Mr. Xu nodded and smiled through his tears, grateful for Ling Li's confidence. "Thank you, Ling. You are very good to us."

"Eh, don't keep thanking me. I would feel you don't accept me as your family," Ling Li replied playfully.

"No, no. Please don't get me wrong," Mr. Xu responded immediately, his tone earnest.

Ling Li smiled, feeling a deep sense of connection with her in-laws. "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I know your hearts. I shall take my leave. I hope you will tell me if you need anything." Ling Li comforted the two elderly before bidding goodbye.

When Ling Li returned to the main house, she saw Lily sitting alone in the living room, her face lit up by the soft glow of the late afternoon sun streaming through the windows.

"Lily, I thought you were in the office with your sister," Ling Li said, setting her sunglasses down on the coffee table.

"Mom, I was with my big sister but came home to talk to you," Lily responded, her tone suggesting she had something important to discuss.

"What is it? Tell me," Ling Li prompted, curiosity piqued.

"Mom, I intend to participate in next year's international dance sports competition. Also, I got an invitation from Coach Carlos. He is forming a gymnastics team to compete in the Asian Olympics," Lily informed her mother, excitement and determination evident in her voice.

Ling Li's eyes lit up with pride. "Lily, I will support you in your decision. I will take care of Ren's business while you are training," she replied happily.

"Mom, I can handle the business. But can you find me, my own assistant? Big sister said she would take her personal assistant with her," Lily requested.

"I can find you a reliable assistant. Give me at least five days," Ling Li agreed, mentally adding it to her to-do list. She was still so tied to the training that she could only focus on this after sending off the trainees.

"Regarding the business, I'll take over the jewelry business. You can just concentrate on Ren's real estate. If you have any questions, ask your brother or me. Don't bother your sister anymore. Oh, and never compete with your brother's real estate business. He will punish you," Ling Li advised.

Lily laughed out loud, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I was gonna poach Big Brother's customers. Ha ha ha."

"You! Don't even think about it!" Ling Li scolded playfully.

"Ha ha ha, I know, Mom. I was only joking. Brother's real estate business is not within my reach," Lily assured her mother.

"Ren and your brother decided to divide their target market. Ren focuses on low-cost and class B, C, and D customers. While your brother's target markets are the class A and the elites," Ling Li explained, defining the business landscape for Lily.

"Ooh, now I got it. I didn't know about that. Mom, I want to open my own coffee shop in the future," Lily mused.

"Coffee shop? Why do you need your own? Just take over our existing shops," Ling Li retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"Mom, I didn't know we had coffee shops!" Lily almost yelled in excitement.

Ling Li laughed at her daughter's incredulity. "It's all over your brother's department store. 'The Asian Brew.'"

"What!? Mom! 'The Asian Brew' is ours?" Lily's jaw almost dropped.

"Yeah, and all of 'Over The Moon' Resto Bars," Ling Li added, enjoying the moment of revelation.

"Mom, how did I not know about these?!" Lily was both amazed and a little embarrassed.

"You're still in school. We want you to focus first on your education and not mind the business pressure around us," Ling Li explained.

"Mom, do you know I wanted a coffee shop resembling the 'Asian Brew'? Just to discover we own it? I feel so embarrassed," Lily said, puffing her cheeks in a way that made her look adorably funny.

Ling Li laughed out loud, unable to contain her amusement. "Ha ha ha, you are cute like a pufferfish! You don't have to feel pitiful. You are still young; don't rush. When you feel you have explored everything, you can settle down and work permanently in your chosen field. Because once you start working full time, you can no longer enjoy freedom as much as you want," Ling Li reminded her, a note of wisdom in her voice.

"Going back to your training, where do you want to train?" Ling Li asked.

"Mom, can I convert one of the halls into my dance studio?" Lily requested, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"Sure! Why not?!" Ling Li replied with enthusiasm.

"Thank you, Mom," Lily beamed.

"Of course, my good daughter. Butler Peng," Ling Li called, summoning the ever-reliable butler.

"Yes, Madam?" Butler Peng responded promptly.

"Please help Lily convert the hall beside the gym into her personal studio," Ling Li instructed.

"I understand. I will ask Lily for her preferences and have it done immediately," Butler Peng replied courteously, already mentally making notes.

"Thank you, Butler Peng. Let's talk later and go over the specifics," Lily said, excitement bubbling in her voice.

"Yes, Young Miss Lily." Butler Peng bowed and left to start on the preparations.

"Lily, what about your gymnastic training?" Ling Li inquired, knowing her daughter's ambitions didn't stop at the dance.

"I could practice my floor exercise routines in my studio; the hall you mentioned is big enough," Lily explained, her mind already planning routines.

"Yes, but since you do all-around events, I'll ask your brother to build you a practice area. The castle's estate still has a vast place for it," Ling Li proposed, always thinking ahead.

"Mom, you are too good to be true," Lily said, hugging her mother tightly.

"You sure have a sweet tongue. I'm going to check on the guys at the camp. Do you want to come with me?" Ling Li asked, enjoying the moment but aware of her other responsibilities.

"I can't, Mom. My online classes will start in an hour. You go ahead. I will take a shower for now," Lily replied, torn between wanting to join her mother and needing to prepare for her classes.

"Don't make yourself hungry. Grab some snacks before your class," Ling Li reminded her, always the caring mother.

"Yes, Mom. Thank you," Lily said, heading towards the kitchen to grab a quick bite.

"Alright, I have to go," Ling Li said, preparing to leave.

"Bye, Mom," Lily waved as Ling Li headed out.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.