Chapter 23: The Misguided Betrothal Gift

Meanwhile, at the Su family villa.

Old Master Su sat in the main hall, steeping a pot of Pu’er tea in high spirits, his mood exceptionally cheerful. Ever since he’d spoken with Su Yixue on the phone and confirmed matters with her personally, he was now utterly convinced that the Su family was destined for prosperity and glory—a leap from obscurity to prominence!

Standing nearby, Su Yicai couldn’t help but voice his anticipation, “Grandfather, the betrothal gifts are stored in the basement. Could I take a portion of the gold to the bank and exchange it for cash?”

Old Master Su shook his head at once, his tone firm and grave. “The betrothal gifts are for your sister. Until she returns, no one is to touch them. You’d do well not to harbor any clever schemes. If your sister finds out, she’ll be displeased.”

“My sister has always doted on me. Even if she found out, she wouldn’t mind, would she? Several of my friends have already upgraded to new cars—nearly all luxury vehicles worth over a million. Meanwhile, I’ve been driving this old Accord for five years. It’s high time I switched to a BMW!” Su Yicai couldn’t suppress his eagerness.

Old Master Su glared at him. “You’d best stop associating with those disreputable friends. You’re a man of status now, not someone to be compared with the likes of them. Besides, wealth should not be flaunted. If outsiders get wind of what you have, they’ll be lining up to borrow money!”

Stung by the rebuke, Su Yicai’s face turned sour, but he couldn’t help brooding over the cache of gold among the betrothal gifts. As the future brother-in-law of the heir to the Ye family, he ought to enjoy certain privileges. Yet it was Su Rulan, that distant relative, who’d already secured two lucrative contracts, while he himself had seen nothing. The thought left him frustrated.

Old Master Su took a sip of hot tea, narrowed his eyes at Su Yicai, and spoke coolly, “I know exactly what’s on your mind, even better than you do yourself. But you must understand something: in the end, it is our Su family that is marrying up. We mustn’t behave small-mindedly, nor should we ever ask for anything outright. We must simply wait for what is given to us!”

He exhaled a fragrant breath of tea before continuing, “In fact, it’s very likely that the Ye family heir’s support of Su Rulan is a deliberate test for us. That’s why we must endure, just as I told your father—under no circumstances should he go to the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce!”

Su Yicai’s whole body shuddered, his expression suddenly solemn. Considering the chain of events, his grandfather’s reasoning was not without merit. The Ye family, such a colossal clan, would never admit outsiders lightly—especially since the Su family had once been cast out. It was only natural there would be trials to pass.

“I’ll hold off a while longer, then!” Su Yicai had to abandon his earlier intentions, silently admitting to himself that he was still too young and impulsive compared to his grandfather’s measured wisdom.

Just then—

Su Zhengjun came hurrying down the villa’s staircase, flustered, car keys in hand, clearly ready to leave.

Old Master Su frowned and asked, “Zhengjun, dinner hasn’t even been served yet. Where are you rushing off to?”

Su Zhengjun composed himself and replied gravely, “Grandfather, I’m going to see Su Rulan. I need to speak with Ye Tianlin personally!”

“That fool? What business do you have with him? You’re not planning to keep up the charade, are you? I think that’s enough. There’s no point in acting any longer. Once Su Yixue returns, no one will have anything left to say,” Old Master Su remarked.

Su Yicai chimed in, “Exactly! You’re making a fuss over nothing.”

“Just leave it be, both of you.” Su Zhengjun’s lips twitched; he couldn’t be bothered to explain any further. The two of them were too set in their ways to accept the truth.

But before Su Zhengjun could step outside, a fleet of luxury cars pulled up one by one outside the Su family villa’s gates—a most impressive display.

Even Old Master Su was startled. He hurriedly put down his teacup and, leaning on his cane, went outside to see what was happening. The moment he saw the scene, his face lit up with delight. “Could it be that the Ye family heir has come in person?”

“That would be wonderful! I haven’t even met my future brother-in-law yet!” Su Yicai was overjoyed and rushed to open the door.

Su Zhengjun’s heart skipped a beat, his legs trembling as he wondered if these people had come to settle accounts with him. After all, things had become so complicated.

As Su Zhengjun stood there, uncertain and anxious, the luxury cars outside suddenly opened their trunks in unison. Staff members began unloading items and carried them directly into the villa.

One by one, precious gifts were brought in, just as with the previous delivery of betrothal gifts. The attendants even held a formal gift list and began tallying the items.

“Eighty-eight million, eight hundred eighty thousand in cash!”

“Ninety-nine pieces of jewelry!”

“One villa at Bihu Bay, Jiangnan!”

“All the above as a betrothal gift for Miss Su Yixue of the Su family!”

“In addition, one BMW 7 Series for the younger brother-in-law, Su Yicai!”

“One Range Rover for Mr. Su Zhengjun.”

“A check for thirty million for Old Master Su, as a mark of respect!”

When the list was read out, Old Master Su was utterly dumbfounded.

Su Zhengjun’s mind went blank. This unexpected delivery caught him completely off guard; he had never imagined events would unfold this way.

“There’s really a second round of betrothal gifts? And I even get my own—a brand new BMW?” Su Yicai was beside himself with joy. He hadn’t expected such a surprise to come so quickly.

A BMW 7 Series! It was leagues above his old Accord—at least ten times better!

Old Master Su could not conceal his delight either. He winked at Su Yicai, silently hinting that patience truly was a virtue: see, the rewards had arrived at last.

As for this new set of betrothal gifts, it was obvious even without thinking—clearly, the Ye family heir must have thought the previous gifts were not grand enough, so he supplemented them with an even more lavish offering.

“Please, sir, when you return, convey our gratitude. Tell them our Su family gratefully accepts this gesture, and we hope to hold the wedding as soon as Yixue returns,” Old Master Su said, stepping forward to shake hands.

After a few brief words, the attendants gradually departed.

The newly arrived BMW and Range Rover parked outside were truly eye-catching.

Unable to contain his excitement, Su Yicai grabbed the keys and rushed to his car, running his hands over every surface, laughing wildly, “Hahaha! It’s a BMW 760—the very top model—worth over two million!”

Old Master Su walked over and pulled him out of the car, laughing. “A BMW or Range Rover is nothing. Didn’t you notice there’s a villa at Bihu Bay among the gifts?”

“That’s right! I remember the previous betrothal gifts included a Bihu Bay villa as well. That makes two now—and that’s the most expensive neighborhood in Jiangnan!” Su Yicai slapped his forehead.

Old Master Su grinned from ear to ear. “Obviously, one of these villas is for us to live in, and the other is for your sister and the Ye family heir to enjoy their own life together!”

Su Yicai beamed, “The Ye family heir truly lives up to his reputation—his generosity knows no bounds!”

Old Master Su shrugged with a laugh. “Now you see the difference between those contracts and the gifts we’ve just received? But we mustn’t go overboard—this could still be part of the test. We must remain discreet!”

“Yes, yes, Grandfather, you’re absolutely right.” Su Yicai nodded repeatedly.

Only then did Su Zhengjun finally regain his senses. Staring at this second round of betrothal gifts, he felt not the slightest joy. He knew all too well—these were not from the Ye family heir, but from someone else entirely!

This was bad, truly bad. Things were spiraling out of control, and now he had no idea what to do next!