Amid Aunt Gao's booming voice, Su Yun simply returned to her room to change her clothes, making no effort to dwell on the matter of "boyfriends."
After all, she now had a balance of over ten million. Let people gossip if they wanted—what did she have to fear?
As for this so-called He Hua—she didn't even know who that was.
Aunt Gao and Officer Qin did not linger at the He family's door. After calling out several times and receiving no response, Officer Qin declared firmly,
"Fine, if you won't come out, I'll report He Hua's name directly. The educated youth departure is scheduled for the 10th of next month. If she doesn't show up, she'll be taken by force!"
Only after they left did He Hua quietly open the door. Under Widow He's scolding and blows, she hurried into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Not long after, Su Wenshan and Chen Xiue also returned home.
At dinner, Su Yun remained in her extravagant mood. After picking up a piece of stir-fried meat, she casually raised her right leg and rested it on the stool, exuding the unmistakable air of a nouveau riche.
Su Wenshan froze for a moment.
Chen Xiue, however, reacted instantly. She lifted her chopsticks and struck Su Yun's leg with practiced precision. "Put your leg down and eat properly! Keep showing off like this, and I'll deal with you properly!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Su Yun immediately lowered her leg and resumed eating obediently, not daring to act up again.
What did it matter if she had ten million?
Her mother could still beat her whenever she pleased!
After disciplining her, Chen Xiue quickly noticed Su Yun's new white shoes. Her expression hardened. "You've been wasting money again? Aren't the cloth shoes I made for you enough? Why buy new ones?"
Su Yun thought for barely a second before pushing the blame onto Gu Hai. "I didn't buy these. Gu Hai insisted on giving them to me. I couldn't refuse, so I accepted."
Hearing that, Chen Xiue said nothing more, only shooting Su Yun a sharp glare. "Just eat properly. Don't act crazy for no reason."
Su Yun behaved herself for the rest of the meal. After finishing, she even volunteered to wash the dishes.
As usual, Su Baoguo grabbed his tin airplane and ran off with Gao Tianci and the others to play.
Su Yun had just placed the dishes in the kitchen when a lively commotion arose from the front courtyard, growing louder and closer.
Rolling down her sleeves, she stepped outside and found her mother doing the same.
Chen Jie and Jiang Yuling from the east wing were also standing at their doorway, peering toward the front courtyard.
Only Widow He's family reacted differently—upon hearing the noise, they hurried back into their room and slammed the door shut, even bolting it from the inside.
Doctor Jiang clicked his tongue in disdain before remarking, "What's going on? Why all the noise?"
Just as Chen Xiue was about to head forward to see, Aunt Gao and Uncle Gao appeared, leading several people toward their home.
Spotting Chen Xiue and Su Yun, Aunt Gao beamed and called out, "Xiue, Deputy Factory Director Jiang has come to visit your family with his relatives! Hurry and come greet them!"
Chen Xiue's face stiffened immediately.
Su Yun pressed her lips together tightly, her gaze locking onto Madam Jiang behind the deputy director. Emotions surged within her, and she nearly had the urge to step forward and kick her!
The group Aunt Gao had brought was none other than the Jiang family of four.
Deputy Factory Director Jiang and Jiang Guangzong carried several boxes of pastries, canned fruit, and bottles of liquor.
By now, neighbors from the back courtyard, including Aunt Wang, had gathered, whispering excitedly among themselves.
Su Wenshan stepped out of the main room, holding his pipe.
Upon seeing him, Deputy Factory Director Jiang's already smiling face grew even warmer. "Director Su, have you had dinner?"
Despite lingering resentment, Su Wenshan did not show it. He nodded calmly. "Yes. What brings you here at this hour, Deputy Director Jiang?"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the Jiang family.
Madam Jiang had her lips pursed high, her chin tilted upward, as though she looked down on everyone. Beside her, Jiang Yaozu wore an equally arrogant expression, casting sidelong glances.
Deputy Factory Director Jiang smiled and said, "Director Su, I've come tonight specifically to discuss the marriage between our children."
"My son Guangzong and Su Yun have been seeing each other for some time. When would it be convenient to set a date for their marriage?"
The words stunned everyone present.
Aunt Wang exclaimed, "That can't be right! Isn't Su Yun's boyfriend that collector? We've all seen him—a fine young man! Xiue herself said so!"
Aunt Gao quickly chimed in, "Exactly! That young man even bought a toy airplane for Little Five. My Tianci plays with it every day—I know this for sure!"
Jiang Yuling added, "And the sewing machine and bicycle at Xiue's house were also gifts from Su Yun's boyfriend. That can't be fake!"
"Exactly!" Aunt Gao nodded vigorously before turning to Deputy Director Jiang. "Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
At last, Chen Xiue found her chance to speak. "Deputy Director Jiang, you can't just say whatever you like! My daughter has nothing to do with your son. Don't come here spreading rumors and slandering her!"
Jiang Guangzong's expression darkened. His eyes burned with a sense of betrayal as he stared at Su Yun. "Su Yun, say it yourself—am I not your boyfriend?"
Su Yun rolled her eyes and let out a cold snort. "Looks like that bucket of water didn't wake you up the other day! From the moment we met, I had no interest in you. My mother already told the matchmaker that we weren't interested. Why are you clinging to me like a stubborn piece of gum?"
Being compared to something so lowly, Jiang Guangzong's face turned black.
Even Deputy Factory Director Jiang's expression grew subtly displeased.
Madam Jiang immediately exploded. She rushed forward, pointing a finger at Su Yun's face as she shouted, "You little slut! Give you an inch and you take a mile! My son liking you is a blessing you've accumulated over several lifetimes! My husband personally came to propose, and instead of feeling honored, you put on airs and play hard to get?"
"Let me tell you—girls like you, I've seen plenty! Don't think I can't see through your tricks. For trash like you, I can slap you down without a second thought!"
As she hurled insults, Jiang Yaozu stood like a loaded cannon, ready to charge at Su Yun at any moment.
Just as Su Yun was about to retaliate, Deputy Factory Director Jiang stepped in.
He grabbed Madam Jiang and pulled her back, scolding sharply, "Enough! We came here to propose, not to make a scene! Can't you speak properly? Stand aside! If you cause any more trouble, I'll divorce you!"
At once, Madam Jiang fell silent.
Grabbing Jiang Yaozu, she retreated reluctantly.
The neighbors' impression of Deputy Factory Director Jiang improved instantly. Many even sympathized with him for having such a troublesome wife.
But Su Yun felt an odd sense of unease.
Chen Xiue, still fuming, shot Madam Jiang several sharp looks before saying coldly, "Deputy Director Jiang, I've already told the matchmaker that this marriage is off. My daughter is not fortunate enough to enter your Jiang family. You'd better find another daughter-in-law with better luck!"
For once, Su Wenshan also showed open anger, his gaze fixed coldly on the Jiang family.
Deputy Factory Director Jiang immediately put on an apologetic smile. "Director Su, please calm down. Don't take my wife's behavior to heart. She's from the countryside, uneducated, always causing trouble—I can hardly control her…"
"As for Su Yun and my son Guangzong, I do know a bit about it. I heard Su Yun accepted gifts from my son before, and their relationship seemed quite stable. So why is it suddenly being denied now?"