Chapter 81: None of Your Business

“How can you still have the nerve to eat?”

The moment Chen Jianguo saw Su Zheng, he was seething with anger. In his eyes, Su Zheng was simply out of his mind—turning down money, even a fool would know better!

Lv Hongmei was also livid, her expression full of disgust. But suddenly, as if recalling something, she fixed Su Zheng with a cold stare and demanded,

“And that ring you were going to give to Muxue—where is it?”

Su Zheng was momentarily taken aback, unsure why his mother-in-law suddenly mentioned this. He fished it out of his pocket and handed it over. “Here it is. Muxue doesn’t like it, but that’s fine. Next time, I’ll help her pick out something with more care.”

“Hah! You, a penniless wretch, talking about choosing with care? Going to pick from a street stall? Our Muxue isn’t interested in things like that!”

Lv Hongmei scolded him angrily, then snatched the ring from Su Zheng’s hand. She turned it over in her palm, a look of satisfaction and fondness flickering across her face.

“Well, I must say, Jianguo, take a look at the craftsmanship on this street-stall trinket—it’s almost as good as the real thing!”

“Put that away—I don’t want to see anything from that useless man!” Chen Jianguo brushed Hongmei’s hand aside impatiently. His anger toward Su Zheng was still simmering.

“That’s enough. There’s no point in you keeping this ring. Give it to me, I’ll wear it!”

Lv Hongmei grew fonder of the ring the longer she looked, and decided right away to claim it for herself.

Su Zheng was again surprised—he hadn’t expected his mother-in-law to want the ring. But since Muxue didn’t like it, and her mother did, he handed it over. They were all family anyway; it wasn’t as if it was going to a stranger.

After breakfast, Su Zheng, as usual, cleared the dishes. Chen Jianguo and Lv Hongmei whispered together for a while, then went to their own room to make phone calls. After a long while, Chen Jianguo emerged and said to Su Zheng,

“We’re expecting an important guest at noon. Go out and buy some groceries—a good selection, something special, understand?”

Su Zheng nodded slightly and left the house.

“Hurry up, old man—let’s get the house tidied!”

Lv Hongmei emerged from the bedroom, her face full of delight as she urged her husband on.

“Let me tell you, this young man my friend introduced is truly outstanding! His name is Wu Chenghao. He’s just returned from studying abroad, a top student. His family owns two factories in Qingyang—wealthy, handsome, the perfect match for our Muxue!”

“I’ve checked; he’s much more dependable than that Liang Xiaoyu!”

Lv Hongmei spoke with conviction.

“Hmph! Anyone, even picked at random, would be better than that useless Su Zheng. This time, it’s settled. When Muxue gets home, if she takes to this young Wu, we’ll throw that good-for-nothing Su Zheng out for good—divorce him from Muxue and save me the headache of seeing him around!”

Chen Jianguo fumed. The moment they went into the room, they began plotting. Their disappointment with Su Zheng had only grown—especially after he refused a windfall of a hundred million. Anyone doomed to a life with such a fool was truly unfortunate. They were determined to pull their daughter out of the fire.

Lv Hongmei had actually been worrying about this for some time, but previously, with the old woman threatening to cast them out of the family, she’d been too nervous to act. Otherwise, she would have set her plan in motion long ago.

As noon approached, Su Zheng was busy preparing vegetables in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

Chen Jianguo, who’d been sitting on the sofa, shot to his feet, happiness lighting his face as he hurried to the door. Their distinguished guest had arrived.

When he opened the door, a young man stood there, wearing a faint smile and bearing armfuls of gifts.

“Hello, Uncle Chen. I’m Wu Chenghao—it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, come in, come in! No need to be so polite—what are all these gifts for? Please, have a seat!”

Chen Jianguo greeted him warmly and ushered him inside.

Wu Chenghao was tall, wore glasses, and was impeccably dressed. Upon entering, he set his gifts aside.

Chen Jianguo’s face radiated satisfaction. He was clearly pleased with Wu Chenghao, and quickly invited him to the sofa, preparing tea with enthusiasm.

“Welcome, Chenghao!”

Lv Hongmei also approached, beaming, carrying a plate of fruit which she placed on the coffee table. She greeted Wu Chenghao warmly, “I’m Muxue’s mother, and this is her father. I’ve already called Muxue—she should be home soon. Have some fruit while you wait!”

She then hurried to the kitchen door, leaned in, and barked at Su Zheng with a stern face:

“Hurry up—can’t you see the guest has arrived? Wash the vegetables quickly!”

Wu Chenghao glanced toward the kitchen, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

Before coming, his mother’s friend, Aunt Wang, had already told him everything. He’d heard of Su Zheng, though he’d never met him—a complete loser, by all accounts. Despite being married to Chen Muxue for two years, Su Zheng hadn’t even entered her room, let alone shared a bed!

“Auntie, please don’t be upset. As the saying goes, it’s easier to change rivers and mountains than a man’s nature. Some people—no matter how angry you get—won’t change. Better to let him be, or you’ll only make yourself sick, and then Muxue and I would be worried.”

Wu Chenghao smiled kindly at Lv Hongmei, already adopting the tone of family, as if he had stepped into the role of the Chen family’s son-in-law.

Yesterday, Aunt Wang had shown Wu Chenghao a photo of Chen Muxue. Her stunning beauty and cool, aloof demeanor had instantly captivated him. After inquiring in detail about her family, he was convinced that he was the most suitable partner for Chen Muxue.

As for her so-called husband, that useless Su Zheng, he wasn’t even worth comparing—there was a world of difference.

“Here you go, Chenghao—have some tea!”

Chen Jianguo had already brewed the tea and urged Wu Chenghao to drink.

“Thank you, Uncle. By the way, I heard from Aunt Wang yesterday that you’re looking for a way to be reinstated at your old job?”

Wu Chenghao asked with a polite smile. He had come prepared, having already learned the interests and needs of Chen Jianguo and his wife.

“Oh, let’s not talk about that. The chances are slim—there’s only one spot for reinstatement, but seven or eight people in line for it already!”

Chen Jianguo’s face was clouded with disappointment. “Besides, I heard one of them has already pulled the right strings. It’ll probably go to him. I’m just there for show! There’s nothing I can do—if you want to be reinstated after retirement, it’s all about connections.”

His words and demeanor were laced with helplessness and resignation.