97: Chapter 97: Formalities (Extra for the leader singing a love song) (3rd update) 97: Chapter 97: Formalities (Extra for the leader singing a love song) (3rd update) âWow, ten million!â
âSo much.â
âŠ
Many guests present began discussing among themselves.
Su Ming was also startled; he hadnât expected the Su Family to be so generous, handing out ten million Federation coins as a bonus right off the bat.
Considering heâd been saving for many years, Su Ming had barely more than twenty million in his possession.
As Su Zhen Tian finished speaking, three women in cheongsams approached with a red tray in hand.
Each tray harbored a check.
âTake it!â
Su Zhen Tian cheerfully told Su Ming and the others.
âThank you, Grandpa!â
Su Ming and the others expressed their gratitude to Su Zhen Tian.
Su Zhen Tian nodded and then jovially said to the many guests present.
âAlright, letâs start the feast now, everyone enjoy your food and drinks, and please donât be shy!
Being shy means youâre not giving me, Su, any face!â
âOf course!â
âŠ
Many guests enthusiastically responded.
Su Zhen Tian then brought Su Ming and the others back down, returning to the main table.
âOh my, itâs been a few years, Su Ming has grown so handsome, Zhao Ning has taught him well.
Come sit by your auntâs side, thereâs a spot saved for you here.â
At that moment, a woman extravagantly dressed in a wine-red gown and sporting red gemstone earrings spoke with a smile.
Despite his hazy memory, Su Ming recognized her and politely replied.
âThank you, Second Aunt!â
âWhy, itâs not just your spot available; I can move over too.â
At this point, Su Mingâs older aunt uttered a snort.
As for Su Yao, Su Ying, and others, all eyes were on Su Ming.
Although their expressions werenât exactly cold, they showed an unmistakable aversion to him.
This was normal, of course; Su Mingâs biological grandmother was Su Zhen Tianâs last and most favored wife.
Back in those days, everyone in the family disapproved of her, so naturally, they also disdained Su Ming.
âDammit, all this fuss over a seat, Su Ming sit wherever you want.â
Su Zhen Tian waved his hand in annoyance.
âAlright, Iâll take the seat by Second Aunt, then.â
Su Ming promptly sat down beside his Second Aunt.
At this point, Su Zhen Tian picked up his chopsticks and addressed everyone.
âLetâs eat!â
Only after Su Zhen Tian had spoken did the people at the table dare to pick up their chopsticks and start eating.
âSu Ming, have a shrimp.
Life in the Thirteenth District isnât easy, is it?
You probably havenât had such good food there.â
Second Aunt solicitously offered a shrimp to Su Ming.
âThank you, Second Aunt, I can manage.â
Su Ming replied, slightly uncomfortableâhis discomfort primarily stemmed from the pretense, as anyone could clearly see that Second Auntâs enthusiasm was forced.
But as the saying goes, even insincere courtesies are courtesies, and one needs to play along.
âWhy be so formal with family?
When you have the chance, get closer to your cousin Su Qi and the others.
Teach your younger cousin how to study; he has the city exam next year.â
Second Aunt said to Su Ming with a smile.
As for Second Auntâs children, hearing their mother telling them to get closer to Su Ming, they showed scornful expressions.
They had no interest in mingling with a âcountry bumpkin,â as they saw no difference between the Thirteenth District and the rural areas.
Of course, they wouldnât be foolish enough to contradict herânot with the old man sitting there.
At that moment, Su Zhen Tian, raising his voice, addressed his grandsons.
âSu Ming just returned from the Thirteenth District and will be attending Imperial Court Academy.
You siblings should spend more time together!
And dammit, you older ones, take good care of your younger brother, donât be pricks all the damn time!â
âYes, Grandpa.â
Everyone saw Su Zhen Tian speak up, and they quickly responded.
âCome, family, letâs all have a drink together!â
At that moment, Su Zhen Tian picked up a glass of white wine and stood up to speak.
âFather, please have a seat!â
âHow could we have you stand up.â
âRight, Grandfather!â
âŠ
Su Ming and the others all stood up, lifting the wine glasses from the table.
âHaha, fuck it, weâre all family here, letâs drink up!â
Su Zhen Tian happily responded.
For a time, the atmosphere at the main banquet table was joyful and harmonious, at least thatâs how it appeared to the guests nearby.
Su Ming and the others all drained their glasses in one gulp.
Then Su Zhen Tian, holding his wine glass, walked over to the adjacent banquet table, followed immediately by the An Ke butler, who carried more wine.
Su Zhen Tian began entertaining the guests, and soon many guests also stood up, carrying their wine glasses over to Su Mingâs table to toast Su Yao and others, making the banquet even more lively.
Several hours later.
As the banquet drew to a close, guests with flushed, red faces started to stand and leave.
Only the main banquet table remained full, with no one departing.
At that time, Su Zhen Tian, his neck red from drinking, returned to sit at the main banquet table, and Zhou Xuanyue coolly spoke up.
âItâs getting late, we should probably wrap it up.â
âOkay!â
Su Zhen Tian, his head a bit dizzy from drinking, didnât object.
âOld man, where will Master Su Ming sleep tonight?â
Jiang Yu asked with a smile.
Those at the banquet table, such as Su Yao, all looked towards Jiang Yu, feeling as if he was asking the old man deliberately.
Since Su Ming was home, there was definitely a guest room arranged for him, there was no need to make a fuss.
âHeâll sleep in Su Yuanâs room.
Have you cleaned that room?â
Su Zhen Tian didnât even think before replying.
Su Ming was slightly surprised upon hearing this.
His fatherâs room was still preserved?
Despite the villa being so large, given the flourishing Su Family, it was starting to feel a bit cramped.
It was known that his aunts usually slept in guest rooms when they came home.
However, this was good as well; sleeping in his fatherâs room would make him feel more settled, at least it wouldnât be too awkward.
Although he had to register at Imperial Court Academy tomorrow, that was just for registration.
The academy wouldnât officially start until a month later, and during that time, he would still be living here.
That was also why Su Yuan was dead set against coming back, having to live with the old man for a month would be more painful than being in a tiny dark cell.
âItâs been cleaned.â
The An Ke butler respectfully replied.
âThen thatâs settled, Jiang Yu, take Su Ming to his room.â
Su Zhen Tian waved his hand as he spoke.
âAlright, young master, please follow me.â
Jiang Yu courteously spoke to Su Ming.
âThank you.â
Su Ming stood up and followed Jiang Yu.
The two walked up the stairs to the third floor and down the corridor to the room at the very end.
Jiang Yu opened the door, smiled, and spoke.
âYoung master, please come in.â
Su Ming walked in and curiously looked around the room; it was fairly large, about 80 square meters, nearly the size of a normal family home.
The room was spotlessly clean, and the table displayed various Mecha and ship models, all of them long-ago limited editions.