Before Tao Xinrou could figure things out, the rumors intensified, and the Ying family heard about them. On the same day, they demanded Ying Jingsheng return to the Ying family.
"President Ying, it really can't be helped. We can't cover it up anymore. I don't know how headquarters got the news that you've returned to the country."
Wang Anran followed cautiously beside Ying Jingsheng as they walked toward the Ying family villa.
He kept glancing at Ying Jingsheng's cold face, not daring to stand up straight, and added, "I will definitely find out who leaked the news."
Under the night, Ying Jingsheng's tall but indifferent silhouette was outlined. He stopped and said flatly, "What's the point of pursuing this now?"
"Uh..." Wang Anran thought for a moment. "Probably none... I guess..."
Ying Jingsheng didn't reply and continued walking toward the villa.
The Ying family villa was brilliantly lit tonight. The entire family, old and young, had gathered, ostensibly to hold a welcome banquet for Ying Jingsheng. But before the guest of honor had even arrived, everyone had already raised their glasses in celebration and started eating and drinking.
The butler silently pulled open the heavy carved doors. Before he even got close, Ying Jingsheng could hear the sharp voices of several relatives inside:
"Second Brother, you're in charge of the hotel business, and Father has high hopes for you. That new branch you opened recently—I heard it's making waves? Better not screw it up. Losing face for your wife is one thing, but tarnishing the group's reputation—none of us can afford that."
"Fourth Brother, you don't need to worry about that. Why don't you focus on your own golf courses? I heard membership has been dropping lately? It's good that Jingsheng is back. Young people have fresh eyes; maybe he can give you some advice for your old-fashioned ways."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment, then laughter rang out.
"Ah, today's a happy day! Why talk about that? Come, come, drink! Once Jingsheng arrives, we'll have a proper..."
All sounds were abruptly cut off as if by an invisible hand.
The eyes of everyone in the hall turned to the door.
Ying Jingsheng stood there, no one knew how long he had been listening.
He was dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, his face expressionless, only a deep, serene calm in his eyes. He slowly swept his gaze over the crowd, whose smiles had frozen instantly, finally resting on Ying Huaijin, who sat in the main seat with a complex expression.
"Dad, I'm back."
Time seemed to freeze.
Wine glasses hung midair, smiles stiffened on faces. The lively facade, once full of undercurrents, now seemed unbearably awkward against the sudden silence.
"Ah, Jingsheng is back? Come, come, sit next to your third uncle." Ying Huaili stood up to make arrangements, his face piled with a seemingly polite smile, breaking the dead silence dryly.
The relatives around also stood up, murmuring hollow, insubstantial words.
"Jingsheng has really grown up. Look at that demeanor—training abroad really makes a difference."
"Yes, yes, seems taller too? But a bit thinner. The food abroad isn't as good as home, right?"
"You're not leaving this time, are you? Any plans? The old man talks about you every day!"
...
Ying Jingsheng listened to these words without any change in expression, stepping calmly into the "warmth." He walked straight up to Ying Huaili, meeting his eyes: "Fourth Uncle, it seems I've come back just in time. I should start planning your golf course matters."
The smile on Ying Huaili's face crumbled like cheap plaster, and a flicker of shock crossed his eyes. But he quickly suppressed it and laughed it off: "Oh, you kid, sharp ears. I was just talking offhand, joking, just joking." He tried to change the subject. "But Jingsheng, seriously, such a big happy occasion as returning home—why didn't you give the family a heads-up? We elders could have arranged to pick you up and give you a proper welcome banquet! This feels so distant."
"No need for a welcome banquet. I came back to work, not for the pomp."
With that, he sat down next to Ying Huaijin.
Ying Huaijin cleared his throat and gestured to the butler standing by: "Ma Jie, the old man must be waiting. Go ask him to come down."
"Yes." The butler hurried away.
Soon, steady footsteps came from the stairs.
The old man, Ying Songnian, slowly descended supported by the butler. He wore a traditional Chinese silk robe and held a rosewood walking stick. His face was gaunt but his eyes were sharp. Despite his age, the authority of one long in power was still evident.
Everyone immediately composed themselves, straightened their clothes, rose in unison, and turned toward the stairs.
His gaze first landed on Ying Jingsheng, who sat straight-backed beside the main seat. A complex emotion flickered in his eyes as he said in a steady voice, "Is everyone here? Let's begin the meal."
The food was exquisite, but a tense atmosphere permeated the table, making it hard to enjoy.
After the initial greetings and toasts, the conversation inevitably circled back to Ying Jingsheng, who had just returned.
"Jingsheng, when did you come back? Why didn't you let the family know?" Ying Songnian looked over with a heavy gaze.
Ying Huaiyuan immediately chimed in, "Yes, child, such a big thing as returning home, you should have informed the family. Have you been abroad so long that you've grown distant from us?"
The other uncles and aunts didn't ask directly, but their faces showed disapproval.
Ying Jingsheng looked up to meet Ying Songnian's scrutinizing gaze, put down his chopsticks, and said, "Grandfather, it was my oversight not to inform the family before returning early. But I had my own considerations, so I didn't want to disturb the elders. Also, I came back hoping to gradually understand the group as one of the Ying family's successors."
"Oh? What are your plans?" Ying Songnian asked.
"I want to understand the group's operations from the most basic level. So I've already joined Yunlu's newly opened City Garden Hotel, and I'm currently working in the housekeeping department."
Clang—
Someone's spoon fell into a porcelain plate, making a crisp sound.
Then came gasps and incredulous murmurs.
"What? Housekeeping? Jingsheng, this is too ridiculous! With your status, how can you do that kind of work? That's simply..." Ying Huaiyuan wanted to say "disgraceful" but swallowed the words back in front of the old man.
Fourth Uncle Ying Huaiqin, who had been watching coldly, also frowned: "There are many ways to get to know the grassroots. You could take a post in a branch or follow a core project team—anything is better than being a bellboy. Jingsheng, aren't you being too childish?"
Before Ying Jingsheng could answer, Ying Songnian nodded in approval: "Mm, it's good that you have such thoughts. But have you considered that you are a descendant of the Ying family? Every word and action, in the eyes of outsiders, can affect the reputation of the entire family and the group. It's commendable that you want to start from the ground up, but the method, the discretion, and the timing are equally important."