Chapter Nine: Grandmother

“Young master!” a startled cry rang out.

A dark figure darted out from behind a tree, rushing toward the tree where Sun Siyu stood.

“Snap.”

A branch broke, and Sun Siyu fell from the tree.

“Ah—” Xiao Yuxuan screamed sharply.

“Thud.”

Sun Siyu tumbled into the arms of a woman dressed in tight black attire.

“Young master, are you alright?” the woman bit her lip and asked anxiously as she cradled Sun Siyu.

“Ah-woo.” Sun Siyu lifted his head from the soft mass of the woman’s body. Because she had used herself as a cushion, he was largely unscathed save for a slight neck strain.

“What happened?” Nearly ten bodyguards dressed in black came running over at Xiao Yuxuan’s scream.

“The little chubby just fell from the tree,” Xiao Yuxuan said, pointing at Sun Siyu.

“Young master, are you injured?” The head of the security team quickly approached, concern etched on his face as he looked at Sun Siyu in the woman’s arms.

“I’m fine. This sister saved me. Woo—” Sun Siyu shook his head; the strain in his neck twinged painfully.

“I’ll take the young master to the infirmary first. Please watch over Miss Xiao,” the captain said gently, lifting Sun Siyu from the woman’s embrace and hurrying toward the infirmary.

“Wait!” Sun Siyu called out loudly.

“What is it, young master?” the captain asked, worried he might have caused discomfort.

“This sister is hurt too, isn’t she?” Sun Siyu pointed at the woman slowly rising from the ground.

“I’m fine, thank you for your concern, young master,” Han patted the dust off her clothes and smiled at Sun Siyu.

“Han, if you feel unwell, come with us to the infirmary,” the captain nodded toward Han and carried Sun Siyu briskly toward the Ling family’s private infirmary.

In the Ling family hall, the various “greetings” were nearly complete, and the carefully crafted cake from the kitchen was ready, waiting for the two young masters to return.

“Where did Siyu and Yuxuan go?” Sun Yi asked.

“The two little ones went to play in the backyard together,” Xue Yiyi said with a smile, linking arms with Ling Xueqin.

“Steward Qin, could you please call them back? There are so many people waiting for them here,” Sun Yi politely requested.

“No need to worry. Let them play. It’s good for the two to build their relationship. Don’t you agree, Old Xiao?” Ling Feilong laughed, patting Xiao Yunting’s shoulder and winking at Sun Wenchong.

“Yeah, let them play,” Xiao Yunting responded, well aware that Ling Feilong was hinting at the agreement between them. He had no objection to Feilong’s suggestion to foster good relations.

At that moment, a bodyguard entered with Xiao Yuxuan.

“Yuxuan, where’s Siyu?” Xue Yiyi asked with concern. Could the two children have had a quarrel?

“He’s so clumsy—he fell from the tree,” Xiao Yuxuan pouted in reply.

“What?” Ling Xueqin immediately tensed, and Ling Feilong and Sun Wenchong came over.

“Master, the young master is fine. Only a slight neck sprain. The captain has already taken him to the infirmary,” the bodyguard quickly explained. Xiao Yuxuan’s casual tone did not reflect the seriousness of the matter; after all, this was the Ling estate. If the young master were harmed under their protection, none of them could bear the responsibility.

“Yuxuan,” Xue Yiyi pulled her daughter aside, displeased at her earlier impolite tone.

---

“I’m going to see Siyu,” Ling Xueqin said, deeply concerned. Having finally had a son, she cherished him immensely and was heartbroken at the news of his injury.

“We’ll go too,” Ling Feilong said, knowing how precious this grandson was.

“Where are you going?” Sun Siyu’s childish voice came from the doorway.

Sun Siyu walked in holding Mu Han’s hand, a scarf wrapped around his neck.

“Siyu, are you okay?” Ling Xueqin hurried over and crouched before him, her voice full of concern.

“I’m fine, Mom. So many people are watching,” Sun Siyu blushed, embarrassed by the attention.

“All right, since the two young stars are here, let’s start cutting the cake,” Sun Wenchong instructed the staff to slowly wheel out the ten-tier cake.

“Oh, it’s time to cut the cake!” Sun Siyu cheered, wriggling free from Ling Xueqin’s hand and running toward the cake.

“Glutton,” Xiao Yuxuan whispered softly, following her mother to the cake.

“Give me the knife, I’ll cut it,” Sun Siyu said excitedly, gesturing wildly at the towering cake.

“Slow down,” Sun Yi laughed, handing his son a plastic knife.

Sun Siyu waved the plastic knife left and right, aiming carefully at the piece he wanted before slicing down.

“Wait, Siyu,” Ling Xueqin called under Ling Feilong’s subtle signal.

“What’s wrong?” Sun Siyu asked, puzzled.

“Yuxuan, come here. You two cut the cake together,” Ling Xueqin beckoned to Xiao Yuxuan.

“Go ahead,” Xue Yiyi nodded to her daughter.

The two small hands grasped the plastic knife together and made a few cuts into the cake. After serving themselves slices, they handed the knife to Sun Yi, who smiled helplessly at his greedy son and finished cutting the cake.

“Buzz, buzz.” Outside the hall came a loud, mower-like noise.

“Who’s here?” Xiao Yunting looked at Ling Feilong.

This was the Ling estate, heavily guarded; any helicopter landing here must have a close connection to the Ling family—or at least to someone important.

“Dad?” Ling Xueqin looked at Ling Feilong with complex eyes.

“Let’s go. After all, she’s Siyu’s grandmother. It’s only natural she came to celebrate his birthday,” Ling Feilong led the way outside.

Sun Yi put down the plastic knife and walked beside Ling Xueqin, giving her an encouraging look as they went out.

“Old Ling went to meet that special guest. Let’s continue. Xiao Jie, distribute these cakes,” Xiao Yunting noticed the curiosity in the guests’ eyes. To prevent them from disturbing the meeting, he resumed hosting the birthday party, drawing their attention back.

At the Ling family’s private helipad, a luxurious helicopter was parked, bearing the characters “Maeda” on its side.

A woman in her fifties, dressed elegantly with an extraordinary aura, stepped down. Two female bodyguards in black suits stood beside her, and she held a delicate gift box.

“Mother,” Ling Xueqin and Sun Yi greeted respectfully.

“Youi, you’re here,” Ling Feilong said awkwardly, his hands behind his back, uncertain of what to say.

“Where’s Siyu?” Maeda Youi nodded to Ling Xueqin and Sun Yi, ignoring Ling Feilong entirely, speaking directly.

“He’s inside,” Sun Wenchong patted Ling Feilong’s shoulder, easing the tension.

---

“I’ve come to take him away,” Maeda Youi said bluntly, not entering the hall but looking straight at Ling Feilong.

“What?” Ling Feilong, Sun Wenchong, Ling Xueqin, and Sun Yi were stunned.

“I’m taking Siyu back to Sakura Country to groom him as the next successor of the Maeda Consortium,” Maeda Youi explained calmly.

“Mother, Siyu is only ten years old. Isn’t it too soon?”

“Besides, he’s supposed to inherit Ling Tian Group,” Ling Feilong agreed.

“Ling Feilong, what do you mean? You think the Maeda Consortium is inferior to your Ling Tian Group?” Maeda Youi snorted coldly.

“No, Youi, that’s not what I meant,” Ling Feilong hurried to clarify.

“You’ve lived with Siyu for ten years, but for the next ten years, Siyu will live with me,” Maeda Youi’s tone was icy and resolute.

“Ling Feilong, don’t forget, this is something you owe me,” Maeda Youi stared directly at Ling Feilong, adding firmly.

“But...” Ling Feilong dared not meet her eyes, glancing helplessly at Sun Wenchong and his daughter.

The richest man in Longteng Country, calm and composed in any situation, was now at a loss before this woman—luckily, Xiao Yunting had the foresight not to let other guests witness this.

“Sister-in-law, Siyu is also our grandson. Look...” Sun Wenchong forced a smile, trying to salvage the situation. After all, Sun Siyu was their flesh and blood.

“What? Are you ganging up on me?” Maeda Youi snorted again.

“No, no, sister-in-law, you misunderstand,” Sun Wenchong smiled wryly, unsure what else to say.

A wealthy tycoon and a marshal both at a loss before a woman in her fifties...

“Tomorrow, I will take Siyu to Sakura Country,” Maeda Youi declared, casting a glance at those present.

“Mother...”

“Youi...”

“Sister-in-law...”

“What? Won’t you invite me in?” Maeda Youi slowly approached Ling Xueqin.

Ling Xueqin glanced at her father.

“Xueqin, take your mother to see Siyu,” Ling Feilong smiled bitterly.

“Father, why...?” Sun Yi only knew that woman was Ling Xueqin’s mother but never imagined his own father and father-in-law would be so powerless before her. They were supposed to be one family, yet acted like two, and what did it mean to take Siyu away?

“She is Maeda Youi, the president of the Maeda Consortium, one of the three major consortia of Sakura Country, and my ex-wife,” Ling Feilong sighed, explaining with a hint of helplessness.

“Ex-wife?”

“When I was young, I studied abroad in Sakura Country and met Youi. She didn’t know I was the heir to Ling Tian Group and thought I was just a poor boy. She was beautiful and understanding, and we quickly fell in love. After graduation, I brought her back to meet my parents, and we soon married domestically.”

“We lived happily together.”

“But happiness was short-lived. Longteng Country and Sakura Country went to war over certain interests.”

“The war expenses for Sakura Country were mainly funded by major consortia. By chance, I learned that Youi was actually the daughter of the Maeda Consortium’s head...”

“That piece of information came from me,” Sun Wenchong sighed.