Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group Chapter 1204 1179: Father-in-law's Complaint

As Ye Chen pondered, if the invitation was merely for a simple meal, the urgency expressed wouldn't be necessary; Father Su undoubtedly had significant matters to discuss with him.

"Dad, what is it you wish to speak with me about?" Ye Chen inquired, a hint of unease in his tone.

Su Wanyi, too, regarded her father with a perplexed gaze, curious about his intentions in summoning Ye Chen.

"Little Chen, you needn't feel apprehensive. My seeking you out is concerning my daughter, Wanyi," Father Su stated, his eyes briefly flicking towards his daughter by his side.

"So, it pertains to Wanyi," Ye Chen mused internally.

He, too, stole a glance at Su Wanyi, but her expression suggested she remained entirely oblivious to the conversation's true subject.

Father Su offered a smile. "No need to look to Wanyi; she herself is unaware of the reason. Very well, Little Chen, I shall be direct. I desire for you to assist Wanyi in managing the company. You see, she has been losing considerable weight lately, and as a father, witnessing this causes me distress."

Not only Father Su but even Mrs. Su exhibited a countenance etched with worry.

At this juncture, Ye Chen's gaze returned to Su Wanyi, and indeed, the young woman had visibly thinned from the strain of her relentless work and company responsibilities.

Before Ye Chen could voice any response, Su Wanyi quickly interjected, "Dad, how can you say that? It's not that Ye Chen doesn't care—it's my own doing. After all, he hasn't formally studied business management. I simply don't wish for him to become overburdened. Furthermore, Ye Chen has his own endeavors he must attend to."

Su Wanyi spoke in haste, anxious that Ye Chen might assume she had previously complained about him to her father.

"Wanyi, you are my daughter, and I know you thoroughly. You are simply too independent. A girl should sometimes lean on the men in her life. Of course, I am not faulting Ye Chen," Father Su said, then turned his attention back to Ye Chen. "Little Chen, please don't misunderstand. My intention in bringing you here isn't to reproach you for not being attentive to Wanyi, but rather to propose that you consider studying business management so you can lend Wanyi your support. It would bring me great peace of mind knowing the two of you are co-managing the company. At times, Wanyi's strategies might not be as robust as yours, and for the Yashi Group to achieve greater development, her efforts require your backing."

Ye Chen finally grasped the core of the matter; Father Su's underlying wish was for him to pursue business management studies.

Acquiring such knowledge would necessitate returning to formal education, a prospect Ye Chen found somewhat distant given his hiatus from academia. Father Su evidently surmised Ye Chen might be reluctant, hence his decision to convene this discussion.

"Naturally, Little Chen, if you are unwilling, I shall not compel you. It would simply mean my dear daughter must shoulder an even greater burden alone. After all, your mother and I are advancing in years and cannot offer much practical assistance with the company," Father Su sighed.

Recently, even Su Wanyi had begun to feel the strain, especially with the necessity of making critical decisions on every significant and minor company affair.

She did desire assistance, but she was hesitant to impose upon Ye Chen, pushing him towards tasks he might not find fulfilling.

Su Wanyi understood Ye Chen's deep-seated value for personal freedom; he wasn't the kind of man inclined to be tied down to a company long-term to help her manage its operations.

Her father's preceding lack of consultation on this matter had left her feeling blindsided.

Su Wanyi felt that broaching the subject directly with Ye Chen would feel disingenuous, appearing as a discussion whereas, in reality, her father had effectively cornered Ye Chen.

"Dad, perhaps we could discuss this at a later time. I am capable of managing things on my own, and Ye Chen does assist me with company matters occasionally," Su Wanyi stated quickly.

She truly wished to avoid any potential misunderstandings with Ye Chen stemming from this issue, or worse, any disruption to their existing relationship.

"Wanyi, do you truly believe I am unaware of how consumed you are by work, leaving you with scant time to spend with Ye Chen? What kind of couple rarely sees each other? This isn't conducive to your relationship. Moreover, your mother and I are growing old. When are we to finally anticipate grandchildren if you two continue on this path?"

Father Su's decision to approach Ye Chen directly stemmed from information he received from company employees, indicating Su Wanyi was almost perpetually at the office handling affairs, leaving her virtually no free time to be with Ye Chen.

Upon obtaining this intelligence, he engaged in considerable contemplation before concluding that a direct conversation was necessary. While it was undeniable that Su Wanyi was the primary operator of the company, his reasoning was that if Ye Chen also became involved in its management, their time together would increase, their bond could strengthen, and their parents' wish for grandchildren could be fulfilled more swiftly.

Hearing this, Su Wanyi was rendered momentarily speechless. The situation felt akin to an emperor lacking urgency while a eunuch fretted intensely.

She and Ye Chen had absolutely no current plans regarding children. Both were in the prime of their respective careers, and introducing a child at this stage would only invite unnecessary complications.

"Dad, if your desire is for grandchildren, there's really no need for such urgency. I have no immediate plans for children, and furthermore, my relationship with Ye Chen certainly won't falter simply because we aren't together constantly."

Father Su's comment about grandchildren left Ye Chen resigned, though he conceded that extended separations could indeed strain a relationship.

He had also noticed Su Wanyi only contacted him when problems arose. In the absence of issues, even a simple Weixun message wouldn't be exchanged. It wasn't a matter of dwindling affection but rather a comfortable familiarity with their current lifestyle.

Ye Chen's original intention was to carve out time to discuss his feelings with Su Wanyi once she navigated through her current demanding period.

However, unexpectedly, Father Su had aired his concerns today.

Given Su Wanyi was his daughter, Father Su understood her inherent stubbornness and the difficulty in swaying her opinion.

He then turned his attention to Ye Chen, posing the question, "Little Chen, today I simply wish to hear your honest thoughts. Are you prepared to help Wanyi manage the company together?"

Just as Su Wanyi was about to interject, Ye Chen subtly signaled her to remain silent.

"Dad, I concur with your sentiments. In fact, this has crossed my mind before. It was my own oversight; I had assumed that as a capable woman, Wanyi could single-handedly manage all company affairs. However, witnessing her physical decline due to the company's demands pains me deeply. After all, Wanyi is my wife, and it is a husband's duty to support and care for her. My own knowledge is limited, which causes me anxiety and a sense of helplessness," Ye Chen explained.

Father Su nodded, a look of satisfaction gracing his features. It appeared Ye Chen genuinely cared for his daughter, and such words could only stem from deep affection.

He felt no misjudgment in Ye Chen's character. Not only was he competent, but his treatment of his daughter was also commendable. He was indeed a man worthy of trust.

Su Wanyi had not anticipated Ye Chen's response and was profoundly touched, recognizing the significant sacrifices he was willing to make for her.

"Ye Chen, I assure you, I can manage things on my own. There's no need for you to be concerned," Su Wanyi replied with a gentle smile.

"Wanyi, there's no need for further discussion. My decision is made. Seeing you exert yourself so intensely truly pains my heart," Ye Chen stated, his expression firm.