Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 39

As people age, they may come to understand many things, but they often become more fixated on unfinished business. This was the case for Father Jiang.

He had always known his health was deteriorating, and in recent years, it had only worsened. This is why he had gradually transferred his business responsibilities to Jiang Langmin. But he didn’t expect his health to fail him so soon.

In his severe illness, he knew his time was drawing near, and he was eager to arrange everything before it was too late. His wish was simple: he hoped his biological son would return, take over the family business, marry, and continue the Jiang family line. Although it was old-fashioned, it was understandable.

But reality often clashes with ideals. At this critical moment, Father Jiang knew he might not have the opportunity to coax his son. So, while he still had the strength to get up, he called a lawyer to draft a will and transfer his shares to his son, hoping this would compel him to take over the company.

It might be hard for his son to accept, but Father Jiang had no other options. He regretted not having made his son work at the company more, instead allowing him to spend his days painting and writing, engaging in what he deemed useless pursuits.

He Lang felt perplexed about suddenly being burdened with the company’s responsibilities. He hurried to speak with his father, but his mother blocked him from the hospital room, making it clear that there was no room for negotiation. She insisted he should follow his brother’s guidance in managing the company.

This left He Lang feeling guilty towards Jiang Jingda, as if he had taken something that rightfully belonged to his brother. After all, the company was their father’s legacy and also Jiang Jingda’s hard work.

“Brother, what do you think?” He Lang asked Jiang Jingda.

Jiang Jingda seemed unaffected, brushing He Lang’s messy hair lightly and replied calmly, “It was always meant to be yours. I was just holding onto it for a while.”

“What about your ambitions?” He Lang glanced at him, his tone decisive. “I don’t know any of that stuff. It would be useless for me to go to the company.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“I don’t want to learn.”

“What do you want then?” Jiang Jingda asked, looking at him patiently, seeking his thoughts.

He Lang glanced at him, then called the hospital to confirm that his mother wouldn’t be back this week. He handed Jiang Jingda the prepared share transfer documents and asked him to sign.

Song Qinglian, being a woman who could indulge in shopping but wasn’t suited for business, had most of the shares, with a small portion belonging to Jiang Jingda as compensation for his years of dedication to the family.

If He Lang transferred his shares to Jiang Jingda, Jiang Jingda would hold a controlling stake, allowing him to maintain his position of authority. He Lang trusted that Jiang Jingda knew this better than anyone.

Seeing the opportunity so close, Jiang Jingda remained silent, examining the share transfer documents over and over but refusing to sign.

“Will you sign or not?” He Lang’s brows furrowed with annoyance as he urged him impatiently.

This approach proved effective. Jiang Jingda rarely saw He Lang angry. Seeing him this way, he automatically picked up the pen and signed.

Since Langlang had entrusted him with this responsibility, how could he not accept it? He knew that Langlang would have to rely on him. He silently planned on this.

He Lang smiled in satisfaction, poking Jiang Jingda’s cheek with the pen. “Brother, don’t let me down.”

Jiang Jingda took his mischief-prone hand and held it close to his heart.

He had been so defenseless, completely entrusting him with the legacy his father had left behind. Jiang Jingda knew that Langlang saw this as a heavy burden and wanted to pass it on, but it also represented Langlang’s full trust in him.

Although his actions seemed rash and impulsive, naive and inexperienced, this was the person he loved.

Jiang Jingda responded with a faint smile, which He Lang might not have seen.

The company began a major overhaul, and Jiang Jingda finally took full control. The impact was immediate and far-reaching. The transfer of shares couldn’t be kept secret from Song Qinglian. After confirming the news through newspapers and other sources, she nearly fainted and rushed to confront her son, angrily questioning him.

“What are you trying to do?! Hand over your father’s hard work to an outsider like this?! Are you stupid?! Do you want to make your mother sick with anger?!” She usually pampered her children and was gentle with He Lang, but this was an exceptional situation that she couldn’t handle with her usual calm demeanor.

“Brother isn’t an outsider,” He Lang replied as if it were obvious.

Song Qinglian was left speechless, grinding her teeth in frustration.

She had hoped her son would use the shares to control Jiang Jingda, but instead, he did the opposite. Her son seemed to be closer to his brother than to her.

She could only curse He Lang as an ingrate and stormed into the company, throwing the reports in Jiang Jingda’s face.

“Doesn’t it hurt your conscience to take shares given to you by someone who doesn’t understand anything? Langlang likes you so much; don’t you feel guilty?!”

Despite her poor attitude, Jiang Jingda remained respectful and grateful to the woman who had brought his Langlang into the world.

Facing her accusations, he remained calm. Hearing her mention Langlang’s affection for him softened his heart, and he promised, “Mother, don’t worry. I will ensure Langlang’s happiness and well-being for life.”

Song Qinglian snorted but remained silent for a long time.

She saw how her son was treated by Jiang Jingda and couldn’t fault him on this matter. Her frustration was that the family business had ended up in the hands of someone not blood-related.

Jiang Jingda pressed his lips together, “The decision has been made. No matter what you think, I will take care of Langlang, and I will support you as well. I will shoulder the responsibilities of the Jiang family.”

Given his stance, Song Qinglian, a woman with little understanding of business, had nothing more to say. Her frustration was palpable, and she immediately decided to accompany Father Jiang abroad for treatment and travel, not wanting to see the brothers again.

Though her words were angry, they were a form of reluctant compromise, her skepticism about his promises still lingering.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jingda faced a challenging problem.

Despite his youth and achievements, some older board members grumbled and tried to secretly acquire shares to remove him from his position.

Jiang Jingda was overwhelmed and hadn’t been home for days, which made He Lang curious and drove him to visit the company.

He took a cab and arrived quietly at the company. As he had never been there before, the receptionist seemed unsure of him, hesitating while asking whom he was looking for.

“Jiang Jingda,” He Lang looked at the elevator, realizing he didn’t know where to go. He only had the address from the maid’s words and felt ashamed and guilty about how to help.

The receptionist was momentarily stunned. Someone who could address the president by name was not an ordinary person, so she quickly took him to the president’s office.

He Lang waved her away, indicating she should leave.

As he opened the door slightly, he felt the tense atmosphere inside and hesitated, eavesdropping inadvertently.

“Director Wang is now keeping a close eye on us, and you make a mistake at this critical moment?” Through the door crack, Jiang Jingda’s stern figure was visible, his face like a block of ice as he stared at his employee, causing the latter to tremble.

Listening to the employee’s apologies and pleas for mercy, He Lang finally pushed the door open and walked over, “If there’s a problem, just solve it. There’s no need to get angry with the staff.”

“Here already?” Jiang Jingda’s previously grim expression suddenly softened, his face showing astonishment, as if he never expected to see He Lang in his office. Once he quickly regained his composure, he stood up and pulled out a chair for him to sit.

Looking at the clock on the desk and the blazing sun outside, Jiang Jingda almost forgot about the employee in front of him and immediately started asking He Lang how he arrived, if he had eaten lunch, if he had rested well over the past few days, and if he had been exposed to the harsh sunlight outside.

The employee, who was sweating profusely, now had a complicated look on his face, feeling extremely awkward and unsure whether to stay or leave.

Jiang Jingda slowly turned his head and gave the employee a glance. The employee quickly nodded and dashed out of the office.

“And you?” He Lang asked nonchalantly, spinning around in the office chair and looking up at Jiang Jingda.

He didn’t believe that the maid hadn’t reported his schedule to Jiang Jingda; in fact, Jiang Jingda was likely well-informed about everything happening at home. He just didn’t care to acknowledge it.

On the other hand, Jiang Jingda was indeed a workaholic. After a few days away, his face looked considerably worn out. He was the one who needed someone to care about his meals and rest.

“It’s embarrassing for you to worry about me while looking like this,” He Lang remarked, grabbing Jiang Jingda’s hand and walking towards the door. “Let’s go have a meal.”

Jiang Jingda didn’t say anything and willingly followed him.

As soon as they stepped out of the office, they drew the attention of many.

After they left, the employees in the office whispered among themselves, “I was just reprimanded by the boss earlier and thought I was done for. As soon as this person came in, the boss immediately brightened up, gave him his seat, and even asked about meals and water. It was like raising a child.”

“Wow? He sat in the boss’s chair? That’s shocking!” Everyone looked incredulous, and the amusing incident occupied their idle time for the rest of the day.

After they had rested, He Lang locked Jiang Jingda in the office and instructed him to go home and sleep on time that night. He himself did not leave immediately but instead wandered around the office area and accidentally overheard some of their discussions.

“Didn’t the boss seem in a great mood today?”

“Yes, yes, after that handsome guy came in, he didn’t call anyone else into the office. You know, this morning, the boss called in over a dozen people to criticize them, and Xiao Fan and Xiao Wang were directly fired!”

“Sigh, there’s nothing we can do. I heard that people up top are now trying to undermine our boss. We don’t know if they’ve planted someone in here, so it’s understandable that the boss is being cautious.”

He Lang approached from behind, interrupting them with a smile and a gentle tone, “Ladies, is it break time now?”

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Author’s note: Thank you to Fu Li, Qi Yun, Xian Nv Ben Ren, Si Shui, Bie Jiao Xing Wo, Fan Qie Chao Ji Dan Ke, and Lao Wang for the support. Grateful for the support from the big boss! Are there any angels also following my red-black novel? For that book, Absolute Command, I have finally updated [Joyful Tears].