Chapter 37: The Apple of the Su Family's Eye

They sped all the way to the Su family villa.

Old Master Su, cane in hand, stood at the entrance with the entire household behind him, his face radiant with excitement and a broad smile lighting up his features.

The moment Su Yixue stepped out of the car, Old Master Su hurried forward, grabbing her arm with a rare tenderness and indulgence in his expression, an affection almost never seen before.

“Yixue, at last you’re home!”

“I’ve missed you so much—nearly to death! These past days, I’ve barely been able to sleep for thinking of you!”

“My precious granddaughter, the apple of the Su family’s eye, has finally come home!”

His gestures brimmed with warmth, his emotion so overwhelming that tears glittered in his aged eyes.

Next, Su Rulan alighted from the car. When she saw this scene, she froze on the spot, unable to accept what she was witnessing. A deep sense of loss welled up inside her.

After all, when had she, as his granddaughter, ever received such treatment?

In the Su household, Su Yixue and she had always occupied roles akin to lady and servant, a dynamic devoid of fairness since childhood.

“Grandfather, I have missed you deeply too during my years abroad. How has your health been lately?” Su Yixue immediately slipped into the role of the dutiful, considerate granddaughter in front of Old Master Su.

He chuckled, his beard trembling, “I’m in fine health. Besides, with such a joyous occasion ahead, I must hold on, if only to see you marry into a great family!”

Su Yicai, brimming with excitement, came close and said proudly, “That’s right! Brother-in-law has been extremely generous. The betrothal gifts are all in the basement. Would you like to go and have a look?”

The mention of the betrothal gifts instantly lifted Su Yixue’s spirits.

While overseas, she hadn’t been able to keep in close touch and only knew a rough estimate of the gifts’ value. Now, she could barely contain her anticipation.

“Hurry, hurry, take me to see them!” she exclaimed with unrestrained delight, hurrying into the house.

“Wait!” Su Zhengjun suddenly raised a hand to stop her.

Only then did Su Yixue recollect herself, quickly turning to greet him, “Father, I’m so sorry, I got too excited and forgot to greet you. I haven’t been home for so long—you must have missed me as well.”

Su Zhengjun felt stifled; recent troubles remained unresolved, and anything he said now would seem like an act, impossible to explain away.

So he said, “You have to be strong yourself. Don’t celebrate too soon, lest you stumble later. Don’t get complacent, because no one can predict what changes the future may bring.”

Su Yixue nodded, “You’re right, Father. But with the betrothal gifts delivered right to our door, surely it’s settled. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Old Master Su’s joy was unconcealed; he paid no heed to Su Zhengjun’s words and waved his hand, saying, “Go see the betrothal gifts—there’s nothing to worry about at all. Your father is just worrying for nothing.”

With that, Su Yixue and Su Yicai entered the house together, heading straight for the villa’s basement.

Su Zhengjun’s mouth twitched; he seemed about to speak, but after several changes of expression, he gave up, went inside, and sat heavily at the dining table, deciding he might as well eat a few good meals while he could, lest he end up a hungry ghost on his way to the underworld.

Old Master Su then turned to Su Rulan, his face shifting instantly to one of disdain as he barked, “Why are you just standing there? Go and bring in all of Yixue’s luggage at once!”

Halfway through, he pointed at Su Weimin and Gao Yulan, ordering imperiously, “And you two, get into the kitchen and bring out the dishes. I insist that my precious granddaughter eat a hot meal!”

The couple dared not protest and hurried off to the kitchen.

Pregnant and weary, Su Rulan had no choice but to haul the luggage inside herself, struggling all the way through the door and finally depositing it in Su Yixue’s bedroom on the second floor.

Looking around, she saw that the room was spacious, fully renovated, with a scenic balcony, impeccably clean, and even the bedding and sheets were brand new.

It had to be said: Old Master Su’s affection for Su Yixue seemed boundless.

Back when she herself hadn’t yet been banished from the Su villa, she’d never even qualified to live in such a grand room.

After much effort, she finally came downstairs, only to spot Su Yixue emerging from the basement, swinging two sets of villa keycards triumphantly.

Old Master Su took a sip of hot tea and beamed, “Yixue, how do you feel about the betrothal gifts?”

“I’m utterly delighted! I never expected they’d include the keys to two villas in Emerald Bay, the most exclusive area in Jiangnan! Any one of those villas is bigger than ours!” Su Yixue’s laughter was bright and jubilant.

Su Yicai was equally elated. “Of course! Our house is old, nothing like those wealthy neighborhoods. But now that we’ve got two, surely, Sis, you won’t keep them both to yourself?”

“Those villas are huge, and there’s no way I could use both. Naturally, I’ll let you have one to enjoy. But it’s obvious—one must be larger than the other, and the big one is mine!” Su Yixue declared.

Old Master Su applauded, exclaiming, “The bigger one must be yours—it will be your marital home with the young master of the Ye family. And even if the other villa is smaller, it’s far larger than our old place. Once we move in, we’ll sell this old villa!”

Su Rulan, descending the stairs and seeing the scene before her, felt deeply awkward.

Su Zhengjun, sitting at the table, covered his eyes, unable to bear watching any longer.

Just then, Su Yixue caught sight of Su Rulan, and, waving the two sets of keycards, flaunted, “Su Rulan, sorry to say, but there’s no place for you in Emerald Bay. You’ll just have to keep renting outside. But after dinner, since it’s still early, I could take you all for a tour!”

“Going for a tour at night?” Old Master Su said in surprise.

Su Yixue, her tone dripping with mockery, retorted, “Our villas—ours to visit whenever we please. No need for anyone’s permission. Besides, everyone’s here tonight; it’s a rare opportunity!”

In that moment, Su Rulan wished she could vanish from sight…