Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Such a rush?” Cheng Wenru took a sip of tea and furrowed her brows.
She knew that with Elder Xu’s passing, the Xu family and the Research Institute would be lost, just as the Cheng family was now.
With Qin Ran taking over the position now, and without authorities like Old Master Cheng and Old Master Xu to support her…
“There was something on in the Research Institute.” Qin Ran looked up at her. “Butler Xu set the date.”
Cheng Wenru nodded and tapped her fingers against the table. She was thinking if there was anyone in her connections whose presence might stabilize the situation on that day.
But the only people she could think of were two people from the Medical Lab.
“Who are the Xu family inviting for the handover ceremony?” Cheng Wenru asked.
Qin Ran paused for a moment before saying, “Not sure, but I have two friends coming from overseas.”
Cheng Wenru looked toward Cheng Juan as she thought about someone she could contact. “Third Bro, could you invite Elder Jiang and the Head of the Museum over on that day?”
Qin Ran looked up when she heard Elder Jiang’s name.
She recalled that the copybooks Cheng Juan had given her earlier were of Elder Jiang’s handwriting.
Her handwriting was about 30% similar to his at this point.
Cheng Juan was sitting beside Qin Ran and working on the laptop. He seemed to be in deep thought as he asked, “Invite them?”
He appeared to be considering it seriously.
“No need!” Qin Ran turned to him. “Please, don’t invite them.”
“Why not?” Cheng Shui asked as he walked over. “Miss Qin, you need to let the group of people in the Research Institute know that you’ve got backing.”
Qin Ran put her hand to her forehead. “I already have guests, a few of them.”
“Guests?” Cheng Juan turned to her in apparent shock. Too much had happened in the day, and neither of them had properly processed it. Even when they were together, they were both dealing with their own issues.
He was only hearing about the handover ceremony today.
“Maybe not ‘guests’.” Qin Ran leaned back in her seat. “My Godpa.”
“Godpa?” Not only was Cheng Juan shocked, but Cheng Wenru, Cheng Mu, and Cheng Shui were as well.
Cheng Juan shut his laptop and turned to her. “Sister Ran, you have a Godpa?”
“I’ve barely met him, but my grandpa told me about him since I was young.” Qin Ran looked down at her cell phone as Giant Crocodile’s notification came in. She was reading the message as she went on, “He lives abroad, and this is the first time he’ll be coming back.”
“When is he arriving?” Cheng Juan understood Qin Ran well enough to know that given her current attitude, it showed that she really respected her godpa.
He got a little serious.
Cheng Wenru put aside the Research Institute matters as well. “This is his first time in Beijing? Third Bro, you’ve got to be a good host.”
“He’ll be here tonight, and someone will be there to fetch him. You’ll be able to see him tomorrow at the ceremony.” Qin Ran shook her head.
“Sure.” Cheng Juan nodded and did not mention picking him up again.
Qin Ran thought for a bit and stood up. “I’ll make a call.”
Cheng Juan said quietly, “Go ahead.”
Qin Ran went upstairs and returned Giant Crocodile’s call.
“Bro, want to drink tonight?” Giant Crocodile asked in less-than-fluent Mandarin. “He Chen is reserving the whole place.”
“It’s alright, I have something on tomorrow.” Qin Ran sat by her laptop. “I’ll look for you guys when I’m done.”
The five people of the 129 had never met with perfect attendance before.
“It’s the handover ceremony Chang Ning was talking about, right?” Giant Crocodile heard about it too. “Alright, use Qing Lin as much as you need.”
They hung up.
Giant Crocodile turned towards Chang Ning and He Chen. “She has a ceremony to attend.”
Chang Ning nodded. “I guessed so. Moreover, Elder Xu’s death is a big deal. It seems to have quite a huge impact on her.”
“Handover ceremony?” Giant Crocodile seemed to be thinking about something. “My bro seems to be into antique stuff, I got her another two good items again.”
After the last time, Giant Crocodile went to the source for more items for Qin Ran.
He’d brought them along to Beijing with him, but he hadn’t got the chance to meet Qin Ran yet.
He Chen put down yet another empty glass. “I got her a huge gift too.”
Seeing that they seemed prepared, Chang Ning said, “… What are you guys getting involved for?”
Giant Crocodile glanced at him. “Have you checked out the group that does resales in Continent F?”
“He’s a boss with a proper business, and you call that resales? They’re still in Continent F, you guys don’t have to call to check on them again.” Chang Ning took a spoonful of food.
“You’re not as useful as my bro.” Giant Crocodile furrowed his brows. But after the previous time, Qin Ran hadn’t helped him go against that resale group. “I’ll look for her myself and pass her the gifts.”
After eating, Giant Crocodile asked Qing Lin for Qin Ran’s current address and then headed out to look for her.
…
At the villa.
Cheng Wenru was discussing Qin Ran and the Research Institute with Cheng Juan.
A while later, Cheng Tu entered, calling out, “Boss, I’m back!”
He still had his full beard and was holding a laptop in his hand. He greeted, “Eldest Lady.”
Because of what had happened two days ago, Cheng Wenru immediately stood up when she saw him. She politely said, “Cheng Tu, thank you so much for settling the goods…”
“Don’t be so civil, we’re all family. He came back with your goods this time.” Cheng Juan opened his laptop again and then said to Cheng Tu, “Take a seat first.”
Cheng Tu sat on the couch right away. “Eldest Lady, you don’t have to thank me. Just say the word, and I’ll get it done. No-fuss.”
At this point, someone else entered.
It was the housemaid. “Master Juan, someone’s here looking for Miss Qin.”