Chapter 15 (V-list Notice)
As someone with modest assets and memories from decades into the future, Su Ruyi used to be a little arrogant.
But seeing this scene now, Su Ruyi realized that she still didn't quite understand the world of the rich.
As expected of the male protagonist's family, even in a relatively simple historical setting, they are portrayed as incredibly wealthy and powerful.
No wonder the old man sent a car to pick her up. The nearest bus stop is several kilometers away, and it's quite a walk from the door to the front of the house.
Su Ruyi sighed with admiration the whole way, while Wang Huiting felt like she couldn't take it all in.
Isn't this a park?! Someone actually lives in a park!
Old Master Zhang was sitting in the pavilion very close to his residence. Seeing Su Ruyi approaching, he said smugly:
"So, what do you think? Is this place to your liking?"
Su Ruyi exclaimed, "Grandpa Zhang, it would be no injustice if you were demoted again; this is just too extravagant."
Upon hearing this, Wang Huiting nearly tripped and fell flat on her face.
The expressions of the two people behind Old Master Zhang also changed.
"It's still the same familiar tune; it hasn't been switched."
Grandpa Zhang laughed heartily and, gripping his cane, addressed Su Ruyi.
Dead memories surfaced in Su Ruyi's mind, all of them showing her as a tiny little girl with five heads, standing with her hands on her hips in front of Grandpa Zhang, ordering him around.
When Su Ruyi was with Grandpa Zhang, it was nothing like the way some period novels describe her being pampered with good food and sweet words.
Su Ruyi was also thinking about supervising and reforming Grandpa Zhang. She was young and didn't understand those things at the time, but she was inevitably influenced by the propaganda she heard.
Therefore, she frequently went to the cowshed, directing Old Master Zhang to do his work and conveying her thoughts and policies to him in a rambling and disjointed manner.
Children playing house during special times are all very unique.
Grandpa Zhang cooperated patiently, and the villagers didn't say anything since he was also doing his work.
What kind of work could a little kid like Su Ruyi be assigned? Grandpa Zhang had a relatively easy time during those years, and Su Ruyi also had a good time. It was a win-win situation.
This is all thanks to Su Ying turning a blind eye and protecting him; otherwise, Old Master Zhang wouldn't have received this treatment.
During each criticism session, Su Ying would not allow anyone to act recklessly.
Su Ying's parents and brother were all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country. She was also very capable, fearless in a one-on-one fight against wild boars, and always at the forefront of the suppression of reactionaries. She held a prominent position in the village, and her actions influenced others.
Old Master Zhang stood up and looked her up and down:
"Why are you so thin? You don't look like the chubby little boy you used to be at all. You didn't inherit your mother's build at all. You're not like those little girls outside, skipping meals to look pretty, are you?"
"Am I that kind of person? I'm naturally beautiful, how could I possibly go against my own body? I guess I looked like my mom when I was little, but I look like my dad when I grew up."
When Grandpa Zhang thought of Tong Aihua, Tong Aihua was not short, but he had a small frame, was tall and frail, and did not look like a northern man at all.
"Don't be too sad about your father's situation. As long as he hasn't been found, there's still hope. I've been sending people to look for him."
Grandpa Zhang was feeling a bit down. Back in the day, he had eaten a lot of meals cooked by Tong Aihua in the countryside.
It's heartbreaking to see someone die so young, with no chance to see them again.
Su Ruyi pursed her lips and gave a soft "hmm".
She took a deep breath, smiled again, and pulled Wang Huiting, who was standing next to her, closer.
"Grandpa, this is my younger sister, Wang Huiting. You can just call her Tingting. She's about as smart as me."
Wang Huiting quickly greeted him, "Hello, Grandpa Zhang."
She was very shy and nervous, completely unlike her usual carefree self.
Grandpa Zhang smiled and nodded in greeting, glancing sideways at Su Ruyi:
"You have the nerve to say that? If it weren't for Tingting, no one would have been able to find you in that place you described. When I asked you where you were, you said you were next to a big tree. Why didn't you say you were under a cloud?!"
Su Ruyi touched her nose: "I didn't realize it just now."
"Hmph, I know you too well. When you were little, you were terrible at pointing directions, and you could never find what you hid. If you asked, you'd always say it was under a tree. Now that you're all grown up, you haven't improved at all."
"Anyway, my mom can help me find it."
Su Ruyi chuckled and took Old Master Zhang's arm. Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, they had both changed a lot. Su Ruyi had grown into a young woman, and Old Master Zhang had transformed from a down-on-his-luck old man into a dignified and distinguished patriarch.
But the moment they met, the familiar feeling made them instantly close off.
It's as if Su Ruyi is still that mischievous yet loving little girl, and Grandpa Zhang is still that tolerant and patient old man.
“I’ll take you around. There’s a river that goes around the back. You like catching fish, right? I’ve raised a lot of fish in there. You can catch as many as you want.”
The two people behind Grandpa Zhang stepped forward and took away Su Ruyi and Wang Huiting's luggage.
When one of them took Su Ruyi's backpack, his hand suddenly felt heavy, and he froze for a moment.
After the group had walked around for a while, Su Ruyi clicked her tongue in admiration:
"Grandpa Zhang, your house is so beautiful and spacious. Is this your ancestral home? The houses look quite old."
Su Ruyi walked around and actually felt that something was off.
The courtyard is new, but the houses look like old houses, with an antique charm, and the materials of the two are very different.
"The house is indeed the ancestral home, but the land is not."
"What's the meaning?"
“These houses were moved here brick by brick from their original location, exactly as they were originally on Xiangyang Road. That area was located on a major thoroughfare and needed to be redeveloped. The government negotiated with me to relocate them. It doesn’t matter where I, an old man, live; national development comes first, so I agreed.”
Su Ruyi suddenly realized: "No wonder."
"I didn't want such a big place, but they insisted on giving it to me, so I had no choice but to accept it reluctantly."
Grandpa Zhang's original house was in a prime location in the city center. This area used to be rural, and although it has been gradually developed, it is still considered a suburb, so the value is definitely not comparable.
Grandpa Zhang didn't want any compensation, he just wanted his house to remain intact. The government, not wanting to take advantage of him, allocated him a large plot of land in a location with a good environment and convenient transportation.
Su Ruyi squinted and hummed, "This old man even went to Versailles."
"Grandpa Zhang, I'll get angry if you talk like that. Who are you trying to provoke?"
She now lives in a cramped tenement building, and there's only an upper bunk available.
“Girl, why don’t you stay here? See which place you like and build a house there. Then the two of us can be together again.”
Su Ruyi was shamelessly tempted. This place is located in the northwest, which is generally arid, and there are not many places with such beautiful scenery.
However, he quickly regained his senses. He realized that it was better to save a little money than to risk his life.
She remembered that in the original story, she had a house that belonged exclusively to her in the male protagonist's old family home, which was here, and it was named Ruyi Garden.
Su Ruyi hadn't paid much attention at first, thinking it was just a private room, but now it seemed that it might be a house built specifically for her.
This place is so spacious that there's more than enough room to build a few more villas with large front and back gardens.
Ruyi Garden is also a symbol of Su Ruyi being valued by the old man, and it is the reason why the male protagonist is unable to break free from his painful marriage.
Su Ruyi, relying on Old Master Zhang's favor, not only did she not take the male lead seriously, but even her in-laws had to be mindful of her attitude. She was also very mean and sarcastic towards the male lead's younger brother and sister.
Su Ruyi has a terrible reputation in her husband's family; no one in the family except the old man likes her.
On the other hand, after the female lead married into the family, everyone praised her highly.
Although according to the original story, she wouldn't have died if she hadn't acted recklessly, it's still safer to stay away.
Su Ruyi raised her chin, her face full of arrogance:
"Please, I'm Su Ying's daughter. I can buy land and build a house on my own! Grandpa Zhang, who are you looking down on?"
Old Master Zhang knew perfectly well that she was politely declining, and said with a smile:
"Alright, let's see what you're capable of. Don't get lazy after just two days."
Su Ruyi did this kind of thing a lot when she was little. She would say she wanted to dig up earthworms to feed the chickens, but she would only dig two holes before giving up. Grandpa Zhang would always clean up after her.
"Grandpa Zhang, don't look down on me. With my clever brain, it's only a matter of time before I become rich. Grandpa Zhang, just wait and see if I can stand shoulder to shoulder with you."
Wang Huiting was truly impressed by her sister; how dare she say such things in front of such an important person.
However, she didn't think Su Ruyi was bragging. Although standing shoulder to shoulder was indeed an exaggeration, it was still possible to achieve something great.
As soon as you enter the room, you can feel the coolness that greets you.
Wang Huiting was very surprised and didn't understand why the room was so cool.
Encouraged by Grandpa Zhang, Su Ruyi took a walk around the main room. Although she didn't know much about antiques and calligraphy, she still recognized that some of the paintings on the wall were masterpieces, and the porcelain on the display shelf looked like good stuff.
"Grandpa Zhang, are all the items and paintings displayed here genuine antiques?"
This was the first time Su Ruyi had ever seen such authentic Chinese style. Although she had visited ancient architecture museums before, the difference between houses that were inhabited and uninhabited, those with money and those without, and those with cultural heritage and those without, could be very significant.
As for those Chinese-style mansions, most of them bear traces of modern design, unlike this house which has a harmonious and unified style.
Moreover, it offers the convenience of modern facilities while preserving its ancient charm and style.
The understated luxury gives one a deep sense of what it meant to live in a wealthy family in ancient times.
Su Ruyi felt it was a real shame that she hadn't come to take a photo wearing Hanfu.
Su Ruyi didn't care at all when she said such ignorant things; she really hadn't seen them before.
Although she had some money before, she would never have displayed her valuables so openly. She would have at least put them in a cabinet, for fear of accidentally breaking them.
Just as these words were spoken, several people walked in through the door, and one of them let out a contemptuous sneer.
Su Ruyi looked in the direction of the sound, her pupils dilating slightly.
Almost instantly, her attention was drawn to a tall, handsome man, and her heart skipped a beat, as if she had been struck.
This man is exactly her type!
A note from the author:
Tomorrow is the start of the VIP chapters, and I'll be updating three chapters on that day! Update times will likely be earlier, and I'll try to update during the day until the end of the subscription period. I'll reply after the subscription period ends.
Thank you everyone for your continued support. I even saw many familiar faces in the comments! Love you all, muah! (づ￣ 3￣)づ
My next novel, "A Family of Extreme Characters in the 1980s," is now available for pre-order. Please add it to your favorites! Thank you!
[Synopsis] (Tentative)
What's it like to be the female lead's control group?
Grandma loves to take advantage of small things; even mice that pass by get plucked bald.
My mother is fierce; she'll start a fight at the slightest provocation.
Dad and his wife gossip all day long, always chasing after the most exciting things to do.
My sister is alluring and seductive; I, the playboy, love flirting and chasing after people.
My brother is a good-for-nothing, wandering around aimlessly, teasing cats and dogs.
My little brother has needles growing on his butt and he's always climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles.
And she, Jiang Xiaoxi, is number one in being lazy and gluttonous.
Everyone in Yangshan Commune knew that there were two Jiang families in Taohua Brigade.
Everyone in the Da Jiang family praises them, but everyone in the Xiao Jiang family dislikes them.
The Jiang family has a beautiful and capable young daughter who is also a great earner.
Just when everyone thought that the youngest daughter of the Jiang family was going to lead her family to prosperity and a better life, she actually ran off to the Xiao Jiang family!
From then on, the younger Jiang family lived a life of luxury, while the older Jiang family suffered greatly and regretted their past actions.
Everyone agreed that the Jiang family was particularly clever, easily lying down and doing nothing.
Jiang Cha said, "Why should we be the female lead's control group? She's the female lead, after all! We have to latch onto her!"
She wants to be the female lead's best friend, not asking for meat but just soup.
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