Chapter 372: Divided Paths

Divide and conquer.

Jiang Jingshi headed off to handle company matters, while Lin Zheng Ran went with Han Wenwen to meet her uncle and aunt.

But as they parted at the elevator entrance, Han Wenwen waited inside, watching the doors close.

In the cramped space, she eyed Lin Zheng Ran beside her and, with a touch of jealousy, said, “Brother Zheng Ran, did Sister Jiang take good care of you?”

Lin Zheng Ran flicked her on the forehead like she was a little fox.

She yelped in pain.

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled helplessly, “You’re too sharp-eyed.”

The little fox’s eyes brimmed with jealousy; she pouted and whined, but once Lin Zheng Ran rubbed her head, Han Wenwen’s envy faded.

Still, she added, “Later, I’ll take care of you, Brother Zheng Ran—I’m the secretary, after all. That’s my job.”

Lin Zheng Ran smirked to himself, wondering what he’d even come to the company for today.

They walked together to the VIP room and opened the door.

The moment the door swung open, her uncle and aunt quickly stood up.

They stared nervously at Lin Zheng Ran, whom they’d visited in the south not long ago.

Back then, they thought he was just an ordinary guy, a regular university student.

Now, the couple looked at each other in disbelief, their expressions mixed.

They never imagined that this young man, Han Wenwen’s boyfriend, held such high status and achievements.

It was far beyond what ordinary people like them could fathom.

Han Wenwen adopted a bit of her secretary demeanor: “Uncle, Aunt, Brother Zheng Ran is here.”

Lin Zheng Ran greeted them politely: “Uncle, Aunt, it’s good to see you again. Wenwen said you’re here to discuss business?”

The uncle and aunt exchanged glances.

The uncle reached out first: “Mr. Lin… thanks for coming all this way.”

Lin Zheng Ran waved it off: “No need for formalities, Uncle—just call me Lin Zheng Ran or Zheng Ran.”

Han Wenwen’s uncle was a straightforward man; he knew he wasn’t close to Lin Zheng Ran—they were practically strangers, having met only a few times.

Even though he was Wenwen’s uncle and had raised her for a few years,

life had taken him in a new direction after marriage, and he hadn’t looked after Wenwen like he did when she was little. Visits over the years were rare, and he wondered if Wenwen and her boyfriend held any grudges, but he had his own limitations.

So, even as the man tried to adjust his words, he stumbled awkwardly.

Sweat beaded on his forehead: “Zheng Ran, we never thought you’d be the general manager of Zheng Shi Company… it’s such a surprise.”

Usually more outgoing, the aunt now spoke carefully, with a forced smile: “We were both stunned when we heard— you’re so young and already so accomplished.”

Lin Zheng Ran could see their tension, so he kept the small talk brief and shifted to the topic Wenwen had mentioned earlier.

They discussed the uncle’s small factory.

The uncle explained that his factory was modest, with just over twenty employees, running on a shoestring budget.

Lately, the market had been tough, so they hadn’t landed any orders in over two weeks.

As they talked, the uncle and aunt glanced at each other again; seeing Lin Zheng Ran’s position, they hoped he might help out—a little from someone like him could sustain them for ages.

It would be a huge relief.

But the uncle was honest and still felt guilty about Wenwen, so he hesitated several times without asking.

Even the usually decisive aunt seemed deflated, her fingers clenched as she stayed silent.

Han Wenwen picked up on their unspoken troubles and noticed Brother Zheng Ran hinting for her to speak up.

Lin Zheng Ran could handle this favor, but he thought it was better coming from Wenwen.

So, Han Wenwen jumped in: “Brother Zheng Ran, why don’t you help Uncle and Aunt? I saw that batch of their goods might work for what Pan Jie mentioned we need.”

At her words, the uncle and aunt looked at Han Wenwen with gratitude, overwhelmed.

Lin Zheng Ran nodded with a smile: “Of course. Just like Wenwen said, we need products like yours. Did you bring samples? Let me take a look—if they’re good, we can set up an order soon.”

The aunt perked up, straightening: “We brought them! I’ll get them right now.”

The couple hurriedly pulled the samples from their bag.

Lin Zheng Ran glanced over them and offered a few suggestions: “This part could use some tweaks. If you adjust it like this, I think we can work together.”

The uncle and aunt agreed it was doable: “Sure, that’s not a problem. We’ll fix it as soon as we get back.”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled: “Great. Once you have the new samples ready, just contact the procurement department. I’ll have Wenwen let them know in advance, and we can sign the contract then.”

The aunt said gratefully, reaching out: “Okay, thank you so much, Mr. Lin!”

The uncle added with a smile: “Yes, thank you, Mr. Lin.”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t press them to change how they addressed him; he just nodded, and that wrapped it up.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jingshi handled the company issues swiftly. Zheng Shi Company had grown to this point, so cliques, kickbacks, and such weren’t new—they’d happened before and would likely happen again, as she’d mentioned earlier.

Her approach was straightforward: just let them go.

Soon, everyone gathered at the company entrance.

Jiang Jingshi arrived and exchanged greetings with Han Wenwen’s uncle and aunt.

As they said goodbye, the uncle and aunt seemed to have something on their minds for Han Wenwen.

Jiang Jingshi glanced at Lin Zheng Ran for approval, and after he nodded, she signaled to Pan Lin.

Pan Lin played along, acting urgent: “Mr. Lin, Ms. Jiang, your important schedule is up—we need to head back for that meeting.”

Jiang Jingshi responded: “A meeting? Give it a minute.”

The uncle waved quickly: “You two go ahead with your business. We’re driving, so we’ll just head out and won’t hold you up!”

After a few polite exchanges,

Lin Zheng Ran said: “Alright, we’ll get going then. Wenwen, you see off your uncle and aunt—I’ll head up with Jingshi for the meeting.”

Han Wenwen caught on right away.

“Got it.”

The uncle, aunt, and Han Wenwen watched Lin Zheng Ran and the others leave.

With him gone, the couple finally relaxed, the pressure lifting.

Han Wenwen noticed their relief and said calmly: “Uncle, Aunt, just follow what Brother Zheng Ran suggested. Get those products fixed, and we’ll sign the contract once it’s ready.”

The uncle looked at the grown-up Han Wenwen and finally spoke up:

“Wenwen… thank you so much. Without you and Mr. Lin, your aunt and I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Han Wenwen laughed it off: “It’s nothing—we’re family, right? Don’t worry about it. Get in the car and drive safe.”

The uncle got in, but the aunt paused at the door, suddenly turning back to old memories:

“Wenwen, when I married your uncle and you had to leave home, I know I explained my side back then, but I also realize I wronged you. I hope you don’t hold it against me.” Her eyes trembled as she said seriously, “I’m sorry, from me.”

The sudden topic left Han Wenwen a bit dazed.

But she quickly smiled: “Aunt, what are you talking about? I never held a grudge.”

She added earnestly:

“I know Uncle had his own life, and as a kid, I was probably a burden. No matter how I look at it, that’s the truth. I’m grateful for the years you raised me and for your care over time. Without Uncle and Aunt, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Han Wenwen said from the heart: “In the end, we’re family.”

The aunt’s eyes reddened, and she hugged Han Wenwen with a smile.

In the car, the uncle wiped away tears discreetly.

They waved goodbye, and Han Wenwen watched the car disappear before letting out a long breath.

Then she headed back to the company to find Brother Zheng Ran.