Chapter 18, Section 18: "You really are a sentimental person."
Jiang Yi spent the New Year with his grandmother at the old house.
The old house was originally built as the Chiang family mansion, and it was in the eclectic style that was very popular at the time. Later, Chiang Chieh-ming redeemed it from his uncles and then expanded and renovated it.
Speaking of which, Jiang Jueming had quite a few children among the older generation, but she didn't like living with her younger relatives at all. In Jiang Yi's memory, her mother never stayed overnight at her grandmother's house.
The old house was Jiang Jueming's Hall of Mental Cultivation, and not just anyone was qualified to come here; Jiang Yi was the only exception.
Jiang Yi sat on the sofa watching TV and eating fruit slices, just like an ordinary granddaughter spending a holiday at her grandmother's house.
Jiang Jueming came downstairs, wearing a beige silk bathrobe. Her short, silver hair was fluffy and neatly styled, as if it had been dyed. She seemed to be in good spirits, showing no signs that she had relinquished power due to illness.
Jiang Yi stood up naturally, called out "Grandma", and looked at Jiang Jueming, ignoring the lover next to her, who was probably her umpteenth lover.
"Marc told me that Xiao Gu is performing tonight." Jiang Jueming walked over with a smile, glancing at the TV. "Sit down. Are you watching? Is it on?"
Jiang Yi glanced indifferently at the young lover beside her. When Jiang Jueming noticed her, she turned to the television screen, her gaze softening slightly.
"It's the next program," Jiang Yi said. "Would you like to watch it?"
Jiang Jueming sat down with a smile, took the glasses from his lover and put them on, looking like an elegant old professor: "Oh, is it a song and dance performance? I haven't heard Xiao Gu sing in a long time either. Are you two going to be together at the annual meeting again this year?"
Jiang Yi was very close to Jiang Jueming and could clearly smell the sandalwood and myrrh scent on her grandmother's body, which should be a new product from Dailan this year.
The perfume line of Dailan is doing quite well. Jiang Yi thought with a slightly wicked glint in his eye that perhaps he could have Dailan's chief perfumer bring his talent to Dailan menswear, which would be a reward for Karl Lagerfeld's appreciation of his perfume products.
She answered without pausing, "Ah Lai's schedule might conflict a bit."
“Then let’s make some adjustments,” Jiang Jueming said casually. “That way, her role as the spokesperson for the three major brands, FL, XL, and Elodie, will have a proper beginning and an end.”
Jiang Yi's gentle expression had vanished at some point. She didn't reply, and stared blankly at Jiang Jueming.
In the end, it was the completely unrelated young lover who couldn't stand it anymore. She knelt down next to Jiang Jueming and peeled a pomelo. After peeling it, she didn't know what to do. She looked around and finally looked up at Jiang Jueming and said, "Cassia, I'll go make you some dessert."
Jiang Jueming lowered his gaze, nodded with a smile, and the young man left impatiently.
Jiang Yi asked, "Do you want to be her spokesperson?"
Jiang Jueming asked in surprise, "How could that be? She's not good enough for him."
"Is that so? Then forget it." Jiang Yi smiled. "Let the directors of each brand consider endorsements. I think understanding brand image and commercial value should be their job."
Jiang Jueming said "Oh": "So what kind of work does Xiao Gu do besides acting and songwriting?"
"Boss," Jiang Yi said, "perhaps there's also the option of having a friendly partner in the public relations field?"
It's as if Gu Lai is a second-generation star.
Jiang Jueming looked at her granddaughter practicing Tai Chi with her and felt a sense of wonder.
She seemed to be looking at a reflection of her younger self, but it wasn't a complete repetition of the past. Jiang Yi could always amaze her, his grandmother.
Her granddaughter is still being soft-hearted?
"Last year, when Lao Wang had an affair, her net worth shrank by nearly 20 billion yuan, and her stock value dropped by nearly 40%. Xiao Yu and her husband divorced, and their market value of over 90 billion yuan evaporated by 95%. Their main businesses are in the internet industry, which is just why they receive a little public attention. Feng Lu, on the other hand, relies on public opinion far more than they do."
Jiang Jueming suddenly changed the subject: "Do you know why I was quite agreeable to your marriage with Xiao Gu back then?"
Jiang Yi's expression remained unchanged: "Isn't it because it perfectly aligned with the avant-garde and inclusive trend at the time, and also responded to the newly introduced same-sex law?"
"Because she has nothing, loves you and cares about you wholeheartedly, and has no choice but to depend on you, she will be very virtuous."
Jiang Jueming looked genuinely puzzled, much like those elderly people who were confused by youthful fashion.
"I don't quite understand why you've gotten to this point."
Jiang Yi said calmly, "There are always unexpected things. She is not my puppet."
Jiang Jueming looked at her and said, "Since that's the case, we should act decisively to minimize the losses. I haven't seen any action from you to separate her from you. Either keep her as a pet or give her some compensation. That would be fair. I don't think it's difficult."
"Well, I might be a little different from you. I won't willingly give up either the country or the beauty."
"What's the meaning?"
“What I mean is,” Jiang Yi said gently, with a touch of deep affection, “there’s at least a one in ten thousand chance. That’s how I see it.”
Jiang Jueming choked, disgusted by the second half of the sentence: "Good horses don't eat the grass they've already grazed. I thought I wouldn't have any juniors playing the same old tricks. It seems I still know too little."
What you know is actually pretty much correct.
“That’s right,” Jiang Yi smiled, “I can’t stand slow death from chronic diarrhea, so I use strong medicine.”
Jiang Jueming's face suddenly darkened.
After she was diagnosed with cancer, no one dared to speak freely about her in this regard.
She said slowly, "Ayi has indeed grown up."
“I’m still your little girl. Without Grandma, I’m still a dead crab,” Jiang Yi said. “I heard Grandma’s recently become interested in cars? New energy vehicles are really powerful.”
Jiang Jueming looked at her coldly: "The acquisition of Fenglu is not over yet, is it? Are you going to tell me that you are trying to do both jewelry and automobiles? You're greedy and want nothing more than a bowl of plain porridge!"
"Wouldn't that be too alarming? I remember you were planning to choose the investment company that has Auntie's shares, right? How about Lelai Capital instead?" Jiang Yi said slowly and deliberately. "I think financing with a stronger topic and overseas market background might be more beneficial to President Liu's ambitions for the automotive alliance than financing with only personal involvement, right?"
Jiang Jueming stared at Jiang Yi for a long time: "Le Lai... you really are affectionate. What if I were to refuse you because I don't like the name?"
Jiang Yi shrugged as if he had no other choice: "Then... Auntie will like it."
Jiang Jueming soon went to the gym with the young man named Chiara. Jiang Yi got up and saw him off for a couple of steps, then went upstairs to her room.
This room also has a floor-to-ceiling window, and the interior is decorated in a completely minimalist style.
Jiang Jueming had weak family ties. Initially, Jiang Jueming didn't care that it was her daughters, not her biological descendants, who would inherit her business empire. Her daughters were all ordinary, and she naturally made them trustees. After they came of age, all they owned in the old house were guest rooms.
Jiang Yi owned this room when she was the vice president, but to be honest, she spent quite a bit of time here.
Jiang Yi's birth was an unexpected affair for Jiang Mei. Jiang Mei knew how useless she was in her mother's eyes, not even as popular as her older cousins, so she placed her hopes on the next generation, and that's how Jiang Yi was born.
Jiang Meiting was pleased with her daughter's obedience, intelligence, and beauty since childhood. The only downside was that she indulged in nightly revelry and had no interest in or care for her child.
Her solution was to frequently send Jiang Yi to Jiang Jueming's side.
Jiang Jueming didn't really refuse. Firstly, there were always others to take care of the crying children, and the younger generation she met would only obediently call her "Grandma." Secondly, she felt that her youngest daughter had indeed given birth to a very lovely girl, and that good things often come from bad bamboo shoots.
As far back as she can remember, Jiang Yi liked to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, where she could easily see the road in front of the garage. She would often use this spot to observe whether anyone was there to pick her up.
To be honest, she didn't like living in the old house at all. Even though it was magnificent and had excellent feng shui, it still felt like a cold, imposing castle. What's more, all she saw there were her teacher and Jiang Jueming, whom she needed to please. But with Jiang Mei around, she could see beautiful women, both men and women, doing everything they could to make her happy.
As he grew older, Jiang Yi used this opportunity to observe Jiang Jueming, to see if his grandmother was alone or with her lover, whether she was busy, whether she was willing to appear and enjoy some family time, or whether she was annoyed by the children's disturbance.
When she became so comfortable that she no longer needed to rely on such a window to make judgments, she had gotten used to occasionally standing in front of such a floor-to-ceiling window.
Jiang Yi looked down at the courtyard, feeling a rare pang of regret.
She felt she had been too perfunctory with her grandmother; she should have been gentler, and perhaps she could have gotten more information out of her.
But she lost patience when the conversation veered towards her and A-Lai.
Let's talk about it next time.
Perhaps we could try having that young lover to help Grandma enjoy her old age in peace; after all, less worry leads to a longer life.
Jiang Yi looked down and opened his phone. Right now, the trending topics online were all related to the New Year's Eve celebrations. Even though the new year hadn't officially begun, some program clips had already been produced.
This includes Gu Lai.
Jiang Yi first clicked on the video, checked the number of views, remembered the title, then quickly exited and switched to his newly registered account (a "white account"), searched for it precisely, and liked, commented, and subscribed, but still exited without watching.
She logged onto Weibo with practiced ease, checked Gu Lai's public opinion, and then observed the overall reviews of the gala. Everyone was giving enthusiastic, positive feedback; it was impossible to discern whether it was good or bad.
Jiang Yi guessed Gu Lai's reason for suddenly participating in the gala; she felt that appearing on the Spring Festival Gala would have been more effective. If these changes hadn't occurred between them, she probably would have mentioned this to Gu Lai.
"No, I won't." Jiang Yi immediately dismissed her own thoughts. She would probably contact Tan Junming first. Although Tan Junming and Gu Lai were close, Tan Junming was a businesswoman more like herself.
The Spring Festival is early this year, and rehearsals for the Spring Festival Gala will begin soon. Just as she believes Gu Lai probably won't be on this year's Spring Festival Gala, she also doesn't think Gu Lai would agree if she directly asked.
Gu Lai probably didn't want to cut in line. It wasn't that she was high-minded, but she felt it was unnecessary. She had already passed the age where she needed to seize resources by any means necessary.
If Jiang Yi brings it up, Gu Lai will most likely refuse from the outset, but if her team tells her, she is less likely to refuse.
Gu Lai wasn't the kind of boss who made her employees do the work while also expecting them to maintain a noble and high-minded demeanor; she simply did it herself.
Have I ever done anything similar before?
Jiang Yi couldn't recall it at first, but she definitely knew it; she understood herself very well.
Sometimes she really hated Gu Lai's idealistic naiveté. If it weren't for Gu Lai, such a naive person would have been devoured by Jiang Yi long ago.
What would Gu Lai say?
She once said she was lucky, not everyone can stay that innocent forever.
Looking into Gu Lai's clear, serene eyes, Jiang Yi saw her own reflection clearly within them. She couldn't help but wonder, is this one of the reasons you love me? If one day I inevitably fail and lose everything, will I still be reflected so clearly in your eyes?
When Jiang Yi realized what she was thinking, she felt a chill run down her spine.
When did I become someone who asks, "Do you love me or my money?"
...But I do have the ability now, and I'm still very willing, Alai.
Those thoughts that once disgusted her now offered a sliver of comfort.
While Jiang Yi was lost in thought, the chef warmed up the Shaoxing wine for her, prepared snacks such as crab-stuffed orange and plum-ginger, and then quietly left and closed the door.
When she came to her senses, the rice wine had already cooled down a bit.
This is also Jiang Jueming's habit.
Jiang Yi touched the cup with the back of his hand, picked up the cup, and poured the contents into the green plant with a flick of his wrist. He then opened a new bottle of baijiu from the cabinet.
Jiang Yi opened the video clip, and Gu Lai on the stage was projected onto the gray screen.
She suddenly felt thirsty, poured herself a full glass and drank it down in one gulp; the baijiu burned coldly in her esophagus.
Gu Lai's solo song is titled "Zhao Zhao".
The lyrics and music were written by Gu Lai, but Jiang Yi didn't remember her. It was probably written during the time they were apart.
Just as she was speculating about the origin of the song, Gu Lai, dressed in a bright red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and adorned with vibrant peach blossom makeup, gracefully emerged from behind the stage curtain.
It's clearly in the style of Tang Dynasty ladies. The clothes aren't windproof or dewy. It looks like one of two Hanfu teams. Brand value... Jiang Yi instinctively assessed it and then gave up thinking about it.
Gu Lai began to sing.
No matter how many times Jiang Yi saw Gu Lai on screen, he would feel an indescribable charm. It wasn't something vague or intangible like acting skills, stage presence, or star quality; it was pure passion. Like the sea in Debussy's third movement, suddenly surging with giant waves under the roar of the brass section.
That was part of what supported her resolute, decisive, and idealistic romantic personality.
Gu Lai smiled, and her familiar, resounding voice pierced through the screen, booming in our ears: "—May our wishes for a prosperous era be in our hearts, and may we share this beautiful time together on stage."
Jiang Yi paused for a moment, stared silently for a long time, then continued, and then started again, over and over.
Finally, she felt like she had learned it, and she couldn't help but hum along.
Jiang Yi only realized what was happening when he heard his own voice: "…………"
With a sullen face, she turned off the projector, paused for a moment, then lowered her head and logged into her alternate account, ready to once again appreciate the beautiful words of Gu Lai's fans, Xiao Gutou.
As soon as the page was refreshed, a trending topic popped up.
#Gulai Airport#
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Thank you Niledavoya, Baigui & Huaijin, and hdjda for the nutrient solution! [heart emoji]
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