SFL Chapter 35

The rules abroad are much more stringent than those in the country. If Nan Jinchen were to conduct business honestly, he would have long been devoured by those people, bones and all.

In this vast market, who would willingly share their profits with others? Nan Jinchen, like a lone wolf entering enemy territory, is targeted by those who wish to tear him apart. After going abroad, his methods are no longer as gentle and harmless as they were in the country; he can be just as ruthless as the unrestricted financial tycoons overseas.

Aware of the threats he faces abroad, Nan Jinchen has never indulged in foreign adventures. The country won’t stand by watching this national hero get harmed by foreign pawns.

“Daddy.” The three-year-old princess of the Nan family, dressed in a fluffy princess gown, runs over and hugs Nan Jinchen’s thigh.

Nan Jinchen smiles, lifting his daughter and introducing her to the guests. “Hello, uncles and aunties.” The little girl, with her baby teeth showing, greets everyone like a sweet angel, melting hearts.

Despite being a top figure on the global rich list, Nan Jinchen doesn’t spoil his daughter. Aside from official bodyguards, he has hired covert security for her safety. These agents, recruited from abroad at a high cost, don’t disturb her daily life unless there’s a threat.

With Nan Jinchen’s significant donations, the domestic security situation has improved. To be cautious, he adds more guards for his daughter, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.

Due to Nan Jinchen’s outstanding achievements, his father stepped down as the chairman months ago, passing the role to Nan Jinchen, while the presidency went to Xu Lin, who returned from overseas.

Xu Lin, having successfully pursued Shen Baiyi, applied to return to the country. With no rivalry left, Nan Jinchen is no longer a threat in Xu Lin’s eyes.

Despite not being married, Nan Jinchen is content. When Xu Lin and Shen Baiyi announce their wedding, Nan Jinchen smiles. Even his assistant, Gu Zhenzhen, is puzzled by his amusement.

“Will you attend Xu Lin and Baiyi’s wedding?” Gu Zhenzhen asks.

“Of course, they’ve helped me a lot. Now that they’ve found happiness, I should offer my blessings,” Nan Jinchen replies.

The little princess, unaware of her father’s thoughts, insists, “Daddy, I want to go too.”

“Daddy will surely bring his thoughtful little princess,” Nan Jinchen says, placing his daughter between the couple, and they all share a hearty laugh.

At Xu Lin and Shen Baiyi’s wedding, Nan Jinchen, as a guest, is undoubtedly a heavyweight. Holding his daughter, he steals the spotlight. Guests who recognize him can’t take their eyes off Nan Jinchen, eager to get close to him.

The former board members who withdrew from the company regret their decision, while those who stayed as shareholders now possess fortunes of at least a hundred billion.

“I knew the Chairman’s presence would cause such an impact,” Xu Lin says helplessly, feeling overshadowed on his big day.

“Alright, let’s go toast Senior Nan.” Shen Baiyi, arm in arm with Xu Lin, suggests.

Compared to the somewhat naive Shen Baiyi who just graduated a few years ago, the Shen Baiyi now has the refined aura of years spent abroad. With a poised smile, she and Xu Lin go to toast the guests.

Approaching Nan Jinchen’s table, seeing the adorable little girl, Shen Baiyi suddenly desires a child of her own. With this newfound thought, she seeks advice from Gu Zhenzhen, who has experience.

Gu Zhenzhen, speaking from her own experience, advises, “Even though we women bear the child, we shouldn’t let the child’s father forget his responsibilities. While he may not endure the pregnancy, there are things he can do to help. Otherwise, they won’t understand how challenging it is for us.”

Nan Jinchen, even before Gu Zhenzhen’s advice, has already actively sought knowledge online on how to care for a pregnant woman and a child. Throughout the pregnancy and the child’s growth, Nan Jinchen, as a father, has never been absent.

Gu Zhenzhen’s words resonate with Shen Baiyi, causing her to reconsider her initial plan of continuing to strive in the workplace. Not everyone can balance both raising a child and building a business empire like Nan Jinchen.

However, Shen Baiyi isn’t thinking of completely leaving her career behind. She contemplates having Xu Lin share some responsibilities.

At least Shen Baiyi has learned over the years not to unilaterally invest everything into a relationship. Raising a child is probably no different.

When Shen Baiyi discusses the parenting arrangements with Xu Lin, he is initially surprised but quickly agrees. After all, the child is both of theirs, not just Shen Baiyi’s. He realizes it’s not fair for her to sacrifice and contribute solely.

Thinking of Nan Jinchen’s low-profile lifestyle in recent years, Xu Lin laughs and remarks, “It seems Senior Nan understood the importance of family earlier than both of us. He’d rather work from home than miss out on his child’s growth.”

“So, Senior Nan is a perfect man,” Shen Baiyi’s eyes sparkle.

Hearing this, Xu Lin feels a bit uneasy. Considering their current statuses, he takes a deep breath and finally brings up the taboo question, “Baiyi, do you still like Senior Nan?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? Senior Nan is not only handsome and wealthy, but he also treats his wife and daughter so well. Which woman wouldn’t want a husband like Senior Nan?” Shen Baiyi replies candidly.

Xu Lin’s eyes redden. “Hmph, too bad you’re already married to me. There’s no chance with Senior Nan anymore.” This is the reason he addressed this issue after marriage because Shen Baiyi can’t escape now.

“What you said, Senior Nan is not someone I can aspire to. Besides, I can’t handle a man like him. That’s why I admire Sister Zhenzhen…” Shen Baiyi sighs.

“But you just said you like Senior Nan?”

“I also like the sun and the moon in the sky. Can I pluck them and claim them as mine?” Shen Baiyi gives Xu Lin a sarcastic look.

Xu Lin realizes his misunderstanding and quickly apologizes, “I thought you used to admire Senior Nan, so I got a bit jealous.”

“I still admire Senior Nan now. Back then, I didn’t understand the gap between us and tried to catch up. Even though I still can’t catch up now, I don’t regret liking Senior Nan. I just don’t know when Senior Nan transformed from a bright moonlight to the moon in the sky, destined to be admired from below, not to be desecrated. But it doesn’t matter. I only know that I’ve become better because of that outstanding person.” Shen Baiyi smiles. It’s the biggest gain from her youthful crush.

Xu Lin completely releases his jealousy and no longer feels any resentment towards Nan Jinchen. He smiles and says, “I also admire Senior Nan. Let’s chase after him together.”

“Thank you, my beloved husband.” Shen Baiyi expresses gratitude to Xu Lin.

It’s great; they came together because of love.

With this thought, Shen Baiyi unexpectedly has a ‘nightmare’ one night.

A very unfriendly dream.

In the dream, Shen Baiyi sees ‘her’ successfully winning the affection of someone after joining the company—Nan Jinchen’s favor, to be precise. Nan Jinchen, for her sake, breaks off the engagement with his fiancée, Gu Zhenzhen, and proposes to ‘her’.

Shen Baiyi, witnessing this scene, thinks that if it were real, she would be overjoyed. However, with the clarity that comes from a few extra years of experience, Shen Baiyi, more observant than the dream’s teenage girl, knows that reality is not a fairy tale and won’t be as pure and beautiful as imagined.

In fact, after marriage, Nan Jinchen takes on external responsibilities, and Shen Baiyi resigns from her position as the CEO’s secretary to return to family life. At that time, with limited experience, she didn’t know the impact of her decision or the difference between their choices.

Nan Jinchen, willing to marry her and breaking off an engagement with a well-matched fiancée, undoubtedly loves Shen Baiyi. Unfortunately, love can only be a seasoning in life, not the main course. Elevating the position of love too high can make a person’s spine bend.

Being pampered, the dream version of Shen Baiyi unwittingly becomes like a captive, transforming into a delicate flower, unlike the real Shen Baiyi, who, despite the luxurious life, remains strong. Compared to the flashy wealthy elites, Nan Jinchen is undoubtedly a good man.

However, even the best man can’t love his beloved woman perfectly. Seeing Shen Baiyi gradually withering like a flower, he fails to recognize the true reason.

In the dream, Shen Baiyi’s life is not bad; it’s even better than her waking life. However, as the in-laws become disapproving and her husband and children have fewer common topics, she becomes increasingly oppressed, and her soul becomes more and more barren.

“If life could start again, I want to have myself…” Not the wife of Nan Jinchen, not the fox spirit in her mother-in-law’s eyes, not even the gentle mother in her children’s eyes. Just herself, Shen Baiyi.

Hearing the dream version of Shen Baiyi speak these words, the real Shen Baiyi has a gut feeling that these words are meant for her.