I've been out here grinding to build my own company.
And just like Jiang Jianmin said, Xingchen Investment has long since eclipsed Jiang Tai Construction.
Isn't there a saying in the Second-generation rich crowd?
If your start-up flops, you tuck your tail between your legs and go home to take over the family business.
Who'd have guessed that even after my venture succeeded, I still can't escape the fate of inheriting the family empire?
Damn it—the internet lied after all!
D-Dad, you…" Jiang Cheng stammered.
Before Jiang Cheng could finish, Jiang Jianmin cut in.
'Jiang Tai Construction won the Chengdu development-zone bid this year, plus the mining contract. Our workforce has swollen from a few thousand to over ten thousand. All those people depend on us for their rice bowls. The Jiang Family has only you. Want it or not, you'll take it. We can't throw away their livelihoods.'
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng fell silent, the faces of his employees flashing through his mind.
It wasn't much different from what his great-uncle and Shen Chong had told him earlier.
After a long pause, Jiang Cheng glanced at his parents.
Then he said, 'Dad, Mom, you're still young and you're not civil servants. How about you put in some effort and have a few more kids to split the pressure? If you exceed the birth quota, our family can easily pay the fine. What do you think?'
Jiang Jianmin and Li Yan's faces flushed crimson.
Jiang Jianmin shot back, 'You little rascal, nice try. Raising one troublemaker like you has worn your dad and me out for over a decade. I'm not fond of that idea.'
The moment Jiang Jianmin finished, Li Yan added
'Your dad's right. I don't like it either. If you feel overwhelmed, you're an adult—feel free to start having kids yourself. Our family can afford to raise them. I'm sure your grandparents wouldn't object.'
The couple's united front left Jiang Cheng speechless.
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Fine, so that's how we're playing this?
What else could he do?
Remembering the bratty kid he'd once been, Jiang Cheng closed his eyes and gave a silent, bitter smile.
Having children right now was absolutely out of the question.
He still wanted a few more years of fun—going home to play dress-up with Yu Xiaoxiao and enjoying their two-person world.
He had zero desire to become a stay-at-home dad straight off the bat.
Watching his parents pile food into his bowl, wordlessly urging him to 'try harder,' Jiang Cheng could only shake his head in defeat.
Sigh… life as the sole heir isn't all roses—it's nothing but pressure.
After seeing Jiang Cheng off, the sky slowly darkened, yet Qiu Zheng still showed no sign of going inside.
He stood silently in his wheelchair, staring at the slightly rusted iron gate of the courtyard.
The evening sun had set; the wind outside turned cold, stinging his cheeks.
Qiu Yihe watched her father's back, worry creeping in. 'Dad, it's getting cold. Come inside.'
Qiu Zheng seemed not to hear, still gazing at the gate, and sighed.
'I remember when I was little this gate was brand-new. I loved tossing firecrackers over the wall next to it…'
Seeing her father lapse into reminiscence again, Qiu Yihe fell silent for several seconds, unsure how to comfort him.
She could only mutter, 'Don't dwell on the past…'
Qiu Zheng knew he had let Qiu Yihe down over the years. He nodded quietly.
He didn't bring up her career again.
Instead, trying to please her, he said first, 'Little Jiang is your age. You're both in Shanghai; if you ever need help, you can look for him.'
Looking at her father's broken body, Qiu Yihe's heart melted.
Her eyes reddened. She asked softly, 'Dad, are you really going to the capital with Uncle Jiang?'
Qiu Zheng nodded firmly.
'Yes. Your Uncle Jiang is right—I can't hold you back. You're young with a bright future. In the capital he can find me some work with the army; I'll be well looked after.'
'In your condition you still want to work?' Qiu Yihe's brows knitted tight.
Qiu Zheng shook his head, expression serious.
'Exactly because of my condition I must work. Back in Shanghai, even if I'm with you, I can't stop overthinking. If that goes on, I'll become useless.'
'There's sense in that, but I can't feel easy letting you go alone.' Worry laced her voice.
'No need to worry. With your Uncle Jiang arranging things, your old man will be better off than in Shanghai.'
'Your Uncle Jiang is right: if I stay active, you'll have something to hope for. If I hide at home, at best I'm a "glorious soldier" collecting subsidies—how long can my face keep those coming?'
Qiu Zheng stared into the distance, as if steeling himself.
Used to trading barbs with her dad, Qiu Yihe felt awkward now that he was baring his heart.
He went on, 'I was the squadron's ace pilot. Even if I can't fly, I can still teach basic theory. It's a small way to keep serving the country.'
Listening, Qiu Yihe felt torn.
Part of her felt abandoned by her father once more.
Another part believed he should chase what he wanted.
As the thoughts swirled, her eyes brimmed.
Recalling what Jiang Cheng had told her earlier, she took a deep breath to steady herself. 'Go do what you want to do.'
Qiu Zheng answered, full of guilt
'Xiao He, I spoke with your Uncle Jiang just now. I wronged you in the past, and I can't make it up now. If you want to be a cop, I won't stop you—just promise you'll stay safe. Our family has only you left.'
The words lodged in Qiu Yihe's throat; she didn't know how to respond.
Qiu Zheng looked desolate. 'Our family is… Xiao He, apart from you, there's no one left to count on.'
Qiu Yihe lowered her head. 'By the way, what does Uncle Jiang's family do?'
'Your Uncle Jiang's family…'
Noting his hesitation, Qiu Yihe told him about yesterday's airport pickup.
After a pause Qiu Zheng still looked conflicted. 'Xiao He, this may not be the right time, but your Uncle Jiang's family isn't ordinary…'