The little old lady had always had a habit of drinking, and the jar of Guyue Longshan wine, worth 138,888, that Jiang Beicheng brought back was just the thing to satisfy her craving.
Whenever he occasionally returned to his hometown, he could share a drink with her.
With a few simple home-cooked dishes on the table, just as he was about to clink glasses with the little old lady, a familiar voice came from the doorway.
"Everyone's here! Nephew Beicheng, you came over today?"
Jiang Beicheng turned to look. The elder standing at the door was a big deal, a well-known figure in Jiangnan City's financial circles.
Hai Lin, the vice president of Jiangnan Commercial Bank and the branch manager of Financial Street.
"Uncle Hai, perfect timing, come sit!" Jiang Beicheng warmly invited.
Wang Ying said, "Little Lin, you don't have to come check on me every week. I'm fine. Even if something's up, Beicheng's here."
"Aunt Wang, it's what I should do," Hai Lin said as he entered and sat down.
He and Jiang Beicheng's father, Jiang Tao, were as close as brothers who'd been through life and death together.
To be precise, the Jiang and Hai families were old friends, their bond starting from Jiang Beicheng's grandfather's generation, when the two families grew very close.
The ancestors of the Jiang and Hai families were sent-down youth together in the countryside.
That bond of loyalty had carried on to Jiang Beicheng's generation.
Jiang Tao's ability to build his business empire was inseparable from Hai Lin's support. Many loan projects were approved by Hai Lin.
That included the mortgage loan for the Peninsula No. 1 mansion.
But Jiang Beicheng didn't resent this uncle for taking the inheritance left by his father. A debt of over a hundred million wasn't something he could expect Uncle Hai to cover.
After his father passed, Hai Lin made it a point to visit the little old lady almost every week.
He treated her like his own family.
Jiang Beicheng saw it all and kept this kindness in his heart.
His own social circle was mostly in the "rivers and lakes" crowd, with many friends in that world. For small matters, he could easily rally a hundred people with a single call.
But the Jiang family's real network, especially connections in politics and business, had been maintained by his father, Jiang Tao.
After Jiang Tao's passing, many of those ties naturally faded, leaving only old family friends like Hai Lin who continued to stay in touch.
"Did you drive, Uncle Hai? If not, let's have a drink. Grandma's in a great mood today," Jiang Beicheng said, pouring wine for Hai Lin.
"I came with a driver, so I can have a bit," Hai Lin said with a smile, giving the little old lady some reminders about getting a check-up.
The little old lady nodded repeatedly, insisting her health was fine and there were no major issues.
Knowing her personality and that she didn't like being nagged, Hai Lin kept his concern brief before turning to Jiang Beicheng. "Nephew Beicheng, what are your plans? If you're interested in banking, I can recommend you to the branch for some training. Start with the basics, and later I can find a way to bring you to my side."
It was genuine help.
"Uncle Hai, thank you for your kindness," Jiang Beicheng said gratefully. "I'm planning to follow my mom's path and open a business restaurant."
"Speaking of that, I saw something online yesterday about Li's restaurant. The Zeng father and son duo were shady, ruining the brand your mom worked so hard to build."
"Uncle Hai, actually, I was the one who stirred that up. I've already gathered the old crew who worked with my mom, and we're ready to start anew. I've even picked a name—Beicheng Restaurant."
Hai Lin smiled with approval. "Good name. Let me know when you open.
Like father, like son. Your parents were both business elites, and you won't fall short.
If you need any help, just let Uncle Hai know."
"I'll be counting on you then, Uncle Hai," Jiang Beicheng said, raising his glass. "Uncle Hai, a toast to you."
The little old lady raised her glass too. "I'll toast you too. Beicheng's young, so take care of him, Little Lin."
"Aunt Wang, I don't deserve this. Here's to you," Hai Lin said with a smile, raising his glass.
The three clinked glasses.
Over dinner, Jiang Beicheng shared his ideas with Hai Lin, seeking the elder's advice.
They talked for a long time.
After dinner, they sat in the courtyard, brewing a pot of tea.
The conversation shifted from work to life.
"Uncle Hai, I heard Sis immigrated?" Jiang Beicheng asked.
The "Sis" he referred to was Hai Lin's daughter, Hai TangXi.
The two grew up together, and as kids, their families jokingly arranged a "betrothal."
Back then, Hai TangXi always complained about Jiang Beicheng, saying he stuck to her like a plaster.
But while she grumbled, she cared deeply for her little brother.
Wherever she went, she brought him along.
Many of Jiang Beicheng's "firsts" were with Hai TangXi—skipping class to go online, rollerblading at the rink, getting into group fights…
Thinking of Hai TangXi brought back memories of elementary and middle school.
When Jiang Beicheng was in his senior year of high school, Hai TangXi went abroad to study. It had been seven or eight years since they last saw each other, and he'd only heard from his father that she was immigrating to the United States.
Hai Lin said, "She got a green card but hasn't changed her citizenship.
She's an adult now, and her choices are her own. Her mom and I still hope she'll come back to develop her career here."
Jiang Beicheng poured tea for Hai Lin. "It's been seven or eight years. I kinda miss Sis."
"You're not the only one. Her mom and I miss her too," Hai Lin said, shaking his head. "As the old saying goes, a grown daughter doesn't stay close. Let her be."
Glancing at the time, he added, "I've got a video meeting at 7:30. I'll head back to the office. Call me if you need anything, Beicheng."
"Alright, Uncle Hai. I'll walk you out," Jiang Beicheng said, seeing him off.
Having had a bit to drink that afternoon, Jiang Beicheng decided not to ride back. He'd stay the night at his hometown and chat with his grandma.
Back in his room, he lounged on the sofa, petting the cat.
Li Xingying sent him a WeChat message: "Young Master Jiang, did you meet Zhou Yu?"
"What's up?"
"She came back this afternoon, locked herself in her room, and cried for a long time."
Jiang Beicheng: "She's not crying because she left me. She's crying because she can't spend my money anymore."
Li Xingying: "[Covering mouth laughing] Young Master Jiang, you're too real, hahaha.
I think I'll move out. It's kinda awkward now."
Jiang Beicheng: "I booked a room at the Lijing Hotel for half a month. You're welcome anytime."
Li Xingying: "I might actually show up, you know?"
"I'm at my hometown with Grandma tonight. Come tomorrow."
Li Xingying: "Such a pity. I'll have to think about tomorrow's plans."
"Take your time to think. You're welcome whenever you're ready."
"Pfft, Young Master Jiang, are you being serious?"
"I don't know if it's serious, but I think we're both being pretty unserious right now."
Li Xingying, holding her phone, sat on her bed, laughing happily.
Whether it was flirting or teasing, at this stage of their relationship, it was all incredibly fun.
And the less serious it got, the more exciting the conversation became.
Li Xingying: "No more chatting. Young Master Jiang, your skills at teasing girls are too strong. If we keep this up, I'll have to sleep hugging my doll."
She was already in that heightened state of excitement.
Jiang Beicheng's teasing had unleashed her true nature.
If they were together right now, no doubt, it'd turn into a "battleground" in no time.
This girl really had a surprising side.
Jiang Beicheng sent her a sly-smile emoji, letting her interpret it however she wanted.
Li Xingying's face was still beaming with a smile. After seeing his reply, she put down her phone, rolled over, and hugged her strawberry bear.
Clamping her legs around the bear, she pinched its nose and pouted, "If only you could turn into Young Master Jiang."
Then she felt she was being too naughty, too wicked.
Covering her eyes, she giggled to herself.
Her inner drama was in full swing.
Jiang Beicheng went out to relax with his grandma, chatting until midnight. As he was about to rest, Xu Ru sent him a WeChat message. She'd found a storefront and asked him to check it out with her tomorrow.