Xie Yuping had given up on mending the father-son relationship between Xie Jinghu and Xie Qian, even considering having Zou Weijun divorce Xie Jinghu, but Grandma Xie felt differently.
In her heart, Xie Jinghu was her most cherished son, and Xie Qian her most beloved grandson. If the two could get along, she’d truly be at peace!
When Xie Qian mentioned returning to Beijing, Grandma Xie immediately summoned Xie Jinghu.
Even the best relationships fade without contact, let alone one already strained. Grandma Xie went to great lengths for her son and grandson, but neither appreciated her efforts. Grandma Xie was, of course, a woman worthy of respect. A widow raising four sons, her resilience reflected traditional Chinese virtues, and her success in nurturing their talents showed her wisdom and foresight!
But no matter how wise, Grandma Xie wasn’t a saint. In her later years, she longed only for a harmonious family.
Divorce was out of the question; it would shatter the family’s unity.
As long as Zou Weijun didn’t mention divorce, Grandma Xie would spare no effort to compensate her daughter-in-law—that was her truest wish.
With Grandma Xie’s nudging, Xie Qian met his father, Xie Jinghu, shortly after arriving in Beijing.
Their last meeting hadn’t been pleasant.
This time, with Grandma Xie present, both were relatively civil, though each had their own motives for the meeting.
Xie Qian wanted to outmaneuver his father, while Xie Jinghu was on guard to avoid being outdone. Grandma Xie still held shares in Jinhu Group, and if Xie Qian gained control of them, it would put Xie Jinghu at a disadvantage!
Besides thwarting Xie Qian, Xie Jinghu also wanted to probe the logistics company situation.
He’d heard Xie Qian had a big argument with the company’s manager.
Regretting not witnessing it, Xie Jinghu felt a pang of disappointment.
Their gazes met, brimming with mutual, unspoken disdain.
Only Grandma Xie was full of affection, holding Xie Qian’s hand, looking him over, and repeating old concerns, “You’ve gotten thinner. Are you eating well in Chengdu? Is the food there not to your taste? Why not come back to Beijing for school?”
Grandma Xie missed her grandson and hoped for harmony between Xie Jinghu and Zou Weijun.
Long-term separation wasn’t sustainable.
She’d heard Zou Weijun was thriving in Chengdu’s publishing industry.
Women needed careers; with one, they wouldn’t fixate solely on men and could handle marital issues more rationally.
Believing Zou Weijun’s illness was healed, Grandma Xie suggested Xie Qian return to Beijing, implying Zou Weijun should come too.
Xie Qian wouldn’t return to Beijing.
Before, it was for his mother Zou Weijun’s condition; now, he had other attachments.
“It’s not about the food. Studying’s just a bit tiring.”
That was rare—Xie Qian admitting to being tired?
“Studying” had never been difficult for him!
Grandma Xie’s heart ached, urging him not to push himself too hard, “Don’t stress yourself too much. Rankings don’t matter—they’re fleeting. You’ve got a long life ahead.”
Having a grandson who always ranked first made her proud and happy.
But if Xie Qian didn’t take first, he was still Xie Qian. Compared to a lifetime, exam results were trivial; not getting first wasn’t a “life blemish.”
Grandma Xie’s genuine concern for Xie Qian not to overwork touched him.
In this family, Xie Qian saw Xie Jinghu as an enemy, but other members treated him well, and he cherished this extended family.
Seeing his mother’s affection for Xie Qian, Xie Jinghu felt threatened and interjected, “I don’t think it’s studying that’s tiring him. He’s meddling in too many things. If he just focused on being a high schooler, would he be this tired?”
Xie Jinghu was still sore about the Shanghai deal.
The nickname “Xie Two Hundred Million” had spread, with friends teasing him about investing heavily in his high school son’s ventures, infuriating him each time!
Did he willingly give that money?
No!
His wife and son had taken it from him.
Sensing Xie Jinghu’s tone, Grandma Xie’s expression darkened. Xie Jinghu, realizing his misstep, said, “Mom, I’m just concerned for him…”
“If you’re truly concerned, act like a father and set a good example for Xie Qian.”
Grandma Xie brushed it off, but Xie Qian smiled, “Grandma, my dad does care. Didn’t he arrange several big orders for my logistics company in Shanghai?”
This somewhat satisfied Grandma Xie, even surprising her.
Xie Jinghu sending orders to Xie Qian was what a father would do.
Wasn’t this a step toward mending their bond?
Xie Jinghu snorted, “Just a few orders, no big deal. If you stop opposing me, I can get you any orders you want.”
Xie Qian didn’t let him bask in it, “I came back to tell you face-to-face: my small company can’t handle big orders. I don’t need your behind-the-scenes help. I don’t want you holding this over me next year, saying I didn’t achieve over 20% annual returns on my own and using it as an excuse to force me to study abroad.”
Xie Jinghu was furious, “Forcing you to study abroad is harming you? Was sending you orders a mistake?”
“I don’t want to study abroad, and you know why.”
Going abroad would distance him from managing domestic affairs. After a few years, with China’s landscape changed, it would be hard for Xie Qian to influence Jinhu Group.
Before, he didn’t want to leave due to his mother’s depression.
Now, he had more reasons: he couldn’t leave his mother or his friends. Growing with them brought him joy.
Confronted directly, Xie Jinghu lost face and sneered, “If you’ve got any backbone, return those orders.”
“I’ve already had Manager Gong return them. In front of Grandma, I hope you’ll agree not to do this again.”
Xie Qian’s expression carried a trace of fatigue.
He was showing weakness to lull Xie Jinghu!
No matter how clever, a minor juggling academics and managing a Shanghai company demanded immense energy.
Xie Qian wanted Xie Jinghu to see his exhaustion, to think he was stretched thin!
As the father-son tension flared, Grandma Xie quickly mediated, “Xie Qian has his own ideas. If he wants to rely on himself, just stop sending him orders.”
