Chapter Seven: When One Knows No Shame, the World Is Theirs

When they heard Su Zheng’s words, everyone present was stunned. But soon enough, they couldn’t help but snicker.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Have you ever even seen what the gift boxes from Longevity Pavilion look like?” Chen Jianguo sneered with utter disdain.

“Do you think just because it has Longevity Pavilion’s name on it, it’s genuine? Anyone can see yours is a fake—it’s so obviously different from Xiaoyu’s!” Lu Hongmei scolded him as if it were only natural.

Even Chen Muxue shook her head slightly, though her face soon revealed a trace of surprise. “Where did you get the money to buy these things?”

“Didn’t you hear just now? Someone else gave them to me,” Su Zheng replied, glancing at her calmly.

“Someone gave them to you? Do you think I’d believe that? Can’t you stop lying for once? Recently, I’ve been—hmm?” Chen Muxue’s voice was icy, but when her eyes fell on those gift boxes piled on the coffee table, she suddenly froze.

Her reaction made Chen Jianguo and Lu Hongmei look closely at the boxes as well.

Su Zheng had taken out three boxes of ginseng and two boxes of antler velvet from the carton, each box gilded with the words “Longevity Pavilion,” exquisitely packaged, and crafted with care.

Placed beside them, the box of ginseng that Liang Xiaoyu had brought became glaringly conspicuous.

To put it bluntly, unless one was blind, it was obvious at a glance which one looked more like a counterfeit.

“Ahem… Even the counterfeiters these days pay a lot of attention to quality, don’t they?” Lu Hongmei tried to keep up appearances, her subconscious still clinging to the belief that Liang Xiaoyu’s gift was the genuine article.

Chen Jianguo, however, remained relatively composed. He shot Liang Xiaoyu a deep look, silently lit up a cigarette, and said nothing.

“Mom, can you just say less?” Chen Muxue’s face was clouded with irritation as she shot her mother a resentful glare.

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Liang Xiaoyu felt the family’s skeptical gazes bearing down on him and grew increasingly uncomfortable.

He had never imagined that Su Zheng would bring out authentic Longevity Pavilion ginseng.

“You worthless trash, how dare you ruin things for me!” Hatred for Su Zheng seethed inside Liang Xiaoyu.

Although a part of him was curious as to why someone would give Su Zheng such expensive gifts, the looks he received from Chen Jianguo and his wife left him no time to ponder.

“Ahem… Su Zheng, let me ask you—where did you get these things from? Tell the truth!” In an attempt to deflect the growing awkwardness, Liang Xiaoyu redirected everyone’s attention, questioning Su Zheng, “I’m very close with President Qiao, the owner of Longevity Pavilion. If you’ve done anything to tarnish their reputation, I’ll get to the bottom of it!”

His words had the desired effect.

Chen Jianguo and Lu Hongmei exchanged glances, suspicion dawning in their eyes.

Su Zheng was penniless—if that carton really contained genuine ginseng and antler velvet, then this scoundrel must have done something illegal to get them. These were likely stolen goods!

“Are you deaf? I already said they were given to me. Didn’t you hear?”

Su Zheng shot Liang Xiaoyu a sidelong glance, not bothering to explain further.

“So you’re saying someone gave them to you, but you don’t know who?” Liang Xiaoyu’s eyes gleamed with sudden inspiration.

“Mm.”

“Then that settles it! Haha… Now I know exactly where these ginseng and antler velvet came from!”

Seeing Su Zheng nod, Liang Xiaoyu burst into deliberate laughter.

“Oh? Xiaoyu, tell us—what’s going on here?” Chen Jianguo frowned, confused, and looked to Liang Xiaoyu for answers.

“It’s a long story. I hadn’t planned to say anything, but since Uncle and Auntie might be misunderstanding me, I suppose I should clarify.” With a plan forming in his mind, Liang Xiaoyu regained his composure. “That whole carton of gifts was sent by President Qiao of Longevity Pavilion, on my behalf!”

“What…!” Chen Jianguo and Lu Hongmei were both astonished.

Chen Muxue’s expression was no less bewildered. Her bright eyes fixed on Liang Xiaoyu, uncertain what to make of it all.

“You see, I bought a box of ginseng at her shop, but the sales clerk got the order wrong. President Qiao herself just sent me an apology message, saying she was terribly sorry. To make up for it, and because of our friendship, she insisted on compensating me tenfold. So, you see, haha…”

Su Zheng: “…”

He never expected Liang Xiaoyu to be so shameless—lying without batting an eye.

“But the deliveryman said the gifts were for Su Zheng,” Chen Muxue frowned.

“Ahem… That was my instruction. I thought they’d just deliver them downstairs, so I planned to have him help me carry them up. I left his name, but who knew they’d bring them all the way up? President Qiao is just that considerate,” Liang Xiaoyu explained, feigning helplessness as he sipped his tea.

Su Zheng again: “…”

Truly, there’s no limit to shamelessness!

“So that’s how it is! Now I feel relieved,” Lu Hongmei said.

“Yes, as long as that good-for-nothing hasn’t gotten into trouble, that’s a relief. You really do have connections, Xiaoyu! President Qiao is a famous businesswoman in Qingyang—your network is impressive!” Chen Jianguo and Lu Hongmei both spoke with obvious belief in Liang Xiaoyu’s story.

Su Zheng was about to expose his lies, but just then, his phone rang.

It was Qiao Lan calling.

“Hello, what is it?”

“Brother Zheng, I went to the hospital to find you just now and saw that Auntie seemed unhappy staying there, so I took the liberty of bringing her to one of my villas. Don’t worry, I’ve arranged the best staff to care for her—she’ll be more comfortable than ever,” Qiao Lan said with a cheerful laugh.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.” Su Zheng frowned slightly, but he didn’t object. Making sure his mother was well cared for was a good thing.

“Brother Zheng, Old Master Li’s illness has worsened again. They’ve tried many famous doctors with no result. Could you help me and take a look at him? Don’t worry, the consultation fee will be more than satisfactory!”

After a brief pause, Su Zheng replied, “Give me the address, I’ll come now.”

“Wonderful! I’ll come pick you up right away!” Qiao Lan hung up, delighted.

“Who was that on the phone?” Chen Muxue asked out of curiosity.

“Qiao Lan.”

“You mean Qiao Lan, the owner of Longevity Pavilion, just called you?” Chen Muxue looked at him in disbelief, needing confirmation.

“Yes, that’s right.” Su Zheng nodded slightly, his expression calm.

“What?!” Chen Jianguo and Lu Hongmei were so shocked they nearly dropped their teacups.

Crash!

Liang Xiaoyu fared even worse—not only did his cup shatter on the table, but he choked on his tea and began coughing violently.

“Ahem… You said it was President Qiao who just called you?” he stammered, panic-stricken.

Nothing could have frightened him more. Qiao Lan, owner of Longevity Pavilion, was a formidable figure in Qingyang. Though a woman, when she meant business, no one in the city dared cross her.

Thinking of the lies he’d just spun to save face, if word of this reached Qiao Lan, not even his family could protect him from her wrath!

Ignoring him, Su Zheng turned to Chen Muxue and said, “I need to step out. Qiao Lan asked me to treat Old Master Li of the Li family in Qingyang.”

“And when I return, I’d like to talk to you about our relationship.”

With that, and without waiting for Chen Muxue’s response, he turned and left.