Chapter Six: The Weighty Gift

Faced with Liang Xiaoyu’s aggressive questioning, Su Zheng chose not to endure it this time. He used the Art of Annihilation to trigger the toxins that had been dormant in Liang Xiaoyu’s body. Of course, he hadn’t completely lost his mind—he didn’t want a life lost right here. In at most half a month, the toxins in Liang Xiaoyu’s body would erupt fully, and no one would be able to save him then. Death would be inevitable.

“Xiaoyu, what’s there to talk about with him? Come, sit over here!” At this moment, Lü Hongmei called out warmly once again. She cast a disgusted glare at Su Zheng. “Don’t get in the way here. Muxue needs to discuss business with Xiaoyu—you don’t understand, so why meddle?”

Su Zheng’s expression was calm. After a moment of silence, he turned and returned to his own room. It was called a room, but in fact, it was a cramped, narrow space that had been a complimentary addition from the developer when they bought the apartment, now cluttered with all sorts of odds and ends. In the two years since marrying Chen Muxue, this had become the only area in the house that truly belonged to him.

Sitting on the familiar small bed, his eyes lingered with a hint of attachment. Once Liang Xiaoyu left, he would go out and lay everything bare, finally severing all ties with this household.

With a creak, the door to the room was pushed open. For some reason, Chen Muxue came in. In the two years since Su Zheng had lived here, she had never set foot inside, as far as he could remember.

“Dad was a bit short-tempered just now. Don’t take it to heart. Here, take this,” Chen Muxue said coldly, tossing a bottle of herbal ointment onto the bed before turning to leave.

“Wait. I want to talk to you alone.” Su Zheng stopped her, his face serious.

Chen Muxue frowned, impatience written across her features. “I’m busy. If you have something to say, save it for later!” With that, she left the room.

Su Zheng let out a deep breath. He looked at the ointment lying on the bed, a trace of hesitation in his eyes, but soon determination replaced it. What he had witnessed last night could not have been a mistake. Once Liang Xiaoyu left, he had to set things straight.

Just then, a startled exclamation came from the living room.

“Oh my, this is so expensive! How can we possibly accept it? Xiaoyu, you really shouldn’t have brought such a precious gift when you’re just visiting your own home.” Lü Hongmei’s tone was both delighted and embarrassed.

Liang Xiaoyu smirked with pride. “This box of ginseng comes from Longevity Pavilion. It’s a top brand. Although their main business is high-end nursing homes, they also operate a few herbal medicine stores. Ordinary people can’t even buy from them since it’s all membership-only.”

“You’re so thoughtful, Xiaoyu. Let me take a look… Hmm, a hundred-year-old ginseng. Guaranteed genuine, or ten times compensation. Yes, this is definitely from Longevity Pavilion!” Chen Jianguo beamed, unable to hide his joy as he examined the gift box.

A flicker of barely concealed delight flashed in Liang Xiaoyu’s eyes. So easy to fool! He had picked up this fake for a few dozen yuan at a roadside stall, and yet they believed it without question. He chuckled to himself.

“Dad, Mom, we really can’t accept such a valuable gift. Besides, Mr. Liang and I…” Chen Muxue frowned as she looked at the ginseng box on the coffee table, about to object, but Liang Xiaoyu interrupted her.

“Muxue, don’t be so formal. This box of ginseng is only seventy or eighty thousand. It’s nothing for me. The important thing is that Uncle and Aunt are happy. Just accept it. If you like it, I’ll buy more!”

Hearing this, Chen Jianguo and Lü Hongmei were overjoyed, their faces creasing into broad smiles as they kept signaling to Chen Muxue, afraid she might refuse the generous gift.

Chen Muxue tried to protest again, but just then, the doorbell rang.

When she opened the door, she found a stranger in a professional black suit standing there with a smile.

“Excuse me, does Mr. Su Zheng live here?”

“Yes… and you are?”

“Good, then I have something here from my boss for him. Could you please accept it for him? Thank you.”

“Wait, we don’t know your boss. Why are you delivering things to us?”

“I’m sorry, my boss didn’t tell me the details, so I don’t really know either. Maybe you could ask Mr. Su Zheng—he would know.”

The stranger placed the gift box inside the door and left.

Chen Muxue was stunned, staring at the box at her feet, completely bewildered.

“Who was that? Bringing gifts for that good-for-nothing—did they get the wrong address?” Chen Jianguo was curious and walked over from the sofa, giving the box a nudge with his foot, his expression odd.

“Well, Su Zheng, come out here! You’re really something, ordering things online and pretending someone’s sending you gifts. Where did you get the money? Have you been secretly saving the change I give you for groceries?” Lü Hongmei thought she had uncovered the truth and shouted angrily toward the small room.

Su Zheng came out, equally puzzled.

“I didn’t order anything online. This isn’t mine,” he said calmly.

“Hmph! Still lying? Then where did this box come from? What’s inside? Don’t tell me it’s a gift from someone, because I’d never believe that!” Lü Hongmei glared at him, her tone stern and accusatory.

“Enough, why bother with him? It’s not like there’s anything valuable inside. Just have him open it and we’ll know.” Chen Jianguo was impatient. He returned to the sofa, picked up the ginseng box from Liang Xiaoyu, and his mood visibly improved.

“He says someone sent him a gift? Perfect. Let’s compare it with Xiaoyu’s and show him the difference. He’ll see why we call him a good-for-nothing!”

“So he won’t think we’re wrong to call him useless!” Chen Muxue frowned slightly, clearly displeased with her father’s words.

“Take the box back to your room—don’t open it here,” she said coldly to Su Zheng.

He looked at her, feeling rebellious. “No need. I’ll open it right here.”

“You…” Chen Muxue’s pretty face froze. She turned away in anger.

Liang Xiaoyu, watching this, was delighted. “Come sit down, Muxue. Let him open it if he wants. Didn’t Uncle say we’d compare the gifts later? Let’s see what he’s got.”

“Your box of ginseng cost seventy or eighty thousand. What could he possibly have to compare with that? You couldn’t get that much even if you sold him!” Chen Jianguo carefully put the ginseng box back on the coffee table, gesturing for Liang Xiaoyu to have some tea.

Liang Xiaoyu grinned smugly and sipped his tea. But before he could swallow, he spat it out in shock.

For Su Zheng had come over carrying a gift box.

“Let’s compare, then. There’s nothing special inside—just a few boxes of ginseng and some deer antler.” Su Zheng casually tossed the box onto the coffee table. “What a coincidence—it seems to be the same brand as yours, from Longevity Pavilion.”

The room fell silent in an instant.

What was going on?