Madam Yan examined the box for a moment, while Young Master Yan and Old Master Yan, who were sitting to the side, simultaneously reached out and said in unison, "Let me open it for you."
Madam Yan pulled her hand back, protecting the box in her arms. "I'll do it myself. You two are strong and don't know how to hold your strength. What if you break it?"
Yan Shao withdrew his hand and said disdainfully, "Why treasure it like that? That girl is incredibly stingy; she might have just given you a rock instead!"
Considering that girl doesn't even have the money to buy a new phone, what kind of gift could she possibly send?
Madam Yan glared at her son, "Little Hanhan, do you think your old mother is blind? This sign says 'Fragile and Valuable'!"
Unwilling to give up, Yan Shao went over to take a look, and sure enough, it was specially marked: Fragile and valuable item.
Pshaw, what valuable gifts could someone like her possibly give away?
His mother told him not to touch it, so Yan Shao put on an attitude of "I don't care to look either," leaned back on the sofa, and took out his phone to open a work email.
The old lady took the scissors from Uncle Hai, unwrapped the paper, opened the box, and inside was an antique-style brocade box. The box was pale yellow, and on the top was embroidered a blooming peony.
Before the box was even opened, the old lady's eyes were already drawn to the exquisite craftsmanship of the brocade box.
"Tsk, a girl is a girl after all, her taste is definitely much better than my big, burly son!"
Yan Shao had originally decided to ignore his mother and listen to her slander him, but instead she put him on the same level as that stingy girl Zhu Qianying. Wasn't that obviously looking down on him?
How could his vision be inferior to that stingy girl, given that he is the president of the Yanhuang Group and the current head of the Tong family?
"Tong Xiaohuai, I advise you to open it and take a look before commenting. Don't be fooled by this broken box!" Young Master Yan glanced at Old Madam Yan with an air of anticipation, as if waiting to see a good show.
The old lady was in no hurry to open the box, because she was still studying the peony.
"What a lousy box! You have no taste. If I'm not mistaken, the peony on this box is the work of a famous embroiderer. This box alone is conservatively worth hundreds of thousands!"
When she was young, the old lady was busy managing the family business and had a more generous and magnanimous personality than many men. However, in the ten years since she retired, she has become fascinated with traditional handicrafts, and embroidery is one of her favorites.
Yan Shao scoffed at his mother's analysis, "Mom, that girl is incredibly stingy. Even if she had a box worth hundreds of thousands, she wouldn't be willing to give it to you!"
The old lady ignored him and tugged at Mr. Yan's hand, saying, "Old Yan, come and take a look."
Yan Bo's upbringing was the exact opposite of Tong Xiaohuai's. Born into a high-ranking official's family, he returned from studying abroad at a young age, but instead of following his father's wishes to pursue a career in government, he founded his own company, which is now the Yanhuang Group.
What Madam Yan became fascinated with after her retirement were hobbies that Yan Bo had pursued for many years.
Yan Bo took the box from the lady's hand, examined it carefully for a while, and a look of joy appeared in his eyes.
"Hmm... It seems to be the same embroidery we saw at the auction last year. It's rare to see a second authentic piece like this."
Yan Shao assumed his parents were putting on a show for him and kept urging them, "Hurry up and see what gift she's giving you, but don't get your hopes up too high!"
Then Madam Yan remembered that there was a gift inside.
However, because of this brocade box, she was filled with anticipation for the gift inside.
Upon opening the brocade box, one sees a crystal-clear white jade ruyi ornament inside.
This ornament has some yellowish-brown spots in some places. The persimmons carved on it are plump with their stems facing upwards. Next to them are a pair of delicately carved lingzhi mushrooms with curled branches and leaves wrapped around the persimmon stems. There is also a pair of peony stamens on the other side.
This gift truly brought great joy to Madam Yan.
"Old Yan, look at this, this girl is really thoughtful!"
With a smile, Madam Yan handed the ornament to Yan Bo, who examined it closely and nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.
"Hmm, although the white jade used for this ornament isn't the best material, you can tell that the carving is very delicate and lifelike. Even if it's not by a famous artist, it's a rising star who will surely achieve great things in the future."
Madam Yan agreed with Yan Bo's words and praised him repeatedly, "This girl has a discerning eye. This ornament is not only exquisitely crafted and auspiciously symbolic, but it also has great potential for appreciation. Not bad at all!"
Young Master Yan didn't understand any of this and just thought his parents were bragging. Without even lifting an eyelid, he said, "Mom, don't make that girl Zhu Qianying sound so amazing. She's just an unemployed bum. She doesn't know anything about these profound arts!"
Madam Yan didn't know why her son had such a strong prejudice against Zhu Qianying. She just assumed that he was upset because he had been stood up.
Therefore, his sarcastic remarks were completely ignored.
"Son, this girl seems to be only twenty years old, right?"
Yan Shao responded with an "Mmm," and the information showed that he was indeed twenty years old.
"She's only twenty years old, and she's already graduated from university?"
Madam Yan had previously learned a little about Zhu Qianying's situation. Because of her age, she always thought she was a college student. But her son said she was unemployed. That's right, she graduated from high school and is currently unemployed.
Yan Shao knew more about her than she did. "It seems she skipped a grade in elementary and middle school, and went to L University to study hotel management. She graduated last year."
Madam Yan looked regretful. "It seems he's a very clever child. Old Yan, do you think Zhu Zhizhou's brain has been kicked by a donkey? How could he let such a smart child wander around?"
Yan Bo nodded in agreement, "Yes, none of his sons are capable of anything. At the current rate, the Zhu family will gradually decline in a few years."
Yan Bo appears refined and polite, with the gentle demeanor of an old scholar, but in reality, his eyes are sharp.
Upon hearing his parents mention Zhuzhizhou, Yan Shao's face revealed an undisguised look of disdain.
"It won't be long before it starts to decline. Otherwise, they wouldn't have put Zhu Qianying out for the selection. It's obvious they're eyeing the 200 million dowry and the subsequent 10 billion+ cooperation plan."
Madam Yan lowered her head thoughtfully, took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and sighed.
"This girl is really pitiful... unloved by her father and mother..."
Before even meeting her, Madam Yan had already lamented the situation of her future daughter-in-law, Zhu Qianying, several times.
"Mom, that girl is tough and won't hurt you!" In Yan Shao's eyes, what his mother said couldn't hurt Zhu Qianying at all.
Madam Yan glared at him fiercely, "Nonsense, does she not have a mother? It's just that some things are unattainable, so one gradually comes to terms with them! For a family like the Zhu family, it wouldn't be difficult to cherish a child and treat her like a princess, but this girl, how does she look like a princess?"
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