WBSGVS Chapter 239 V1

Chapter 239

Jiang Xi’s attitude remained as cold as ever. Even when facing his father—Grandpa Jiang—he showed little respect.

After all, he was the one now in control of the Jiang family.

Jiang Xi’s mother was not Grandpa Jiang’s first wife, and Jiang Xi was ten years younger than Jiang Zheng’s father. But that age gap hadn’t created a power imbalance—if anything, Jiang Xi’s exceptional capabilities allowed him to easily outshine his older sibling and appear even more intelligent.

Just over a decade ago, fresh out of college, Jiang Xi joined the company and, in just two years, outperformed his elder brother. The board unanimously agreed that he should be the one to succeed Grandpa Jiang.

Since then, he had led the Jiang Corporation to rapid growth, doubling its size and establishing it as a truly prestigious conglomerate.

To Jiang Xi, the Jiang Corporation was everything.

Although he had only one daughter—Jiang Qingli—that didn’t mean she was guaranteed to inherit the family business.

At sixteen, Jiang Xi had already been placed under pressure by his older brother and was given a small company to manage as training. He’d learned how to fight for power and seize opportunity. So now, he had granted Jiang Qingli eighteen years to grow. If she still failed to meet his expectations, he wouldn’t hesitate to have a second child to serve as his true successor.

What caught him off guard was that Grandpa Jiang had unexpectedly involved himself, forcing Jiang Qingli’s trial to begin two years earlier than planned.

At the dining table, when Jiang Xi heard his daughter’s familiar, clear voice coming from the tablet in Grandpa Jiang’s hands, he paused slightly. It seemed that since leaving the Jiang household, she had become a bit sharper. Maybe she would pass this test after all?

Grandpa Jiang wasn’t thinking that far ahead. Seeing his son glance over, he quickly passed the tablet to him. “You’re always working. Try showing some concern for Ah Li once in a while, will you?”

“Put it away,” Jiang Xi replied, shifting his gaze and wiping his mouth before standing up. His voice was cool: “If I so much as ease up a little, your son would be looking for ways to push me off the throne. I don’t have the luxury of relaxing.”

Grandpa Jiang recalled what his eldest son had done in the past and let out an awkward chuckle. “He’s overseas now. He’s no threat to you.”

“There’s still the younger one, isn’t there?” Jiang Xi sneered.

And that “younger one” had been forcibly placed in the main company by none other than Grandpa Jiang.

But Grandpa Jiang saw it as simply taking care of his grandson. His brows furrowed slightly as he defended himself, “That’s different. Ah Zheng was raised by me since he was little. He’s nothing like his father. He treats Ah Li like a real sister and genuinely cares for her.”

Jiang Xi’s expression turned even more mocking, but since he intended for Jiang Zheng to serve as a stepping stone for Jiang Qingli, he didn’t bother arguing further. He picked up his coat and walked out.

It was time for work.

He left quickly, giving Grandpa Jiang no chance to get him to look at his daughter, leaving the old man feeling disheartened. But deep down, he already knew he had long since lost the authority to act like a true father.

Years ago, Jiang Xi’s elder brother had committed an act that endangered the company in a bid to seize power. Jiang Qingli’s mother had died in a car crash while trying to prevent company secrets from leaking.

The company was Jiang Xi’s life’s work. That betrayal shook him to his core, and in his fury, he wanted to charge his older brother with corporate espionage and have him imprisoned. But Grandpa Jiang couldn’t bear to let that happen. In the end, he sent his son overseas to escape punishment.

Since then, the already distant father-son relationship had grown even colder.

Grandpa Jiang gave a bitter smile. Whether it was the palm or the back of his hand, it was all flesh—his children were all part of him. Now that the company was safe and sound, how could he bring himself to sacrifice a son?

Fortunately, Ah Zheng was a good kid. He wasn’t reckless like his father, and he treated his sister well and truly cared about the company.

Grandpa Jiang thought about it and even considered calling Jiang Zheng to let him know that his little sister had taken his efforts to heart. At the very least, she had learned to tone down her defiance and even apologized to an elder.

But Jiang Zheng was busy with work, and after hesitating, Grandpa Jiang gave up on the idea.

He’d wait until Ah Li improved even more—then he’d show off proudly.

Xu Family Village

The atmosphere in the livestream chat softened considerably after viewers saw the young girl sincerely and earnestly apologize on camera.

Poor but kind-hearted elders often stirred sympathy from audiences. But at the same time, seeing a previously spoiled and arrogant girl, known for her bad temper, now humbling herself and admitting fault, it made many people’s hearts soften.

[“Honestly, this girl doesn’t seem as bad as people were saying. Maybe she was just in a bad mood yesterday.”]

[“I mean, if my parents dumped me in a place like this, I’d be in a bad mood too. What’s even the point of this show? Sure, she’s underage, but doing this without her consent doesn’t sit right with me.”]

[“Wow, you guys are soft already? Who knows what happened last night? Maybe someone called and coached her on what to say so she wouldn’t embarrass herself. She’s probably using this show to launch her career.”]

[“You believe what she says? This girl’s a little thug. If there weren’t cameras, she’d be cursing people out. That apology was all for show!”]

While the chat debated heatedly, the girl in the video had taken the bowl from Grandpa Xu and asked in surprise, “Plain rice porridge?”

“That’s right,” Grandpa Xu replied, much more at ease now that she had apologized. He smiled kindly, “I heard kids from the city like this stuff. Eat up—it’s not easy for you all, having to come out to a place like this and rough it.”

Qingli smiled politely. The rice porridge was soft and overcooked, with no added flavoring. It tasted bland but had a natural hint of sweetness. There wasn’t much—just a bowl—and she finished it in two bites.

“Grandpa,” she said, “from now on, I’ll eat whatever you eat. No need to make something special for me. Oh, and where do I wash the bowl?”

Seeing her finish the food, Grandpa Xu finally let out a full sigh of relief and reached to take the bowl. “I’ll wash it.”

“I got it,” Qingli dodged him and headed out to find where the dishes were cleaned.

Only after stepping outside did she get a clear look at the place: a small, dilapidated house. To the left was a pile of junk, to the right a well surrounded by trees. It was cool, but it honestly felt like she was camping in the wilderness.