Enhebrando sentimientos

Chapter One: "Twined threads of affection" by Yu Xin

Inside the waiting room of Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, a pretty young woman in her late twenties with a Diana-style short haircut glanced nervously at the exit gate, looking ready to run away at any moment. "Lingling, do I...do I really have to go? I...I think maybe...maybe..." "Come on! Taiwan is so small, it's not easy to even meet up, let alone in the United States." Yuan Ling, dressed smartly in denim, patted Du Sisi's shoulder to comfort her.

"But... what if we run into..." Sisi quietly took a step away.

"I...I really don't know what to do?"

Yuan Ling immediately pulled her back to her side, "Alright! With me as your backer, what are you afraid of? Besides," Yuan Ling pointed to the boy who was fiercely beating up the "Taiwanese boy" nearby, "there's also our genius little handsome boy Hao Hao. If there's anything to do, just let him do it. If there are any problems, just dump them all on him." Si Si couldn't help but find it both funny and exasperating, "Why? Make him duel with his dad?"

Yuan Ling raised her eyebrows.

"That's cool! A showdown between handsome men of all ages, a battle of the century!"

Seeing that Sisi seemed even more hesitant, she quickly changed the subject, saying, "Alright, alright, I promise it's nothing. The important thing is that this concerns Hao Hao's future. Getting a recommendation from the Education Bureau to go to university in the US is a rare opportunity, and we can't give it up easily. Just think, a nine-year-old college student, how awesome is that! He can hold his head high in front of foreigners." "Have you forgotten? His daddy is American too," Sisi said dismissively. "His blue eyes are obviously foreign." "So what!" Yuan Ling raised her eyebrows, "His mommy gave birth to him and raised him, so he's definitely a native-born. As for the blue eyes... hehe, let's just say it's a genetic mutation." After saying that, the two looked at each other and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

After a few laughs, Yuan Ling suddenly spoke up as if she had remembered something, "By the way, there's something strange. Why did that handsome young man insist that my dad arrange a job for you at the Seth Group headquarters? Do you know how difficult that is? He said any job would do, even a cleaner." 'Seth?' Sisi's eyes widened in surprise. "Please, getting into Seth isn't easy. You need at least a university degree, then go through layers of exams, and even after being accepted, regardless of your degree, you have to start as a junior employee and climb the ranks based on your abilities. Actually, just getting accepted is admirable enough, and I'm just a vocational high school graduate. That kid actually wants me to get into Seth?" Yuan Ling shrugged. "He insisted, and you know my dad dotes on him the most. Whatever he says goes, so he's already forced you in. It's not a cleaner, but just a small clerk position. But it's not easy either; he's asked a lot of people for help, so you'll just have to make do. For your precious son's future, why worry so much?" Sisi's eyes widened even more. "Good heavens, did Uncle really bring me into Seth?!"

Yuan Ling waved her hand, "My dad has connections in Seth. Okay, okay, none of that matters. What matters is," she said, casually slipping her hair aside, "Have you contacted your family?" Upon hearing this, Sisi immediately lowered her head. "Yes."

"What do you mean by 'hmm'? What exactly did you say?" Yuan Ling raised her voice in displeasure.

“It’s the same old story. They said they’d contact me if anything came up, and told me not to contact them anymore,” Sisi said, frustrated and helpless. Yuan Ling rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Honestly, any deep-seated hatred should have faded by now, especially since it’s just an unmarried pregnancy. It’s all the rage these days! Besides, they were the instigators of this whole thing, and they dare to go back on their word?” She waved her hand. “Forget it, forget it! I don’t need such materialistic and heartless family! You have Hao Hao and me, that’s enough. Oh, by the way, my parents asked me to give you this as a blessing for you and their godson as you begin a new chapter. Don’t refuse it, or you’ll be disrespecting them!” she warned. Sisi took the brown paper bag from Yuan Ling without even glancing at it. She knew it contained scrap paper for her daily needs. After thanking her, she muttered to herself, "A new phase? I think it's a phase of worry!" "Here we go again, please, it's been ten years already, just forget about him!" Yuan Ling was exhausted and had no way to deal with her. "How can I forget him when I see him every day?" Sisi murmured. "Every day...you mean Hao Hao? Does he really look that much like him?" "Exactly the same, this kid even asked to grow his hair as long as his father's," Sisi glanced at Hao Hao's ponytail. "I really suspect he's seen his dad?" "Really? They haven't had a chance to meet, and besides, he doesn't even know who his father is, does he? I think it's probably because the father and son have similar behavior patterns." Her suspicious gaze lingered on Hao Hao, and Sisi pouted, "I hope so."

Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, is known as the cradle of freedom in the United States because it was the birthplace of the struggle for independence from British rule in North America more than two centuries ago. Boston is also a center of industry, commerce, and finance, with its expansive Government Center and towering office buildings being particularly striking. On the other hand, its brick buildings and cobblestone streets, dating back to the founding of the nation, still retain their original character, giving one the feeling of being in Europe. The headquarters of the Seth Corporation, ranked as one of the world's six largest companies by Forbes magazine, is located in the heart of the area along both sides of Interstate 128 in Boston, a region that has been a hub of high-tech industries, top universities, and financial capital since World War II. The Seth Corporation is a renowned family business. What makes it unique is that while most large companies release varying amounts of shares, the Seth Corporation manages to keep all shares in the family's hands. This means the wealth of the corporation is essentially family property, making it one of the three richest family businesses in the world. Especially the current president, Joel Rox, is said to be the most shrewd and capable member of the family in history. He is ruthless, decisive, and possesses a unique and forward-thinking vision. He doesn't miss any opportunity to profit; the Seth Corporation exists wherever there are people in the world. He is a legendary tycoon in the business world, having expanded the Seth Corporation's wealth more than tenfold in just ten years. However, Joel almost never appears in social settings, as everyone knows he vehemently dislikes his private life being exposed. Once, a magazine published a blurry, distant profile photo of him, and the magazine went out of business two days later; since then, no media outlet has dared to bother him again. Furthermore, this young and wealthy president is also a rare handsome man. Countless socialites, celebrities, models, and even aristocratic heiresses have pursued him, yet he has never been involved in any scandals. At this moment, in the top-floor CEO's office of the Seth Corporation headquarters, a young, handsome man sitting at a massive desk was passionately trying to persuade a cool, serious, yet still elegant and charming man behind the desk. "...So, Mom ordered that you absolutely must go back on Saturday," the young man finally concluded. The handsome man behind the desk didn't react, still intently staring at the computer screen, his long fingers rapidly tapping the keyboard. "Joel, are you even listening to me?" the young man, David, impatiently tapped the desk. Joel turned around, picked up a data sheet from the desk, compared it to the computer screen, and said calmly, "What did you just say?" "Damn it! I've been talking for so long, my mouth is dry, and you... Hey! Hey! If you don't stop and listen to me, I'm going to ask Mom to talk to you herself." David stood up angrily, ready to leave. Joel finally looked up at him. "Get to the point, keep it short, don't ramble on."

"Hmph! I bet you're not afraid of Mom coming to your door herself." David sat back down, casually crossing his legs. "To put it simply, Mom wants you to come back on Saturday for a dinner party she's hosting especially for you, and to also get your opinion on the many elegant ladies she's invited." He cut straight to the point. Impressive. David basked in his own self-satisfaction.

"Oh," Joel simply replied, then buried himself in his work.

"Oh?" David suddenly raised his voice. "What does 'oh' mean? Are you going back or not?"

"I'm not going back."

"What? Not going back?" David raised his voice in exasperation upon hearing this.

"What am I going to tell Mom when I get back?"

"No time."

"Damn it, no time! The company spends a huge sum on salaries every year, and it's all going down the drain!" David roared angrily, then abruptly stood up, stormed to the office bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and gulped it down. After exhaling, he poured himself another glass, slowly strolled back to his chair, and sat down, sipping his whiskey while carefully scrutinizing Joel's gloomy and cold expression. Ever since he insisted on breaking off the engagement ten years ago, Joel had completely changed. The corners of his mouth no longer curved into a smile; instead, they were tightly pursed. His eyes were no longer gentle; their stern, cold gaze was filled with mockery. He was no longer the humorous, warm, and cheerful older brother he once knew, but a ruthless predator in the business world. What had changed him? David pondered.

"Brother."

"Hmm?" Joel responded without looking up.

How have you been lately?

"Hmm," David called again, "brother."

"Um?"

"Your change... is it because of that princess? It seems like whenever you're around, her adoring gaze always follows you. If you like her, why not..." David's guess was interrupted before he could finish. "What princess?" Joel asked without looking up.

"Judging from your tone, then it's not that princess, but the heiress of the Weihan Group? She told me privately that she admires you very much." "If you like, you can stay." Joel's tone was flat, without even raising an eyebrow.

"Are you kidding me? I don't want to be torn to pieces by Shana." Just imagining his wife's fierce temper made him break out in a cold sweat. David quickly poured himself another glass of wine to calm his nerves. "Since she's not a princess, nor an heiress, then who is she..." David, holding his wine glass, began pacing back and forth in the office. "Oh! By the way, isn't she the female president of the Jing Chain Department Store? Although she lacks a bit of femininity, she seems to get along quite well with you." "Boring." Joel remained unmoved.

"Bullshit! It's wrong again?" David glared dejectedly at his older brother, whose eyes were only on work.

“Damn it! Why can’t you just be honest? You weren’t like this before, I remember…” He suddenly paused, then, as if remembering something, said, “Right, right, how could I forget her? Helen, it’s Helen, God! It must be her. Did you break off your engagement with her but are too embarrassed to ask her again? Don’t worry, she’s still waiting for you. As long as you ask, I guarantee she’ll agree.” David looked confident. “Hmph!” Joel snor

……