Chapter 55: Fifty Years of Polishing Walnuts

The next day.

Morning light streamed through the window, casting a slanting glow across the living room.

Suddenly, he felt a tickling sensation on his face. Lu Ye opened his sleepy eyes, only to find the old woman gently scratching his face with a handful of hair ends.

Her face looked weary, clearly having spent a restless night. Lu Ye was a little surprised, "Did you stay by me all night?"

Su Qianqian pouted, "Of course... Hurry up and get up, you've made my leg numb."

"My apologies!"

It turned out he had spent the whole night sleeping with his head resting on her thigh—no wonder his sleep had been so sweet.

Gathering himself, Lu Ye planned to accompany Su Qianqian to Yi Ren Group for work that day. However, she sternly informed him, "Today is my grandfather's birthday. I have to go with my mother to Li City to celebrate."

Lu Ye was puzzled, "Why do you look so unhappy?"

Su Qianqian pursed her lips, "Well, my uncles and aunts have always looked down on our Su family. Every time my mother goes back, she suffers their coldness, so I've never liked going there since childhood."

In Li City, a first-tier metropolis, their maternal family had managed to secure a place among the second-tier aristocratic clans. Li Shuqin's family was indeed impressive, far stronger than the Su family used to be. She had, in fact, married beneath her station, defying her family's objections and rejecting her father's arranged marriage to wed for love.

Back then, the Su Group was struggling at its outset, and the Li family naturally disdained Su Shiming. Thus, every year when Li Shuqin returned home, she was met with ridicule and sarcasm. Exposed to this since childhood, Su Qianqian had no fondness for her grandfather's household.

Li Shuqin carefully dressed herself and came downstairs. "Qianqian, have you packed everything?"

Su Qianqian nodded listlessly, "Yes."

"Let's set off then."

"Oh."

Watching Su Qianqian being dragged into the car, visibly lacking energy, Lu Ye suddenly called from behind, "Mom, why don't I come with you?"

Li Shuqin looked embarrassed, "Son-in-law, I'm afraid you won't feel comfortable over there..."

In truth, she didn't want her gentle son-in-law to be mocked by her sharp-tongued relatives. Though she was increasingly satisfied with him, he was still a son-in-law who married into the family. If her family knew, who knew what unpleasant things might be said to him?

However, Lu Ye insisted, "No, I can't let just you two go. I'll get father-in-law, and we'll all go to celebrate Qianqian’s grandfather’s birthday together!"

Without waiting for permission, Lu Ye went inside and carried out the still-sleeping Su Shiming, tossing him into Li Shuqin’s Mercedes G-Class.

And so, they set out for Li City.

Su Shiming changed clothes in the car, his face mournful. "Son-in-law, I beg you, let me off—I really don't want to go!"

"Are you worried about being mocked by the Li family?"

Su Shiming nodded honestly, "Exactly, I’ve had enough of their contempt!"

Li Shuqin understood his discomfort. Over the years, she rarely forced him to visit her family with her, and now she tried to persuade him, "Why don’t you two stay behind and enjoy yourselves somewhere? With Qianqian, I’ll be fine."

Lu Ye pressed the accelerator harder, hands firm on the wheel. "Come on, Old Su, you’re now the richest man in Mingzhu City—who would dare say anything against you?"

Su Shiming froze in surprise, "Right! I’m the richest man now!"

Lu Ye laughed, "You’ve been stifled in front of mother-in-law’s family for so many years, you barely realize it yourself!"

"If anyone dares jump out and cause trouble, just slap them down."

Su Shiming nodded energetically, "Yes, slap them down!"

They sped along for over two hours, finally arriving in Li City.

The Li family villa was festooned with lanterns and decorations, suffused with the festive atmosphere of a birthday banquet. Nearly all the younger generation had come to offer their blessings to Old Master Li Chongshan.

"Li Caiyun presents a pair of jade kylins to Old Master!"

"Li Xiaohua offers a set of ancient purple copper ding vessels!"

"Li Zimu gives... Oh, isn't that Fourth Sister?"

At the entrance stood a middle-aged man, accepting the congratulatory gifts from the stream of younger relatives, loudly announcing each item so all could hear what wonders were being given.

These younger relatives spared no effort to present the most precious birthday gifts, eager to earn a loud proclamation and avoid being outdone.

This man was Li Shuqin’s eldest brother, born of the same mother—Li Yifan.

When he spotted Li Shuqin and her family, his eyes immediately brimmed with disdain.

"Sister, here’s the gift I’m giving Dad," Li Shuqin said with a forced smile, handing over two dark objects.

Li Yifan glanced at them and mocked, "Dad’s birthday, and you bring him these broken walnuts?"

Li Shuqin explained, "This pair is lion’s head walnuts, with over fifty years of patina..."

Li Yifan impatiently shouted into the courtyard, "Li Shuqin presents Old Master with two broken walnuts!"

The villa fell silent for a few seconds, then erupted in laughter.

"Did you all hear? Fourth Sister brought Dad a pair of broken walnuts!"

"Haha, even if she’s poor, shouldn’t she be able to do better than this?"

A trace of embarrassment flickered across Li Shuqin’s face. She knew her father loved collecting antique walnuts, so she had spent a fortune to acquire this pair of lion’s heads, only for them to be dismissed as worthless.

"What’s all this commotion? Is it because Fourth Sister is back?"

An elderly voice sounded from inside. Li Shuqin hurried forward with her family, "Dad, we’ve come to wish you a happy birthday."

"Father, son-in-law Su Shiming wishes you blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea."

"Grandfather, Qianqian wishes you longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain."

In the hall, the aged Li Chongshan was dressed in festive, bright red Tang attire.

He looked at Li Shuqin’s family, his eyes void of emotion. "Fourth Sister, as soon as you arrive, I hear nothing but commotion. What are they shouting about?"

At once, Li Yifan carried in the lion’s head walnuts and sneered, "Dad, look, Fourth Sister brought you these broken walnuts!"

Li Chongshan took the pair and examined them closely. His cloudy old eyes suddenly shone with delight!

Genuine lion’s head walnuts!

Judging by their patina, they had been handled for at least fifty years!

He was an expert—one glance was enough to know these were exceedingly rare treasures...

Yet, remembering that Li Yifan was his eldest son, he hesitated. If he announced the true value in front of everyone, wouldn’t that embarrass his son?

After a moment’s pause, Li Chongshan kept his expression neutral, "Yifan, that’s enough."

"Fourth Sister’s circumstances can’t be compared to yours. Don’t be too harsh on her."

Li Shuqin trembled slightly. Her father, a lifelong collector, could hardly fail to recognize the quality. Glancing at Li Yifan’s smug face, she understood instantly.

So, you’re plainly siding with your eldest son?

Su Qianqian quietly pinched Lu Ye and muttered, "Hey, are you just going to stand by and let my mother be bullied?"

Ouch!

Lu Ye gritted his teeth, pried her hand off his waist, and whispered, "Shall I help her vent her anger?"

Su Qianqian nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes!"

"Alright!"

Lu Ye broke through the crowd, walking toward Li Chongshan while complaining to Li Shuqin, "Mom, honestly, you shouldn’t have brought such a simple pair of lion’s head walnuts for our esteemed grandfather."

As he spoke, he took advantage of Li Chongshan’s distraction, snatched the lion’s head walnuts, and handed them back to Li Shuqin.

Damn, the lion’s heads I just got were snatched!

Li Chongshan cried out, "Those are the walnuts my daughter gave me! Give them back!"

Lu Ye smiled mischievously, "The gift from my mother-in-law is far too modest. This pair of lion’s head walnuts, handled for fifty years by the renowned collector Xue Changqing, hardly befits your status!"

The name Xue Changqing was legendary in the world of antiques. The pair of lion’s head walnuts he had handled for over fifty years had been purchased by Li Shuqin at auction for eight million. For an enthusiast, receiving such a gift was a mark of profound respect.

Yet, to protect Li Yifan’s dignity, Li Chongshan had brushed aside Li Shuqin’s heartfelt gesture. Lu Ye could not stand by and watch.

Casting his gaze around, he spotted some foxtail grass in the villa’s flower beds. His eyes lit up.

He walked over, plucked several stalks of foxtail grass, rubbed them in his palm, then handed them to Li Chongshan with a smile, "Old Master, here’s some foxtail grass I’ve handled for two minutes. Let me present it as a birthday gift—it matches your status perfectly."