Chapter 557 Until Next Year


    After two hours of sleep, John finally woke up, feeling reenergized around three o''clock in the


    afternoon.


    He washed his face, changed his clothes and walked downstairs. In the living room, there were a family


    of eight people and Jake standing there, so there were nine people in total.


    As soon as John''s steps could be heard from down the living room, their gazes followed him.


    The scene was so weird.


    As for John, he was unbothered by their stares. In fact, he knew who spread the news.


    "The children''s birthday is in the Lantern Festival. When I just saw Nina on C Ind, the two children


    couldn''t wait toe out their mother''s belly to meet me." John was calm as he tried to convince them


    of this lie.


    There was no need for them to know of what really had happened on C Ind. He didn''t want them to


    worry for him.


    Her bright eyes wide open, Dora asked, "Are my cousins very cute, Uncle John? Do you have photos


    of them?"


    "No. Children''s privacy are to be protected, so I don''t allow anyone to take pictures." Then, John


    walked over and sat down.


    "But you are their father!" Dora pouted and felt disappointed.


    "All information ced in the era of big data are essible. You can''t keep any secrets in the digital


    world these days." As a matter of fact, no one was allowed to take pictures, not to mention John, their


    biological father, and their nominal father, Vicente.


    "I agree," James replied firmly. It was no wonder that he knew this very well, since he had been in show


    business.


    Ang sighed and said to her daughter, "Dora, did you hear that? I hope you listen to your uncle. Don''t


    just post your photos on WeChat Moments and Weibo. Some bad people might use it against you."


    "Got it, Mom," Dora replied. Then, she leaned on her mother''s shoulder with a smile.


    On the other hand, Sam turned to John and asked kindly, "What are the names of the children?"


    "Well, the elder one''s name is Vance, which is Van for short. The younger one is named Donald with a


    nickname, Don," John replied. As he mentioned the children, his eyes warmed up, which made him


    look like a kind and proud father.


    James said proudly, "No matter what their names are, they are Shi family members. Every member of


    our family is outstanding."


    Dora rolled her eyes at him. "James, you are so narcissistic. Then again, I could not agree more. I also


    think that the children will be outstanding."


    When theughter died down a little, John said, "Nina named them."


    Chester, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly spoke. "Uncle John, did you take a ship to sail


    across the sea just to find Aunt Nina?"


    A smile shed through John''s eyes. He raised his hand and stroked Chester''s hair. "You''re only


    eleven years old, and yet you are so considerate."


    Chester shook John''s hand away from his hair and gave John a yful frown, but he was not angry.


    "Hmm, Van and Don...I bet that they are two fat boys. When will Nina and the childrene back?"


    Sam asked, grinning from ear to ear.


    "Hmm, I suppose sometime next year," James answered. "Uncle John asked me to pick up Aunt Nina


    and the twins together with him next year."


    The shrewd Sam immediately understood and nodded. He turned to John and said, "Well, in this case,


    you should prepare yourself well. Next year, you will marry Nina in a splendid way. After all, you can''t


    make the princess of the C Ind feel wronged.


    Then again, I won''t be able to see my great-grandsons until next year." Sam heaved a deep sigh.


    Daniel said, "Don''t worry. It''s September now, so there are only a few months left until next year."


    "Well, that''s true, but when exactly next year?" Nelson asked, turning from James to John.


    "I can''t assure anything, since it''s not settled yet, but most likely, after the children''s birthday," John


    replied. "As for the exact day, you have the final say, Dad."


    Sam''s mood lifted once more with a smile forming on his face. "Well then, the date has to be fixed and


    chosen on a lucky day!"


    "Grandpa, aren''t you too superstitious?" James asked. Because of this, Sam red at James.


    The rest of them started tough at this before they finally dispersed and went on with each of their


    lives. John was about to go out when Sam stopped him.


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    "Are you going to the North Yard or to thepany?" Sam asked.


    "Well, I''m not going to the North Yard. I am going to demolish it and then rebuild it. For the meantime, I


    will stay here until it''s built. As for thepany, my brother is already running it, so I won''t go there for


    the time being. I think I''ll go find out something from Henry first," John responded.


    At the mention of Henry, Sam knew what was on his mind. "The situation of Ye Group is very


    more informed than anyone else. "Henry hasn''t had the final say in Ye Group. Back in the past, Noah


    was the biggest shareholder, and he delegated power to Henry. Now, Vivian is also a major


    shareholder.


    I don''t know the details of it, but I am certain that there is something strange going on. Three months


    ago, Vivian reappeared, and Howard disappeared. Moreover, Vivian seems to have connections with


    the underworld. You should think about whether you want to get involved with the Ye family''s business


    or not." As Sam spoke, there was a deep and grave look on his face.


    "I suggest that you turn a blind eye to what Vivian had donest year. Don''t get yourself involved in


    messy situations, or you''ll ruin the reputation of our Shi family. Do you hear me?"


    The more John thought about this, the more serious the matter became. He kept Sam''s words in his


    mind, and before he left the house, he gave Sam a respectful nod.


    Meanwhile, the meeting ce was in the North Yard.


    After all, it was a safe and convenient ce, killing two birds with one stone.


    As soon as she caught sight of John, tears started welling up in Helen''s eyes. "You''re finally back, Mr.


    Shi! How was your year? And where is Mrs. Shi? Didn''t shee back with you?"


    Helen poked her head out behind John and looked around, trying to look for Nina. Instead, she only


    saw Nine, running towards them and jumped happily around John.


    Nine was more than one year old now. It was huge, and its tusks were a little scary and intimidating. It


    could serve as a bodyguard, since it would scare a group of people away.


    "Nine!" John bent down and reached his hand out to touch its snow white hair. Nine obedientlyy


    down as John massed its chest. "Nina won''t be back until next year. I need you to move back to the


    Stone Road within two days. I am going to demolish the house and build a castle."


    "What?" It took Helen a while to react. "Ah, yes, Mr. Shi."


    Richard was surprised as well. "Mr. Shi?"


    John stood straight and turned to look at him as he ordered, "I will leave this matter to you. I don''t care


    how much money and resources it will cost, but I need this to be finished before the Lantern Festival


    next year."


    "Yes, Mr. Shi. I understand." Richard looked at Helen and then added, "Helen and Amy will move back


    to the Stone Road tomorrow."


    John nodded and turned to Helen. "Henry willeter." He paused as he thought about it for a while


    before he added, "And Adrian as well."


    "Okay. If there''s nothing else, please excuse me. I''m going to prepare some refreshments." Helen went


    to prepare the coffee and fruits in high spirits. She thought it was good that John finally came back, but


    she was a bit disappointed that he came back alone.


    As expected, Henry and Adrian came an hourter.


    They entered the house and saw John sitting on the sofa. Seeing the expressionless man, Adrian


    loosened his grip on Henry''s shoulder and walked over to the man.


    "Wow, are you really back? Is this really you?"


    John gave Adrian a sidelong nce. Adrian nodded, "It seems that you are really back this time."


    Then, he sat next to Henry on the sofa across John. He ced his hand on his shoulder and smiled


    like a cunning fox.


    "I heard news from James that you are a father now. You have two sons. Two children aren''t easy to


    raise, aren''t they? You know, Henry and I will raise one for you, so you could lessen the weight on your


    shoulder. How''s that sound?" Adrian offered.


    John sneered inwardly.


    "Thanks for the offer, but you can have your own babies," John replied.


    Henry blushed at this and fixed his sses to hide the expression on his face. He cleared his throat


    and said, "Mr. Shi, if we can meet again in our next life, maybe we can be rtives by marriage."


    Adrian smiled wide at this. "Yes, I totally agree. For now, we should not get sidetracked and get down


    to business."


    John nodded at this and motioned at them to speak first.


    Henry then reached for his briefcase and took out a tablet. He opened the screen and clicked on the


    file of a person''s personal information. Then, he handed the tablet to John before speaking. "His name


    is Tim Shen, 28 years old. Half a year ago, he suddenly appeared and monopolized the business of all


    entertainment ces in Lexingport City as well as the surrounding cities for two months. He has


    connections with both the government and the underworld. Moreover, he is ruthless. People call him


    Mr. Shen to show their respect."


    In the past, there was only Mr. Shi in the Lexingport City, but now there was Mr. Shen.


    John looked at Tim''s photo. There was a cold, hard, and stoic look on his face to the point as if there


    was some murderous intent in his eyes. John deduced that this person was not someone you could


    offend easily.


    It would be best if they could stay away from each other.