Shen Jianrong slumped onto the sofa upon returning to the Yu family home.
Tian Jing asked her elder sister-in-law and sister-in-law to head back first, saying she would leave with Ziyu and Xiaobo later. Shen Jianrong wanted to host them longer, but Tian Jing told her not to be so formal, and that visiting tomorrow at the villa would be just as good.
After the Li family departed, Tian Jing again urged Shen Jianrong to shower and change into something comfortable. She would wait for guests with Old Master Shen. Shen Jianrong didn't stand on ceremony and asked her daughter to prepare hot water for the guests.
Before long, Yu Jinghai returned with an elder and a man in his thirties. The elder was Old Master Lan. The man was Ren Yanwu, the holder of the medicinal formula and successor to a pharmaceutical family with generations of heritage. Due to internal family conflicts, modern warfare, and calamities, many of the Ren family's ancient formulas were lost, leaving only the Renshen Guben Wan formula, which only the family head could handle.
Old Master Shen introduced both parties, and they exchanged polite handshakes and greetings. Once seated, Yu Ziyu poured tea, and Li Weibo offered fruit. He then took his son from his father-in-law’s embrace and, with his wife, exited the living room. Yu Jinghai stayed to entertain the guests.
After taking a sip of tea, Old Master Lan broke the silence. “Captain Tian, your investment of ginseng, at thirty percent, is a bit too much. Renshen Guben Wan includes other medicinal ingredients, which are an investment from my Lan family. The Ren family is responsible for the production. I believe my Lan family and the Ren family together should hold seventy percent.”
Tian Jing’s gaze shifted to Ren Yanwu, whose expression was calm.
“Old Lan,” Old Master Shen began, “that’s going too far. Your investment is something either Captain Tian or I could easily match. Captain Tian asked for thirty percent, leaving plenty of room for us. But you’re demanding the lion’s share, and that makes negotiation impossible.”
Old Master Lan leaned back on the sofa. “But I found the formula. Without my formula, Renshen Guben Wan could not exist.”
“Your formula?” Tian Jing looked at Old Master Lan in surprise. “Isn’t it the Ren family’s formula?”
Old Master Lan’s smile didn’t waver. “The Ren family has already pledged allegiance to my Lan family.”
Tian Jing smiled faintly. “Since there are two of you and two of us, let’s split it fifty-fifty.”
Old Master Lan refused. “No, at least sixty percent.”
Tian Jing pondered for a moment, then said, “If your side holds sixty percent, then all the risks associated with Renshen Guben Wan will be borne by your side. For example, if the effects of Renshen Guben Wan are problematic, or if the user experiences issues.”
“I will be responsible for providing the raw materials, and Old Master Shen will handle sales. If any problems arise, the manufacturer will be held responsible. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Old Master Lan nodded. “That is certain.”
“Alright then.” Tian Jing nodded. “Old Master Shen, please have someone draft the contract and include what I just said. I will take twenty-five percent, and you will take fifteen percent.”
Old Master Shen nodded. “I will prepare it within these two days, and we will meet again to sign the contract.”
With the main business settled, Old Master Lan inquired about when the next batch of ginseng would be supplied.
“No rush,” Tian Jing said calmly. “The first batch was planted a year and a half ago. Another year and a half is needed. After that, there will be 50 plants annually.”
With annual supplies assured, Old Master Lan was relieved. He finished his tea and, with Ren Yanwu, took his leave. Yu Jinghai and Old Master Shen saw them out.
Tian Jing chatted with Shen Jianrong, who had come downstairs. After Old Master Shen and Yu Jinghai returned, Tian Jing also rose to depart. Yu Ziyu and Li Weibo, with their son, left together.
After seeing off her daughter, son-in-law, Tian Jing, Shen Jianrong and her husband sorted through the gifts and reviewed the accounts.
“If it weren’t for the generous gifts from the Li family, this banquet would have been a loss.”
Before her son-in-law could speak, Old Master Shen rebuked his younger daughter. “I told you not to hold this banquet, saying the Li family wouldn’t host a full moon or 100-day celebration for this generation of children. Why did you insist on holding it?”
Shen Jianrong replied, “Wasn’t I just letting everyone know I have a grandson?”
Old Master Shen retorted, “Then why are you spouting nonsense? Put these gift moneys aside in Si Ji’s name.”
“Alright, alright,” Shen Jianrong nodded. “I promise I won’t touch your great-grandson’s money.”
Back at the large villa, Li Weili and Han Lushiz were packing to return to Kyoto. Tian Jing was waiting to sign the contract and had ample time, so she decided to stay a few more days to be with her grandson. Mother Li also felt it wasn’t appropriate to leave immediately after the 100-day celebration and decided to stay with her great-granddaughter.
Therefore, only Han Lushiz and Li Weili departed, taking with them the young men Li Weiyu and Chen An. As they left, the two young men repeatedly urged their grandmother to return home soon, claiming their bodies needed proper nourishment. Mother Li agreed again and again, finally impatiently shooing them into the car with a broom. The two young men, carrying ten pheasants and twenty rabbits, their ‘supplements,’ hurried into the car.
After the car drove off, Mother Li tossed the broom aside. “We brought so many chickens and rabbits, and these two insisted on catching some from here.” In just one year, Aunt Cai had multiplied the pheasants and rabbits tenfold. Li Weiyu and Chen An, seeing the many pheasants and rabbits enclosed in the net in the backyard, insisted on asking their second sister-in-law and second cousin for ‘supplements.’
Yu Ziyu laughed. “They’re just playing around. Aunt Cai is very skilled at raising chickens and rabbits and growing vegetables. My mother often sends some to my aunt and uncles.”
Mother Li nodded. “It’s good to send some to friends and relatives.”
Yu Ziyu smiled. “Then it’s not wrong for Xiao Yu and An An to take some, is it?”
Mother Li paused, then chuckled and pointed a finger at Yu Ziyu. “You were waiting for me here, weren’t you? Fine, when I get back, I won’t mention it to them.”
After seeing off her daughter and son-in-law, Tian Jing went to the bathroom to wash her face. She then took Si Ji from her second son’s arms. “I’ll take Si Ji. You all go back and rest. Come over for dinner tonight.”
Li Weibo nodded. “I’ll ask Aunt Cai to come help.”
“No need,” Mother Li refused. “With so many people in our family, why do we need Little Cai’s help? She’s already busy enough by herself; let her rest for these two days.”
After Li Weibo and Yu Ziyu left, Mother Li muttered, “Wouldn’t it be better if our family worked together happily? It feels awkward to involve an outsider.”
Tian Jing chuckled inwardly. Her mother-in-law had learned to be two-faced. She used her superpower to gently circle the sleeping grandson in her arms. There were too many people today, and the baby was too young; she didn't want to frighten him. “Mom, let’s switch. I’ll rock Xuanxuan.” She then used her superpower to circle her granddaughter’s body, after which Tian Jing felt reassured.
The next afternoon, Old Master Shen called Tian Jing to the Yu family home. Old Master Lan and Ren Yanwu were already waiting at the Yu residence. They had brought a lawyer, who reviewed the contract before they all confidently signed it. After the contract was signed, the four people shook hands and exchanged pleasantries about “pleasant cooperation.”
After seeing off Old Master Lan and the other two, Old Master Shen also returned to Kyoto. Shen Jianrong moved her prepared luggage and left with Tian Jing’s car, leaving Yu Jinghai to “keep vigil alone.” Watching Yu Jinghai standing alone at the door from the rearview mirror, Tian Jing asked Shen Jianrong, “You’re just going to leave him here alone?”
Shen Jianrong said indifferently, “He’ll drive over himself tonight, and he can eat in the cafeteria at noon.” The cafeteria was a good place for men who were “keeping vigil alone.”
After staying in North Province for three days, the Li family prepared to depart for Kyoto. With eight adults and three children, a seven-seater car would not suffice. Li Weibo decided to bring his wife and son along to Kyoto. Shen Jianrong, reluctant to part with her grandson, also joined them. Yu Jinghai, “keeping vigil alone,” was left speechless.