Rebirth: My Childhood Sweetheart Came into My Arms

Shen Murou took out a photo album from the drawer.

The photo album must be quite old; the edges and corners are starting to yellow, and the photos inside are making the plastic cover bulge.

"This album contains all the photos of our family of three," Shen Murou walked straight to Jiang Guosheng and handed him the album. "I know you're not one to dwell on the past, but sometimes not looking at something doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

"Fame and fortune are things you can't take with you when you die. In the end, all you can take with you are the memories that the river of time leaves for each of us."

Jiang Guosheng took the photo album and, using the soft light from the bedside lamp, opened it.

The first page is a photo taken on an island when he and Shen Murou first met; it shows sunshine, a beach, and an endless sea...

They were still very young then, just over twenty years old, radiating youthful vigor.

Turning the page further, we find Jiang Chengyu born. The baby in swaddling clothes is fair-skinned and thin, but loves to laugh.

Next, the couple appeared less and less in the photo album, gradually being replaced by Jiang Chengyu.

Kindergarten, primary school, junior high school...

Some are solo photos of Jiang Chengyu, while others are photos taken with He Ziyu. The little boy has grown into a handsome young man who has finally become the heartthrob of countless girls.

However, as Jiang Chengyu gets older, he seems to smile less and less.

The change from hearty laughter at the beginning to a forced smile at the end was visible to the naked eye.

There are no more photos after Jiang Chengyu started junior high school.

Jiang Guosheng stared at the last family photo, the three of them dressed neatly, his breathing heavy.

This family photo was taken at a photo studio before Jiang Chengyu went to the United States after graduating from junior high school.

Jiang Chengyu was in a bad mood that day. He didn't say a word on the way to the photo studio and was also very dull during the photo shoot. He basically did whatever the photographer said.

The final photo turned out to be less than satisfactory.

Jiang Chengyu, wearing a white shirt, smiled with a forced smile, which even revealed a hint of bitterness.

"I can't even remember when Chengyu put himself in his shell and stopped opening up to us." Shen Murou stood there, her expression forlorn. "Was it when we first rejected one of his wishes, or when we first developed unrealistic expectations of him?"

"All I know is that at that banquet seven years ago, when I saw Sister Fang and Jingran making a scene, and when I saw her unconditionally tolerating the person Jingran liked, it felt like something hit my heart."

"At that moment, I suddenly felt that all my efforts over the years had been in vain."

"A perfect son, mass-produced by us, ended up not even willing to utter a single honest word to us..."

"Jiang Guosheng, don't you think this is pathetic?"

Jiang Guosheng gripped the photo album tighter and tighter, his knuckles gradually turning white.

"You're right, we are quite pathetic."

"It's only now at this age that I'm bringing these old stories to the forefront..."

"Don't you think it's too late?"

With that, he tossed the photo album onto the bed.

"We reached a consensus on Chengyu's educational direction. No matter what your reasons were for complying with me, it was your decision. I didn't hold a knife to your throat and force you to do it."

"Now that Chengyu is all grown up, you're bringing up old grievances with me, saying you want to make him suffer..."

"Then I'd like to ask you, now that he's satisfied, what are we going to do? What about the entire Jiang family?"

Shen Murou seemed to have anticipated this reaction from the Jiang Kingdom's grand gathering, and said expressionlessly:

"Homosexuality is not some heinous crime. What does it have to do with the Jiang family? Others cooperate with us because we are highly qualified, not because your son likes men or women."

"Besides, sexual orientation is something innate. Cheng Yu was born this way, do you expect him to be reborn?"

Jiang Guosheng: "You know that's not what I meant!"

"Yes, of course I know."

"What you care about is your pride, I already said that."

"So do you admit that in your eyes, Jiang Guosheng, saving face is far more important than your son's happiness?"

Shen Murou argued her case forcefully, rebuking Jiang Guosheng with an air of superiority.

At the same time, it also destroyed Jiang Guosheng's last shred of rationality.

"Happiness... what a load of rubbish happiness..." Jiang Guosheng chuckled. "Shen Murou, let me tell you this now, as long as I have a breath left, I will never allow our son to become the subject of gossip among outsiders."

"From today onwards, you may have different stances from me, but you cannot interfere with any of my arrangements. Otherwise, I will show you how I have eliminated those who opposed me all these years to get to where I am today."

After Jiang Guosheng finished speaking, he turned around, slammed the door shut, and left.

In the dimly lit room, Shen Murou calmly tidied her messy hair, walked to the bedside, picked up the photo album, and gently flipped through it.

Many years ago, she spent many nights holding this photo album.

When Jiang Chengyu rejected her advances and treated her like air, she would always go to her study alone to look through photo albums and reminisce about those beautiful times that only existed in her memory.

Then, after waking up, she resumed being the cold and ruthless strict mother.

Fortunately, in the latter half of her life, she suddenly realized her mistake and stopped being trapped in the mire.

After a while, Shen Murou picked up her phone and called Jiang Chengyu.

"Chengyu, your father already knows."

"I'm sorry I couldn't convince him."

"From now on, it's up to you and Ayu to face this together."

……

Jiang Chengyu was sleeping in his house in Lvdu when he received the call from Shen Murou. After the call, his mind was completely blank.

Although he was mentally prepared after that video call, he didn't expect that Jiang Guosheng would go from suspecting that there was something going on between him and He Ziyu to confirming it without any buffer at all.

In the quiet bedroom, Jiang Chengyu sat on the bed, his body covered in a fine layer of cold sweat from getting up too suddenly.

The thing I've been worried about for so many years is finally coming to an end.

However, this period came a little earlier than he and He Ziyu had anticipated.

It doesn't matter though...

He is confident that he and He Ziyu will overcome the difficulties together.

……

The next day, Jiang Chengyu arrived at the company early and asked his assistant to compile a list of the phone numbers of the partners that He Ziyu was currently in contact with, and then call them one by one.

Unsurprisingly, the first thing the father did after learning about their relationship was to suppress the He family, especially the projects that He Ziyu was handling.

If He Ziyu compromises, he will stop there.

On the contrary, they will use every means to force him to compromise.

This is a common tactic my father used when punishing his opponents.

As expected, when Jiang Chengyu called and offered to facilitate their signing with the He family in exchange for "additional third-party cooperation activities," the other party politely declined.

Under Jiang Chengyu's persistent questioning, the other party stated that it was General Manager Jiang Guosheng who instructed them to do so.

Jiang Chengyu frowned slightly, a hint of disbelief flashing through his mind.

From receiving his mother's call in the early hours of the morning until now, only a few hours have passed, and Jiang Guosheng has managed to win over the business partner before him in such a short time...

No wonder people always say that old ginger is spicier.

Soon, He Ziyu also noticed the problem and initiated a video call with him.

Jiang Chengyu took a deep breath and connected to the video call.

On the other side of the computer screen, He Ziyu, dressed in a suit and tie, sat upright in front of his desk with a stern expression.

Two seconds later, he cut to the chase: "Brother Yu, does Uncle know about our affair?"

Jiang Chengyu nodded, "Hmm..."

"No wonder those partners called me early this morning to say they weren't considering the He Group's projects anymore." He Ziyu frowned. "I originally planned to use these projects to infiltrate your group and support our future turnaround, but it seems I was too naive."

"Even though we are the ones cleaning up the group now, there are still many seniors who don't take us seriously. Besides, Jiang's is half of the empire your father built in the industry over most of his life. Even if they don't respect us, they still have to respect us."

"It's okay, Ayu, we'll think of another way," Jiang Chengyu said. "However, I might not be able to hold out for long at Jiang's. After all, given my dad's temper, if he's determined not to let us be together, he will definitely take back my executive power in the company and use the reputation he's built with the old shareholders to easily sideline my position."

He Ziyu frowned and remained silent, his pen twirling back and forth between his fingertips.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly slammed down his pen and said, "I have a solution."

Jiang Chengyu: "What method?"

He Ziyu: "Over the years, the He family and the Jiang family have had many collaborations, and their internal financial chains have long been intertwined like vines. As long as I take action to sever them, I can force my uncle to give up his suppression."

Cut...

Upon hearing those two words, Jiang Chengyu quickly said, "Ayu, I know you're anxious right now, but remember not to be too impulsive. Destroying the cooperation between the Jiang and He families would be a lose-lose situation..."

He Ziyu understood Jiang Chengyu's concerns.

In terms of resource share in the same industry over the years, the Jiang family has always been ahead of them. This situation is most suitable for harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit.

But if they turn from friends to enemies and start fighting in real combat, the He family will definitely be the one who suffers.

Even if the two sides end up in a draw, they will both suffer heavy losses.

While pondering, He Ziyu said on the screen:

"I know all of that."

"But Brother Yu..."

"This is our last chance."

He Ziyu's expression was serious, and his eyes were very determined, clearly indicating that he was prepared to go all in.

"Over the years, my investments in studios, cafes, and other businesses have all been profitable, and I have accumulated a considerable amount of funds in my personal account."

"If the Ho family really can't hold on in this struggle, I will use that money to make up for it."

"Besides, my uncle is a businessman; he wouldn't gamble with the entire Jiang family."

"So, Brother Yu, please trust me this time."

"We will definitely get through this."