?67: 067: Extreme Joy Begets Sorrow for the Qi Family 67: 067: Extreme Joy Begets Sorrow for the Qi Family “A remarkable individual indeed,” Mu Chengzong, having lived for over eighty years, had never seen such a wonder, though he had heard many.

    He never thought he would encounter it in his lifetime.

    He looked at the small porcelain bottle in his hands, his emotions surging with excitement.

    An additional ten years of life—it was like a dream.

    After taking the Elixir, his entire being radiated powerful vitality.

    Originally feeble, he gradually felt changes occurring within him; palpitations, dizziness, weakness in his limbs—all these symptoms disappeared.

    It was as if he had undergone a complete transformation.

    It was hard to describe the benefits he felt, and now he had no doubt that he could live another ten years.

    He felt as if he had become a decade younger.

    Stretching his back and expanding his chest, he felt refreshed and invigorated.

    Hmph!

    The Qi Family has quite the nerve to covet the Mu Family’s assets.

    I will give them a big surprise.

    Mu Chengzong kept a low profile, still pretending to be gravely ill.

    A day passed, and Mu Qingwan had run through all the hospitals in Jinhai City, speaking to deans and consulting doctors just to buy her grandfather more time, but everyone helplessly shook their heads.

    The laws of nature cannot be defied by human effort.

    Mu Qingwan returned to the Mu Family home exhausted.

    The insincere smiles of her uncles and aunts greeted her—their suggestion that she enter into a marriage alliance with the Qi Family spoke volumes of their intentions.

    What was more outrageous was their desire to meddle in Nanzhu’s business—it was simply too much.

    And her male and female cousins were even worse.

    Their expressions, which read ‘you’re an outsider sooner or later’, made Mu Qingwan feel extremely cold-hearted.

    Thankfully, the company Nanzhu had registered was entirely in her name.

    “Niece, in the future, our Mu Family will have to rely on your support.

    Of course, if you run into any trouble, we, as your uncles, certainly won’t stand idly by,” said Mu Changtong, the eldest, taking advantage of his seniority.

    “Then Wan’er must thank the uncles in advance.

    I will go and see grandfather now,” Mu Qingwan had no wish to face these hypocritical faces any longer.

    It was a pity her parents had died young; otherwise, she wouldn’t be ostracized by these siblings.

    If it weren’t for the Mu Family blood flowing through her veins, she might have believed she was an outsider.

    “Grandfather,” Mu Qingwan bought some fresh fruit, trying her best to appear cheerful so as not to let her grandfather see any distress.

    “Wan’er is back, come here, let grandfather have a good look at you,” Mu Chengzong’s eyes sparkled with nurturing love.

    Of the current Mu Family, only this granddaughter was willing to run around for his sake.

    As for his other children—hmph, they couldn’t wait for him to die.

    In educating his children, Mu Chengzong had truly failed.

    He had brought wealth and prestige to the family, but he hadn’t controlled his children’s desires properly, resulting in such ruthless behavior.

    “Grandfather, you must rest well.

    You will get better.

    You still have to accompany me around the world,” Mu Qingwan said with a smile, though her heart ached.

    Helplessness is watching a loved one leave this world and being unable to do anything about it.

    “Wan’er, don’t worry, grandfather won’t let you marry someone you dislike.

    I know exactly what your uncles are plotting.

    With me here, the sky won’t fall,” Mu Chengzong assured her.

    Mu Qingwan just nodded, going along with Mu Chengzong’s words.

    Now the Mu enterprise was in complete disarray, teetering on the brink of disaster.

    What distressed her was that she couldn’t even confide in her grandfather, and Mu Qingwan had no desire to intervene.

    Of course, even if she did, those uncles wouldn’t let her.

    She might as well accompany her grandfather during his last days.

    Mu Qingwan only showed such ease in front of her grandfather.

    With him, she let down all her defenses, opened up her heart, shared interesting experiences, and of course, sought advice on business management.

    Mu Chengzong was a professor and expert employed by the nation, with a keen insight into the world economy.

    Otherwise, the Mu enterprise would not have come this far.

    “Wan’er, tell grandfather the truth, do you have someone you like?” Mu Chengzong asked with a smile.

    Mu Qingwan was momentarily startled, then hastily denied, “No, no, there isn’t.”

    “I already know, how long were you planning to hide it from Grandpa?”

    “Grandpa, how did you find out?”

    “Old man like me has his ways.

    Come on, tell Grandpa about your sweetheart,” Mu Chengzong said.

    Mu Qingwan didn’t conceal anything, yet the more Mu Chengzong listened, the more excited he became.

    That old man struck him as odd at first sight, young and full of vitality.

    Putting together his pointed words, the puzzle pieces fit together in his mind in an instant, making all their previous interactions make perfect sense.

    Hands too soft, aura too youthful.

    He understood, perhaps that person had changed his appearance to save himself.

    “Grandpa, you mustn’t tease me,” Mu Qingwan said gently as if telling a tale.

    With a relaxed smile radiating from her heart, “Grandpa, what’s your take on the Qi Family’s situation?”

    “I’m still here, they won’t be able to stir up much trouble,” Mu Chengzong had already taken measures.

    Now the Mu Family descendants didn’t even know control of the corporation had returned to the old man’s hands; they were still fighting over rights that were unattainable.

    The thought was frankly sad for Mu Chengzong.

    Truth be told, his life or death mattered less to them than a position within the corporation; he had failed as a father.

    As the saying goes, when the upper beam is askew, the lower beams will follow.

    He, Mu Chengzong, must shoulder some of the blame.

    Therefore, for the future of the Mu Family, he had already drafted a will, transferring all 51% of his shares in the corporation to Mu Qingwan.

    Previously he might have been cautious of this granddaughter, at most leaving her 5% of shares, enough to ensure her wealth through several generations.

    Leaving more might lead to her husband’s family having other designs; as the family’s patriarch, Mu Chengzong needed to think long term.

    But, after this incident, he had a change of heart.

    His descendants already had their shares and wouldn’t starve; rather than letting the corporation decline in their hands, it would be better to leave it to Mu Qingwan to take the Mu Family to greater heights.

    With her current strength, it wouldn’t be hard to achieve.

    Looking at his obedient granddaughter, Mu Chengzong finally felt some consolation.

    “Wan’er, the engagement tomorrow will be cancelled.

    My granddaughter from the Mu Family doesn’t need marriage to save the corporation,” Mu Chengzong stated.

    “But Grandpa—”

    “No more arguing; Grandpa said he would let you be free, and that promise will never change.

    I won’t interfere with your personal affairs, and I’ve arranged everything in the corporation.

    The Qi Family can’t handle it, and the Mu Family won’t fall,” Mu Chengzong said with assertiveness.

    “Thank you, Grandpa.” Mu Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief.

    In fact, she had decided, even if it meant sacrificing herself, she would leave her body to Tang Feng.

    And after her grandfather passed, she naturally wouldn’t go through with the marriage.

    Everything she did was merely to give the old man peace in his departure.

    “Don’t worry, some people want Grandpa to leave sooner, but I won’t let them have their way,” Mu Chengzong laughed.

    “Grandpa, you—” Mu Qingwan finally noticed something was amiss.

    Grandpa was full of energy, a stark contrast from before; it left her both shocked and delighted.

    “I have you to thank for this.

    Someone kindhearted sent me an Elixir before you returned; I won’t have any problems for a few years,” Mu Chengzong didn’t dare to laugh too loudly, as his children had ears like hares when it came to such matters.

    “That’s wonderful, I knew Grandpa had the protection of the heavens.”

    “Silly child, do you really think such good fortune comes easily?

    If I’m not mistaken, it must have been done by the person you like.

    Think about it, does he not have the means?”

    “Xiao Feng, how can it be?

    He doesn’t even know my family resides here, plus he’s in Nanzhu,” Mu Qingwan was taken aback.

    Disregarding the distance, the miraculous Elixir surely was something Xiao Feng possessed, after all, Yao Xin and Xiao Ya had benefited from it.

    Had he really come?

    Thinking this made her somewhat nervous.

    What if he misunderstood?