Chapter 34
“Manager Lin, the publishing contract has been sent back. Please check it.”
“Manager Lin, the auction materials have been organized. Take a look.”
“Manager Lin, Mr. Fang’s lawyer is urging us to release the mortgage on those plots of land as soon as possible. Should we continue to delay?”
It had been over a week since Song Qiming left, and Lin Yushu’s life seemed to return to its previous state.
He still went to work alone, ate meals alone, and was just as busy as before with numerous social engagements. The only difference was that now, when he returned home every day, there would be a large dog enthusiastically greeting him, and he found himself spending less and less time working overtime in the office.
Shao Zhenbang’s autobiography had entered the publishing process, and Lin Yushu didn’t have to worry too much about the remaining tasks.
There were some collectibles that Shao Hedong and Shao Hexu were interested in at the recent auction, and Lin Yushu and Zhan Ting were helping them with investment and tax planning.
Following Lin Yushu’s instructions, Shao Hexu’s lawyer had not released the mortgage on those plots of land. Now, Lin Yushu was waiting for Song Qiming to come back to decide how to handle the situation.
Everything was in order, but on days with driving restrictions, Lin Yushu still felt that having someone to accompany him would be more convenient.
This Saturday, the Shao family’s ancestral museum was holding an opening ceremony and unveiling of a bronze statue, and Shao Zhenbang made a rare appearance in public.
Building the museum and casting the bronze statue were both on Shao Zhenbang’s wish list. Compared to getting involved in his son and daughter-in-law’s family affairs, he seemed more inclined to spend his remaining time making others remember him.
As the red cloth slid down from Shao Zhenbang’s bronze statue, thunderous applause and a continuous shutter sound filled the museum hall.
All the members of the Shao family were present, dressed splendidly, turning this place into a showcase of the Shao family.
“The old master looks so robust. I guess when the photos hit the newspapers, Yong Xing’s stock price will see a small rise.” Colleagues from the office applauded while quietly chatting.
“The old master is the backbone of Yong Xing. I just hope he lives to a hundred.” Another person said.
“Who doesn’t hope so?” someone chimed in, “As long as he stands strong, Yong Xing’s stock price will remain stable.”
Lin Yushu stood by the side, listening to his colleagues’ conversation, but he remained silent.
In the office, no one knew Shao Zhenbang’s situation better than Lin Yushu.
A couple of days ago, Shao Zhenbang suddenly fell into a coma, and the doctors had even started preparing for his final arrangements. However, perhaps due to the upcoming unveiling ceremony of the bronze statue, he managed to hold on.
Today, he appeared in front of the media, his complexion carefully touched up by a makeup artist. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have looked so radiant.
Now, it was likely that the Shao family members were all wondering whether Shao Zhenbang would be able to make it through the winter.
“Manager Lin,” Shao Zhenbang’s personal caregiver suddenly approached Lin Yushu, “The old master wants you to attend the family banquet.”
“A family banquet?” Lin Yushu was somewhat surprised.
By now, the applause had gradually died down, and colleagues who overheard their conversation began teasing, “Wow, Manager Lin, you’re definitely getting promoted, right?” “No doubt about it. I’ve always thought that Manager Lin will eventually become the CEO.”
Lin Yushu still found it strange and asked the caregiver in a low voice, “Is it the lunch at the Jingxin Villa that we’ll be having together later?”
“Yes, the old master instructed me this morning and asked me to find an opportunity to inform you about it.”
Lin Yushu had dined with Shao family members before, but it had always been in informal settings. Never before had he been invited to a family banquet like this.
After all, attending a family banquet was usually reserved for Shao family relatives. What did it have to do with outsiders?
But Shao Zhenbang insisted on inviting Lin Yushu, and he didn’t send Shao Guangjie to deliver the invitation. Instead, he had the caregiver come and inform him. It seemed like he intentionally wanted to avoid the other Shao family members. The only possibility that came to Lin Yushu’s mind was that Shao Zhenbang wanted to discuss the distribution of his inheritance with him.
Clearly, the other members of the Shao family had also thought about this. Shao Hedong and Shao Hexu, who were outside the media spotlight, stared at Lin Yushu with meaningful looks, mixed with a hint of wariness and nervousness.
The ceremony didn’t last long, as Shao Zhenbang’s health didn’t permit it.
One by one, more than thirty Shao family members made their way to the Jingxin Villa. Some of them wanted Lin Yushu to ride in their cars, but he politely declined.
Parking his Honda Civic at the villa’s parking lot, Lin Yushu boarded the same shuttle bus as Shao Zhenbang. Shao Zhenbang didn’t mention why he had invited Lin Yushu, and Lin Yushu didn’t feel comfortable asking.
Meanwhile, the chefs in the main residence had already prepared four banquet tables. The banquet was set up on the lawn outside the main house, under the bright sunshine, with no sign of the winter chill.
Naturally, Lin Yushu was called to sit at Shao Zhenbang’s table. Although he wasn’t seated next to Shao Zhenbang, the gazes of all the Shao family members toward him became increasingly complex.
“Manager Lin, if my grandfather says anything to you later, please remember to say some good things on my behalf.”
As the banquet progressed to its second half, people started chatting in groups of two or three. Shao Guangjie was seated next to Lin Yushu, and he certainly didn’t let this opportunity go to waste.
“Old master may not necessarily have something specific to discuss with me,” Lin Yushu took a sip of wine, avoiding eye contact.
“We all know why he invited you to the family banquet,” said Shao Guangjie, raising his wine glass to his lips, leaning closer to Lin Yushu, and speaking in a lowered voice, “You can rest assured, I won’t treat you unfairly.”
Lin Yushu never doubted that in the future, Shao Guangjie would be in control of the Yong Xing Group.
In this world, there aren’t as many opportunities for the capable to rise. Family background determines whether one treads a rocky path or a smooth road.
It is only natural for a family’s business to be handed over to their own descendants, even if Shao Guangjie’s abilities are lacking, it wouldn’t hinder him from hiring capable people to work for him.
Just like Lin Yushu.
According to Lin Yushu’s career plan, after becoming the CEO of the family office, he would have access to more core businesses of Yong Xing. Within five years, he might even enter the management level of the group and become a person with real power.
The plan was proceeding as scheduled, and he was gaining more and more attention from the members of the Shaofamily, until…
Song Qiming appeared.
This made the words “in the future” full of uncertainty for Lin Yushu.
“Manager Lin,” Shao Zhenbang’s voice interrupted Shao Guangjie’s incessant chatter.
The lively banquet instantly quieted down, and almost everyone’s gaze turned to Shao Zhenbang.
“Come here,” Shao Zhenbang motioned for Lin Yushu to help him with his wheelchair, “Let’s go to the study, I have something to discuss with you.”
Being called to the study after the family banquet meant something significant.
Shao Zhenbang couldn’t possibly just want to chat with Lin Yushu, he must have some important decision to tell him or seek his opinion.
Lin Yushu couldn’t help but feel nervous. For a moment, a ridiculous thought popped into his mind—should he speak up for Song Qiming?
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
No matter what, Song Qiming, who grew up in Germany, couldn’t replace Shao Guangjie, who had been by Shao Zhenbang’s side since childhood, and become the number one heir.
Even if he proved his business acumen, Shao Zhenbang, who valued family harmony, wouldn’t suddenly favor him and neglect Shao Guangjie.
In this situation, Lin Yushu had to stand with the majority of the Shao family to prevent Song Qiming from contending for the family fortune.
“Today’s dishes were excellent, weren’t they?” Shao Zhenbang’s voice interrupted Shao Guangjie’s constant chatter.
“The taste was great. Was it the head chef from Nanjie Hotel? I recognized a few signature dishes.”
Lin Yushu pushed Shao Zhenbang to the desk, but Shao Zhenbang gestured for him to continue forward.
The two eventually arrived at the study, and from here, they could see the people chatting on the lawn. The window was specially treated, allowing them to see outside while those outside couldn’t see inside.
“It was the executive chef,” Shao Zhenbang said, “As long as you enjoyed it.”
Thinking back, Shao Zhenbang hardly touched his chopsticks at the dining table, probably due to his weak health and lack of appetite.
Groups of people gathered on the lawn, easily distinguishable between those from the Shao Hedong faction and the Shao Hexu faction.
These two brothers had been secretly competing for so many years; it was time for a resolution.
“Is everything going well at home recently?” Shao Zhenbang asked again, “I heard that Xunji Electric Cars’ sales this year might surpass one million vehicles.”
“With the current momentum,” Lin Yushu said, “achieving one million vehicles shouldn’t be a problem.”
Shao Zhenbang sighed heavily and said, “Indeed, new energy is the future. If I can live another ten years…”
He didn’t continue his sentence, clearly aware that saying such things was meaningless.
Immediately, Lin Yushu said, “A pharmaceutical company in Switzerland is currently developing a new drug. You will definitely live a long and healthy life.”
No one dislikes hearing kind words, and Shao Zhenbang put away his worried expression, saying, “I still remember when I first noticed you. It was when you were willing to invest billions of dollars in that pharmaceutical company, securing the qualification for the new drug. I thought to myself, how courageous this young man is.”
Lin Yushu knew that it was precisely because of this matter that Shao Zhenbang had entrusted him with the family’s affairs after Zhou Xiansheng fell ill.
“Talented individuals are hard to come by,” Shao Zhenbang said, shifting the topic suddenly, “What do you think of Ruirui?”
Lin Yushu felt a hint of surprise. If they were discussing the distribution of family assets, this preamble was too long, right?
Moreover, what did it mean to single out Ruirui?
-Ruirui was the eldest daughter of Shao He and Shao Hexu, managing her own cosmetics company.
“…Are you referring to her business acumen?” Lin Yushu began to ponder. Could it be that Shao Zhenbang intended for Shao Zhenrui to return and manage Yong Xing?
If that were the case, did it mean that Song Qiming also had a chance?
Lin Yushu’s mind raced, but what Shao Zhenbang said next left him utterly stunned.
“No, I’m asking, what do you think of her as a person?” Shao Zhenbang said slowly, “She’s twenty-eight this year and still hasn’t found a partner. You just turned twenty-nine last month, right? I’ve already had your compatibility assessed, and it’s highly suitable. How about becoming my grandson-in-law?”
Lin Yushu: “…”
No matter how much he calculated, Lin Yushu never expected that Shao Zhenbang called him to the study to discuss marriage.
“Ruirui is not bad-looking, and your height matches hers. If you two get married, you won’t be at a disadvantage.”
“I definitely won’t be at a disadvantage,” Lin Yushu tried to maintain a calm facade, “It’s just… would it be unfair to Miss Shao?”
“How could that be?” Shao Zhenbang said lightly, “Your family is developing rapidly and will soon become one of the top companies in the industry. You’re fully qualified to form an alliance with the Shao family, and no one will gossip. Besides, your abilities are evident to everyone. If I don’t make a move early, there will be other families wanting you as their son-in-law.”
Suddenly, Lin Yushu thought of his niece, Lin Xixi, teasing him that if he entered into a business marriage, it would mean that their Lin family had also become a prestigious family.
Now that Shao Zhenbang personally brought up the marriage proposal, Lin Yushu believed that his abilities were secondary, and it was their family’s successful business that led Shao Zhenbang to have such thoughts.
In other words, perhaps their family had indeed entered the ranks of a “prestigious family,” and he, as the unmarried scion of the Lin family, inexplicably became a sought-after candidate.
It seems his brother is truly remarkable, Lin Yushu thought. In the end, he was pushed into a pit.
“Does Miss Shao have the same intention?” Lin Yushu decided to take a roundabout approach.
Based on his understanding of Sha Zhenrui, this young lady had an extraordinary drive for success and no intention of getting married.
“You don’t need to worry about whether she has the intention or not,” Shao Zhenbang said, “She is a sensible child who knows to prioritize the bigger picture.”
Lin Yushu’s attempt to change the topic was abruptly interrupted, and he could only try to shift the conversation, saying, “What about Director Shao’s illegitimate child…”
“There is no such person.” Shao Zhenbang’s tone suddenly turned colder, evidently realizing that Lin Yushu was avoiding the topic of the marriage alliance. “Manager Lin, think it over carefully. Becoming part of the Shao family through marriage is not something to be ashamed of.”
