Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Su Family Banquet

Su Yichen returned to the Su Family villa.

As soon as he entered the living room, he saw Grandfather sitting on the sofa, looking at him with open anticipation.

“Well? Did Qian Qian agree to come back?” Old Master Su asked anxiously.

Right after speaking, he began coughing violently.

Su Yichen hurried over and gently patted Grandfather’s back, worry written all over his face. “Grandfather, don’t rush. Watch your health. Qian Qian, she…”

Su Yichen paused. Not wanting to disappoint Grandfather, he changed his words. “Qian Qian is a little busy right now, but she already agreed to come to the banquet on time tomorrow. She even said she prepared a surprise for you.”

Those words were obviously meant to comfort the old man.

Old Master Su leaned on his cane, relief spreading into an appreciative smile. The violent coughing made his face flush red, but he waved a hand as if to say he was fine.

“That child. Surprise or no surprise, this old man doesn’t need any of that. As long as she comes back, that’s enough. The Su Family wronged her,” Old Master Su said with a sigh, guilt flickering in his eyes.

Su Yichen watched Grandfather’s expression, and it left him with a bitter taste. He knew Su Qian had suffered outside, and the Su Family truly had not done enough in certain ways.

“Yichen, when Qian Qian comes back, as her brother, you have to care for her more, cough, cough-” Old Master Su said earnestly.

Su Yichen nodded solemnly. “Grandfather, don’t worry. I will.”

Su Yichen thought of Su Qian’s stubbornness and began considering how, once she returned, he could help her get along with Mo Er.

Old Master Su’s seventieth birthday banquet was held at a luxurious estate. Lanterns and decorations filled the place, and everything was lively and grand.

Guests arrived and took their seats one after another, chatting and greeting each other.

There were business elites, political figures, and social elites, all there to celebrate Old Master Su.

Old Master Su sat at the center of the main table, smiling with happiness. From time to time, he looked around, clearly hoping to catch sight of Su Qian.

Father Su and Mother Su stayed busy receiving guests and arranging everything.

Su Yichen kept glancing at his watch, unease rising. He was not sure whether Su Qian would actually come.

Just then, a LamborghiniAventador SVJ rolled slowly toward the estate.

It stopped steadily at the entrance, and the door opened.

Su Qian stepped out in a simple white gown that was elegant without being flashy. Her long hair curled slightly and fell loosely over her shoulders, and her eyes held calm confidence.

“Su Qian?”

Su Yichen spotted her immediately.

Especially when he saw her step down from the LamborghiniAventador SVJ, his brows drew together.

When Su Mo Er had said Su Qian stole her car, Su Yichen thought she was just making trouble.

But now he watched Su Qian step out of that Lamborghini Aventador SVJ with his own eyes, and doubt crept into his heart.

“Tsk. I didn’t expect you to actually come.”

Zhou Ran leaned against a black sports car, smiling like he did not care about anything. In a well-fitted suit, his tall frame looked even sharper and more defined.

The moment he saw Su Qian, he walked over and fell into step beside her as they headed toward the banquet hall.

“I’m just here to mooch a meal,” Su Qian said with a shrug.

She had not wanted to come at first, but after thinking it through all night, she changed her mind.

Since the Su Family planned to announce her identity at the banquet, she might as well take it.

She looked down on the Su Family, but that identity could be useful. Being the Su Family’s young lady could save her a lot of trouble.

She glanced at Zhou Ran. “Not bad. Cleaned up and put on a suit, and you actually look like a proper person.”

Zhou Ran raised his brows, his grin turning even more arrogant. “Of course. I rely on this face to pick up girls.”

“And yesterday you promised to treat me to dinner, then you ran off without a word. That’s not loyal, you know?”

Zhou Ran clearly still held a grudge about her ditching him halfway.

“Next time. Next time I’ll make it up to you for sure,” Su Qian promised. “Perfect timing too-I have something to talk to you about.”

“Talk about what?” Zhou Ran’s lips curled. He went straight for it. “Dating? I’m not dating you. You’re not my type.”

“Relax. Something that good won’t be your turn,” Su Qian said, the corner of her mouth twitching.

When she looked into Zhou Group’s pharmaceutical business yesterday, she also looked into Zhou Ran.

Su Qian knew exactly what kind of person he was.

A spoiled playboy who loafed around, always surrounded by women. Other than a face that looked good, he had nothing.

Su Yichen watched them approach, laughing and talking, and his face sank.

In his eyes, the only reason Su Qian could afford a LamborghiniAventador SVJ was because of Zhou Ran.

Even if he did not like this sister much, Zhou Ran was famously an empty-headed rich second-generation idiot in their circle.

Su Yichen did not want Su Qian getting too involved with him.

“The banquet is about to begin. I’ll take you over.”

Su Yichen walked up to Su Qian. His tone was calm, but it carried a pressure that left no room to refuse.

He led Su Qian to the main table and said to Grandfather, “Grandfather, Qian Qian is here.”

When Old Master Su saw Su Qian, excitement lit up his cloudy eyes, and even his hunched back seemed to straighten.

His hand trembled as he waved her over. “Qian Qian, come here to Grandfather.”

Su Qian pressed her lips together, hesitated, then still walked over.

The guests around them looked shocked.

They never expected the Su Family’s young lady-the one rumored to have been forgotten outside-to appear at Old Master Su’s birthday banquet.

And judging by Old Master Su’s attitude, he clearly adored her.

Su Mo Er watched it all, a sharp surge of grievance and resentment filling her chest.

Old Master Su held Su Qian’s hand and beamed. He introduced her to the guests. “This is my granddaughter, Su Qian. She’s been outside all these years and suffered a lot. Now she’s finally back, and it settles one of this old man’s worries.”

The guests nodded and offered congratulations.

Some took the initiative to greet Su Qian, trying to build a closer relationship with the Su Family.

Su Qian only responded politely to their greetings.

As the banquet officially began, guests started presenting their gifts.

Everyone knew Old Master Su loved antiques, so rare antiques, calligraphy, and paintings were brought to him one after another.

Su Mo Er approached Old Master Su with confident steps, holding an exquisite purple sandalwood box. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation, as if she could already hear the praise her gift would earn.

She even shot Su Qian a provocative look.

Su Mo Er smiled and offered the box with both hands. “Grandfather, I wish you health and long life, a lifespan as long as heaven. This is the birthday gift your granddaughter carefully chose for you.”