Chapter 136: Has It Already Begun So Soon?

The next day, Hong Yu rose early and arrived near the Chen residence to wait for Lin Shuyu.

Yesterday, after Chen Jianwei told him not to attend the birthday banquet, he had returned directly to his study to continue discussing business with guests. Hong Yu hadn't minded; in truth, he had intended to skip it anyway. He had only met Lin Shuyu’s grandfather once, and like the patriarch of the Lin family, the old man clearly found him unpleasant. However, when Lin Shuyu saw him off, she had insisted that he must come today. Hong Yu didn't know what she was thinking, but since his wife had asked, he had no choice but to comply.

He waited for nearly an hour, feeling a bit irritated, but the moment Lin Shuyu appeared, his anger vanished into thin air. She had woken up earlier than him and spent a full hour on her makeup. Usually, she only wore a light touch, but today she looked exquisitely made up, leaving Hong Yu wide-eyed.

He immediately walked over, playing the flatterer. "Wife, you look truly beautiful today."

Lin Shuyu laughed. "What does that mean? Are you saying I wasn't beautiful before?"

"Not at all, not at all!" Hong Yu shook his head repeatedly. "It’s just that today, you are exceptionally stunning."

Seeming to want to move on from the topic of her appearance, she waved a hand. "Alright, is everything you need ready? We should be heading to the banquet soon."

Just as Hong Yu nodded, Chen Yingying came running out of the house. "Sister, are you ready? Dad and my older brother are waiting for us outside."

Chen Yingying’s own brother had traveled back from out of town specifically for the occasion, showing how much the Chen family valued their grandfather’s milestone.

"Just a second, I’m coming," Lin Shuyu replied.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yingying’s mother rushed out. "Shuyu, it’s still so early. Why don't you wait and go with me this evening instead?"

Lin Shuyu looked puzzled. "Aunt, it’s Grandfather’s birthday today; I wanted to go early to help out."

"This..." Her aunt hesitated, then finally said, "Your youngest aunt is here today. If you can arrive later, it would be better." She lowered her voice. "That woman is like a rabid dog; I’m terrified of her. Have you forgotten what she said about you a few years ago?"

Upon hearing her aunt mention the youngest aunt, Lin Shuyu’s face turned pale. Lin Shuyu hadn't attended the birthday celebrations for the past few years, not because she was busy or lacked filial piety, but because she was afraid. Her aunt was right; the youngest aunt was known for snapping at everyone she saw. Her aunt had been humiliated by her many times, let alone Lin Shuyu and her family.

The story went that this youngest aunt had once had a falling out with the family when they all opposed her marriage to her current husband. Her aunt had made snide remarks back then, and Lin Shuyu’s mother had been adamantly against the union. Yet, the youngest aunt had married him anyway and hadn't returned home for many years.

Later, by some stroke of fortune, her husband had become a super-wealthy tycoon, powerful enough to rival the giants of Huaizhou. The bitterness she had felt from being bullied in the past had transformed into a vengeful cruelty. The Chen family was now quite afraid of her. For Lin Shuyu’s family, the grandfather’s annual banquet had become a painful ordeal.

Her aunt knew she had lost the upper hand and had resigned herself to being submissive, trying her best to appease her husband's sister. But Lin Shuyu’s mother refused to bow her head—after all, they were sisters, and she had spent their childhoods scolding her younger sibling; their relationship had always been strained. With the grievances of the previous generation unresolved, Lin Shuyu, as the younger generation, suffered the brunt of it.

Lin Shuyu gave a bitter smile. "It’s alright, Aunt. She is an elder, and since my mother isn't coming this time, she shouldn't hold too much against me. Besides, after entering society, I’ve seen enough to know that people become very realistic when there is a gap in status. I won't be angry."

Her aunt groaned in frustration. "I don't know what's wrong with her! All these years have passed, and she’s still biting people! I’ve been trying to please her for years, yet she never gives me a pleasant look. Sometimes she treats me like a common servant and shouts at me. It’s suffocating." She looked at Lin Shuyu. "If I’m treated like this despite my efforts, and since your mother refuses to yield and insists on clashing with her, I don't see things going well for you today."

Lin Shuyu fell silent, well aware of the situation she was walking into. Hong Yu took her hand, comforting her, "It’s okay. I’ll always be standing behind you."

Seeing them together, her aunt shook her head and turned to leave. She had long heard of Hong Yu’s reputation as a spineless loser, but as long as he didn't do anything outrageous, she didn't care to interfere. After all, having been bullied by that woman for so long, she could empathize with others. Furthermore, the youngest aunt’s own background had been humble, and she had faced her own share of mistreatment when she first joined the Chen family, which made her understand the difficulties of someone in Hong Yu's position.

After speaking for a while longer, Hong Yu and Lin Shuyu headed out. Chen Jianwei and his children had been waiting impatiently. Upon seeing a young man, Lin Shuyu nodded and greeted him: "Brother Yang."

The young man, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, smiled and returned the greeting. He didn't look much older than Lin Shuyu—perhaps two or three years her senior—but his poise and composure were far beyond his years.

Chen Yang sighed, "Shuyu, it’s been a few years, and you are as beautiful as ever."

Lin Shuyu’s beauty was well-known in the Chen family. Chen Yingying had always taken pride in having such a beautiful cousin, though she often wondered why her cousin had chosen to marry a spineless live-in son-in-law like Hong Yu—a fact that always agitated her.

Lin Shuyu laughed, "Cousin, please don't flatter me. Since entering society, I’ve realized that beauty is truly useless."

Chen Jianyi, standing nearby, interrupted unhappily, "Shuyu, that’s not right! Who says beauty is useless? Look at the stars on television—could they be famous if they weren't beautiful? And as for women who want to marry into wealthy families, aside from those who already come from powerful backgrounds, which one of them isn't a stunning beauty?" He shook his head. "You are truly foolish. With your looks, why would you be so unambitious as to marry a spineless live-in husband? If not for that, your status among the children of the Chen and Lin families wouldn't be the lowest. Because you chose him, my mother is now too embarrassed to even come to your grandfather’s banquet."

Damn it! Is it starting already? Hong Yu’s face darkened significantly.