The car drove into a community, and Zeng Yu instinctively looked around, noticing that the area was full of villas. The name of the community rang a bell; it was known as one of the best in Shanghai, with prices exceeding 100,000 yuan per square meter.
“Second uncle, it’s getting late. I’ll take my leave now.” Zeng Yu hesitated, then decided to say goodbye.
The second uncle was surprised but smiled, “Alright, I’ll have the driver take you home.”
Zeng Yu shook his head, “No need, I’ll just take a cab.” With that, he opened the door and got out.
The second uncle signaled the driver, “Have someone look into his background.”
Zeng Yu was exhausted after a long day, but he couldn’t sleep. Too many things had happened today, and he couldn’t process them all at once. Just then, Xiao Xiao called. Zeng Yu hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Yeah, it’s me.” Zeng Yu said weakly.
Xiao Xiao immediately sensed something was wrong, “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Do you want me to come over?”
Zeng Yu quickly replied, “Don’t come over, I’m just a bit tired.”
“How’s your father’s health?” Xiao Xiao asked.
When they were together, Xiao Xiao had refused to spend the New Year with Zeng Yu’s family and had never invited Zeng Yu to meet her own. Whenever Zeng Yu mentioned his parents, she would always change the subject.
“They haven’t been to the hospital yet. It’s late, I’m going to bed, I have to get up early tomorrow.” Zeng Yu cut the conversation short and hung up.
Xiao Xiao stared at her phone, unable to believe what had just happened.
Zeng Yu had hung up on her? That had never happened before. It was always Xiao Xiao who ended their calls first.
The next morning, Zeng Yu got up early and headed to Jiang Nan’s old house.
Jiang Nan hadn’t arrived yet, so Zeng Yu went upstairs and knocked on the door. His parents were already up. Zeng Zhanhao was exercising on the balcony, while Fu Yu was in the kitchen making breakfast.
“You have a key to this place?” Fu Yu asked happily.
“Yeah,” Zeng Yu replied casually, remembering that Jiang Nan had given him the key the day before. Her thoughtfulness and care were beginning to make Zeng Yu feel a bit pressured.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nan, who had overslept, was in the bathroom, complaining to herself, “It’s all Yuan Lei’s fault, staying out so late last night.”
Yuan Lei, wearing pajamas, leaned against the door, “You never complained before. Who was it that insisted on drinking last night? I couldn’t even stop you. Now you’re complaining?”
Jiang Nan quickly finished getting ready, checked her outfit in the mirror, grabbed her bag, and blew a kiss to Yuan Lei, “You can go back to sleep, I’m leaving.”
Today, Jiang Nan was dressed in casual attire, looking very capable.
When Zeng Yu opened the door and saw Jiang Nan, he couldn’t help but think of Xiao Xiao’s phone call from the night before and found himself staring at Jiang Nan a little longer than usual.
It was the first time Jiang Nan had been scrutinized by him in such an intense way, and she instinctively touched her face, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just a thought crossed my mind: beauty and wisdom in one.” Zeng Yu said, feeling relaxed. How should he handle his relationship with Jiang Nan? Zeng Yu decided to let things unfold naturally.
“Thank you, but I think ‘grace and intelligence’ sums it up better.” Jiang Nan’s face lit up with a playful smile, cracking a joke. At that moment, Jiang Nan felt a burst of happiness.
Breakfast was congee with preserved egg and lean meat, served with fried dough sticks. Jiang Nan, who was used to eating bread and milk, looked uneasy. Fu Yu asked, “Not sure if this suits your taste. This is how we usually eat at home.”
The congee was fine, and the fried dough sticks were okay too, but Jiang Nan couldn’t stand preserved eggs. However, under Fu Yu’s expectant gaze, she forced herself to take a bite. The unique taste of the preserved egg made her feel sick, and she quickly ran to the bathroom, covering her mouth.
Fu Yu looked at Zeng Yu, not knowing what to say. Zeng Yu walked over to the bathroom door, waiting for Jiang Nan to come out. When she did, he handed her a tissue, “You’re allergic to preserved eggs, aren’t you?”
Jiang Nan gave him an apologetic look, “Yeah, Auntie’s efforts were wasted.”
Zeng Yu couldn’t help but laugh, “Nonsense, she’s just following her own habits, not considering yours. If you can’t eat preserved eggs, just say so, and I’ll make something else for you.”
Zeng Yu looked at her slightly pale face and gently patted her head. This was the first time Zeng Yu had made such an affectionate gesture, and Jiang Nan’s heart raced.
Zeng Yu realized he was enjoying this feeling. Jiang Nan stood still, like a little kitten. This was a feeling Xiao Xiao had never given him.
Fu Yu approached, asking, “What’s wrong?”
“She’s allergic to preserved eggs.” Zeng Yu explained.
Fu Yu slapped her thigh, “This kid, why didn’t you say so?” She said, taking Jiang Nan’s hand, “Silly child, if you can’t eat preserved eggs, just say so. I’ll make you some pork noodles instead.”
“By the way, Mom, where did you get the groceries?” Zeng Yu asked, remembering.
“I bought them at the supermarket last night. Eating out is too expensive.” Fu Yu said as she headed back to the kitchen.
Jiang Nan sat beside Zeng Zhanhao, “Uncle, you don’t have to worry about me.”
Zeng Zhanhao looked at her kindly and smiled, “Next time, we’ll be more careful.”
The hospital was close by, so after breakfast, Jiang Nan accompanied the elders on foot.
Zeng Zhanhao’s back pain wasn’t so severe that he couldn’t walk, but it came and went. The county doctors had checked him and found nothing serious, but it still didn’t improve. Fu Yu insisted on coming to Shanghai for treatment, partly to see their son and future daughter-in-law.
Zeng Yu, back at work, couldn’t stop worrying about his father’s condition and found it hard to focus.
Yuan Lei noticed and knocked on the table, “Focus. Today’s the last day of training, and a lot of what we’re covering could be useful in future sales.”
Zeng Yu obediently stood up and apologized to the teacher, “I’m sorry, I was distracted by a personal matter.”
The teacher, an elegant middle-aged woman, smiled and nodded, “Just be careful in the future.”
Yuan Lei was surprised. Zeng Yu had admitted his mistake so readily. Most men were too proud to do that, and she had criticized him in front of everyone. Either this guy was incredibly deep or genuinely good-natured. But a young man in his twenties from an ordinary family couldn’t have that much depth. This was his true character or maybe the result of his upbringing. With such qualities, intelligence, and a strong work ethic, who else but Zeng Yu could rise to the top? If he could withstand the test of Xiao Xiao’s return, a relationship between Zeng Yu and Jiang Nan wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Seeing Jiang Nan’s approach to relationships made Yuan Lei reflect on her own, leaving her feeling a bit melancholic.
When work ended, Zeng Yu wasted no time, leaving in a hurry.
Perhaps Yuan Lei’s actions in the morning had given them courage, as Li Geng remarked sarcastically, “Zeng Yu must be off to see President Jiang. He rushed out as if the chair had nails.”
Yuan Lei, still talking to the teacher, overheard and glared at Li Geng, “Zeng Yu’s father is in Shanghai for medical treatment, and he’s understandably anxious. Also, there’s something I forgot to mention earlier: Zeng Yu is the company’s vice president, in charge of daily operations. From now on, watch what you say around him.”
This statement seemed helpful on the surface but was actually driving a wedge between Zeng Yu and the employees.
Li Geng regretted his words, realizing the trouble he might be in if Zeng Yu heard about it. He was Zeng Yu’s subordinate, after all. Even if Zeng Yu was lenient, if Jiang Nan found out, he could be in big trouble.
At that moment, Li Geng considered quietly returning to the group.
After the check-up, Zeng Zhanhao and Fu Yu returned home, looking downcast, which made Jiang Nan anxious. The results showed that Zeng Zhanhao had gallstones and needed surgery.
Zeng Zhanhao couldn’t understand how he had developed this condition.
The doctor explained that it could be hereditary. Hearing this, Zeng Zhanhao remembered that his mother had the same condition and wondered if Zeng Yu might be at risk.
“We shouldn’t tell Zeng Yu about the surgery. He’s just starting his business, and we shouldn’t distract him.” Zeng Zhanhao decided quickly.
Fu Yu glanced at Jiang Nan, who immediately raised her hand, “I won’t tell him, I swear.”
“Let’s say it’s just a minor back problem, nothing serious, and that he should rest at home,” Zeng Zhanhao even thought of a cover story. He was pleased with Jiang Nan’s response, already seeing her as his future daughter-in-law. He assumed Jiang Nan was helping Zeng Yu with his startup, not realizing she was the company’s boss.
“Good, we shouldn’t let this child get distracted.” Fu Yu agreed.
Jiang Nan felt deeply moved by the parents’ selflessness. Truly, parents’ hearts are filled with love for their children. She suddenly realized how little she had done for her own parents.
At that moment, Zeng Yu arrived, and Jiang Nan greeted him with a smile.
Zeng Yu anxiously asked, “Did the results come out?”
The elders exchanged a cautious look. Jiang Nan’s acting was flawless as she calmly replied, “Yes, it’s nothing serious, just some minor back issues. The doctor recommended rest.”
Zeng Yu sighed in relief, “A colleague of mine had back pain once, and when he went for a check-up, they found a kidney tumor. It had already spread from a stomach tumor. There was nothing they could do, and he was sent home to wait for the end. Ever since then, I’ve been worried.”
“Back pain can have many causes, don’t overthink it.” Jiang Nan teased, secretly proud of her acting. At the same time, she vowed to spend more time with her own mother that evening.
In this world, only parents give so much without expecting anything in return.
After lunch, Zeng Yu returned to work, feeling reassured, while Jiang Nan stayed behind to handle the hospital admission for the surgery.
Once Zeng Yu had left, Zeng Zhanhao turned to Jiang Nan, “Jiang Nan, your aunt will be with me at the hospital, so you can go back to work. We’ve brought enough money, so there won’t be any problems. You took care of the check-up, which was already a big help. There’s no need for you to run around after me.”
“Uncle, I’ll take you to the hospital, get you settled in, and then I’ll go back to work.” Jiang Nan replied with a smile.
She was concerned that if she didn’t personally oversee the arrangements, the hospital staff might not treat them well.
Zeng Zhanhao was a mild-mannered man and, seeing Jiang Nan’s determination, he didn’t insist further, feeling even more fond of her.
After a simple packing, Jiang Nan drove the couple to the hospital. After getting them settled, Zeng Zhanhao called Zeng Yu to say they had already taken the bus back, and it was Jiang Nan who had personally taken them to the station.
Hearing this, Zeng Yu finally felt at ease.
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