Jiang Jianmin shook his head, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Qiu Zheng is a first-class hero, but he can only receive this first-class merit while lying down for the rest of his life. If there's no follow-up, that's it. Qiu Yihe only just realized this, and it's too late to promote her now. She lacks seniority; every position is filled, and all the good spots are already taken."
After hearing this, Jiang Cheng suddenly realized the profound meaning behind those words.
He blurted out, "So, Uncle Qiu doesn't object to you sending people to take care of him because he wants to seek your protection?"
Hearing this, a gratified smile appeared on Jiang Jianmin's face. He slowly turned his head and looked at Jiang Cheng with a gentle gaze.
Seeing the gorilla nearby roaring at them, Jiang Jianmin pointed a finger at it, gesturing for it to be quiet.
The furry gorilla's body appeared exceptionally large and powerful.
However, upon seeing Jiang Jianmin's gesture, it suddenly seemed to receive a command and stood up quickly.
Then, the gorilla actually began to mimic human behavior.
It raised a thick arm and gave a respectful salute in the direction of Jiang Jianmin and Jiang Cheng.
Seeing this comical scene, Jiang Cheng was stunned for a moment before he couldn't help but laugh.
Mimicking the gorilla's movement, Jiang Cheng returned a somewhat non-standard military salute.
"This gorilla must have seen this movement many times."
Jiang Jianmin looked at Jiang Cheng's playful manner and laughed along with him.
After the laughter subsided, a hint of emotion unconsciously entered his voice.
"Even animals can mimic and follow examples, let alone us humans. When we were young, your Uncle Qiu and I were indeed very good friends. Back then, the kind of person we least wanted to become was someone like your grandfather, who has a hundred and eighty schemes up his sleeve."
Having said this, Jiang Jianmin lowered his head and gave a self-deprecating smile.
"But now, finding myself in this situation, I understand the inevitability of the youth eventually becoming the dragon slayer. Thinking ten steps ahead for every step taken is not just about grasping and balancing the center of power, but also a form of self-protection."
Jiang Cheng nodded in understanding.
It is said that the business world is like a battlefield, where a single mistake can lead to total ruin.
Let alone the power struggle his grandfather was involved in.
Since entering society after graduating from university, his grandfather had hacked through thorns and brambles, enduring countless hardships and dangers to gradually reach the peak of his life.
His grandfather had walked this path for over forty years.
In those forty-plus years, if a single step had been wrong, it would have been impossible to reach his current height.
After reaching the peak, he spent nearly another 25 years maintaining the honor of the Jiang Family.
Over these sixty-odd years, without a resilient mind and strong methods, the Jiang Family would likely have declined long ago.
"Dad, one does what one's position requires; don't carry a psychological burden. According to what you just said, this is also a good thing for Uncle Qiu. He might have gotten exactly what he wanted," Jiang Cheng comforted him.
Jiang Jianmin nodded slightly, his eyes flickering as if hiding endless thoughts.
That trace of complex emotion permeated his tone like mist.
"Yes, perhaps your Uncle Qiu feels the same way inside... I do still consider him my best brother, but now, other things have mixed into our brotherhood. After we went our separate ways, your Uncle Qiu didn't actually make an effort to find me. It wasn't until now, after something happened, that he started using various channels to inquire about me."
His father had been away from the turmoil for over a decade.
Suddenly facing so many things and still remaining unfazed was indeed not simple.
If he hadn't taken the initiative to mention it today...
...how could Jiang Cheng have imagined that beneath the appearance of sorrow and cherished reunion between his father and Qiu Zheng, there was actually such a layer of calculation?
Sensing a bit of disappointment in his father's words...
...Jiang Cheng comforted him.
"Uncle Qiu probably wants to find a reliable backer for Qiu Yihe. He knows a lot about your past and knew that if he reached out, you would definitely show up."
Jiang Jianmin took over the conversation, and after a long sigh, said with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
"Exactly. He knows I won't do anything to him and will definitely help him instead. Before Uncle Qiu's accident, he still had his granduncle to rely on. But now that he's like this, once his granduncle is gone, what else can he give Xiao He besides the title of a 'First-Class Hero's Family'? If it continues like this, things will only get worse with each generation."
After a moment of silence, Jiang Cheng asked, "In that case, what kind of work do you plan to arrange for Uncle Qiu?"
Jiang Jianmin thought for a while and then slowly replied.
"He is so skilled at flying; even if he can't do practical lessons, he can teach theory to the students. Your grandfather will send people to take care of him 24 hours a day and help him."
Jiang Cheng knew very well that this so-called "care" was also something Qiu Zheng was willing to accept.
Ultimately, this was the choice he made when he took the initiative to pledge his loyalty to the Jiang Family.
"Then what about Qiu Yihe's situation?" Jiang Cheng followed up.
Jiang Jianmin smiled slightly, his words seemingly carrying some deeper meaning.
"What your grandfather meant earlier was that he wanted to arrange a job for her in Kyoto. However, that child is too young and hasn't quite understood things yet, so we'll let her be for now. We'll promote your Uncle Qiu first; his higher position will also be a boost for her."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng did not intend to delve deeper into the topic.
After all, he knew his father too well.
The reason Jiang Jianmin spoke about this was simply because he wanted someone to talk to.
In fact, his father had always treated Qiu Zheng with genuine sincerity.
Jiang Cheng took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air in the garden.
He remarked, "They say the smog in Kyoto is severe, but I think the air here is much fresher than in Shanghai."