He said, “If you marry Ning Yuan, you will be the only son-in-law of the second branch. According to the Ning family’s rules, only A Yu and Achao are in business. Achao is in charge of managing the family office. The other three sons are engaged in other industries, from education and medicine to music. There are people from the Ning family in all walks of life, and they will take good care of you.”
Ning Bing'an lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then looked up at Ning Zhengkun: "Daddy, I will serve you well and help you take good care of the second wife."
Ning Zhengkun looked at him intently and said with relief, "I believe in you."
A barely perceptible glint flashed in Ning Bing'an's eyes, and he suddenly whispered, "Daddy... Mommy always had a wish before she died..."
Ning Zhengkun was taken aback: "Go ahead and say it."
Ning Bing'an said, "Mommy has always felt that she comes from a bad family, not as good as the First Madam who comes from a prestigious family, and not as good as Second Aunt who was personally chosen by the Old Madam. Her biggest regret in life is that she can never stand by your side legitimately..."
Ning Bing'an paused for a moment, then said, "Mommy said that only the true matriarch of the Ning family is qualified to possess the jade chili pepper. She has always wanted to see and touch that jade chili pepper with her own eyes, even if only once, so that she could fulfill her lifelong obsession..."
"Mommy is no longer here. I know this request is abrupt and against the rules, but could I touch that jade chili pepper for her?"
Ning Zhengkun remained silent for a while, looking at Ning Bing'an's face, which resembled his mother's, and at the cautious expectation and hidden melancholy in Ning Bing'an's eyes, he was momentarily dazed.
Only the dull ticking of the old-fashioned grandfather clock remained in the study.
A soft spot in Ning Zhengkun's heart seemed to be touched.
That woman, his first love in his youth, the woman who could never rightfully stand by his side in his entire life...
Ultimately, it remained a thorn in his heart, a guilt he could never let go of.
Ning Zhengkun nodded slowly, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Never mind... your mother... she was indeed a pitiful person."
He turned to the butler who had been waiting outside the door and instructed him: "Go and fetch the incense burner and the finest sandalwood."
The butler responded and went to fetch the incense, soon returning with an antique and exquisite bronze incense burner and a box of top-grade sandalwood.
Ning Zhengkun gestured to Ning Bing'an: "You can place the jade chili pepper and your mother's photo in front of the incense burner here. Light an incense stick for your mother and have a good talk with her."
Ning Bing'an's eyes instantly filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Daddy!"
He carefully took out the three translucent jade chili peppers and placed them directly in front of the incense burner.
Then, Ning Bing'an lit three sticks of sandalwood incense and placed them in the incense burner.
Then, he knelt on the soft carpet, gazing at his mother's gentle smile in the photograph, and whispered:
“Mommy, did you see that? This is the Ning family’s Jade Chili Pepper, the thing you always wanted to see before you died. Don’t worry, your son is doing well now. Daddy treats me… he treats me like his own son, and he didn’t treat me any differently because of my status. You can rest in peace now.”
Ning Zhengkun stood to the side, looking at that familiar photo.
Memories flooded his mind like a tide, and his eyes became slightly moist.
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn quickly passed.
Ning Bing'an stood up, meticulously cleaned up the incense ash, carefully placed the jade chili pepper back into the wooden box, and handed the photo back to Ning Zhengkun.
"Thank you, Daddy, for helping me fulfill Mommy's wish."
Ning Zhengkun took the photo and put it away, then sighed heavily: "Bing'an, you are filial, sensible, and have a good sense of propriety. If only you were my own son."
He had never said anything like this before; this was the second time he had expressed such sentiments today.
Ning Bing'an was slightly taken aback, then smiled faintly: "Daddy, blood ties are not the most important thing. I am not your biological son, but I will be filial to you, respect you, and share your worries and difficulties as if you were your own son."
These words brought a touch of relief and emotion to Ning Zhengkun's eyes.
He patted Ning Bing'an on the shoulder: "Tonight, I've asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes. Let's have a good get-together, father and son."
Ning Bing'an hesitated slightly: "The Jialin Group matter... it's gotten so big, don't you need to deal with it?"
Ning Zhengkun's face darkened, and a deep displeasure and coldness flashed in his eyes:
"If Ning Man'an can't even handle this little thing, she should just go back to Macau and stay there!"
Ning Bing'an nodded gently: "Okay, Daddy. However, I need to go to the Regent Hotel first. There are some work documents there that need to be dealt with urgently. Once I'm done, I'll come back immediately to have dinner with you."
Ning Zhengkun waved his hand, his tone softening slightly: "Go ahead, come back soon."
Ning Bing'an bowed slightly, turned and left the study.
Ning Zhengkun watched Ning Bing'an's retreating figure, his eyes growing increasingly dark, filled with unfathomable emotions.
Ning Bing'an returned to his room and made a phone call first.
Ten minutes later, he went out and instructed Butler Tian: "Prepare the car, we're going to the Regent Hotel."
The black sedan smoothly drove away from Repulse Bay and merged into the bustling traffic of Hong Kong Island.
Inside the Regent Hotel's private kitchen, equipped with fingerprint locks and 24-hour security, a faint aroma of tea mingled with a stronger smell of tobacco.
Wearing a Tang suit, the gray-haired fourth uncle sat with his legs crossed in a chair in the corner, leisurely smoking a pipe and drinking Kung Fu tea.
The kitchen door was pushed open silently, and Ning Bing'an walked in.
Fourth Uncle raised his eyelids, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy old eyes: "Anzai, why did you call me here in such a hurry?"
Ning Bing'an didn't speak, but simply took out an inconspicuous black velvet box from the wide sleeve of his Zhongshan suit.
He placed the box on the counter next to him and opened it gently.
Uncle Si suddenly sat up straight, leaned forward, and his cloudy old eyes instantly brightened.
Inside the box, on a dark red velvet lining, lay three wax molds shaped like jade chili peppers!
Every detail, from the veins of the chili stem to its full curve, is clearly visible!
Fourth Uncle's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and disbelief: "You...you saw the real Ning family heirloom, those three jade chili peppers?!"
Ning Bing'an nodded, his expression calm and composed, as if he had merely accomplished a trivial task.
“That’s right. Ever since I became Daddy’s senior assistant, I’ve always carried a wax model with me. Today is a special opportunity for me to come into contact with the Jade Pepper. I’ve replicated every detail of it.”
Fourth Uncle excitedly picked up one of the rubbings and said repeatedly, "Good! Good! Good! No problem! Leave the rest to this old man!"
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