Chapter 22: Once You Marry, You Belong to Another Family

At 7:00 PM, both parties returned to the old mansion right on time.

Elder Xie had also come over today, specifically to get firsthand news about Xie Yan’s situation at the company, and to catch a glimpse of the girl his daughter-in-law had described as being a perfect match for Xie Dabao and as beautiful as a celestial being.

After exchanging greetings with the elders, Jiang Ming, Jiang Man, and the others took their seats at the dining table.

"This is Jiang Ming, and this is Jiang Man, my two granddaughters."

Elder Jiang introduced the two sisters, whom the Xie family had not yet met, before asking about how they had each fared during the day.

"It went quite smoothly, though I replaced the original executive assistant with Zhao Qi. You should recognize him."

He had to report personnel changes to the elder. As for the events that transpired during the meeting with the shareholders, he hesitated, unsure whether he should bring them up.

"And what about you, Man? How do you feel about today?"

Elder Jiang turned to ask Jiang Man. Since she had never been exposed to this side of things before, he was curious about her reaction.

"It wasn't great. I don't think I'm suited for this, Grandfather. I don't want to go back tomorrow."

Jiang Man no longer wanted to force herself to do things she disliked. Besides, as an outsider, she shouldn't have been interfering with company affairs in the first place.

"Did someone make you feel slighted?"

In Elder Jiang's impression, Jiang Man had always been a very resilient child who rarely showed such clear resistance toward something. He assumed she must have suffered a great injustice out there; otherwise, she wouldn't have expressed her refusal so resolutely.

"No, I just have other things I want to pursue."

Since she had put it that way, Elder Jiang naturally found it difficult to force her.

"Very well. Whatever you choose to do, Grandfather supports you."

He then turned his inquiry toward Xie Yan and Jiang Ming.

"Everything is moving along; the necessary reforms must be carried out step by step."

Both Elder Xie and Elder Jiang knew exactly what state the Xie Corporation was in. However, since Xie Yan had stated it this way, he clearly had his own plans.

"I still have a lot to learn from Brother Yan."

One day was enough for Jiang Ming and Xie Yan to get to know each other. Back when she had been working odd jobs, she had never failed to get along with the people at any of her workplaces. Furthermore, Xie Yan was inherently easy to get along with.

"Sir, we have guests."

Old Ye received a call from the gatehouse saying that a group of people claiming to be the elder's relatives had arrived and wished to pay a visit. The guards, having never seen them before, dared not let them through without authorization, so they had called the butler.

"I imagine those nephews and nieces of mine have arrived."

The elder had anticipated their arrival; after all, with Jiang Shi taking Jiang Man to the office for a full day, it was impossible for them not to have heard the news. As for their intentions, he could guess them nine times out of ten.

"Bring them in."

It seemed dinner would be ruined; there was bound to be a scene shortly.

"Old Xie, I'm afraid you're going to see a farce tonight."

"What are you saying? As if my own family is any less troublesome?"

Both the Xie and Jiang families had their own unique brands of eccentricity.

It was at least a ten-minute drive from the main gate to the house, but in less than five minutes, a noisy crowd came swarming in.

"Uncle, we’ve come to visit you."

Leading them was the eldest of Elder Jiang's nephews, a man in his fifties, older than Jiang Cheng. As soon as he saw the elder, he approached with enthusiastic greetings.

"Welcome. Come and sit."

There were eight or nine of them, and they filled the sofa, packing the room tightly. Jiang Ming and the others stood behind the elder, as there were no seats left. The elder wanted them to stay and listen.

"Is there something you need today? Don't tell me you just came to pay a simple visit."

Elder Jiang didn't bother to give them face, knowing they never visited without an ulterior motive. They barely even sent greetings during the holidays.

"Well, you see, with Brother Jiang Cheng away, we were worried about you being all alone in Lin City, so we came to keep you company."

None of these people held a proper job; they lived off the money Elder Jiang had his staff send them every month. It was a substantial amount, enough for them to live in comfort. Elder Jiang hadn't wanted it to be this way, but his two older brothers had passed away early, and none of their children had turned out capable. As their uncle, he felt obligated to look after them.

"Is that so? I appreciate your kindness, but I have Jiang Shi and my two granddaughters here with me; I am not lonely at all. I could even say I am living quite carefree."

Elder Jiang did not accept their pretense. "Speak your piece if you have something to say. I am tired, and if there is nothing else, you should head back. I need to rest."

It was not even eight o'clock; no one believed he was truly tired. This was the elder's way of showing them the door.

Realizing the elder's intent, the leading nephew stopped beating around the bush. "With Brother Jiang Cheng gone, the position at headquarters is vacant. Surely we, your own nephews and nieces, are not inferior to an outsider?"

He might as well have said outright that Jiang Shi was unqualified to take over the company.

"First, let me remind you that Jiang Shi is like a son to me. Second, I have my granddaughter, Jiang Ming. I am quite at ease with the two of them taking over together."

He had adopted Jiang Shi not to take advantage of an old friend, but to give him the same status as his own son, specifically to prevent situations like this. Furthermore, since Jiang Man had already expressed her own ambitions, he didn't want to drag her into this, lest these people rack their brains trying to target her. As for Jiang Shi and Jiang Ming, if they couldn't even handle these people, then the company couldn't be safely left in their hands anyway.

"But he has no blood relation to you, unlike us..."

Before he could finish, Elder Jiang struck his cane against the floor, looking visibly displeased.

The nephew didn't dare continue and quickly changed his tune. "Look at Jiang Ming. She's just a young girl. Once she marries, she'll belong to another family. How can you let her take over the company? What if she brings the company into her husband's family? Wouldn't the company change ownership?"

He had intended to say that if the company were handed to Jiang Ming, once she married and became part of another family, she might stop sending them their living expenses. However, seeing that Elder Jiang was clearly losing patience, he shifted his focus to the company instead. He hoped that since the company was the elder's life's work, this would shake his resolve and stop him from letting Jiang Ming take charge.

"Uncle, listen to yourself. Since I bear the surname Jiang, regardless of whether I marry or not, the company will always belong to the Jiang family. How could it be as you say? Or did you take all your wife's family assets as your own after you married?"

Elder Jiang signaled for Jiang Ming to handle it herself, wanting to see if she had the courage to debate them. Fortunately, she did not disappoint him.

"Furthermore, if I, Jiang Ming, choose to marry, I will certainly marry a man of character and accomplishment, not some parasite who relies on his family for a living."

Her words were pointed, and the faces of those opposite her changed instantly. As soon as she finished speaking, one of the people in the group stepped forward, waving their hands excitedly.