Great Grandfather's Gift

"Jade pendant..." Zhuang Xin opened the box. Inside was a semicircular piece of jade, two fingers wide. Though Zhuang Xin knew nothing about jade's quality or value, it gave him a very comfortable feeling at first glance.

It felt smooth and rounded in his hand. A coiled dragon was carved into it, shaped like valleys and ravines, yet there was a missing section, as though the pendant was only half of a whole and the other half had vanished somewhere.

"This jade pendant comes as a pair. Great Grandfather gave one to Han'er. Once the two of you get married, you'll have the complete set. These two jade pendants are considered heirlooms in the Zhuang family and are very precious. Great Grandfather is usually reluctant to even take them out." Zhuang Wanshu smiled and patted Zhuang Xin on the shoulder.

Her hand landed on firm, distinctly defined curves, and she said in surprise, "I have to say, you're in pretty solid shape."

"Thank you for the compliment, Eldest Sister. I just like working out in my spare time." Zhuang Xin didn't stand on ceremony and put away the jade pendant.

"All right. When we get back later, there's no need to hide anything. The people in the family aren't as bad as you imagine. Don't believe all that scheming and infighting you see on television. More often than not, everyone helps each other. You need to understand that a person fighting alone has limited ability. But if you run into trouble and everyone lends a hand, you'll still have a chance to get back on your feet."

"This is an ancestral rule of the Zhuang family. No one will fight over the heir chosen by the family. Do you know why?" Zhuang Wanshu asked with a smile.

"Uh... I really don't know."

"That makes sense. Other families might have such situations, but it's impossible in the Zhuang family. Most of the family's businesses are spread out and independently managed, controlled by different people who keep one another in check. Even the family head cannot lay a hand on them. So even if you become the family head in name, you'll only control the resources from your grandfather's branch. Whether you can rise again will still depend on you."

"Huh? So even if I inherit the position of Zhuang family head, I won't have any real authority?" Zhuang Xin was speechless.

"What else did you expect? Did you think everyone else would hand over their businesses to you? They'll only support you and help as much as they can. If you're incapable and fail to live up to expectations, then your son, or even your grandson, will be entrusted to the family for education, waiting for a chance to rise again with the family's support."

Zhuang Wanshu gently tousled Zhuang Xin's hair, giving him an affectionate head pat that left him even more speechless. Why did this "Eldest Sister" seem to treat him like a child?

"There's something else you should know. Once you become family head, the previous head will step down, but his businesses will still remain under the control of his descendants. So don't even think about setting your sights on them."

Zhuang Xin nodded. "I understand."

He finally understood why the Zhuang family did not fight over the family estate.

Even if they fought, it would only be within their own branch. What did that have to do with Zhuang Xin?

From Zhuang Wanshu's tone, he could tell that his grandfather's branch had probably already declined.

Even if he returned, it would only be an empty shell.

Those five contracts were likely the support everyone believed he deserved, giving him the means to build himself up.

Wanting to return and soar to the top in one step was a joke.

At its core, the Zhuang family consisted of the major branches that had been passed down through generations, supporting and restraining one another. If one side fell on hard times, everyone would help.

They were helping others, but also leaving themselves a way out.

Who could guarantee that they would never fall on bad luck in their entire life?

Even if they did not, what about their sons and grandsons?

That was the foundation of how the Zhuang family had endured until today.

Afterward, Zhuang Wanshu told Zhuang Xin a few more things to keep in mind. Before long, they arrived at an enormous estate. As the car drove in, servants immediately came forward to greet them.

Soon, led by Zhuang Wanshu, Zhuang Nannan, and Zhuang Tong, they entered the innermost part of the estate. Through the landscaped flowers, plants, and trees, he could vaguely see a huge house beyond, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles.

"We're here. Don't speak later. Just stand to the side and listen." Zhuang Wanshu went in first, shielding Zhuang Xin behind her.

Zhuang Nannan patted him on the shoulder. "Work hard and strive well. Everyone will help you, but don't let them look down on you."

Zhuang Tong blinked at him with a grin. "When this is over, play games with me, okay? None of them will play with me. They say I'm too childish."

"Sure..." Zhuang Xin looked at Zhuang Tong, who was the youngest and at most only a little older than him, then nodded helplessly.

He followed them inside. There were already many people in the hall.

They were drinking and chatting.

Numerous tables had been set up around the room, laden with all kinds of food.

Servants also carried trays of wine through the hall, waiting for anyone who needed a drink.

"Eldest Miss!"

When they saw Zhuang Wanshu, the servants by the entrance bowed politely.

The women nodded and passed through the crowd toward the innermost part of the hall.

An elderly man in casual clothes held a golf club. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, picked up a drink from beside him, took a sip, and let out a breath. "I just finished playing golf in the back. Those old fellows are still as vigorous as ever."

"Yes! Great-Uncles are truly skilled." A young woman beside him handed over a steaming white towel so the old man could wipe away his sweat.

"Great Grandfather!" Zhuang Wanshu walked over with a smile. "You asked me to find Zhuang Xin, and I brought him back."

As she spoke, she stepped aside and revealed Zhuang Xin behind her.

Zhuang Xin gave an awkward laugh, clearly unaccustomed to this. "Gr... Great Grandfather..."

Perhaps seeing Zhuang Xin's nervousness, Zhuang He burst into laughter. "Speaking of which, I watched your grandfather grow up. He won over your grandmother when he was seventeen. Later, when the family disapproved, he ran away with her. I heard that your father was born when he was eighteen. Your father inherited your grandfather's genes too—he had you when he was twenty. But you? You're already in your twenties, yet you're still a... Hmm, Wanshu, what do you call that in internet slang?"

"Uh, a single dog, Great Grandfather," Zhuang Tong cut in first.

Zhuang He nodded. "Right. A single dog."

"All right, all right, stop teasing Zhuang Xin." Zhuang Wanshu rolled her eyes. Then she reached into Zhuang He's pocket, took out a bank card, and said, "Zhuang Xin, Great Grandfather prepared this for you. I heard you're building a Summer Resort at Biyue Bay Beach. There's one billion here, enough for the development and the follow-up expenses."

"This girl, more anxious than the person concerned." Zhuang He shook his head, but he was not angry in the slightest. Instead, he smiled peacefully.

Looking at the harmonious Zhuang family, Zhuang Xin felt slightly moved as he stared at the bank card.

This was damn different from what I'd imagined.

"Thank you, Great Grandfather, but I already have money. I don't need this one billion for now. If I need it later, I'll ask you for it." Zhuang Xin shook his head, wanting to refuse.

But Zhuang Wanshu directly stuffed it into his pocket. "Take it when you're told to take it. Why are you acting like a stranger?"