Chapter 306: Family Secrets Unraveled

The three of them sat on the sofa, but Lin Xiao Li’s posture showed a hint of nervousness, and she felt her son’s aura had completely changed whenever she looked at him.

Though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what had changed.

Jiang Jingshi personally poured tea for Lin Xiao Li. “Auntie, have some tea.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you. You’re Xiaoxiao Jingshi, right?”

Jiang Jingshi nodded gently. “Yes, that’s fine.”

Lin Xiao Li picked up the teacup and took a sip, noting that the flavor was quite different from what she drank at home.

It was probably expensive.

Setting down the teacup, she said, “I know I’m not dreaming anymore, but… what’s really going on? How did Zheng Ran become the general manager of Zheng Shi Company? He’s still just a student, barely an adult, and shouldn’t have the money to start a business.”

Jiang Jingshi smiled. “It’s a long story. To explain properly, we have to go back three years.”

“Three years?!”

“Yes, it starts with the first time I met Zheng at the high school gate. Wait, no, it should start with my sister.”

Lin Xiao Li caught the slip immediately. Zheng? Such an intimate nickname…

But she didn’t rush to ask; there was so much she wanted to know, and she needed to listen carefully to piece it all together.

“Take your time, Xiaojing Shi.”

As Jiang Jingshi recalled the past, her eyes took on a dreamy quality.

“Three years ago, my sister started high school. About a month in, I noticed something off about her. After investigating, I found out she had a rival at school, so I drove over myself.”

Over the next half hour, Jiang Jingshi outlined how she met Lin Zheng Ran and encountered him in a competition.

Then came the arranged marriage, growing familiarity, and finally, starting the business.

Halfway through, Lin Xiao Li exclaimed, “Wait, an arranged marriage?! Jingshi, are you the one Zheng Ran’s grandfather mentioned?”

Jiang Jingshi explained, “Yes, but it wasn’t me at first. Grandfather originally meant my sister, though it was actually me from the very beginning.”

This left Lin Xiao Li’s mind reeling.

Lin Zheng Ran simplified it: “Basically, it started with me and Jingshi, but because I was born late, it switched to her sister. Then during the matchmaking, it went back to Jingshi.”

Lin Xiao Li took a deep breath and noticed another key point: Zheng Ran also called her Jingshi…

She picked up her teacup for another sip, looking at her son. “I get it a bit now. You two really have a destined connection. I thought that arranged marriage thing was over, especially since Zheng Ran never mentioned it again.”

Lin Zheng Ran said, “I’ve just been really busy these past few years.”

Lin Xiao Li swallowed hard. “Mom believes it this time. What’s next?” She turned back to Jiang Jingshi.

Jiang Jingshi smiled and continued:

“Then I saw Zheng’s potential. I provided the funding, and he brought the ideas. We started Zheng Shi Company three years ago. Zheng exceeded all my expectations; his skills are incredible. In just three years, he multiplied the company’s profits by more than ten times.

And recently, Auntie, you might have seen the news—after my serious illness turned into a blessing, the company has been even more profitable. That’s why we’ve been hiring steadily up to now.”

Lin Xiao Li gasped, as if listening to an entrepreneur’s autobiography:

“Your experiences could fill a book. It’s so inspiring, and…”

She turned to her son, suddenly overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face as she bit her lip and trembled.

“My Zheng Ran is amazing! You’ve worked so hard these past years. I had no idea you were doing something this incredible. If I’d known, I’d have cooked you more good meals.”

Lin Xiao Li reached out, unable to hold back her feelings. After all, she’d navigated life’s hardships for years and knew how tough the world could be. Even if they made it sound easy, there must have been plenty of challenges behind the scenes:

“Zheng Ran, give Mom a hug! You’re incredible, my pride and joy!”

Lin Zheng Ran felt awkward. “Do we have to, Mom? I’m not a kid anymore.”

“Come on! What’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s just us, and Xiaojing Shi is here. The moment’s right.”

His sweet, naive mom left Lin Zheng Ran speechless.

“Go ahead, hug her.”

“Woo woo, my Zheng Ran has grown up so much!” Lin Xiao Li hugged her son and patted his head.

Jiang Jingshi couldn’t help but smile at the scene, but worried Lin Zheng Ran might feel embarrassed, so she covered her mouth with her hand.

Still, she hadn’t expected the usually composed Zheng to act so childlike around his aunt.

After a quick hug, Lin Zheng Ran handed his mother a couple of tissues.

Lin Xiao Li took the tissues, her mouth quivering as she wiped away tears.

Her voice shook from crying:

“I understand now. But Zheng Ran, your success is thanks to Xiaojing Shi. Without her, we wouldn’t have the resources. Even with your talents, it would have taken much longer. Thank you so much.”

Jiang Jingshi insisted:

“It’s not like that. I’ve seen Zheng’s abilities over the years. Even without my help, he’d have succeeded—it was just a matter of time. I’m the one grateful he partnered with me on the company.” She gazed at Lin Zheng Ran with admiration:

“With him, the company’s growing stronger every day. My initial investment is just a drop in the bucket compared to now. Thank you, Zheng.”

Lin Xiao Li sensed there were many untold stories between them and didn’t interrupt.

But she asked, “Xiaojing Shi, you mentioned your illness. Is that the news about the miraculous recovery?”

Jiang Jingshi paused and glanced at Lin Zheng Ran, as if seeking permission.

After he nodded, she said, “It’s true, Auntie. And the one who saved my life was Zheng. The reporters didn’t know, so it wasn’t in the news.”

“Ah? Really?”

She looked at her son in confusion. “How did you do it? You’re not a doctor.”

Lin Zheng Ran reminded her, “Remember a while back when I was home studying medical books for days? You must have forgotten. That’s when I stumbled on a way to cure the illness and healed Jingshi.”

Jiang Jingshi hummed in agreement, her face flushing with gratitude:

“So to me, Zheng is not only my guide in business but also my lifesaver. I owe him so much; I don’t know how to repay it.”

Lin Xiao Li felt the weight of those words.

Glancing at their expressions:

“Xiaojing Shi, Zheng Ran… does that mean you two are…”

Jiang Jingshi nodded. “Yes, Auntie. I’m Zheng’s girlfriend now.”

Lin Xiao Li was stunned, a haze of memories flashing through her mind with various faces.

“You’re really together…”

As an elder, through what she’d just heard, she really liked this girl named Jiang Jingshi.

She was gentle, generous, and supportive, plus they built a company together.

“But what about Xiao Qingqing, Wen Wen, Lily, and Xiao Meng?”