Jiang Yuxin kicked Fu Bin away, her smile disappearing from her face.
She resumed her usual aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
"Fu Bin, who gave you the nerve to cause trouble in the Jiang family?"
"Li Chonglou is my husband, what business is it of yours whether he's good or bad!"
"You want to stand up for me? You're just being clever."
"From now on, the cooperation between the Jiang family and you is terminated. I don't want to see you again. Get out!"
So it was all about Li Chonglou.
Jiang Yuxin was annoyed; she had overlooked the fact that in the eyes of the guests, Li Chonglou was still a useless live-in son-in-law.
If Lü Yunxu hadn't arrived in time, it wasn't just Li Chonglou, but the entire Jiang family, who would have made a fool of themselves because of this idiot Fu Bin.
Her own husband, let alone the significant changes he had undergone,
Even if he were the completely useless waste he once was, he was still not to be judged by a petty person like Fu Bin!
Jiang Yuxin's temper was always direct and to the point.
Her few words left Fu Bin stiff with shock, as if he had lost his parents.
He had come today to curry favor with Jiang Yuxin, even harboring the intention of embarrassing Li Chonglou on the spot and having the Jiang family expel him.
This way, he might have had the chance to pursue Jiang Yuxin, and it wouldn't have been impossible for him to take over the Jiang family.
But now, not only had he offended Lü Yunxu, but even Jiang Yuxin was so heartless.
Why?
How was he inferior to that useless live-in son-in-law?
Fu Bin collapsed on the ground, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness.
The others were also shocked, looking at the scene in disbelief.
What was going on?
Didn't they say that Jiang Yuxin didn't care about this useless son-in-law at all? They hadn't even shared a bed for so many years.
Why was she protecting his dignity in front of everyone today?
Even at the risk of breaking ties with Rufeng Group!
This.
Before he could even open his mouth, the next scene rendered everyone speechless.
Jiang Yuxin turned and linked arms with that useless live-in son-in-law, Li Chonglou.
Her voice turned extremely gentle: "Chonglou, everyone is waiting inside. It's good that you're here, help me out."
It was only then that Li Chonglou spoke again, "Let's go."
How could he not see Jiang Yuxin's actions?
She deliberately wanted the guests present to know that he, Li Chonglou, was no longer a useless live-in son-in-law.
But the true son-in-law of the Jiang family.
This was much more effective than saying anything.
As for Fu Bin, Li Chonglou couldn't even be bothered to look at him directly.
Holding Jiang Yuxin's hand, and with Lü Yunxu in tow, he stepped through the main entrance.
As all the Jiang family members saw him enter, they involuntarily straightened up.
Others might not know, but the Jiang family now understood Li Chonglou's status perfectly.
Even the Old Master himself had walked over to the hall with his cane to greet him.
Old Master Jiang, with a fawning smile, beckoned with his hand, feigning affection: "Chonglou, you've finally arrived. Come, come, sit and play a game of chess with this old man. The hall is too noisy."
"Grandfather, I was just about to ask him to help me look at something," Jiang Yuxin said, deliberately acting coy.
"Hahaha, Miss Lü is here. You should accompany Miss Lü. Can't others handle whatever it is?" Old Master Jiang waved his hand. "Chonglou is our Jiang family's good son-in-law, he can't be burdened today!"
With that, he grabbed Li Chonglou's hand and took it from Jiang Yuxin.
He led him towards the study on the second floor.
At this point, everyone was completely stunned.
This scene was simply incredible.
Everyone knew that the Old Master had always looked down on Li Chonglou. Even the Jiang family knew clearly that Jiang Tao, the Old Master's beloved grandson, had been sent to prison precisely because of Li Chonglou.
With such deep animosity, how could it have been resolved?
The only one not surprised was Li Chonglou himself.
As he was held by the Old Master's hand, his heart was calm.
Most likely, Jiang Yuxin had not kept his relationship with the Lü family a secret and had told the Old Master.
Compared to personal grievances, the Old Master clearly valued the family's development more.
This feigned affection today was nothing more than a declaration to him.
From now on, the Jiang family would never treat him as an outsider.
A person was already standing in the study. His father-in-law, Jiang Hongyi, was standing by the bookshelf, flipping through a book.
Upon seeing Li Chonglou enter, he turned and greeted him with a smile and a nod.
"Old Master, please speak your mind," Li Chonglou said, addressing him as "Dad," then gently turned and slipped his hand out of Old Master Jiang's grasp, getting straight to the point.
"Chonglou, ever since the Jiang Tao incident, I knew you were no ordinary person," the Old Master said, sitting down in his armchair and gesturing to the chair beside him. "But I didn't expect you to possess such immense capabilities."
"I know you haven't had a good time in the Jiang family for the past three years, but I hope you won't blame the Jiang family."
"In this world, people are valued for their worth. While it may be cruel and blunt, this is society."
"Before, you hid your talents, and people didn't take you seriously; it was normal."
"But now, you are the hope of our Jiang family."
"It is Yuxin's good fortune from her past life to have you!"
If a normal twenty-something person heard these words from Old Master Jiang, they would undoubtedly feel offended.
They would think it was too damned realistic and heartless.
But Li Chonglou was not an ordinary person; he understood.
So-called emotions were merely a facade to cover up these realities that ordinary people found unacceptable and difficult to face.
Value, there was nothing wrong with that.
This world was fair; the more value you had, the more rewards you would receive.
Those who were useless yet expected others to value them were mostly cowards.
So Li Chonglou nodded slightly, stating, "Old Master, I'm not interested in the Jiang family's affairs, but Yuxin is my wife."
"If anything happens to her, I will not stand idly by!"
Old Master Jiang's face showed relief: "Your word is enough."
"Wait here."
With that, he walked shakily to the safe, entered the password, and opened the door.
He took out a brocade pouch from within.
He carefully brought it to Li Chonglou.
Opening it layer by layer.
Revealing a bronze-colored vase with a taotie motif.
Upon seeing this item, Li Chonglou's eyes immediately became solemn.
He couldn't help but exclaim, "A fine piece!"
"Good eye. Since my last birthday banquet, I knew you had more than a casual understanding of antiques," Old Master Jiang said, full of admiration. "Tell me, what is this thing!"
"A gu with siren and thunder patterns!" Li Chonglou said without hesitation. "Based on its form, it's a replica. The treatment of the taotie motif has a strong traditional style."
"The patterns are well-distributed, with a balance of complexity and simplicity, movement and stillness, hierarchy, vivid depiction, and a very strong sense of unity."
"Also, the patina is thick and smooth, and the carving has no trace of worldly flamboyance."
"It should be a work from before the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, or from the late Ming Dynasty!"
At this moment, Li Chonglou held nothing back, his words hitting the mark directly.
Old Master Jiang's eyes lit up, and he gave him a thumbs-up: "Remarkable skill!"
"This old man's eyes have deteriorated; I only realized your talent after so many years."
"If I had known you possessed such abilities, how could I have treated you coldly for three whole years."
"This rhinoceros horn vase has been passed down in our Jiang family since the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty."
"Now, our Jiang family finally has a successor!"
"A treasure gifted to the destined person. You are the hope of our Jiang family. I called you up specifically to give this item to you and Yuxin with my own hands!"
Upon hearing this, Li Chonglou's eyelids twitched.
Even Jiang Hongyi, who had been standing with his back to the two, wore an expression of disbelief.