Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Engagement Token

The Bai mansion was far from the downtown area, as Old Sir Bai detested the city’s noise, hence he had moved back to the ancestral home. The house, preserving its heritage for over a century, featured wooden doors and windows painted in red lacquer which had been refurbished time and again, yet the entrance remained splendidly majestic.

At that moment, various luxury cars were parked outside. Old Sir Bai had only one biological son, Bai Yan Zhang, but he had many nephews and nieces. He loved lively gatherings and desired family harmony, so any member of the Bai Family could secure proper arrangements within the Bai Group.

The Quan Family was not close to the Bai Family due to business competition, and only the younger generation got along, hence the Quan Family sent a gift. The Ji Family and Gong Family had better relations with the Bai Family, but these had declined over the years because of Bai Yan Zhang. They visited only because of the friendship between the older generations among the Four Major Tycoons, with Old Sir Bai being the sole survivor.

Ji Qilin parked the car and entered the mansion with Ji Tian.

Inside, it was spacious with several tables set up in the living room.

Qin Jiangsheng had arrived a few minutes before Ji Tian.

Old Sir Bai stood next to him, signaling to everyone that regardless of their disdain or amusement at his status, he was still the second young master of the Bai Family.

Old Sir Bai’s hair had turned white, and his health hadn’t been good over the past few years. As he aged, various ailments had emerged. Qin Jiangsheng did not want to be scrutinized under the public gaze, but Old Sir Bai held onto him tightly, as if afraid he would run away.

Even Bai Tingyu received much less favor there; at the moment, he was surrounded by a few of his cousins.

“Is this the bastard? How can your grandfather cherish him like a treasure when obviously you are the rightful heir?” The tall, thin, and ordinary-looking young man next to him was Xu Rang, his cousin once removed through his maternal aunt. Their blood relation was distantly removed.

Yet when the Bai Family celebrated a birthday or hosted a gathering, the entire clan would attend except those who were distant relatives by five degrees, as they relied on currying favor with the direct lineage of the Bai Family for sustenance.

Bai Tingyu casually leaned against the stairway entrance, his gaze indifferently shifting away, “You already called him a bastard, how could he possibly compete with me? The old man may favor him for now, but can that last a lifetime? He’ll have to be buried one day.”

Bai Tingyu didn’t like his grandfather at all, who had arranged a political marriage for his father, leading to his parents’ tragedy, and yet protected the child who caused this tragedy’s source. His misfortunes were all bestowed by them; no matter how hard he tried, he never captured Old Sir Bai’s attention. His grandfather was extremely strict with him, never allowing any mistakes, yet he showed all his greatest affection to Qin Jiangsheng, which was utterly unfair.

Old Sir Bai took the head seat and insisted that Qin Jiangsheng sit beside him, even marginalizing Bai Yan Zhang until his face turned green.

Seeing Qin Jiangsheng’s reluctance, Old Sir Bai followed his gaze and saw Ji Tian, the young girl waiting eagerly to start eating from the full spread on the table.

He smiled kindly, “The young girl from the Ji family, come over here.”

Instantly, all eyes landed on her. Ji Tian, confused, said, “Grandpa Bai, what’s the matter?”

“Sit beside Jiangsheng. The two of you will make good company. This young man always seems reluctant; you can manage him.”

Ji Tian: “???”

She was to manage the antagonist overlord? Was she seeking death?

Eventually catching Qin Jiangsheng’s eye, she awkwardly smiled and said, “Okay…”

Under the envious and jealous gazes, she also took her seat at the main table…

“Today is my birthday, and I’m delighted that you all could take some time from your busy schedules to celebrate with this old man. I have gathered all the family members here today because there is something I want to announce. Qin Jiangsheng is my grandson, who wandered outside for fifteen years before we found him. I hold him dear, but the label of illegitimate child has hurt him greatly. The faults of the parents should not be avenged upon a child.”

“To prevent anyone from trampling on him after my death, I have decided to transfer twelve percent of my holdings in Bai Group to him as security for the rest of his life.”

“Wow.”

Old Sir Bai’s announcement was a bombshell, like a boulder thrown into a lake, stirring up massive ripples. Bai Yan Zhang’s face turned ashen, “Dad!”

Bai Tingyu also widened his eyes in disbelief, “Grandpa?! How could you deceive me!”

Old Sir Bai kept a stern face, “Enough, my mind is made up. No need for further discussion. You all go ahead and eat, Yan Zhang, take good care of the guests. Jiangsheng, come with me to the study.”

Qin Jiangsheng’s eyes flickered slightly, caught by surprise. Old Sir Bai had disregarded Bai Tingyu’s wishes and given him such a significant share, ignoring the shocked gazes all around, he followed.

Ji Tian touched her flat stomach, whispering to someone beside her, “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”

With the shares transferred, the Bai Family was turned upside down. How could they still have the appetite to eat, when they even had to deal with Qin Jiangsheng as a new shareholder afterwards.

In the study,

He had already signed the share transfer document, which was legally binding. Twelve percent of Bai Group, converted into money, was not a small sum. Qin Jiangsheng would not starve for the rest of his life just by collecting dividends each year.

He handed the transfer document to Qin Jiangsheng, “Grandpa’s health is failing, and I don’t have many years left. If I can set you up well before I die, I will be satisfied.”

Qin Jiangsheng glanced at him gently. The elderly man with white hair looked kindly at him, but he felt no warmth. He cynically thought to himself that he didn’t need this pitiful charity, so he pursed his lips and remained silent.

“You are a good boy. My biggest regret in life was letting your father go to Central Continent eighteen years ago for a challenging journey, and the worst part was not finding you seventeen years ago to provide a warm home for you,” he spoke with helpless sincerity.

No matter how powerful or influential, he could not uncover the reckless actions his troublesome son had made, leading to a series of tragedies.

“I don’t want you to go astray, Jiangsheng. The world is beautiful. In the future, go out and see more of the world for me. I’m old and can’t walk anymore.”

Qin Jiangsheng sharply looked at Old Sir Bai, whose eyes still held kindness, but an unrest surrounded him, as if Old Sir Bai always knew what he was secretly planning. He shook off the feeling, it was impossible.

He moved his lips and finally softly responded, “Hmm.”

Old Sir Bai smiled broader, “Right, do you fancy that girl from the Ji Family? She seems to treat you well. After you come of age, manage a company, and with the dividends from the Bai Family, where could you be worse off than Tingyu? It would be even better if you two brothers could support each other. As long as you are willing to work hard, everything is possible.”

As he spoke, he went to a locked box and took out a jade piece: “This is a token Old Ji gave me before he died, saying that it should be used to arrange a marriage. Jiangsheng, now it belongs to you.”

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