Su, the eldest son of the Su family, who originally didn't have a seat, inexplicably found himself being pulled into the front hall and given the most central seat.
Li Darong, with a face full of flesh, showed a kind smile.
"Cousin, cousin," he called affectionately.
Sheng Juanhua was brought out from the kitchen and the cooking team.
Meanwhile, Su Youcai, the smartest one in the family, seemed a bit dazed.
He always thought that the only one who could make something of himself among the three brothers was him—his eldest brother had a disability, was too honest, and easily deceived, while his younger brother was a bit slow-witted.
He spent the evening accompanying his cousin, helping him with toasts and blocking others from drinking, but he didn't manage to make it to the main table. And now, his eldest brother was unexpectedly invited up there.
Su Youfu was made nervous by his cousin's attitude, and his face turned red.
This cousin of his was said to be especially formidable in the city, running multiple laundry shops, not just one. It was rumored that he was very wealthy, with assets of several million. Every time his mother talked about her eldest brother's son, she would act as if... he was more impressive than the mayor.
Just look at the villas he built in the city.
In reality, Li Darong, the businessman, had opened a second branch for his laundry shop, but it was rented space and he bought second-hand washing machines. Although the business boomed during the Lunar New Year, it was only temporary. And to save costs, he just used the dry cleaning machine as a display. He would secretly take the clothes to be washed and then return to iron them. If he happened to ruin a good piece of clothing, it would be his bad luck, and he would argue with the customer.
He definitely didn't have assets worth several million. He made a bit of money and spent it all on building and decorating his house.
It was just an empty shell, a facade. But for business people, the emptier it was, the more they had to show off. They needed face in public in order to continue doing business.
And he had many vices. He was a gambler, betting on sports, gambling with money, buying lottery tickets. He really didn't have much money.
Let alone millions or billions, he could make himself look like a billionaire even with just a few hundred thousand.
Now, hearing his wife say that this rural sister-in-law carried a bag worth over eight thousand, he became even more envious.
Rural people were so useless. What was the point of giving them money?
It would be better to give the money to him so he could make more money.
Since childhood, he never took these few cousins seriously. Following his father's wishes, the special obedient aunt from Gu Mu La Village, who also had a slow mind, would give up all her possessions if their father asked. She would even make her children work like slaves willingly.
Today, the birthday boy also realized that his son wouldn't get up early for nothing. He must have some profitable plan. He remembered that his eldest nephew had brought a birthday peach in the morning.
Now, he quickly had someone bring out the birthday peach, clear the table, and stack up the peaches high.
"This was specially made by my eldest nephew."
Sheng Juanhua had never received this kind of treatment before. Every time she came, she was called to do work.
Being attentive for no reason, either they wanted something or they were up to no good. Sitting there, she felt uneasy.
Su Youfu couldn't drink alcohol, so he spent the evening without a seat, casually eating some leftovers in the corner of the kitchen to fill his stomach. At this moment, his cousin handed him a glass of wine and said seriously, "Cousin, today is a really good day worth celebrating. You and your wife are doing a great job raising your child. She's a university student, probably the most successful among us. I toast to you."
Rarely being offered a toast, Su Youfu, who usually quietly took a sip of alcohol in the corner, blushed even more.
"I, I can't drink alcohol."
"How can that be? This is a big occasion. You must drink. Dad, right?" Li Darong turned to his own father and signaled with his eyes.
The birthday star today also smiled warmly and said, "You must drink this wine, Youfu. When you were born, your father gave you this name, and I said it was good. Grow up to be successful and have good fortune."
Su Youfu felt elated by their praise. No one had ever praised him like this, complimenting him. Although he knew that all of this was because of his daughter, or rather the money his daughter won, he genuinely felt a different kind of feeling. Holding the wine, he thought about it and decided to drink it after all. After all, his eldest uncle had spoken.
But then his wine glass was snatched away.
Sheng Juanhua took the wine glass from her husband's hand and smiled openly, saying, "Youfu can't handle alcohol well. He causes trouble after just a little drink. Let me drink it. Raising the child is the achievement of both of us, so naturally, I should have my share of the drink."
After speaking, she downed the glass in one gulp.
Everyone cheered.
Now they noticed that this peasant's wife with a limp was remarkably beautiful and eye-catching.
No wonder she could give birth to such a beautiful girl.
Then Sheng Juanhua took on all the toasts on behalf of others.
She was a woman, and since she drank, the people offering the toasts couldn't refuse. Besides, in terms of seniority, Su Youfu was the eldest brother, and she was the eldest sister-in-law.
Li Darong originally planned to get Su Youfu drunk before talking, as drunk people are easier to handle. But unexpectedly, he himself began to feel drunk as the drinking continued.
At this moment, Su Youfu also realized that his daughter's mother was defending him. Seeing her drinking on his behalf, glass after glass, he felt self-hatred for being powerless, unable to do anything. He couldn't even handle drinking alcohol.
Not to mention so many glasses, he would collapse after the first one. Then, how would he have his daughter's mother carry him anywhere?
Amidst the merry atmosphere, Sheng Juanhua showed her skill in drinking as a sturdy village woman. She got a whole group of people drunk, picked up her bag, and left with her husband.
Su Youcai and Su Youqian followed suit.
Su Youfu, carrying an empty basket that had been filled with birthday peaches in the morning, walked on the street. Sheng Juanhua walked beside him, already a little drunk, stepping lightly and heavily.
The two of them walked for a long time before reaching the hospital.
It was a bit late, there was no bus, and they foolishly didn't think of taking a taxi.
After walking for a while, they became increasingly clear-headed.
Originally, the two of them wanted to keep the money low-key, but now Xiao Qi appeared on television again. As more and more people got to know about it, denying it was becoming impossible.
Having one million yuan was something that many villagers in Gumula Village would never dare to imagine in their lifetime. It was certain that they wouldn't be able to live peacefully in their hometown, not to mention their own mother.
"Your cousin doesn't seem like someone who does legitimate business," Sheng Juanhua said.
Su Youfu nodded.
"It's better if we don't have any contact in the future."
When they arrived at the hospital, Xiao Qi's aunt, Su Simei, prepared hot milk for them, one pack each.
The hospital wasn't afraid of being late. Su Simei had to take care of patients at night and sometimes would be called by the nurses in the middle of the night.
After telling their cousin and sister-in-law to freshen up, they returned to the ward.
It was the first time Su Youfu and Sheng Juanhua stayed at Xiao Qi's aunt's place. The room was clean and tidy, and when they looked at the stickers on the wall and such, they felt the presence of their daughter.
"Xiao Qi lives here. Although it's good in the city, it's still a bit dark and damp," Sheng Juanhua, who had drunk a little too much, lazily lay on the bed, touching the wallpaper.
Su Youfu also sighed, "It's not easy, after all. It's very close to the No. 1 Middle School."
They lay down side by side, but as soon as they closed their eyes, they heard a distant "wo-an wo-an" sound, presumably the sound of an ambulance. Despite being tired, it still disturbed them.
"Studying isn't easy," Su Youfu sighed.
They didn't know when the couple finally fell asleep. The next day, they had to meet the parents of the students Xiao Qi had tutored.
Xiao Qi didn't sleep until after midnight, but as soon as it struck twelve, she opened her interface and requested to use a basic lucky card on Su Youfu.
Seeing the system confirm its effectiveness, she finally fell asleep at ease.
