Chapter 123:

Wang Yushan and her twin sister don’t look alike.

When they were little, she resembled their father while her sister took after their uncle. But as they grew older, both of them started looking less like their father and uncle. Now, she’s a fifty-fifty mix of her parents, while her sister seems to have inherited all the best traits from their uncle’s side, becoming more and more beautiful.

Sometimes, Wang Yushan would complain to her mother in frustration, and her mother would laugh and reassure her that she was also pretty.

Wang Yushan knew she wasn’t bad-looking, but her sister was even prettier.

But looks are innate.

There’s nothing to be done about it.

Fortunately, both sisters were sharp-minded and quick learners.

So their mother enrolled them in numerous extracurricular classes to keep them from running around outside.

This was a lingering effect of her kidnapping.

When they were in elementary school, someone found out their family was wealthy and attempted to kidnap them. Normally, they had escorts to and from school, and there were security guards and surveillance on campus. But that one time, during P.E. class, Wang Yushan sneaked out to buy snacks and was abducted, while her sister managed to escape.

She was blindfolded and taken to an abandoned building.

For the kidnappers, it was a successful operation—but also not, because even though they got the ransom, they were later caught, and the money was returned untouched.

The incident didn’t affect Wang Yushan much—she felt fine—but the rest of the family was terrified.

Her father and uncle took time off work to come see her, and her grandparents on both sides rushed over to check on them.

But she wasn’t hurt at all.

She knew those people wouldn’t harm her. If they had killed her, the crime would have been far worse, and they’d have to flee even if they got the money. She never saw their faces, and as long as she didn’t provoke them, the kidnappers had no reason to take that risk—after all, they had no prior grudge.

The aftermath, aside from the family’s heightened concern for the sisters, was the addition of two bodyguards, tracking devices, and mandatory self-defense training arranged by their father and uncle.

Life suddenly became much stricter.

Before, their mother had let them do as they pleased—if they didn’t want to learn martial arts, they didn’t have to. But now, that wasn’t an option.

For their safety, they had to learn.

Luckily, aside from that one incident, their lives afterward were peaceful.

Gradually, their parents loosened their restrictions.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Yushan and her sister finished their college entrance exams.

The high-pressure life of senior year was officially over.

The moment they got home, Wang Yushan and Wang Yuyan immediately went wild—phones, computers, dancing (scratch that), all arranged!

The two sisters were practically a riot.

Lin Yining didn’t restrain them.

She let them have their fun, as long as they didn’t go too far.

After indulging at home and resting up, they immediately called up friends to go traveling.

Summer vacation was long.

Filling out college applications wasn’t a worry—their grades were stable.

They flew everywhere, domestically and abroad.

One day, they’d call to say they were safe in one country, and the next, they’d be in another.

Lin Yining: “…Just go ahead and play. Once school starts, you won’t have this kind of freedom.”

She felt a little envious. At their age, she hadn’t been able to travel so freely.

Now she had the time, but no companions.

Thinking about her parents traveling everywhere without her made her a little sad.

But she couldn’t just leave.

She still had to handle the girls’ college admissions and paperwork.

The two of them were having too much fun abroad, leaving everything to her.

When the results came out, Lin Yining couldn’t stop smiling. The girls had been confident, and fortunately, their confidence wasn’t misplaced—they did well, with one ranking first in the city for liberal arts and the other ranking second.

Naturally, reporters wanted interviews, but Lin Yining declined.

The girls were abroad and didn’t want to come back.

Appearing in the media might still carry some psychological baggage—better to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Lin Yining knew this mindset wasn’t ideal.

The girls were grown now and deserved their freedom.

But since they’d refused on their own, she didn’t have the heart to push them to return.

Even though they weren’t present, their teachers and school were still thrilled. As for the graduation banquet, the class and parents could handle it together.

Lin Yining would represent them. They could come back when they’d had their fill of fun.

The two had carried a lot of pressure during senior year, afraid of slipping from their top ranks or underperforming in the final exams. Now that it was over, they deserved to unwind and enjoy themselves.

Lin Yining understood.

Because their family was exceptional, the girls refused to be mediocre.

That was both motivation and pressure.

Their college entrance exam results were the first step in proving their excellence.

She had her own tasks too—transferring assets from their grandparents to their names, just as she and her brother had once received.

They’d been strict before, but now that they were adults heading to college, it was time to give them some independence.

The properties their grandparents had given her and her brother had appreciated significantly over the years, especially with redevelopment turning some into windfalls.

After their college exams, their grandparents hadn’t given them much cash, despite being wealthy. Instead, they’d given them assets. Likewise, she and her brother hadn’t had many expenses—she lived comfortably on rental income and redevelopment payouts.

She understood—the money was her parents’ hard-earned wealth.

They didn’t want to hand over too much idle cash, partly because neither sibling was in business, and partly to avoid raising spoiled heirs.

Lin Yining thought this approach was sound.

While she was busy with these matters, the sisters were having the time of their lives abroad.

The friends they traveled with all came from well-off families, so money wasn’t a concern for activities. They went skiing in the mountains, scuba diving in the ocean, hiking…

After exhausting themselves, someone suggested hot springs, and the group unanimously agreed, immediately booking tickets to a famous resort.

Hot springs were good for health—Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai happened to be there too.

Unbeknownst to either party, they’d booked adjacent hotels. While Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai were out for a walk, they ran into the girls checking in with their luggage.

Wang Yushan and Wang Yuyan were delighted by the coincidence: “Grandma! Grandpa! You’re here too!”

Yu Xiang’an first noticed their tanned skin and shook her head with a smile: “Looks like you’ve been having fun. Yesterday, your mom said you were in Europe, and today you’re here. Enjoying yourselves?”

Wang Yushan: “Of course, Grandma! Let me introduce you—these are my grandparents.”

Their friends hesitated upon seeing Yu Xiang’an—her face looked familiar. As well-rounded high school graduates who kept up with current affairs, they recognized a figure frequently featured in financial news.

And Wang Yushan had just called them her grandparents.

They were in the presence of someone who regularly appeared on TV!

The group of young men and women grew visibly excited.

They behaved politely in front of Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai, smiling shyly, but the moment the elders left, the sisters were swarmed.

“You two are way too low-key!”

“The school bully acts all tough, but your family’s way more impressive—yet you’re so humble.”

“If you hadn’t said they were your grandparents, I’d have thought they were your parents! They look so young—more like mother and daughter than grandmother and granddaughter.”

“No wonder their skincare products sell so well—they’re living advertisements!”

“That beauty brand—my mom uses it too!”

“And their health supplements are famous! I even read a tabloid saying your family has five generations living together?”

True, if counting from Lin Duzhong’s side.

“Can we cling to your coattails?”

“Can we get a group photo?”

Wang Yushan laughed: “Staying low-key is the way to go. I like it that way—I’m still me. No group photos, though—my grandparents don’t like taking pictures with others. But since we’ve met, Grandma will probably come find us later. Don’t hold back on expenses here—go enjoy whatever you want.”

“Rich people talk! Then we won’t be polite!”

“Yushan! Long live Grandma!”

At their age, they didn’t know how to be reserved—their excitement was loud and unfiltered.

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai had just wrapped up negotiations earlier than expected, signed contracts, and decided to relax at the hot springs.

Even on walks, they had security—better not to test criminals’ morals by giving them opportunities.

After strolling and unwinding, they checked their phones to find a message from Wang Yushan with their room number.

The thoughtful elder granddaughter.

Yu Xiang’an went to see them.

They’d finished soaking and were playing cards in their room.

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai brought snacks and joined the game, surprising the friends.

Such prominent figures, yet so approachable.

In dramas and movies, people like them were usually distant and hard to connect with.

One friend whispered to Wang Yushan, “Has your grandma always been like this?”

Wang Yushan: “Yep, always. She separates work and personal life.”

She’d seen her grandmother in the office—completely different from now.

Dead serious, no room for slacking.

That night, Yu Xiang’an had good luck at cards, while Lin Chuanbai kept losing.

Wang Yushan stepped in, rolling up her sleeves: “Here, Grandpa, let me help.” She was a card shark.

Lin Chuanbai cheerfully yielded his seat.

In just a few rounds, Wang Yushan won back half their chips.

Their “chips” were the snacks Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai had brought—Lin Chuanbai’s empty pile was now replenished…

After playing, Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai visited the sisters’ shared room. Surveying the space, Yu Xiang’an asked, “Looks comfortable. Having fun? When are you planning to go back?”

Wang Yushan clung to Yu Xiang’an, Wang Yuyan to Lin Chuanbai: “We’re making the most of this rare freedom—we’ll definitely be back before school starts~”

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai exchanged glances: “Just don’t lose track of time.”

“We won’t! We call home every day to check in.”

The sisters promised repeatedly, worried they’d be ordered home early.

Once college started, they wouldn’t have this kind of freedom again.

The gap between high school and university was a rare break—cutting it short would be a shame.

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai stayed two days before flying back. The sisters left after one, off to their next destination.

Lin Yining thought her daughters were carefree—back in her day, she’d worried about admission letters even while traveling. But these two? After receiving photos of their acceptance letters, they just kept playing.

When they finally returned, her once fair-skinned, beautiful daughters were several shades darker. The tan made their teeth seem whiter, flashing conspicuously when they smiled.

Lin Yining sighed: “Did you go mining in Africa? You’re so dark now!”

Her heart ached, but the sisters weren’t bothered: “Mom, it’s fine. We tan fast, but we’ll lighten up fast too.”

Lin Yining: “Don’t forget you have military training at school. You’ll get even darker.”

Wang Yushan: “So what? We’ll still look good.”

“You two.” Lin Yining couldn’t help laughing. “Alright, school starts soon—let’s get the paperwork done.”

Some documents required their signatures, and they needed to personally thank their teachers.

Having had their fun, the sisters were now obedient, doing whatever was asked.

Like Lin Yihong and Lin Yihong before them, they suddenly became wealthy overnight.

Given current real estate prices, their net worth instantly surpassed 100 million.

“This is from your grandparents. I won’t be giving you living allowances.”

Same as before—with rental income from multiple properties, they’d live comfortably through college.

But unlike her and Lin Yihong, these sisters were bold. Shortly after the properties were transferred, they sold one each for cash. When Lin Yining found out, she was speechless.

She couldn’t scold them, so she complained to Yu Xiang’an instead.

Yu Xiang’an: “It’s fine. Once given, it’s theirs. If they invest it well, that’s their skill. If they lose it, I won’t bail them out.”

The worst-case scenario? They’d spend the money and learn a lesson.

Lin Yining kept an eye on the situation and found out that the two of them had used the money from selling the house for investments. She breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as it was for a legitimate purpose, it was fine.

As Wang Yushan put it, “The shop collects rent every month, and the house is just sitting there unused. Selling one gives us some extra cash for other investments. Our assets are too single-track right now.”

Yu Xiang’an encouraged them, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to call and ask.”

Wang Yushan replied, “…If I asked about every little thing I didn’t know, it’d feel like… using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken.”

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

It was a compliment, but the analogy left her both amused and exasperated.

The two of them had kept a low profile in college, but after volunteering as hosts for a charity event, Wang Yuyan suddenly went viral. She was dubbed the “most beautiful scholar-host,” and videos of her circulated online. Numerous talent scouts approached her, offering contracts and promising to launch her career.

“Most Beautiful Amateur from [University Name]”

“God gave her looks and brains.”

The media, eager for clicks, came up with increasingly sensational headlines.

Wang Yuyan had some understanding of the entertainment industry. It was glamorous, and the thrill of being on stage was exhilarating—but she wasn’t happy.

She never wanted this kind of fame. To her, it was an accident.

She knew some people actively pursued this path, like the daughter of her mother’s old classmate, Uncle Chen Yi. She had enrolled in acting school, dreaming of becoming a star, and had already played a few minor roles.

If it were her, she’d be overjoyed.

But Wang Yuyan found the sudden attention irritating. Yu Xiang’an noticed and called to ask, “Do you want to enter the entertainment industry?”

“No. There’s no privacy. I’ve already turned them down,” Wang Yuyan replied firmly.

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “If you change your mind, let me know.”

Wang Yuyan agreed. She knew her grandmother held 20% of the shares in a well-established film company. If she ever wanted to pursue this path, it would be smooth sailing.

Chen Xiaoyang, while spending time with her daughter, came across the viral video and smiled. She wasn’t surprised at all by Wang Yuyan’s refusal.

As a long-time employee who had worked her way up from the factory floor, she was familiar with the boss’s family—she had met them before.

To this day, Yu Xiang’an remained her idol.

And she never forgot the faces of her idol’s family.

Chen Xiaoyang was doing well now—she owned a home in the special economic zone and had a family.

After years of dedication to her career, she had married late, in her thirties. Her husband was a colleague from a different department.

Thanks to their outstanding performance over the years, they were allocated a two-bedroom apartment with legal ownership rights.

Now, the apartment was worth millions—and still appreciating. The surrounding commercial district was thriving, offering convenience and excellent transportation. Naturally, such a property was highly sought after.

In her free time, Chen Xiaoyang liked browsing real estate websites to check the latest transaction prices in the area. Though they had no intention of selling, knowing their home’s value brought them joy.

Several people had approached her about buying the apartment, but she always refused. Without financial pressure, she and her husband used part of their savings for their child’s education and invested in another property in a less central location, planning to gift it to their child for marriage.

That area wasn’t even considered “remote” anymore—prices had surged again, much to their delight.

Chen Xiaoyang loved discussing real estate with her colleagues. They were all beneficiaries of the company’s policies, having secured incredible bargains.

The more valuable their homes became, the harder they worked—otherwise, they’d feel guilty for reaping such rewards.

Today was the company’s anniversary celebration. As a senior employee, Chen Xiaoyang received ¥3,000 in shopping vouchers and a complimentary stay at a five-star hotel.

She knew both the vouchers and the hotel belonged to their boss—it was all in-house. But even under the same ownership, she and her colleagues had never splurged on five-star hotels before. A single visit would drain their wallets, and as people who had lived through tough times, they preferred saving money over unnecessary luxuries.

At the celebration, they enjoyed a lavish banquet in the grand hall. The company even invited celebrities—big names usually only seen on TV or in movies. Many rushed to get autographs and photos.

Chen Xiaoyang secured one for her daughter, who was a huge fan. The girl’s bedroom wall was half-covered with posters of the star—hard to miss.

After a night of good food and fun, she took the vouchers home. The hotel stay would be for a family trip, and the shopping vouchers—she still had an unused ¥2,000 one from a previous raffle—would go to her parents.

Returning to her village, she found it transformed. Every household now lived in two- or three-story homes, uniformly designed and aesthetically pleasing. Many were decorated like mini villas.

The village was now famous for its bamboo crafts and as a popular rural tourism spot.

Visitors came to dig for bamboo shoots in the forests, pick fruits in the mountains, or catch fish in the river. They could also buy all sorts of bamboo souvenirs—small boxes, flower baskets, decorative vases, bamboo mats, pillows, and more.

Many wholesalers also came to purchase goods for resale elsewhere.

Thanks to their bamboo-covered hills, the village had become one of the wealthiest in the region.

It all started with selling bamboo shoots. Later, Chen Xiaoyang suggested developing agritourism—an idea inspired by the boss’s advice. That early move helped establish their reputation, leading to today’s prosperity.

The village leaders even sent a commendation banner to the boss.

What might have been an offhand suggestion for the boss had turned into a goldmine for the village.

With jobs available at home, young people no longer needed to leave for work. The village prospered, and everyone’s standard of living improved.

They weren’t ungrateful.

Handing the vouchers to her mother, Chen Xiaoyang was met with approval. “You came back just in time. The TV’s broken, and the repairman said fixing it would cost more than buying a new one.”

Chen Xiaoyang nodded. “Buy whatever you like.”

Then she slipped away, heading to the bamboo market at the foot of the hill—a favorite spot for tourists. Some of the crafts there were so exquisite they took her breath away.

For example, there was an elderly man with a blind left eye whose bamboo carvings were so lifelike they always fetched high prices.

Even her father, who used to weave simple baskets and sieves for household use, had learned to make delicate little flower baskets—now more like works of art.

Before, functionality was key—durable and sturdy. Now, beauty and craftsmanship attracted tourists.

The difference was like comparing a rough boulder to a polished river pebble—they weren’t even the same category.

Though more time-consuming, the refined pieces commanded much higher prices.

Chen Xiaoyang wasn’t just home to deliver vouchers—she had a task. She scouted the market for the best artisan-made bamboo cups, which would be purchased in bulk as giveaway prizes for clients.

Since her hometown was nearby, this job always fell to her. She knew which craftsmen were the most skilled and trustworthy. Those who cut corners would never get another order—and these deals were always lucrative.

With two days off after the anniversary celebration, she had enough time to make preliminary selections.

Two days later, Chen Xiaoyang returned with samples, displaying them in the open area outside the cafeteria for everyone to see.

“Come take a look when you have time,” she announced. “Each design has a number. Vote for your favorite three!”

She wanted everyone to help choose the top three designs.

Yu Xiang’an, passing by, paused at the call. She examined the eight displayed options, picked her favorites, wrote them down on a slip, and dropped it into the ballot box—anonymously.

When Chen Xiaoyang saw Yu Xiang’an, her usual eloquence deserted her. She could only stare, starstruck, as the boss smiled at her, called her by name, and thanked her for her hard work.

Chen Xiaoyang’s face flushed with excitement.

Under the halo of admiration, Yu Xiang’an seemed to glow.

As her daughter would say: *Our boss is the best, kindest person in the world—no arguments!*