After taking their seats, two women entered to serve tea. Shen Jianfang, sitting next to Tian Jing, introduced them, "These two are my sisters-in-law, Jiang Yuanzhu and Sun Xuelan."
Tian Jing nodded to the two women, "Hello, thank you for your hard work."
Jiang Yuanzhu and Sun Xuelan quickly shook their heads, "You are too kind."
After the two women left, Tian Jing felt Shen Jianfang relax from her tense state. She sighed inwardly, realizing that being born into or marrying into such a family was like living on a battlefield.
Old Master Li took a sip of tea and congratulated Old Master Shen beside him, "Congratulations, Old Shen, on having such a good grandson-in-law."
"Hahaha," Old Master Shen beamed, showing all his teeth. "What does this mean? It means raising daughters has immense benefits too."
Old Master Li looked embarrassed. Old Shen was speaking from a position of privilege. Although all four of the Shen family's children had daughters first, their eldest grandson was still in the eldest son's family, so resources hadn't been diverted and conflicts hadn't arisen. For over twenty years, he had felt guilt towards his second son and eldest grandson. Furthermore, his second and third daughters-in-law often complained that their sons were bullied by others. He didn't even have the courage to go and reason with them. Why? Because the people involved were children of his second and third sons' direct superiors. He no longer had the ability to pull his second and third sons up from the bottom. Others could already see the decline of the Li family.
When their eldest granddaughter showed promise, they saw hope. Who knew it would only be a fleeting moment? The day before yesterday, when news spread that their eldest granddaughter had been transferred to the special skills team, their Li family received not congratulations, but cold stares. Those cold stares clearly implied they were waiting to see the fate of his eldest granddaughter. Her so-called muscle reflex issue was actually a psychological problem. Treatment had been ineffective. The special forces unit was planning to persuade his eldest granddaughter to retire. The sudden transfer order left him bewildered. It wasn't until his eldest son returned and revealed the identity of Ziyu's future mother-in-law that he understood the reason for his eldest granddaughter's transfer to the special skills team. He also learned that his eldest granddaughter was willing to be a general dogsbody in the special skills team for ten years to protect the Li family. His guilt was immeasurable. He had not erred in trying to preserve the Li family's declining status, nor had his eldest granddaughter…
However awkward it was, and however much he felt his in-law Old Shen was deliberately taunting him, he had to agree wholeheartedly: "Yes! You are right, raising daughters is also excellent. I also want to congratulate you on becoming the owner of the Ginseng Root Strengthening Pill."
"Haha," Old Master Shen nodded with a smile. Since Tian Jing arrived, he felt truly proud. "This is also because Little Tian is giving me face. You know that Little Li was once my bodyguard. I'm benefiting from Little Li's connection, hahaha."
"You are too kind, Commander," Li Zhengguo still habitually used this address. Old Master Shen didn't insist on Li Zhengguo changing his title. It took Yu Jinghai two years to get used to calling him "Dad." "I'm stating a fact. I've benefited from you countless times, so I won't be overly polite. In any case, we are family now."
Old Master Li thanked Tian Jing, "Thank you, Captain Tian, for supporting our plan."
"I heard from Old Gao that the ginseng will be free. Isn't that... a bit much? We should pay for it."
"Uncle Li, you're too kind," Tian Jing said nonchalantly. "I have the seeds and the greenhouses. It just takes some time."
"Moreover, it's difficult to set a price. If the price is too high, you won't be able to afford it, and there will be all sorts of complaints directed at Uncle Shen and me. If the price is too low, it will attract all sorts of unsavory people to procure it from Kū Shān."
"It's better to give it directly. No one has as much face with me as Uncle Shen. I can even use Uncle Shen as a shield."
"Hahaha, yes, yes, use me as a shield. If anyone dares to buy or ask for it from Kū Shān, just tell them to come to me. I'll shut them down," Shen Laozi said.
Looking at his in-law, whose smile and laughter never ceased, Old Master Li felt envious. More than twenty years ago, when Old Shen returned, not only was his position awkward, but he also faced exclusion. No one wanted to share a piece of the pie or have their resources snatched away, so everyone was crushing each other. Back then, when his eldest daughter-in-law married into his Li family, he had no choice but to accept, as his eldest son had fallen for her, and his friendship with Old Shen was not bad.
Fortune changes like the wind. When his Li family fell into decline, the Shen family gradually rose. Although Shen Jianming had no hope of advancing further, Shen Zhaolin was steady. Now, Ziyu had become Captain Tian's daughter-in-law. This Captain Tian clearly didn't care about power struggles and even gifted the ginseng directly to the Shen family, attributing all the honor to them. Such magnanimity was not something everyone could achieve, not even everyone in their circle. He genuinely praised, "Captain Tian is a person of true character."
"Uncle Li, you flatter me," Tian Jing waved her hand. "I just dislike trouble and socializing."
Old Master Shen chuckled inwardly. If Old Li knew the extent of Tian Jing's assets, he wouldn't say that. When the Jingyuan Real Estate Company was reported by insiders, the investigation was assigned to him. After investigating Ouyang Lei, he then investigated the Ouyang family. Naturally, he found Ouyang Meihua, the eldest daughter of the Ouyang family. Ouyang Meihua was Li Zhengguo and Tian Jing's eldest sister-in-law, and the mother of Li Weiyan, who entered the special skills team with Li Weihao and Li Weibao. Investigating further into Li Weili, who worked at Jingyuan Company but was actually helping Ouyang Lei replace company talent, he then knew who owned Jingyuan Company. As for why Jingyuan Company's land plots were all strategically chosen next to the subway, he also found Ouyang Lei and obtained the purchase contracts for the land. It was indeed company assets purchased during its early establishment. These documents were submitted, and the higher-ups suppressed the matter. Of course, the higher-ups also knew about Tian Jing's large holdings of old hutongs and courtyards. Tian Jing did not conceal anything; the property owners were all in her name. The higher-ups didn't interfere, as Tian Jing hadn't violated any regulations, nor was it malicious land hoarding.
Old Master Li said sheepishly, "We were too high-profile." Tian Jing shook her head, indicating it was fine. She didn't dislike the Li family; Old Master Shen had specifically told her about their situation. To be born into this circle was to abide by its rules. It was merely borrowing influence. She was already tied to the Yu and Shen families, so it was impossible to remain low-key.
After a brief period of polite pleasantries, the dishes were all served at the dining table. Old Master Li invited everyone to take their seats.
...
In the courtyard, the Li family's high-profile actions attracted considerable attention. Those inquiring about the news all heard about Captain Tian. They didn't pay much attention, assuming it was some guest Old Master Shen had brought to the Li family. However, when they returned home for dinner and their minds were free to recall, they felt something was amiss. After the Li family's influence gradually waned, Old Li had always been low-key. It was unlikely he would host Old Master Shen in such a high-profile manner. Therefore, the Li family's high-profile reception must have been for that Captain Tian. Captain Tian? They seemed to have heard the name somewhere before. They couldn't recall it immediately, so they reported it to the elders of their respective families. Upon learning from the elders who Captain Tian was, they were reprimanded by the elders and ordered to intercept the guests. By the time they got the order, the Li family's guests had already departed. They didn't believe it and went to the Li family themselves, only to see Old Master Shen and Old Master Li. Seeing several juniors, Old Master Shen smiled and waved at them. "Come in and sit. Your parents will surely be here soon." "I knew you would underestimate us. I sent the guests away the moment I put down my chopsticks." The juniors exchanged glances. Their parents often said Old Master Shen was an old fox and warned them to be cautious when dealing with him. This time, they had all fallen into the trap together.