The two took their seats, and the family banquet finally began.
As usual, Old Master Jiang asked about the group's affairs.
Due to his leg problems and the fact that the estate was equipped with a medical team and facilities worth billions, Old Master Jiang didn't want to appear lame in front of others, so he rarely went to the group for front-line decisions. Major decisions were made at the estate through video conferences. He only focused on the big picture, demanding results.
Several presidents and general managers answered in turn. Old Master Jiang nodded and then looked at Ge Furen. "How is the preparations for the end-of-month birthday banquet going?"
Ge Furen quickly replied, "The menu has been finalized. Once the various branches submit their guest lists to determine the headcount, we’ll proceed step by step. There shouldn’t be any major issues."
Old Master Jiang asked this in front of everyone precisely because he had points to make.
"You all know that this time I’ve invited Mayor Pei and his family under the guise of a family banquet. When you submit your lists, think carefully and don’t bring any lowlifes to the banquet."
Old Master Jiang shifted his tone. "Especially you, Jiang Yifeng! If you dare bring any little models or social media influencers to the family banquet again, see if I don't break your legs!"
Jiang Chuyun saw her father being scolded by her grandfather and couldn’t help but shudder, becoming even more convinced of her grandmother's words.
But Jiang Yifeng wore a carefree, unrepentant expression, his narrow, peach-blossom eyes radiating the contentment of someone just emerging from the pleasures of romance. "I know, Dad. Last time, nobody told me there would be guests. I thought it was just a private party with a few brothers and sisters-in-law."
Old Master Jiang glared at him. "Get your act together!"
Compared to his three older brothers, who schemed against each other every day at the group, the youngest son spent his days indulging in romantic affairs. As unreliable as he was, he was the only one with whom the old man could freely play the role of a father, without worrying that his son might try to seize power from under his nose.
"The youngest son and the eldest grandson—the old man’s treasures."
Having scolded his youngest son, it was time to address the eldest grandson’s issues.
"Lin'an." Old Master Jiang looked at the grandchild he was most satisfied with and favored the most. "I heard you had a fight with your father a few days ago?"
Jiang Lin'an put down his utensils. "Yes, Grandfather."
"Over a girl?"
"Mm."
"Do you like her very much?"
Jiang Lin'an smiled. "Quite a lot."
Old Master Jiang glanced at his eldest daughter-in-law. "Mm, if you like her, spend some time together. You’re twenty this year. It’s time to have a romantic relationship."
Back then, when Jiang Yihua got married, he had objected so vehemently that he’d turned them into a pair of tragic lovers, ready to starve themselves to death to be together.
Years had passed, and the eldest daughter-in-law had stayed calm and caused no trouble, bearing two sons and a daughter for the eldest son—a fulfilling outcome.
But for his eldest grandson to want to marry a girl from an ordinary family again? That was absolutely impossible!
However, he was older now and had a broader perspective. A romance at twenty was nothing—if they broke up in a couple of days, why should he play the villain?
It was also a way to save face in public for the grandson he valued most.
Qian Yuqiong let out a laugh. "Finally, our father is being open-minded! Brother and sister-in-law, what are you so worked up about? It’s just young people dating. Do you have to make such a big deal? I heard you locked our Lin'an up for four or five days? Does that make any sense?"
Jiang Yihua’s face stiffened a little. There was no way he could bring up the shocking things his rebellious son had said in front of Old Master Jiang. He forced a smile and said, "I just couldn’t get over it at the time. I still thought of him as a student and considered it early love."
He turned to his eldest son, his tone carrying a warning. "Since your grandfather has spoken, your mother and I won’t play the villains who break up a match. You know your limits."
A romance was fine, but he must not get her pregnant, especially not like his fourth uncle, who had a powerful woman, raised a child for six years, and was dumped with a paternity test at the security booth at the estate entrance.
Jiang Lin'an caught his father’s insinuation but ignored it, speaking politely and calmly. "It’s best that you’ve come to accept this, Dad. After all, I hope my marriage will be blessed by my parents and elders."
"Jiang Lin'an!" Jiang Yihua couldn’t hold back his roar.
Was this rebel determined to force things into the open?
They said those who were usually the gentlest and most amiable became the most terrifying when they turned ruthless. Qian Yuqiong looked at her nephew’s calm and indifferent face and inexplicably felt that.
Jiang Lin'an’s expression remained flat. "Dad, why are you so shocked and angry? Haven’t I told you about this long ago?"
Jiang Yihua was fuming. He pointed at his son’s nose and cursed, "Say that again, and I’ll—"
"Enough!" Old Master Jiang interrupted, looking at his eldest grandson with disappointment.
He’d thought this was a well-ordered, excellent heir, but it turned out he was just like his father—both a stubborn mule and a hopeless romantic!
"Dad!" Jiang Yihua read the disappointment in Old Master Jiang’s eyes and panicked.
Old Master Jiang had lost his appetite. "Don’t push Lin'an too hard. It’s normal for young people to have their own ideas. Dating during college isn’t a bad thing."
The implication was clear: if he still couldn’t sort it out by graduation, that would be a serious problem.
Jiang Yihua understood his father’s meaning and breathed a sigh of relief.
At least the old man was still willing to give Lin'an a chance and allowed him two years to correct himself.
"I understand, Dad."
Once Old Master Jiang left, no one wanted to linger at that cold, unwelcoming banquet.
Jiang Yifeng left the fastest, followed by the second branch, the third branch, and their children.
The eldest branch stayed behind. Jiang Chulin looked worriedly at her eldest brother. She wanted to plead for him but didn’t know how to bring it up.
Even as young as she was, she understood that this time her brother had truly enraged their father far beyond what a few words of pleading could fix.
"Linzhi, take your sister home." Yu Xiang spoke first.
"Mm." Jiang Linzhi knew this matter was not something he could influence or participate in. He shot his eldest brother a look of "good luck and I really admire you," then scooped up his sister and left the main building.
With no outsiders left in the hall, Jiang Yihua said in a grim tone, "Come to the study."
Yu Xiang stood up. "I’m coming too."
"What are you coming for?" Jiang Yihua wanted to discipline his son and naturally didn’t want his wife present.
Yu Xiang argued, "It’s about my son. Why shouldn’t I, as his mother, come?"
Jiang Lin'an’s expression shifted slightly as he looked at his mother, his feelings ambiguous.
In fact, the word "mother" felt utterly distant to him. The little maternal love he had came more from his assistant supervisor, Aunt Wei.
He and his mother often only met once a week at the family banquet and weren’t particularly close.
Jiang Yihua didn’t want to argue with his wife in the main building, where it could reach Old Master Jiang’s ears, so he reluctantly agreed. "Alright, let’s go."
The three of them walked from the main building through the corridor to the auxiliary first floor. Sun Assistant Manager was waiting attentively by the narrow door, taking the suit jacket and tie the gentleman took off.
"Have everyone come down from upstairs," Jiang Yihua ordered with a dark expression.
Something big was happening.
Sun Assistant Manager paused briefly before quickly responding, "Yes, sir. I’ll notify them immediately."
