"What do you mean by that?" Jiangg Ruxue’s face instantly frosted over, and her voice grew low and strained.

Her two daughters were becoming more and more disrespectful. Ever since she let them go to Lanjing, their attitude toward her had done a complete one-eighty. ’They’ve really grown up and think they can fly on their own now.’

Before, Jiangg Ruxue could still see fear in their eyes.

Now, Jiangg Ning met her gaze directly, her presence not the least bit weaker than her own.

’She was secretly a little surprised.’ She did her best to suppress the anger in her heart, because she wouldn’t gain much from a fight. This wasn’t like the old days, when Ningning would kneel just because she told her to.

"What do you think I mean?" Jiangg Ning turned away, her eyes lowered as she continued to pack her things.

"Am I wrong? By marrying into a good family, you can gain a social status others can only dream of. You can control so many resources and connections. When you have children, they’ll be able to live a relatively smooth life. Whether you’re thinking of yourself or your future children, this is the right thing to do."

Jiangg Ruxue crossed her legs. Even at her age, her skin was still fair, and she possessed a mature charm.

She continued, "Ningning, I know you and Yaoyao resent me. But you can’t deliberately defy me on this just to get back at me. This is the most important thing in a woman’s life. Society is cruel. You only have a future worth speaking of if you climb up and secure more resources."

"You’re overthinking it. I’m not deliberately trying to make you upset. I want to marry someone I love. Surely you can understand that?"

"Of course. I married your father because I loved him, too. Not all those scions from prestigious families are rotten. In fact, many are young and promising. Take Dean Cheng’s grandson, for example—you’ve met him. Besides coming from a family of researchers, they’ve also raised their children very well."

"What good is that if I don’t like him?"

"Then you can find one you *do* like, can’t you?" Jiangg Ruxue asked earnestly, blinking. "Why not try? Stay in Mingzhu City for a while and meet more people."

"I’ve already found someone. He’s a great guy." Jiangg Ning offered her a polite smile, completely unfazed.

"You’re using that little mutt you’re seeing in Lanjing as a shield again," Jiangg Ruxue sneered, glancing sideways at her daughter. "Does he know about your family background? Tell him, and I’m sure he’ll straighten up."

"Don’t get the wrong idea. That’s really not what’s happening. In fact, I’m the one pursuing him. Our relationship isn’t even stable yet."

"You’re pursuing *him*???" Jiangg Ruxue’s brows knitted tightly, and she shot to her feet. "My dear daughter, do you have a fever? You’ve thrown away even the most basic feminine modesty! Are you even my child? Even if you wanted to give it a try with someone, you can’t be the one to actively pursue him! Why don’t you come back and let your mother teach you a thing or two?"

"Stop. I’m going to bed. Mom, you’ve had too much to drink. Go take a shower and get some sleep. I have to get up early for school tomorrow. I don’t have time to entertain you."

"No! I didn’t stop you when you quit your job, and I didn’t interfere when you took Yaoyao back to Lanjing. But this time, you have to sort out your marriage."

"You let me and Yaoyao go back, but weren’t we still under your surveillance? You installed cameras in our home and asked Qin Ting to dig up information on me. Don’t act like you’re so tolerant and magnanimous."

"Qin Ting told you?" Jiangg Ruxue’s expression flickered between anger and gloom.

"Yes, she told me. Go ahead, make trouble for her," Jiangg Ning said, her expression cold as she picked up a change of clothes. "Excuse me, I’m going to take a shower."

"I hope you understand your mother. I’m only doing this for your own good."

"Thanks. I’ll bring the boy I’m pursuing home to meet you, if he’s willing."

"Jiangg Ning! You just wait if you dare to bring him back!" Jiangg Ruxue’s chest heaved with anger. She turned to watch Jiangg Ning’s back retreat down the hallway. "As long as I don’t approve, you can forget about getting married!"

Her shrill shout carried from the second floor of the small villa all the way down to the main hall. The maid, holding a bowl of soup, glanced upstairs fearfully and muttered, "Why are they fighting the moment she’s back...?"

...

The next morning, the sky over Mingzhu City was as clear as if it had been washed clean. Golden specks of light illuminated one magnificent skyscraper after another.

Inside the rather exquisite little villa, Jiangg Ning slowly woke up. She turned her head, rubbing her eyes as she looked at the patches of shattered light on the floor.

A new day had begun.

Meanwhile, accompanied by the PANT PANT of heavy breathing, Chen Yuan was striding along the long path in Lanjing’s Jingwei Square, drenched in sweat.

Tall trees stood all around, and the artificial lake shimmered. A number of pedestrians and cyclists shared the path.

He had casually thrown on a tank top and a pair of athletic pants. As he ran, his bangs were ruffled by the gentle breeze, and his entire demeanor was as bright as a spring wind, causing passersby to frequently glance his way.

Treading on the spots of light on the ground, Chen Yuan gradually slowed his pace as he reached the end of the track, his chest heaving. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

He had woken up at six in the morning. He’d slept soundly, but the coffee he drank at the office yesterday had been too strong. After returning to his apartment, he only got four hours of sleep, and his nerves still felt jumpy when he woke up.

Chen Yuan wiped the sweat from his face and raised his eyes, shielding them from the scorching sunlight that was already so bright he could barely keep them open.

RING RING RING—

Just as Chen Yuan was about to walk back to his apartment to shower and head to school, the phone in his pocket rang. He glanced at the caller ID.

It was a call from Jiang Zhengfeng.

"Hello, Dad."

Treading on the spots of light on the ground, he walked forward as he took the call.

"I got a call from Pei and reviewed the report that was submitted. Your finance department dismissed a number of people?"

"Yes. There were problems with several projects, and the capital chain almost broke. Luckily, we discovered it in time. I read the report—someone had embezzled company funds in collusion with finance department employees. It’s been resolved."

"Pei told me the specifics," Jiang Zhengfeng said, then paused. "I remember your nineteenth birthday is coming up, right?"

"Hm? Why do you ask?"

"I’m planning to transfer all the shares of Bauhinia Company to you. From now on, you’ll be fully in charge. What do you think?"

"Huh?" Chen Yuan froze, his feet rooted to the spot. "Why the sudden decision?"

"Pei told me you’ve been working hard at the company and coordinating well with him. If I don’t transfer power, the board members will keep treating you like a child. I never intended for you to go down this path, but... your performance has been a pleasant surprise. So, let’s use this company as a trial run."

"But I still have my studies. I won’t be able to manage everything," Chen Yuan said, troubled, his brow furrowed.

"We can discuss the details in a few days when I come to Lanjing. As for the report sent to headquarters, I’ve rejected it for now. Tell Pei Youwen to rewrite it."

"Alright."

BEEP BEEP BEEP—

Jiang Zhengfeng’s sudden call and the information he’d revealed left Chen Yuan rather baffled. He mulled over why the report had been rejected without approval as he walked back toward his apartment building.

’Becoming a chairman at nineteen was already ridiculous, but now Jiang Zhengfeng was actually planning to put a company worth hundreds of millions under his name...’

Chen Yuan had never felt any pressure from being Jiang Zhengfeng’s son before. Now, suddenly, he did.