One Life, One Incarnation, Beautiful Bones

13

From his pant pocket, he pulled out a gray, checkered handkerchief and lightly pressed it against his mouth and nose to avoid the pollen scent that was coming from within the courtyard as he silently proceeded inside. There were continually people bowing and hailing him, "Eldest Young Master."

As he strode into the main hall, most of the people that were to be seated at the thirteen tables were present already.

He did not recognize all of them but nodded to each one in a form of greeting.

He approached the head table and sat down. Beside him, there was only Zhousheng Heng and Xiao Ren. His mother as well as the women who had more seniority in the family were sitting at the adjacent table. Her hair was still pulled up in a meticulous bun and emphasized her elegant, long, and narrow eyes[1].

It was a very quiet morning meal. When their bowls and chopsticks were set down, the sky was just beginning to hazily light up.

He wanted to leave, but his mother insisted that he stay behind. However, when it was only himself, his uncle, Xiao Ren, and his mother left, the atmosphere seemed even icier than before.

After his birth mother had died in a mishap, Zhousheng Ren had not liked talking anymore. He actually was very close with Zhousheng Chen, and now, he picked up a book, sat down in a chair next to him, and started reading. When he reached a spot he did not understand, he took a pen and underlined it, then handed it over to him. Zhousheng Chen smiled, took it from him, and scribbled down some formulas.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Uncle solicitously inquired about his wellbeing.

He slid the book back to Xiao Ren. "Last night I was in Shanghai. I still have not had time to sleep."

Uncle was already starting to heartily discuss with him the various matters within the family.

In his generation in the Zhousheng family, not only were those with the Zhousheng surname declining to enter politics, even those who were in the direct line of descent were beginning to be prohibited from taking part in those roles. Rather than saying that this was so they would appear unassuming and average, it would be better to say it was to seclude themselves from the world. Furthermore, the views of those in his grandfather's generation were old-fashioned, and they always held the belief that merchants and businessmen were of a lower status. As a result, very few in the family entered into business.

The family had more than two hundred years of accumulated history. Its roots were deep and the family was fluorishing, having experienced several cycles where the country had opened its doors to outsiders and then subsequently closed them again. In these hundred years, each time a newly developing industry or business started to show its presence, they would willingly lend some assistance but afterward, would never get involved in the business matters, acting only in the most basic of roles as a shareholder.

Gradually, the family had accumulated its wealth of today. "To seek stability, not change." That was the ancestral instruction.

Unfortunately, his return this time was to bring about change that would completely overturn things.

"Do you remember the Nan family?" Uncle smiled lightly. "Several years back, on that gambling ship, they worked in cooperation with your mother. They have signed a joint venture agreement with the local government in Iran and now have access to the local automobile market. Nan Huai was very generous, and the returns he gave were bounteous. Your mother and I have had discussions, and we have decided to give it all to your fiancée. Also, if possible, let her shadow your mother for three years to learn how to manage the household."

"Shi Yi?" He pondered briefly. "She does not need to."

His mother looked at him indifferently. "When she marries into the family, she will have to start to learn."