On December 31, 1999, the last night of the 20th century, a grand New Year's Eve ceremony was held in Beijing. People braved the cold, waving small national flags and glow sticks as they gathered in People's Square. The surging crowds were bustling and lively, ready to welcome the new century.

The Forbidden City stands quietly in the city center, while the China World Trade Center, a few kilometers away, is filled with towering buildings. Chang'an Avenue is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and in the distance, a large screen outside a shopping mall broadcasts the New Year's Eve gala, counting down along with the century-old clock on the city gate tower.

"...Five, four, three, two, one! Millennium! Happy New Year!"

The camera panned across the audience. In the first row, a woman in a cheongsam, with red lips and black hair, exuded gentle elegance. She was speaking to Cheng An, the Olympic champion in women's table tennis, her face turned to the side, revealing a defined jawline and a slender, white neck. The woman noticed the camera, looked up at it, smiled slightly, and nodded gently, her beauty breathtaking.

The New Year's Eve gala of the millennium was a sensation, and almost every household watched it.

Fang Qiao had no idea that her accompanying her daughter to the TV station's New Year's Eve gala, a casual glance from the camera, would cause a sensation in the industry that year.

The reason lies in her face, which seems to grow younger with age.

Fang Qiao is middle-aged, but because of her cultivation, she doesn't look old at all over the years. Her skin is fair and firm, without wrinkles, and she looks like she's only in her early thirties. She and Cheng An look more like sisters than mother and daughter when they stand together.

Back then, almost no one was optimistic about Fang Qiao and Cheng Baidong's marriage. One was a promising retired military officer, and the other was a educated youth who had returned to the city after graduating from junior high school. No one thought that their marriage could last. The rivals in the family compound couldn't break her relationship and were all waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

Who knew that these people waited and waited, until the young educated youth who had graduated from junior high school were admitted to university!

Sigh, he graduated from university and then stayed on as a professor!

And the four children she raised and gave birth to—

The eldest adopted daughter displayed remarkable academic ability from a young age, progressing through university, graduate school, and doctoral studies. Everyone says that the more educated a woman is, the harder it is for her to get married, and she'll end up an old maid. But her studies didn't hinder her marriage at all. She smoothly married her childhood sweetheart, a military officer, who, after graduation, joined the municipal party committee and rose to a leadership position within a few years.

The second child started playing table tennis at a young age, competing in tournaments all over the country from the age of eight or nine. She progressed from the junior to the adult level, from city to provincial to national competitions, and finally to the Olympics. At the Atlanta Olympics a few years ago, she won gold medals in both women's singles and women's doubles, gaining worldwide fame and bringing glory to the country.

The third and fourth twins, one joined the army, reportedly a top-tier special forces soldier in a southwestern unit, specializing in clandestine missions and holding a very high rank. The other, after graduating from university, started a biopharmaceutical company, producing cosmeceuticals and health products that claim to have anti-aging and longevity-enhancing effects, which are bestsellers worldwide. In just a few years, they accumulated initial capital, and it's said their next step is to expand into the internet and real estate sectors.

Each of her children is more successful than the last; even her cousin, whom she brought from the countryside to work as a nanny, has become a successful businesswoman.

I heard they bought land on the West Third Ring Road to build a big shopping mall!

It's true what they say: comparing goods will make you throw them away, comparing people will make you want to die.

No comparison, absolutely no comparison.

The party ended and the audience left.

Cheng An declined the television interview, took Fang Qiao's hand, and walked out with the departing crowd.

Fang Qiao asked her, "Are there any competitions this year?"

"It's over by the end of the year. I'll be going to Sydney for the Olympics next September."

"Is the training schedule heavy before the New Year?"

"It's alright, just standard training."

"If you have time, go home and stay for a while. My daughter and I haven't slept together in a long time."

“I’m willing, but I guess my dad won’t be.” Cheng An shrugged. “If I stay home for more than three days, my dad will find me annoying. That jealous old man, I don’t want to go home and be a third wheel between you two.”

"Look, the old vinegar jar has come to pick you up." Cheng An pointed to the man under the street lamp.

Fang Qiao looked in the direction she was pointing and saw Cheng Baidong, dressed in a black woolen overcoat, leaning ramrod straight against the Hongqi sedan behind him. He was tall and imposing, showing no signs of aging. Under the dim streetlights, he looked like a movie star from a spy thriller.

He became more and more charming as he grew older, no wonder young girls in school still flocked to him even knowing his age and family background.

"Mom, since Dad is here to pick you up, I won't go back. I'll drive straight back to my dorm."

Fang Qiao nodded and then instructed her, "When Lao San comes back for the Spring Festival this year, you should go home and stay for a while."

"Understood."

"Drive carefully."

"It's just a few steps."

After the father and daughter greeted each other, Cheng An walked alone towards the parking lot.

Cheng Baidong extended his palm toward Fang Qiao, and Fang Qiao stretched out her arm and placed her small hand into his palm. Her slightly cold hand was immediately enveloped by his warm palm.

Fang Qiao asked him, "Bai Dong, what brings you here? You promised An An would take me home."

“The weather forecast says it will snow tonight. An’an is reckless, I don’t trust her to drive.” Cheng Bodong opened the car door for Fang Qiao, and the warm air from the air conditioner poured out from the gap in the door.

Fang Qiao sat in the passenger seat, raised her smiling eyes, and said softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Cheng."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Cheng."

—End of text

The complete chapters of "The Spoiled Educated Youth Marries the Rough Man Who Returned from Cultivation and Is Pampered" will continue to be updated on the Shuhaige Novel Network. There are no ads on the site, so please bookmark and recommend Shuhaige Novel Network!