Grandfather Jiang was asking about Cen Huai’an’s recent progress in learning Go, whether he practiced every day, and if he encountered any problems when he heard Uncle Jiang Er’s plea.

“I won’t persuade her. When you truly stop pressuring her, and she feels that, she will come back on her own.”

Grandfather Jiang couldn’t stand Uncle Jiang Er’s and Zhou Huaying’s forcing the child to study, which had pushed her away to Yangcheng, so he supported Jiang Zhiyi.

At this moment, a few children ran in from outside.

As soon as they entered the living room, Jiang Weixi loudly exclaimed to Jiang Zhishu and Luo Peng, “Dad! Mom! Aunt’s car is so beautiful and comfortable to ride in!”

Luo Peng, curious and surprised, looked at Chuxia and asked, “Did you buy a car?”

She knew that Chuxia, while not appearing to be in business, had shares in Jiang Zhida’s factory and entertainment venues, and also in Jiang Zhishu’s pharmaceutical company.

It wasn’t unusual for her to buy a car.

“Yes, I asked Da Zi to help me buy it in Yangcheng.”

The shocked gazes of Uncle Jiang Er’s family turned to Chuxia, unable to believe that she suddenly bought such an expensive car.

They were unaware of Chuxia’s shares; even Uncle Jiang Da wasn’t very clear about them, let alone others.

Grandfather Jiang wasn’t surprised by the car itself but was surprised at how quickly Chuxia had bought it.

Jiang Zhiguan, who was sitting beside Chuxia and Luo Peng, snacking on sunflower seeds and watching TV, turned her head in shock when she heard about the car.

Her wide-eyed expression was exactly like Zhang Lu’s outside; clearly, mother and daughter were similar.

She jumped up and said, “Chuxia, I need to see your car! You’re amazing, you bought a car!”

As she spoke, she ran outside.

Chuxia and Luo Peng quickly followed, and the others looked at each other and stood up to follow.

When Jiang Zhiguan reached outside, she saw the white sedan, with its sleek shape and beautiful color, which made her very excited.

“Chuxia, how much did this car cost?”

Chuxia showed her the price with her fingers.

Jiang Zhiguan immediately clutched her chest, shaking her head and saying, “No, no, it’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.”

She quickly abandoned the idea of buying a car, realizing that even selling their whole family wouldn’t be enough to afford it.

Luo Peng looked at the car, her eyes filled with contemplation.

Grandfather Jiang and Uncle Jiang Er also came out.

Seeing the car, Uncle Jiang Er showed surprise on his face, while Zhou Huaying didn’t seem too affected; she had ridden in cars before and Uncle Jiang Er had access to his work car.

Jiang Zhiguan wanted to experience riding in the car and asked Chuxia if she could take her for a drive.

“Just a short drive, we’ll be back quickly.”

“Sure,” Chuxia said, shaking the keys and turning to the children who had come out.

“An An, Lu Lu, Xi Xi, Wei Xian, do you want to come along?”

“Yes!” The children quickly agreed.

Since the car could only hold five people, but Xi Xi was still small, and the children were slim, Jiang Zhiguan sat in the front passenger seat while the children squeezed into the back.

Chuxia expertly started the car, and the children clung to the back of the front seats, repeatedly exclaiming “Wow!” which kept a smile on Chuxia’s face throughout.

After a long drive, Chuxia returned with Jiang Zhiguan and the children, and everyone in the car looked very satisfied.

“Chuxia, this car is really nice. It’s a pity I can’t afford it, otherwise, I would definitely buy one too!” Jiang Zhiguan knew her limitations, realizing she wasn’t cut out for business and would probably end up in trouble if she tried.

So, she just admired it and let the thought pass.

However, Bai Han, Jiang Weixian’s mother, looked at the car with a complex expression.

The conversation naturally shifted to Chuxia’s car, and Uncle Jiang Da and Yang Mei praised Chuxia’s achievements.

Yang Mei even joked with Cen Zhengnian, “Your family’s car is all thanks to your wife. If you treat Chuxia badly, she might drive away with An An, and you won’t be able to catch up.”

Cen Zhengnian handed Chuxia a peeled tangerine and said, “Yes, so now my status at home is the lowest.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

But Cen Zhengnian was indeed worried about not being good enough.

Without Chuxia, he thought she and An An might be better off, and he wouldn’t be able to manage even his work, feeling like life would be unbearable.

Thinking about this possibility felt like a thousand needles piercing his heart.

He quickly stopped the thought, bowed his head, and continued to peel tangerines for Chuxia with his well-defined fingers.

“Chuxia, do you think I can learn to drive?”

After the meal, when the children went for a nap and Uncle Jiang Er’s family had left, Luo Peng, who had not yet left, sat beside Chuxia and asked softly.

Seeing Chuxia drive so coolly earlier had made Luo Peng’s heart race.

She suddenly had the urge to learn to drive.

“Of course you can!” Chuxia immediately nodded with an encouraging smile, “Driving is easy. As long as you are bold and careful, it’s fine. Cousin, let Cousin know and he can help you practice.”

Since Jiang Zhishu had a car company and a car, it wouldn’t be hard for Luo Peng to practice driving.

Luo Peng was still a bit unsure, as she had never thought she could drive before.

She either had Jiang Zhishu or the company driver pick her up or took public transport.

“Really? I thought driving was very complicated.”

Chuxia said, “It’s not complicated. You’ll learn quickly after a few practices. It’s simple. Cousin, if you want to learn, just go for it. While you’re still young, try new experiences.”

Luo Peng gained courage from this and said, “You’re right. I should try new experiences. I’ll ask Zhishu to teach me when I get home today.”

Chuxia wasn’t sure about Luo Peng’s driving lessons, but during the New Year’s Eve dinner at Grandfather Jiang’s house, Luo Peng’s face was radiant.

Seeing Chuxia, she immediately brightened up. When Chuxia sat next to her, she said with excitement, “I’ve learned to drive. When I get my license, I’ll be able to drive too!”

“Congratulations, Cousin.” Chuxia was genuinely happy for her.

Luo Peng, a bit embarrassed, brushed her hair and said, “Actually, I made mistakes at first, like confusing the accelerator with the brake. Luckily, Zhishu had removed the accelerator beforehand, otherwise, the car would have crashed into a wall.”

Learning to drive had indeed been challenging for Luo Peng, mainly because of her nervousness and tendency to make mistakes.

Jiang Zhishu had never lost her temper or shown impatience.

Every evening after dinner, she patiently taught Luo Peng how to drive, correcting her mistakes repeatedly.

As time passed, Luo Peng’s confidence grew, and she became more relaxed in the car.

Chu Xia could see the sweet smile on her face and guessed that things were going well.

This year, they didn’t go to the Northwest for the New Year, which made Chu Xia feel guilty.

She sent many gifts to Jiang Shengnan and Cen Father, items that were available in the capital but not in the Northwest.

While looking at the family photo taken during the New Year’s Eve dinner at Jiang Grandpa’s house, Jiang Shengnan couldn’t help but notice how her father had aged; his face was lined with wrinkles, and his hair was completely white.

Clutching the corner of the photo, her eyes brimmed with tears.

Cen Father understood her feelings and pulled her into an embrace, sighing, “I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me…”

“Don’t say that,” Jiang Shengnan wiped her eyes. “This was my choice too. At least we’ll be retiring this year.”

According to national regulations, Jiang Shengnan could have retired a few years earlier, but she and Cen Father were of the same age.

Since Cen Father wouldn’t retire until he was sixty, she felt it was her duty to stay with him, ensuring he wasn’t alone in the Northwest without any support from the younger generation.

Once they retired, they planned to return to the capital, where Jiang Shengnan intended to spend quality time with Jiang Grandpa and fulfill her filial duties.

She felt deep remorse as a daughter for not being there for her father.

While they discussed their plans post-retirement, Cen Zhengshi and Xi Wang were also conversing about the same topic.

Xi Wang sat in their bedroom, frowning as she spoke softly to Cen Zhengshi. “Your dad is retiring this year. If we don’t ask him for help now, we’ll really have to rely on ourselves later.”

Everyone knew that no matter how powerful someone was at work, once they retired and lost their influence, their importance diminished significantly, especially when it came to helping the younger generation.

Xi Wang was particularly resentful of how Cen Father and Jiang Shengnan made Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huaixin go through military training every summer.

Despite the kids having changed a lot since then, seeing them come back looking thin and worn always broke her heart.

Cen Zhengshi, however, was proud of the changes in the children.

After all, who wouldn’t want their kids to succeed?

Hearing Xi Wang’s concerns, Cen Zhengshi didn’t think they were as critical.

He understood his parents’ personalities better than she did.

“My dad has already helped me once; I can manage on my own from here. Don’t always rely on him.”

Frustrated, Xi Wang pinched him. “I’m doing this for us! There’s a huge difference between having help and not having help.”

“My dad can’t help anymore,” Cen Zhengshi stated bluntly. “And I don’t want to keep asking him for favors.”

He had a man’s pride; at his age, he didn’t want to feel incapable by continuously seeking help from his elders.

“Alright, alright, stop overthinking. Let’s get some sleep.”

“Even if we don’t get jobs, shouldn’t we have them help look after Xiao Ze and Xin Xin? Look at our house and their schooling.”

Cen Zhengshi frowned. “Are you saying you want my parents to give us money?”

Xi Wang nodded. “They’re their grandkids too; they can’t just spoil An An.”

Cen Zhengshi sighed, “Our family isn’t short on money.”

“Not short?” Xi Wang retorted, calculating expenses. “Feeding, clothing, and two kids in school—every bit costs money.”

Cen Zhengshi felt too sleepy to engage in this conversation. “Fine, fine, if we need money, we’ll work harder. You can cut back on your family’s support too.”

He wasn’t oblivious; he knew how much Xi Wang sent back home.

“Anyway, don’t count on my parents. It’s embarrassing to rely on them at our age.”

Cen Zhengshi’s words infuriated Xi Wang.

She scratched him playfully. “Cen Zhengshi, how could you say that?”

That night, Cen Zhengshi struggled to sleep peacefully.

He certainly wouldn’t ask his parents for money, but Xi Wang, after contemplating it, felt Cen Father and Jiang Shengnan were only looking out for Cen Huai’an, so she called Jiang Shengnan.

After hanging up, Jiang Shengnan sat there with her brows tightly knitted, sighing heavily.

“What did she say?” Cen Father asked. “You shouldn’t let her get to you; it’ll only upset you.”

“She wants to ask for money and things.”

Cen Father slammed his hand on the table angrily. “No way!”

He believed marrying Xi Wang had been a mistake, but his son had fallen for her back then.

She had been pretty and fashionable, her demeanor seemingly gentle and generous—how could she have turned out like this after marriage?

Or maybe they had never truly seen her for who she was.

“She thinks it’s unfair, that we don’t treat everyone equally.”

“What has she ever given us during the holidays? Trust me, don’t give her anything. If the eldest can’t even support their family, they shouldn’t be working. If you give her once, there’ll be a second time. Once she tastes the sweetness, it’ll be a bottomless pit. If we haven’t even passed on, she’ll still be calculating more for the future.”

Cen Father was brutally honest.

Jiang Shengnan knew he was right; she just felt soft-hearted when it came to her grandchildren.

Every summer, the two kids visiting created a bond.

“We send them enough already; we don’t need to give more. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to Chu Xia and An An.”

Jiang Shengnan suddenly awakened to the reality. “You’re right. I won’t give anything.”

---

As spring approached after the New Year, the weather warmed, and the surroundings turned green.

Both Chu Xia and Luo Peng had learned to drive and decided to take the kids out to enjoy the spring.

Mid-March was the perfect time for admiring beautiful scenery and flying kites in the countryside.

Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu eagerly anticipated this outing.

They spent their free time at school making kites.

“I want to make an eagle! It will look so majestic soaring in the sky!” Zhang Lu exclaimed excitedly.

Cen Huai’an had no specific preferences for his kite, but he drew go game pieces, math books, rockets, and pictures of their family on his.

The other classmates joined in, some even couldn’t resist making kites during class!