Chapter 22: A God of Wealth Arrives in the Entertainment Industry (22)

In stark contrast stood Fang Jinnian, riding high on the winds of fortune, triumphant both in love and business. To put it bluntly, in Jiang Youyou’s eyes, this fellow seemed to stride with a breeze at his back; if he had a tail, it would no doubt be flicked skyward in pride.

“Xiaoyou, you should sit down and talk things over with your father. No matter what, Jinnian is the Jiang family’s son-in-law. Jiang Group is little more than a dying fish now—any struggle is futile. Rather than wasting time, you’d be better off having a proper discussion with Jinnian. He isn’t a ruthless man.”

Jiang Niannian spoke loftily, looking down at Jiang Youyou as if coaxing a stubborn child. Jiang Youyou simply gazed at them, hands clenched tightly around her clothes, then turned away in silence.

Seeing this, Jiang Niannian wanted to say more, but Fang Jinnian pulled her into his arms, speaking affectionately, “Niannian, why bother wasting words on her? I’ll wait for her to come to me and beg!” With that, he took his beloved and strode off in high spirits.

Jiang Youyou watched them leave, quietly opening the script in her hands. After seeing so many lunatics, she needed something to cleanse her eyes—lest she develop a sty. The art of speaking as someone obsessed with love: for a man, one can even abandon their own father.

Though Jiang Niannian was not Jiang Nantian’s biological daughter, since being adopted from the orphanage, she had been cherished and protected like a delicate flower. The couple loved her wholeheartedly, and even after Jiang Youyou was born, their affection did not waver.

But when Jiang Nantian’s wife, Wang Wan, died because of Jiang Niannian, Jiang Nantian grew distant. Jiang Niannian had wanted candied hawthorn; Wang Wan went to buy it herself, only to be tragically struck by a car and killed on the spot. The couple didn’t even get to see her one last time.

Jiang Niannian was only five then, traumatized so deeply she lost all memory. Yes, it was that melodramatic—a husband bereft of his beloved wife, a daughter with no recollection of the past, a knot in the heart, a suspicion of favoritism, and so the conflict was born.

Jiang Niannian gradually lost her sense of home with the Jiang family, while Jiang Nantian grew sorely disappointed in his adopted daughter. She agreed to the engagement but left without so much as a word, never even confiding in him privately. She was gone for so long, not a single message to the family. He had loved her deeply—how could he not be disappointed?

Yet despite his disappointment, Jiang Niannian had never been deprived in food, clothing, or anything else. But our heroine, proud and ambitious, wanted to rely on her own hands to achieve success, scornful of the paltry offerings from the Jiang family.

Unexpectedly, her struggles toppled her own family—and led her straight into Fang Jinnian’s bed.

Three days later.

The television series wrapped up, and at the celebration banquet, Jiang Niannian cornered Jiang Youyou, once again adopting her gentle, understanding persona.

“Xiaoyou, it’s not that I refuse to give Jinnian to you, but you know even if I handed him over, you’d only gain his body, not his heart!”

Having said this, Jiang Niannian looked at Jiang Youyou earnestly, as if awaiting her response. Alas, only silence answered her. Jiang Niannian drew a deep breath, trying to tamp down her impatience.

“The Jiang family is on the brink of bankruptcy. If we keep holding on, we’ll lose everything. Jinnian is still letting me persuade you—that’s an opportunity, isn’t it? You have to look forward, right? Go back and talk to Dad, be wise and adapt. Don’t wait until you’re left with nothing.

Besides, we’re family, aren’t we? Even if the company is acquired by Jinnian, it’ll still be in the hands of our own people.” Jiang Niannian spoke without pausing for breath, eyes fixed intently on Jiang Youyou. When she saw the other’s trembling shoulders, her gaze brightened instantly.