Aunt Po took Junyan to his room after the meal, leaving the rest of the family to gather in the tranquil outdoor courtyard. The evening breeze was calm and welcoming, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the garden. A house staff member quietly served tea, the delicate porcelain cups clinking softly as they were placed on the table. Grandma sat beside Jun Jie and Grandpa, while Dad and Jing Fu sat opposite me. The atmosphere was serene, but beneath the surface, tension simmered.
"Jun Jie, what do you think about joining the company?" Grandma inquired, her voice gentle but firm as she held Jun Jie’s left hand tenderly. It didn’t take long for her to express her desire. One thing about Grandma—she was blunt and direct, never one to mince words.
"Grandma, you know I’m not good with business. I earn millions from acting alone—that’s what I’m good at. I even won this year’s Best Actor award," Jun Jie explained, his tone respectful but defensive.
"What do you mean? Even your brother, who’s now known as the business tycoon of Suzhou, started from somewhere. Just join the main company as a manager and let him guide you," Grandma suggested, her voice carrying a note of insistence.
"Grandma, do you really love me?" Jun Jie asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"You this child! Of course, I love you. You’re my own grandson! How can I not? I want the best for you. Why don’t you see that?" Grandma replied, her voice tinged with emotion.
"Alright, what is this commotion? We’re supposed to be having a good family time," Grandpa interjected, his voice stern. "Jun Jie, I know you love acting, but should you really waste your years in that field? I hear it’s messy and dirty. Actors also have expiry dates. When you become an uncle, who will want to watch an old face? Think clearly."
"Wei ge still wins people’s hearts, and he’s in his 30s. He doesn’t seem to have a problem with his looks," Jun Jie retorted, his tone playful but defiant.
I could only chuckle helplessly. How had I even become part of this conversation? I picked up my cup of tea and took a sip, staying out of the fray.
"What do you know!" Grandpa fumed, his finger pointing directly at Jun Jie’s nose. I had anticipated that this family gathering would lead to this kind of confrontation.
"How about this?" I interjected, setting my cup down. "I’ll give Jun Jie regular company updates. That way, if he ever decides to leave acting, he can easily blend into the company." Jun Jie looked like he wanted to protest, but I shot him a quick glance, signaling him to stay quiet.
"Look at how you spoil this brat!" Grandpa turned his anger toward me, his face reddening.
"I can’t understand young people anymore," Grandma sighed. "Alright, Wei, do that. But you have to keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t slack off."
"Understood, Grandma," I replied, relieved that the topic had been dropped.
"Now, I wanted to talk to all of you about something else," Grandma said, her tone shifting. "It concerns you, Wei. You’re not getting any younger, and Junyan needs a mother to be there for him—at school, at home, and in every aspect of his life. I recently met a beautiful young lady. Her family status isn’t the best, but she embodies all the traditional Chinese values—soft-spoken, obedient, and kind."
The family fell silent, all ears now.
"Who is this girl? Where did you meet her?" Dad asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Her name is Lán Ān. Lán means 'ripples' or 'calm waves,' and Ān means 'peace' or 'calm.' Just her name alone is pleasing to hear. She works at the library on Heching Road, that famous one. What do you think, Wei?" Grandma explained, turning her gaze to me.
I placed my cup of tea down gently. "I don’t think I’m ready to settle down yet. Junyan is sensitive to new people, and he’s not very talkative. I wouldn’t want to introduce someone unfamiliar into his life at this stage," I replied carefully.
"What do you mean, 'not ready'? The child is still young. Growing up with her isn’t a bad thing. It’s better than meeting someone when he’s older," Grandma countered.
"Listen to your grandmother. You’re always busy. You need someone at home to manage the household," Grandpa added, his tone firm.
My lips twitched at their words. My heart and eyes were already set on someone else—Kasi. How could I deceive another woman’s heart? To my left, Jun Jie was looking at me with mischievous, smiling eyes. I shouldn’t have helped him earlier.
"Let me give you her contact information. Tomorrow, go meet her. Don’t miss out on this chance. She’s truly a beauty," Grandma said, picking up her phone and sending me Lán Ān’s details. What could I do? Arguing wasn’t my style. I would meet her, explain my situation, and part ways amicably.
"I also had something I wanted to discuss," I said after putting my phone away.
"What is it?" Dad asked.
"While I was in Huangshan, I spent about a week there. I loved the atmosphere, and the teachers at the school were wonderful. Junyan has been homeschooled for a long time. I think joining an official school with children his age would be beneficial for him," I explained.
"Wei is right. Junyan is quiet and not as playful as other children his age. Interacting with others might help him," Jing Fu added, her tone thoughtful.
"But that school is so far away. How will he cope being isolated from family?" Grandma asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Don’t worry about that. I’ve already purchased a home there and plan to alternate between Suzhou and Huangshan," I reassured her.
"Won’t that be hectic?" Grandma pressed.
"Not really. It’s only a two-hour drive from Suzhou, and I can always use my private jet. There are also days when I don’t need to be in the office. I can use that time to spend with Junyan," I elaborated.
"That’s why you need a woman in your life to handle all these things!" Grandma exclaimed.
She wasn’t wrong—I did need a woman in my life. But the woman I needed was Kasi. I would never burden her with my issues, but one step of my plan had been set in motion. Now, I could smoothly follow through with the rest.
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