Storms and Tranquility

The days went on like this, like a lake, slowly flowing through the summer and into the autumn, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility where even time could not help but slow down its pace. But this tranquility did not last long. One winter morning, just as the sky was getting light, when they were sending the children to school, dozens of reporters suddenly poured out of the gate of the compound, and the cameras of all of them were instantly pointed at them at the door. "Mr. Jiang, is it true that you and the children were screened for genetic heart diseases?" "Mrs. Jiang, is it true that the online rumor that your child has inherited a rare disease?" "Mr. Jiang, did you resign from your position as the group's legal representative due to health reasons?" Sharp questions came like dense raindrops. Wen Qing quickly protected the children and hurried onto the school bus, saying in a deep voice, "Please don't disturb the children's normal lives."

Back home, Xiaofeng looked out the window at the throng of reporters still lingering, her brows furrowed. "Why are there so many?" Wenqing was processing messages on his phone. Hearing this, he looked up and turned, gently holding her hand. "There are always reporters around us."

"Always?" Xiaofeng suddenly raised his voice, full of disbelief.

"We have long-term cooperation agreements with some media outlets," he said, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table. "It's perfect, there are some things I should let everyone know about."

By 3 p.m., the hotel conference room was already packed. As Wenqing and his group entered the room, flashbulbs suddenly lit up, creating a dazzling sea of ​​light. Zhou Yong was the first to stand up and display the physical examination reports and original and photocopied genetic test results for Jiang Wenqing and the children on the projection screen. His voice resounded clearly and firmly throughout the room: "Thank you for your attention. All test results show that Mr. Jiang Wenqing and the children are in good health. The online rumors of genetic and rare diseases are false."

After the discussion subsided, Wen Qing took the microphone. At that moment, the content on the big screen suddenly changed—no excuses, no clarifications, but instead, stacks of detailed lists of public welfare projects. The densely packed handwriting revealed a decade of unwavering perseverance.

I'm Jiang Wenqing, a former developer with over a decade of experience in real estate and a non-professional philanthropist with a decade of experience in rural public welfare. At today's press conference, I'd like to use three key words to discuss the truths often obscured by labels.

First, quit the circle.

I left my father's company in 2017. The reason was simple—that year, when I accompanied my wife to Jiangjiawan for the first time, I knew clearly that the sense of accomplishment created by the piles of steel and concrete could not compare to the innocent smiles on the children's faces.

The education complex that was started and completed that year included teaching buildings, basketball courts and water purifier facilities. It was the first public welfare project that my wife and I worked on together, and it was also selected as one of the top ten livelihood projects in Suping City that year.

In 2022, altitude sickness caused pulmonary edema, forcing me to withdraw from project inspections and engineering supervision in the plateau. Since then, Mr. Zhou Yang has taken over all projects above 2,000 meters above sea level, and along with him, he has also established a 100 million yuan mountain education fund.

But this is no escape:

We funded 237 left-behind girls to complete their education; donated medical equipment covered 12 township health centers;

The children's kitchens we built in 37 villages later became models for the "community canteens" in my father Jiang Heng's real estate projects;

Uncle Four Jiang Tao's transport fleet took the opportunity of distributing public welfare supplies to accidentally open up the county's cold chain network. As of this year, it has provided services to 8 chamber of commerce fresh food companies.

Second, privilege.

I never deny that my background does bring me a lot of convenience:

My father Jiang Heng's engineering team was able to build a basketball court for a rural school in just three days, at a cost of only 60% of the market price.

Second Uncle Jiang Hui's education team customized courses for left-behind children. In turn, these experiences have provided 147 qualified vocational and technical workers for the Chamber of Commerce's enterprises.

But the real value lies in transforming these family resources into public products: starting next year, the Chamber of Commerce will open a "public welfare resource pool", and any member company can use our design, logistics, training and other resources to carry out small and micro public welfare projects.

Please rest assured that we have introduced third-party audits to avoid over-emphasis on family interests.

Third, ambition.

Our annual report will disclose the "public welfare input-output ratio", for example, how much medical costs can be reduced for every 1 yuan donated for water purification equipment.

When our real estate developers acquire land, they must work with education and transportation companies to develop community service plans.

Our education and training companies can link the number of years that training instructors teach in mountainous areas with the promotion mechanism.

Our transportation companies not only drive on mountain roads, but also participate in the construction of mountain roads.

Finally, let me share a story: When I was installing water purifiers in Guoshan Township in 2017, a fellow villager asked me: "What do you rich people want?" Today, I can answer him: What we want is that one day, the term "rich second generation" will no longer need to be specifically labeled by people.

Backstage, Xiaofeng watched his earnest profile. Late at night, he'd pored over public service reports, his exhausted figure scrambling to find a site for a rural school. It turns out some gentleness isn't expressed in grand pronouncements, but rather in the quiet persistence of day after day.

As the meeting ended, the setting sun streamed through the conference room's glass windows, casting long shadows across the floor. Wenqing held Xiaofeng's hand as they left the venue, their fingers intertwined with a firm, warm touch. The sunlight gilded their clasped hands with a warm golden glow.

The sun was shining brightly. Xiaofeng watched the children running on the lawn. Wenqing hugged her from behind and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Xiao Feng turned around and kissed him on the lips, her voice as soft as the wind blowing through the leaves, "I was thinking, when the wind passes through the mountains and forests, it always leaves traces, but in the end it will land gently." The sunlight passed through the sycamore leaves, casting mottled warm light on them, just like the happiness that finally settled after going through the wind and rain over the years.