HBWMA -Chapter 370 The Rare Bloom

Jiang Huashan’s eyelids twitched. The moment she looked up, she saw three tall figures walking in one after another. Each of them glanced at her first before turning their attention back to Shen Zhuang.

The three spoke in unison, “Grandpa.”

Jiang Huashan: “…”

Shen Zhuang was overjoyed. “What a surprise—how come all of you had time to come back today? Come, sit.”

They nodded and each took a seat on separate sofas, occupying different ends.

Fu Sui’er and Shen Mianzhi instinctively straightened up. “Brother Lanxi, Brother A-Ling, Brother Qingyu.”

Shen Lanxi looked at Shen Zhuang. “Grandpa, the royal princess was assaulted last night. The police department borrowed twenty students from the Military-Political Academy to assist with the investigation. We happened to be on the list. Bai Dina’s statement has already been submitted to the police, and since there’s nothing this afternoon, we came back.”

“Is it all handled?”

“Yes.”

The Military-Political Academy was unlike ordinary universities. It enforced strict military-style management. Ever since the three of them enrolled, they rarely came home. Sometimes, if they had assignments during winter or summer breaks, they wouldn’t see their family even once a year.

Now that the whole family had suddenly gathered together, Shen Zhuang was in high spirits. He took the teacup from Jiang Huashan and turned to instruct Shen Zhi, “Tell the kitchen to prepare a few extra dishes tonight.”

A faint smile curved Jiang Huashan’s lips. Good news really did lift the spirits—it seemed the old master had no intention of pursuing the matter further. The three men cast her brief glances, clearly already used to the old man’s favoritism.

Shen Zhuang suddenly remembered something. “Oh, my memory—today should be when the exam results are released, right? How did you all do?”

Fu Sui’er finally had a chance to show off. She sprang to her feet, chest lifted proudly. “Grandpa, I was just about to tell you—I got into the Military-Political Academy! From now on, I’ll be schoolmates with my brothers.”

The entry threshold for the Military-Political Academy was even higher than that of Jinggang University. For the first twelve years of her life, Fu Sui’er had been a delinquent little troublemaker. Yet in just five years, she had transformed into the youngest representative of the intellectual youth in Jinggang.

Among the new generation of women in politics, only Su Yun of the Su family and Yu Sheng of the Yu family could rival her now.

“Oh!” Shen Zhuang clapped his hands with a laugh. “Not bad, not bad. Looks like I underestimated you.”

Fu Sui’er grinned and pointed at Jiang Huashan. “And Huashan—she got accepted into Jinggang Academy of Fine Arts, first place in her major group.”

“Is that so?” Shen Zhuang looked at Jiang Huashan with some surprise. Over the past few years, she hadn’t undergone any systematic training in painting. He had always thought she treated it as just a hobby—never expected it to be part of her life plan.

Jiang Huashan smiled as well. “I just applied casually. Didn’t expect to get in.”

That was the truth. She had also been admitted to Jinggang Foreign Media University, but compared to languages, she preferred painting—and it offered more freedom with her time. So in the end, she chose the Academy of Fine Arts.

“The Fine Arts Academy is good. Looks like the Shen family is about to produce a great artist.”

Originally, Shen Zhuang had hoped she would attend the Military-Political Academy, but since Jiang Huashan had made her own choice, he could only respect it.

Shen Guiling spoke up at the right moment. “This year’s freshmen at the Fine Arts Academy are all reporting to the South Campus.”

Shen Qingyu frowned. “Isn’t the South Campus in Nanwan?”

A subtle flicker passed through Shen Lanxi’s eyes as he lifted his teacup. If Jiang Huashan went to Nanwan alone, with her personality… who could possibly keep her in check?

Shen Zhuang waved his hand. “That’s easy. I’ll have your eldest uncle make a call to the school and swap the South and North campuses.”

Shen Guiling froze for a moment, a rare look of astonishment crossing his face.

“Grandpa,” Jiang Huashan said with an amused smile, “I haven’t even enrolled yet, and you’re already changing the school’s location? How am I supposed to get along with my classmates after that?”

The Shen family’s paths were all paved with privilege. Aside from Jiang Huashan’s Jinggang Academy of Fine Arts, which was a public institution, the others all attended elite, exclusive schools. Shen Zhuang’s casual suggestion of swapping campuses would indeed scare the other students at the academy.

Shen Zhuang looked troubled. “But if you’re going out alone, Grandpa can’t feel at ease.”

Shen Guiling said, “Grandpa, I’m familiar with Nanwan. The house my dad gave me there has been empty all this time. Why don’t I handle Shanshan’s enrollment arrangements?”

“…” Jiang Huashan replied, “No need. I can just stay at the school.”

Shen Zhuang thought for a moment and, rare for him, insisted, “Xiao Hua’er, A-Ling handles things reliably. Let him take care of it—this way Grandpa can feel at ease.”

“…Alright.”

Jiang Huashan pressed her lips together in a small smile.

Ever since last year, when Shen Guiling narrowly escaped death in the Nanwan naval battle and rose to fame overnight, the old man’s admiration for him had grown increasingly exaggerated. Sometimes, even she—his precious darling—had to take a step aside.

Shen Lanxi set down his teacup, offering no comment.

That afternoon, Shen Zhuang kept the three of them in the teahouse for a chat, while Shen Jiao, as a reward for Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er, took them out shopping.

By dinnertime, the three returned loaded with purchases. On their way back to the estate, they happened to run into a Gu family car.

At this hour, heading toward the mountaintop—there was no need to guess. The Gu family was clearly also headed for Shen Garden.

Fu Sui’er glanced over from the car window and whispered, “Gu Yuzhu was at the scene yesterday too. The Gu family coming now… could it be about Bai Dina?”

Shen Jiao had already heard about the bar fight. Early that morning, Shen Che had called to complain—he had spent thirty million renovating the bar, and it hadn’t even been open for a month before it was ordered to shut down for rectification because of the incident.

The two cars pulled in one after the other at the front courtyard of Shen Garden. Shen Qingyu was already waiting outside. As soon as the Gu family’s car stopped, he stepped forward to open the door.

“Grandma.”

“Qingyu.” The old lady smiled, taking his arm and looking him over carefully. “You’ve lost weight! Has training been too hard?”

Shen Qingyu curled his lips into a grin. “Lost weight? I’m so strong now I could take down a bull.”

Two delicate young girls stepped out of the car one after another. Gu Yuzhu linked arms with the other girl and walked forward with a smile. “Brother Qingyu.”

The girl, a bit shy, followed suit and greeted him the same way.

Old Madam Gu took the girl’s hand. “This is your grandmother’s sworn sister’s granddaughter—the Lan Dai I’ve mentioned to you before. Do you remember her?”

Shen Qingyu gave her a glance. “Don’t remember.”

The girl froze, clearly caught off guard. Most people would at least say they remembered out of politeness.

Old Madam Gu’s smile twitched. She shot Shen Qingyu a glare, then patted Lan Dai’s hand reassuringly. “This brat is always like this. Don’t mind him.”

“Madam Gu, it’s been a long time. You’re looking younger and younger.”

Shen Jiao stepped out of the car and greeted her warmly, her gaze sweeping over Gu Yuzhu and Lan Dai. “This must be Yuzhu? You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

Old Madam Gu had already noticed the Shen family car behind them. Seeing Shen Jiao, she discreetly let go of Lan Dai’s hand and responded with a smile, “Jiao girl, you haven’t changed at all—just like when you were little.”

Shen Jiao covered her mouth with a laugh. “Oh, I’m getting old! The children have all grown up.” Then she waved at Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er. “What are you two whispering about over there? Come greet them.”

Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er immediately jogged over, playing the part of obedient girls. “Hello, Grandma Gu.”

Old Madam Gu had suffered a serious illness a year ago and had only returned to Jinggang two months prior. She recognized Fu Sui’er at a glance and nodded with a smile. But when her eyes fell on Jiang Huashan, she visibly froze.

Since when had Jinggang—a city of fame and fortune—produced such an ethereal bloom?

A beauty with elegant bones and a captivating exterior. That unpolished jade seed from years ago—who would have thought it would grow into something like this?

No wonder Shen Jiao had hidden her away back then.