"I never expected Miss Su to have such a grand background!" Director Zhang sighed as he sat down after the visitors left.
His assistant, busy tidying the table, also looked incredulous. The director had been restless with worry the night before, and now, all of a sudden, so many benefactors were coming to them.
Seeing the director beaming like the Maitreya Buddha, he was a completely different person from yesterday.
Director Zhang was in high spirits, humming a tune as he counted the cash in his pockets. "Today is a good day, and all auspicious things will come to pass..."
"Director, how should we handle this money?" the assistant asked cheerfully, infected by the mood.
"Of course, we'll deposit it in the bank!" Director Zhang shot him a glare. "Can we sleep soundly with so much cash in the room?"
It would be a significant loss if it attracted any thieves.
The assistant repeatedly agreed.
However, he couldn't carry these two large bags of money by himself. So, he found two security guards, and together, the three of them managed to lift the money into the car.
With the funding issue resolved, Director Zhang felt refreshed and even had a smile when he was filming.
"The director's smile is so strange, it's a little scary!"
"Could he be having a breakdown from the stress?"
"He looks like he's taken a serious blow! Do you think they can even finish filming this show?"
Director Zhang wasn't deaf; he heard every word they said.
During the break, he decided to gather everyone and explain the upcoming arrangements. "Everyone, don't worry, the funding issue has been resolved!"
"Really?" Everyone's face lit up with joy.
"This is all thanks to Teacher Su, our benefactor." Director Zhang's eyes curved into a smile.
Everyone turned their gaze to Su He, who was busy eating lamb skewers.
Su He: ...
"Ahem... Director, what does this have to do with me?"
She wished she could have generously spent a fortune, but she hadn't even had the chance to make a move.
Lu Yanbei and Su Chen had already invested tens of millions before her.
As expected of the wealthy, they embodied arrogance and extravagance.
She had to concede defeat!
Director Zhang's smile didn't diminish upon hearing her words. "Teacher Su is too modest! The newly joined investors are all here to support you!"
"That's because you have such a good reputation, Director Zhang!" Su He blinked and offered a polite remark.
"If my reputation were truly that good, I wouldn't have been struggling even with ten million!" Director Zhang genuinely wanted to thank her. Having spent some time with her, he had gotten to know Su He.
He had initially thought that a woman who married into a wealthy family from an ordinary background would be full of schemes. To his surprise, Su He turned out to be a person of genuine character, devoid of any hidden agendas, and exceptionally easygoing.
She didn't act superior and dictate terms on set, nor did she throw her weight around as Mrs. Lu, disrupting the filming schedule. Most importantly, she was willing to humble herself and seek his guidance.
Such character was truly rare and commendable.
If it weren't for her status as Mrs. Lu, he would have wanted to take her as a disciple.
Su He smiled and didn't reply.
"However, what surprised me the most was that your adoptive parents also sent money over." Director Zhang's lips curved upward again as he mentioned the two.
"My parents?" Su He was taken aback.
How could they have come?
And sent money to the director?
Could it be that they were afraid she would be wronged and had come specifically to give gifts and pull strings?
Su He found it both amusing and exasperating. "Please excuse my parents' behavior!"
"Director, the set is ready, and we can continue filming." To catch up on the schedule, the assistant director had to interrupt their conversation. The villa they were using was rented, and they had to move to the next location shortly.
Su He understood that the work was important and nodded in agreement.
She then picked up her small stool and headed outside.
Director Zhang had no choice but to put his thoughts aside and swallow his unsaid words.
*
When Su He learned that her adoptive parents had invested two million yuan into the film crew, her jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Did they invest all their hard-earned retirement savings?" Su He covered her face, feeling completely numb. "They're being too reckless!"
As she spoke, Su He wanted to go and get the money back.
Lu Yanbei chuckled and hugged her. "Calm down! Perhaps your father and mother aren't as poor as you think?"
"How is that possible!" Su He asserted, hands on her hips. "If they were really rich, why would they have lived in Fengxi Village for most of their lives? You've seen that dilapidated house..."
Su He paused mid-sentence and then exclaimed, "Could they have used the demolition compensation?"
No! Absolutely not!
That money was meant for them to buy a new house, and they couldn't touch it!
When Fengxi Village was undergoing demolition and redevelopment, there were two options. One was to take cash and leave, and the other was to receive housing per person, along with a resettlement fee.
Tang Jiaojiao and Su Dazhi, not wanting to live in the re-built housing, chose the cash option.
Ten million yuan might not be a small sum for ordinary people, but in the extremely expensive city of B, it wasn't even enough to buy a house in a good location. Moreover, as her adoptive parents grew older, there would be many more expenses. This money might be their last savings, and she couldn't live with herself if they depleted it.
"I'll return the money to them right now." Su He felt increasingly distressed and was about to leave with her phone and wallet.
Lu Yanbei rubbed his temples and pulled her back. "Even if the money is to be returned, I'll be the one doing it. Why are you so anxious?"
"Don't fight me on this," Su He pouted.
"Do you need to be polite with me? Have you forgotten who I am?" Lu Yanbei playfully bit her lip as a reprimand.
Su He let out a soft gasp. "You're always the one solving problems, making me feel like a useless person! Besides, they are my parents, and I should be the one taking care of them."
"Don't forget, you're my wife! Your family is my family too. It's only natural for me to show filial piety to your parents," Lu Yanbei said, picking her up and walking back.
"You spoil me so much, aren't you afraid I'll spend all your fortune?" Su He mumbled, her arms around his neck.
"You need to trust your husband's earning ability." Lu Yanbei tilted his chin up, a smug expression on his face. He couldn't even keep track of his own assets. Even if she spent lavishly every day, it would probably take her several lifetimes to exhaust it.
"Also, let me tell you a secret." Lu Yanbei kissed the corner of her mouth and chuckled softly.
"What secret?" Su He asked curiously, looking up.
"On the day I went to propose, your father privately gave me a bank card, saying it was your dowry. Do you want to check the balance?"
"Why is my dowry with you?"
"Your father said that since you're with me, you'll surely be well-provided for. Just keep that card safe. You can use it whenever you need it."
"Then why did he hide it from me?" Su He was truly puzzled.
"If he had given it to you, would you have accepted it?" he asked.
Su He pursed her lips and remained silent.
Yes, if they had given it to her directly, she definitely wouldn't have accepted it.
She couldn't even find a way to repay them for raising her, so how could she possibly accept more money from them!
Thinking of the elderly couple, Su He's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.