Volume One, Chapter 12: Grandma Fiercely Defends Her Grandchild

The atmosphere in the living room grew increasingly tense and silent.

Just then, Aunt Chun’s bright voice rang out. “Madam, your eldest grandson, A-Jin, is home.”

Grandma You was delighted and thrilled, but the smile on her face quickly faded. Pretending to be displeased, she sat upright without moving.

You Jin walked in.

He was dressed in an elegant black tunic and matching trousers, which made his distinguished presence seem all the more composed and aloof.

His gaze swept over Song Wanxi and paused for several seconds before finally settling on his grandmother. He greeted her politely. “Grandma.”

Grandma You replied sarcastically, “You rushed home the moment you got off the plane. I thought you were eager to see your wife. Who would have guessed that you two would come separately, one after the other?”

You Jin’s eyes darkened slightly. Without answering, he turned and greeted the other elders one by one.

“A-Jin, come sit here.” Wu Weiwei beamed as she patted the empty seat beside her.

In another situation, he might have sat there.

But today, with his grandmother and the other elders present, he maintained proper decorum and sat down beside Song Wanxi. Although there was a little distance between them, they were seated on the same sofa.

His unusual behavior made Song Wanxi feel somewhat uncomfortable. Her body tensed unconsciously as she sat there obediently, her expression calm.

The smile vanished from Wu Weiwei’s face in an instant. Her rhinestone-studded nails curled faintly into fists, and frustration lodged tightly in her chest.

She felt it was necessary to show Song Wanxi what it meant for two families to be mismatched, what the gulf between social classes was, and how a pheasant could never become a phoenix simply by flying onto a branch.

She would show her how a poor country girl from some remote mountain village could never fit into their wealthy, upper-class world.

Wu Weiwei immediately brought up a topic that highlighted her status as a sophisticated socialite.

“During this trip, I was invited to attend Louis Vuitton’s new-season fashion show. The latest collection was absolutely gorgeous—so refined and tasteful.”

You Jenny’s eyes widened in astonishment. Covering her mouth, she exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! Louis Vuitton usually only invites brand ambassadors, influential public figures, prominent names in the fashion world, and the most elite VIPs. Sister Weiwei, you were actually invited to attend the new-season show in person? I’m so jealous!”

Wu Weiwei’s mother was bursting with pride as she explained, “When my daughter was studying abroad, she became very close friends with the daughter of Louis Vuitton’s vice president.”

Aunt Yin Chanjuan immediately chimed in ingratiatingly, “Weiwei, does that mean you can get the newest limited-edition Louis Vuitton pieces?”

Wu Weiwei smiled. “Of course. If there’s anything you like, Auntie, just tell me. I’ll give it to you.”

Grandma You’s eldest grandson had come home.

Aunt Yin Chanjuan was instantly overjoyed, and the smile on her face became impossible to contain. “How could I possibly let you spend so much?”

Wu Weiwei flattered her. “Don’t be so polite, Auntie. I know Uncle loves collecting fine wines, so I specially asked a friend to send over several bottles from France’s original producing region. They’re world-famous wines made from rare Cognac grapes—the limited-purchase Louis XIII Cognac series. They should arrive in a few days.”

It was not that You Hongsheng could not afford a bottle of wine worth hundreds of thousands. What made it truly precious was that even money could not guarantee one’s ability to buy it.

You Hongsheng’s face lit up with delight. “Weiwei is such a thoughtful girl. I wonder which fortunate family will be lucky enough to marry her. Old Wu, I truly envy you. You have such an outstanding daughter.”

Wu Weiwei’s father gave a knowing little laugh. “My daughter is indeed exceptional. Back then, I even suggested that she become your eldest daughter-in-law.”

The implication was clear: It was You Hongsheng’s eldest son who had been too foolish to recognize her worth.

The second aunt sighed admiringly. “That’s right. Weiwei is beautiful and incredibly capable. Everyone she knows is a major figure in the fashion world.”

The second uncle laughed. “What a pity my family has no son, or I would want Weiwei as my daughter-in-law too. Still, You Chen isn’t young anymore. Perhaps…”

Wu Weiwei’s father hurriedly interrupted him. “Chen is a good-for-nothing, like a rebellious teenager who never grew up. I’d much rather have A-Jin as my son-in-law. Unfortunately, he’s already married.”

The lively living room buzzed with conversation about luxury goods and Wu Weiwei’s many accomplishments.

Song Wanxi felt no inferiority whatsoever because of Wu Weiwei’s powerful connections. She only found the conversation boring. She could not blend into this circle at all; she felt like an outsider.

Grandma You had no interest in their topic either. She gently stroked the back of Song Wanxi’s pale, soft hand and asked quietly, “Wanxi, you’ve been married for two years now. When are you planning to have a child?”

Song Wanxi’s body stiffened. Her heart clenched, and she froze as though someone had pressed an acupuncture point, unsure how to respond.

You Jin sat casually, one arm draped over the back of the sofa and his phone in the other hand as he lowered his eyes to read his emails.

Perhaps he had heard his grandmother’s question. His gaze darkened slightly, and the thumb scrolling across the screen came to a halt.

Grandma You asked worriedly, “Is there something wrong with my eldest grandson’s health?”

Song Wanxi pressed her lips together awkwardly. Forcing out a smile, she shook her head and made an excuse. “Grandma, it’s mainly because I’ve been too busy. I’m not ready to have a child yet.”

The fact that they had no children had made Grandma You’s first thought that there might be a problem with You Jin’s health. Song Wanxi was deeply moved.

Perhaps the subject of children had also drawn everyone else’s attention.

Grandma You understood the nature of Song Wanxi’s work and was quite sympathetic. Although she regretted that she would not be able to hold a great-grandchild anytime soon, she still comforted her with concern. “Wanxi, even if you’re busy with work, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t wear yourself out.”

“All right, Grandma.” Song Wanxi smiled sweetly.

Grandma You asked curiously, “What projects are you working on these days?”

“Research on ALS neuron antibodies, pharmacological studies for insufficient bone collagen fibers in children, and vaccine formulation research for two rare viruses.”

Grandma You rubbed her hand and sighed. “They’re all rare diseases. Even the patented medicine you developed before was for treating a rare disease. With so few patients, will the income be enough to support the development of new drugs?”

The question left Song Wanxi somewhat embarrassed.

She truly was short of funds.

In her younger days, Grandma You had been a professor in a university’s chemistry department and had some understanding of pharmacology. She understood all too well the hardships and difficulties faced by those engaged in scientific research.

Song Wanxi was intelligent, resilient, quiet, and well-mannered. As a fellow researcher, she had won Grandma You’s heart more than anyone else.

Unlike her children and grandchildren, who pursued profit in the business world and reeked of money, earning enough to support several generations in extravagant comfort while contributing little to the country or society.

At that moment, You Hongsheng let out a cold, disdainful laugh. “A tiny pharmaceutical research institute without even a manufacturing plant. You developed two rare-disease drugs that can actually hold their own, yet they were included in the national health insurance program. Similar drugs overseas, with only average results, sell for more than three hundred thousand per injection. Your patented medicine works well but makes no money; after insurance reimbursement, it costs only tens of thousands per injection. You’re clearly not cut out for business. You’re doing charity work, not running a company. You should close the institute as soon as possible, come home to handle the housework, take care of A-Jin’s daily needs, and settle down as a housewife.”

At those words, You Jin pressed his phone until the screen went black. He slowly raised his head and looked toward his father, You Hongsheng, his cold eyes dark and his expression grim.

His father-in-law’s contemptuous words made Song Wanxi extremely angry.

She might be introverted, quiet, and uninterested in fighting for anything, but she was not someone others could bully—especially not when it came to disparaging her career.

Song Wanxi opened her mouth and was just about to retort when the words reached her lips.

Grandma You suddenly exploded in fury.

“You’re nothing but a heartless profiteer! You make money from the suffering of the poor, strip your employees of their benefits, ruthlessly plunder the stock market, contribute nothing to the country, and do nothing but pursue profit without restraint. What right do you have to criticize our pharmaceutical scientist?”

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was left stunned.

After being scolded by his elderly mother, You Hongsheng lost all his arrogance and hurriedly murmured, “Mom, I only meant that her little company isn’t profitable and that there’s no point in wasting time and effort on it. You didn’t have to make me sound so terrible, did you?”