Chen Fan parked the car outside the cemetery and he and Su Yingxue each picked up a large bouquet of chrysanthemums, then walked inside.
Upon reaching the burial area, rows of tombstones greeted them.
At the highest point, a solitary tomb stood apart. A large crowd was gathered around it; it was the tomb of Old Master Su.
Those present were clearly members of the Su family.
Su Yingxue also spotted them, her expression showing a hint of hesitation.
"Do you want to wait until they leave before going up?" Chen Fan asked.
"No need!"
Su Yingxue suddenly smiled and said, "I have no more ties with the Su family. I'm only here to pay respects to my grandfather. Why should I avoid them?"
With that, she walked ahead.
Chen Fan displayed an admiring look.
Su Yingxue was becoming more confident and mature. When he eventually left, he could do so with peace of mind.
The two continued without further conversation, walking in silence towards Old Master Su's tombstone.
The Su family members were paying their respects to the Old Master, but with so many people, it seemed rather noisy.
It felt less like a memorial and more like a leisurely outing, or perhaps like visiting a marketplace.
Women like Su's mother were gossiping, discussing how wealthy the Zhong family was and whether they could compare to prominent families in Hangjiang like the Lin and Wen families.
As Chen Fan and Su Yingxue approached, those on the outskirts of the Su family group noticed them.
"Su Yingxue, you little bitch, what are you doing here?"
A sharp voice rang out. The speaker was Su Yufang, her face contorted with disgust.
"And Chen Fan, you good-for-nothing! So you two are together? Shameless!"
"An illegitimate daughter and a live-in son-in-law, you are indeed a match made in heaven!"
"This is no place for you. Get lost!"
"..."
A torrent of sharp, malicious words threatened to drown Su Yingxue.
But this time, Su Yingxue's expression remained unusually calm. She said, "Grandfather was very good to me when he was alive. Today is his ninetieth posthumous birthday. I've come to pay my respects. It has nothing to do with any of you!"
Her words caused Su Yufang and the others to erupt.
"Su Yingxue, you slut, you're no longer part of the Su family! How dare you pay respects to the Old Master?"
"This is outrageous! Su Yingxue, have your wings grown strong? Look at you, just like your shameless mother. An expelled illegitimate daughter dares to speak so boldly?"
"..."
"Exactly! A pair of shameless scoundrels! Don't dirty Grandpa's grave. Get lost, or don't blame us for being rude!"
A boy of sixteen or seventeen spat out vicious curses.
Chen Fan recognized this person. He was Su Yufang's son, named Hu Shengjie.
He wasn't much of a student at his young age, but he was quite adept at indulging in pleasures and entertainment. Yet, Su Yufang doted on him excessively.
Chen Fan took a step forward and slapped him.
With a crack, Hu Shengjie was sent sprawling to the ground, whimpering in fear.
"If you can't speak properly, learn to shut your mouth!"
Chen Fan said coldly.
"Chen Fan, you good-for-nothing! How dare you hit my son? I'll fight you!"
Su Yufang shrieked and lunged forward.
Chen Fan extended his foot, and Su Yufang fell face-first.
All the Su family members were alerted and turned to look at Chen Fan.
Jiang Shaolong, who had been standing by the tombstone, feeling uneasy, turned his head and his face lit up with joy.
Chen Fan had indeed come to pay respects to Old Master Su. Now there was no escape. Mr. Xueyue would surely be able to finish him off today!
His anxious waiting had suddenly turned into elation.
The humiliation he had once suffered at Chen Fan's hands would be washed away today.
The hatred in his heart would also be appeased.
Su Yingxia's feelings were somewhat complex, but upon seeing Su Yingxue, all she felt was disgust and resentment.
Did this useless good-for-nothing come with Su Yingxue to deliberately provoke her?
Or was it to show off after spending ten billion at the auction, to humiliate her?
"Ah! Chen Fan, how dare you hit me? I'll make you pay!"
Su Yufang, having fallen to the ground, scrambled up and screamed hysterically, "Are all the men in the Su family dead? He's bullying me, and you're just standing there? Beat this pair of dogs to death!"
The Su family members surrounded them, shouting accusations.
"Chen Fan, you good-for-nothing, how dare you hit someone? Are you tired of living?"
"Too barbaric, too rude! A person like you deserves to be kicked out. Keeping you in the Su family only brings shame!"
"Kneel down and apologize, or you'll regret it!"
"Believe it or not, I can have you thrown in jail with a single word!"
"A jinx! How can your skin be so thick to even come to the Old Master's grave?"
...
Chen Fan's expression was indifferent. He paid them no mind and strode towards Old Master Su's tombstone.
The Su family members in front of him felt an immense pressure as Chen Fan approached and instinctively moved aside, creating a path.
"Young Master Jiang and Young Master Zhong are both here. They'll never let this good-for-nothing Chen Fan off the hook!"
"Do you think having patrons makes you arrogant? In front of Young Master Zhong, you're nothing."
"Little Zhong, quickly teach this arrogant fellow a lesson!"
"..."
The Su family members continued their clamor.
And before Old Su's tombstone, Zhong Hao, who had been kneeling, stood up, dumbfounded.
He hadn't expected the animosity between the Su family and Chen Fan to be so deep. These Su family members actually dared to treat the representative of Mr. Long in such a manner.
He even felt a sense of bewilderment.
Mr. Long was a mythical figure. Even if this Mr. Chen was merely acting as his representative for property viewings and auctions, he was not someone to be offended.
One should at least show respect for Mr. Long's sake. Anyone with even a slight connection to Mr. Long should not be treated ordinarily.
Yet, the entire Su family seemed utterly unconcerned?
Could it be that the Su family was a truly ancient clan with profound heritage? But they didn't seem like it.
He couldn't help but glance at Su Yuxin beside him.
Su Yuxin avoided his gaze, pretending not to see the confusion in Zhong Hao's eyes.
She had deceived Zhong Hao that day, telling him that if he returned to pay respects to Old Master Su today, he could seize the opportunity to apologize to Chen Fan.
But she hadn't believed Chen Fan would actually come. The outcome was the exact opposite of her expectations.
Now, she didn't know what to do, so she could only feign ignorance.
In any case, she refused to apologize to Chen Fan. She would try to muddle through with Zhong Hao first.
"Chen Fan, this is no place for you!"
Jiang Shaolong's heart pounded with anticipation for Mr. Xueyue's intervention.
But his hatred for Chen Fan remained undiminished. He snorted, "Old Master Su has no connection with you anymore!"
"You don't get to decide that."
Chen Fan said casually, ignoring Jiang Shaolong. He walked to the tomb and made way for Su Yingxue.
Zhong Hao also quickly retreated a couple of steps, not daring to speak rashly.
Su Yingxue placed down the flowers and knelt before the grave.
"Su Yingxue, you are not allowed to kneel! You are no longer part of the Su family, you have no right to pay respects to the Old Master,"
Su's mother accused sternly. "You and your mother are the same, utterly shameless, seducing this good-for-nothing Chen Fan and deliberately tarnishing the Su family's reputation."
"Your kneeling here to pay respects to the Old Master will disturb his peace and prevent him from resting in peace in the afterlife!"
"I didn't!"
Su Yingxue's expression darkened, her eyes already misting over.
Before Old Master Su's grave, so many heartaches and grievances surged into her heart, making it impossible for her to hold back tears.