There's nothing more comforting than a bowl of hot crucian carp soup on an autumn rainy night, especially when the tofu accompanying the soup is stewed until it's soft and tender. Mixed with the freshness of the fish soup, a bite in the mouth makes one want to swallow it directly to satisfy the craving.
Everyone loves good food, especially when they're feeling down. A delicious meal can make all worries disappear.
But tonight, this saying held no sway for Su Tang. She had already drunk three bowls of fish soup, and though she was smiling and cheerful, her mouth having curved upwards several times, her resentful gaze remained.
"Eat some vegetables, don't just drink the soup," Ping An said nonchalantly.
She'd been beaten, what more could she expect? A teacher for a day, a father for a lifetime. A father beating his own daughter was hardly a big deal.
"Mmm," she replied, her mouth short of words as she accepted what was given. Despite her resentment, she felt too embarrassed to voice it.
Ping An had long noticed this little trick of his disciple. She had learned to read people perfectly and was adept at using all her advantages to gain whatever was beneficial to her. This was Su Tang, seemingly weak but utterly overbearing.
Seeing Su Tang drink her fourth bowl of soup, her stomach likely rounding out, yet still unwilling to put down the bowl, he knew she was trying to make peace.
"When you're full, go upstairs and do your homework. You've been skipping for days, and you have a pile of assignments to catch up on. Hurry and finish them. You're not allowed out tomorrow since it's a holiday," Ping An said sternly, without showing any leniency.
"Oh," Su Tang pouted. Seeing she couldn't get any favors from her master, she reluctantly stood up.
"Alright, stop eating. You've eaten like a pig and you're still going!" Ping An snatched the bowl from Su Tang's hand and said dismissively, "It's all because I've spoiled you usually."
Reluctantly standing up, she shuffled towards the bedroom on the second floor. After a few steps, Su Tang suddenly turned around and said to Ping An, "Master, I've noticed you're becoming more and more like my dad."
Ping An put down his chopsticks and looked at Su Tang, noticing that the girl's face no longer held any trace of resentment.
"Get lost!" Ping An chuckled, his heart warming.
Su Tang also smiled. Aren't families just like this?
The rain continued through the night until it stopped at dawn. People who woke up early began their day leisurely. However, some individuals suddenly saw explosive news on various mobile messaging apps—"Wind Power Company Stirs Up Another Storm—Liao Yuan's Illegitimate Son, Tong Hua, to Inherit Billion-Dollar Fortune!"
The Wind Power Company's warehouse was located in the suburbs, where an old man and a young woman were having breakfast facing each other. A young man in a suit suddenly rushed into the warehouse.
"Miss, the news is likely true. Mr. Ma, who is in charge of all operations at Wind Power Company, was drinking with friends last night and inadvertently revealed that Liao Yuan's illegitimate son, Tong Hua, has been brought to Riverfront. A press conference will be held at ten o'clock this morning in the company's administrative building. Nine out of fifteen shareholders have already approved this matter," the man in the suit said. "However, the company's legal department has not yet commented. According to internal sources, they are still awaiting your statement..."
"He's not dead! This infuriates me!" The younger one was, of course, Yang Jiao.
After returning from Water City, she was surprised to find that the police had not issued a warrant for her arrest. However, to be safe, she had reluctantly stayed here. These days, she had been inquiring about the company's situation and discussing their next steps with the old butler.
"Stay calm!" The older one, the old butler, quickly comforted Yang Jiao when she got angry. "I've been handling things for you at the company. The current situation looks pretty good; there are still six who support you."
"What good is that! They've already entered the city. Tong Hua has clearly inherited Liao Yuan's shares, which makes it ten votes, already a majority," Yang Jiao retorted indignantly.
"Heh heh, that's because you're young and don't understand. Who says shareholder votes are one person, one vote?" the old butler said. "Your maternal grandfather holds two votes. You yourself have one vote from your maternal grandfather. Your 'cheap' father is now a wanted criminal, so his vote is also yours, isn't it?"
"So, if we count it that way, it's ten votes against ten votes?" Yang Jiao asked.
"Unfortunately, the old man holds another vote," the old butler said. "Last time, when he was forced out, your maternal grandfather, in order to stage a comeback, paid a large sum of money and bought shares from many small shareholders. He accumulated enough to form a majority, which he then handed over to me. Now I'm also a shareholder. Although I have the smallest stake, this one vote is crucial."
"Old butler, you're amazing!" Hearing that the old butler had such a backup plan, Yang Jiao was overjoyed.
"The problem now is, do you dare to go!" The old butler finally revealed the crux of the issue.
In Water City, Yang Jiao had revealed her true nature. Although the police had not issued a warrant, she had to guard against the schemes of Ping An and Gao Xiaofei.
"Old butler, I've already thought about this problem," Yang Jiao said. "Although I revealed my wickedness, I didn't kill anyone directly or kidnap anyone. There's no trace of me having been to Water City. I've been investigating everywhere these past few days and found that the police can't do anything to me. Even if they produce some evidence, it's of no consequence. I'm prepared to go to prison for a while. Anyway, my rights won't be exploited; what's mine will remain mine. As for you, my old butler, if I go in, you'll manage the company for me. When I get out, we'll split Wind Power as we agreed."
"Good! You have guts! I really didn't bet on the wrong person!" the old butler said. At this point, however, he frowned again. "But, girl, you're only sixteen at most. Your maternal grandfather's vote for you, I'm afraid..."
"Hahahaha! Old butler, don't worry. I won't hide it from you anymore. I'm actually eighteen now. Look, this is my household registration book that I had someone find from my hometown. This is enough to prove my age," Yang Jiao said. "At worst, they can use scientific methods to test it; what's real is real!"
"What? How can you be eighteen? Could it be, you?" The old butler was so surprised his mouth couldn't close.
"I've waited for this day for over a decade. I knew long ago that I was adopted. Yes, the drones over Lake Mountain were my arrangement. How about that, impressive enough?" Yang Jiao said grandly, looking at the astonished old butler, filled with pride.
"The first time I saw you, I knew you weren't an ordinary girl. Go! Enough said! I've given my whole life to this family. Your maternal grandfather only gave me a shareholder position, and comically, the reason was because he wanted to regain political power! My final gamble is on you!"
"Alas, poor me. My maternal grandfather was the only one in this family who treated me well. I've waited for over a decade, and I don't mind waiting a bit longer. If his health were good, wouldn't it be acceptable for him to guide me first? I'm not someone without feelings. I'm willing to repay those who genuinely care for me." Hearing the old butler's words, Yang Jiao was also filled with emotion. For once, she spoke a heartfelt truth.
"Foolish girl, so be it! Go, and when you return, I'll tell you a story. Then you'll understand how ridiculous this world is!" Seeing that Yang Jiao was feeling guilt towards Liao Yuanchao, the old butler decisively intervened.
With that, Yang Jiao no longer pursued the matter. She gathered a group of people and grandly entered the city.
In the empty warehouse, only the old butler and a servant remained.
A person in a raincoat suddenly walked in from another door of the warehouse.
"This isn't what we agreed upon, is it?" A man wearing a mask and sunglasses under his raincoat walked up to the old butler.
The old butler was not surprised by the uninvited guest.
"I regret it. Name your price!" the old butler said, picking up the fruit juice on the table and drinking it in one gulp. "Aren't the younger ones easier to control than the older ones?"
"You have quite an appetite!" The man in the raincoat wasn't angry and sat down in the seat Yang Jiao had previously occupied.
"I've loyally served Liao Yuanchao for forty years, but I only got a small shareholder position. I'm not reconciled! I have three unpromising sons. Do you know what those three brothers are doing at Wind Power Company?" The old butler suddenly became agitated as he spoke of his family.