RIRW – Chapter 177

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“What are you laughing at? We really do have a mine in Africa,” Chen Pingping said. “My fifth uncle bought a mine over there. Although the gold output isn’t much, it’s still a source of income. Usually, we also hire locals to dig. If they can’t bear to leave our family, they can go dig for us. Isn’t that a great deal?”

Zuo Dan was speechless upon hearing this. Rich, truly rich—ridiculously rich. Once again, she felt she was discovering a new side to this father she had acknowledged.

After finishing the meal, Chen Pingping went home to pack. She had already graduated from MIT. She understood all this local knowledge; working as a teaching assistant at school was just to help out. Her schedule was fairly flexible.

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming headed back to class.

On the way, Zuo Dan proudly shared that she would soon be visiting a primary school with her professor. Shen Yiming said, “In a while, our economics department will hold an exchange conference. Students from other universities’ economics departments will also come. My professor asked me to lead the group.”

“…” Zuo Dan’s mouth twitched. Why was she the one going to elementary school while Shen Yiming got to deal with universities? So unfair!

Though unwilling in her heart, she still smiled and said, “Children are the future of our country. Our work is incredibly noble. Without educators like us, where would you economists get your steady stream of fresh talent?”

Shen Yiming nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. But for you educators—where does the money come from? If the country has no money, how will the children attend school?”

“Shen Yiming, you’re too narrow-minded! No matter how poor, we can’t be poor in education!” Zuo Dan argued shamelessly.

“Is that so?” Shen Yiming’s voice was soft, laced with a teasing tone that made Zuo Dan feel uncomfortable. She knew he was mocking her in a roundabout way.

She leaned on his back and bit him. Shen Yiming wasn’t hurt—he actually laughed with joy. His Dandan, now a mother, still had the same fiery temper. He considered it his accomplishment.

Their playful bickering earned them many envious looks on campus.

Wang Sinan was walking on campus and saw them riding past on a bike. She gave a cold snort.

What’s so great about that? Just a couple of poor students. If she wanted to, she could find a dozen like that.

After walking for a while, she suddenly remembered something. Her brother once said that Zuo Dan looked like their father’s first love, which was why their dad valued her so much. If she brought Zuo Dan to see her father, would she be able to meet him?

That afternoon, Zuo Dan had fewer classes. Since there was nothing at home that required her attention, she wasn’t in a rush like before. She went to the library to read and planned to wait for Shen Yiming so they could go home together.

Just as she stepped out of the teaching building, she saw Wang Sinan standing at the gate.

Zuo Dan raised an eyebrow and continued walking with her books, pretending not to see her.

Just as she was about to pass, Wang Sinan noticed her and rushed over in a few steps. “Zuo Dan, wait a second.”

Zuo Dan glanced at her. “What is it? If it’s about last time, I already received your letter of apology, so I’ve decided to be generous and let it go. You don’t need to appear in front of me again. It just reminds me of that incident.”

Hearing that, Wang Sinan’s expression shifted. She hadn’t expected Zuo Dan to hold such a grudge. It was just something she did to target Chen Pingping, and yet Zuo Dan still remembered it.

“Zuo Dan, I’ll be honest with you. I never liked your husband. What I did was just to get at Chen Pingping. So there’s no need for you to keep holding on to that. I’m not going to steal your man.” She tried to set aside the grudge, since she needed help.

Hearing that, Zuo Dan looked annoyed. “What? You don’t like my husband? He’s so great, and you don’t like him?! Do you have any taste at all?”

Wang Sinan: “…”

After saying that, Zuo Dan stormed off angrily. She never bothered reasoning with unreasonable people.

Wang Sinan quickly caught up. “Zuo Dan, wait, I need to ask you a favor.”

Zuo Dan ignored her. Wang Sinan grew anxious. “Zuo Dan, stop right there. Please help me. I want to see my dad. Help me find him.”

Ah, so it was about that. Zuo Dan suddenly found it funny. How could there be someone as foolish as Wang Sinan? Asking her enemy for help? How thick-skinned must she be?

“Classmate Wang Sinan, didn’t you make the newspapers? I’m afraid I can’t help you with something like this. Don’t pester me, or I’ll report you—say you’re trying to steal my husband. You do have a history, after all.”

Wang Sinan’s face instantly turned ugly. She clearly wasn’t used to someone so unreasonable.

“Zuo Dan, how can you be so mean?”

“Yes, I’m that mean. So don’t mess with me,” Zuo Dan said with a smile and walked off.

Watching Zuo Dan leave, Wang Sinan didn’t dare follow. She was afraid Zuo Dan might actually do something like that. Last time had already humiliated her enough.

After reading for a while in the library, Shen Yiming came to pick Zuo Dan up.

On the way home, Zuo Dan felt quite relaxed. It had been a long time since they’d enjoyed such a carefree moment as university students.

Usually after school, it felt like a race—rushing home to cook and take care of their child, trying to ease Grandma’s burden.

“Comrade Yiming, we need to take better care of our health. One day, when we’re old, we’ll have to help our children raise their kids to take some pressure off them,” Zuo Dan said, swinging her legs.

“Comrade Zuo, your son isn’t even two yet.”

“I’m planning ahead,” Zuo Dan laughed. “Speaking of planning ahead, I think I should probably do something about Wang Sinan. You won’t believe it—she came to me today and asked me to take her to see my dad.”

Shen Yiming pedaled slowly, saying, “My father-in-law is quite capable. Just talk to him, won’t that do?”

There was a hint of grievance in his tone.

Zuo Dan chuckled, “You’re right. I’ll talk to him when we get back. But my dad is such a proper gentleman, I’m just worried it won’t work.”

When Shen Yiming heard the words “proper gentleman,” he gave a silent smile.

By the time the two of them got home, the so-called proper gentleman, Father Chen, was in the yard helping Shen Youyou build with blocks.

When he saw them come in, Chen Zhisen greeted them with a big smile. “Why are you back so late today?”

Zuo Dan replied seriously, “Dad, young people need their space, you understand.”

Chen Zhisen laughed, “Right, look at me being forgetful. Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner. Youyou has already eaten.”

Shen Youyou also noticed his parents had returned. Smiling with two dimples showing, he greeted them, “Hello!”

Zuo Dan was covered in metaphorical black lines. “Did you teach him that?”

Chen Zhisen replied, “I met with a few friends who returned from overseas today. He might’ve picked up a few phrases. It’s good for him to learn. With China opening up more to the world, he’ll have a lot of contact with foreigners in the future. English will be useful in all walks of life. I’m planning to hire a tutor to teach him when he’s a bit older.”

Shen Youyou, blissfully unaware that his future would soon be filled with studying, continued smiling and kept repeating, “Hello! Ha~lo!”

That evening after dinner, Chen Pingping went to complain to Chen Zhisen. “Fifth Uncle, haven’t we already severed ties with them? Why are they still coming to us? This doesn’t look good.”

Zuo Dan strongly agreed. “She even came to see me today and asked me to bring her to you.”

“Did she give you a hard time?” Chen Zhisen asked with a frown.

Zuo Dan said, “She wanted to, but it’s not so easy to push me around.”

Chen Zhisen furrowed his brows. “Alright, I understand.”

The next day, Chen Zhisen took Shen Youyou back to the small Western-style building. Then he asked Xiao Qiu to bring Wang Nianjiang over.

Stepping into the house again, Wang Nianjiang was visibly emotional. When he entered the study and saw Chen Zhisen sitting there, his eyes turned red. “Dad… Uncle Chen, you wanted to see me.”

Chen Zhisen smiled and pointed to the seat across the table. “Sit.”

Wang Nianjiang sat down, tense and nervous.

Looking at him, Chen Zhisen asked with a smile, “What have you been up to lately? Any progress at work?”

“I’m still working at the bank. Still in the adjustment phase, but since I studied abroad, my superiors value me a lot. I think I have good prospects.” Wang Nianjiang tried to present himself in the best light. He didn’t want Chen Zhisen to look down on him.

“That’s good. When your parents brought you here back then, your father told me that your family had been poor for three generations and had no other wish but for their children to succeed. I suppose I’ve fulfilled that wish and repaid their kindness. Nianjiang, do I still owe your family anything?”

Wang Nianjiang shook his head firmly. “You’ve treated us very well. We’ve always been grateful. You’ve been like a second father to me and Sinan.”

“Then we agree that I owe you nothing now. So, Nianjiang, there’s something I must make clear.”

Chen Zhisen’s voice turned serious. “I don’t like owing favors, and I don’t like leaving things messy. You and Sinan must stop disturbing my family. That includes Shen Yiming and his family, whom you met last time. Your parents were kind to me, and I have repaid them. If you do anything to hurt my family, it will be as if you are enemies with me. And I know how to repay enemies, too.”

After he finished, his expression returned to a gentle smile as he looked at Wang Nianjiang.

“I—I’ll make sure Sinan doesn’t cause trouble again. I promise!” Wang Nianjiang said with difficulty.

“Good. I’ll be watching. Go back to work. Don’t waste what you’ve learned these years.” Chen Zhisen lifted his teacup, signaling the conversation was over.

Wang Nianjiang stood up stiffly and left, drenched in cold sweat.

After he left, the nanny brought Shen Youyou out of the children’s room. Holding a dessert in his hand, the child ran over with his arms up, asking to be carried.

Chen Zhisen picked him up and felt his weight. Smiling, he said, “You can’t eat this much sugar anymore.”

“Grandpa, sweet! Eat!” Shen Youyou pushed the dessert toward his mouth.

Chen Zhisen smiled and took a bite. “Mm, very sweet, delicious.”

Then he turned to the butler and said, “Please call the tailor over. I need a proper outfit made for him.”

The old butler smiled and quickly went to contact the tailor.

Once everything was arranged, Chen Zhisen took the child and headed over to the Zhang family’s residence.

When Zhang Sifang saw Chen Zhisen come in carrying a child, he quickly stepped forward to help.

Chen Zhisen smiled and said, “It’s okay, I can manage. Where’s Uncle Zhang?”

“He’s at home. The supplements you brought last time really helped. He’s in much better shape now. But he still feels guilty.”

Zhang Sifang sighed. His father would probably never get over that guilt in this lifetime.

Chen Zhisen smiled and said, “I’ll go talk to him.” Then he introduced the child. “This is my grandson, Shen Youlin.”

“Youyou, call Grandpa Zhang.”

Shen Youyou obediently called out, “Grandpa Zhang.”

Zhang Sifang was surprised. “This… is your adopted daughter’s child?”

“No, my biological daughter’s. My only daughter,” Chen Zhisen said with a broad smile as he carried the child into the house, leaving a dumbfounded Zhang Sifang behind.

Inside the house, Old Master Zhang was still sitting on the recliner, his face ashen. When he saw Chen Zhisen arrive, tears immediately streamed down his face again. “Young Master, I’m not worthy of your kindness. I’ve let down the Chen family, let you down.”

Chen Zhisen sat down slowly on a chair with Shen Youyou in his arms, smiling as he said, “Uncle Zhang, don’t be like this, you’ll scare the child.”

Only then did Old Master Zhang notice he was holding a child. He froze for a moment, then quickly wiped away his tears. “Young Master, this child… whose grandchild is this?”

“Mine,” Chen Zhisen replied.

Old Master Zhang looked at the child. “Such a good-looking child… but didn’t you sever your adoption with those siblings? I saw it in the newspaper.”

“This is my biological daughter’s child. My own grandson,” Chen Zhisen said. “Uncle Zhang, there’s no need for you to carry guilt in your heart anymore. I have descendants, I have bloodline.”

Old Master Zhang stared blankly. “Young Master, don’t lie to me. I know, the children you talked about before were adopted. I know, I’m not senile.” He began choking with emotion again.

“It’s true, Uncle Zhang. This is my biological daughter’s child. Years ago, my fiancée was pregnant with my child. She left me a child of my own blood. Actually, I have to thank you. If it weren’t for my biological daughter hearing the truth about the past from your family, she might never have acknowledged me as her father. I might never have known I had a daughter. Uncle Zhang, I owe you thanks.”

Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhang looked at Youyou again. “He does resemble you a bit… looks a lot like how you did when you were little. He’s really your grandson.” Tears welled up again, but worried about scaring the child, he quickly wiped them away. “No, no, I must have a drink today,” he suddenly shouted with full vigor, “Sifang! Sifang, you rascal, what are you doing?”

Zhang Sifang hurried in. “Dad, Fifth Young Master said he has a grandson.”

“I know! You blockhead. Go fetch two liang of wine for me. I haven’t had a drink in ages!”

“But Dad, can your body handle alcohol?” Just a few days ago, you were on the brink.

Old Master Zhang stood up instantly. “I’m doing great!”

Zhang Sifang: “……” Who was the one barely clinging to life not long ago? Could this be a final burst of energy before death? He was so scared he broke into a cold sweat staring at his old man. Only to get another glare, “Still not going?!”

“Alright, alright, I’m going now!” Zhang Sifang ran out immediately. Forget it. Even if it’s his last hurrah, might as well let him fulfill this one wish.

Chen Zhisen stayed to have a meal at the Zhang house before leaving.

After he left, Old Master Zhang sat back down in the house, quietly wiping his tears.

Zhang Sifang said, “Dad, what now? Isn’t everything fine?”

“You silly boy, what do you know? I’m the one who caused Fifth Young Master to be separated from his flesh and blood for over twenty years. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have suffered all these years. And that poor fiancée of his… I’ll never be able to make up for this in my life. Sifang, if one day I die, you tell the Young Master I went with a smile. Don’t let him grieve for me.”

Old Master Zhang said this, then took another sip of wine.

Zuo Dan had no idea what her father had done. But in the following days, Wang Sinan really didn’t come looking for her anymore.

She stopped worrying about Wang Sinan and focused wholeheartedly on preparing for the field research trip with Professor Qin. Shen Yiming also became busy. The academic exchange conference was about to begin, and since it was the first of its kind, a lot of people were attending—not just students, but also university professors and leading figures from various industries.

The two of them became so busy they came home late every day. After class, they would dive straight into the library to do research, and even at home, they stayed holed up in the study.

During those few days, Shen Youyou’s outfit was completed as well.

A child-sized suit, neatly worn, and with his hair combed into a side part, he looked like a little prince. He was so adorable that Chen Pingping wouldn’t let go of him once she picked him up.

When Zuo Dan came out of the study looking exhausted and saw her son like this, it was like being blinded by brilliance.

She rushed over and circled around Shen Youyou, then looked at Chen Zhisen. “Dad, why did you dress him like this?”

“Isn’t your school having an exchange conference in a few days? I’m planning to take him along,” Chen Zhisen said with satisfaction, admiring his grandson.

Shen Yiming looked at Shen Youyou. “Dad… he doesn’t understand.”

Chen Zhisen replied, “I know. I just want to give him some exposure. Start with small events, gradually let him experience various settings. Don’t be surprised. Abroad, many formal events include children. It’s the most direct way to cultivate them.”

Shen Youyou beamed and showed off his few baby teeth.

Zuo Dan immediately side-eyed him. That toothless little guy—what can he possibly be cultivated into?

On the day of the Peking University Academic Exchange Conference, Zuo Dan, as part of the organizing committee, had to help the teachers with logistics—serving tea, giving directions—running around nonstop.

She looked over at the student representatives’ area, where Shen Yiming was calmly reading his materials. Then she thought of Shen Youyou, who would soon be seated in the VIP section. Suddenly, she realized she had become the least successful person in her family!

She eagerly ran over to Professor Qin, who was chatting with others. “Professor Qin, when is our Education Department going to hold an exchange conference too?”

Professor Qin smiled and said, “If there’s going to be one, it won’t be here—it’ll be at the Normal University. When it happens, I’ll definitely bring you along.”

Zuo Dan let out a long breath. She just wanted to improve her status at home, that’s all.

As part of the assisting committee, Zuo Dan was fortunate enough to stay and listen in. Watching Shen Yiming confidently present his paper on stage, Zuo Dan tried her best to maintain a calm smile, resisting the urge to beam with pride.

In the VIP section, Shen Youyou was also grinning at his dad. But he sat obediently on his grandpa’s lap without moving. Grandpa had told him not to move—if he was good, the aunties would give him candy.

The academic exchange didn’t end until nearly noon. Afterward, everyone was taken to the school cafeteria for lunch.

As they walked through the campus, they attracted a lot of attention from students.

Xiao Qiu pushed a stroller behind Chen Zhisen, catching the eye of quite a few female comrades.