C13 Make the Su Family Unlucky

Zhou Youming made his way toward Chen Yang.

Fury was etched on the faces of the Su family members. What was Chen Yang thinking?

Everyone else was busy offering apologies, hoping to smooth things over, but there he was, not only refusing to apologize but also attempting to flee! It was as if he was deliberately courting disaster.

"Su Miao, tell your husband to apologize to Director Zhou this instant. What is he thinking, trying to run off at a time like this?"

"He's going to be the death of our Su family."

"Exactly. The whole family has been telling you to divorce him. Why won't you listen?"

"His attempt to escape has landed him right in Director Zhou's hands. Now Director Zhou is surely furious. It's our Su family that's going to suffer the consequences." At that moment, several women from the Su family stepped forward, pointing fingers and casting blame on Su Miao.

Humiliation and anger overwhelmed Su Miao. Chen Yang's desertion in the face of conflict made her wish she could just vanish into thin air.

Su Hai noticed the grim look on Zhou Youming's face and quickly intervened, "Director Zhou, please, let's all take a breath. This man is our matrilocal son-in-law, a good-for-nothing who's been living off our family. His escape is on him; it has nothing to do with the Su family."

"Get out of my sight!" Zhou Youming, who had remained silent until now, suddenly lashed out with a kick that sent Su Hai tumbling to the ground.

Su Hai cried out in pain, his mind reeling from the shock of Zhou Youming's unexpected aggression, and he looked up at Zhou Youming in disbelief.

Zhou Youming rubbed his eyes, hardly believing the turn of events. He had never expected to encounter him again.

A decade ago, at the start of his entrepreneurial journey, Zhou Youming was in dire need of funds. He approached many potential investors, but no one was willing to take a chance on him, a former street thug.

At his lowest point, it was the Chen family's Elder Young Master, a mere fifteen-year-old boy, who had generously offered him half a million yuan without asking for anything in return.

Without that money, Zhou Youming knew he might well have ended up homeless.

For a decade, he had never allowed himself to forget the debt of gratitude he owed.

Two years ago, upon the grand opening of Dynasty Hotel, he had visited the Chen family, bearing a gift, hoping to have Chen Yang do the ribbon-cutting honors. But by then, Chen Yang had been cast out.

Despite a fleeting glimpse, recognition was instant.

"Elder Young Master, is it really you?"

Ten years had passed, and now the man to whom he owed so much stood before him. Overwhelmed, his voice shook, and he found himself at a loss for words. He had weathered many storms over the years, yet in this moment, he was so anxious he didn't know what to do with his hands.

But he had been recognized.

With a sigh, Chen Yang accepted the inevitable and turned to face Zhou Youming.

"Elder Young Master."

Before Zhou could say another word, he was on his knees.

"After ten years, I've finally found you. I've searched for two long years, and at last, you're here." Zhou Youming's voice was thick with emotion, "Your kindness, I will remember for a lifetime."

Silence fell.

A hush so profound enveloped the banquet hall of Dynasty Hotel that one could hear a pin drop. Every guest was agape with astonishment.

The scene was shocking.

The owner of Dynasty Hotel knelt before the Su family's discarded son-in-law, Zhou Youming overcome with emotion.

Chen Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression serene, betraying no hint of the drama unfolding.

What in the world was happening?

"Director Zhou, how could you be so careless? Let me help you up," Chen Yang said, rushing to his aid and signaling with his eyes.

Zhou Youming, ever astute, grasped the unspoken message: Chen Yang wished to keep his identity under wraps.

With that in mind, Zhou remarked, "How slippery is this floor? Why hasn't Wang made sure it's properly cleaned?"

Manager Wang, witnessing Zhou's fall, was jolted into action, nodding fervently, "Right away, Director Zhou."

Once back on his feet, Zhou gave Chen Yang's shoulder a reassuring pat, "My apologies, I mistook you for someone else."

"It's okay, Director Zhou," Chen Yang said with a sigh of relief. "Just make sure to look more carefully next time."

The Su family members all breathed easier upon hearing the exchange; it seemed Zhou Youming had simply taken a tumble by accident.

"I knew it! How could that nobody be acquainted with Director Zhou? Clearly, Zhou Youming just mistook him for someone else!"

Murmurs spread quietly among the Su family.

At that moment, Old Madame Su tapped her cane for attention and announced, "Let's have some quiet, everyone. We can't let Hai shoulder the 32 million today all by himself!"

Su Hai's face lit up with a smile. His grandmother truly cared for him.

"I've done the math. We have 200 people here today, with 150 being members of the Su family," Old Madame Su continued, taking a moment to catch her breath. "We can't expect our guests to contribute, so each Su family member will need to chip in for the 32 million."

The invited guests let out sighs of relief at her words, commending Old Madame Su for her fairness.

"Grandma, that works out to roughly 210,000 yuan per person," Su Hai informed Old Madame Su.

"Then that's settled. We'll each contribute an average of 210,000 yuan," Old Madame Su decided.

The Su family members all nodded in agreement, though the amount was a stretch for a third-rate family like theirs, and it showed in their grimaces.

Su Miao and Tang Jing exchanged a glance, both spotting the alarm in the other's eyes.

The company had recently suffered an eight-million loss, and they had drained their savings to cover the shortfall. Now, faced with finding several hundred thousand more, they were at a loss.

"Su Miao, you're looking rather pale. Surely you're not saying you can't come up with a few hundred thousand?" Su Hai approached, raising his voice intentionally.

He was well aware of Su Miao's financial woes and relished the opportunity to embarrass her.

Flustered, Su Miao's cheeks flushed. It took her a moment before she could respond, "I... I forgot to bring my bank card!"

"What? Forgot your bank card?" Su Hai burst into laughter. "That's a convenient excuse. But sure, let's go with that—you forgot your bank card."

"We rushed out the door so quickly, we didn't bring any cash with us."

"Aunt Tang Jing, don't tell me you also forgot your bank card?" Su Hai feigned shock as he spoke, "You two didn't plan this, did you?"

Tang Jing, mortified, found herself at a loss for words. Today, she felt as if she had lost all dignity.

The onlookers couldn't contain their laughter. Then, someone in the crowd chimed in: "Chen Yang probably didn't bring his either. This trio is quite the spectacle—they come to dine without any intention of paying."

As the crowd's jeers echoed, the color drained from Su Miao's face. Overwhelmed, she watched as Chen Yang stepped forward to shield her, declaring, "I have my bank card with me."

He was cut off mid-sentence when Su Hai grabbed the card from his hand and handed it to a nearby waiter, urging, "Hurry, swipe this and see if it'll cover 630,000!"

"Su Hai, give me back the bank card!" Su Miao pleaded, on the verge of tears.

She only allotted Chen Yang a daily allowance of 200 yuan; it was inconceivable that his card could bear a charge of 630,000 yuan. This was clearly a setup for embarrassment.

She envisioned her family becoming the laughingstock of the Su household, a scenario where she would never be able to lift her head in pride again.

While everyone eagerly anticipated the unfolding drama, Xu Xiaorou, who had been seated quietly, rose to her feet, her face a picture of astonishment.

"Am I seeing things? Isn't that the Black Gold Emperor Card from the Trading Company?!"

In an instant, the hall that had been abuzz with snickers fell eerily silent.

Xu Xiaorou's revelation left everyone speechless!