Chapter 56: Let's Start by Falling in Love

You’re arrogant! You’re unbelievably arrogant!

The status of the patriarch of the Li family in Licheng is only worth two minutes of your dogtail grass as a birthday gift?

Li Zhongshan was instantly furious. “Who the hell are you, kid?”

“I’m Lu Ye, the live-in son-in-law of the Su family.”

An uproar broke out among the crowd!

Li Yifan immediately glared and said, “Even the Su family’s live-in son-in-law thinks he’s fit to step into my family’s house? Get out!”

At this moment, Su Shiming could no longer sit still. He stood up and shouted, “He’s my son-in-law, married into the richest family in Mingzhu City. Why wouldn’t he be qualified?”

Another wave of exclamations followed!

Li Shuqing’s husband had once been trampled under their feet and humiliated as they pleased. And now he’d become the wealthiest man in Mingzhu City?

True, Mingzhu City was only a second-tier city, but the Li family in Licheng was only a second-rate clan as well!

Comparing the two, perhaps the Li family was no longer superior to the Su family.

Over the past two or three decades, ever since the Su Corporation had gotten on track, it had been developing rapidly and steadily, not to mention, with Lu Ye’s help, they had swallowed a huge sum from Noble Real Estate.

Now, the Su family was no longer intimidated by any so-called second-rate families from first-tier cities like yours!

Everyone from the Li family looked awkward, wanting to mock but unable to find a word.

At this moment, someone at the door announced, “The eldest Miss of the Cai family has arrived!”

Li Shuqing’s second brother, Li Erfan, immediately broke into a satisfied smile, feeling he had regained some face. “Dad, that’s Miss Cai, Cai Yueyao, here to wish you a happy birthday!”

He then shot Su Shiming a glance. “Open your dog eyes and look carefully—that’s the eldest Miss from Licheng’s richest family, the Cai family! Compared to her, your Su family is nothing but a bunch of unsophisticated country bumpkins—new money.”

Cai Yuan of Licheng’s Cai family was a legend, even making it onto the global rich list!

Su Shiming’s whole body shuddered, and he whispered to Lu Ye, “Damn, son-in-law, did I just lose face in front of everyone?”

But to his surprise, Lu Ye was lost in his own world, muttering, “Damn, why is she here too?”

Just then, a waft of delicate fragrance floated through the courtyard, and a youthful girl with bright eyes and gleaming teeth stepped into the Li family’s hall.

In both bearing and beauty, she was no less than Su Qianqian.

Su Qianqian was the delicate and charming type, while Cai Yueyao was sweet and adorable—they were each beautiful in their own way.

For some reason, when Cai Yueyao’s gaze landed on Su Qianqian, she showed a strong hint of jealousy.

A few days ago, when invitations for the birthday banquet were being sent out, Li Erfan knew it was unlikely that anyone from the Cai family would actually show up, but still, on a whim, he thickened his skin and sent them an invitation. Unexpectedly, the eldest Miss herself had come!

He hurried forward, fawning, “Miss Cai, have you come to wish my father a happy birthday?”

Cai Yueyao’s eyes were fixed on the evasive Lu Ye. She replied casually, “I’m here to find someone, and while I’m at it, I’ll wish your father a happy birthday.”

Here to find someone? Wishing a birthday just in passing?

No matter—it was already a great honor that she’d come!

Li Erfan asked awkwardly, “May I ask who you’re looking for, Miss Cai?”

She ignored him, walked right up, and linked her arm through Lu Ye’s. “You bad boy! Not answering my calls or my WeChat messages—you didn’t even tell me you were getting married!”

Lu Ye turned to stone on the spot!

If looks could kill, Su Qianqian would have sliced him to pieces a thousand times over by now!

Su Qianqian’s possessive instincts were immediately aroused. Without a word, she grabbed Lu Ye’s other arm and challenged with open hostility, “You little hussy, who are you?”

Cai Yueyao pouted proudly. “I’m his ex-girlfriend. Who are you?”

Su Qianqian huffed. “I’m his wife! Take your paws off my husband right now!”

Cai Yueyao stuck out her tongue mischievously. “I won’t, I won’t, na-na-na!”

Su Qianqian was so angry she was stammering. “You—you—you’re seducing another woman’s husband! Shameless!”

Cai Yueyao retorted mercilessly, “Please, get your facts straight—I was his girlfriend first!”

Su Qianqian shot back, “But we got married first!”

Cai Yueyao was even more indignant. “But we dated first!”

The two women each grabbed one of Lu Ye’s arms, pulling so hard he thought they’d rip him in half...

Lu Ye gulped and finally managed to say, “Yao, that’s enough. Don’t bully my wife.”

Cai Yueyao, aggrieved, finally let go, pouting, “Fine.”

Su Qianqian flashed a triumphant smile and made a victory sign at her. “Yay, I win!”

Seriously?

I’m letting you off for Lu Ye’s sake, and you’re getting cocky?

Suddenly, Cai Yueyao tiptoed up and planted a kiss on Lu Ye’s cheek.

Lu Ye was dumbfounded. Su Qianqian was dumbfounded. The entire room was dumbfounded.

Just who was this Su family live-in son-in-law?

Why would the Cai family’s eldest Miss compete with Su Shiming’s daughter for his affection?

Li Erfan, summoning his courage, asked, “Miss Cai, is he the one you were looking for?”

“Of course. What about it?”

Lu Ye said, “The Li family said I wasn’t qualified to step through their door.”

Cai Yueyao’s smile vanished. She glared coldly at Li Erfan. “He’s not qualified to enter your house? Then you’re saying I, Cai Yueyao, am even less qualified?”

Anyone with eyes could see that Cai Yueyao was hopelessly infatuated with Lu Ye.

Li Erfan panicked and quickly shifted the blame. “It wasn’t me—it was my eldest brother who said it!”

Li Yifan trembled. “It’s all a misunderstanding!”

He tried to argue, but inwardly he thought: Damn it, you’re the dignified Miss Cai, and you’ll debase yourself this much just to save this pretty boy’s face?

Considering this was Li Shuqing’s family, and not wanting to be too harsh, Lu Ye took it upon himself to play peacemaker. He led Cai Yueyao over to Su Shiming and Li Shuqing and introduced, “Yao, these are my father- and mother-in-law. Say hello.”

Cai Yueyao changed faces faster than flipping a page, and sweetly greeted, “Hello, Uncle and Auntie!”

Both Su Shiming and Li Shuqing’s faces twitched, alarms blaring in their minds.

This was a crisis! Who would have guessed their son-in-law had such an outstanding ex-girlfriend?

Thankfully, he seemed devoted to their Qianqian, not rekindling things with his ex right there.

No way! They would have to make sure Qianqian treated their good son-in-law even better from now on!

“Uncle, you’re the chairman of Su Corporation, right? Our Cai family plans to do some business in Mingzhu City. Maybe our families can work together in the future?”

“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!”

There were countless families scrambling to forge ties with the Cai family, the Lis among them, but the Cai family had never given them the time of day.

Yet here was Cai Yueyao, right in front of everyone, proposing to cooperate with the Su family, making the Lis feel utterly humiliated.

Especially Li Erfan—his face was burning with embarrassment.

After the greetings, Cai Yueyao stretched lazily. “Alright, I’ve seen who I came for, offered my birthday wishes... Oh! I almost forgot!”

She suddenly remembered she hadn’t actually wished Li Zhongshan a happy birthday.

She turned to him, unruffled, and said, “Master Li, I wish you boundless happiness and... Wait, Master Li, why are you holding a bunch of dogtail grass?”

Li Zhongshan forced an embarrassed laugh. “It’s a birthday gift from young Lu. Ha, ha, ha.”

Cai Yueyao’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she stifled a laugh. “It’s actually a fitting gift—it suits your status perfectly. You must treasure it well.”

Li Zhongshan’s face twitched as he nodded. “I’ll find a gold and jade box to keep it in!”

Cai Yueyao turned triumphantly to Lu Ye and grinned. “Alright, bad boy, I’m leaving. Don’t you dare ignore my calls or my WeChat again. Come visit me at the Cai family when you’re free!”

Lu Ye waved at her with a poker face. “Yeah, yeah, see you next time.”

Before leaving, Cai Yueyao shot a glare at Su Qianqian and threatened, “Hey, old woman! If you don’t treat my bad boy well, I’d be more than happy to take over!”

Su Qianqian, not to be outdone, played her trump card with a sly smile. “If my husband’s willing, he washes my feet for me every night. Jealous, aren’t you?”