"Elder Hong, you lost." Nan Xiaolin said after placing his final chess piece, looking up at Nan Xiao. "Zi Cheng just briefed me on the situation, and I understand it well enough. Since there are no outsiders here, we all want to hear your honest thoughts."
Seeing Lan Yuxi eating with gusto, oblivious to the cream on her lips, Nan Xiao reached out and offered her a tissue.
"Xi Bao and I missed so many years. She struggled alone with two children, enduring much hardship. The day I got my marriage certificate with her, I vowed to always stay by her side, to never let her suffer or be burdened. And for the two children, I've already been absent from their lives for four years. I don't want to miss another day of their growth. Therefore, I refused Zi Cheng's proposal. I don't have such grand ambitions; I only wish to live out this life peacefully with my wife and children."
Lan Haolin appraised him. "Who says sitting in that position prevents you from spending time with your family?"
Nan Xiao pursed his lips. "I appear quite idle now because Xiang Dong and the others are managing the Nan Corporation for me. If I were to take that position, no one could help me. I'd be swamped, a spinning top, with no time to spend with Xi Bao and the children."
Elder Hong frowned slightly. "Nan Xiao, this doesn't sound like you. In the past, you prioritized the nation above all else. Now, it's all about love and romance! My apprentice is no ancient temptress who makes kings neglect their court. Don't use this as an excuse anymore; we won't let Xi Yu bear this burden!"
Lan Yuxi pursed her lips and glanced at Elder Hong. Since when had her master become so eloquent?
Nan Xiao looked at Elder Hong and said in a deep voice, "Uncle Master, you've misunderstood me. I don't want Xi Bao to bear this burden for me. It's genuinely beyond my capability. If it were about leading troops, I could, but I truly lack confidence for that position."
"With your abilities, you can't manage a country? Besides, isn't there Zi Cheng? Won't he look out for you?"
Elder Hong took a sip of tea. "Back then, your father was the most promising candidate among the four major families to ascend to that position. But at a crucial moment, he was set up by the An family. Not only did he lose the woman he loved most, but he also handed over that position to the An family."
"The An family's swift rise to push out the Wang family wasn't because the Wangs were so capable. Your father played a significant role in it. He's always harbored a resentment. If you are your father's son, you should reclaim the glory that belongs to your Nan family!"
"What I mentioned earlier was a family matter. Now, let's talk about national affairs. Although Zheng Yuan's character is questionable, Zi Cheng still employed him. Do you know why? Because you are his ideal partner. However, you fell into a vegetative state during the general election, forcing Zi Cheng to pick the best of the bad to fill the gap temporarily. Now, the Zheng and Xue families have exited the historical stage. The Wang family's character is worse than that of the Zheng and Xue families. Are you going to watch the country be ruined by such mediocre individuals?"
Nan Xiao pondered for a moment, then looked up at Lan Yuxi.
Lan Yuxi slowly finished her last spoonful of ice cream, then smiled at him. "For company matters, there's Xiang Dong and the others. For family matters, there's me. You have nothing to worry about."
Nan Xiao frowned slightly. "But if that's the case, I'll have less time to spend with the three of you."
Ming Zi Cheng coughed lightly. "It's not that much less. Without major incidents, it's normal work hours. You'll still have plenty of time in the evenings to spend with my senior sister and the children."
Nan Xiao gave him a cold look. "Don't try to fool me! My maternal grandfather held that position for so many years. I know the situation better than you!"
Ming Zi Cheng chuckled. "Isn't that why I'm here? I can share the burden! I guarantee you'll have annual leave. That should suffice, right?"
Lan Yuxi smiled and nudged his toe with her foot. "Have some backbone! You're my junior brother. You don't need to be so subservient when speaking to my husband. Besides, your brother-in-law has aspirations. Even if you don't ask him, he'll agree; it's just a matter of time."
"If it were a normal transition, I would have given him ample time to consider. But the current situation is not optimistic. The Wang family is already pulling strings everywhere. If we don't prepare soon, they might succeed. This is something I don't want to see, because only when the President and the President are of one mind can the country progress."
After speaking with Lan Yuxi, Ming Zi Cheng looked at Nan Xiao with a grave expression. "Brother-in-law, this is the first time I'm addressing you as such. For my senior sister's sake, please help me. Even if you just help me for a few years, once everything is on track, I will definitely let you return to your family."
Nan Xiao looked at him steadily for a moment, then turned to Lan Yuxi.
Lan Yuxi pursed her lips. "Four years ago, you ruined your future for me. This time, you have an opportunity to realize your dream. Go ahead without worry. I guarantee there won't be any trouble at home. Are you finally at ease now?"
Nan Xiao pondered for a moment. "Give me ten minutes. I need to talk to Zhao Zhao and Mu Mu."
Lan Yuxi was slightly taken aback, then understood. "Go ahead. They've probably finished their baths by now."
Nan Xiao nodded slightly to everyone, then stood up and went upstairs.
Ming Zi Cheng leaned back into the sofa with a smile. "Senior sister, I've noticed since he woke up, he's become so indecisive. Should you get his brain checked?"
Lan Yuxi shot him a sidelong glance. "Once you have a family, you'll be the same!"
"That's precisely why I have no plans to get married."
"That's because you haven't met the right person."
Ming Zi Cheng smiled. "Senior sister, don't always retort to me. I'm not joking either. You should really have brother-in-law's head examined. I think there's something wrong with it."
"Nonsense! I'm with him every day. Don't I know if there's something wrong with him?"
"There is. He's going upstairs to discuss with two four-year-olds. What kind of outcome can that possibly yield?"
"That's called respect!"
Elder Hong looked over with a smile. "Zi Cheng, don't underestimate Zhao Zhao and Mu Mu. These two children's intelligence is on par with yours, and in many aspects, they are even more capable than you."
Ming Zi Cheng smiled and nodded. "I admit, they are indeed more capable than me. The day before yesterday, I caught a glimpse of Mu Mu's live stream. There were over a hundred thousand viewers, and Mu Mu's chatter kept the entire stream in laughter. She amused me so much that I couldn't help but send her tens of thousands of gifts."
Lan Yuxi frowned slightly. "What's going on?"
Ming Zi Cheng was taken aback. "You don't know?"
"No, I don't. Mu Mu is not yet an adult; she can't live stream, can she?"
"She used your account. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to find her. But don't worry, the little one didn't show her real face. She was using software to broadcast, so everyone just saw a cute little bear."
Hearing this, Lan Haolin quickly took out his phone. "Zi Cheng, where can I see it?"
Ming Zi Cheng took his phone and downloaded an app for him. "You can see it here... the little one is live streaming again."