When Cecilia Gu arrived at the office, all the employees treated her with utmost respect—more so than even the big boss, Rona Muir.
Just a few days ago, when the company officially opened, Cecilia Gu was formally promoted to General Manager of Danni Cosmetics.
So today was the first official workday for this so-called General Manager.
"President Gu." A woman in a black business suit and black-rimmed glasses came over, holding a folder. "President Muir instructed that all documents for these days must be signed by you. These are the files regarding Danni Cosmetics setting up a branch in Capital City. Please sign here."
They're already setting up a branch office?
Is Rona moving a little too fast?
The main office just opened a few days ago, and now the branch is already being established?
Can you really pull this off, Rona?
Cecilia Gu took the documents, half-doubting, and scanned through them at lightning speed. When she reached the financial statement for this month, her eyes narrowed. "Hmm? New investment? Who's this from?"
The secretary became even more respectful. "It's under your name!"
"What does that mean?" Cecilia Gu was even more confused. She hadn't invested much money into Danni Cosmetics! The shares Rona Muir gave her were purely out of friendship.
"Mrs. Yin invested a sum of money, and it's under your name," the secretary explained, unable to hide her envy.
They're already divorced, but her mother-in-law still treats her so well. Isn't this something every woman would envy?
"What?" Cecilia Gu grew even more puzzled. "Let me see this month's detailed financial reports. I want the balance sheet, income statement, and VAT tax declaration—don't leave anything out."
"Yes, President Gu." The secretary quickly turned and left.
Cecilia Gu was still in a daze.
Why would Mrs. Yin suddenly invest? And such a large amount? And under her name?
What does all this mean?
Soon, the secretary brought over all the monthly reports from the finance department.
Although Cecilia Gu didn't major in finance, before she met Charles Yin, she had worked on every kind of departmental report.
Besides, Danni Cosmetics was newly established. Although it had been in trial operation for a while, the time was short and the reports were straightforward. So Cecilia Gu understood everything at a glance.
Recently, several rounds of funding had come in, and the company's original capital had multiplied several times over.
No wonder Rona Muir had the confidence to open a branch in Capital City!
With money, connections, and a network, not just one branch—she could open ten and not worry!
"President Gu?" The secretary raised her voice slightly.
Cecilia Gu snapped back to reality. "Hmm? What is it?"
"Your phone..." The secretary pointed to Cecilia Gu's phone, and only then did she notice it had been ringing for a while.
It was a somewhat familiar number. Cecilia Gu immediately answered, signaling for the secretary to leave.
The voice on the other end surprised Cecilia Gu. "Cici, do you have time? Come out and meet me."
It was Vivian Jiang—Mrs. Yin!
Cecilia Gu was briefly stunned, but quickly collected herself. "Okay."
She gathered her things and hurried out.
When Cecilia Gu arrived, she saw Vivian Jiang—Mrs. Yin—already sitting by the window, smiling at her.
Behind Mrs. Yin stood two assistants at a respectful distance—close enough for protection, but not intrusive.
Cecilia Gu walked over and greeted her, "Mrs. Yin."
Mrs. Yin looked up at Cecilia Gu. "At Grandma Evelyn Yin's 80th birthday, you paid respects to the ancestors of the Yin Family. Your name has always been in the family genealogy. Whether you're divorced or not, you're still the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yin Family. So, just like before, call me Mom."
Cecilia Gu hesitated for a moment, then followed her cue. "Mom."
"Sit." Mrs. Yin nodded slightly and gestured for Cecilia to take a seat.
One of Mrs. Yin's assistants quickly came over and pulled out a chair for Cecilia Gu.
Cecilia thanked them and sat down across from Mrs. Yin.
She didn't know why Mrs. Yin wanted to see her.
People don't just show up at the temple for nothing, right?
Mrs. Yin's well-maintained face was still strikingly beautiful and full of dignity.
"I came to see you today because I need a favor," Vivian Jiang said after a moment, sighing softly. "You already know about my investment in Danni Cosmetics, right?"
Cecilia Gu nodded.
"This money is just a little compensation from me as your mother-in-law." Mrs. Yin's lips curled slightly. "These three years have been hard on you."
Cecilia Gu didn't know what to say and could only shake her head slightly.
"I'm not here today to show off the money. I actually need your help contacting Howard Yin. I've realized over time that I've spent most of my life holding onto a mistake, and I'm tired. I don't want to keep going. Howard won't see anyone, but he agreed to see you—you're his daughter-in-law and the younger generation, so he wouldn't treat you harshly." Mrs. Yin's eyes darkened slightly. "This is my divorce agreement. Please give it to him."
Another assistant handed a document to Cecilia Gu.
Cecilia Gu stared at Mrs. Yin in astonishment. "You... you've really decided?"
Mrs. Yin smiled and nodded. "I'm just too tired. I've paid enough. Now that both children are back with you, I feel at ease. I want to retire in South America. My assets have already been notarized—when Ethan Yin turns eighteen, the inheritance will be transferred to his name. I've also made arrangements for Miles Gu; don't worry. Even though Miles isn't a Yin, I won't treat him unfairly. It's also a favor to the Field Family—if Ethan ever needs help, the Field Family won't stand by and do nothing."
"Mom..." Cici really didn't know what to say.
Mrs. Yin's decision really was too sudden!
"I, Vivian Jiang, was once proud and untouchable, but my life was ruined by Howard Yin. That's enough—really enough. I don't want to waste any more time. South America is a good place; I lived there for six years and have grown attached to it. The Yin Family's future is in Charles's hands now, so I have nothing to worry about. You've regained your memory, and Charles has nothing to fear anymore. There's nothing left for me to hold onto. The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll be free." Mrs. Yin rubbed her temples tiredly, and her assistant immediately handed her a pill.
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Mrs. Yin reached out and swallowed the pill in one go.
"Are you... feeling okay?" Cici couldn't help but ask with concern.
"I'm fine, just a bit tired lately," Mrs. Yin replied. "I'll leave Howard Yin to you."
"Alright." Cici nodded.
After seeing Mrs. Yin off, Cici instinctively called Charles Yin and relayed Vivian Jiang's message.
Charles Yin was silent for a long time before he finally spoke. "If that's what Mom wants, then let's do as she says. Cici, I'm sorry to trouble you."
Cici smiled gently. "It's not really trouble. I want to bring the kids to see him, is that alright?"
"...Alright." Charles Yin nodded. "I'll go with you."
Early the next morning, Charles Yin led the whole family toward Fairview City.
The motorcade stopped at the foot of the mountain. Everyone else waited below while Charles and Cici each took a child by the hand and slowly made their way up to the top.
It was the first time Ethan Yin and Miles Gu met their grandfather, and both were nervous.
Even the usually mischievous Ethan Yin was unusually well-behaved at the moment.
Howard Yin was standing with his back to them, carefully wiping the dust off a tombstone.
Sensing something, his hand paused. Suddenly, he turned around and saw the family of four standing not far away.
"Grandpa!" Ethan Yin and Miles Gu greeted him eagerly.
Howard Yin's gaze landed on Ethan Yin's face. His lips trembled twice, his expression shifted several times, and his breathing grew heavier.
After a long moment, he finally spoke: "Why are you here? Come in."
Only then did Cici's anxious heart finally settle down.
If it hadn't been for Ethan Yin, they probably would have all been turned away.
Charles Yin's narrow eyes hid a complicated emotion. Only after hearing Howard Yin's words did he step forward.
May Chen's tombstone was spotless, and the grave was perfectly maintained.
For decades, he had cared for this place better than anywhere else.
This was his father.
But he was a father whose heart had long since turned to ashes.
If in the past he hadn't understood his father's feelings, at this moment he truly did.
Because if Cici Grant were to die young as well, his heart would go with her.
As a man, as someone equally devoted, he found himself speechless in that moment.
Yet even as he was at a loss for words, his heart ached for his mother.
These two extreme emotions tore him apart.
Cici understood Charles's feelings. She reached out and gently took his hand, leading him forward.
Inside the house, everything was as shabby as before.
Cici pulled the two kids over. "Yuhan, Mia, bow to your grandfather."
Yuhan Yin and Mia Gu obediently stepped forward, knelt before Grandpa Yin Hao, and bowed respectfully.
"This child is Mia?" Yin Hao pulled the two kids up, looked Mia over, and asked Cici.
"Yes," Cici explained. "He's part of the Yin family too."
Yin Hao nodded, gently patting both kids on the head. "Go play outside, but don’t wander far. I need to talk to your parents."
Yuhan and Mia nodded, glanced back at Mom and Dad, then left hand in hand.
"So, what brings you here?" Yin Hao looked calmly at his son and daughter-in-law. "Has Jiang Xue finally come around?"
It really is Yin Hao!
Just by seeing Charles and Cici standing there, he’d already guessed the heart of the matter.
"Dad..." Charles looked at him, complicated emotions in his eyes. "You really won’t come back with me?"
Yin Hao gave a self-deprecating smile, then turned to Cici. "Bring it here. I'll sign."
Cici hesitated for a moment, then took out the document and handed it to Yin Hao. "You really don’t regret this?"