Faced with his grandfather's implied anger and the dissatisfaction written on his uncles' faces, Ying Jingsheng still sat upright, unafraid: "Grandfather, you are right. I was inconsiderate, and I've caused my uncles and aunts to worry. I accept the criticism. But if all my starting points require the family's arrangement, then what I see and learn will only ever be what others want me to see. That kind of experience and knowledge is a castle in the air, unable to bear true weight."
"I understand everyone's concerns. The identity of a Ying family member is a responsibility, not a shackle. I chose this path precisely because it's the hardest and most easily questioned, but also the most likely to break some inherent barriers and assumptions. I'm not afraid of others questioning my ability; time will prove everything. If I choose a seemingly glamorous shortcut far from reality just because I'm afraid of being looked down upon, that would be the greatest irresponsibility to the Ying family's reputation."
When he finished, the room fell silent. It seemed Ying Jingsheng had a clear plan.
Ying Songnian gazed at this grandson, who had grown distant from him since childhood and now seemed so unfamiliar, and nodded with more approval.
Over the years, he had heard some rumors about him, but he always believed he was a reliable child worthy of trust, so he had confidently entrusted that matter to him.
"Alright, let's eat first. After dinner, let grandpa take a good look at you." Ying Songnian picked up his chopsticks again, and the others dared not say more, so they resumed the meal.
But the second half of the banquet was very cold, with almost no one speaking.
Ying Jingsheng's words were not just an explanation; they were a clear declaration. They fully revealed the purpose and stance of his return: he refused to be arranged, refused shortcuts. He wanted to enter the group in the most difficult yet solid way, accumulating unique prestige.
The faces of Ying Huaiyuan and others grew even darker.
This welcome banquet had now completely turned into a silent battlefield.
*
After the welcome banquet ended, Ying Songnian asked Ying Jingsheng and Ying Huaijin to come to the study.
The heavy mahogany door shut out the outside sounds. The light was a warm orange, casting a glow on the walls lined with ancient books and the timeworn furniture.
Ying Songnian walked to the wide desk, sat down with his walking stick, and said, "Tell me, did you find anything?"
Ying Jingsheng sat up straight: "Grandfather, I've found out that the leak case is related to the Southwest Branch. Several years ago, the accounts of a few large-scale infrastructure supporting projects handled by the Southwest Branch were abnormal. At that time, those projects were led by Second Uncle and Fourth Uncle in introducing partners."
Ying Songnian's expression didn't change. He slowly pushed a cup of freshly brewed tea toward Ying Jingsheng.
"The Southwest Branch... I have some memory of it. Your second uncle reported to me at the time." He said in a low voice, then after a moment of thought, looked at Ying Huaijin. "Huai Jin, what do you think?"
"Dad, I wasn't involved in the Southwest matters, but I know a little. Those infrastructure projects back then had large bids, long cycles, and involved foreign partners with complicated backgrounds. Second Brother and Fourth Brother strongly pushed them forward, claiming they opened a new situation in the Southwest market. Their performance reports once looked impressive, but..."
Ying Huaijin paused and looked at Ying Songnian.
"Go on."
Ying Huaijin continued, "But now that Jingsheng is investigating the leak case, if it really can be traced back to those old accounts, it might not just be a matter of leaked documents. It's very likely... very likely the water runs deep, dragging up unresolved sludge from back then, or even darker things."
He paused again, looking at Ying Jingsheng with concern: "Dad, Jingsheng has drive, is willing to endure hardships, and wants to do practical things for the family. That determination is rare. But he's young, groping alone in the vortex. I really can't rest easy."
Ying Songnian turned back to Ying Jingsheng and asked, "Jingsheng, do you think you can investigate this clearly?"
"Grandfather, rest assured. I will give you a satisfactory account of the matter you entrusted to me."
Ying Songnian nodded, beckoned Ying Jingsheng over.
"When you were young, growing up with your cousins, I worried about you the least. I remember when you were five, I celebrated my birthday, and your eldest brother took you and the little ones to ride bikes in the back garden. You were the youngest, not even as tall as the bike, but you insisted on learning. Your brother and the others laughed at you, said you should wait until you were older. You didn't say anything, just pushed the bike yourself, fell again and again on the path. Each time you fell, you got up, patted off the dirt, scraped your knees and elbows, but you didn't cry or call for help. You just pursed your lips and kept trying to step on the pedals, finding balance." Ying Songnian looked up toward the window and continued, "At that time, I was watching you from this study window. The servants were anxious to help, but I stopped them."
He turned back to face Ying Jingsheng: "Jingsheng, I'm not surprised you chose this path now. But falling off a bicycle only hurts yourself and makes you bleed. What you're facing now isn't a bicycle—it's a muddy abyss. Your second uncle, fourth uncle, and the others have operated for years; they're no longer the elders who doted on you. Once you touch their foundations, their counterattack won't be as simple as letting you fall off a bike."
Ying Jingsheng listened quietly. The distant details in Ying Songnian's words were a warning.
"Grandfather, it's precisely because I've seen storms that I know better the path I want to take. I'm not afraid of those."
Ying Songnian looked at his calm eyes and nodded. He said word by word, "Grandfather knows. I just hope that not only this time but also in the future, you can rely on your own ability to find the right path in this muddy water and come out completely unscathed."
"Grandfather, you were right not to let anyone help me then. What I learned wasn't just how to ride a bike; it was how to stand up alone. The water now is deep, but what swims in it are people, not ghosts. They have their foundations, and I will have my boat. Even if I get splashed with mud, it won't drown someone who can swim. Grandfather, I will see the road clearly before I take it. Please rest assured."
Ying Songnian nodded, then looked at the worried Ying Huaijin behind him: "Huai Jin, are you satisfied now?"
Ying Huaijin reluctantly nodded: "Dad, I understand."
Author's note:
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I'm on the weekly ranking list again this week. I'll update one more chapter than last week (I calculated the word count and four chapters aren't enough, so I need to update five chapters).
Thank you all for your support and companionship.
Still stockpiling chapters.
This week's update dates are: 19, 20, 21, 22, 24. No updates on other days, so don't come on those days!
This chapter will still randomly distribute some small red envelopes. The deadline is tomorrow's update.