Su Kaiyue completely ignored Shi Qian's recent statement about severing ties. She took Shi Qian's words as impotent rage and a momentary outburst, and believed that the words of a child throwing a tantrum were not to be taken seriously.
It's impossible for Shi Qian to truly sever ties with the Shi family. Any normal person would not cut off their relationship with the Shi family.
So Su Kaiyue didn't take Shi Qian's words to heart at all. Her proposal to hold a birthday banquet wasn't entirely for Shi Qian's sake. Rather, many wealthy women knew that she had a young son, but she had basically never brought him out, not even to ordinary banquets. They felt that Su Kaiyue was spoiling her child and hiding him from them.
Children their age usually have their marriage plans settled around the time they reach adulthood, and they're just waiting to graduate from university before getting engaged and married.
Therefore, before this, various gatherings are held under all sorts of names, just to let the children meet each other. If the children like each other, they can talk. If they don't like each other, it doesn't matter. As long as the parents like each other, it will eventually bring the children together.
Arranged marriages have always been like this; feelings are never the primary consideration, but merely an added bonus.
The important thing is that the two families are evenly matched, able to complement each other and form a powerful alliance; it doesn't matter whether the boy or girl is involved.
In fact, given the Shi family's resources, even if Shi Qian were disabled, they could still find someone who wanted to marry into the Shi family, so they wouldn't have to hide him from the public.
But Su Kaiyue refused. She was extremely proud and couldn't accept that her child was incompetent; Shi Qian was like a stain on her reputation.
At first, Su Kaiyue could bear the illness, even if it meant spending more money on treatment. But when she found out that it couldn't be cured, she became a little unhappy.
If it couldn't be cured, that would be fine, but at least it would have a name. However, Shi Qian's illness is indescribable, and no matter how it's described, it sounds like he's faking it.
In addition, Shi Qian's temperament became increasingly worse, and Su Kaiyue no longer wanted to manage him. She was just waiting for Shi Qian to come of age, and once the college entrance examination was over, she would send him abroad. It would be best if he never came back, so as not to embarrass her.
Just give me some money and I can live abroad.
Over the past few years, as Su Kaiyue watched Shi Yan become more and more outstanding, she began to have other ulterior motives. She took Shi Yan under her name and told the outside world that he was her child, thus obscuring Shi Qian's position.
Shi Yan has good grades and will have no problem getting into a good school. He also plays the piano well, and who knows, he might even get into the Beijing Musicians Association in the future, which would be a huge source of pride for him.
Why not take advantage of the birthday party to openly and legitimately bring Shi Yan out?
After that, we can gradually let Shi Yan participate in some gatherings. Shi Yan is so clever and intelligent, he will achieve great things in the future.
Su Kaiyue suddenly remembered that Shi Yan seemed to have a good relationship with the child from the Fu family. She decided to invite that child to Shi Yan's birthday banquet as well. If Shi Yan could establish a connection with the Fu family, that would be even better.
Although the Shi family is wealthy in Yancheng, they are not comparable to the four major families in the capital. If he could become in-laws with the Fu family, he would be able to squeeze into the upper class.
After Su Kaiyue finished speaking, no one reacted. Shi Jingguo never cared much about these gatherings, and he would ignore them unless they involved his business.
Therefore, he didn't express any opinion, silently drinking his soup on the side, acting as if it had nothing to do with him.
Shi Yan lowered his head and ate; he couldn't say anything about this.
Shi Wang frowned upon hearing Su Kaiyue's suggestion and asked, "Did Shi Qian agree?"
Shi Wang remembered hearing Shi Qian's harsh words from afar when he first returned, saying that he would sever ties with the Shi family. He also recalled Shi Qian's indifferent expression. He didn't think Shi Qian would attend the birthday banquet that Su Kaiyue mentioned.
Su Kaiyue was displeased when she heard Shi Wang's question. "What do you mean by whether he agrees or not? Isn't this all tradition? Besides, he even begged me to do it before, so how could he disagree?"
"When?" Shi Wang didn't remember Shi Qian mentioning wanting to have a birthday party.
“You don’t come home often, what do you know?” Su Kaiyue seemed to be recalling, “A few years ago, he started begging me to make it happen, wasn’t I just trying to satisfy him?”
Shi Wang stopped talking. He was now certain that Shi Qian wouldn't be coming. People change. Even he, who didn't come home often, could tell that Shi Qian was very different from two or three years ago, or even last year.
Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Shi Yan decided to say something, "Aunt, I think Shi Qian is very angry today, he said those things. Should we discuss the birthday banquet with him beforehand? I'm afraid he won't come..."
"What's there to discuss! Does he get to decide this? I'll arrange the birthday party! If he doesn't come, so be it! What's with the high and mighty attitude! I've never seen a child throw such a tantrum at his parents!"
"Besides, this isn't an ordinary birthday party; it's a chance for you to find a suitable partner. If he doesn't come, he's the one who's missing out! As for that sickly Shi Qian, who else outside our family would be willing to spend so much money to support him!"
"Aunt, please don't say that. Shi Qian was just acting impulsively today. He didn't mean to talk back to you. I'll apologize to him properly when I get back to school..."
Speaking of this, Su Kaiyue got angry. "Why are you apologizing to him? There's no need! I spoiled him too much before!"
"Anyway, I'm definitely going to throw this birthday party! Shi Yan, dress up nicely, and remember to invite that Fu classmate from your school too, let's have some fun!"
"You're a good child. Your aunt has always treated you like her own child, and I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to everyone!"
"It's his loss if Shi Qian doesn't come. I'll just pretend I don't have this son!"
"When the time comes, see if you have a suitable marriage partner, and chat with them. I think your classmate Fu is quite good. Try to find someone at school; it would be best if things could work out..."
"Mom, let them develop their feelings on their own."
Shi Wang interrupted Su Kaiyue, as he had always felt that Su Kaiyue was too materialistic and he did not approve of such a utilitarian relationship.
"Don't say anything! This makes me angry. It's because I spoiled you too much that you're now over thirty and still don't have a boyfriend. I told you to cultivate one slowly, to cultivate one slowly, but tell me, where has your cultivation of a boyfriend gone?"
"And then there's this disappointing one, who said he was going to try his luck, but he hasn't been home for over ten years!"
“We can’t count on you for this marriage alliance now. I’m only counting on Xiaoyan and Shiqian,” Su Kaiyue paused, “and we can’t count on Shiqian either. Anyone who’s interested in him is probably just trying to climb the social ladder by marrying into our family.”
"I only have Xiao Yan left to rely on now. As the eldest brother, are you still going to stop him? Xiao Yan saved your life when he was little! Have you forgotten? Now even you, like Shi Qian, don't want him to have a good life?"
Shi Wang rubbed his forehead, somewhat helplessly, "Mom, what are you thinking? I just wanted to say that there's no need to rush into getting married. I didn't mean to stop you from having a birthday banquet."
Seeing that another argument was about to break out, Shi Yan quickly spoke up to soothe Su Kaiyue's emotions, "Auntie, I'm fine with anything, I have no objections, I'll follow your arrangements."
Su Kaiyue patted Shi Yan's hand, who was sitting next to her, and said, "Good boy, you're the most worry-free person in the whole family. Listen to your aunt and make sure you win over that Fu classmate!"
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