The old master's study was on the third floor, decorated in an antique style, and you could smell a calming fragrance as soon as you entered.
The bookshelves were filled with all sorts of books, from classical literature to modern political science and economics, in various languages. This demonstrated his extensive knowledge.
Ning Bingyu sat opposite the old man, with a document on the table. When Ning Yuan came in, he simply said, "Grandpa has something to ask you."
Ning Yuan walked to the old man's desk and bowed slightly: "Grandpa."
"Please sit down," said Old Master Ning, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
Ning Yuan sat down as instructed. This old man had a really strong aura, almost as powerful as Old Master Ye.
"Ayu said you're already married?" Old Master Ning asked bluntly, his deep voice carrying an unquestionable authority.
Ning Yuan remained expressionless and nodded slightly: "Yes, we've been married for almost two years."
Grandpa Ning gave a noncommittal hum and then asked, "Are you satisfied with your current husband?"
Ning Yuan was slightly taken aback. What did this question mean? Was she not satisfied and could choose another one?
“Grandpa, Zhao Nan and I…” Ning Yuan paused.
She smiled slightly: "We have a very good relationship. He takes good care of me. The Ning family relies on him a lot when doing business in the mainland."
The old man gave a noncommittal "hmm" and then asked, "So, what are your thoughts on the Ning family's business?"
Ning Yuan paused. Such a general question was the hardest to answer. Was it intentional?
She said calmly, "The Ning family is very large and powerful. I have just returned and don't know much about many things yet. I still need to learn more."
The old man gave her a deep look and said, "Then let me tell you, your eldest uncle is in charge of the Ning family now, but your eldest brother and sister both hold important positions in the company. Every child in the Ning family, no matter what industry they are in now, is contributing to the development of the Ning family."
Ning Yuan smiled and dodged the question: "My older brothers and sisters are so outstanding, I'm lucky that I don't have to work so hard."
Old Master Ning narrowed his somewhat cloudy eyes: "Ayu told me about you. Since you are a daughter of the Ning family, you should also do your part for the Ning family in the future."
"I understand, Grandpa." Ning Yuan nodded obediently without arguing.
She lowered her eyes, concealing the mockery in them.
Yes, every one of Ning's children is working hard for the Ning family. Only she, the daughter who has been away for twenty years, has come back just to enjoy wealth and luxury, right?
but……
The most foolish thing a person can do is to have a sharp tongue but a soft heart, while the smartest thing is to be soft on the outside but ruthless on the inside.
Anyway, if there's a benefit for her, she'll take it. Whether she does anything or not depends on the situation; after all, she's a "gold digger" from the mainland.
Looking at Ning Yuan's obedient and easily manipulated appearance, Ning Bingyu narrowed his eyes slightly behind his glasses, but said nothing.
"When your mother separated from you, she gave you a jade chili pepper, which was a token of the Ning family. Do you still carry it with you?" Old Master Ning asked calmly.
Ning Yuan paused, hesitated for only a moment, then took off the jade chili pepper she always wore around her neck and handed it to Old Master Ning.
"Sir, would you like to take a look at this?"
That jade chili pepper has excellent translucency, making it obviously very valuable. What's even more remarkable is its exquisite carving, which brings it to life.
Grandpa Ning stroked the jade chili pepper, a complex expression flashing in his cloudy eyes, and remained silent for a long time.
Ning Yuan didn't urge him, but just sat there quietly, observing the old man's expression.
The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After an unknown amount of time, the old man finally sighed, took out a carved wooden box from the drawer, opened it, and inside lay two more similar jade chili peppers.
"The three jade chili peppers have finally returned to the Ning family." Old Master Ning said with emotion, as if talking to himself, or as if speaking to Ning Yuan.
Ning Yuan kept her eyes down, pretending to be calm, but she couldn't help but sneer inwardly. What did she mean by "returning to the Ning family"?
These were clearly keepsakes from Grandma, the last surviving member of the Sheng family, but now they've all become the Ning family's possessions?
Grandpa Ning suddenly put the jade chili pepper back into Ning Yuan's hand and said calmly, "Wear it for now; it's a symbol of your status."
Ning Yuan was slightly taken aback and looked at Old Master Ning with some surprise.
She had thought that the jade chili pepper would be taken away by the old master of the Ning family. After all, it was the "Ning family's token." She had long been prepared to hand over the jade chili pepper when she returned, so as not to make things difficult for her mother.
Ning Bingyu adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "I'm just letting you wear it for a while, so that some people won't be so blind."
Ning Yuan instantly understood what he meant.
She is the Ning family's long-lost daughter. Although she has been recognized and brought back, it is hard to guarantee that some people will not point fingers and gossip about her.
And this jade chili pepper is the best proof.
It tells everyone that she is undoubtedly the seventh young lady of the Ning family, and no one can underestimate her! This is also why Cha Meiling was reluctant to return the jade chili pepper.
"Thank you, Grandpa." Ning Yuan took the jade chili pepper and put it back around her neck.
In the following time, the old man casually chatted with Ning Yuan about things in the mainland, such as how she went to university and what kind of business she did.
Ning Yuan answered each question flawlessly, and Old Master Ning then told her to go back first.
Ning Yuan walked out of the study and downstairs, letting out a soft sigh of relief.
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but every word the old man said seemed to have a purpose.
When Ning Bingchao saw her come downstairs, he immediately greeted her with a smile: "How was it? Did you have a pleasant chat with Grandpa?"
"It's alright," Ning Yuan said casually. "Third Brother is still waiting for me."
"Of course, anyway, you won't be able to talk to the old man for long. Did the old man ask you about your marriage?"
Ning Bingchao smiled and gestured for his servants to bring over two bowls of rock sugar bird's nest soup, displaying both enthusiasm and a penchant for gossip.
Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow at him: "But it's a bit strange, it seems like people in the Ning family get married a bit late. I'm considered to have gotten married quite early?"
The eldest brother is thirty-five and still not married, because he's waiting for Cha Meiling to grow up and graduate with her doctorate.
My second brother is a quiet, reserved person. He got married, but his child is young, and his marriage doesn't seem very happy, so he stopped living in the old house in Repulse Bay.
The third brother...
"I'm against marriage. Anyway, I don't have to inherit the position of family head, so I don't have that many responsibilities. That's why I have time to take care of all the different beauties in the world!"
Ning Bingchao leaned back on the stool with a grin, his eyebrows and eyes exuding a wicked charm.
Ning Yuan looked at him and gave her a critique: "Greasy!"
Ning Bingchao raised an eyebrow: "Greasy? I don't eat greasy food; I need to maintain my figure."
Ning Yuan said calmly, "What I mean is that the way Third Brother is makes women feel—disgusted (Cantonese: disgusted)!"
Ning Bingchao clutched his chest, feigning injury from being shot: "My older brother said my little sister looks like a doll, but when she opens her mouth she looks like a ghost doll, making people feel nauseous. Sure enough, my heart has been hit hard!!"
Ning Yuan ignored his affectation: "I'm going upstairs, Third Brother, please enjoy your tea."
Ning Bingchao grinned and hooked his leg around her chair: "What's the rush? Mommy asked me to tell you about the family. I'll tell you slowly—"
Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow as she watched him hook his arm around the leg of her chair: "Put it down, or I'll step on it?"
Ning Bingchao put it down involuntarily. For some reason, her eyes had a fierce look about them, unlike those of a little girl.
He shook his head and sighed, "Are all girls in mainland China this fierce? Tsk... Okay, the fourth brother has a fiancée who is his agent; the fifth brother is still studying and is currently single. You are the youngest in the family, and you are indeed the earliest to get married. No one in the family expected you to get married so early."
Ning Yuan didn't really want to leave; the small dining room was empty now, making it a good place to chat.
She astutely noticed that Ning Bingchao kept emphasizing that she had married too early.
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