A Favor Done, A Husband Won-Chapter 316 - 311: Is This the Battlefield of Love?

Jiang City, the Jing Family.

Today is New Year’s Day, and since last night, the Jing Family has been livelier than usual.

Jing Jihan’s parents have long been settled abroad, but Mrs. Jing returned to the country on New Year’s Eve, bringing along her foster daughter whom she had loved and cared for for many years.

"Si Xue has been studying management in the UK for two years. The business management college affiliated with Jiang City A University is also very well-known abroad. Recently, she was selected as an exchange student to study in the country for a year. I’m not comfortable with her coming back alone. Although Si Xue grew up with us and her Chinese is quite good, she has never been to the country before. I plan to stay with her for two months before going back." Mrs. Jing sat in the reception hall of the Jing Family, smiling as she spoke to Mr. Jing.

Mr. Jing looked at the young daughter who had been adopted by Jing Jihan’s parents for over a decade, gently tapping the cup lid against the cup: "How old is this girl now?"

Mrs. Jing laughed and said, "Twenty-two, the same age as Luozhou, but a few months younger."

"Hmm." Mr. Jing took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and looked yet again at Jing Sixue, who was sitting quietly and obediently: "A beautiful and polite child. She was quite courteous when she walked in. You and Hanhai have raised her well."

Jing Sixue smiled sweetly, "Grandpa, although I’m a foster daughter, my parents have treated me really well, though they’re indeed strict with me."

"There’s nothing wrong with being strict. Family children cannot be spoiled entirely; family education is more important, especially regarding character, which is more profound than anything else." The old man discreetly examined the always obedient-looking girl again, then glanced at Mr. Li, who had been standing quietly beside him.

Mr. Li also smiled, "The old man is right."

"But..." The old man suddenly spoke again, "Jihan and Luozhou, these two sons, you truly have been too remiss in the affections of parental companionship. Both children were raised under my cane, the familial bonds between parent and child are honestly too thin."

"Grandpa, actually, Mom and Dad mention my two brothers every day in the UK," Jing Sixue gently said.

"Just mentioning them, what’s the use?" By this point, Mr. Jing’s smile faded somewhat. After all, Jing Sixue, though she bore the Jing surname, wasn’t his biological granddaughter, and he hadn’t met her over the years. Though she was a foster daughter, he’d offered every courtesy that was due to an outsider, yet wouldn’t entertain too much interference from outsiders in the Jing Family’s own affairs.

"Neither Hanhai nor I are indifferent; it’s just that due to Yuan Bin’s past issues, we genuinely had no interest in the power struggles within the Jing Family. Leaving for the UK back then was impulsive, but after settling there for so many years, half our life’s focus remained there. Thankfully, Jihan hasn’t disappointed you." Seeing Mr. Jing wasn’t showing much affection towards this granddaughter, Mrs. Jing rounded off the conversation.

Jing Luozhou had just driven into the front courtyard of the Jing Family. As he got out, he noticed his brother’s car was already there. Walking over, he casually knocked on the car window with his knuckles. Once the person inside the black Bentley had stepped out, he glanced at Jing Jihan: "Did you go to the airport last night? Mom suddenly returned with that foster daughter and called us back. What’s all this about? I heard that girl, whatever her name is, is going to be studying management in Jiang City for a year?"

Jing Jihan didn’t respond and continued walking inside. Jing Luozhou raised an eyebrow, putting one hand in his trouser pocket as he followed.

As they approached the reception hall, they overheard snippets of conversation. Although Jing Luozhou had frequently traveled back and forth between home and abroad over the years, he really hadn’t been to the UK. His disconnected parents weren’t worth a visit, and he’d never met this so-called sister either. He only knew she existed, as he’d never really considered her part of his world. Now a little sister suddenly appears, making Mr. Jing feel entirely out of sorts. Turning to look at Jing Jihan, he noticed his brother remained expressionless from the moment of his return.

It seemed likely that when Jing Jihan returned from the airport last night, Mrs. Jing might have said something displeasing, otherwise, given his brother’s status as the eldest son, and his usual composure in handling Jing Family affairs, no matter how distanced he felt inside, he would typically maintain an outward appearance of calmness and politeness. Yet, at this moment, his cold demeanor was unambiguously evident.

Seeing that Jing Jihan and Jing Luozhou had returned, Mr. Jing’s face finally showed a genuinely warm smile: "It’s rare for both of you to come back to accompany this old man for the New Year. Jihan, why didn’t you bring Shi Su back with you?"

"She has work today and couldn’t leave, but she’ll come to see you tomorrow." Upon entering, Jing Jihan didn’t let his gaze linger on Mrs. Jing or Jing Sixue, simply brushing past before responding to Mr. Jing.

"Who is Shi Su?" Mrs. Jing, with sharp ears, suddenly turned to Mr. Jing, then looked at Jing Jihan.

Jing Luozhou stood by, hands in his pockets, too lazy to join the conversation, yet from the corner of his eye, he noted that when Agitatedly looking at her brother’s entrance~ while muttering the woman’s name in reaction, he thought, this isn’t just about adopting a daughter; it’s clearly like fostering the perfect daughter-in-law.

Tsk, does this count as a battlefield of sorts? 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Hearing that Shi Su would visit him tomorrow brought even more cheer to Mr. Jing’s face. Looking at Mrs. Jing, he said, "What? Jihan hasn’t mentioned it to you? She’s his girlfriend. That girl was here for my birthday; she’s delightful both in temperament and appearance."

The critical point was, despite being a lightweight when it came to drinking, she humorously drank several cups with him, staggering away in Jihan’s arms while drunkenly insisting on having more with Mr. Jing, irresistibly charming indeed.

"Really? How delightful could she be?" Upon hearing that Jihan had a girlfriend, Mrs. Jing’s expression noticeably tightened: "Now that Jihan is in control of the entire Jing Family, the woman by his side should not only be well understood but also knowledgeable in business management. She should be able to assist him and should naturally be well-versed and courteous."

Jing Luozhou scoffed with a laugh but remained silent.

Jing Jihan glanced at Mrs. Jing but had yet to speak when Mr. Jing interjected first: "I’m choosing a granddaughter-in-law, not a secretary for Jihan. There are plenty of capable people in Yu Jing Group. Whether or not they know business management isn’t crucial. Since the aim is marriage, family harmony and personal integrity are what matter most. Over the years, haven’t I seen countless young ladies from acclaimed families? Each one may appear gracefully knowledgeable and well-mannered, yet they were taught to be so stilted that they can’t even express genuine warmth—what’s the use in that?"

Mrs. Jing stared at Mr. Jing in surprise: "Dad, over these years, your opinions have changed a lot."

"Of course, they have to change; they must. Neither of your sons could be managed by my stubborn, old-fashioned thoughts. I even use WeChat Moments now; can you?" Mr. Jing proudly raised an eyebrow at Mrs. Jing.

Mrs. Jing: "..."