Chu Yunying lowered her head slightly, feeling wronged, and forced a smile. "It's nothing, I'm just in a bad mood and thought I'd come sit here with you."
Upon hearing she was unhappy, Hong Bin became very concerned. In his eyes, the young girl had always been cheerful and lively.
Every time they video called, she would happily share every little detail of her life abroad.
He had always liked Chu Yunying and was waiting for her to finish her studies and return so they could serve the Hall Master together.
He had been waiting for the day she would become his wife for a very long time.
"Yingying, tell me, why are you unhappy? Who bullied you?"
Chu Yunying pursed her lips bitterly, smiled, glanced at Hong Bin, and then hesitated to speak.
"Sigh! Brother Hong, this is difficult to talk about. Who can blame us for our low status? When insulted, we can only endure."
Hong Bin was furious. "Who insulted you?"
Chu Yunying recounted the events of the evening banquet to Hong Bin.
Hong Bin was unaware of the Hall Master's true identity. Only three people in the entire Shadow Hall knew Mu Jiuchen's identity: Chu Yunying, Qin Shulang, and Chu Yunying's deceased father.
As the Deputy Hall Master, Hong Bin had never even seen the Hall Master's true face. Chu Yunying knew this, which was why she dared to approach Hong Bin.
After listening, Hong Bin's eyes turned cold. "Who does Mu Jiuchen think he is? If his wife dares to insult you, I dare to take her life. Yingying, don't be sad, I won't let you be bullied for nothing."
Hong Bin seized the opportunity and wrapped an arm around Chu Yunying's waist.
Chu Yunying did not refuse, merely smiling shyly.
She could not forget Jiang Nuan's aggressive demeanor at the banquet, nor the humiliation inflicted upon her by that old man.
She had approached Mu Jiuchen with a purpose; he was her man.
She was very beautiful. Her father had told her before he died that as long as she studied hard and used her beauty to attract Mu Jiuchen's attention, he would surely like her.
He would surely marry her.
However, Mu Jiuchen had sent her abroad and then forgotten about her. Apart from the monthly living expenses Hong Bin sent her, almost no one remembered her existence.
Seeing that Chu Yunying did not reject him, Hong Bin's hope rekindled.
"Yingying, you smell so good!" Hong Bin rested his head in the crook of her shoulder and took a deep breath, his voice becoming intimate.
He had liked this girl for a long time.
Now that he was finally holding her, the feeling was as wonderful as a dream.
"Brother Hong!" Chu Yunying's voice became much more coy.
"Brother Hong, talking with you has made me feel much better. I'll head back tonight. If you have time tomorrow, let's have dinner together."
Chu Yunying knew Hong Bin's eagerness, but it wasn't time yet. She needed to confirm if Hong Bin would truly ruin Jiang Nuan for her.
Hong Bin had always been astute and loyal to the Hall Master, which was why he became the Deputy Hall Master.
Hong Bin also knew he couldn't rush things. Chu Yunying's initiative in seeking him out was clear. If this matter with Jiang Nuan was handled, he would have a wife.
"Okay, okay, Yingying. I'll pick you up at your workplace tomorrow evening. As for Jiang Nuan, don't worry, I'll handle it."
"Brother Hong, you don't have to do this. I was just feeling down and wanted to chat with you. You know my humble status; it's normal to be insulted in such a situation." Chu Yunying put on a sympathetic act.
Hong Bin grew even angrier. "Hmph! Jiang Nuan was so aggressive towards you. I only regret I wasn't there. If I had been, I would never have let her off."
Chu Yunying fell silent, a smile on her face, appearing innocent and naive. However, her lowered gaze held a deep malice.
"Yingying, let's go, I'll escort you back." Hong Bin wouldn't miss this chance to impress her.
"Thank you, Brother Hong!" Chu Yunying looked at him with a beaming smile, leaning into his embrace intentionally, causing Hong Bin's heart to flutter instantly.
...
Jiang Nuan woke up at noon the next day.
Now that she was free, she felt she could sleep incredibly well when she relaxed.
Looking beside her, Mu Jiuchen had already gotten up.
She looked out at the bright, sunny day and her mood instantly improved.
"Mommy, you're awake." Jiang Siyun ran in, propped herself by the bedside, and smiled at her mother. Her mother looked beautiful even just waking up!
"Mmm!" Jiang Nuan stroked her daughter's head and pinched her little cheek. The girl was growing more beautiful by the day; her little face was so soft.
"Oh! Mommy, why are your hands so restless? You and Daddy both love pinching my cheeks. Old folks say that if you pinch a child's cheeks too much, they'll drool."
Yunyun said with her big, watery eyes.
Jiang Nuan chuckled, wondering where she had heard that.
"Alright, alright, Mommy won't pinch anymore."
Jiang Nuan got out of bed to wash up.
Yunyun followed her in. Jiang Nuan couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Where's Daddy?"
Jiang Siyun shook her head slightly. "I don't know. He went out early this morning. Before leaving, he specifically told us not to disturb Mommy while she slept, as Mommy was very tired last night."
Jiang Nuan: ...
The hand holding the toothpaste trembled slightly.
That damned Mu Jiuchen?
Jiang Nuan pursed her lips and said, "Yunyun, you go down first. Mommy will be down in a moment."
"Okay!" Yunyun obediently went downstairs. After a few steps, she remembered something and went back upstairs. "Mommy, Great-Grandpa said for you to go see him after lunch. He has something to tell you."
Jiang Nuan's hand trembled again. She understood her grandfather's intention: he wanted her to take over the company.
Indeed, after lunch, Jiang Nuan went to see Grandpa Jiang. The old man directly declared he was old and was handing over the reins to Jiang Nuan.
Jiang Nuan looked at him, glaring but saying nothing.
Grandpa Jiang chuckled smugly. "I've already arranged tomorrow's schedule. You'll wake up and your father will accompany me fishing, while you have an early meeting. Find yourself an assistant after that. Jiang Wei will still follow me; I'm used to him being by my side."
Jiang Nuan felt like crying. She had just retired!
"Grandpa, you're still in good health. You could work for a few more years." His health had improved significantly under her care.
She saw it and was happy about it.
Grandpa Jiang pursed his lips. Although what she said was true, he didn't want to work anymore. He wanted to retire early.
Jiang Nuan looked at him without speaking, her face a picture of misery. She emphasized, "Grandpa, I only retired two days ago. Just two days."
Grandpa Jiang: ...
His expression soured. Why couldn't he just give away his money?
The Jiang family members were all like wolves, eyeing his company. And his granddaughter didn't want to accept it.
"I don't care. I'm old. You young people shouldn't be idle and freeloading." Grandpa Jiang began acting like a child.
Jiang Nuan: ...
People develop dependency, especially at his age. He truly didn't want to do anything anymore.
He just wanted to enjoy his twilight years.
Jiang Nuan knew she couldn't escape this time and reluctantly agreed, "Grandpa, I'll do it. But I want to change the management model, which might involve laying off many employees. However, I'll make other arrangements for the laid-off employees so they don't lose their jobs. If you agree, I'll take office tomorrow."