After Wang Cheng left the study, his family immediately surrounded him with questions. Because his father didn’t yet know about his relationship with Chu Yifeng, he did not reveal the whole conversation, merely reassuring his parents that the patriarch had not made things difficult for him.
The outcome was already far more favorable than Wang Cheng had expected. Grandfather would never have agreed so readily based solely on Wang Cheng’s arguments about the family’s reputation. He suspected someone else had intervened.
He remembered Old Madam Chu promising to help when Old Master Zheng learned the truth. Could her influence have played a part?
Feng Yuying was disappointed to see Wang Cheng emerge unharmed. With the old master’s personality, how could he have let him off so easily? Still, after seeing what had happened to Zheng Ru’s family, she didn’t dare say anything reckless.
Wang Cheng stayed a little longer and then left. Feng Yuying made an excuse to follow him. At the gate she spotted him getting into a sports car driven by a man, whom she instinctively assumed was Chu Yifeng.
“If only I’d brought my phone! Is the old man getting senile? Those two are obviously involved, yet he didn’t punish Zhou Cheng.”
She spat after the departing car and returned inside.
In the car, Wang Cheng recounted his entire private conversation with his grandfather to Chu Yifeng. The old man’s suggestion meant having a child by reproductive assistance, but unlike Yuan Xia’s situation, he wanted a woman to give birth to a biological heir of the Zhou family.
“Why was Grandfather so easy to talk to? Could your grandmother have said something to him?”
“That was probably one reason,” Chu Yifeng analyzed. “Grandfather wants you on the Zheng family’s side, so he can’t risk provoking you too much. Your chances are much better than your younger aunt’s. Unless he’s completely lost his judgment, he’ll choose to support you.”
People in positions like Old Master Zheng’s had to keep up with the times to bring their families so far. He assessed issues first as head of the Zheng family, rather than simply as a grandfather. That might seem calculating, but it was normal in a large, influential clan.
“Yet he still demands that I have a child by surrogacy, and wants my answer in three days.” Wang Cheng drooped. Neither he nor Chu Yifeng wanted another woman carrying his child. They had talked about it before. Children were not the main problem; he simply couldn’t overcome the feeling it left him with.
Chu Yifeng smiled, understanding his conflict. “Shall we go visit Yuan Xia? It’s been a month since his surgery.”
“Let’s go.”
Wang Cheng called Yuan Xia for the address of his home in the capital and warned him that they were coming. He hadn’t visited before, but it turned out to be less than half an hour away. Yuan Xia notified the servants, who opened the gate for them when they arrived.
Back in Shanhai City, Jiang Xuan and his mother had obtained Chu Yifeng’s help to separate themselves fully from the Jiang family. Knowing the Chus stood behind him, the other Jiangs dared not interfere with Jiang Xuan or his company. Since returning to the capital, the household had lived peacefully.
Mother Jiang knew little about business, but her son had told her Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng helped resolve the incident involving Jiang Lin. She welcomed them with even more enthusiasm than Yuan Xia.
“Mom, please sit. Let the staff handle these things,” Yuan Xia urged.
Seeing his mother-in-law constantly bringing tea and refreshments while Wang Cheng grew embarrassed, he hurried to intervene. He didn’t want her to scare the guests away. He hoped Wang Cheng would visit more often. Ever since the surgery, Mother Jiang had treated him like an emperor, saying the first three months were delicate. She wouldn’t let him do anything and insisted he be accompanied whenever he went out. He felt almost like a prisoner.
Mother Jiang glanced at the two guests, put down the apple in her hand, and smiled. “All right. You haven’t seen one another in a while, so I’m sure you have lots to talk about. I’ll just go cut some fruit for you.” She took the fruit to the kitchen.
Unable to stop her, Yuan Xia gave up and asked Wang Cheng, “What brings you here?”
“To see how you’re doing,” Wang Cheng answered.
“Well, you can see for yourself. I have no freedom at all. My mother-in-law watches everything. She’s followed me like a shadow since I got home from the hospital. Even Jiang Xuan jokes she’s forgotten her son now that she has a grandchild on the way.” Yuan Xia shrugged, looking helpless but obviously happy.
“I can see how terrifying it is.” Wang Cheng shuddered at the thought of living the same way. He would go mad. He was glad he hadn’t agreed too quickly to his family’s demand.
Seeing Wang Cheng take him seriously, Yuan Xia laughed. “It’s not that bad. My mother-in-law has been pregnant herself. She knows the first three months need extra care. Of course she’s nervous. She’s wanted a grandchild for years.”
Wang Cheng looked a little less alarmed. “How have you felt this past month?”
“Much like a woman in early pregnancy. There can be nausea and sleepiness in the first three months. Maybe because my health isn’t particularly good, the symptoms have been strong. I sleep at least twelve hours a day and can’t stand the smell of fishy foods.” Seeing Wang Cheng’s reluctance, he added, “But everybody’s different. Some people in good health hardly have any symptoms. Remember the other pregnant man in my hospital room when you came to see me?”
“I remember,” Wang Cheng said.
“He was like that.”
Wang Cheng seemed lost in thought.
Chu Yifeng smiled at Yuan Xia.
Even after the visitors left, Yuan Xia couldn’t understand why Chu Yifeng had smiled. Had he said anything strange? When Jiang Xuan came home that night, Yuan Xia asked him. Jiang Xuan immediately understood.
Meanwhile, at the Zhou family residence.
Several days had passed since Wang Cheng was removed from his job. During a recent restructuring, Zhou Lin and Zhao Jiansheng had taken the opportunity to place their own supporters within the company. Feeling the moment was ripe, Zhou Lin raised the subject of Zhao Chenlin returning to work during dinner.
“Dad, Chenlin wants to help at the company. Could you arrange a position for him?”
Across from her, Zhao Chenlin put down his chopsticks and said nervously, “Grandfather, this time I promise not to disappoint you. I’ll study hard and humbly learn from experienced staff. Please give me one more chance.”
It was his third day back in the Zhou residence. His parents reasoned that, since the old man had allowed him to return home, he might have forgiven his earlier mistakes. They wanted to strike while the iron was hot.
“Yes, Dad. Chenlin has learned his lesson after everything that’s happened,” Zhou Lin said.
Zhou Shichang coughed twice, and Zhao Jiansheng promptly served him some soup to soothe his throat. He drank a couple of mouthfuls before putting the bowl down and fixing a penetrating gaze on Zhao Chenlin, whose scalp prickled. The young man dared not show his nerves.
“What position do you want?”
At first Zhao Chenlin didn’t realize his grandfather was addressing him. Delighted, he opened his mouth, then caught his mother’s warning glance. He swallowed his intended answer. “Whatever Grandfather decides.”
“Then start at the bottom.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.” Zhao Chenlin swallowed his resentment.
After dinner, Zhao Chenlin caught his mother alone and asked why she’d stopped him from answering. He wanted to be Feng Yifan’s assistant, a far better position than being an ordinary employee. His parents had told him so. More importantly, Feng’s current assistant was someone Zhou Cheng had recommended. Wouldn’t removing that person be a triumph? Zhou Lin rapped him on the head.
“You’re going to drive me mad! Thank goodness you said nothing. Your grandfather’s attitude isn’t clear yet, but you were ready to test his limits. If you anger him, all our efforts will be wasted. You know what your grandfather is like. Zhou Cheng made a mistake, but that doesn’t mean everybody he recommended should suffer. Your grandfather values talent. Why would he punish Assistant Zhang because of Zhou Cheng?”
The assistant who had replaced Xie Wenzhi was trusted by both Zhou Shichang and Feng Yifan. His abilities couldn’t be far below Xie’s. Targeting him would only antagonize her father. That was why she’d signaled Zhao Chenlin to be silent.
“I understand, Mom, but who knows how long I’ll be stuck at the bottom before getting promoted?” Zhao Chenlin still wanted rewards without effort.
“Don’t worry. With me around, you won’t stay there long,” Zhou Lin said. If her father had immediately given him a senior post, she would have found it strange.