Chapter 242: Stop Pressuring me

Although they weren't very close, they were still relatives after all. After chatting for a while, they began to get familiar with each other. Shuishui looked around her. It was easier for boys to become familiar with each other, but it was difficult for girls. It was because most girls often compared themselves to other girls. Also, she wasn't the type who could easily strike up a conversation. Her father saw that she was alone, so he walked over towards her. "Shuishui, why are you here alone?"

Shuishui smiled awkwardly. "Dad, I'm fine."

He patted Shuishui's head. "Just relax. My daughter is definitely the most outstanding girl here."

"Dad, I'll visit you at the office when I'm free so I can help you," Shuishui suggested.

She had not been able to find an opportunity to tell him, but now that she did, she had no idea how her father would respond.

Qian An did not want Shuishui to be involved in company matters. He had long decided on it. He said, "You, your task is to study. Don't think too much about other things."

Shuishui knew that someone like her father would not want his children to be involved in company matters. She had been able to help her father before with a few documents, but those were minor concerns. When it came to important matters, they could not get involved. She was actually not very familiar with how their business worked, but she knew that her father had already taken several steps to ensure that the Li family would not be able to interfere. She trusted that her father would be able to handle it.

He was a professional, and she was just an *******. She was also just a young girl, so she could not really insist on it.

She was a very self-aware person. Business was indeed not her strong point. She was the kind of person who would ask for help when she did not understand something. It was frustrating for her. Even if she was business-savvy, she knew she wouldn't really be able to help her father much.

She realized that he father had a better understanding of the whole situation than she did. Even if she knew that Li family had bad intentions, she knew that her father was also aware of it. She might be able to help if she interfered, but it might also cause trouble.

After thinking it through, she was ready to fully support her father.

Qian An knew that Shuishui was very worried, but she was still too young. He did not want her to be exposed to the nasty and scheming affairs of the business world at a young age. Moreover, there were already many problems he had to deal with. He had to restore the company to its former glory. One wrong move could be chaotic. He decided that he could no longer be softhearted. He had to be more willful and strong.

Shuishui knew that her father also felt conflicted about the whole things. She hoped that she could help, but it seemed like she couldn't do much. She was too young, and their complicated family relationships made it more difficult for her to get involved.

Qian Anzhi leaned over towards Shuishui and said, "Sis, you were too direct just now."

"Really?" she said, quite surprised. She didn't think that she was being very direct. She didn't want to beat around the bush when talking to her father. She felt that she had to be honest with him at all times.

Qian Anzhi was the tactful kind. After spending quite a lot of time with Shuishui, he realized that she was often very straightforward. She hated beating around the bush and spoke bluntly. It was difficult when they were both in a sour mood. He sighed. He felt that if his sister had a gentler demeanor, more people would like her.

Thinking that she already had a boyfriend, he didn't let his imagination run wild. "Sister, are you going on a long trip tomorrow? What are you going to do?"

"I don't know how Teacher Li arranged it. He wants me to go exercise, so I'm going." Because of Shuishui, Teacher Li had accepted Anzhi as another student, even when he didn't plan on teaching anymore. Shuishui was somehow disappointed that Anzhi wasn't persistent in learning. She didn't think of forcing or encouraging him further if he was no longer interested. She wasn't very interested, but she knew she had to work harder so she would be able to protect herself. She was different from him. She knew that she was truly powerful, so she wanted to build on her strength. There were many things that she wouldn't be able to do in the future, so she wanted to work hard while she was young.

"Oh, is that so? We've just celebrated New Year, and you're leaving already. I'll be alone again in the apartment. Can I invite my friends to come over and play with me?" Anzhi looked at Shuishui expectantly. He continued, "Also, that money I borrowed from you, I'll pay you back with the money I got from the red envelopes."

Shuishui smiled faintly. "No need. You can save the money you get from the envelopes and keep it for yourself. I was also given several red envelopes back at the capital. It's fine." Shuishui had also planned on going to Teacher Li's house in the afternoon of the next day. "Tomorrow morning, you'll accompany me to the department store. We need to buy a few things."

"Okay, Sister. You're so nice." Anzhi was quite happy. Since he had gotten closer to Shuishui, he realized how ugly his eldest sister's personality was in comparison to Shuishui's.

He felt grateful to have a good sister. He could run to Shuishui for help whenever he needed extra money. He realized that Shuishui had enough money of her own. Their father would give a few thousand a month for electricity and water expenses, management fees, and Internet fees. It was quite a lot. He also needed money for food and drink. His father never gave him money. All the money he ever received was from Shuishui.

Shuishui patted Qian Anzhi's head. She realized that her father loved to touch her head. In effect, she loved to touch other people's heads too. "You're my only younger brother."

"You, don't think so much. Study hard," Anzhi told her. She was also working hard. She would visit her father at his office and would occasionally dine with him at restaurants.

"In the future, we'll take Father out for a meal and spend more time with him," she told Qian Anzhi.

The last time, Qian An's father had asked him if he could arrange for a few of the men in the family to join the company. Qian An agreed. Everyone found it strange that Qian An was so easy to talk to.

"Qian An, what position are you planning to arrange?" Qian Lin asked. That was the question everyone wanted to ask.

"Start from the bottom. I've said the same thing to Momo. If you want to work in the company, you will start from the bottom," Qian An answered bluntly. If he could do it to Momo who was his own daughter, he could do it to his own nephews. He controlled the company. Although he was the major shareholder, there were still other shareholders with foreign surnames. Therefore, the company did not completely belong to him. He could not just bring people in and grant them large positions. He would have to discuss such matters with the other shareholders. At the same time, he had to test whether the person he was bringing in was qualified for the position.

The old man was dissatisfied. He knocked on his crutch. "What? Start from the bottom? No way!"

Qian An shook his head. "I can't do anything about it. Although I'm the company's largest shareholder, I can't directly arrange for any high-level positions. They will have to undergo the company's application process, and if they pass, they will be granted the position that suits their capabilities."

"Why go through so much trouble? You can just give out a portion of the shares." The old man read the shares of Qian An's company, including its annual dividends.

Qian An's face turned ashen. It was a good plan. "I now control 40% of the shares. The second shareholder has 33%, and the other shareholder has 27% of the shares. Once my shares are exclusive, the risk is very high. Moreover, even if I want to transfer the shares, it will be to my children and not to outsiders. Dad, don't you agree?"

Bang! The old man slammed his fist. "They are your nephews, not outsiders," the old man said angrily. "Moreover, your children are still young. What's there to be anxious about? Are you still worried about your own family? Are you afraid of being taken over by outsiders? Let's just openly discuss it."

Qian An insisted on his principles. "Dad, there's really nothing we can do about this."

Suddenly, the other brothers and sisters quieted down. They didn't understand why Qian An was like that.

Shuishui stood up and quickly walked over to her father's side. She was carrying a cup of tea. She said, "Dad, I've brought you a cup of tea."

"Okay. I will drink it later." Qian An nodded. "Go and sit down. Dad wants to talk to your grandfather and your uncle first."

Shuishui understood what he meant. He didn't want her to sit there and listen, so she could only sit back down. She looked at the group of people and casually said, "Dad, I'm going to buy some things tomorrow. You have to sponsor me. I'll calculate it later."

"Okay, okay, okay. Just tell me how much you need," Qian An said. He knew that his daughter was a wise spender. He wasn't worried about her spending her money recklessly. Besides, his daughter was already pampered to begin with. He could buy her whatever she wanted if she asked for it. He had treated Qian Momo the same way, but she was extravagant and liked to ask for too much. She didn't know how to control herself at all. He felt that it was his fault. In the past, he had spoiled her too much that she became too proud.

The old man called out to Shuishui. "Shuishui, which high school are you in now? Your aunt recently organized a summer camp for high school students."

Shuishui chuckled and said, "Grandpa, I'm studying in the third high school now. I might not have time to attend summer camps. I usually have to attend my special interests classes on weekends."

She deliberately said that because she wanted to make her father proud. Did their other relatives still think she was a bad student?

Her aunt walked out and said, "The third high school? You must have spent a lot of money."

When he heard this, Qian An's expression turned sour, but he managed to explain for Shuishui. He said, "Shuishui passed the exam on her own. She got 700 points in the middle school exam. She was originally admitted in the first high school. Later, because her friend only qualified for the third high school, she went to study there instead. Not long ago, she even won first place in the city's mathematics competition. Aiya, this child is making me very proud."

The aunt's expression changed. She had heard about the mathematics competition. She never thought a niece of hers would win first place. It didn't even cross her mind that it was Shuishui, so when she heard of the competition, she didn't bother to ask who won. She realized that it was true. "Shuishui is so amazing now."

Qian An was very gratified. "Yes, this child is promising. I don't need to worry about her studies. She performs excellently in all aspects." Shuishui had performed excellently in the mathematics competition and the English debate competition. She is even enrolled in calligraphy, martial arts, and erhu classes. She had several excellent teachers. He didn't need to worry about her future anymore.

He was proud that his daughter was so outstanding, but at the same time, he was relieved.

His grandfather looked at Shuishui. Shuishui was known to be rebellious, and that was the first time her grandfather saw her in a different light. In the past, Shuishui often talked back to him and wasn't courteous towards him.

"Not bad. Your aunt is now working at the education bureau. When you reach third year, ask your aunt to see what university is suitable for you to enter. You can participate during your vacation. Your aunt can arrange for you to attend summer camps in America or Europe. You will learn a lot from those trips," their grandfather said to Shuishui in a soft-spoken manner, which was rare.

Shuishui nodded. "Thank you, Grandfather."

Shuishui was gracious towards her grandfather for his suggestion. As for whether she would ask help from her aunt in the future, she did not think too much about it just yet.

Qian An warmly gazed at his daughter. "Shuishui, you can also choose to study in a university abroad. You can consider it."

He had not thought about it before, but when his own father mentioned the matter concerning summer camps, he felt that his daughter would qualify for anything, especially because she could speak English very well. She would definitely be able to adapt easily if she decided to go abroad. He felt it would be good for Shuishui's future as well.

The others listened enviously. If Shuishui decided to study abroad, they knew it would cost her father a very large amount of money.

"Dad, I haven't thought about that yet, but there are universities that have foreign exchange programs. If I am shortlisted to be one of the participants of the exchange program, I can consider it." Shuishui had thought about it for a long time and decided to stay in the city. She hoped that when the time came, her father would give up his position in the company and retire happily, and they could simply travel together during holidays and vacations. It wouldn't be a bad idea.

Thinking about it, she felt that she could do a lot of things in the future.

Qian An rubbed Shuishui's head. "You child, you've already thought about everything, but it won't be good if things change." He turned to his father and said, "Dad, I have three children. I will leave 10% of the shares to each of them. If Xiao Shan and the others come in and do a good job, I'll give each of them 2% of the shares."

It was already considered a lot. After all, they would be given the chance to acquire shares if they stay with the company for a period of time. Although it wasn't much, the annual dividends would allow them to earn more.

Qian An was generous, and it was already too nice of him to offer a portion of the shares to his nephews.

Shuishui listened. Although she understood what her father mean, she didn't understand why he would offer the nephews the opportunity. However, she decided not to say anything for the time being because her grandfather was present.

"Qian An, give me 5%. This has to be fair," the old man said. He sighed deeply. Qian An had control of his company because it was in his name. Although he was Qian An's father, he was weak and could not impose on matters concerning Qian An's company.

Qian An shook his head. "There's nothing I can do. After all, I'm a father also. I have to protect the interests of my children. Dad, I'm me, and I'm sure my brothers could also offer help."

"Uh."

So that's how it is. Wanting shares. Shuishui decided to speak up. "Grandpa, Dad's business isn't a family business. Dad started it from scratch. Besides, my cousins have parents, and their parents will definitely work for them and leave something for them. Why do I have to give everything that belongs to us to someone else?"

Shuishui pretended to be a naive and curious little girl. Her question elicited curious looks from everyone.

To cut it short, why did their cousins have parents who would want their children to have shares in something that wasn't theirs in the first place? Why? Shuishui was furious that their relatives all wanted the easy way out.

Their grandfather didn't know what to say. He understood what Shuishui meant, but he had to think about his other grandchildren. Qian An was the most prosperous among his children, while the others were holding onto their iron rice bowls. After retirement, with the little pension, how would his other children get by when their the children had to get married, buy a house, and a car. How could they afford it?

Qian An insisted on his decision. He could not take out his shares at that time. He could not talk about the problems he faced at the company, which made him a little frustrated.

"Dad, let's talk about this in the future," Qian An said. He did not know if the company would be able to overcome the difficulties it was currently facing. Even if they could, he would not let others take advantage of them. He wanted to secure his children's future by leaving more funds for them.

Shuishui felt that her grandfather was being too biased. She decided to speak up. "Grandpa, recently, Dad has been exhausted because of dealing with company matters. Don't force Dad anymore."