin Lu, who was his only connection to Bai Yingchuan. Without Lin Lu, he wouldn’t even know how to approach Bai Yingchuan in the future.

Looking back now, Jiang Ruotang realized how completely irrational he had been.

He’d had all the advantages, only to ruin it all.

"Mr. Jiang, you can take your time to consider. The inheritance can remain stable and grow until you truly need it," Lawyer Dai’s voice brought him back to the present.

Jiang Ruotang understood—Lawyer Dai was worried that someone so young, inexperienced in the world, might recklessly waste carelessly or be scammed out of such a fortune, becoming a target for scammers.

"You must have been someone my grandfather trusted deeply," Jiang Ruotang said.

"In a way," Lawyer Dai nodded.

Resting his chin on his hand, Jiang Ruotang asked, "Are you just his lawyer, or...?"

Lawyer Dai hesitated, then replied softly, "I grew up in an orphanage. From age thirteen, He Daochen paid for my schooling until I graduated from university."

"I see... No wonder he trusted you so much. You were practically like another grandson to him."

Jiang Ruotang recalled how, in his past life, when he was investing in Lin Chengdong’s shady deals, Lawyer Dai had proactively offered to review the contracts. But Lin Lu had dismissed him, saying, "Who does this Dai Ming think he is, trying to control you? He’s just a lawyer—what’s he really after?" Jiang Ruotang had rejected Lawyer Dai’s help, and the lawyer had eventually stopped intervening.

Only when Jiang Ruotang sold off his mother’s works and properties did Lawyer Dai get involved again—buying all her photographs. His reason was simple: many of those images were captured at the cost that cost He Yun her life, and He Daochen would never have allowed them to go to someone who wouldn't appreciate them.

Jiang Ruotang asked one last question: "Can I... trust you?"

"Why do you ask?" Dai Ming smiled professionally, his gaze that of an adult indulging a child.

"Because TV shows always portray lawyers as people who take advantage of legal gray areas to make money."

Dai Ming lowered his eyes and chuckled, "So you think I'm like that too?"

"No, as I grew up, I realized what's shown in TV dramas isn't necessarily true. For example... Cinderella marrying a prince might not mean happiness—there could be a nightmare mother-in-law. The stepmother might not necessarily bully Snow White; she might even protect her like her own child. Lawyers come in all kinds too—some might exploit legal loopholes for money, while others wield the law as a weapon to protect those who've been wronged."

Dai Ming looked at Jiang Ruotang with more seriousness than before. "I think you can trust me."

Of course Jiang Ruotang trusted him—someone who had his back before.

He was just about to say he'd go with Dai Ming's plan for the money when, at that very moment, he caught sight of the glittering river through the floor-to-ceiling window.

In that instant, something hit him like a bolt of lightning.

"Lawyer Dai, what's that place over there?" Jiang Ruotang pointed into the distance.

Dai Ming turned and squinted. "That's the Cheng River."

"I mean that curved area that looks like a beach."

"That's Cheng Beach. Why do you ask all of a sudden?"

Jiang Ruotang suddenly realized something. "Lawyer Dai, can I use your computer to look something up?"

"Sure, knock yourself out."

Lawyer Dai stepped aside and watched as Jiang Ruotang frowned, fingers flying across the keyboard as if engaged in something super important.

When the boy got serious, his expression was the spitting image of his grandfather's reviewing documents and contracts.

After a while, Jiang Ruotang printed out a map of Cheng Beach and began scribbling circles and notes with a pen.

"Lawyer Dai, if I hire you to negotiate the purchase of these houses and factories for me, could you do that for me?"

Lawyer Dai furrowed his brows. "That's a godforsaken fishing village—mostly mudflats, with ramshackle huts even fishermen have abandoned. Why would you buy dilapidated buildings and factories on their last legs there? What are you planning?"

Jiang Ruotang looked him dead in the eye. "It's October now. We might have less than a month to prepare. Lawyer Dai, the last decade has been a boom time for cities spreading like wildfire and technological advancement. Cheng Beach will be this city's future—a place where countless high-end residential areas and tech companies will rise. I know it's hard to understand, but I don't have time to find anyone else. I trust you to make sure the contracts are airtight and negotiate fair terms and prices for me."

Lawyer Dai thought the kid had gone off the deep end.

"Jiang Ruotang, that area is truly barren... Are you thinking of going into real estate?"

"No, real estate takes way too much cash upfront with slow returns. One misstep in the funding chain, and everything collapses. My money isn't enough for that. I just want to play the timing right to double my funds quickly."