No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 69

Universities abroad differ significantly from those in China. The curriculum is incredibly demanding, a pedagogical model that stands in total contrast to the Chinese educational system.

In China, primary and middle school education is defined by endless cycles of homework. Abroad, those early years are relatively free. However, the roles reverse at the university level. In the West, these crucial years are strictly managed, whereas in China, university life is often very relaxed; many students choose to drift aimlessly through their studies, only to find jobs upon graduation that have nothing to do with their majors.

In China, the medical profession is a difficult field to break into due to various factors, such as the tense doctor-patient relationship and systemic institutional issues. In the United States and Canada, however, teachers and doctors are two highly respected professions. The atmosphere for studying medicine there is entirely different.

After finishing the dry, fundamental theories of medicine, it was time for practical rotations. Being able to immerse oneself fully in these studies all day prevented the work from feeling tedious.

The only thing that proved difficult to adapt to was the French language, as it was the primary language spoken in the region. Although classes were conducted in English, French was essential for daily life. Consequently, Lin Ruicheng enrolled them in French classes. This lifestyle was so exhausting that they wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed the moment they returned to the dorms.

Chen Cheng, however, still had to walk the dog.

This was no ordinary dog. It was no wonder the pay was fifty dollars a day—the animal was incredibly headstrong. It was a Tibetan Mastiff, a purebred with a volatile temper, though it didn’t actually bite. Controlling it during a walk was nearly impossible; essentially, the dog just dragged the person along.

Every day around 5:30 PM, Chen Cheng would pull the dog across the lawn for its stroll. Meanwhile, Shu Luo would choose a book or take his tablet to lie on the grass, playing or reading while watching Chen Cheng get “walked” by the dog.

Life was more fulfilling than he could have imagined. Being busy at least prevented him from constantly dwelling on Jiang Mu. Having never been away from Jiang Mu before, time seemed to pass exceptionally slowly.

“Luo Luo, have you been eating well lately?”

Jiang Mu frowned as he looked at the person on the video call. The boy’s jawline seemed sharper, as if he had lost weight.

Hearing the concern in his voice, Shu Luo smiled. “Brother, there’s no comparison. There are no ‘lunches made with love’ from you here. I only lost weight because of you.”

“Your tongue has certainly become smoother,” Jiang Mu teased.

Shu Luo noticed the dark circles under Jiang Mu’s eyes and felt a pang of heartache. He knew Jiang Mu spent almost all his time at the company, but there was no need to push himself that hard.

“Brother, you haven’t been resting properly, have you? Those dark circles are about to fall off your face.”

Jiang Mu replied, “I haven’t slept well these past few days. It wasn’t because of work.”

“Is it because I’m not there? I knew I was important. It seems I’m the one to blame for your dark circles after all.”

Shu Luo lay on the lawn, holding his tablet as they chatted. Against the backdrop of the green grass, his skin looked delicate and translucent, making one want to reach out and touch him. Those beautiful eyes made Jiang Mu long to pull the boy into his arms.

Perhaps sensing Jiang Mu’s burning gaze, Shu Luo coughed self-consciously. “Why do you keep staring at me?”

“I miss you.”

The words were spoken naturally, yet they made the heart race. Shu Luo pressed his index and middle fingers to his lips and then “placed” the kiss onto the screen where Jiang Mu’s lips were. This gesture caused Jiang Mu’s gaze to soften instantly.

They had not hugged or kissed for a month, so every gesture now was deeply cherished by both.

“Brother, I love you.”

Looking at Shu Luo’s beaming face, Jiang Mu realized how rare it was to hear such a direct confession. He watched him with a lingering smile. “Mm.”

In truth, nothing more needed to be said. A single look between them communicated everything.

“Shu Luo, help! This dog has terrifying energy today! Come over and help me!”

In the distance, an exhausted Chen Cheng shouted with his last breath. Hearing this, Shu Luo said to Jiang Mu, “Brother, let’s talk next time. Chen Cheng is calling for me to save him. Bye-bye.”

The screen went black.

Jiang Mu sighed and leaned back against his chair, closing his weary eyes. When he opened them again, he was once more the calm, invincible Jiang Mu of the business world.

Recently, he had secured several plots of land in a row, and the intensity of development was steadily increasing. He had also reclaimed the scattered shares he had asked Shu Luo’s father to buy up.

It was time for the corporate parasites to be ousted. Now was the perfect opportunity.

Months Later—

A case broke in the news that sent shockwaves through the business community. Even a representative of the Municipal People’s Congress fell from grace. Zhou Shen of the Jiang Group was detained by police for embezzling company funds, bribing the S-City representative, and cutting corners on construction projects that endangered public safety. These three charges were enough to keep him in prison for the rest of his life.

The amount of money involved was staggering, and the investigation eventually led to the “Green Dragon Gang,” making matters complicated.

“Zhou Shen used the Green Dragon Gang to do his dirty work. I suspect he was also the mastermind behind Luo Luo’s kidnapping; Lin Wenhui was merely a pawn, though he got what he deserved. Now, we are dealing with Zhou Shen’s ten percent stake. The Zhou family has agreed to sell those shares to me.”

Jiang Mu’s words left the dozen or so major and minor shareholders in the room silent. This silence was, of course, a tacit acknowledgement of Jiang Mu’s status. He now held fifty-five percent of the shares, making him the undisputed head of the family.

Jiang Qin looked at her increasingly brilliant son with admiration. His handling of affairs was becoming more sophisticated by the day. This time, even she had almost been fooled by Zhou Shen; fortunately, Jiang Mu had prepared for every eventuality. The Jiang Group was now a “Jiang” company in name and in fact. Its future would surely be brilliant.

The remaining shareholders naturally had no objections; they were simply enjoying the fruits of his labor. Without Jiang Mu’s intervention years ago, they wouldn’t have achieved today’s success.

“I believe the directors present have seen Jiang Mu’s capability,” Jiang Qin addressed the room. “The person who originally provided the capital was actually Jiang Mu. Because he was only sixteen at the time and still in his first year of high school, he couldn’t hold shares as an adult, so I acted as his proxy. Over the years, I have seen this child’s outstanding leadership and sharp foresight. I am truly awestruck that the Jiang Group could rise so rapidly within a few short years.”

This was what truly shocked the directors. This “child” had saved the company and pivoted its strategy in record time. Excellence has its own merits, and the business world was clearly his battlefield.

“Jiang Mu, we have truly seen your abilities soar,” said Xu Guowen, a senior shareholder of sixty-two who had originally agreed to Jiang Mu’s buy-in. “When your mother let you take the reins, we were worried—what could a kid fresh out of high school know? But seeing you, we old men finally understand what it means for a ‘newborn calf to not fear the tiger.’ With the drive of youth, go ahead and do what you must. We’ll stay behind the scenes.”

The other shareholders nodded in agreement. After the internal strife caused by people like Lin Wenhui and Zhou Shen, no one wanted further conflict or scandal.

“Of course. I hope you elders will trust me and enjoy your tea in comfort at home,” Jiang Mu replied.

After the meeting ended, Jiang Mu loosened his tie, feeling a throbbing headache. He had been so busy with internal company affairs that he hadn’t slept well in ages.

Jiang Qin pushed the door open and saw Jiang Mu resting with his eyes closed. It pained her to see him this way. “Ah Mu.”

Hearing his mother, he opened his eyes and smiled. “What is it, Mom? Didn’t Dad come to take you out for dinner or shopping?”

Hearing his teasing, Jiang Qin couldn’t stay upset. “You’ve been busy for months. Take a few days off. I’m afraid your body will collapse.”

“I’m fine,” Jiang Mu said. “I’ll rest once this stretch is over.”

“What, do you plan to use work to numb yourself? Aren’t you thinking of going to see Luo Luo?”

Jiang Qin’s words caught Jiang Mu off guard. What did she mean?

“Do you think I don’t know you?” she added.

Jiang Mu hadn’t expected her to see through him, nor was he prepared to tell her so soon. But since she knew, he had to face it. “I…”

“You don’t need to worry so much,” Jiang Qin interrupted, her voice full of understanding. “I am not an old-fashioned person; after all, I studied abroad. My thinking isn’t as narrow as you imagine. It’s just… a bit of a pity.”

Jiang Mu was stunned by her acceptance. He hadn’t expected this outcome at all. It was a joyful surprise—having his parents’ approval was the best possible result.

Seeing the joy in his eyes, Jiang Qin smiled. “However, you’ll have to deal with your grandfather yourself. He is not an easy elder to handle. You still have the responsibility to carry on the family line, after all.”

…Carry on the family line? Jiang Mu figured he probably couldn’t manage that—unless Shu Luo could give birth. And clearly, that was impossible.

“I know. I will handle it.”

Jiang Qin considered herself an open-minded mother. she would not stop her child’s right to pursue love. Moreover, Jiang Mu had lost too much; he had sacrificed his entire childhood, and was now sacrificing his youth. But all his happiness came from one person. That person made him gentle and could do things even she, as his mother, could not.

That person was unique and had walked deep into Jiang Mu’s heart. As his mother, how could she not understand her son? He had never cared for anyone so meticulously, nor had he ever shown such an unguarded smile—a privilege even she rarely enjoyed. Knowing Jiang Mu’s tenacity, unless the other party let go first, there was no chance of escape.

“Ah Mu, you’ll have to be very good to your god-parents then,” she teased. “They won’t be easy to win over.”

He already knew that. Currently, Shu Luo’s father was likely feeling smug about sending Shu Luo abroad, thinking time would dilute their feelings.

How could it be that simple?

Knock, knock, knock.

Assistant Xiao Fang knocked and said, “President Su has arrived.”

Jiang Mu nodded, stood up, and straightened his suit, returning to his role as the elegant, composed businessman.

“Mom, go home and rest first. I’ve got things here.” He gave his mother a brief, gentle hug and walked out.

Jiang Qin watched her child’s retreating figure with pride. That back was now strong enough for her to lean on; he had become truly powerful.