Chapter 242

Lin Ruiqing had been feeling a bit troubled lately.

Although she had previously said she wouldn’t meddle too much in her children’s love lives, she wondered if she had perhaps been too hands-off, given that her two sons still showed no signs of romance.

She glanced at Jing Zeyou, who was eating quietly. Her eldest son was handsome and successful in his career, so why didn’t he have a girlfriend?

Then she looked at Jing Zeqian, who was currently bickering with Jing Yi over a piece of food. She paused, her expression complicated.

Surely, there must be someone who would like a lively man like him, right?

“Shen Huaichu, you’re cheating!”

Jing Zeqian glared at Shen Huaichu, who had sneakily helped Jing Yi snatch the chicken wing while he wasn’t paying attention.

Shen Huaichu glanced at Jing Yi, who was proudly showing off her victory, a hint of tenderness in his eyes. “Second brother, didn’t you say ‘whoever’s faster gets it’?”

Jing Zeqian’s eyes widened. This guy was using his own words against him—words he had once used to triumph over Jing Yi.

How sneaky!

Lin Ruiqing heaved a heavy sigh. Jing Beicheng asked, “What’s wrong? Is the food not to your taste?” He noticed the direction of his wife’s gaze and added, “Or are Zeqian and the others bothering you?”

Jing Zeqian and Shen Huaichu: “…”

Lin Ruiqing shook her head and sighed again. “It’s just that with fewer people around, meals don’t feel as lively.”

Jing Zeyou’s hand holding the chopsticks paused for a moment, and he subtly sped up his eating. Jing Zeqian looked up in confusion, staring at the large family gathered around the table.

“Mom, this is too few? We could easily form two mahjong tables with this many people.” How many more did she want? A family meeting that felt like a classroom lecture?

Lin Ruiqing shot her younger son a glare. “Is that what I meant?” Jing Zeqian immediately understood and shut his mouth, lowering his head to avoid further attention.

Jing Yi and Jing Zejun didn’t dare to get involved either, focusing intently on their meals.

Seeing that no one was responding, Lin Ruiqing glanced at Jing Beicheng beside her. He cleared his throat and said, “Your mother is right. It’s about time you two started thinking about your marriage prospects.”

Jing Zeqian silently grumbled to himself. Marriage prospects? There wasn’t even a hint of romance in sight, so how could there be any talk of marriage?

Lin Ruiqing asked, “Who wants to go first?” Even if there were no prospects, they should at least have a plan.

Jing Zeqian lowered his head even further. He was the younger brother, so his older brother should speak first.

Jing Zeyou sighed inwardly and stepped up. “Mom, I’m still focused on my work.”

Jing Yi quietly looked up, giving her eldest brother a look of respect. When others said this, it might be an excuse, but when Jing Zeyou said it, he meant it.

He probably thought that romance would only interfere with his work! A true workaholic!

Lin Ruiqing retorted, “You practically live at Hengjing 24/7. How much more work do you need to do? Besides, Shen Huaichu is also the CEO of Huarui Group, and he manages both his career and family life just fine.”

And as for his father, he had achieved both career success and a happy family life from the same position.

Jing Beicheng: Because he has a wonderful wife.

Jing Zeyou: “…”

And to bring up a closer example, Shen Huaichu was even younger than Jing Zeyou, yet his career was thriving, and he already had a beautiful wife.

Jing Zeqian: “A bit biased there, huh?”

Jing Yi: “Don’t stir the pot!”

Jing Zeyou looked at the so-called “model child” his mother was praising and found it rather amusing. This was the first time he had been on the receiving end of such a comparison.

In the past, he had always been the one held up as an example.

Shen Huaichu understood the look in his brother-in-law’s eyes and smiled gently. “Mom, I was just lucky.” He left it at that, not elaborating further.

After all, the last time he had asked Jing Zeyou for help, things had turned out rather awkwardly. Jing Zeqian still teased him about the “pretty boy” incident to this day.

Jing Zeqian, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes and smirked.

This guy always acted so well-behaved, especially after marrying Jing Yi. He called their parents “Mom” and “Dad” so smoothly it was almost nauseating.

As Jing Zeqian was silently mocking him, Lin Ruiqing noticed his defiant expression.

“Jing Zeqian, do you think I’m only talking about your brother?”

Her eldest son was excused because he was genuinely busy with work, but her younger son worked in the entertainment industry. How come there wasn’t even a hint of gossip about him?

Jing Zeqian quickly straightened his expression and said seriously, “Mom, we run a legitimate entertainment company.”

Not just him, but even the agents and artists under their management had been warned: any hint of “casting couch” behavior would result in immediate termination and a lifetime ban from the industry.

Lin Ruiqing: “…” Was that what she meant?

But Lin Ruiqing’s confusion was shared by many paparazzi.

Unlike other entertainment company bosses, Jing Zeqian was a hot topic himself. Being the youngest son of the Jing family from North River, he had a substantial fan following online. Tracking his personal life was as lucrative as following a top-tier celebrity.

Yet, when it came to gossip about him? There was nothing worth mentioning.

Jing Zeqian took some pride in this. In the eyes of the paparazzi, he was the epitome of a “clean-living” bachelor.

Lin Ruiqing: “Whether he’s a bachelor or not, he’s certainly on his way to becoming an old one.”

Jing Zeyou sipped his soup leisurely. “Don’t worry, Mom. At worst, Jing Yi and Zejun’s children can inherit Hengjing.”

Jing Yi was stunned. How did this suddenly involve her?

Jing Zejun and Wen Qingyan exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.

Wen Qingyan smiled and said, “Big brother, Zejun is still focused on her career right now. We don’t have any plans for children yet.” Even if they did, given their personalities, they would likely prioritize their child’s wishes.

Shen Huaichu remained calm, serving Jing Yi a bowl of soup. He said slowly, “Big brother, whether Jing Yi has plans is another matter. She’s preparing for a competition right now. Even if we did have a child, we’d probably consider Huarui Group first.”

For Shen Huaichu, whether they had children or not didn’t matter. Everything depended on Jing Yi’s wishes.

Jing Yi: “Great, this hypothetical child already has two corporations vying for their future.”

Jing Zeyou raised an eyebrow, a competitive spark igniting within him. “Then let the child choose when the time comes.”

He thought that, compared to Shen Huaichu, he would probably be more popular with children. He had that much confidence.

Shen Huaichu paused, understanding Jing Zeyou’s implication. He silently considered the odds of winning against Jing Zeyou and realized they were rather low.

After all, even the child’s mother was biased…

Sometimes he wanted to ask Jing Yi who she would save if he and Jing Zeyou both fell into the water.

But the thought seemed too childish, and there was also the fear of embarrassing himself, so he never dared to ask.

As for why Jing Zeqian wasn’t included in this hypothetical scenario?

If he and Jing Zeqian ever fell into the water together, he’d make sure to “drown” Jing Zeqian first!

Seeing the conversation veering further off track, Lin Ruiqing forced a smile and said threateningly, “Zeyou, you should focus on your own prospects first.” Stop scheming about other people’s children!

Jing Zeyou looked away. “Alright, I’ll do my best.” They could deal with the rest later.