On Saturday afternoon, Wang Ning’an packed a few clothes, took his assistant, and hurried onto a plane. His destination was the capital of Hua Country.
Shenghui Group’s headquarters were located in the capital’s most prosperous central business district. The city was one or two levels more developed than Shanhai City. Some people might never manage to visit it in their entire lives, much less put down roots there.
Wang Ning’an could be considered one of Shenghui Group’s fastest-rising elites. Although he was only a vice president, his ability was rumored to surpass even General Manager Liu, who headed the branch. People throughout the branch had begun speculating about when Vice President Wang would be promoted again and become president. They had heard this business trip had something to do with headquarters, but rumors were still only rumors. Even Wang Ning’an himself might not know exactly what would happen.
That same evening after Wang Ning’an left, Wang Cheng also packed up his clothes and headed home.
Unfortunately, he did not know how to drive. Otherwise, he could have taken Eldest Brother’s car home instead of squeezing onto a crowded bus.
Wang Cheng had called his family ahead of time. When he arrived home, he saw his younger sister Wang Ziyu waiting at the door. The moment she spotted him, she ran over in delight.
“Second Brother, you’re finally back.” Wang Ziyu could not hide the joy on her face. Saying she was glowing would hardly be an exaggeration, but this really was a major happy event. The gaokao was a turning point in life for many high school students, and she was no exception. Wang Cheng also knew his sister carried the expectations of many people, including their family and her teachers, so the pressure on her had never been small.
“My little sister brought our family a provincial top-scorer title. Of course her brother had to come back and celebrate with her.” Wang Cheng pinched her soft cheek. His sister never wore makeup and hardly used skincare products, yet her skin was better than that of many girls. Clean mountain air and water really did nourish people.
“So did Second Brother bring me a present?” Wang Ziyu asked expectantly.
Strangely enough, although she had spent more time with Eldest Brother than with Second Brother, she was actually closer to Wang Cheng. She could act spoiled with him without feeling any distance or pressure. With Eldest Brother, she could not. Wang Ziyu always felt he was more like an authoritative elder. Standing in front of him made her feel like a junior preparing to be lectured, even though they were siblings. Perhaps it was because Eldest Brother had experienced more in life.
“Of course I did. How could I not? Let’s go inside first.” Wang Cheng nodded firmly. Ever since Mama Wang called him, he had been thinking about what gift to buy for his little sister.
Papa Wang and Mama Wang were already waiting inside. They knew their son had eaten dinner, but Mama Wang still made him some snacks that he could have as a late-night bite.
Mama Wang asked about his job because she was worried he was working too hard. Wang Cheng told her he could handle it. Although he occasionally had to help Zhang Yiheng and the others, his actual workload was not that heavy. Once Mama Wang saw he did not seem to be lying, she finally relaxed. Then, in the very next second, she suddenly grabbed Wang Cheng by the ear, her expression fierce enough to change the atmosphere completely.
“This mother of yours has something to ask you.”
“Mom, we can talk this out. No need to get physical. That hurts!” Wang Cheng yelped as she tugged his ear, completely unable to understand why she had suddenly gotten angry.
“Did you transfer five hundred thousand yuan into your father’s account?”
Because the new house was still being renovated, Papa Wang went to the credit union every so often to withdraw money. That was how he discovered an extra five hundred thousand yuan in the account, startling him badly enough that he immediately asked an employee whether there had been a mistake and money meant for someone else had been transferred to him. The employee confirmed there was no error. Only then did Papa Wang vaguely remember his second son saying he had a surprise for him. When he asked who had sent the transfer, the name on the other side was indeed Wang Cheng.
Papa Wang went home and told Mama Wang. Having more money was a good thing, but the two of them had never intended to take their second son’s money. They were still trying to save for his future marriage. They had planned to call him that evening and ask what was going on, but the school phoned that afternoon with Wang Ziyu’s news, and in their excitement the two of them forgot all about it.
Wang Cheng had known his parents would be unhappy once they found out, which was exactly why he had acted first and told them afterward. He had actually planned to transfer one million yuan, but then he remembered that his parents had been hardworking farmers their entire lives and would never accept that much, so he cut the amount in half. He definitely could not tell Mama Wang that part, though, or his other ear would be in danger too.
“Mom, as your son, of course I can’t keep letting you and Dad work yourselves so hard. It was Dad’s holiday that day too, so I transferred some money to you. Besides, once the house is renovated, there probably won’t be much family savings left, right? Didn’t you say you wanted a plot of land to grow things? And chickens and ducks cost money too. All of that needs capital.”
“So what? Your mother can figure things out herself. You’re not allowed to transfer us money again.”
“Yes, yes. I promise there absolutely won’t be a next time.” Wang Cheng thought that much money would last his thrifty parents a very long time anyway. He doubted there would be any need for a next time.
“Lanfang, Chengcheng already admitted he was wrong. Let him off this time. He just got back and must be tired. Let him go rest. Whatever else there is, we can talk about it tomorrow.” Papa Wang immediately jumped in to smooth things over.
Mama Wang was really only acting out of concern for her son, so she finally let go.
Having escaped disaster, Wang Cheng immediately fled back to his room.