Su Nan Guan Yin, accompanied by her elder daughter Su Zui and younger daughter Shen Yun, arrived at the Miao family's residence to offer New Year greetings.
Their appearance thoroughly confirmed the accuracy of the arrangements and analysis made by the patriarchs of the eleven influential families.
Despite everyone knowing that they were undoubtedly filled with humiliation and other negative emotions, they had to force smiles and comply with the wishes of the eleven families. After all, in the face of wanting to live, any form of humiliation was insignificant.
"Miao Desheng respectfully invites Madam and the two esteemed ladies to grace our humble abode."
Miao Desheng clasped his fists and, with his two brothers, bowed to Su Nan Yin: "We sincerely wish Madam and the two young ladies a happy new year."
"Mr. Miao, you are too kind. I also wish you a happy new year."
Su Nan Yin, with her two daughters, slightly curtsied in return.
"Please."
As Miao Desheng stepped aside and gestured for the three beauties of the Su family to enter, his gaze swept over Shen Chongchong's alluring face once more.
Shen Yun, with a charmingly naive expression, held her sister's hand and looked around, not noticing Miao Desheng secretly staring at her.
*Gulp.*
He swallowed hard, inwardly exclaiming, "Beautiful, too beautiful! Only I, Miao Desheng, am worthy of possessing the Little Guan Yin of Lingnan! I hope she will grow up to be like Su Nan Guan Yin, exquisitely noble and sexy!"
Of course, Miao Desheng knew that Su Nan Yin would be shocked and then furious if she learned that the Miao family intended for him to marry Shen Yun. The age difference was too great, and Shen Yun was still unmarried. She had even broken off an engagement with a young man from the Gao family in the northwest; how could she be willing to marry a widowed old man?
However, Miao Desheng was not worried about Su Nan Yin's refusal. According to Elder Shen's exact words, she had no other choice but to obediently arrange for her two daughters to marry into the eleven influential families.
Indeed. Everything unfolded exactly as Miao Desheng had anticipated.
When Su Nan Yin and her two daughters entered the living room of the Miao family's old residence, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the calmly composed Elder Miao proposed that Shen Yun marry Miao Desheng. Su Nan Yin was stunned.
The "maggot" standing behind her, who was usually full of defiance, was now frozen in a daze, as if she had been subjected to three days and nights of relentless torment by a certain "little beast."
Su Nan Yin regained her composure. She slowly stood up from her chair, suppressing her anger, and smiled: "Elder Miao, did I hear you correctly?"
Elder Miao, seated comfortably in his armchair, calmly replied, "Madam Su, you heard correctly. After considering various aspects of our Miao family, we have decided that Miao Desheng, the future patriarch of the Miao family, will marry Miss Shen Yun. Upon entering the Miao family, Miss Shen will become the mistress of the household. Is this not, in itself, an elevation of her status?"
Su Nan Yin's smile vanished instantly. She glanced at Miao Desheng.
Miao Desheng wore a refined and scholarly (shameless) smile, completely oblivious to the murderous intent flashing in Su Nan Yin's eyes.
Yes. Su Nan Guan Yin harbored a fatal desire for Miao Desheng. It was simply because the Miao family intended to defile Chongchong with a toad. This was a grave deviation from Su Nan Yin's initial intention of publicly humiliating the eleven influential families on New Year's Day.
As her mother looked at Miao Desheng, the "maggot" also turned her gaze towards him. The useless Chongchong, whose acting skills might even surpass Su Nan Yin's, quickly leaned into her sister's embrace upon seeing Miao Desheng's pockmarked face. Su Zui instinctively wrapped her arm around her slender waist. This protective gesture was a habit formed from countless instances of protecting Chongchong since childhood.
As Su Zui frowned, a wave of nausea washed over her. The thought of the pockmarked Miao Desheng being with the charming and naive Chongchong triggered Su Zui's pregnancy reaction. Fortunately, she bit her tongue in time, suppressing the churning in her stomach.
Su Nan Yin forced a smile at Miao Desheng, then turned back to Elder Miao.
Elder Miao remained serene. He continued, "As for the age difference between them, that is also a trivial matter. After all, Mr. Li Qianfan is only 22 years old, several years younger than Miss Shen. And yet, he thrives in the Su family, doesn't he?"
A certain "little beast" who is younger than your daughter is already colluding with you, Su Nan Yin, and causing widespread ridicule. In that case, what is wrong with the 47-year-old Miao Desheng marrying your second daughter? These two sentences encapsulated Elder Miao's core message.
Su Nan Yin's expression changed again. Her tail had been stepped on. Yet, she merely pursed her lips tightly and slowly asked, "I would like to know, did Miao Xindong withdraw voluntarily, or was he forced to withdraw?"
Elder Miao remained silent, merely lifting his eyelids to look at his eldest son. Miao Desheng understood. If he wanted to suppress his second and third brothers, who also had designs on the Little Guan Yin, he had to step forward bravely now. He had to prove his mettle as the future patriarch in a refined yet dominant manner.
"Madam." Miao Desheng stepped forward. "I have long heard of the beauty of the Little Guan Yin of Lingnan and her gentle and virtuous nature. I believe she is undoubtedly the best candidate for the future matriarch of our Miao family. Therefore, despite the potential for public condemnation, I have personally requested to marry the Little Guan Yin, thereby creating a celebrated tale within our elite circle."
Heh. Su Nan Yin stared at Miao Desheng and laughed. "With your appearance, you dare to speak of personally marrying the Little Guan Yin and creating a celebrated tale within our elite circle? I damn..."
Just as she was about to curse impolitely, she suddenly realized that her own life was in the hands of the eleven influential families. Su Nan Yin promptly shut her mouth. Her face turning somewhat pale, she looked at Elder Miao. "Elder Miao, I will need to discuss this matter further."
When she stopped herself from cursing, everyone in the room, both hosts and guests, knew that she had realized the harsh reality and had no choice but to succumb to it.
A hint of sarcasm flickered in Elder Miao's eyes. He replied calmly, "Of course. After all, the marriage of Miss Shen is a significant matter that requires your careful consideration as a mother." Elder Miao picked up his teacup. "However, I hope that Madam's deliberation period will not exceed the third day of the Lunar New Year. The Miao family cannot indefinitely waste time on this matter. We hope for your understanding."
A deadline for consideration. And then, the guests were ushered out. Elder Miao had fully asserted his authority as the patriarch of an influential family.
The others present in the living room were in awe of the aura Elder Miao exuded at that moment.
"You do not need to wait until the third day of the Lunar New Year. By one o'clock in the afternoon at the latest, I will provide the Miao family with a definitive answer." Su Nan Yin, enduring the humiliation of being manipulated, said softly. "Elder Miao, please be prepared for my potential return. I bid you farewell. I wish you an exceptionally joyous New Year's gathering!"
With that, she turned and quickly walked out with the "maggot."
Watching their retreating figures, Elder Miao chuckled softly. His exceptionally wise gaze swept across the second-generation core members of the other eleven families (plus the Yao family) in the living room. "I believe everyone has heard what Su Nan Yin just said. It is likely that she will not be visiting other influential families for New Year's greetings. My intention is for everyone to notify their respective patriarchs to come to our Miao family and await Su Nan Yin's return."
He paused for a moment. Elder Miao gently uttered two words.
Surrender!
He cordoned off all the patriarchs to the Miao family's old residence to personally witness how Su Nan Yin, forced to surrender to the cruel reality, would have to marry the Little Guan Yin of Lingnan to Miao Desheng!
"Yes, Elder Miao." The second-generation core members, understanding immediately, bowed in unison and hurried out to make phone calls.
Outside the mansion, a crowd had gathered. They watched Su Nan Yin, her face pale and her body trembling, quickly exit the Miao residence with her two daughters, shaking their heads in sighs. Although they were not qualified to witness the events in the living room, they could infer from Su Nan Yin's reaction that she had no choice but to yield.
"It is truly a pity for the Little Guan Yin. A girl more delicate than a flower is to be devoured by a toad." As many thought this, Su Nan Yin walked to her car. She said to the "maggot," "You and Yaoyao go home. Do not leave without my permission."
Su Zui blinked. "Mom."
"Obey!" Su Nan Yin interrupted her, her voice not loud but carrying an irresistible authority. Su Zui and Shen Yun, seeing that their mother was serious, dared not argue further and obediently got into the blue commercial vehicle.
Su Nan Yin, on the other hand, sat in the sedan and said to Su Xin, who was driving, "Go to Director Zhao's house."
The car started. Su Nan Yin took out her phone and called Li Qianfan.
Li Qianfan asked, "Finished visiting so quickly? Wait a moment, I'll be right there at Director Zhao's."
"Li Qianfan, I want people to die in the Miao family today." Su Nan Yin said coldly. "Today, someone in the Miao family must die!"