Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Grandmother Rong Unleashes a Powerful Move

Grandma Rong told Rong Shaoqin about Sang Haining’s past.

“Haining’s father was originally just a poor boy without any background. It was only through Haining’s maternal family that he gained some influence in officialdom. Later, when her maternal family fell from grace and Haining’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, Sang Zhaoting discarded her like an old tool, bringing his long-time mistress and their child into the household.”

A glimmer of tears shone in her eyes as Grandma Rong continued, “At that time, Haining had just graduated from university and hadn’t yet entered society. She was young and inexperienced, having been pampered all her life. She watched helplessly as her mother and grandfather passed away, while the mistress and illegitimate daughter took over the home. To make matters worse, Haining’s grandmother also fell ill. Without money, on a snowy day, Haining knelt outside the Sang family estate, begging Sang Zhaoting to provide funds for her grandmother’s treatment.”

Rong Shaoqin’s voice grew hoarse. “Did Sang Zhaoting refuse to help her?”

Grandma Rong sighed. “Not only did he refuse, but the mistress and her illegitimate daughter verbally abused Haining and even threw her out. If it weren’t for the assistance my family and Haining’s grandmother provided in time, neither Haining nor her grandmother would have survived that winter.”

A sharp pain struck Rong Shaoqin’s heart as if cut by a blade. He lowered his head, lost in thought.

Grandma Rong said, “That’s why I told you, even if you divorce Haining, don’t mistreat her.”

Rong Shaoqin’s expression remained unreadable, his voice low and steady, betraying no emotion. “I understand. Once this storm passes, I will make proper arrangements.”

At that moment, his phone rang. It was a call from the company, saying there was an urgent matter requiring his return.

Rong Shaoqin stood and said, “Grandma, I have to go attend to something.”

“Go ahead,” Grandma Rong said, patting his hand. “Remember to eat on time. Don’t overwork yourself; take care of your health.”

After responding, Rong Shaoqin left.

Once the door closed, a servant asked in confusion, “Madam, you’ve always hoped the young master and Miss Haining wouldn’t divorce. Why do you seem resigned now?”

Grandma Rong curled her lips. “I’m not resigned at all. I’m trying to provoke Shaoqin. I want him to know just how much Haining has suffered. See? My plan worked. He actually listened carefully and even asked about her. He must be feeling sorry for her.”

The servant twitched her lips. “But what you said just now...”

“All true,” Grandma Rong said with tears in her eyes. “That girl deserves love. She never complains and is so filial. Shaoqin truly married a good wife.”

The servant’s lips twitched even more. “But what if the young master insists on divorcing Miss Haining?”

“Then I’ll break his legs,” Grandma Rong declared, lively as ever.

The servant was speechless.

Grandma Rong sat up. “By the way, where did you put the note with that fortune teller’s number? I want to have him predict whether the Rong family can survive this calamity.”

***

When Rong Shaoqin came out of the master bedroom, downstairs the secretary was talking with Sang Haining.

The secretary clearly understood the difficulties the Rong family faced. “On the surface, it looks like company troubles, but in reality, it’s the Rong family’s political enemies, the Zheng family, targeting your father’s company, trying to defame the Rong family. Things are more complicated than they seem...”

Previously, Sang Haining had wondered why the company troubles had escalated so severely. With the Rong family’s power, even if the problems were true, they should have been easily resolved.

Now she finally understood.

She asked, “Did Second Uncle have anything to do with this?”

The secretary’s expression turned grave. “The secretary working for Second Uncle, Zhang, was embezzling and accepting bribes under his name without his knowledge and caused a death. Second Uncle was kept in the dark about this. Now that it has come to light, Zhang is missing—probably already bought off by the Zheng family. The situation is very unfavorable to us.”

Sang Haining listened attentively, formulating a plan.

“I’m handling the external affairs; you don’t need to worry,” Rong Shaoqin said as he came downstairs.

Sang Haining glanced upstairs. “Has Grandma woken up?”

“She has. Her complexion is much better,” the secretary replied.

“That’s good.” Sang Haining breathed a sigh of relief.

Rong Shaoqin asked the secretary, “Why did you come here?”

“The madam called me to bring some clothes to your house. She said you’ll be staying at the old residence for a while,” the secretary answered.

Rong Shaoqin’s heart skipped a beat as he turned to look at Sang Haining.

Sang Haining said, “I guess you came straight from the company last night and didn’t have time to change. Since you’re worried about Grandma, you’ll probably be here for a few days, so I asked the secretary to bring some clothes.”

She was always so thoughtful and considerate.

The look in Rong Shaoqin’s eyes held a depth even he hadn’t realized.

Sang Haining took the luggage from the secretary and looked up at Rong Shaoqin. “Go upstairs, change clothes first, then we’ll go to the company.”

“Okay,” Rong Shaoqin said, taking the luggage from her and leading her upstairs.

After he showered, Sang Haining draped a shirt over his shoulders and stood on tiptoe to tie his tie.

Her sense of style was impeccable—neat, appropriate, yet not rigid or stern.

She looked every bit the perfect wife.

Rong Shaoqin lowered his gaze to her pale face, his hand gently resting on her waist. “Don’t work too hard.”

Sang Haining neither acknowledged nor dwelled on his concern.

Having received so much from the Rong family, she was determined to fulfill her duties wholeheartedly.

“I won’t. Let’s go to the company. Breakfast is packed and on the table downstairs. Don’t forget to take it.”

***

Rong Shaoqin couldn’t help but embrace Sang Haining.

Her body stiffened momentarily before she wrapped her arms around him, patting his firm, upright back. “Everything will be fine. Don’t worry about the family.”

“Mm, I’m off to the company then.”

“All right.”

Rong Shaoqin went downstairs and left.

At the door, he glanced back at Sang Haining.

Perhaps surprised he was looking her way, she paused for two seconds, then smiled warmly and gracefully, waving at him. “Come home early. Send me a message tonight about what you want to eat.”

Unconsciously, Rong Shaoqin’s lips curved slightly before he closed the door behind him.

The secretary trailing behind him sighed, “The madam is so gentle and kind. If only I could marry someone like her.”

Rong Shaoqin cast him a cold glance.

The intensity of that look left the secretary utterly baffled.

After a moment, the secretary hastily explained, “Mr. Rong, I wasn’t coveting the madam. I was complimenting her.”

Rong Shaoqin wasn’t angry about that.

He was still hung up on what the secretary said last time—that Sang Haining’s kindness toward him was an act.

Now, that seemed utter nonsense.

If her care were mere pretense, how could she have been so devoted to him?

Clearly, the secretary had been out of his mind then.

Rong Shaoqin said flatly, “From now on, stay out of matters between Sang Haining and me.”

The secretary looked completely confused.