Volume One, Chapter 20: A Mere Formality

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Sang Haining patiently listened to Sang Zhaoting finish speaking. The so-called better marriage he mentioned was for her to remarry a man in his forties who had lost his wife. This man was an official with considerable standing in the municipal bureau. If she divorced Rong Shaoqin and remarried this man, she would also have to become a stepmother to three children. What a ‘wonderful’ match.

Sang Haining couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you misunderstanding something?”

“What do you mean?” Sang Zhaoting frowned.

“Where did you hear that the Rong family can’t get through this crisis?”

“I have connections in the municipal bureau,” Sang Zhaoting said, taking a sip of coffee. “You don’t need to ask further.”

“It’s just a power struggle between the Rong and Zheng families,” Sang Haining said calmly, even more composed than Sang Zhaoting. “I’m the daughter-in-law of the Rong family, so I know exactly what’s going on. I don’t listen to rumors.”

Sang Zhaoting was surprised; he hadn’t expected Sang Haining to know even this. For a moment, he wavered. “So you mean the Zheng family can’t beat the Rong family?”

“The Rong family has a solid foundation and three generations of prestige. The Zheng family is an upstart. How could they possibly win? Asking me to remarry is just overthinking.”

Sang Zhaoting pondered for a moment. “In that case, why don’t you talk to Shaoqin again about that business I mentioned last time...”

He paused awkwardly and cleared his throat. “The reason you were hospitalized a few days ago was because of my impulsiveness. Please forgive me, daughter. This business is very important to me. If it were an ordinary deal, I wouldn’t trouble you.”

“You can never make me forget what you did to me, my mother, and my grandmother,” Sang Haining said coldly, fixing her dark gaze on Sang Zhaoting. “Don’t talk to me about family ties. I’m not stupid. If you want me to help you make connections with the Rong family for business, then show some sincerity.”

Sang Zhaoting’s expression soured, but he dared not argue. “What kind of sincerity?”

“Money.” Sang Haining adopted a businesslike tone. “My grandmother once needed two million for medical treatment. You give me that money now, and I’ll help you get in touch with the Rong family.”

“Two million!” Sang Zhaoting’s eyes widened, his teeth clenched in frustration. “You really dare to ask for that!”

Sang Haining glanced at her phone, checking the time. “I don’t have time to waste here. Just give me a yes or no. If no, I’m leaving.”

Sang Zhaoting thought to himself, if you don’t let go of the child, you won’t catch the wolf.

Steeling himself, he agreed at once. “Alright, once the deal is done, I’ll give you two million.”

“Give it now.”

“What if you’re tricking me?” Sang Zhaoting didn’t trust Sang Haining.

Sang Haining raised an eyebrow. “If you don’t trust me even a little, then don’t come to me for help. This deal is off.”

She picked up her bag, ready to leave.

Sang Zhaoting quickly called after her, gritting his teeth. “I’ll give it.”

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He summoned his secretary and immediately issued a check to Sang Haining, handing her the bidding documents as well.

A project under one of the Rong family’s subsidiaries needed to be outsourced. Several well-known companies had fiercely competed for it, but Sang Zhaoting’s company, known as the “third party,” was too new and unqualified to submit a bid properly. The only way was for Sang Haining to sneak it through the back door.

Sang Haining took the bidding documents. “Wait at home for news. I’ll have Rong Shaoqin’s secretary contact you.”

Sang Zhaoting felt uneasy but could only wait patiently.

After leaving the restaurant, Sang Haining called Shen Chuyi.

Recently, Shen Chuyi had been busy at work. Their contact was mostly limited to brief chats on WeChat.

Guessing Shen Chuyi was resting, Sang Haining said, “I want to ask you something.”

Shen Chuyi, though busy, was patient with friends. “What is it?”

“Rong Shaoqin’s birthday is coming up. What gift do you think I should give him?”

Buying a birthday present for her husband was within Sang Haining’s scope of work, but she lacked experience and turned to Shen Chuyi for advice.

“Give him a lighter,” Shen Chuyi replied.

“Why a lighter?”

Just as Sang Haining asked, an urgent voice rang from the other end. “President Shen, there’s another pile of documents for you to handle.”

Realizing Shen Chuyi was busy, Sang Haining stopped her explanation. “It’s fine. You go ahead and work. I’ll follow your suggestion and give Rong Shaoqin a lighter.”

Since Shen Chuyi had relevant experience and knew what men liked, Sang Haining took the easy way out.

After hanging up, Sang Haining headed to a mall to buy a lighter.

The clerk asked what kind she wanted.

“Whatever’s the most expensive,” Sang Haining answered bluntly.

She didn’t want to fuss over it; a random one would suffice.

The clerk smiled brightly, quickly wrapping the priciest lighter for Sang Haining, politely saying, “Welcome again.”

Sang Haining smiled slightly, carrying the bag as she left.

She visited the hospital to see her grandmother, then returned to the old residence to visit Grandma Rong.

As soon as Grandma Rong saw her, she called out affectionately, “You’ve lost so much weight in just a few days.”

There’s a kind of thinness that only grandmothers notice.

Sang Haining smiled, “You’re just worried about me. I’ve actually gained a few pounds.”

“How’s it going on your side? That old Mr. Sun didn’t give you any trouble, did he?”

“I haven’t told him who I am yet. This can’t be rushed,” Sang Haining said. “Grandpa Sun loved Grandma Sun deeply. If I push too hard, it might backfire. After Shaoqin’s birthday tomorrow, I’ll go again.”

“Good child, you’re really working hard for the Rong family’s affairs and still remember Shaoqin’s birthday.” Grandma Rong’s proudest moment in life was choosing Sang Haining as her granddaughter-in-law.

Sang Haining brushed off her own hardships and focused on asking about Grandma Rong’s health.

Grandma Rong told her not to worry and that she was fine.

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In the evening, Rong Shaoqin returned to the old residence.

Seeing the familiar busy figure in the kitchen, he thought he must be mistaken.

Only after Grandma Rong mentioned it did he realize that Sang Haining had really come back.

Sang Haining brought out the soup, and their eyes met.

In just a few days without seeing each other, Rong Shaoqin looked haggard, his usually neat and well-groomed chin showing a faint blue stubble.

Sang Haining kindly said, “You’ve been exhausted these days. Come eat.”

Rong Shaoqin’s expression was unreadable, but he felt inexplicably comforted.

He hummed in agreement, washed his hands, and sat side by side with Sang Haining to eat.

Today, Rong Shaoqin had a much better appetite.

He ate two extra bowls of rice.

He credited Sang Haining’s cooking skills.

Little did he know, except for the rib soup, the rest was made by the servants.

Sang Haining served him soup. “Eat more. You really lost weight while I was away.”

Rong Shaoqin felt both pleased and awkward.

Yet before Grandma Rong, he never liked to talk much with Sang Haining.

When they returned to the bedroom, as Sang Haining ran the bathwater, he quietly asked, “You’ve been gone so many days, and you didn’t even call me. I guess you’re enjoying the countryside.”