Su Ruyi only glanced briefly before withdrawing her gaze.
The palpitation lasted merely a moment—her heart raced briefly before gradually calming down.
As a heterosexual woman, it was perfectly normal to have such a reaction when suddenly encountering an exceptionally handsome man with outstanding temperament who perfectly aligned with her aesthetic preferences.
Su Ruyi didn't consider this particularly special, far from reaching the level of "love at first sight."
This wasn't the first time she had experienced such feelings. Throughout one's life, there are countless moments of fleeting attraction, but these palpitations don't constitute love—at most, they represent slight interest in the other person.
Su Ruyi wasn't truly a teenage girl anymore. Having lost that youthful purity, she quickly regained her composure.
This man must be the male lead. Though everyone who entered was remarkable, he still stood out prominently.
In the original story, it made perfect sense for Su Ruyi to fall for such an exceptional man.
Although Su Ruyi didn't consider herself the type to experience love at first sight, then become completely immersed and crazy for love.
Even during her most innocent teenage years, she had never acted recklessly.
As for the Zhang family's power and wealth, Su Ruyi didn't believe she was that materialistic.
Though the two lifetimes of Su Ruyi had different experiences, inevitably creating some differences in details…
The current Su Ruyi might seem poor by her previous life's standards, but in reality, she had never worried about money in this lifetime.
Su Ying had always done her best to provide Su Ruyi with the finest things within her means, making Su Ruyi consistently one of the better-off among her peers.
More than financially, what Su Ying gave Su Ruyi most was spiritual richness, fostering confidence and optimism from childhood.
Even when impacted by the metropolis's splendor and facing temptations and corruption…
Su Ruyi believed her fundamental character remained intact, not so easily swayed toward vanity.
Moreover, with Zhang Laoyezi as her backing, her situation was completely different from ordinary rural girls drifting alone in worldly temptations.
Countless thoughts flashed through Su Ruyi's mind, yet this actually lasted only a moment.
If one weren't paying attention, perhaps no one would notice she had particularly noticed that man.
Zhang Laoyezi also heard the scornful laugh, his face instantly darkening as he sharply glared at the person who made the sound.
Zhang Wenyin remained completely unaware, still examining Su Ruyi with a scrutinizing gaze as she entered.
"Dad, I heard we have guests at home. It wouldn't be this person, would it?"
Contempt laced Zhang Wenyin's tone as she looked at Su Ruyi like some poor relative coming to seek favors.
The man beside Zhang Wenyin quickly pulled her back, shaking his head at her with disapproval before explaining to Zhang Laoyezi:
"Dad, Wenyin just returned from abroad and is still adjusting to the time difference."
Zhang Wenyin curled her lip dismissively, but seeing the old man's unpleasant expression, she didn't say anything more. Still, she didn't regard Su Ruyi as worthy of attention and directly moved to sit on the sofa.
Zhang Laoyezi immediately stopped her with his cane: "Why have you come back?"
Zhang Wenyin froze, then said angrily: "Dad, this is my home! Why can't I come back?"
Being treated so disrespectfully before everyone made Zhang Wenyin feel extremely wronged.
"What did I tell you last time?"
"Enough, I have an important guest today and don't want to listen to your nonsense."
Zhang Laoyezi pulled Su Ruyi to sit beside him, his voice carrying authority so everyone present could hear clearly.
"This is Su Ruyi, my lifesaver. She holds the same importance in this household as I do."
The room immediately fell silent. These measured words forced everyone to reevaluate Su Ruyi.
Although everyone knew about the old man's past experience, they hadn't taken it seriously.
They thought it was just some minor care provided when he was at his lowest – the kind of help that would make ordinary families weep with gratitude if given some money.
Moreover, they had already offered assistance before, considering the matter settled.
No one expected the old man to value it so highly, even comparing a young girl to himself.
Zhang Laoyezi's sharp gaze swept across everyone present, making clear this matter's importance wasn't to be taken lightly.
Zhang Wenyin felt furious inside but still nodded along.
A tall, handsome man looked at Su Ruyi with a warm and friendly smile:
"Hello, I'm Zhang Qingfeng. Grandfather has spoken of you before. We're all very happy you could visit – Grandfather and our entire family."
Zhang Qingfeng, the eldest grandson of Zhang Laoyezi, was also the male lead in the original Era Literature.
Compared to others, he clearly carried more presence, standing out as the most exceptional among the crowd.
Unlike the arrogant male leads commonly seen in CEO novels or Era Literature, he was as gentle as spring breeze, like an older brother.
However, this might be because he only showed his softer side around family. Su Ruyi could sense hidden sharpness and ambition beneath his modest and polite exterior.
Su Ruyi didn't find anything wrong with such character traits – on the contrary, she appreciated people like him.
Only those with such vibrant spirit had the energy to venture forth and build their own careers.
What puzzled Su Ruyi was how such a person could be controlled by her clumsy methods?
Was it plot convenience, with the author forcibly dumbing him down?
But Su Ruyi increasingly felt this wasn't a book but a real world, not something an author could control with mere pen strokes.
"Hello."
Su Ruyi also smiled, greeting him generously.
Since he was extending goodwill, she wouldn't deliberately act cold to avoid him – that would just signal "you're special to me."
Zhang Qingfeng showed no peculiar reaction either, pointing to the girl beside him:
"If you need anything, just tell my sister Qingxue. She's only two years older than you – you should have much in common."
Zhang Qingxue rolled her eyes inwardly. What could she possibly have in common with some country girl? Her friends would laugh themselves to death if they found out.
But she maintained composure, sitting on the other side of Zhang Laoyezi with a kind smile:
"That's right, don't stand on ceremony with me. Feel free to come to me for anything. Grandfather, rest assured – I'll take good care of Sister Ruyi, and this other sister too."
Zhang Qingfeng hadn't forgotten Wang Huiting beside Su Ruyi either. While everyone focused their attention on Su Ruyi, they completely ignored Wang Huiting by her side.
Zhang Wenyin didn't even glance her way – she didn't even regard Su Ruyi highly, let alone some distant relation like Wang Huiting.
Wang Huiting wasn't upset by everyone's disregard. Though she usually enjoyed being the center of attention, she clearly understood this wasn't her occasion to shine. Moreover, she feared embarrassing herself in front of such company—her own humiliation would be one thing, but dragging her sister down would be unacceptable.
The sheer impact of the Zhang family's presence had left her reeling, and she hadn't yet recovered from the shock.
Zhang Qingyun, equally invisible in the gathering, wanted to speak but found no opening to join the conversation. Instead, her gaze settled on Wang Huiting.
Wang Huiting sensed the attention almost immediately. She instinctively turned her head to meet Zhang Qingyun's eyes, and the two exchanged faint smiles.
Old Master Zhang had four children: three sons and one daughter. Zhang Qingfeng's father was the eldest, Zhang Wenzhi; Zhang Qingyun's father was the second son, Zhang Wenbo; the third son Zhang Wentao's family hadn't arrived yet; and Zhang Wenyin was the youngest daughter.
The old master also had an exceptionally valued adopted son, though he had since passed away. His son, Li Mingzhe, was likely already managing the company for Old Master Zhang.
Su Ruyi remembered this clearly because this character was an important male supporting role in the original storyline. Exploiting the old master's trust, he had constantly schemed against the male lead behind the scenes, undermining the company before eventually breaking away to establish his own enterprise and directly compete with the male lead for market share.
In the original plot, Li Mingzhe also appeared to have some ambiguous connection with Su Ruyi, since she consistently opposed the male lead.
Normally, only Old Master Zhang resided in the ancestral home. His children all maintained separate households elsewhere and didn't live together.
The old master hadn't summoned everyone—they had come voluntarily upon hearing the news. The Zhang family was numerous: the eldest branch had three children, the second had two, the third had four, and Zhang Wenyin also had a daughter. And these weren't even all of them.
Noticing everyone's relatively friendly attitude toward Su Ruyi, Old Master Zhang's expression finally softened somewhat.
He felt moderately satisfied with Zhang Qingfeng's tactful demeanor and spoke to him with noticeably more warmth.
"With so much happening at the company, you needn't have rushed back specially."
Zhang Qingfeng smiled. "I actually have a document requiring your signature, so I brought Qingxue along thinking women might communicate more easily. If Sister Ruyi felt uncomfortable raising certain matters with you, she could discuss them with Qingxue. This also prevents us from crossing paths without recognizing each other."
Old Master Zhang nodded approvingly and addressed Su Ruyi:
"Consider this your home—no need for formality. I'll gather all the children later so everyone can get acquainted with you."
Su Ruyi: "Grandpa Zhang, there's no need for such trouble. Knowing you is enough for me. I only came this time to visit you."
The old master chuckled. "That won't do. I still remember our agreement—you haven't tossed aside that fountain pen I gave you, have you?"
"Tossed it. Gone."
The old master tapped her head with his finger. "Teasing this old man again."
Everyone except Wang Huiting stared in astonishment—this was their first time witnessing the old master behaving so affectionately with a younger generation member.
In their eyes, the old master had always been exceptionally stern, maintaining distance whether with sons, daughters, grandchildren, or granddaughters. He never engaged in playful banter with the young.
This kind of interaction from the old master was entirely unprecedented for them.
"Really lost it. You know how I am—nothing stays with me more than a few days. So we never had any agreement to begin with. Let bygones be bygones."
The old master shot her a sidelong glance, completely unconvinced.
"Lost is lost. I have plenty of fountain pens anyway. Here's another batch for you."
Su Ruyi gasped sharply: "Grandpa Zhang, are you trying to make me commit mistakes?"
Each fountain pen represented a marriage proposal – just how many times was she supposed to get married?
"Hmph, don't think you can play little tricks in front of me."
"Grandpa Zhang, you're so old-fashioned." Su Ruyi wore an expression of disdain, barely resisting the urge to put her hands on her hips to reason with him.
"What era is this already? This kind of practice isn't popular anymore. Haven't you seen modern TV dramas? They all talk about breaking free from feudal shackles, where freedom is higher than the sky."
Zhang Wenyin's face darkened like ink: "How dare a little girl like you speak to my father like…"
Old Master Zhang glared at her, cutting her off: "Ruyi is talking to me! What business is it of yours? Step aside and don't interrupt my chat with Ruyi."
Su Ruyi had been so disrespectful toward him, yet he hadn't gotten angry at all, while she had merely said the wrong thing and he acted like he wanted to beat or kill her.
Old Master Zhang simply found the crowd around him annoying, so he shooed them away and pulled Su Ruyi aside for a private conversation.
Wang Huiting felt it would be inappropriate for her to stay either. Since Old Master Zhang and Su Ruyi hadn't seen each other for so long, they must have many private things to discuss. So she took the initiative to say she would leave with the others.
Su Ruyi hesitated, but Wang Huiting said: "Sis, don't worry about me. I'd like to look around by myself too."
As she spoke, she looked toward Zhang Qingyun and proactively asked: "May I call you Yunyun? Could we play together?"
That one glance made Wang Huiting feel she could get along well with Zhang Qingyun.
Sure enough, Zhang Qingyun's eyes lit up: "Great, let's explore together. You call me Qingyun, and I'll call you Tingting, okay?"
Zhang Qingyun had been feeling quite uncomfortable in the old mansion. She had never been good at handling such situations, and now that she was the only one from her family here, she felt even more at a loss.
Now that she had someone to keep her company, she couldn't be happier.
The two young girls went off skipping and playing together, while the remaining people watched the intimate interaction between the old man and the young girl, each with their own thoughts.