Chapter 327 - 325: Zhou Lian’s Plan
The days flew by, one after another. After the Spring Festival, those who had gone back to their hometowns returned for school. Mr. and Mrs. Zhou also came back to the Capital City, accompanying their grandsons. And so, time marched on in its usual, orderly way.
As spring turned into summer, Liu Shengnan gave birth to the Ping family’s first grandson of the third generation. While Elder Ping and Mrs. Ping were grinning from ear to ear, the Eldest Young Madam looked at her little nephew, bundled in his blankets, and said softly, "Father, Mother, after Shengnan’s one-month confinement is over, we should bring them back to the Imperial Palace."
"What is it?" asked a surprised Mrs. Ping, still basking in the joy of her new grandson.
The Eldest Young Madam glanced at Zhou Lian and Li Xiu, who were standing nearby, smiling but silent. She sighed. "Mother, Jin Chen and Sister-in-law are at their limit. They’ve been keeping this under wraps for seven or eight months. You and Father know what the situation in the Capital City is like right now. We should bring them back to the Imperial Palace."
"You’re right. We’ll bring them back to the Imperial Palace once Shengnan finishes her confinement. You two have worked so hard for so long!" Mrs. Ping said, finally understanding. She looked at Li Xiu and Zhou Lian with gratitude.
Zhou Lian shook her head and smiled. "Aunt Zhou, you’re treating us like strangers. The environment at the estate is much better. Honestly, if we weren’t at the breaking point, the best option would be for Shengnan and her son to continue recuperating there. But there are just too many prying eyes from all sides now. This is as far as Jin Chen and I can take things. The Imperial Palace is the safest place for them."
"Alright, I won’t stand on ceremony. We’re all family!" Mrs. Ping said, smiling at Zhou Lian. She knew just how hard Zhou Lian and Li Xiu must have worked to fend off all the prying eyes while Shengnan was at the estate for her pregnancy. ’Oh well,’ she thought, ’this is hardly the only debt the Ping Family owes this couple.’
A month passed in a flash. Li Xiu drove them himself, safely escorting Liu Shengnan, who had finished her postpartum confinement, and the Ping family’s eldest grandson to the Imperial Palace. The Eldest Young Madam and Zhou Lian accompanied them. Meanwhile, at the Palace, Mrs. Ping held a small one-month celebration for her grandson.
Zhou Lian stayed with Liu Shengnan in a room that had been prepared for them. Although Liu Shengnan had already completed her month of confinement, Zhou Lian, the Eldest Young Madam, and Mrs. Ping insisted she rest for another two weeks to fully recover her strength.
"Shengnan, don’t worry about anything right now. Just focus on your recovery and taking care of the baby. We have all the time in the world," Zhou Lian said softly to Liu Shengnan as she played with the waking infant.
Liu Shengnan nodded and smiled. "I’ll listen to you, Sis. Besides, with Eldest Brother and Brother-in-law helping Ping’an, I’m not worried at all. Sis, I won’t even try to thank you. I have a general idea of the situation, and I know you and Brother-in-law have gone to great lengths to protect me and my son for so long. Now that we’re in the Imperial Palace, you two should be able to relax a bit."
"Don’t worry about us. We’ll take it one step at a time; there’s no rush. Once you’ve rested for another two weeks, I’ll bring over the books you need to read. Don’t be anxious. Take it slow," Zhou Lian said gently, looking at Liu Shengnan, who had put on a little healthy weight during her confinement.
"Okay. I’ll listen to you, Sis!"
Zhou Lian nodded in resignation. ’Liu Shengnan and Ping’an really are two of a kind,’ she thought. ’They’ve both gotten so good at that catchphrase. "Okay. I’ll listen to you, Sis!" I swear, my skin crawls every time I hear it now.’
Back home, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian watched as the small house on the estate was being tidied up. They both breathed a sigh of relief at the exact same time. ’The time bomb is finally gone!’
Seeing that only Mr. and Mrs. Zhou were home, while Sister Fang was cleaning up on the estate, Li Xiu took Zhou Lian’s hand and led her to his in-laws’ room.
"Father, Mother, the estate is free now. Please feel free to take a walk there whenever you like," Li Xiu said softly, sitting across from them.
Mr. Zhou smiled at his daughter and son-in-law on the opposite sofa. "Don’t worry about us," he said casually. "It doesn’t matter whether we stroll around the estate or not. The important thing is that this business has passed smoothly, hasn’t it?"
"Yes, Dad, don’t worry. It’s over, so let’s not mention it again," Zhou Lian said with a smile. "And Mom, from now on, let’s just act like none of this ever happened."
Time flew, and soon it was the end of the year again. After saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Zhou, Zhou Huaitai, Zhang Yizhen, and Li Xiu’s siblings, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian could finally catch their breath. The turbulent times were nearly over, but the flare-up at the year’s end was the final struggle.
Not to mention Li Xiu and Ping Jing, who had joined forces to ensnare more than a few people, Zhou Lian was also busy enough to be run off her feet. The weight of the company’s affairs had fallen almost entirely on her shoulders this year. Fortunately, she already had experience; otherwise, she would never have been able to get up to speed so easily.
With most matters settled and only five days left until the New Year, Zhou Lian had Sister Fang hurry and pack luggage for the three of them—Li Xiu and the two children. Visiting graves for the New Year is one of the most fundamental customs in China, and no matter how busy he was, Li Xiu had to make time to go back and pay respects at his teacher’s grave.
After seeing off Li Xiu, Nuonuo, and Yanyan, Zhou Lian went to find Professor Xiao and Professor Fan. She sat down next to them and said gently, "Professor Xiao, Professor Fan, have you two given any more thought to what we discussed last time? Why don’t we go ahead and make it official?"
"Oh, you... Alright, fine," Professor Xiao sighed. "I’ve discussed it with Professor Fan. We’ll live at the estate from now on. I’m already retired, and he’s on medical retirement, so you don’t need to worry about that. He’ll come and help you next year." Zhou Lian’s eyes lit up as she looked at Professor Fan. With him backing her, her idea could finally be set in motion.
Professor Fan looked at Zhou Lian with curiosity. "What is it you’re planning to do?" he asked gently. "And why do you need me to help?"
"I’m starting a cultural media company," Zhou Lian answered with a gentle smile.
Professor Fan smiled, his interest piqued. "Alright, tell me more. How exactly would I be helping?"
"Professor Fan, I’ll hire professionals to handle the day-to-day business and administration. I just need you to oversee things on the cultural side."
"And what will it be dealing in, specifically?"
"Traditional culture."
Professor Fan chuckled. "If that’s the case," he said softly, "I won’t be enough on my own."
"I understand. That’s why I’ll need help from both you and Professor Xiao. Any of your friends, colleagues, or students who might be interested are welcome. The compensation will be more than generous," Zhou Lian said, looking at the two professors with a slightly fawning smile.
The two professors exchanged a glance, smiled, and shook their heads. "So this was your endgame all along," Professor Xiao said softly.
Seeing Zhou Lian just smiling without saying a word, Professor Fan’s expression grew serious. "You should understand that this idea of yours isn’t guaranteed to make money. And it will require a significant amount of start-up capital."
"Professor Fan, money is not an issue," Zhou Lian said with a casual smile. "I’ve already given Jin Chen a heads-up. The group is practically minting money these days. Money is useless if you just let it sit there. It’s rare for me to be this interested in something, and Jin Chen has promised his full support and cooperation."