Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl
Chapter 315: The Kind-hearted Are Often Bullied

Chapter 315: Chapter 315: The Kind-hearted Are Often Bullied

Even standing in a corner, Jiang Zhe was very striking. To ignore her was actually quite difficult.

"She is my niece, named Jiang Zhe. She came to Beijing for an exam and wants to stay with me for a few days," Jiang Xiruo spoke softly.

She didn’t disclose Jiang Zhe’s real purpose for coming. If it weren’t for important matters that required Jiang Zhe to find her, there would have been many other places for Jiang Zhe to stay; there was absolutely no need for her to settle here.

Thinking of this, she looked at Jiang Zhe with an apologetic glance.

Xia Mingzhu gave a light huff, it was one thing for her to stay, but bringing relatives too?

She really didn’t consider herself an outsider.

"Then let’s welcome Jiang Zhe. Feel free to stay as long as you like. Now, let’s eat, everyone is hungry," the Xia Family matriarch summoned the servants to start the meal.

The whole family rarely gathered together, and she didn’t want to spoil the harmony.

Everyone ate together.

The meal was very calm on the surface, but underneath, there was much that was not calm.

Jiang Zhe bowed her head and ate her food indifferently.

Xia Enci glanced at her lightly and seeing that she was unaffected, felt relieved.

After the meal, when the topic of accommodation came up, the wife of the second Xia son spoke, "The house has suddenly got so many extra people, how can we accommodate them all?"

Since Xia Fang had passed away some years ago, there was no longer a place for Jiang Xiruo and Xia Enci on the Xia Family’s side.

The vast Xia residence was divided into two almost equal compounds; the eldest son, Xia Tang, lived on one side with his wife and children, while the second son, Xia Zhen, lived on the other side with his wife and daughters.

The room of the old Xia Family matriarch was positioned in the middle, spacious but not spacious enough to accommodate so many people.

"Second son, do you not have many guest rooms over there?" the old Xia Family matriarch inquired.

Since Xia Zhen had one more child, the old Xia Family matriarch had allocated the most guest rooms to them to begin with, temporarily including the rooms that once belonged to Xia Fang.

Over time, as Jiang Xiruo and Xia Enci did not return, these rooms became essentially part of Xia Zhen’s household.

Now that Jiang Xiruo and Xia Enci were back, the old Xia Family matriarch naturally turned to them first.

Xia Zhen looked at his wife.

Putting down her teacup, the wife of the second Xia son said, "I heard from Mingzhu that some of her colleagues from the Aerospace Institute want to stay at our house for a few days. We seem to have not enough guest rooms, and I was thinking of asking my brother and sister-in-law if they could lend us a few."

Because of her connection with the Aerospace Institute, Xia Mingzhu had always been the pride of the Xia Family, and the old Xia Family matriarch took great pride in her as well.

Since she had colleagues coming to stay, the old Xia Family matriarch did not feel it right to insist.

The matter of the room allocations had to be temporarily suppressed as well.

Xia Mingli’s gaze lingered on Jiang Zhe for a moment, her face showing a detached beauty, not reflecting the usual vivacious charm other women exhibited upon seeing him.

Therefore, Xia Mingli did not initiate a conversation, unless Jiang Zhe would approach him first.

Xia Xingzhi, who had been silent, finally spoke, "Well, since it’s like that, Auntie and the two girls can stay in our guest rooms."

Xia Tang nodded, "We’ll go with what Xiruo and the others feel comfortable with."

The wife of Xia Tang had no objection either.

"Then we’ll trouble you, big brother and sister-in-law," Jiang Xiruo said.

Xia Mingli gave Jiang Zhe a deep look but did not say a word.

The wife of Xia Tang personally led Jiang Zhe and Xia Enci to their place.

Xia Enci was clearly somewhat displeased.

Mrs. Xia saw through it and said with a smile, "Enci, now that you’re back, treat this place like your own home. If you need anything, just say so. There’s no need to be shy."

"Thank you, grandaunt," Xia Enci replied. "I’m just a bit unhappy. My mom rushed back to take care of Grandma, how can people think so badly of us?"

"No matter what others think, your grandaunt doesn’t see it that way," Mrs. Xia said. "Settle in and don’t worry. When you and your mom were away, your grandma always talked about you. Now that I see you’ve grown into a young lady, I’m happy too."

Seeing that Jiang Zhe didn’t say anything, Mrs. Xia continued, "Xiaozhe, don’t be shy either. Stay here as you like. Among these houses, there’s one that belongs to Enci. Whatever you need, come directly to me."

"Much appreciated," Jiang Zhe politely thanked her.

Mrs. Xia, noting her reticence, though reserved, found her quite charming and couldn’t help but like her.

After giving a few more instructions, she finally left.

Xia Enci shook her head. "Grandaunt’s family is quite nice. But why is it always like this, the kind are bullied by others."

"Good people will get good things in return," Jiang Zhe said offhandedly.

Xia Enci thought it over and quickly cheered up, "I was just worried you wouldn’t be comfortable here. As long as you don’t mind, then it’s all good."

...

Over at the second branch.

Mrs. Xia from the second branch was clearly not very pleased. She said to Xia Zhen, "Now that Jiang Xiruo is back, she must be after the family’s property. Otherwise, why would she just happen to return right when Mom falls ill?"

"It’s normal for her to come back. It’s not easy for her to raise her daughter alone," Xia Zhen replied.

"So are we going to have to give them these houses?"

Part of the houses on Mrs. Xia’s side belonged to Jiang Xiruo.

With these houses, her small garden really looked quite presentable. In the pricey Beijing, even having money might not secure such real estate.

Just the thought of having to give up half made her uncomfortable.

This was not just about the money.

"What do you think, Mingzhu?" Mrs. Xia asked.

Xia Mingzhu, uninterested in these matters, simply said, "I don’t care either way, as long as they don’t affect my life living here."

"You really are something!" Mrs. Xia couldn’t help but sigh. "I don’t even know how long they’re going to stay, really!"

"Isn’t it good to have someone to help take care of Mom?" Xia Zhen said. "You’d complain about being bored if you had to stay home and care for her yourself."

Indeed, Mrs. Xia couldn’t bring herself to do that. She was at a point in her life where she wanted to enjoy it, not willing to spend her days at home accompanying an old person.

"What did the doctor say?" Xia Zhen asked again.

"The doctor says it’s old age, all of her organs are failing, and there’s no miracle drug. It all comes down to nutritional supplements and hoping for the best," Mrs. Xia said with a shrug.

Xia Mingzhu asked Xia Mingli, "Brother, could you buy Grandma some of Cai’er and snow fungus? I’ve heard they’re the best for health."

"I’ve already asked someone to look into it. But these things aren’t easy to buy, and there’s no lead yet," Xia Mingli replied.

"These items are indeed difficult to find. We only managed to buy some for Dad’s superior two years ago," Mrs. Xia said. "If they were easy to come by, that superior wouldn’t have praised your brother so highly for the gift."

Xia Mingli frowned, realizing these items weren’t easy to procure and needed to think of a solution.

...

Jiang Zhe placed her backpack in the room then came out to look for Jiang Xiruo.

She was just finishing up settling Mrs. Xia and came out after washing her hands.

"Still awake, Xiaozhe?"

"Mm, I wanted to ask you about the information on the new batch of mushrooms you’re cultivating."