"She has a direct connection to Ziyu's death, and she's the one who drove your parents' relationship to the brink of irreparable collapse," he raised a hand to stop Gao Xiang's rebuttal, "Most importantly, she is Bao Bao's biological mother. Think about it, how could your mother and I ever accept her?"
"I understand all of that. From Si'an's perspective, facing my family would be an even more difficult ordeal. I've been torn for a long time, trying to forget her, but I just can't."
"Have you considered that, even if you disregard your mother's and my feelings, how much gossip this would stir up? Ordinary people won't think you fell for a girl and decided to be with her—they'll only say you're with the woman your uncle... assaulted. Who could withstand that kind of rumor?"
"That's why I've decided to live in the United States. No one there would care about such things."
Chen Li Guo was taken aback, trembling as he stood up. Gao Xiang quickly steadied him. Staring at his grandson, he asked, "Do you plan to stay abroad permanently?"
"Grandpa, don't worry. I'm not planning to leave forever. Even without Si'an, I've grown tired of the ready-made job I've had since graduating from university. I've long wanted to strike out on my own. Lately, I've been considering this—besides preparing for further studies, I'd like to start a business related to the company's operations, such as wine distribution. I've done some preliminary market research; domestic consumption in this area is expanding, with many opportunities. I'll be traveling back and forth."
"So you intend to leave the company?"
"Regarding the company, I believe you and my father can work out a solid development plan. I want to pursue something I'm passionate about."
After a long silence, Chen Li Guo finally said, "Xiao Xiang, I don't agree."
"I've prepared a proposal for you. If you review it and feel it's not worth investing in, I'll understand."
"Xiao Xiang, I trust your judgment, but this isn't just about investment."
"I know."
"Lately, your mother keeps calling me, hoping I can find a way to keep you in the country. I told her you've always been independent and strong-willed since childhood—once you make a decision, it's hard for others to change your mind. She suggested cutting off your financial support." Chen Li Guo let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "Don't blame her; she means well, but she still approaches problems simplistically. At her age, she acts without considering the consequences. Not only are you my only grandson, but given your contributions to the company over the years, I shouldn't use money to control you. You'd never yield, and it would only hurt our family bonds, pushing you further away."
"Grandpa, I won't misunderstand you."
Chen Li Guo looked at him, his expression sorrowful. "You're a good child. I've thought it over, and aside from pleading with you and playing on my old age—hoping you'll stay out of pity for my limited time—I really can't think of any other way."
Gao Xiang felt deeply distressed. "Grandpa, you're not that old. I'll visit often, and if you're willing, you can vacation in the States too.""My body simply can't withstand the strain of long-distance flights anymore. Xiaoxiang, your mother constantly talks about 'our Chen Family,' but look at what's become of our Chen Family since Ziyu's accident—there's no hope left. I'm old and sick, your mother never understood business matters and has made a complete mess of her marriage: as for Bao Bao's health, I dare not be optimistic at all. That child was conceived against all natural and human principles by Zihui, we can only do our best to treat him, and we both know perfectly well that even with the most optimistic outlook, even if his surgery succeeds, he'll never be completely like a normal child. The only person I can count on is you."
Having spoken all this in one breath, Chen Li Guo was slightly panting. He paused, grasped Gao Xiang's hand and said: "Call me an old man presuming on his age, call me disrespectful of your choices and forcing you—I still hope you'll stay in the country, gradually take over the company, and marry a good girl. If I could live to see you have children, I could die content."
Gao Xiang was rendered completely speechless.
"You see, when people reach a certain age, they become shamelessly selfish like this, making unreasonable demands." Chen Li Guo's gaze remained frank, completely devoid of any threatening undertones, his attitude kind and even carrying a hint of apology. "This is all I can do. Think it over carefully, whatever decision you make, I won't blame you, Xiaoxiang."
Gao Xiang understood perfectly well that his grandfather was both expressing genuine feelings and playing the emotional card—to some extent, he and his mother were trying to achieve the same goal through their respective approaches. But just as he wouldn't blame his mother, he certainly wouldn't doubt his grandfather's love for him because of this.
Chen Li Guo had doted on him since childhood, treating his own son and this grandson of his with equal fairness, constantly reminding his daughter not to focus all her attention on her younger brother while neglecting her son. After Chen Zi Yu gradually grew up and completely disappointed him, his reliance on Gao Xiang became increasingly evident.
Before Gao Xiang could respond, Chen Li Guo checked into the hospital the next day. After comprehensive examinations, the doctors delivered a serious yet rather vague conclusion, stating he needed strict rest. He immediately designated Gao Xiang to work at the company, fully authorizing him to handle all affairs on his behalf.
Under Chen Li Guo's instructions, meetings waited for Gao Xiang's attendance before officially commencing, nearly all documents needed to be sent to him for review and signature. What caught him completely off guard was the sudden influx of investment bank representatives, law firm attorneys, accounting firm auditors, asset appraisers, and securities firm representatives—all involved in the company's pre-Going public preparations—who swarmed in like a revolving lantern, discussing various issues with him. Chen Li Guo's secretary simply moved to the outer office, packing his schedule completely full. Suddenly, he became busier than he had ever been while working before.In addition to frequent business trips, he constantly shuttled between Qinggang and the provincial capital, returning late from the office every day. The workload kept increasing, making it increasingly difficult to extricate himself, and he couldn't help but inwardly lament while simultaneously admiring his grandfather's foresight. Chen Li Guo clearly knew that merely playing the emotional card would only burden his conscience. Instead, assigning him the challenging task of overseeing the company's going public process not only troubled him but also irresistibly drew him in.
During this period, Gao Xiang could only maintain contact with Zuo Si'an through phone calls.
As spring turned to summer, the promised return date kept being postponed. He felt deep unease and guilt, but Zuo Si'an never complained, merely saying calmly, "Finish what needs to be done first."
However, the going public process involved countless interconnected tasks - no sooner was one matter resolved than several related issues emerged. Chen Li Guo had simply moved to Beijing for further treatment and never returned to the office, making it increasingly impossible for Gao Xiang to disengage. Remembering his promise to Zuo Si'an, he grew increasingly anxious.
The only comfort came from Bao Bao's improving health. The child's complexion had lost its long-standing pallor, he could perform simple exercises with ease, and walking no longer left him breathless. Simultaneously, his personality was becoming more distinct - he formally notified the family to stop using his childhood nickname, reasoning that other children might laugh at him if they heard it.
Gao Xiang laughed heartily: "Then what should I call you, my little stinky child?"
The boy sniffed himself and shook his head decisively: "I'm not stinky. Great-grandfather calls you Xiao Xiang, you can call me Xiao Fei."
"Alright then, Xiao Fei is quite a dashing name."
Proudly pouncing on Gao Xiang, he took a deep sniff: "You're the stinky one - you smell heavily of smoke."
"Yes, Dad attended meetings all day with chain smokers. I've decided to establish a rule: no smoking during meetings from now on."
"Dad, will you abandon me?"
Startled, he asked: "Xiao Fei, what are you talking about?"
Gao Fei stared at his father: "Grandma said you might go to America and never come back."
He resented his mother's extreme measures, even involving young children, but looking into his son's bright black eyes, he momentarily found himself at a loss for words. Gao Fei immediately sensed something wrong, first freezing in place, then throwing his arms around his father's neck and wailing: "I won't let you go! I won't let you leave!"
Holding his son, he soothed him: "Dad never said I'd abandon you. I'll go to America for a while first, then bring you over later."
"You're lying! Grandma said once you go, you'll never return."
"Since when has Dad ever lied to you?"
After finally comforting his exhausted, crying son to sleep, Gao Xiang went to confront his mother, requesting she stop saying such things to the child.
Chen Zi Hui responded bluntly: "I'm only stating facts."
"How could I possibly abandon Xiao Fei?"
"If you insist on going to America, you'll be abandoning not just him, but our entire family."
Provoked, Gao Xiang retorted: "Mother, please be reasonable. If you continue like this, I'll simply take Bao Bao to live in America with me. He's my son - I don't need anyone's permission to take him with me."Chen Zi Hui abruptly stood up: "What did you say? If you dare take Bao Bao away, I'll..." She pointed at Gao Xiang, momentarily unable to articulate what she could actually do. Overwhelmed by panic and fury, she finally spat out, "I'll go to America and confront that troublemaker Zuo Si'an. If my brother's life wasn't enough compensation for her, then I'll add mine too."
By the last few words, Chen Zi Hui's voice had grown hoarse with strain. Gao Xiang was startled by the raw hatred contorting her face: "Calm down, calm down."
Surprisingly, she managed to rein in her emotions instead of escalating further, speaking with a raspy voice: "If you're determined to leave, I can't stop you. But don't even think about taking Bao Bao away. He's all that's left of our Chen Family. I'll take good care of him and safeguard the Chen Family's assets - they won't fall into outsiders' hands."
Gao Xiang hadn't spoken carelessly. Considering the future, he knew leaving Xiao Fei behind would be heartbreaking, and he had indeed contemplated taking his son to America multiple times. But he also understood that if he took Xiao Fei away, his mother would create tremendous drama, and how could Zuo Si'an possibly accept facing this child? Life rarely offers perfect solutions, yet his family conflicts had reached such an impasse where no party could compromise or reconcile, leaving him utterly directionless.
Before long, mid-August arrived. While handing over work responsibilities to his father, Gao Xiang looked at his son, hesitating to speak. His father had remained silent on the matter all along. When Gao Xiang broached the subject, his father only smiled bitterly: "My opposition wouldn't carry more weight than your grandfather and mother's; if I supported you, your mother would imagine countless scenarios, thinking I want to transfer you away to further control the company and seize the Chen Family's assets."
Gao Xiang knew his father spoke truthfully. Though estranged from his wife and having lost his father-in-law's trust, his father actually managed the company's operations. The company maintained a delicate internal balance that any slight disturbance might disrupt, with unpredictable consequences. Gao Xiang realized his dream of studying in America couldn't materialize this year at least. Perhaps after this New York trip, he'd need to return to complete the Going public process and ensure the company's stable operation before he could feel at ease.
He called Zuo Si'an to explain his plans: "I've booked tickets, but I'm afraid I'll miss your orientation at Baruch College. Get settled in first - I'll come in mid-September."
"But you won't stay in America, right?"
"I'll accompany you for the start of school, help you adjust to life in New York, then return to China to complete the Going public work. Xiao An, please understand - I truly can't abandon my responsibilities here."
After a long silence, she responded: "I understand. Actually, you don't need to rush like this. If the pressure becomes too great... perhaps it would be better if we separated."
He was shocked, almost wondering if the transoceanic call had encountered signal problems: "What did you say?"
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