Chapter 188: Sun Family Banquet Ends (The Gifts)
Li Yanyan, observing the anger in Li Chen caused by the presence of the Gu family, approached him and gently patted his shoulder. "Don’t worry about them. They will soon know the consequences of their actions," she assured him.
Li Chen, maintaining his composure, replied, "I am not worried, Aunt Yanyan. I actually don’t care about them."
Li Xinjie joined the conversation, offering his perspective. "Listen, brother, advice from your older brother – you shouldn’t be too soft."
Li Chen chuckled, playfully retorting, "We are twins. What makes you think you’re older than me? For all we know, I could be the older one."
Li Xinjie raised an eyebrow, confidently asserting, "I can feel it, Mom, say something."
Sun Lixia chuckled at their banter and said, "I didn’t even know I had twins. How can I know who is older?"
Li Chen, gesturing towards himself, insisted, "But, Mom, look at us. You can tell I am older."
Li Xinjie countered, "No way, I am older."
Their light-hearted banter shifted the atmosphere, diffusing the tension that lingered after the confrontation with the Gu family. Laughter replaced the heaviness in the air, providing a temporary reprieve from the complexities of the situation.
Li Yanyan smiled and interjected, "Does it matter?"
Li Chen, taking a moment to ponder, replied, "Now that I think of it, yes, it does matter."
Sun Lixia laughed at their banter and added, "Unfortunately, you both will never know."
Zhang Mei and Cen Yuhuan, witnessing the playful exchange, shook their heads with amused smiles. The light-hearted atmosphere continued, providing a welcome distraction from the tension brought about by the encounter with the Gu family. The twins’ good-natured argument, coupled with the laughter of those around them, served as a reminder that amidst challenges, a sense of humor and family bonds could prevail.
A housekeeper interrupted their conversation, addressing Sun Lixia, "Miss Sun Lixia, Old Master Sun would like you and your sons to join him in his study."
Sun Lixia nodded, responding, "Sure, lead the way." The housekeeper guided them to Grandpa Sun’s study, and as they entered, the housekeeper discreetly left the room.
Grandpa Sun sat in his chair, gazing at a photo of his late wife. He tenderly handed the photo to Sun Lixia, saying, "You look like your mother. She was very beautiful, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I had my flaws, but your mother was the best thing to ever happen to me."
Sun Lixia accepted the photo with a gentle smile, acknowledging, "She was indeed beautiful."
Grandpa Sun gestured for them to sit, and as they settled into chairs, he spoke again, "You know, I am getting old. Soon, my time will come, and I will finally be with my lovely wife."
Sun Lixia tried to reassure him, "You are not that old, Dad."
Grandpa Sun countered with a chuckle, "Oh yes, I am, and we can’t shy away from death. Everyone dies."
The room was filled with a solemn acknowledgment of life’s inevitable cycle, and the family sat together, surrounded by the memories and reflections shared by Grandpa Sun.
Grandpa Sun spoke solemnly, "The reason I called you here is to give you three your gifts. I missed so much; I didn’t see any of you grow up, I didn’t hold you or spoil you. I am old, and I have nothing else I can give you. Please accept these gifts."
He reached for his cabinet and carefully took out three documents. Li Chen and Li Xinjie exchanged a surprised look as they received the files with their names on them. Sun Lixia, equally puzzled, inquired, "What’s this, Dad?"
Grandpa Sun explained, "Shares. Those are share transfers that I want you to sign."
Li Chen and Li Xinjie were stunned, well aware of the immense value even a single share of the Sun Conglomerate held. Sun Lixia expressed her concern, "But, Dad, we don’t need these."
Grandpa Sun insisted, "I want you to have them. That is the only thing I can give you."
Sun Lixia continued, "But, Dad..."
Grandpa Sun’s eyes pleaded, "Please make this old man happy and sign." The room filled with a mix of emotions, the weight of the moment hanging in the air as the family grappled with the significance of the unexpected gifts.
Li Chen expressed, "I don’t know about Li Xinjie, but I really don’t need this, Grandpa."
Li Xinjie chimed in, "Neither do I."
Grandpa Sun earnestly replied, "Accepting this will make my old heart be at ease, that at least I gave you something. My wife would send me back if I died without giving you these. It was your mother and I who took this family to what it is now. If not for me, then do it for her."
Sun Lixia sighed, admitting, "But I hate business, Dad."
Grandpa Sun reassured her, "It doesn’t matter; you will enjoy the dividends."
Resigned to the situation, Sun Lixia acknowledged, "Okay, we will take this gift, Dad. We don’t want to get an earful from Mom one day, now do we?"
Grandpa Sun smiled, saying, "You just ensured peace in my afterlife." Laughter filled the room as Grandpa Sun handed Sun Lixia a pen. She signed her name on her copy and on the original document before passing the pen to Li Chen, who followed suit. Li Xinjie took his turn, and once everyone had signed, Grandpa Sun affixed the Sun family seal on all the documents, along with his thumbprint.
He chuckled, saying, "See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?" The shared laughter echoed in the room, a moment of family bonding amidst the weight of the business decisions that would shape their futures.
After spending a few more minutes in conversation, Grandpa Sun expressed, "I need to rest now."
Sun Lixia acknowledged, "It’s late, go and rest."
Grandpa Sun stood up and addressed Li Xinjie and Li Chen, "Don’t be strangers, you two. Please visit your old man more often, okay?" They both nodded in agreement.
The family then walked out of the study, documents still in hand. Grandpa Sun made his way to his bedroom to rest, leaving a sense of gratitude and warmth lingering in the air. As they dispersed, the family couldn’t help but reflect on the unexpected turn of events, the bonds of family strengthened by shared moments and the weight of responsibilities passed down through the generations.
Sun Gang, hidden in a corner, observed the scene with seething rage. A feeling of dread had loomed within him, and his suspicions regarding the documents in their hands had been confirmed. He had anticipated this development, but the reality of more shareholders presented a challenge he wasn’t ready to face. Thoughts raced through his mind, contemplating what more Grandpa Sun might have left for those three in his will.
As the weight of the situation sank in, a dark and jealous anger festered within Sun Gang. He couldn’t bear the thought of Li Chen, Li Xinjie, and Sun Lixia gaining any more from the family’s fortune. A sudden realization struck him – Grandpa Sun had likely given them the shares that belonged to Grandma Sun. Envious and furious, Sun Gang wished they had met their demise before this banquet, preventing them from acquiring any more from the family legacy.
The banquet, which had initially brought the family together, now left an undercurrent of tension, with Sun Gang harboring resentful thoughts that would undoubtedly sow discord in the days to come.
Back at the hall, Sun Lixia handed the documents to Ding Chengxi and instructed, "Keep those safe."
Ding Chengxi replied, "Yes, ma’am."
As the banquet drew to a close, guests began to leave. Sun Fang and Sun Weilong bid their farewells to the attendees. Cen Yuhuan approached Li Xinjie, saying, "Well, Li Xinjie, I have to go now. It’s always a pleasure seeing you. We should have dinner sometime."
Li Xinjie simply nodded, and Cen Yuhuan playfully added, "I will annoy you until you agree, so be ready." With that, she walked out, leaving a smile on Li Xinjie’s face.
Li Chen teased, "She likes you."
Li Xinjie leaned in and remarked, "Funny how you, my dear brother, can see that when you can’t see a woman who likes you right before your eyes." Li Chen turned around to see Zhang Mei chatting with Sun Lixia and Li Yanyan, causing his heart to beat faster.
Li Xinjie chuckled, offering advice, "You have to up your game, big brother’s advice."
Li Chen defended himself, saying, "I am the oldest."
Li Xinjie rolled his eyes, retorting, "Whatever." The banter between the brothers continued, adding a touch of humor to the end of the family gathering.
