After taking the driver's license and ID card, he realized it was noon. Two hours had passed since Jiang Chen arrived at the dealership to look at the car. Brother Hu Zi asked Jiang Chen, "Mr. Jiang, it's noon now. Would you like to have lunch?"
"The food in our cafeteria is quite good, and many customers find it delicious."
Jiang Chen was also hungry. He had only eaten a bun since morning and hadn't had time for lunch. He had originally planned to find a place to eat after finishing his business, so he immediately smiled and said, "Then I'll have to try how good the Rolls-Royce cafeteria is."
"It definitely won't disappoint you, Mr. Jiang. I'll have my colleague take you to the cafeteria for your meal. I'll handle the car procedures for you first. By the time you finish eating, you should be able to drive off."
Brother Hu Zi called a colleague and asked him to take Mr. Jiang to the restaurant. "Mr. Jiang, this is Xiao Zhang. Just follow him, okay?"
Jiang Chen stood up and followed Xiao Zhang to the restaurant on the second floor. The restaurant was a buffet style. Jiang Chen took a plate, picked some dishes, found a seat, and started eating.
While eating, he took out his phone and saw a WeChat notification from the family group. He clicked on it and found that his parents had @ him, with dozens of messages already scrolled up.
A Loving Family (4)
Dad (Jiang Chao): @Jiang Chen
Mom (Zhao Fen): @Jiang Chen
Dad: Chenchen, your brother got into Shenzhen University. Admission_letter.jpg
Dad (Jiang Chao): Clap.jpg Clap.jpg Evil_smile.jpg
Brother: Keep it low-key, low-key. Proud_smile.jpg
Mom: @Jiang Chen, Chenchen, there's a celebration dinner for your brother's admission next week. Are you coming back? Cute_emoji.jpg
Jiang Chen couldn't help but smile as he looked at the chat history, quickly typing with one hand:
Jiang Chen: Oh, really? Little brother got into Shenzhen University. What was your score?
Brother: 620
Jiang Chen: That's amazing! What reward do you want? Just say it, and your older brother will fulfill it.
Brother Jiang Yan: Really, big brother? Can I have any reward? Pleading_emoji.jpg
Jiang Chen: We're all family, why be polite with me? Just say what you want.
Brother Jiang Yan: I want to get a new phone. Expectant_emoji.jpg
Jiang Chen laughed out loud looking at the emojis accompanying each of his brother's messages. Their family had a very good relationship and often joked like this. He then clicked on the transfer option, selected his brother's avatar, and transferred 10,000 yuan.
In the group, his brother Jiang Yan almost instantly accepted the transfer.
Brother Jiang Yan: Brother, you're my real brother! I love you so much! Screaming_emoji.jpg
Dad Jiang Chao: ???
Mom Zhao Fen: Son, did you strike it rich?
Before Jiang Chen could reply to his parents' questions in the group, his mother Zhao Fen's voice call came directly.
Jiang Chen answered the phone, and his mother immediately said,
"Hello, son, you transferred too much to your brother. We already gave him five thousand, and you still gave him more. We had already promised to buy him a new phone, and he asked you again. This boy really is..."
"It's fine. This is just to celebrate my little brother's good performance, isn't it? Ten thousand yuan isn't much. Buying a new phone, it's only right for me as an older brother to reward my younger brother. We're all family."
Jiang Chen said generously. Their family already had a very good relationship, and his brother was also quite diligent, scoring dozens of points higher than him in the college entrance exam.
"That's true. It's just that this boy is probably so happy right now. Oh, by the way, son, how have you been lately? Do you have a girlfriend?" His mother's tone shifted on the other end of the phone, and she immediately asked about Jiang Chen's recent situation and personal relationship.
Jiang Chen felt helpless, wondering how the topic had shifted to him. He thought for a moment. Relying on the system now, he would surely acquire more assets and funds in the future, and his social status would rise with increasing wealth.
He definitely couldn't hide it from his family, and Jiang Chen hadn't intended to hide it anyway. It would be better to reveal a portion now to prepare them. Having thought of an excuse, Jiang Chen said,
"Mom, I'm very busy right now, truly no time for romance. My career comes first."
"Two years ago, your son partnered with a friend to start a company. I only invested a portion because we were good friends, but I didn't expect it to grow so big. Now the company is fully on track and profitable. As one of the shareholders, I also hold some responsibilities in the company, so I simply don't have time to find a partner."
His father and mother on the other end of the phone were clearly a bit disbelieving. Although they often contacted him every now and then, they had never asked about his work. They only chatted about daily life, asked if Jiang Chen, living in the big city, needed money, and cared about his lifelong affairs.
Although he hadn't returned home for several years, when asked why, Jiang Chen always said he was too busy. However, if what his son said was true, then the reason for not returning home for three years was found. Still, his father and mother were somewhat suspicious and said,
"Son, you're not making up an excuse to put us off finding a partner, are you?"
Jiang Chen was helpless, knowing that without proof, his parents clearly wouldn't believe him. He told them not to hang up and to wait for him. Meanwhile, he quickly transferred over 3 million yuan from the system reward fund card to an infrequently used bank account and sent a screenshot.
Then he transferred 500,000 yuan to each of his mother and father's accounts. While operating, Jiang Chen said, "Mom, check your phone. I've transferred 500,000 yuan to both you and Dad."
His father and mother looked at the additional 500,000 yuan in their bank accounts and the screenshot of over 3 million yuan sent by their son, falling into shock. Before they could ask, Jiang Chen continued,
"Now you should believe me, right? This three million plus is just the first quarter's dividend this year, and it will only increase from now on. You two can rest assured, with money, what kind of partner can't be found?"
This time, he completely silenced his father and mother. Jiang Chen vaguely heard his father's voice on the phone saying things like, "My son is capable now!"
Afterward, Jiang Chen chatted with his parents for a few more sentences, making them fully believe his current situation.
"Son, I was worried you were too busy with work, but your brother's admission celebration is next week. Can you come back? Now you're also managing a company, can you take some time off...?"
Before she could finish, the voice on the other end of the phone changed.
"Son, your mother doesn't know how to express it, but what I want to say is that you haven't been home in five years. Mom and Dad... really miss you." A deep voice rang out, this was Jiang Dad speaking after taking the phone from Jiang Mom.
Asking him to come back for his younger brother Jiang Yan's admission celebration was, in reality, just an excuse for the two elderly parents to miss their son who was drifting far from home.
Jiang Chen fell silent. Over the years, every time his parents called and asked if he would come back this year, he had put them off with various excuses.
It wasn't that Jiang Chen didn't miss home; he was just avoiding himself. He had once been young and reckless, but he had also been defeated by reality. At an age where he was caught between a rock and a hard place, full of desires, yet empty-handed.
On the phone, Jiang Chen's prolonged silence made his father feel disappointed.
But he still made an excuse for Jiang Chen, saying, "Son, if you're really busy, Mom and Dad won't force you to come back. After your brother's admission celebration, we'll send him to Shenzhen for school. Can we come see you together then?"
In the last sentence, his father's voice clearly had a slight tremor. Jiang Chen could hear it, and his eyes immediately reddened slightly. He said anxiously, "Dad, I have time, I have time! I will definitely come back next week. I miss you too. I'm sorry..."
"Son, Mom doesn't expect you to make a lot of money, only that you're safe and sound. Just come home to see us when you have time, that's enough. Mom really misses you." This was what Jiang Mom said, and in contrast to Jiang Dad's somewhat restrained emotions, Jiang Mom spoke with a clear crying tone.
At this moment, Jiang Chen was losing control of his emotions. He quickly ran to the restroom, but he still suppressed himself, trying to keep his tone as normal as possible as he spoke to his mother,
"Mom, don't cry. I promised, I'll definitely be back next week. Don't cry, okay?"
"Okay, okay, okay. Then it's settled, you must come back. Mom will make your favorite braised pork, preserved vegetable with pork belly, steamed pork with rice flour, Mao Xue Wang, hot and sour shredded potatoes..."
His mother listed a string of Jiang Chen's favorite dishes as if counting her treasures.
Standing in front of the mirror, Jiang Chen could no longer control himself. Two lines of tears silently streamed down his face. He said with a smile, "Okay, it's a deal then, Mom. I'll come back, and then we'll send my brother to university together, okay?"
Jiang Chen was afraid that if he kept talking, his parents would notice his abnormality. The boy who used to cry in his mother's arms had grown up. Fearing that his uncontrollable emotions would cause his mother unnecessary worry, Jiang Chen softly said, "Mom, I still have things to do here. Let's not talk anymore for now, okay? I'll be home on time next week."
"Okay, okay, okay, Chenchen, you're busy. Mom won't disturb you anymore for now. Remember, you must come back." His mother didn't forget to emphasize at the end.
"Mhm, I know. Your son keeps his word." After Jiang Chen guaranteed repeatedly, his mother still said a few sentences about taking care of himself and staying healthy before reluctantly hanging up the phone.
In the restroom, Jiang Chen leaned his hands on the sink, letting the faucet run, his head bowed, his eyes red. Jiang Chen calmed down a bit, took some water, washed his face, and looked at himself in the mirror, saying words that only he could hear,
"Now that I have the ability, Mom and Dad, you were once my safe harbor. Now it's my turn to be your and my brother's support. I will let you live a good life and enjoy life to the fullest."
[Ding! Host has triggered the [Prodigal Son Returns Home] mission.]
[Mission Description: Host needs to return to their parents' side within one week.]
[Mission Completion Reward: A set of top-tier residences in Central · Tianyuan.]
Jiang Chen was stunned, not expecting this to trigger a system mission. The system had previously told Jiang Chen that it would release a series of missions at irregular intervals.
Jiang Chen looked at the mission content and couldn't help but think to himself, the system still knows my heart well. Although I have 100 million yuan in funds, and I could buy some large flats, the buying and selling process and related procedures might take a month. I had originally thought that after returning, I would come back and then we would all go back to Shenzhen together, which would mean staying in a hotel. Now it's good; when my parents and brother come to Shenzhen, they will have a place to stay.