Su Li, adorned with the halo of being the Su family's precious daughter, was one of Su Jiang's renowned beauties.
Her renown, however, was not within ordinary circles, but among the upper echelon of society—Su Li's standards were simply too high!
Anyone whose status and capabilities did not match Su Li would be disregarded, regardless of how romantically they pursued her or how well they treated her. She would even dismiss such men as plebeians, considering them toad-like creatures lusting after swan meat.
On the other hand, she meticulously courted the few influential scions within Su Jiang's high society, yearning to become their woman and marry into a wealthy family.
Su Li’s ability to become Huang Yu’s girlfriend, and even having hopes of marrying into the Huang family, was something she considered the most prideful achievement of her life thus far!
Under such circumstances, Huang Yu breaking up with Su Li in front of the entire Su family, and even publicly humiliating her, dealt a severe blow to Su Li.
It felt akin to a proud peacock having its feathers plucked, revealing an unsightly appearance!
Witnessing this scene, Su Shiwei and Xia Hong, the couple, wore grim expressions but dared not utter a word.
This was because they were acutely aware that Su Li being with Huang Yu and marrying into the Huang family was a case of "climbing the ladder."
If it weren't for that, they wouldn't have been pleased when Huang Yu came to celebrate Su Yuanshan’s birthday and bring gifts, and Xia Hong wouldn’t have been so smug!
At this moment, they all understood clearly that Huang Yu's change of demeanor was entirely due to Qin Linhai and Qin Xiaozhi, father and son. Their family had offended Jiang Wuming, causing the Qin father and son to be displeased. Huang Yu did not want to be caught in the crossfire!
As if to confirm their judgment, after severing ties with Su Li, Huang Yu immediately rushed towards Qin Xiaozhi.
This was because he had countless reasons to believe that if he did not break off his relationship with Su Li and explain himself to Qin Xiaozhi, his rapport with Qin Xiaozhi would end there, and he might even offend Qin Xiaozhi!
Although he knew that Qin Xiaozhi was once wanted by the Martial Department and considered a good-for-nothing of the Qin family, his reason told him that since Qin Xiaozhi had returned, and the Martial Department had not apprehended him, it was highly probable that Qin Xiaozhi's arrest warrant had been rescinded, and he would likely shed the label of being a Qin family discard.
Beyond that, he also realized something—Qin Xiaozhi had told him that the Su family would become the most formidable family in Su Jiang in the future, and this was because of Jiang Wuming!
If he offended Jiang Wuming, what connection would the Su family's prowess have to him?
"Minister... Minister Qin, Director Chen."
Under everyone's gaze, Huang Yu quickly approached Qin Xiaozhi. He first bowed to greet Qin Linhai and Chen Yong, then looked at Qin Xiaozhi with a panicked expression and said, "Young Master Qin, I agreed to Su Li's pursuit because of your words, but I didn't realize she was mentally challenged and had a viperous heart. I apologize for causing you trouble."
"Boss, this guy was my classmate in high school. We used to hang out together. After I arrived in Su Jiang, I asked him about the Su family's affairs, and out of our past connection, I let slip that the Su family would do well in the future."
Qin Xiaozhi did not respond to Huang Yu. Instead, he looked at Jiang Wuming with self-reproach and explained.
So that's how it was!
Upon hearing Huang Yu and Qin Xiaozhi's words, the Su family members instantly understood why Huang Yu had been with Su Li—Qin Xiaozhi had informed Huang Yu about the Su family's impending rise!
"Did this guy say anything disrespectful to you just now?"
Seeing that Jiang Wuming was not angry about him revealing the Su family's impending rise to Huang Yu, Qin Xiaozhi asked again.
"N-no, Young Master Qin, I did not speak disrespectfully to Boss Wuming!"
Huang Yu immediately hastened to explain, and by addressing Jiang Wuming as "Boss" along with Qin Xiaozhi, he displayed considerable wit.
"No."
Jiang Wuming shook his head and said, "Xiaozhi, he didn't know the situation. You don't need to put him on the spot."
"Huang Yu, given your quick reaction, I won't pursue today's matter. You can leave now."
Hearing this, Qin Xiaozhi waved his hand at Huang Yu.
"Y-yes, Young Master Qin!"
Huang Yu nodded quickly, then turned to leave, breathing a long sigh of relief. He felt as if he had just been pulled out of a pool, his clothes soaked.
At the same time, he felt incredibly fortunate that he had reacted promptly and chosen to distance himself from Su Li at the first opportunity, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
"Wh-why is this happening? Th-this isn't real!"
Gazing at Huang Yu's departing back, Su Li was on the verge of collapse.
Su Shiwei and Xia Hong also wore expressions as grim as if they had swallowed a fly while eating.
Xia Hong, in particular, felt an overwhelming desire to find a hole to crawl into, remembering her previous smugness about Su Li being with Huang Yu!
"Uncle Qin, Director Chen, Xiaozhi, let's go inside." Jiang Wuming said.
"Alright!"
Qin Linhai, Qin Xiaozhi, and Chen Yong replied in unison.
Originally, they had intended to greet Jiang Wuming and then proceed to wish Su Yuanshan a happy birthday. However, they hadn't anticipated the unfolding events.
And since the Su Wu family had offended Jiang Wuming, they were unsure of the internal dynamics of the Su family, nor did they know how Jiang Wuming intended to handle the situation. Therefore, they no longer mentioned wishing Su Yuanshan a happy birthday.
Seeing this, Su Qiang immediately followed behind Jiang Wuming.
Although he didn't know how Jiang Wuming had forged a connection with Qin Linhai and Qin Xiaozhi, he felt it was right to follow Jiang Wuming.
He even harbored a bold thought: Jiang Wuming's earlier conversation with him about dreams seemed to have a deeper meaning!
"Grandpa Su, this is Minister Qin Linhai, the person in charge of the East Sea region for the Martial Department. This is Director Chen Yong, the person in charge of the Su Jiang region for the Martial Department."
Soon, Jiang Wuming led Qin Linhai, Qin Xiaozhi, and Chen Yong to the entrance of the ancestral house's living room and proactively introduced them to Su Yuanshan.
"Old Su, may your blessings be as vast as the East Sea and your lifespan as enduring as the Southern Mountains!"
"Old Su, may you always wear a smile and enjoy good health!"
"Happy birthday, Grandpa Su!"
Qin Linhai, Chen Yong, and Qin Xiaozhi offered their birthday wishes to Su Yuanshan one after another.
Hearing their blessings, and thinking about their presence, all the Su family members, including Su Yuanshan, were in a daze.
The arrival of prominent figures like Qin Linhai and Chen Yong to celebrate Su Yuanshan's birthday was something they had never dared to dream of before!
"Th-thank you, Minister Qin, Director Chen. It is an honor for the Su family to receive distinguished guests like yourselves!"
Su Yuanshan, filled with emotion, understood the significance of these two important figures gracing their home.
"Old Su, you are too kind. Wuming once saved my son Xiaozhi's life. They are brothers, so it is only right for me to attend your birthday celebration," Qin Linhai said with a smile, waving his hand, half-truthfully.
"Please, come in!"
Upon hearing this, Su Yuanshan cast a grateful glance at Jiang Wuming, then invited Qin Linhai, Chen Yong, and Qin Xiaozhi into the ancestral house's living room for tea.
Jiang Wuming, Su Shiyun, and Liu Guifang, the family of three, accompanied them into the ancestral house's living room.
Su Shiqing and his wife hesitated for a moment before also following inside.
Su Shiwei and Su Shijie's families exchanged glances, but ultimately, none of them took that step.
Although they desperately wanted to become acquainted with Qin Linhai, Qin Xiaozhi, and Chen Yong, they also knew well that their previous attitude towards Jiang Wuming's family meant that accompanying them would only result in their own humiliation!