"What price do you expect me to pay?" Xie Jingyu thought for a moment. She originally wanted to say that as relatives, there was no need for such formalities, but seeing Zhu Yanyi’s serious expression, she had to change the subject.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Xie Jingyu and smiled. "Actually, the price is simple. Just a few conditions."
With a faint smile on her face, Zhu Yanyi said, "First, from now on, whenever you visit Grandpa and Grandma, you must not mention your work issues, including titles or positions. In other words, once you get this position, it will be your permanent role. If you have the ability to get promoted by others, that is your skill. You must never use Grandpa’s connections again. Of course, you cannot use my father’s or my name to bluff people either."
"Agreed." Xie Jingyu thought about it and agreed. Based on his father’s nature, he probably wouldn’t use connections to help him again after he got the position he wanted. Moreover, he knew his own abilities. It was unlikely he could be promoted further. His educational background was fixed; even if he studied privately later, his first degree was crucial. With only a middle school education, further promotion was impossible. So, he agreed readily.
Zhu Yanyi hummed in acknowledgment. "Second, you must not tell anyone about the relationship between you and me."
"Agreed." She wasn’t ignorant. Given Zhu Yanyi’s current status, even if she revealed it, others might not believe her.
"Third, from now on, Grandpa will teach Shiyun. Neither you nor your wife can interfere anymore. Also, Shiyun will move to live with Grandpa." Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment before speaking.
Xie Shiyun was not young anymore; she was sixteen. However, her personality was still like that of a seven- or eight-year-old child—very mischievous and quite ignorant. Her grades were reportedly very poor.
Whether her grades were good or bad was secondary. The main point was to teach her how to behave properly. Given Xie Jingyun’s character and Wang Zhaodi’s behavior, it was impossible for them to teach Xie Shiyun well. It was better to bring Xie Shiyun over and let Xie Zhong teach her.
Xie Zhong had actually wanted this for a long time but hadn’t dared to suggest it, as Shiyun was Xie Jingyu’s only daughter. But Zhu Yanyi was different; she could propose any condition.
Xie Jingyu also knew what kind of person Xie Shiyun was. After thinking it over, she nodded and agreed. "Can she come home once a week?"
"She can come home on Sundays to spend time with you. From Monday to Saturday, she stays with Grandpa to be taught. She is almost graduating from middle school, yet she is still so thoughtless. What will happen in the future? You can’t waste her anymore." Zhu Yanyi gave Xie Jingyu no face, directly pointing out that they were bad at teaching their daughter.
"Agreed." Xie Jingyu agreed. Most importantly, she understood that her daughter’s current state was indeed worrying. Even if she didn’t become exceptionally smart under Xie Zhong’s guidance, she would at least make some progress.
Zhu Yanyi then looked at Xie Zhong. "Grandpa, do you have any other requests?"
Xie Zhong looked at Xie Jingyu and then said, "You live your own life from now on. I won’t interfere. You don’t need to visit me regularly. Just coming by during New Year and festivals is enough." Xie Zhong truly had no hope for this son. However, he knew that Xie Jingyu’s behavior was caused by his environment, compounded by his own failure to guide him properly back then. So, let it be.
Seeing the disappointment in Xie Zhong’s eyes, Xie Jingyu realized he might have hurt his father’s heart. But thinking of his future, he gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and ignored it all. "Fine, I agree to everything."
"Words are not enough proof. Write it down." Zhu Yanyi went to the side, took out paper and pen, and started writing. She then had Xie Jingyu sign it. "Three copies: one for Grandpa, one for you, Second Uncle, and one for me. This way, if yours get lost, we can still verify. After all, I am the one resolving this, so I count as a witness."
"Agreed." Xie Jingyu signed all three copies decisively.
Zhu Yanyi glanced at them, nodded in satisfaction, distributed the copies, and then turned to Yan Aohan. "Aohan…"
Yan Aohan chuckled lightly. "A position as a section chief in the Animal Husbandry Department, right?" He then went aside to make a phone call.
To be honest, Yan Aohan didn’t care much about such a small position. The roles he usually intervened in were far more significant. He was only making the call out of respect for Zhu Yanyi.
Soon, he returned. "Done. It’s resolved. You’ll get your position adjustment tomorrow when you go back."
"So fast?" Xie Jingyu was stunned. Something he had tried every trick to achieve was solved with a single phone call.
Yan Aohan said calmly, "It’s just a small section chief position, not a major role. Besides, your rank remains the same; it’s just a change of post. Very simple."
Xie Jingyu felt as if he had grabbed a sesame seed but lost a watermelon.
Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly, ignoring Xie Jingyu’s expression, and said, "Alright, alright. Grandpa, although today is your birthday, I can’t miss my stir-fried pine pollen."
Seeing Zhu Yanyi like this, Xie Zhong knew she was trying to lighten the mood. She laughed directly. "I won’t shortchange others, and I certainly won’t shortchange you. Don’t worry, your Grandma has already personally made your stir-fried pine pollen."
"I knew Grandpa and Grandma love me the most." Zhu Yanyi said with a grin.
"No, Grandpa and Grandma love me and Guiyun the most." Little Tianyun, who had been quietly playing with a Sun Wukong toy, suddenly spoke up.
"Little Tianyun, you’re so ungrateful! I just bought you a gift. Why can’t you let your grandparents love me a little?" Zhu Yanyi hadn’t expected Little Tianyun to pull her back.
"No, it was clearly Brother-in-law who paid. Sister Ani, don’t steal Brother-in-law’s credit. That’s wrong." Little Tianyun seriously reprimanded Zhu Yanyi. Little Guiyun beside her nodded vigorously, seemingly agreeing with her brother’s words.
"You two ungrateful little wolves." Zhu Yanyi pinched Little Tianyun’s cheek, then pinched Little Guiyun’s cheek.
"Grandpa, save me! Sister Ani is taking revenge!" Little Tianyun used one idiom after another. Zhu Yanyi’s eyes widened in surprise. "Grandpa, Little Tianyun knows so many idioms now."
"Not bad. But he can’t compare to you. He doesn’t match your childhood self." Xie Zhong loved his twin grandchildren dearly. Since Little Tianyun and Little Guiyun had been smart since childhood, they remembered everything Xie Zhong taught them after just a few repetitions. So, Xie Zhong was still very enthusiastic about teaching his grandchildren.