With everyone else cleared away, leaving only Zhang Laoyezi and Su Ruyi, the atmosphere grew even more harmonious.
Su Ruyi said with a serious expression, "Grandpa Zhang, I know you care about me and want me to live a good life, but I have my own thoughts."
"I'm not insisting you marry my grandson," Zhang Laoyezi's expression softened, "I just want you to interact first, spend time together, and get to know each other. It doesn't necessarily have to lead to any particular outcome."
Zhang Laoyezi had thought it through well—even if marriage wasn't in the cards, becoming friends would allow them to support each other in the future.
"But your expectations will influence your attitude, making it difficult for us to simply spend time together," Su Ruyi said frankly.
Once people are brought together with a specific purpose in mind, it's inevitable that they'll scrutinize each other based on that purpose, making it impossible to form a genuine friendship.
Su Ruyi didn't want to get entangled in such complicated relationships. Maintaining a good relationship with Zhang Laoyezi was enough for her.
She had no desire to form deeper connections with the others and become just another pawn in their struggle for the family fortune.
According to the original story, the competition among the Zhang family heirs was fierce. Although the male lead firmly controlled the situation, he still faced numerous challenges from other branches during this period.
Zhang Qingfeng's own younger brother, Zhang Qingyuan, had even stabbed him in the back at one point, attempting to join forces with the third branch to overthrow him.
It was only through the female lead's mediation that the brothers eventually resolved their misunderstandings and joined forces, allowing the male lead to successfully take control of the entire group company.
Though the original story focused more on the romance between the two leads with only brief mentions of these conflicts, Su Ruyi could still sense the thick scent of gunpowder in the air.
From their brief encounter earlier, Su Ruyi had sensed the turbulence beneath the surface calm. The male lead was needless to say, and Zhang Wenyin and her husband were clearly ambitious as well.
She hadn't met the third branch or the adopted son's family yet, but Su Ruyi suspected they wouldn't be easy to deal with either.
Even without knowing the original plot, Su Ruyi wouldn't want to get involved.
Zhang Laoyezi remained silent for a moment before finally sighing:
"You usually seem carefree, child, but at crucial moments you're just like your mother—clear-headed about what you want and what you should do. It's my grandson who lacks this fortune."
"Grandpa Zhang, you're giving me too much credit."
Su Ruyi thought she was decent enough, but not nearly as remarkable as Zhang Laoyezi made her out to be.
All the Zhang children were outstanding—otherwise the male lead wouldn't have faced such difficulties in the inheritance battle.
Though she had only met three of them so far, they were all exceptionally good-looking, and she imagined the others wouldn't be far behind.
Zhang Wenyin should be around forty now, but she looked like she was in her late twenties—tall and beautiful.
The male lead goes without saying, and Zhang Qingyun was also a pretty young girl with delicate, fair features who was probably the school belle at her school.
All the Zhang children had university degrees as a basic requirement, while she hadn't even gotten into college.
"My children are indeed all very intelligent. But precisely because they're too smart, they need someone to keep them in check, to prevent them from turning against the people."
Su Ruyi immediately understood—the old man was afraid that once his children gained power and wealth, they would become blood-sucking capitalists.
Whereas she came from proper roots.
Coming from among the masses, taught by Comrade Su Ying, she stood firmly on the side of the people.
Su Ruyi felt even more embarrassed. She wouldn't even mention her original self, but even in her later life she hadn't managed to get rich first and then help others prosper.
At most, they only reduced rent for tenants during the special pandemic period and occasionally donated money during major disasters—nothing particularly remarkable.
"Grandpa Zhang, relying on external forces isn't reliable in the long run. They need to develop that awareness themselves. You should focus on educating them properly."
Zhang Laoyezi let out a deep sigh, remaining silent, his eyes filled with melancholy and helplessness.
Su Ruyi recalled how, when Zhang Laoyezi was first sent down for re-education, he was utterly broken, his eyes devoid of life.
Though many who were persecuted during that time grew disillusioned or even despairing due to the turmoil, Zhang Laoyezi's state was distinctly different.
The villagers, not wanting him to die in the village and face complications later, led to Su Ruyi occasionally checking on him to see whether he was alive or dead.
Su Ruyi vaguely remembered people discussing how Zhang Laoyezi had been reported by his wife and biological son… otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state.
Before liberation, Zhang Laoyezi had made outstanding contributions, handed over many industries to the state, and even received praise from top leaders.
She had been too young at the time, and with so many unjust, false, and wrongful cases occurring, these matters were seldom mentioned later and eventually forgotten.
In the original text, the male lead had a grandmother who lived in the old residence, but why did Su Ruyi feel as if there was no trace of an elderly lady in this family?
Every family has its own troubles—even Zhang Laoyezi couldn't control everything.
"Grandpa Zhang, even though I call you 'Grandpa,' in terms of our relationship, we're friends and equals. Your children and grandchildren should respect me. If I married into this family, my status would be lowered—I won't stand for it!"
Zhang Laoyezi glared at her in mock annoyance. "How are we equals? Aren't you afraid your mother will scold you?"
"Well, my mother isn't here anyway," Su Ruyi shrugged. "Besides, am I wrong? Grandpa Zhang, I treat you as a friend, yet you see me as a junior!"
Zhang Laoyezi was amused and laughed heartily.
Zhang Wenyin, who had been watching the interaction closely, frowned deeply at the sight of her father's laughter.
"I've never seen Dad laugh so happily. Does he really see this girl as a junior?"
Yang Lebin was taken aback and quickly covered her mouth. "What nonsense are you saying? Be careful—walls have ears!"
Breaking out in a cold sweat, Yang Lebin glanced around and only relaxed when he confirmed no one was nearby.
Zhang Wenyin pushed his hand away, irritated. "I'm not stupid. But seriously, don't you think Dad's attitude is too strange? She's just a country girl—this isn't normal at all."
It's not like the family lacks grandchildren, yet he's so affectionate with an outsider.
He doesn't dote on his own children but favors outsiders.
"Didn't they say that mother and daughter treated Dad well when he was sent down? The kindness shown in times of need is always special."
Zhang Wenyin rolled her eyes. "Dad just doesn't see it—they clearly had ulterior motives. I don't believe that mother and daughter were purely kind-hearted back then; they must have been trying to curry favor. Dad made so many contributions and even had inscriptions praising him from top leaders. His fall from power was temporary—he was bound to make a comeback."
Yang Lebin stayed silent. At the time, who could have predicted the possibility of a comeback?
Don't be fooled by how distinguished the old master appears now—back in those days, many like him never made it through, never lived to see their reputations restored. Nobody could predict how the future would unfold back then.
Otherwise, the old lady wouldn't have taken that step with their children, leaving everyone in this deeply awkward situation.
Even after all these years since the old master's rehabilitation, the matter remains an unresolved burden in his heart. That's precisely why he has never agreed to reconcile with the old lady, not even daring to broach the subject—any attempt would earn you an immediate ejection from his presence.
"My father has such peculiar preferences," Zhang Wenyin scoffed. "He treats that mother and son from the Li family the same way—acting more affectionately toward outsiders than his own children. Ugh, do you think that country girl's mother was like Sister Hong back in the rural days…"
Yang Lebin felt a chill run down his spine and forcibly dragged her away from the main hall.
"Have you lost your mind!"
"How dare you scold me! Yang Lebin, you've got some nerve!" Zhang Wenyin flared up. "You owe everything you have today to me! Now that you've grown wings, you dare to yell at me? If it weren't for me, you'd be nothing! Don't think you're somebody just because people call you 'President Yang'—pah! You're worthless in my eyes!"
Fuming but restraining himself from arguing back, Yang Lebin said in a low voice, "Have you forgotten what happened before? Dad hasn't cal down yet!"
Zhang Wenyin felt a twinge of fear—he had nearly been sent abroad by the old master, forbidden from ever returning.
While everyone else these days dreams of going overseas for better living conditions, she was the opposite. If she left the country, she'd lose everything—not a single cent of the family fortune would come her way.
But she refused to show weakness before her husband, stiffening her neck as she retorted, "I meant no harm. I'm just worried about Mom."
Yang Lebin took a deep breath and bent down to coax her. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Later, we'll go apologize to Sister Hong. If she returns, this whole matter will be over."
"Me? Apologize to her?!" Zhang Wenyin's voice shot up again.
"My dear lady, I'm begging you. We'll go together—I'll apologize while you stand by, alright?"
Zhang Wenyin curled her lip. "I'm only doing this for your sake."
"Yes, yes, for my sake," Yang Lebin quickly agreed.
That evening, the Zhang family ancestral home was bustling—everyone had gathered.
Though Old Master Zhang pretended to be annoyed, Su Ruyi could tell he was genuinely pleased.
Perhaps it's true that as people age, they delight in having their children and grandchildren around. Even if relationships are somewhat strained, seeing everyone gathered together in lively harmony brings its own joy.
The old master formally introduced Su Ruyi to everyone. When Zhang Qingyu, the youngest son of the third branch, heard her name, he immediately cheered:
"Ruyi ruyi, follow my heart's desire, quickly manifest!"
Su Ruyi's cheek twitched—a childhood trauma resurfacing.
Growing up, she'd endured endless teasing because of this name, often wishing she could change it.
It wasn't until adulthood that she made peace with it, even learning to joke about it herself.
Nowadays, anyone seeking her help had to recite that line.
With Calabash Brothers having aired just a few years prior and constantly rerun on television—even more popular among children than Lonely Warrior would later become—any random child on the street could complete the code phrase.
Su Ruyi flicked the boy's forehead. "You little imp, trying to command your Great King? Watch how your Great King Ruyi captures you!"
Zhang Qingyu didn't believe it at all and snorted, "You?"
"Hmph, are you afraid of your grandpa?"
Zhang Qingyu shrank his small frame, suddenly remembering this was his grandfather's house. He secretly glanced at his parents – sure enough, both had unpleasant expressions. He'd definitely get a mixed doubles beating when they returned home.
Before coming, he had been repeatedly warned to be well-behaved and obedient at his grandfather's house, and not to mess around. Yet he had forgotten all about it in no time.
"I used to order your grandpa around to do work."
Zhang Qingyu stared wide-eyed, his face full of disbelief.
"You're such a braggart! That's my grandpa we're talking about!"
In Zhang Qingyu's heart, Zhang Laoyezi was a figure of great authority. Even his parents acted like quails in front of his grandfather.
Su Ruyi raised an eyebrow, looking quite pleased with herself. "Why don't you ask your grandpa then?"
Zhang Qingyu shrank back again, but seeing that Zhang Laoyezi didn't seem angry and was instead watching them cheerfully, he mustered up his courage and asked:
"Grandpa, is this true?"
Zhang Laoyezi nodded, his expression tinged with nostalgia.
"This sister of yours really was a king back in the day – a Mountain King."