How could that be? What am I thinking?
"Beichen, you're finally back." I smiled, but my tone was filled with barely suppressed sadness.
I haven't been happy these past few days. I should be happy that Beichen is back, since I haven't met my younger brother since I was reborn.
Seeing my relatives reminds me of my failed marriage and how they all opposed my marriage to Fu Yanshen. I feel both wronged and heartbroken.
Bei Chen's cool hand left my eyes, and as soon as I opened them, I was met with a handsome and charming face.
Bathed in the golden afterglow, his beautiful almond-shaped eyes, paired with large, European-style double eyelids, were deep and noble. He had a gentle smile, a high nose bridge, and slightly upturned lips, making him seem warm and approachable.
"sister."
He called to me gently.
"Why aren't you wearing a coat? It's gotten colder in Beijing these past few days."
I looked at him in his thin, bespoke suit, took his hands in mine to warm them, and stood up.
He's always been with the Singapore branch; he's probably used to living in a tropical region.
"Your hands are so cold, and you're warming them for me," he said with a smile, taking my hand and putting it into my coat pocket.
Beichen suddenly gripped my hand tightly with his, looking down at me. "It's been almost a year since we last saw each other. Did you miss me?"
He asked very seriously.
"I was thinking, you look so much thinner, is it because you're not used to the food in Southeast Asia?"
"Bei Chen is back."
Just then, Mom's voice came from the doorway.
Beichen immediately let go of my hand, quickly pulling it out of my pocket and keeping his distance.
From childhood to adulthood, his mother set many rules for him, and he received an aristocratic elite education. He only dared to play around with me in private.
"Mother."
Upon seeing his mother in her elegant outfit, Beichen nodded and greeted her respectfully.
"You're back." Mom smiled without showing her teeth, her tone serious. "The first thing you should do when you get back is go see your father and say hello. You're such a grown man, don't you know your place?"
“You are right. I will go to find my father,” Beichen said respectfully.
“Go ahead,” Mom nodded.
Bei Chen straightened up and walked towards the main house, exuding a noble and aloof aura.
"Mom! Can't you be nicer to Beichen? He's twenty-five, not five, he's three!" I shook my mother's arm, frowned, and complained to her angrily.
My mother's approach to raising Beichen and me was completely diametrically opposed.
She adopted a hands-off approach to my studies, never interfering with my learning. She didn't care if I got a zero on a test.
As the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, I can study if I want, or not if I don't. The Sheng family's wealth is my source of confidence. My mother used to always tell me that.
He was overly controlling of Beichen, even to the point of being harsh.
As far back as I can remember, Beichen, who was only a year younger than me, didn't even have the right to cry.
The little child is like an emotionless machine. While other children his age are still building blocks and playing on slides, he has already begun to learn various cultural knowledge and aristocratic etiquette.
“Qiaoqiao, I’m doing this for his own good. An heir should act like an heir,” my mother retorted earnestly.
I disagree with what she said.
When I was little, I felt sorry for Beichen. What child doesn't love to play?
I would secretly take my pet white rabbit and run to find him to play with him. When my mother found out, I would cry and whine to stop her from punishing Beichen.
I would secretly give Beichen candy and ice cream, and after he was beaten, I would hug him and comfort him until he cried.
During dinner, I watched Beichen eat the light dishes prepared by his personal chef, and used serving chopsticks to put a piece of tempting sweet and sour pork ribs on his plate.
"Qiaoqiao, you eat your food. Beichen's three meals a day are all planned by a nutritionist, and the proportions of meat, vegetables, oil, and salt are scientifically determined." Mom frowned and scolded me helplessly.
"Mother--"
"Sister, I'm not used to strong flavors." Bei Chen interrupted me gently, and said politely, "Thank you, sister."
It wasn't that he couldn't get used to the food; he just didn't dare disobey his mother.
Dad put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.
"Qiaoqiao, Fu Yanshen is currently personally negotiating a new energy vehicle project. If he can successfully secure this cooperation project, his position will be even more secure."
"I have to say, this kid's business acumen is truly sharp. Under his leadership, Shengshi's industries have become increasingly innovative and diversified, and its competitiveness in the business world has been greatly enhanced."
He told me that his words revealed his admiration for Fu Yanshen.
"What a pity—"
He took a sip of tea, his tone slightly helpless.
Unfortunately, no matter how outstanding Fu Yanshen is, he is still an ingrate.
"Dad, are we going to stop him from winning this project?" I asked seriously.
"What project should Beichen negotiate? This is a perfect opportunity for Beichen to shine and impress the board of directors," Mom said confidently.
"Does Beichen's departure represent a prosperous era? The outside world only recognizes Fu Yanshen now. Besides, you're so eager to push Beichen out, won't Fu Yanshen have any suspicions?"
Dad choked Mom.
"Qiaoqiao, we just need to find a way to prevent him from winning this project. Sigh... It's a tough decision!" Dad said to me, then let out a long sigh.
Preventing Fu Yanshen from winning the project is tantamount to ruining Shengshi, our own business.
But there's no other way. If we don't stop Fu Yanshen, we'll be paving the way for his future. In the future, it will be our Sheng family who will starve to death.
I learned from Song Sinan that Fu Yanshen wanted to secure a project from a German car manufacturing company, and he was personally handling the negotiations for this project.
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