Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Gaining the Greatest Advantage with the Least Effort
Song Zijie had started earning his own money a long time ago, but with his poor health since childhood, it had never brought him joy.
Though he wasn’t short on money, the joy he felt the moment he received his paycheck was impossible to put into words.
It was indescribable. All he knew was that his chest was swelling with an emotion so full it felt like it would overflow.
"Su, thank you. To both of you... I don’t even have the words to express my gratitude for everything."
"Then just focus on helping us manage the instrument manufacturing facility, and we’ll gradually expand into other industries in the future," Su Shuochi said, painting a picture of their grand ambitions.
"To celebrate, how about we go to the state-run restaurant for dinner tonight?" Xi Guodong suggested, walking over when he saw them talking.
"We can’t," Gu Jiaojiao replied. "My mother-in-law has already made dinner and is waiting for us at home. The sun’s about to set, so let’s all just call it a day."
"All right. We’ll pack up before we head out. We have our own car anyway. Su, you and your wife should go on ahead. The sun’s still pretty strong even as it’s setting."
Song Zijie said thoughtfully, glancing at Sheng Shiwu and Gao Xiangming. "Xiao Wu, you head back with them today. Tomorrow night, I’ll treat you all to a meal out."
"Okay, thanks, Song! It really is hot out here. Su, I’ll push you to the car," Gao Xiangming said cheerfully, walking over to the wheelchair.
Su Shuochi didn’t feel the heat or the harsh sun at all. Perhaps it was because he had finally gotten his wish last night and broken his long abstinence.
He was in too good a mood to feel the sun’s heat. The love surging in his heart was a scalding torrent, hotter than the sun itself.
Everything looked pleasing to him now, especially the sight of his wife’s silhouette as she walked toward the car.
A light breeze caught her dark hair, making it dance in a breathtakingly beautiful way. Su Shuochi’s gaze deepened as he watched her.
The sight of her beautiful back seemed to stir something in his already joyful heart, and his pulse quickened unconsciously.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. It was beating so wildly it felt like it would leap out of his throat.
Sheng Shiwu had a lot to say to Gu Jiaojiao, so he walked alongside the wheelchair that Gao Xiangming was pushing, keeping pace as they headed for the car.
Glancing sideways at Su Shuochi, Sheng Shiwu was surprised to see such a gentle expression on his face.
It was especially apparent in the gentle, doting way he gazed at his wife—a tenderness so profound that Sheng Shiwu, even as a university student, found himself at a loss for words to describe it.
He had known Su Shuochi for a long time. Before his injury, the man was like a proud, lone wolf.
In the almost two years since his injury, everyone felt that Su Shuochi was only staying alive for his parents’ sake.
He had no life or vitality in him, like a man with one foot in the grave, just counting down his days.
No worldly affair could capture his interest. But ever since he got married, he was like a completely different person.
Together, he and Gao Xiangming helped lift Su Shuochi into the front passenger seat.
Su Shuochi’s limbs were perfectly healthy now, so being supported by two grown men like this felt a little awkward, but he didn’t let it show.
Gu Jiaojiao waved out the window, then started the car and sped off.
Sheng Shiwu finally had a chance to pour his heart out to Gu Jiaojiao, telling her everything Sheng Shiwen and Sheng Yueyue had done in one long rush.
"Sheng Shiwen still can’t stand?" Su Shuochi asked in surprise.
"There’s a saying: ’a hundred days to heal from bone and muscle injuries.’ Jiang Ruyan broke his kneecaps. The doctor said it would be at least three months before he could walk normally, and it’s only been a little over twenty days."
Sheng Shiwu reported the facts, but as he spoke, he was startled to realize it really had only been twenty-some days. To him, it felt like much longer!
Gu Jiaojiao wasn’t surprised to hear Sheng Shiwu’s story. ’Uncle Song is an ambitious and calculating man.’
’It would be strange if he agreed to let his son marry the infamous Sheng Yueyue without some ulterior motive.’
’If all he wanted were the Sheng and Ren family connections backing Sheng Yueyue, then this wasn’t surprising at all.’
’With the Song family’s current foundation, Uncle Song’s abilities, and the power of his son-in-law’s family, he was bound to make the Song family more and more prosperous.’
’The Song family already managed several large state-run restaurants and department stores in Qing City.’
’When the time came for those businesses to be privatized, the Song family would naturally be first in line to take over the contracts. You could say it was a case of gaining the biggest advantage with the least amount of effort.’
’Just as it said in the original book, within a few years, the Song family would become the business moguls of Qing City.’
’And his son, Song Zijin, wouldn’t have to lift a finger to enjoy a life of luxury.’
’Unfortunately for them, they ran into me. I’ve already cured Song Zijie, so the second branch of the Song family is no longer going to slave away just to enrich the first branch.’
’So how is Song Zijin supposed to become the richest man now? And how is Sheng Yueyue supposed to reach the pinnacle of her life?’
Gu Jiaojiao glanced back at the agitated Sheng Shiwu and offered some comforting words.
"Third Brother, stop blaming yourself. You’ve done great. What happened to Sheng Shiwen was his own fault. He was too impulsive."
"As for Sheng Yueyue, like you said, she has been through a lot. Just try to be patient with her."
"The Song family wants to use your father and the Ren family to get ahead. As long as Mr. Sheng and your grandfather and uncles from the Ren family are willing, there’s nothing we can do to influence it."
"You just need to focus on living your own life well. Life is short; you have to enjoy the good times while you can."
"Jiaojiao, you’re too kind! Yueyue is so ungrateful, and you’re still telling me to be patient with her!"
Hearing Gu Jiaojiao’s words, Sheng Shiwu felt his adoptive sister was truly wonderful, and his heart filled with gratitude.
The gloom that had clouded his heart for so long was now bubbling up with joy, threatening to engulf him completely.
"That’s right. My wife is the kindest person in the world. Anyone else wouldn’t even bother with you lot!" Su Shuochi said smugly.
Gu Jiaojiao: ... ’Kind, am I?’
’What she didn’t say was that Sheng Yueyue, despite being reborn, hadn’t learned to be self-reliant or independent. She had no ambition and was always looking for shortcuts by relying on men.’
’Death is like a lamp being extinguished; it would actually be a release for her. So why bother to kill her?’
’Falling from heaven into hell... a person like Sheng Yueyue would never reflect on her own actions. She would only feel resentment and pain. That was the greatest punishment for her.’
’Since she had been reborn into this era, Gu Jiaojiao wasn’t going to complain about its temporary backwardness.’
’Instead, she was thinking about how she could contribute her small part to the nation’s development.’
’She might not be able to affect the livelihoods of millions like the heroes of the age...’
’...but she could still do what was within her power.’
’For example, she could pass on the advanced surgical techniques she learned in her past life and develop modern medical equipment.’
’Her efforts alone might be insignificant, not enough to reverse the decline in the medical field.’
’But at the very least, she could do her best to spread the flame and cultivate a new generation of hope.’
"Xiao Wu, why don’t you come to our place for dinner? You can take a plate back for your second brother later," Su Shuochi invited, clearly in a good mood.
"Sure! I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve had Aunt Su’s cooking," Sheng Shiwu agreed cheerfully.
’He knew his adoptive sister was leaving tomorrow morning, and he didn’t want her to go. Without her support, his life would be much more difficult.’
