Chapter 17 [Second Update]

With everyone around them cleared out, leaving only Grandpa Zhang and Su Ruyi, the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

Su Ruyi said earnestly, "Grandpa Zhang, I know you care about me and want me to live a good life, but I have my own ideas."

“I don’t necessarily want you to marry my grandson,” Old Master Zhang said with a softened expression. “I just want you to get to know him, have fun together, and get to know each other. There’s no need for a specific outcome.”

Grandpa Zhang's thinking is very good. Even if they don't get married, they can still help each other as friends.

“But your expectations will affect our attitude, making it difficult for us to simply play together,” Su Ruyi said frankly.

Once people come together for a certain purpose, they will inevitably be scrutinized based on that purpose, making it impossible for them to simply become friends.

Su Ruyi didn't want to get involved in this messy relationship; it was enough for her to be on good terms with Grandpa Zhang.

She didn't want to get close to the others, lest they become bargaining chips in their fight for the family fortune.

According to the original text, the struggle among the heirs of the Zhang family was fierce. Although the male protagonist firmly controlled the situation, he was still subject to many challenges from other branches of the family during this period.

Zhang Qingfeng's younger brother, Zhang Qingyuan, had also stabbed him in the back and even tried to join forces with the three branches of the family to bring him down.

It was the female lead who mediated the situation, which helped the two brothers clear up their misunderstandings and work together, allowing the male lead to successfully take control of the entire group company.

Although the original text focuses more on the romance between the two and only briefly mentions these aspects, Su Ruyi still sensed a strong sense of impending conflict.

In that brief encounter, Su Ruyi sensed the undercurrent beneath the calm surface. The male lead was obvious, but Zhang Wenying and her husband were also clearly ambitious.

Su Ruyi hadn't met the third wife's family or the adopted son's family yet, but she figured they weren't exactly easy to deal with either.

Even without the original story, Su Ruyi didn't want to get involved.

After a moment of silence, Old Master Zhang finally sighed and said:

“You may seem unreliable at times, but when it really matters, you’re just like your mother, clear-headed and know exactly what you want and what you should do. My grandson doesn’t have that kind of luck.”

"Grandpa Zhang, you think too highly of me."

Su Ruyi felt that she was not bad, but she was not as good as Grandpa Zhang said.

The Zhang family's children are all outstanding; otherwise, the male protagonist wouldn't have faced such a difficult situation in the battle for the family fortune.

Although only three have been seen so far, they are all very good-looking, and the others are probably not too bad-looking either.

Zhang Wenying should be around forty years old now, but she looks like she's in her late twenties, tall and beautiful.

Needless to say, the male lead is Zhang Qingyun, who is also a beautiful young girl with delicate and fair skin; she would definitely be a school beauty at school.

In the Zhang family, graduating from university is standard practice; she didn't even get into university.

“My children are indeed very intelligent. But they are too intelligent, so they need someone to supervise them so that they don’t turn against the people.”

Su Ruyi instantly understood that the old man was afraid that his children would become bloodsucking capitalists once they gained power and money.

And she has impeccable political and cultural background.

Coming from the people, and guided by Comrade Su Ying, we firmly stand on the side of the people.

Su Ruyi felt even more embarrassed. She wouldn't mention the original story, but in her later life, she also failed to get rich first and then help others.

At most, they might reduce or waive rent for tenants during special periods like when masks are on hand, and occasionally donate money during major disasters, but that's about it.

“Grandpa Zhang, relying on external forces is ultimately unreliable. We still need to make them aware of it themselves. You should think about how to educate them properly.”

Grandpa Zhang sighed deeply, remaining silent, his eyes filled with melancholy and helplessness.

Su Ruyi recalled that when Grandpa Zhang was first sent down to the countryside, he looked dejected and his eyes were lifeless.

Although many of the persecuted people at that time were disappointed or even desperate because of the impact, Grandpa Zhang's state of mind was still very different.

The villagers didn't want him to die in the village, as it would be difficult to explain later. That's why Su Ruyi would occasionally go over to check on him to see if he was alive or dead.

Su Ruyi vaguely remembered that some people had said that Old Master Zhang was reported by his wife and biological son... otherwise, things wouldn't have come to this.

Before the liberation, Mr. Zhang made outstanding contributions, and many of his businesses were handed over to the state. He was even praised by a high-ranking leader.

She was too young at the time, and there were so many wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice back then, so she didn't mention it much afterward and eventually forgot about it.

In the original story, the male protagonist has a grandmother who lives in the old house, but Su Ruyi feels that there is no trace of the old lady in this house.

Every family has its own troubles, and even Grandpa Zhang couldn't control the whole situation.

“Grandpa Zhang, although I call you grandpa, we are friends and peers in terms of our relationship. Your children and grandchildren all have to respect me. If I marry into this family, my seniority will be lowered, and I won’t accept that!”

Grandpa Zhang glared at her irritably: "How am I your peer? Aren't you afraid your mother will beat you up?"

"Anyway, my mom isn't here." Su Ruyi shrugged. "Besides, did I say something wrong, Grandpa Zhang? I treat you as a friend, but you treat me like a junior!"

Grandpa Zhang was amused and laughed heartily.

Zhang Wenying had been paying attention to what was happening here, and when she saw the old man's expression, her brows were furrowed tightly.

“I’ve never seen my dad smile so happily before. Does he really treat this little girl like a junior?”

Yang Lebin was taken aback at first, then quickly covered her mouth:

"What nonsense are you spouting! Be careful, the walls may be listening."

Yang Lebin was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. He looked around and only breathed a sigh of relief when no one was around.

Zhang Wenying removed his hand and said irritably, "I'm not stupid. But seriously, don't you think my dad's attitude is too strange? She's just a country girl, this is too abnormal."

They have plenty of grandchildren at home, so why are they being so affectionate with a stranger?

They don't pamper their own children, but only choose outsiders.

"Didn't you say that when Dad was sent to the countryside, that mother and daughter were good to him? The kindness shown in times of need is always different."

Zhang Wenying rolled her eyes: "It's only because Dad didn't see that they were clearly after something. I don't believe that the mother and daughter were naive back then; they were definitely trying to curry favor. My dad has made so many contributions, and even a high-ranking official praised his calligraphy. His fall from grace is only temporary; he'll definitely make a comeback."

Yang Lebin remained silent. Given the circumstances at the time, who could have known that he would have a chance to turn things around later?

Don't be fooled by the old man's current success. Back then, many people like him couldn't survive and died before they were exonerated. No one could have predicted what would happen in the future.

Otherwise, the old lady wouldn't have taken that step with her children in the first place, and now everyone's relationship is in a very awkward state.

The old man has been exonerated for so many years, but the matter is still stuck in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't still refuse to remarry the old woman, or even dare to mention it, lest he kick her out.

“I don’t know what kind of quirks my dad has,” Zhang Wenying said, pursing her lips. “He’s the same way with that mother and son from the Li family. He’s nicer to outsiders than to his own children. Sigh, do you think that wild girl’s mother was like Sister Hong back in the countryside…”

Yang Lebin was so frightened that his whole body went cold, and he dragged her away from the lobby.

"Are you crazy?!"

"You dare to insult me! Yang Lebin, you've got some nerve!" Zhang Wenying was also enraged: "You only got to where you are today because of me, and now that you're all grown up, you actually dare to insult me! If it weren't for me, what would you be? Do you really think you can get ahead just because people call you President Yang? Bah, you're nothing in front of me!"

Yang Lebin was furious, but he refrained from arguing with her and said in a deep voice:

"Have you forgotten what happened before? Dad's still angry!"

Zhang Wenying was also a little scared. He had almost been sent abroad by the old man and never allowed to come back.

People nowadays like to travel abroad because life is better overseas.

On the contrary, if she went abroad, she would have nothing left, and she wouldn't be able to get a single penny of the family's property.

But she refused to show weakness in front of her husband, stubbornly insisting:

"I didn't mean any harm; I was just worried about my mother."

Yang Lebin took a deep breath, bent down and coaxed, "Don't say these things anymore. We'll go apologize to Sister Hong later. If she comes back, this matter will be over."

"I'll go apologize to her?!" Zhang Wenying's voice rose again.

"Grandma, I'm begging you. Let's go together. I'll apologize, you just stand there, okay?"

Zhang Wenying pouted, "I'm only doing this for your sake."

“Yes, yes, it’s giving me face,” Yang Lebin said repeatedly.

The Zhang family's old house was bustling with activity that evening, as everyone had come.

On the surface, Grandpa Zhang seemed disgusted, but Su Ruyi could tell that he was actually very happy.

As people get older, they tend to enjoy having many children and grandchildren around them. Even if the relationships between them are somewhat complicated, the sight of everyone gathered together in a lively atmosphere brings them joy.

Grandpa Zhang formally introduced Su Ruyi to everyone. Upon hearing Su Ruyi's name, Zhang Qingyu, the youngest son of the third wife, immediately exclaimed happily:

"May my wish be granted, may it come true quickly!"

Su Ruyi's lips twitched as her childhood trauma resurfaced.

As a child, she was often teased by her classmates because of her name, which made her want to change it countless times.

She only came to terms with it when she grew up, and could even make fun of it herself.

Anyone who wants to ask her for a favor has to recite her lines.

Now, even though "Calabash Brothers" has only been airing for a few years, it is still being replayed on TV. It is even more popular among children than the later "Lone Warrior". You can find any child on the street and they can give you the secret code.

Su Ruyi flicked his head: "You little devil, you still want to order your king around? Let's see how I, King Ruyi, deal with you."

Zhang Qingyu didn't believe it and scoffed, "You?"

"Hmph, are you afraid of your grandpa?"

Zhang Qingyu shrank back, only then remembering that this was his grandfather's house. He secretly glanced at his parents, and sure enough, their expressions were very unpleasant. He knew he would be in for a double beating when they got back.

Before he came, he was repeatedly told to be well-behaved and obedient at his grandfather's house and not to cause trouble, but he forgot about it in no time.

"I even assigned your grandfather to do the work back then."

Zhang Qingyu stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief.

"You're really exaggerating! That's my grandfather!"

In Zhang Qingyu's heart, Grandpa Zhang was a dignified figure, while his parents were like quails in front of him.

Su Ruyi raised an eyebrow, looking smug: "Why don't you ask your grandfather?"

Zhang Qingyu shrank back again, but seeing that Grandpa Zhang didn't seem angry and was even watching them happily, he mustered up his courage and asked:

"Grandpa, is this true?"

Grandpa Zhang nodded, his expression still carrying a hint of nostalgia.

"Your sister used to be a real queen, a mountain queen."

Author's Note: I'll post the third update soon~~ I originally wanted to update earlier, but I'm still late ORZ