Chapter 116: A Change of Nature

He Chuan was patient; no matter how Mrs. He smashed property downstairs and caused a ruckus, turning the place upside down, he remained unmoved.

Soon enough, the assistant, sensing the situation had escalated enough, called the police directly.

Mrs. He had been making a scene for quite a while without any police arriving. She assumed He Chuan was too afraid to report her, which only made her more brazen. Yet, in the end, the police did arrive.

Upon seeing the police, Mrs. He grew somewhat flustered. She wanted to make a scene but didn’t want the police involved.

The officers quickly subdued those causing trouble, and although Mrs. He had not physically attacked anyone, she had incited the chaos and was questioned alongside the others.

She asserted her status firmly, saying, “I am the wife of the chairman of this company. Is it illegal for me to damage my own property?”

The police exchanged glances and replied, “So the company is under your name? Are you currently in charge?”

Neither was true. The company was still registered under He Wei’s name, though He Chuan was managing it. If anyone was responsible, it was He Chuan.

Her claim of being the chairman’s wife didn’t hold up legally, and since she had injured someone, she was taken in for questioning.

...

The incident quickly spiraled into a major scandal. Because it involved He Cheng, its impact grew rapidly and even trended on social media.

He Cheng himself remained unaffected, going about his business as usual. In contrast, Tang Huaihuai laughed out loud upon seeing the news, remarking that Mrs. He lacked any sense, but that was good—the bigger the commotion, the better. She simply enjoyed the spectacle without caring about the trouble it caused.

However, since the matter concerned He Cheng’s reputation, Tanya Zhuo’s company responded swiftly. Their statement emphasized that He Cheng was initially unaware of the incident, expressed his regret for the family’s repeated public disruptions, and promised to investigate promptly to find the best resolution.

The entire statement was filled with disclaimers of ignorance and denial.

Though well-written, the public relations statement failed to quell the situation.

Tanya Zhuo’s team contacted the website to delete posts, paid to lower the trending rank, and only then did things quiet down.

Tanya Zhuo reached out to He Cheng to ask what was going on.

He Cheng shrugged it off, saying, “I don’t know. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Are you really unaware?”

“My dad is paralyzed and hospitalized, my brother is trying to grab the inheritance, and my mom is standing up for me. Beyond that, I have no clue. Tanya, do you really expect me to manage my family affairs? I can’t even handle them.”

The implication was clear: What could Tanya Zhuo possibly do?

Tanya Zhuo said, “I’m not arguing with you. We’re from the same company, and you’re still my client. He Cheng, I only want what’s best for you—to see you soar to great heights, not to sabotage yourself. Understand?”

“I don’t want our relationship to get that tense. I’m your agent to coordinate your work, not just because you’re my client. I don’t want to find out about your latest mess through trending topics online. Understand, He Cheng?”

He Cheng said nothing. Tanya Zhuo struggled to keep her composure. She had been cleaning up his messes repeatedly. It wasn’t hopeless yet, but her patience was wearing thin. Once or twice might be coincidence, but three or four times? Every time it was a surprise, catching her off guard.

Now, not only she but the company’s higher-ups were displeased with him.

He Cheng played games on another phone with the sound turned up. Tanya Zhuo’s face darkened at the noise. “He Cheng, I hope you face the issues at hand instead of ignoring them.”

“Tanya, am I not earning enough for the company? Don’t I have a say? Or am I just a money-making machine? Huh?” He Cheng was blunt. “Some things I can’t even control myself. How could I warn you in advance?”

Tanya Zhuo pressed on, “What about your relationship? Your girlfriend? Did this happen suddenly? You hid your relationship from us, then admitted it online directly. Now the matter isn’t settled, and new news breaks. Are you trying to make sure everyone has more work this year?”

He Cheng grinned cheekily, “Tanya, isn’t that a good thing? More KPIs for everyone.”

...

She had managed many artists over the years but had never encountered anyone like him. He was confident, backed by powerful patrons, feared by no one, and utterly dismissive of her, acting recklessly and wildly.

He even tormented Ah Zhou to such an extent.

Tanya Zhuo was furious; she needed to find a way to control him. If he refused to obey, he would become a liability. It would be better to cut him loose sooner rather than later.

...

Xin Gan also saw the He family’s fiasco online. The news spread fast, and she saw it all. Fortunately, nothing too serious happened, though some people were hurt and sent to the hospital.

The police were still investigating, with no conclusion yet.

Around seven in the evening, Xin Gan had no class and went home as her mother had called her for dinner, also asking Cheng Jiu to come over.

Cheng Jiu came to pick Xin Gan up. On the way, she brought up He Chuan’s situation. “I saw He Cheng got involved too. Will this negatively affect He Chuan?”

“Not likely.” Cheng Jiu wasn’t worried. This was family business no one else should meddle in. He Chuan had already sought Song Chen’s help; it should be fine, though no one could predict if something unexpected might happen.

“Before, Aunt He wasn’t like this. He Chuan is her son after all. Why treat him differently?” Xin Gan was confused.

Cheng Jiu explained as he drove, “I probably never told you—He Chuan isn’t Mrs. He’s biological son. His mother died when he was very young. Later, Uncle He married the current Mrs. He.”

“No wonder. So Aunt He dislikes He Chuan and sides with He Cheng to grab the inheritance?”

“Exactly.” Cheng Jiu reached over to gently pat her head. “Don’t think too much. He Chuan won’t lose that easily. Grabbing an inheritance isn’t that simple. Uncle He is still alive.”

Back at Xin’s home, her mother cooked a lavish meal.

At that moment, Shen Ruxin arrived with Keke.

Keke ran up to Xin Gan, reaching out for a hug. Xin Gan smiled warmly and bent down to pick her up. “You’ve grown taller and heavier. Auntie can barely carry you now.”

Keke coquettishly said, “Mom says I’ve grown so much Auntie can’t hold me, but Uncle can. From now on, Uncle will carry me.”

“You have such a sweet mouth. Have you been sneaking candy again?” Xin Gan tickled Keke’s sides as she sat her on the sofa.

Keke laughed, squirming.

Xin Gan was gentle, tickling lightly to tease her.

Seeing them play like that, Shen Ruxin shook her head in resignation and told Cheng Jiu, “Keke’s always been clingy to Xin Gan, and Xin Gan spoils her.”

Cheng Jiu smiled, looking fondly at the lively side of Xin Gan, which was rare—she was usually quiet and gentle. Of course, during their time in Beiyu, things were different; when he upset her, her words were prickly on purpose.

Now that they were married, she kept that sharpness hidden, showing only her gentlest side.

Keke laughed, jumped off the sofa, and hugged Cheng Jiu’s pant leg, looking up innocently. “Uncle, when will you and Auntie have a little brother for me to play with? I want a brother, not a sister.”

Shen Ruxin asked, “Keke, why not a sister?”

Keke repeated some childish logic she’d heard somewhere. “Sisters have bad tempers. I don’t like sisters. I want a brother to tease.”

Cheng Jiu laughed and scooped her up. “Brothers aren’t easy to tease, and sisters can be just as tough as you.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Just no. I don’t like them.”

Keke rested her head on Cheng Jiu’s shoulder and waved to Xin Gan. “Auntie, I want a brother. Please have one soon, okay?”

Soon Xin’s mother called them for dinner, ending the conversation. Children say whatever they think; no one took it seriously.

After dinner, Xin Gan held Keke’s hand and took her to the bathroom, speaking seriously. “Keke, Auntie isn’t planning to have a brother yet, so don’t talk about this in front of your uncle.”

She worried Cheng Jiu might recall unhappy memories or feel guilty, though it wasn’t his fault.

Keke nodded vaguely and asked, “Did I say something wrong? Is Uncle upset?”

“No, Uncle isn’t mad. You didn’t know better. But next time, don’t mention it or Auntie will be sad.”

“I won’t make Auntie cry. I won’t say it again.”

“Good girl.”

That night, Shen Ruxin and Keke stayed over. Keke refused to sleep with Shen Ruxin and insisted on staying with Xin Gan. After bathing, she ran to Xin Gan’s door and knocked. Cheng Jiu answered.

After Shen Ruxin mentioned it, Xin Gan agreed to let Keke sleep with her, and Cheng Jiu was relegated to another room.

Though Keke was a child, she wasn’t Cheng Jiu’s biological daughter, and they had no blood relation. Besides, at five or six, she should be learning about gender boundaries. Cheng Jiu voluntarily withdrew to the next room.

Xin Gan coaxed Keke to sleep.

Shen Ruxin observed everything and felt more certain that Xin Gan had married well. She deserved Cheng Jiu.

Children inevitably bring up the topic of having more kids, especially since Cheng Jiu was not that young, had a stable job, and was well-off. To outsiders, it seemed natural for them to start a family.

If they waited too long without children, people would gossip.

Shen Ruxin had been through this herself. Song Chen’s mother wanted a boy and pressured them for another child. Shen Ruxin didn’t want more. Once, overhearing Song Chen’s mother complain to a friend that her womb was “uncooperative” and wouldn’t bear a son, she was so upset she argued with Song Chen. He comforted her for a long time before things calmed down.

Later, Song Chen talked to his mother, and the matter was settled.

Shen Ruxin took the opportunity to discuss children with Xin Gan, asking, “I see neither of you plans to have kids. Is it because you don’t want them, or...?”

Xin Gan made up a vague excuse, saying she was busy with work and hadn’t thought about it yet.

...

Recently, He Chuan had been coming and going early and late. Though he still made it in time each morning to take Cheng Hui to school, after a while, Cheng Hui felt sorry for his running around and told him to let her take the bus; he didn’t have to shuttle her back and forth.

He Chuan arranged for a driver to handle her school commute. Feeling guilty, he bought her a gift—a diamond necklace—and quietly fastened it around her neck while she slept.

At first, she didn’t notice. When she went to class, her roommate saw the necklace and curiously asked if it was from her boyfriend.

She looked down, touching the necklace that had mysteriously appeared, and said absentmindedly, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s from him.”

Her roommate said, “Looks expensive. What does your boyfriend do? Is he like you? A rich heir?”

Cheng Hui was momentarily stunned, thoughts swirling. “He’s working now. He definitely has more money than me.”

“When will your boyfriend treat us to dinner? We’re curious what he looks like.”

Another roommate nudged her. “Why are you so curious about someone else’s boyfriend? Jealous?”

“If you can’t be nice, don’t say anything. It’s suffocating. I’m just curious because Cheng Hui hides everything. No news at all. Guys in our class chase her, but she doesn’t even glance their way. Your boyfriend must be impressive.”

Cheng Hui smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Her roommates’ constant questions about her boyfriend troubled her. She couldn’t avoid answering but kept saying “later, later,” which irritated them. She was conflicted and didn’t know how to explain.

That afternoon, without classes, He Chuan invited her to his company to hang out.

She asked, “What about Aunt He? Did she pay for the damage? She smashed your company up pretty badly…”

“She’s still in detention, injured someone, so she’ll be held for a few days.” Actually, He Chuan had pulled strings to pressure the authorities, ensuring Mrs. He was detained for fifteen days.

“But won’t this ruin everything? She’ll definitely try to get back at you once out. She’s as cruel as Tang Huaihuai. How can people like that exist?”

He Chuan said calmly, “It’s fine. I’m not afraid of them. You come over first, and I’ll explain everything slowly.”

It wasn’t her first time at his company, but previously she had visited openly to see him. This time, upon arriving at the front desk, the receptionist recognized her immediately and let her through without registration.

The damaged areas had been restored perfectly; one couldn’t tell anything had happened.

She stepped into the elevator, her nerves rising, texting He Chuan her location as she walked.

He didn’t reply, making her uneasy.

When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, she saw He Chuan standing there, waiting.

He usually wore a shirt and slacks to work; today he wore a black shirt with three buttons undone at the collar, revealing a tanned chest. He smiled gently and said, “It’s not your first time here. Why so scared?”

Cheng Hui felt shy, instinctively touching her new hairstyle and avoiding holding his hand. When others were around, she kept her distance, walking behind him and whispering, “You go ahead. Don’t watch me.”

Noticing her embarrassment, He Chuan didn’t tease her. Once inside the office and the door closed, he took her hand and asked, “Shy now?”

Then he ran his fingers through her hair. “Your hairstyle is quite bold.”

“With so many people here, mind your image. It’s work hours, not time to be fooling around. And don’t mess with my hair; it’s all messed up now,” she pretended to scold him, though it was because she was embarrassed.

He Chuan said, “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. At least he hadn’t criticized her hair too harshly; it wasn’t that bad.

He brought her a freshly brewed, steaming cup of coffee. “You stay and play in the office. The computer password is your birthday. I have a meeting to attend.”

“How long will it last?”

“I’ll finish as soon as I can.”

“Then go ahead.”

Just then, his assistant knocked and entered, surprised to see Cheng Hui in the office. “President He, the meeting is about to start…”

He Chuan’s expression was calm as he acknowledged.

Cheng Hui hurried him off to the meeting, then sat at his desk to play on the computer, feeling melancholic. She wanted to play games to pass the time but wasn’t in the mood.

Actually, He Chuan’s computer was filled with files and documents. Afraid of deleting something by accident, she closed it and looked around his workspace.

On the desk was a photo frame containing her picture—taken last year. She hadn’t expected her photo to be on his desk.

...

He Chuan returned from the meeting around 5 p.m. During the meeting, worried she might be hungry, he had his assistant send some snacks. When he came back, Cheng Hui was half-reclined on the sofa, sound asleep, cake half-eaten on the table.

He felt that at this moment, everything was worthwhile. He put down his phone, grabbed a light blanket, and covered her.

The assistant walked in and saw the scene, stunned and flustered. Pretending not to notice, he quickly left.

He thought he must be mistaken; just days ago, He Chuan was scheming against the He family, but now he seemed like a different person—his gaze softening, especially when looking at Cheng Hui.

Perhaps love truly changes a person.

...

The sun set, and the warm orange glow filtered through the glass into the office. Cheng Hui turned over and woke, dazedly staring at the sunset outside, almost forgetting where she was.

He Chuan noticed and called her name.

She lazily stretched and sat up. “Are you done with work?”

“Yeah, finished.”

“How about hot pot tonight? I’m hungry.”

“Sure.”

“Let me nap a little more, then call me when you’re ready.”

She wanted to sleep a bit longer. He didn’t stop her.

Yet she couldn’t fall asleep again. Suddenly recalling her roommate’s questions, she asked, “He Chuan, what were you like as a child?”

“What do you mean? Just normal.”

“Basically no answer.”

He smiled. “What do you want to know?”

“Just curious about who you were before. I realize I never really paid attention to you.”

“You were too young to remember much, but I remember quite a lot.”