The small villa where Su Ding lived in the southern territory was also given to her by Shao Zhenggang.
Later, the villa was set on fire by Tang Yiyi's design and was completely destroyed. Someone then notified Shao Zhenggang.
Coincidentally, during that time, Su Ding did not receive calls from Shao Zhenggang, and Shao Zhenggang did not dare to bother her constantly. Although he was worried, he prayed for her every day.
He heard that Su Ding had returned to Jiangcheng from a friend in the southern territory.
He hesitated for a day but couldn't resist his longing. He dialed the phone, wanting to hear his daughter's voice...
Listening to Shao Zhenggang's fatherly demeanor, Su Ding also felt quite emotional.
Why didn't he do this sooner?
"No need, I'm fine. Do you have anything else?" Su Ding asked faintly, her tone softening slightly.
Regarding her reconciliation with Jin Ye and her recognition by the Ouyang family, and everything else.
She had no intention of telling this father.
Shao Zhenggang stammered, "That... yes... yes, Xiaoxu, do you know tonight is your grandmother's birthday? Your uncle, second aunt, and youngest uncle will all be there... Our family, it's just you and me left... Could you... spare some time, and we can celebrate your grandmother's birthday together."
Shao Zhenggang felt guilty saying this.
Years ago, he had failed Su Qin and her mother, and forcefully brought Wang Meilan and Shao Lin home.
Not only did the old lady of the Shao family not say that he, as her son, had done anything wrong, but she quickly became close to Wang Meilan.
At that time, Shao Zhenggang was at the peak of his career.
Everyone in the family depended on him, fawning over him. But now, he had become the one neglected by the whole family.
Especially now that he had lost both his legs.
He had completely become a cripple.
Su Ding did not reply. Shao Zhenggang's heart was pounding as he nervously waited.
"...Okay, I'll go tonight." Su Ding finally agreed.
She was not unaware of Shao Zhenggang's current predicament. Bringing her back was merely an attempt to prove to the family that he still had a daughter by his side, that he was not useless.
It was also to avoid being ridiculed and neglected by these relatives, and to be able to hold his head up.
All of this was also because of the small villa he had generously gifted her when she went to the southern territory.
"Ah, that's great! That's great! Xiaoxu, thank you, thank you."
Shao Zhenggang repeatedly expressed his gratitude. "You don't need to bring anything when you come. I will prepare the birthday gift, and we father and daughter can go together."
Su Ding didn't say anything, only responded with a hum, and then hung up the phone.
She leaned against the car, her mind replaying childhood memories. Back then, Shao Zhenggang had not yet gotten involved with Wang Meilan, and her uncles, aunts, and grandmother had all treated her very well.
They doted on her like a precious jewel.
Her mother must have been happy then.
But later, when the wall fell, everyone pushed. After they were driven out of the house, they lost these relatives.
The relatives who wanted to curry favor with Shao Zhenggang once again cast their sycophantic gazes upon Wang Meilan and her daughter...
Su Ding closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and cleared the past from her mind.
Since she had to attend the birthday banquet in the evening, she still needed to prepare a birthday gift.
Although Shao Zhenggang said he would prepare one, Shao Zhenggang's current financial situation was not good enough to afford any decent gifts.
It would probably cause those relatives to mock him even more.
In her memory, her grandmother seemed to like jade ornaments. Shao Zhenggang, at his peak, had bought a lot of jade to please her, so Su Ding decided to buy a piece of jade as a birthday gift.
Tongxin Shun Jade Shop.
As Su Ding walked into the shop, a salesperson greeted her warmly, "Miss, what would you like?"
"I'd like a jade bracelet. Could you recommend one?"
The salesperson invited her to the display cabinet where the jade ornaments were placed and introduced them to her in detail.
She explained the types of jade, their benefits, the carvings and craftsmanship, their prices, and the occasions suitable for gifting them.
Su Ding browsed, looking for a generous and simple jade bracelet.
Overly elaborate designs were not suitable for the elderly. Moreover, the purer the jade, the better it was for nurturing the body.
As she was choosing, a fragrance wafted towards her.
As the curtain swayed, a woman with exquisite full makeup and wearing a sexy leopard print walked into the shop.
"Salesperson, come here, I want to buy jade."
"Yes, Miss."
There was only one salesperson in the shop. She apologized to Su Ding and then walked towards the woman in leopard print.
The woman in leopard print glanced at Su Ding arrogantly. Seeing that Su Ding was very beautiful, she felt jealous. However, upon noticing that Su Ding was not wearing any branded clothes, she felt a sense of superiority and naturally disregarded her.
"I want to buy a jade bangle. Do you have any good pieces? Recommend some."
"The price range is around fifty thousand."
The woman in leopard print specifically emphasized fifty thousand, highlighting her noble status.