Shine on Me

So, where's all that calm and composure? Behind the scenes, weren't you secretly planning to buy a house and meet the parents?!

And another thing—if you're just hiring my mom, why do you need to meet my grandparents too?

On our way to Wuxi over the weekend, I posed this soul-searching question to Lin Yusen, curious to see what excuse he'd come up with this time.

But I clearly underestimated the depths of President Lin's shamelessness. Without batting an eye, he replied with perfect composure, "Of course, it's to conduct a background check on Ms. Jiang."

"...You win."

Lin Yusen smiled faintly. After driving for a while, he suddenly said, "I wanted to see the place where you grew up."

I turned to look at him.

"And to try those sesame cakes you bragged about."

"It wasn't bragging," I said, struggling to suppress a smile. "Two-fifty each—my treat."

The drive from Suzhou to Wuxi wasn't long, and we arrived at my place in just over an hour. Standing in the elevator, I suddenly grew nervous and racked my brain to remind him of the dos and don'ts.

"This apartment was originally bought by Mom for my grandparents. After they passed away from illness, it stayed empty until Mom and I moved here after her divorce. So there are still a lot of photos of them around—don't ask about them if you see any, okay?"

Lin Yusen loosened his collar slightly. "Got it. Anything else?"

"That's about it." I tried to reassure him. "Don't be too nervous. Mom usually doesn't entertain guests here—she has a small clubhouse where she usually meets people. The fact that she invited you straight to our home means she already thinks highly of you, all thanks to me singing your praises all the time."

"Thank you. We'll settle the payment when we get back to Suzhou."

Lin Yusen actually did seem a little nervous—he wasn't even laughing at his own joke. But the moment the elevator doors opened and we stepped out, he instantly relaxed, exuding an air of effortless composure.

I shot him a few surprised glances, wondering if this was the legendary test-taker who only performs under pressure.

I rang the doorbell, and footsteps soon approached from inside. When the door opened, it was Mom herself who answered. She was clearly prepared for the occasion—her hair was elegantly coiled, she wore formal attire, and she'd even put on makeup.

"Mom."

"Auntie Jiang, hello." Right after I greeted her, Lin Yusen politely followed suit, placing the gifts he'd brought on the floor by the entryway.

Mom gave Lin Yusen a once-over, a slight smile appearing on her face. As a longtime connoisseur of good looks, she'd clearly already approved of his appearance.

"Hello, Xiao Lin, was it? No need to be so formal—come in and sit."

Mom led us to the tea room. One side of the room had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Li Lake, offering a panoramic view of the shimmering water and distant mountains. A few new potted plants had been added to the room, their lush greenery filling the air with a subtle fragrance.

"Have a seat." Mom gestured for Lin Yusen to sit. "I have Anji white tea, West Lake Longjing, and Yixing black tea. Which would you like?"

"Thank you, Auntie. The black tea, please—I don't think I've tried that one before."

Mom nodded and began preparing the tea with practiced, fluid movements that carried an air of grace. I stared in astonishment, almost doubting my own eyes. This tea room was usually just for show—Mom and I both made tea haphazardly at home. How had she suddenly become so skilled? Had she been practicing the past couple of days just for this?"I'll have black tea too." I was afraid that if I chose another option, she might slip up.

Sure enough, Mom didn’t bother brewing a second kind and poured herself black tea as well. Amid the curling tea fragrance, Mom studied Lin Yusen intently, as if searching for traces of someone from the past.

"Over twenty years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Miss Sheng once. She was truly remarkable, and I see her grace in you."

Lin Yusen set down his teacup and replied respectfully, "The first time I mentioned Xiguang to my mother, she brought this up."

Mom was surprised. "Back then, Xiguang’s father and I were nobodies—we only got in through connections. How could your mother remember us?"

Lin Yusen said, "She had a deep impression of you and Uncle. She said you both carried yourselves with dignity and composure, and that a girl raised in such a family must be exceptional."

Mom smiled faintly, then sighed. "I heard she’s been living abroad. Is she doing well now?"

"She’s grown more at ease and plump with time, but her elegance remains."

"That’s good. As you age, you realize peace of mind is the most important thing." Mom lifted the purple clay teapot to refill Lin Yusen’s cup, and he raised it slightly with both hands in deference.

Setting the teapot down, Mom said leisurely, "There’s something I’d like to ask you about."

"Please go ahead, Auntie."

"Xiguang’s father has an old friend who’s always relied on his care. This shouldn’t concern you, but the other day, I ran into Jiaqi, the son of Xiguang’s godmother. He suddenly came up to me and claimed he was good friends with you, insisting that everything was the fault of that old friend’s daughter. He rambled vaguely and even asked me to keep it from his mother. He seemed to think I already knew something, but I didn’t press further. Today, I wanted to ask you directly—what’s going on? How are you involved with them?" Mom fixed her gaze on Lin Yusen.

Hearing this, Lin Yusen looked at me.

I silently tightened my grip on my cup. "Sorry, Mom, there’s something I forgot to tell you."

I then explained how Ma Nianyuan had pretended to be Dad’s daughter to arrange a meeting through Shao Jiaqi, leading to Lin Yusen’s car accident and his inability to continue working as a surgeon.

Mom’s expression grew colder as she listened, and by the end, she reproached me with restrained anger. "Why didn’t you tell me about something this important right away?"

"I didn’t want to upset you," I mumbled, lowering my head. "And honestly, I’ve been caring less and less about Dad’s affairs, so I didn’t feel like bringing it up."

"Nie Chengyuan is becoming more and more despicable. I see." Mom’s voice was icy.

After a pause, her expression softened as she turned to Lin Yusen. "I’m truly sorry that our family’s matters have caused you such harm."

Lin Yusen chuckled. "Auntie, this really has nothing to do with you or Xiguang. If we start tracing blame like this, it’ll never end."

"You’re a wise man." Mom nodded, then sighed again. "As you can see, Xiguang has always been like this—slow to hold grudges, soft-hearted by nature. I’ve been torn between letting her live a comfortable, carefree life or having her take over the family business. That’s why I sent her to Suzhou—far enough to gain perspective, but not too far. I wanted to see how she’d develop on her own. I never expected that under your influence, she’d actually start showing some ambition."

Lin Yusen shook his head. "You give me too much credit, Auntie. I didn’t do anything, much less guide her. She found her own path."Mom studied him. "Xiguang mentioned you wanted my help in Suzhou?"

I nodded while munching on nuts beside them. I'd already briefed Mom beforehand—otherwise Lin Yusen's sudden proposal would seem too abrupt.

"Not just help. I'd like to invite Auntie to take command and help Guangyu and Xiguang gain their footing," Lin Yusen said earnestly.

"I've been idle for years, just a retiree drinking tea with friends daily. Why think of me?"

"Auntie is in your prime. Your retirement is the Yangtze River Delta business circle's loss."

Lin Yusen's flattery today was unprecedented. I secretly observed Mom's expression—she seemed quite pleased. Well, everyone loves compliments. I should learn this skill.

Lin Yusen continued, "Actually, years ago I heard Grandpa mention that Auntie was the first to propose investing in photovoltaic industry. Unfortunately, Uncle Nie hesitated and missed the initial boom years. By the time he entered, the best timing had passed. Auntie's foresight has always surpassed most men's. I've long admired that."

"If the best timing has passed, why seek me out now?"

"Only the first wave's best timing passed. There are broader prospects ahead. Recent national policies clearly indicate the country won't abandon new energy development—the only difference is future sales markets. Methods vary, but the direction won't change."

Lin Yusen raised his hand to pour tea for Mom. "Discussing this before Auntie is like showing off before an expert. Auntie must see Guangyu's potential too, otherwise you wouldn't have encouraged Xiguang to take over Uncle Nie's shares."

Mom glanced at me. "You really tell him everything."

I awkwardly stuffed some fruit into my mouth.

Mom turned back to Lin Yusen. "If you're so optimistic about photovoltaics, why not do it yourself? Won't you regret letting others have this opportunity if Guangyu prospers?"

"Everyone sees the prospects, but reaching them requires immense effort. How could that be 'letting others have it'? Of course I won't regret it."

A flicker of surprise crossed Mom's face. "For someone so young to understand this so thoroughly is remarkable."

"You flatter me. There's another consideration for inviting Auntie." Lin Yusen said, "My original plan was assembling a management team—I'd participate in major decisions but not daily operations. But now that Xiguang has genuinely developed interest, it's different. She still needs someone to help her establish authority. Otherwise, with unstable morale and divided leadership, it would harm both Xiguang and the company's future."

Lin Yusen always plans meticulously, so long-term thinking isn't surprising. But what did he mean by "now that Xiguang has genuinely developed interest"? Was his initial suggestion for me to support him actually a joke?!

And I just walked right into it?

I stared at him incredulously. Lin Yusen patted me reassuringly. "I just didn't want to pressure you, hoped you'd develop according to your own wishes."

Me: "..."

...We'll settle this later.

Mom watched our exchange with amused eyes, though her expression remained composed. "Telling me this won't persuade me.""Of course." Lin Yusen understood implicitly and pulled out a document from a gift bag he had brought into the tea room. "This outlines the detailed cooperation terms and equity incentive plan. Please take a look, Auntie."

I was stunned. When had he prepared this?

Mom calmly took it and began reading, quickly skimming through the contents. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly glanced at me and said, "Xiguang, why don’t you go check the kitchen and bring some more fruit?"

I looked at the fruit platter on the table—barely touched. Was Mom trying to get rid of me that obviously?

"Can’t I stay and listen?"

"I’m afraid you’ll side with the outsider."

"...I wouldn’t."

Even so, since Mom insisted, I obediently got up to cut more fruit in the kitchen. Inside, the housekeeper was preparing lunch, and I deliberately took my time before finally returning with the fruit.

Back in the tea room, they seemed to have finished their discussion. Neither was speaking, quietly sipping their tea instead. But Mom wore a reluctant expression, while Lin Yusen had a bitter smile—both looking as if they’d suffered a major loss...

Had the negotiation fallen through?

Wait, no. Knowing the two of them, this had to be an act.

For a moment, I felt like I was watching two cunning foxes—one big, one small—playing mind games after their strategic battle, just for fun. Speechless, I set down the fruit platter and asked, "Are you done talking?"

"We’re done."

Lin Yusen’s expression turned serious as he addressed my mother. "From now on, I’ll be counting on you for everything regarding Guangyu, Auntie."