“I never imagined Miss Su came from such an influential background!” Director Zhang exclaimed, sinking into his chair after the visitors left.
His assistant, busy tidying the table, also looked incredulous. The director had been restless with worry last night, and now, suddenly, so many benefactors had appeared.
Seeing the director beam like the Maitreya Buddha, a stark contrast to yesterday, the assistant was equally delighted.
In high spirits, Director Zhang counted the cash in his pocket and hummed a tune, "Today is a good day, all auspicious things will come true..."
“Director, what should we do with all this money?” the assistant asked cheerfully, caught up in the director’s mood.
“Of course, we’ll deposit it in the bank!” Director Zhang shot him an exasperated look. “Can we sleep soundly with so much cash in the room?”
The risk of being targeted by thieves would far outweigh any benefit.
The assistant nodded in agreement.
However, he couldn't possibly carry two large bags of money by himself. He called for two security guards, and together, the three of them managed to haul the money to the car.
With the funding issue resolved, Director Zhang felt revitalized, even his filming sessions now had a touch of cheer.
“The director is smiling so creepily, it’s kind of scary!”
“Could he be sick from the stress?”
“He looks like he’s taken a big hit! Do you think they’ll even finish this film?”
Director Zhang wasn't deaf and heard every word clearly.
During the break, he gathered everyone and announced the upcoming plans. “Everyone, don’t worry, the funding issue has been resolved!”
“Really?” Joy spread across everyone’s faces.
“It’s all thanks to Teacher Su, our benefactor,” Director Zhang said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
Everyone turned their gaze to Su He, who was busy munching on a lamb skewer.
Su He: …
“Ahem… Director, what does this have to do with me?”
She had wanted to generously invest, but she hadn’t even had a chance to make a move.
Lu Yanbei and Su Chen had already poured tens of millions in before her.
Truly, the wealthy lived up to their reputation of being rich and ostentatious.
She conceded defeat!
Director Zhang’s smile didn’t falter at her words. “Teacher Su is too modest! The newly joined investors are all here to support you!”
“It’s because you have a good reputation, Director Zhang!” Su He blinked, offering a polite platitude.
“If my reputation were truly that good, I wouldn’t have been struggling over a mere ten million!” Director Zhang genuinely wanted to thank her. Having worked with her for some time, he felt he understood Su He.
He had initially expected a woman who married into wealth from an ordinary background to be full of schemes. To his surprise, Su He was a person of genuine character, devoid of any hidden agendas and remarkably easygoing.
She didn’t act superior on set, dictating terms, nor did she use her status as Mrs. Lu to throw her weight around and disrupt the filming schedule. Most importantly, she was willing to learn, humbly seeking his advice.
Such qualities were indeed rare and commendable.
If not for her status as Mrs. Lu, he would have loved to take her as his disciple.
Su He smiled and didn’t reply.
“However, what surprised me the most was that your adoptive parents also sent money,” Director Zhang’s smile widened as he mentioned the couple.
“My parents?” Su He was taken aback.
How could they have come here?
And sent money to the director?
Could it be they were afraid she would be wronged and had come specifically to offer a bribe through the back door?
Su He couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. “You must think less of me!”
“Director, the set is ready, we can continue filming,” the assistant director interrupted their conversation, needing to catch up on the schedule. This villa was rented, and they had to move to another location soon.
Su He understood that the work was important and agreed.
She picked up her small stool and went outside.
Director Zhang had no choice but to rein in his thoughts and swallow the words he hadn't finished.
***
When Su He learned that her adoptive parents had invested two million into the production, her jaw dropped in astonishment.
“Did they invest all their hard-earned retirement savings?” Su He covered her face, feeling numb all over. “They’re being too reckless!”
Su He, speaking with concern, intended to go and get the money back.
Lu Yanbei chuckled and hugged her. “Calm down! Perhaps your in-laws aren’t as poor as you think?”
“How is that possible!” Su He insisted, hands on her hips. “If they were truly wealthy, why would they have lived in Fengxi Village for most of their lives? You’ve seen that dilapidated house yourself…”
Su He’s words caught in her throat as she suddenly realized, “Could they have used the demolition compensation?”
No! This absolutely wouldn’t do!
That money was meant for them to buy a new house; it absolutely couldn’t be touched!
When Fengxi Village underwent demolition and renovation, there were two options. One was to accept cash and leave, and the other was to receive housing based on headcount, with an additional resettlement fee.
Tang Jiaojiao and Su Dazhi, not wanting to live in the rebuilt housing, chose the cash option.
Ten million might not be a small sum for ordinary people, but in the incredibly expensive city of B, it wasn’t even enough to buy a house in a good location. Moreover, as her adoptive parents were getting older, they would have many expenses in the future. This money might be their last savings, and she couldn’t bear to have them use it for this.
“I’ll return the money to them right now.” The more Su He thought about it, the more distressed she became. She grabbed her phone and wallet, ready to leave.
Lu Yanbei rubbed his temples and pulled her back. “Even if the money needs to be returned, it will be me who returns it. Why are you in such a hurry!”
“Don’t try to take it from me,” Su He pouted.
“Do you need to be so polite with me? Have you forgotten who I am to you?” Lu Yanbei playfully bit her lips as a form of punishment.
Su He let out a soft gasp. “You’re always the one solving problems, making me feel like a useless person! Besides, they’re my parents, and it’s my filial duty to take care of them.”
“Don’t forget, you’re my wife! Your family is also my family. It is only right and proper that I show filial piety to my in-laws,” Lu Yanbei said, lifting her up and carrying her back.
“You spoil me so much, aren’t you afraid I’ll squander all your fortune?” Su He murmured, her arms around his neck.
“You should trust your husband’s earning ability,” Lu Yanbei said, puffing out his chest with a proud expression. He himself couldn’t keep track of the assets under his name. Even if she were to spend lavishly every day, she probably wouldn’t be able to exhaust it in several lifetimes.
“And, I’ll tell you a secret.” Lu Yanbei kissed the corner of her mouth, chuckling softly.
“What secret?” Su He asked, her eyes lifting curiously.
“When I went to propose, your father privately gave me a bank card, saying it was your dowry. Would you like to check the balance?”
“Why is my dowry with you?”
“Your father said that since you’re marrying me, you’ll have no worries about food or clothing. He said to keep that card safe, and you can use it whenever you feel the need.”
“Then why did he keep it from me?” Su He was truly puzzled.
“If he had given it to you directly, would you have accepted it?” he asked.
Su He pursed her lips and remained silent.
Yes, if he had given it to her directly, she definitely wouldn’t have taken it.
She hadn’t even had a chance to repay their kindness in raising her, so how could she possibly accept more money from them!
Thinking of the elderly couple, Su He’s eyes involuntarily welled up.