The Su family’s Old Master’s seventieth birthday celebration was grand.
As far as Su Yu knew, the heads of several influential families were invited.
When he was young, the Old Master had good connections and built up many relationships.
The Su Group further expanded under his leadership.
Unfortunately, there was no worthy successor.
Su Qingwen’s abilities and methods were not just a notch below his father’s.
The Su Group expanded rapidly in its early years, but the drawbacks of over-expansion gradually became apparent.
Without a strong helmsman, the subordinates formed cliques, looking out only for their own interests, and the entire Su Group had long been disorganized.
Su Qingwen’s abilities were mediocre, but his ambitions were not small, and he was arrogant and headstrong.
The already precarious group rapidly declined further under his management.
It wasn’t obvious now, but once a crisis hit, the Su family would be like a dying tiger, ready for anyone to take a bite.
Currently, the Su family was still in a false state of prosperity.
Old Master Su’s health was still robust.
On the surface, Su Qingwen was already the head of the Su family, but Old Master Su’s presence was like a stabilizing force; as long as he didn’t fall, the Su Group wouldn’t crumble.
So, Old Master Su still commanded considerable respect.
This birthday banquet invited many people, even the wealthy ones who had just come to prominence recently received invitations.
Given Su Qingwen’s limited tolerance, it was impossible for him to actively humble himself.
The invitations must have come from Old Master Su. Luo Jianyuan and the others, as juniors, still had to show respect to Old Master Su.
The upper-class circle in Beijing was small; truly tearing each other’s faces apart would look bad for everyone.
That’s why Luo Xiaoman contacted Su Yu.
Su Yu’s body was still in a coma, so he naturally didn’t need to go, but he still needed to know the relevant news.
Su Yu snuggled closer to the hot water bottle.
His mother didn’t need to worry; with his two uncles accompanying her, she definitely wouldn’t suffer any losses.
Moreover, his mother said that Cui Mingbo was also invited.
This news surprised Su Yu a bit.
According to his mother, Cui Mingbo was not only the behind-the-scenes boss of a listed company but also seemed to have some connections in both legitimate and illegitimate circles.
Given such a status, it was not surprising that Old Master Su’s seventieth birthday celebration would invite him.
Cui Mingbo had always addressed his mother as “Miss” at the Luo family, and based on Su Yu’s observations during his recuperation there, Cui Mingbo spent all day idly loafing around the Luo family, either cooking in the kitchen or circling his mother.
He certainly didn’t look like someone who had achieved great success.
It wasn’t that Su Yu looked down on people; it was just that Cui Mingbo’s fawning behavior around his mother was unbearable to watch.
He clicked his tongue, not knowing whether he should be happy or worried, as the possibility of Cui Mingbo rising to power was quite high.
What if he became his stepfather or something?
After a stream of wild thoughts, Su Yu smacked his lips, feeling that all this thinking was useless.
He’d know when he went to see for himself!
His mother said that Qin Shou was also invited, but he didn’t know if he would go.
If he did, by persistently clinging to him and acting cute, the chances of being brought along were quite high.
Little Su Yu thought happily to himself.
***
The eighth day of the eleventh lunar month, no snow.
The Su family’s old residence was arranged early.
Su Qingwen, meticulously dressed, greeted guests at the entrance.
In a well-tailored suit, with his hair slicked back, his clean and refined face was fully revealed.
Although one could see the traces of time, he could still be called elegant.
Shi Jing’an accompanied him, wearing a vintage wine-red qipao with a high slit, which made her already voluptuous figure appear even more curvaceous.
Her black hair was coiled at the back of her head, revealing her long neck.
When she lowered her head with a smile, it made several male guests glance at her more than once.
Su Qingwen didn’t notice it yet.
With the beauty by his side, seeing the envy and teasing in the male guests’ eyes, he felt rather proud and enthusiastically entertained the guests with Shi Jing’an.
However, the female companions accompanying the male guests, seeing Shi Jing’an flitting around like a butterfly, following Su Qingwen all over the venue, couldn’t help but collectively roll their eyes, secretly scoffing, “A small-minded country bumpkin who can’t make it to the big stage.”
Su Yu finally managed to persuade his owner to bring him along.
Qin Shou had no choice but to bring the cat to the Su family’s old residence, half-happy and half-helplessly, as the cat was clinging to his leg and acting cute.
Old Master Su’s influence was considerable, but Qin Shou’s mere presence was already a sign of respect.
Even if he brought a cat, making it seem less formal, given his current status, no one would dare to offend him.
Su Yu was held in Qin Shou’s arms, with a small black bowtie tied around his neck, matching his owner’s style.
The entire cat exuded an aura of “I am number one in the world,” looking very cool and domineering.
Qin Shou was always stoic and reticent in front of outsiders, so after he entered, although many people wanted to approach him, seeing his unapproachable expression, they wisely sought out others to converse with.
They were among the earlier guests to arrive.
Qin Shou found a quiet corner to sit in, turning his head to look out, his hands working tirelessly, quite naturally stroking the cat.
Su Yu was equally absorbed, looking at the hall full of guests.
He didn’t recognize most of them.
He had never been favored by Su Qingwen since childhood, and Su Qingwen had hardly ever taken him to any banquets.
This was the first such event he remembered attending.
The entire cat was brimming with curiosity, trying to maintain a cool demeanor while also busy glancing left and right.
It was simply exhausting.
When his uncle and mother arrived, thanks to his excellent feline eyesight, little Su Yu spotted them at once.
Luo Xiaoman was tall and slender.
Dressed in a dark gold fishtail gown, she appeared even more graceful.
Her hair was casually swept behind her ears, and a pair of uniquely designed earrings gently swayed on her delicate earlobes.
She exuded an air of dignity and gentleness.
More importantly, the person she was with was—the stern-faced Cui Mingbo, nearly 1.9 meters tall.
Narrowing his eyes, Cui Mingbo scanned the venue, his aura fully unleashed, utterly devoid of the fawning demeanor he had at the Luo family.
Those who witnessed this scene began to whisper amongst themselves, quietly exchanging information.
Everyone in Beijing’s upper-class circles knew about Su Qingwen and Luo Xiaoman’s divorce.
Since the news came from Su Qingwen, most people assumed that Su Qingwen naturally held the initiative in the divorce.
Furthermore, some well-informed individuals also knew about Su Qingwen’s romantic escapades.
Thus, Luo Xiaoman had become the abandoned “old hag.”
However, now it seemed more likely that Su Qingwen was the one who got dumped.
The guests’ eyes ambiguously swept over Luo Xiaoman and Cui Mingbo, landing on Su Qingwen with a hint of sympathy.
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Luo Xiaoman now exuded a formidable presence, far stronger than the few times they had seen her when she was still in the Su family.
Moreover, to immediately align with the head of the Cui Group right after a divorce—her cunning shouldn’t be underestimated.
The crowd quickly weighed the pros and cons and began to approach Luo Xiaoman with their wine glasses.
On the other side, Su Qingwen’s smile stiffened as he greeted guests.
Looking at Shi Jing’an beside him, he only felt that her once alluring face now seemed vulgar and unbearable by comparison.
He subtly glanced at the person beside him, then whispered, “In the future, wear less of these inappropriate clothes. Where do you look like the mistress of the Su family?!”
Shi Jing’an, left alone, flushed crimson.
She looked at Luo Xiaoman, surrounded by people in the distance, gritted her teeth resentfully, and hurried to catch up with Su Qingwen.
***
The crowd’s murmurs naturally reached Qin Shou’s ears.
He playfully glanced at the Su family couple, who were chasing each other, then turned his gaze to Luo Xiaoman in the crowd.
His hand unconsciously stroked the cat’s fur.
Qin Shou narrowed his eyes; he had seen that face before—on A’zai’s video calls.
What was A’zai’s relationship with the Luo family?
The questions about A’zai were like tangled threads, one leading to another, almost becoming a tangled mess.
Qin Shou lowered his eyes, looking at the oblivious Su Yu, and the corners of his mouth subtly curled upward.
Even if it became a dead knot, he would untangle each one.
He placed the cat, who was looking left and right, on the seat.
Qin Shou straightened his clothes, bent down, and instructed, “I’m going over to say a few words. You’re not allowed to run around, okay?”
Su Yu looked at the handsome face in front of him, his round eyes rolling, pretending not to understand and looking elsewhere.
Qin Shou chuckled, pinched his furry ear, a little helpless, “Naughty.”
Then he walked towards the crowd.
Little Su Yu watched Qin Shou head towards his mother’s side, his cat face extremely conflicted.
“Don’t let the cat out of the bag!”
Luo Xiaoman was accompanied by Cui Mingbo, and many people actively approached her to curry favor, subtly inquiring about her relationship with Cui Mingbo.
Cui Mingbo owned many businesses, acquired through risking his life when he was younger.
Even though he had now retired and gone legitimate, he still held influence in both legal and illegal circles, and everyone was willing to give him face.
Moreover, he hadn’t married for so many years, and regardless of any hidden reasons, many people were eyeing the position of Mrs. Cui.
Luo Xiaoman simply smiled in response to these inquiries.
Just as she was growing a little impatient with the constant questioning, Qin Shou approached.
Neither of the two men present were easy to deal with, and the surrounding crowd wisely retreated, leaving space for the three to talk.
Qin Shou raised his glass, “Mr. Cui, I’ve heard much about you.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Cui Mingbo returned with a smile.
In reality, a string of question marks was flashing in his mind.
Luo Xiaoman, standing beside them, paused slightly when she saw Qin Shou, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Catching Luo Xiaoman’s surprise, Qin Shou raised an eyebrow, “Madam Luo, have you seen me before?”
Luo Xiaoman reacted quickly, lowering her gaze and smiling, “I didn’t expect Mr. Qin to approach us voluntarily. I was just a little surprised.”
“Oh?”
Qin Shou took a sip of wine and also smiled, “It seems I misunderstood, then.”
Without waiting for Luo Xiaoman’s reply, he suddenly added, “Does Madam Luo like cats?”
Luo Xiaoman’s heart tightened, but her face showed no emotion, “It’s not about liking or disliking; I just don’t dislike them.”
“I, however, am very fond of cats,” Qin Shou said, giving Luo Xiaoman a meaningful look.
He was in a rather pleasant mood. Raising his glass again, he said, “I won’t disturb you two further. I’ll take my leave first.”
Cui Mingbo, What on earth are you two talking about?
Why don’t I understand?