IOLYF Chapter 34

Tanghai City, Charity Auction Banquet…

At this charity gala, which gathered prominent figures from various sectors, Han ShaoZhou’s grandfather, Pang Mingshun, also made an appearance. As a renowned philanthropist in Tangzhou and a special guest at the charity auction, Pang Mingshun arrived in a wheelchair, pushed by his adopted son, Pang Yuanqing, who was dressed in a sharp suit.

Despite his advanced age and serious illness, Pang Mingshun managed to stay spirited for such an important occasion. Upon seeing his beloved grandson, Pang Mingshun’s aged face softened with warmth. He instructed Pang Yuanqing to let Han ShaoZhou push his wheelchair. After greeting a few people, Pang Mingshun asked Han ShaoZhou to take him out for a walk by the flowerbeds outside the banquet hall.

Before leaving, Pang Yuanqing knelt down beside Pang Mingshun, almost touching the ground with one knee, and carefully adjusted the thin blanket over Pang Mingshun’s legs. He spoke gently, “Dad, don’t stay outside too long. The doctor said you can’t catch a chill.”

Pang Yuanqing was Pang Mingshun’s adopted son, the son of an old friend. He was taken in by the Pang family at the age of thirteen, and now, ten years older than Han ShaoZhou, he exuded an air of elegance and grace. His long, gentle eyes, framed by thin metal-rimmed glasses, gave him a refined and approachable demeanor.

“Mm, you go chat with President Qin. Let me and ShaoZhou have some time alone.” Pang Mingshun said.

“Okay.”

Pang Yuanqing stood up and looked at Han ShaoZhou, his tone still warm as he advised, “Xiao Han, don’t take your grandfather where it’s too windy.”

“Don’t worry.” Han ShaoZhou nodded.

Pang Yuanqing smiled slightly. His well-groomed brows and defined features gave off an air of meticulous and dignified gentleness. “Spend some more time talking with your grandfather. After you left last time, he kept mentioning you.”

“I got it, Uncle.”

Though they were uncle and nephew in name, Han ShaoZhou didn’t feel much familial affection toward Pang Yuanqing. Their personal circles rarely overlapped, and though they weren’t distant, there was always a sense of being part of different families.

In truth, Han ShaoZhou always felt a strange sense of distance from Pang Yuanqing. Pang Yuanqing was excessively perfect and meticulous in his personality. In Han ShaoZhou’s memory, he had never seen him lose his composure even once. Calling him “Uncle” was more out of respect than the casual ease he had shown around his real uncle back in the day.

Han ShaoZhou pushed Pang Mingshun out of the banquet hall…

What Pang Mingshun told Han ShaoZhou wasn’t much different from their last conversation. The only change was that he planned to leave Han ShaoZhou a substantial amount of cash instead of business assets.

The Pang family’s Dingcheng Group, worth billions, would be inherited by his adopted son, Pang Yuanqing, while Han ShaoZhou would receive a cash inheritance worth billions, including a fund worth over 90 billion.

This was the best way to avoid competition and conflict between the adopted son and the grandson.

“Dingcheng’s affairs will be enough to keep you busy.” Pang Mingshun said kindly. “Consider this as your grandfather saving you some trouble.”

“Such a large sum of money…” Han ShaoZhou frowned slightly. “Have you discussed this with Uncle?”

Pang Yuanqing’s excellence was evident to all. In recent years, the vast Pang family had flourished under his management. He was everything Han ShaoZhou aspired to be: shrewd, steady, and someone who concealed his true thoughts well, making him seem both approachable and distant.

Even if Pang Mingshun left everything to Pang Yuanqing, Han ShaoZhou believed his uncle was fully deserving of it.

“Not yet. I’ll find time to discuss it with him.” Pang Mingshun said slowly. “You don’t need to feel any burden. If I hadn’t adopted and nurtured your uncle, he wouldn’t be where he is today. It’s because he has proven himself that I’m willing to entrust Dingcheng to him. If it weren’t for these twenty-odd years of bonding and assessment, how could I leave Dingcheng to someone with no blood relation?”

In many ways, Pang Mingshun was not as enlightened as Han Changzong. For example, he held on to outdated views like preferring sons over daughters and placing too much emphasis on blood relations. He had been deeply bothered for years after learning that his grandson Han ShaoZhou was interested in men. But in recent years, he had let go of these concerns, gradually entrusting the Pang family to his adopted son. Whenever he saw Han ShaoZhou, he would even ask when he would bring a “grandson-in-law” home for him to meet.

As Pang Mingshun spoke, a hint of sadness touched his eyes. “It’s a shame your real uncle didn’t live up to expectations. I should have pushed him to settle down and start a family earlier so that the Pang family would have an heir. Just like your grandfather, at least he still has you. When you get married and have kids, your home will be lively and warm. But as for your uncle… sigh, back then, he had so many women outside, yet he didn’t leave behind a single child. Why did I push him to be so restrained…”

“…”

The charity auction was about to begin, so they didn’t talk for long before Han ShaoZhou wheeled Pang Mingshun back to the hall.

“By the way, ShaoZhou.” Pang Mingshun suddenly asked, “Still no girlfriend?”

“Too busy.” Investing time and emotions into a relationship was not a good deal for him at the moment.

“Looks like I won’t live to see you get married.”

“Hang in there, Grandpa. Live another five or ten years, and you’ll see it.”

“…”

Pang Mingshun chuckled, a soft sigh escaping him. “You really do look like your little uncle. Every time I see you, I’m reminded of him. If you get married, it’ll feel like seeing him start a family too.”

Pang Mingshun’s health wasn’t as good as Han Changzong’s, and his remaining days were truly numbered. Seeing him so sentimental, a thought crossed Han ShaoZhou’s mind—maybe he should bring Mo Ming to meet him next time and pretend they’re a couple.

It would be an easy way to make the old man happy.

As they neared the entrance to the hall, Pang Mingshun suddenly reminded Han ShaoZhou, “By the way, what I told you earlier, don’t mention it to your uncle.”

“You mean the money and the fund?”

“Yes. I thought it over and decided it’s better to put it directly in my will.” Pang Mingshun said slowly. “Maybe my mind really isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Your uncle is so restrained and never shows his emotions. Many times, I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

Han ShaoZhou could vaguely understand Pang Mingshun’s concerns. This wasn’t unusual. Throughout history, family members have often been pitted against each other over vast fortunes.

“I understand.”

At the auction, Han ShaoZhou successfully bid on two pieces of calligraphy from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, intending to give them to the old man. He also had his eye on a Qing Dynasty dragon-embossed bronze dagger.

However, during the bidding, Pang Yuanqing raised the price twice. Han ShaoZhou glanced at the man standing not far away, holding a wine glass and smiling elegantly. After a moment’s thought, he decided not to continue bidding.

By the time the banquet ended, it was already late. As Han ShaoZhou was about to head back to the hotel with his assistant, Pang Yuanqing’s silver-gray Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up in front of him.

The car window rolled down slowly, revealing Pang Yuanqing leaning back in the rear seat, his face calm as he looked at Han ShaoZhou.

“Xiao Han, are you free tomorrow? How about having a meal with your uncle?”

Perhaps because the car’s interior was dimly lit, and the streetlights outside reflected off the thin lenses of his glasses, Han ShaoZhou couldn’t quite see Pang Yuanqing’s eyes clearly. But his voice was as warm as ever.

“Sorry, Uncle.” Han ShaoZhou smiled. “I have to catch an early flight back. There’s a pile of work waiting for me at the company. Let’s do it another time.”

“Then we’ll meet another day.”

As Pang Yuanqing spoke, the bodyguard in the front seat got out of the car, holding the box containing the bronze dagger that had been auctioned off earlier. He handed it to Han ShaoZhou.

“I noticed you seemed to like this item during the auction.” Pang Yuanqing said slowly. “Uncle doesn’t take what others like, so consider this an early birthday gift from me.”

Han ShaoZhou glanced at the box. “But this is something you liked too, Uncle. How could I accept it?”

“Uncle’s things are yours if I’m willing to give them to you.” Pang Yuanqing said with a faint smile, as if half-joking. “If I’m not willing, it’s not something you should want.”

Han ShaoZhou frowned slightly. He looked at Pang Yuanqing for a long moment before finally smiling.

“Since Uncle insists, I’ll accept it gratefully.”

Han ShaoZhou’s assistant stepped forward to take the box.

“It’s late, so I won’t keep you from resting, Uncle.” Han ShaoZhou said.

“Goodnight, Xiao Han.”

As the car window rolled up, the smile on Pang Yuanqing’s face slowly faded.

“Mr. Han, the car is here.” the assistant whispered to Han ShaoZhou.

It wasn’t until Pang Yuanqing’s car disappeared down the neon-lit road that Han ShaoZhou finally withdrew his gaze, his expression cold as he got into the car.

He wasn’t stupid. He could clearly pick up on the underlying implications of Pang Yuanqing’s words. What surprised him was that, until now, his uncle had never shown any signs of giving him any hints or warnings. Over the years, this uncle had always played the role of a kind and gentle relative.

But to wait until now to reveal even a hint of sharpness showed remarkable restraint.

…

Outside the car window, the night’s neon lights flashed by quickly…

Han ShaoZhou suddenly remembered that his birthday was indeed coming up.

In recent years, he had been constantly on the move, often only realizing it was his birthday when he received text messages from friends and family, reminding him that he had turned another year older.

But this year, he should be able to spend it in Chuanhai.

And he could have a nice, romantic time with that little guy…

Han ShaoZhou took the bronze dagger out of the box. The scabbard was exquisite, with a greenish-black body and golden dragon engravings. It felt substantial in his hand.

He took out his phone and snapped a picture of the dagger, then sent it to Mo Ming.

[Han ShaoZhou]: [Picture]

[Han ShaoZhou]: A gift for my little darling.

[Han ShaoZhou]: Do you like it?

Beautiful things were always meant for his beautiful lover—a principle he had always adhered to.

After waiting for a while without a response, Han ShaoZhou guessed that Mo Ming must have already gone to bed and hadn’t seen his message.

Thinking it over, Han ShaoZhou decided to surprise him in the morning…

[Han ShaoZhou]: {{red envelope}}

[Han ShaoZhou]: Sweet dreams, darling.

Just as Han ShaoZhou was about to put his phone away, a notification chimed.

[System]: Xiao Darling has accepted your red envelope.

Han ShaoZhou: “…”

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