Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Hearing this, Dongfang Shuman’s gaze fell silent for a moment, as if she was considering something. After a moment, her old eyes regained their calmness—
“What do you think?”
“I want to hear Grandmother’s opinion.” Dongfang Liuyun also said so.
Dongfang Shuman stared at Dongfang Liuyun for a long while before she said, “Sometimes, it’s not so easy to nurture your own people into confidants. The key chess piece is placed in the key position. This chess piece requires you to be able to fully control it. You’re not one of those unwise people. You should know in your heart how to arrange these chess pieces.”
“Your father placed too much importance on relationships. Apart from being calm, he also placed some importance on kinship. Hence, it was fated that there were some things that he could not part with and could only compromise. It was not easy for your Aunty either. For the sake of this family, inheriting the family business is not something that can be messed around with. Of course, if you can’t do it, I don’t mind helping her ascend the throne. Do you understand what I mean?” Dongfang Shuman said without hiding anything.
Dongfang Liuyun’s gaze changed before she replied, “I understand.”
“It’s good that you understand. I won’t forcefully defy your grandfather’s wishes, but I can’t watch the Dongfang family decline in your hands either. Everyone has paid too much for it. This is no longer the will of one person. Once the Dongfang Group declines, how many people will face being laid off? You know how many families will be affected by this. Also, have you paid attention to how many out-of-school children are supported by the charity work of the Dongfang Group in the northwest border?”
Dongfang Shuman spoke earnestly, took a breath, and blinked, “Your grandfather often said before he died that one always wants to live a colorful life. When he was alive, he was dedicated to charity, and I was in charge of the Dongfang Group. That was his wish. You need to continue his spirit. Although I know that I, Dongfang Shuman, am not a good person myself. However, there are some things that I think should be done.”
“I’ve already asked someone to follow up on this matter. Grandmother, don’t worry,” Dongfang Liuyun said.
“It’s good that you guys are more attentive. I’m going back.”
At this moment, Dongfang Shuman slowly walked towards the door.
Qi Lei and Dongfang Liuyun also stood up and followed, sending Dongfang Shuman out the door.
“Alright, let’s go back. I’m not old enough for you to send me off. Let’s go.”
When they reached the door, Dongfang Shuman said the same thing. Then, without turning back, she walked towards the car.
The husband and wife stopped and watched the car gradually disappear into the distance.
The car drove smoothly on the road. Dongfang Shuman sat quietly with a piece of tissue in her hand, covering her mouth and coughing gently. Ah Cai, who was sitting at the side, kept helping her with her back as she said worriedly, “President Shu, you have to go back to Canada to recuperate properly. Otherwise, your condition will get worse and worse. I’m very worried. The doctor has called more than once. I’ll make arrangements right away. Let’s go back. We’ll come back when the Fourth Miss’ wedding happens. You really can’t work hard anymore.”
Ah Cai’s eyes were full of worry, but she was also helpless because she knew Dongfang Shuman’s character very well.
Dongfang Shuman coughed violently before saying weakly, “It doesn’t matter, I’m afraid we don’t have much time left. Let’s hurry up and get down to business. We don’t want to leave behind any regrets. We won’t be able to explain things to him even if we go there. I’ve been too busy all my life. Sometimes, I really want to stop and experience life. I want to get close to the children, so that we’re not like this.”
If she could do it all over again, she might not want to be as strong and tired as she was now.
“I’m thinking that I have left a lot of regrets in my life. I might be a qualified manager, but I’m not a qualified mother or a qualified wife. In the past, when your Elder President was still around, I didn’t match him well either. After we got married, all of our energy was focused on our careers. Now, we have to work harder so that our children won’t have to worry so much in the future. We won’t leave them with such a mess, just like when your Elder President took over the family business,” Dongfang Shuman said. Now that she recalled those past events, she could only sigh with emotion.
“President Shu, President Gan will understand your good intentions. Therefore, over the years, President Gan has also respected you,” Ah Cai replied.
“It doesn’t matter whether they understand or not. After you get over it, you will realize that some feelings are not as important as you thought. The most important thing is to live well in the present and leave something for them in the future. After all, there are many things that you do. It’s not necessarily to let them understand you or to be grateful to you.”
As she said this, Ah Cai might not be able to understand it even if she heard it now. It was not until many years later that she understood the meaning of what Dongfang Shuman said at this moment—
It was a kind of sublimation of the realm of life. When you give, you do not care about the so-called response, do what you should do, and do not think about the future.
“President Shu…”
“I’m afraid that I won’t be able to hold on for too long. Right now, I have to race against time to live. After living for so long, I’m satisfied. Of course there are regrets. If I could see Ah Xue get married and Liuyun and Qi Lei have a child, it would naturally be the best. But now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to see it. My health doesn’t live up to expectations.”
“No, President Shu. As long as you pay attention to rest and don’t work too hard, you’ll definitely be able to see that day.”
Ah Cai could not help but feel a little sad. She took a breath and said, “You have to think about yourself, President Shu.”
“I don’t want to go back there. It’s pretty good here. I’ll let you clean up the manor in the next two days. Have you given the order?”
“I’ve given the order, they’re preparing the things. President Shu can move there in two days,” Ah Cai replied.
“Well, that’s good. That place was where I used to live with your Elder President. I left a lot of memories there. Now that I’m old, I keep thinking about the past. I want to go back and take a look.”
“President Shu, don’t worry. The things inside haven’t been moved. Let the servants clean it up. Manager Ah Xue has been doing well recently. She seems to be dating someone. Maybe…”
“She has been dating quite a few people these years. I haven’t seen her satisfied with anyone. Let’s wait until she has settled down. In addition, you have to watch out. I don’t want anyone to target the Dongfang family. I won’t forgive her so soon after that painful lesson. He has to take it as a warning. These aren’t child’s play.”