HBWMA -Chapter 150 Inconvenient

“Dad, this courtyard is so beautiful. Huh? What kind of flower is this? It’s really pretty~”

By the pond in the Qin Garden Flower Hall, a rare rose had been planted directly in the ground. In autumn, its blossoms were even larger than in summer, with pale pink and soft yellow petals blooming in full competition. It looked like a young girl in the delicate stage of coming of age—shy, alluring, vibrant yet pitifully tender.

The moment Shen Zhuang stepped into the garden, he saw a girl standing in front of the rose, her expression bright and innocent. With just one glance, he guessed her identity.

“This is ‘Moonlight Daisies,’ an early-bred variety from Sakura Country,” Shen Zhuang said calmly as he walked forward, a gentle, composed smile on his face.

Yu Sheng was still admiring the flower when she suddenly heard a response and quickly turned around.

An elderly man stood there in a brocade Tang suit, jade buttons engraved with crane patterns. His features were refined, his eyes bright and sharp. Even his bearing alone made him seem extraordinary.

Yu Sheng immediately guessed his identity and looked back toward the man inside the flower hall.

At that moment, Yu Siwen had already stepped out of the hall.

“Old Master, how have you been?”

Yu Siwen wore a well-tailored suit, his demeanor calm and elegant. Though he was already over forty, he showed no signs of aging—his brow was broad and composed, carrying an easy sophistication.

Shen Zhuang raised his eyes to examine him briefly, then smiled in response.

“Good. Has everything been well with you, Mr. President?”

Yu Sheng quickly ran back to her father’s side, holding onto his arm as she carefully studied the old man in front of her.

Who in Country A didn’t know this Shen old master? The shadow president of Country A—so powerful it was frightening.

If the Shen family ever declared a shutdown, more than half of Country A’s economic system would collapse. Over a third of the population would face unemployment. Even highly advanced national defense systems would cease functioning, because the Shen family controlled the world’s most advanced semiconductor and computing technologies.

Yu Siwen let out a hearty laugh and stepped forward to shake Shen Zhuang’s hand.

“It was rude of me not to visit sooner, Old Master. I should have come earlier, but the situation in Jinshan became too serious and I couldn’t afford to delay. I heard you were hosting a celebratory banquet today, so I made a special trip to join in the joy.”

Shen Zhuang returned the handshake respectfully.

“You’re too polite, Mr. President. Your presence here already brings honor to the Shen family.”

Anyone could tell this was just polite talk. There was an old saying in Country A: the presidency changes, but the Shen family stands eternal. It was common for presidents in Country A to be sent to prison after leaving office, yet no one had ever managed to touch the Shen family.

Yu Siwen understood this perfectly and smiled it off.

“You’re joking, Old Master.”

The two of them shook hands for a full half-minute before finally letting go. Shen Zhuang then turned his gaze to Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng smiled brightly and introduced herself generously.

“Hello Grandpa Shen. My name is Yu Sheng. I’m… this gentleman’s daughter. I currently study at Yucai Middle School, and I’m classmates with Shen Guiling and the others. I heard there was a banquet at the Shen family today, so I shamelessly followed my dad here without an invitation.”

“Oh~” Shen Zhuang’s eyes gained a hint of amusement. “It seems my grandson didn’t think things through. Since you’re here, just enjoy yourself later.”

Yu Siwen laughed helplessly. “Please don’t mind her, Old Master. I’ve spoiled her.”

Shen Zhuang waved his hand. “Your daughter has a good personality—lively and straightforward. I like her.”

Then he looked at Yu Sheng and pointed at the rose.

“Do you like that flower?”

Yu Sheng nodded. “I do. The first thing I saw when I entered the courtyard was it.”

Shen Zhuang said, “If you like it, Grandpa will give it to you.”

Yu Siwen lowered his gaze slightly but did not interrupt.

Yu Sheng was startled. “Give it to me?”

“No, no.” She quickly shook her head. “Thank you, Grandpa Shen, I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t accept it.”

Shen Zhuang: “Why not? Don’t you like it?”

Yu Sheng looked up, a little embarrassed.

“I like it. But you can’t just forcefully take something because you like it. Compared to someone like me who doesn’t know how to take care of flowers, I think this ‘Moonlight Daisies’ would prefer to stay with Grandpa Shen. My liking is just admiration, but Grandpa takes care of it every day—fertilizing and watering it. It will grow better here. I can’t take away its happiness just because of my own liking.”

Shen Zhuang burst into laughter.

“Good child.”

He then turned to Yu Siwen again with a smile.

“I apologize for the lack of proper hospitality. Shall we go inside for tea?”

Yu Siwen nodded. “Stealing a half-day of leisure—I came today just for your tea.”

“Um… Grandpa Shen, I’ve always been really interested in this kind of Song-style architecture. Could I go around and take a look?”

After speaking, she was afraid that Shen Zhuang might disagree, so she clasped her hands together and put on a pitiful look.

“Please, Grandpa Shen. I finally got a chance to go out and play today, I really don’t want to stay stuck with my dad the whole time. You’ll understand later—talking to him is honestly worse than going back to sleep.”

Yu Siwen looked helpless. “You girl, can’t you save your dad some face in front of the old man?”

“Ah.” Shen Zhuang waved his hand and agreed with a smile. “Alright, I’ll have someone take you around.” Then he turned to Shen Zhi. “Go call Lanxi over.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Yu Sheng quickly interrupted, nervously scratching her ear. “Grandpa Shen, I’m actually more familiar with Shen Guiling. Can I go hang out with him instead?”

Shen Zhuang paused slightly.

Yu Siwen glanced at Shen Zhuang, about to speak.

Shen Zhuang said, “Alright. Shen Zhi, take Shengsheng to find A-Ling.”

Yu Sheng was overjoyed. “Thank you, Grandpa!”

Bamboo Garden.

Shen Guiling was on the second-floor balcony wearing earphones, watering flowers. Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name.

The young man tilted his head. Sunlight poured in, and a faint glimmer passed through his deep eyes.

Yu Sheng waved excitedly, her lips moving exaggeratedly. Even without lip-reading, Shen Guiling could tell what she was saying.

Shen Guiling lowered his gaze. Only after he finished watering the soil thoroughly did he remove his earphones and go downstairs.

Just as he came out of the main hall, Yu Sheng rushed up eagerly.

“Shen Guiling! We meet again. Grandpa Shen said you should take me around.”

Shen Guiling turned to look at Shen Zhi.

Shen Zhi spoke briefly and clearly: “Young Master A-Ling, the Old Master and the President are talking in the Flower Hall. Miss Yu wants to look around the estate. I’ll have to trouble you to show her around.”

In just two sentences, everything that needed to be explained was said.

Shen Guiling had already guessed that Yu Sheng’s identity was unusual, but he hadn’t expected her to be the new president’s daughter.

He nodded. “Got it.”

Shen Zhi slightly bowed. “Young Master A-Ling, I’ll head back to Qinyuan first.”

Shen Guiling nodded.

After Shen Zhi left, Yu Sheng looked around in amazement and patted her chest.

“Oh my god… your family has so many rules. I thought the rumors outside were exaggerated, but it turns out it’s even more strict than they said.”

Although Yu Siwen was now the president of Country A, the Yu family in Yu Yang had only been moderately wealthy before. They couldn’t compare to a centuries-old aristocratic family like the Shen family.

Shen Guiling didn’t respond. His expression remained calm.

“What do you want to do?” he asked.

Yu Sheng blinked and looked at him curiously. Normally, when people learned her identity, they either kept their distance or tried to curry favor—but Shen Guiling had no reaction at all.

She felt slightly disappointed and glanced around casually.

“Is this where you live?”

“Mm,” Shen Guiling replied.

Yu Sheng pointed toward the balcony. “I saw you watering flowers earlier. Can you take me to see what kind of flowers you grow?”

Shen Guiling looked at her.

The girl quickly explained, “I saw Grandpa Shen also growing lots of flowers in Qinyuan. They were really beautiful, so I got curious. Can you show me?”

Shen Guiling said, “The second-floor terrace is connected to my bedroom.”

Yu Sheng paused. “So?”

Shen Guiling smiled faintly—a warmth that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“So… it’s not convenient.”