The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 389 - 360: The Situation is Imperative, Rise to the Challenge_1

Chapter 389: Chapter 360: The Situation is Imperative, Rise to the Challenge_1

Snake King glanced at He Tiantian once, continuing to cross his legs and fidget...

This time, the upgrade had a significant relation to He Tiantian’s physical condition!

Because she was well-nourished and had plentiful blood!

In that case, they might as well stay here a bit longer!

Just as He Tiantian had guessed, over the past few days, Qi Shuliang tried to reduce outings as much as possible, and the security in the manor had doubled.

Qi Shuliang kept Third Grandma Qi company, talking to his mother, wife, and children whenever he had a moment.

While Qi Shuliang went back to the study to handle affairs, Third Grandma Qi also went upstairs.

Third Grandma Qi pushed the door open to find her son Qi Shuliang engrossed in work at his desk.

Seeing his mother, Qi Shuliang smiled and said, "Mom, what brings you here? Is there something you need?"

Qi Shuliang stood up and helped his mother sit down on the sofa across from him. He didn’t plan to tell his mother these things and did not want her to worry needlessly.

"You’ve been out of sorts these few days, what has happened?" Third Grandma Qi asked. She knew her son well.

"Nothing’s wrong, you’re overthinking," Qi Shuliang said with a smile, with no intention of informing Third Grandma Qi.

"Ah!" Third Grandma Qi patted Qi Shuliang’s hand and sighed, "Ah, once sons grow up, they stop confiding in their mothers about their worries."

"That’s not it, Mom!" Qi Shuliang argued, genuinely not wanting his mother to be anxious. It was better for him to shoulder such burdens alone.

Third Grandma Qi chuckled and said, "Son, I can tell there’s something on your mind. Although I’m an uneducated old woman, I can still make a guess. You’ve been helping your homeland foster relations between the two countries, and now that things have succeeded, you’re bound to face retaliation from the opposition. I thought of this long ago."

"Mom..." Qi Shuliang was astounded. He hadn’t said anything!

"Don’t be so surprised; your mother attended a modern school back in the day. I may not know the specifics, but I understand the general principles and trends," Third Grandma Qi stated, her wise eyes steadily looking at Qi Shuliang, "Shuliang, go on! I’ve lived through many years of hardship, there’s nothing that can’t be faced."

Qi Shuliang felt a wave of sorrow upon hearing his mother’s words.

"Mom!" Qi Shuliang choked up, "Because I changed course to help the Mainland, I’m now being besieged by the opposition. They can’t do anything to me through legitimate business channels, so they’re planning to hire hitmen to retaliate against me. That’s why these past few days I’ve been considering having you take Anna and the kids away from here, back to the Mainland. Once I have things settled here, I’ll come to fetch you."

Thinking of the environment in the Mainland, Third Grandma Qi shook her head, "We can’t go back!"

"Why not?" Qi Shuliang asked, "If I’m alone here, I won’t have any distractions and can put my all into it."

Third Grandma Qi, after hearing this, shook her head with a bitter smile and said, "Even with the protection promised by the Huo Family, I still don’t feel at ease about the situation back home. Did you know? Tiantian and her parents are often investigated simply because Tiantian’s grandfather once studied and worked in Country M. Moreover, Tiantian’s grandfather was an astronomer; how could he have leaked any national secrets, especially since he has been dead for nearly a decade? Our family connections are even more complicated. It would be one thing if I returned alone, but bringing so many people, especially with Anna being a foreigner."

"But the Huo Family said they would definitely keep us safe," Qi Shuliang said, hoping against hope.

Third Grandma Qi gave a wry smile and replied, "It’s not that I don’t trust Huo Yingjun and the people of the Huo Family, and they will do their best to protect us. But if something were to happen to the Huo Family, what would become of us, with our old and young?"

Qi Shuliang’s mind was in turmoil, and he said anxiously, "Mother..."

"Shuliang, I have always told you, we can’t place all our hopes on others, especially when it concerns our very lives and fortune," Third Grandma Qi spoke earnestly. "I know you are wealthy, but without you, the rest of us would be like children with treasures wandering the markets, and everyone would want a piece of us."

Upon hearing this, Qi Shuliang broke out in a cold sweat!

He had almost made a fatal mistake!

Indeed, his mother had told him when he was very small not to rely on others for everything, especially not for something so important!

Seeing that her son had understood, Third Grandma Qi continued, "If we get past this hurdle, then smooth sailing awaits. If not, our entire family could perish together."

Qi Shuliang, with a choked voice, replied, "Mother... I have failed you, enjoying a few good days and now causing you worry and fear!"

Third Grandma Qi said calmly, "Hehe, even if you had not taken on this task, someone else would have. It was inevitable." She mused, "During quiet times, I’ve been pondering and realized that Country M’s foreign policies are very much like those of the state of Qin during the Warring States period—befriend distant states while attacking nearby ones. To put it simply, if the number one and number two start fighting, whoever aligns with number three will come out on top."

Qi Shuliang looked up to his mother with immense admiration. She could understand the world without stepping outside.

"Mother, you have thought this through thoroughly," Qi Shuliang praised her. "I have let you down."

"You have done well and have not disappointed me," Third Grandma Qi said. "Let’s set aside our personal reunion for now. By doing what you did, you aligned with the greater trend, which will bring substantial benefits in the future, provided we can overcome this current difficulty. Enough of that, though. You are grown up now and have done very well. Since the problem has arisen, let’s discuss a solution."

Right next to Qi Shuliang’s study was the bedroom of him and his wife, connected by a small door for Qi Shuliang’s convenience.

Anna, who was in the room arranging clothes, heard her husband’s and mother-in-law’s enclosed conversation and walked through the door, her eyes brimming with tears, and hugged her mother-in-law tightly.

Anna had never admired her mother-in-law as much as she did now.

It had been because of her husband before, but now it was solely because her mother-in-law was incredibly wise!

Third Grandma Qi smiled and patted Anna’s back, saying, "Don’t cry now. It seems you have also come to understand."

"Yes, Mother, I understand too," Anna responded. "I agree with Mom’s words, and we will solve the problem together."

Seeing his mother and wife before him, Qi Shuliang was deeply moved and said, "All right then, let’s discuss what to do! Mother, having you is like having a treasure. Please, give us some direction on what we should do next."

Third Grandma Qi thought for a moment and replied, "If those people are working in the shadows, then we can’t neglect to take some actions in private. First, we pay for protection—that’s one thing; second, since what we do aligns with the greater trend, we should make some moves to ensure the government takes active interest in our protection; third, we must inform the children about this matter!"