Seeing that his granddaughter could handle things herself, Su Tingyun leaned back on the sofa, sipping the tea brewed from his premium leaves. Though it wasn’t as good as the tea Xiao Jin had poured, it still had its own charm.
Hong Xiuxiu looked at Su Jin with her moist, innocent eyes. “Xiao Jin… I’ve finished speaking.
I just didn’t want you to misunderstand. Please don’t let me affect the relationship between you and Brother Fuyuan.”
Su Jin let out a light scoff. What kind of thing was he to her?
“Since you’re done, it’s my turn.
First, don’t call me ‘Xiao Jin’ anymore. Call me Comrade Su or Su Jin.
After all, my mother only gave birth to me—I don’t have any siblings.
Second, there has never been any so-called childhood engagement between me and Zhao Fuyuan.
Back then, it was his grandfather who insisted on asking mine for a marriage alliance.
But my grandfather refused and said it would depend on the children’s wishes.
Somehow, along the way, it turned into us having a childhood engagement.
Third, whatever relationship you have with him has nothing to do with me. There’s no need to explain it to an outsider like me.”
After saying that, Su Jin stood up and leaned down, whispering into her ear,
“After all, you should know better than anyone about the mole on his backside.”
Hong Xiuxiu’s eyes widened instantly, her face turning deathly pale.
She…
Su Jin didn’t care what she was thinking. A faint smile curved her lips. “Uncle Su, see the guest out.”
Su Chengshan had been standing at the door. Hearing her call, he immediately entered. “Miss Hong, this way.”
His firm tone left no room for refusal.
Hong Xiuxiu looked at Su Jin in panic, but Su Jin didn’t spare her a glance.
She could only leave.
Once she was gone, Su Tingyun couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Xiao Jin, those words of yours…
You’re a young lady—how can you casually talk about someone’s ‘backside’? What kind of propriety is that?”
Seeing her grandfather laughing so happily, Su Jin laughed as well. She leaned closer, hooking her arm around his and speaking in a playful, coquettish tone.
“Grandpa, weren’t those your words? You told Uncle Su that I had poor taste for liking someone with a mole on his backside.
I was just using your words to deal with someone like her—someone trying to act all virtuous.
If I reason with her, she’ll just twist things, cry, and make a fuss. Just looking at her makes my eyes hurt.
It’s better to expose her shameful secret directly—that way she’ll actually be afraid.
But I really don’t understand… she’s so annoying with all that crying—how does she attract so many men? Are they all blind?”
Su Tingyun chuckled. “Xiao Jin, a woman who appears weak and cries easily can stir a man’s protective instincts.
It satisfies their sense of masculinity and vanity.
Think about it—when a pitiful, crying girl argues with a strong and upright one, people will naturally side with the weaker one.
You should have experienced that yourself.”
Su Jin rubbed her nose, recalling something from years ago.
Her fountain pen had been taken by Hong Xiuxiu, and when she confronted her, Hong Xiuxiu cried and said things that caused misunderstandings.
Many classmates looked at Su Jin with blame, even defending Hong Xiuxiu, making it seem like Su Jin was the bully.
In the end, the pen was found in Hong Xiuxiu’s bag, yet she still claimed someone had framed her—and many people believed her.
A bunch of blind fools.
Su Jin curled her lips. “She’s just good at pretending. It’s so annoying.
Why can’t people just say what they mean? Why all the scheming? Acting like a palace concubine.”
Su Tingyun smiled. “Xiao Jin, don’t underestimate the ability to pretend.
Sometimes, showing weakness appropriately is also a kind of wisdom.”
Su Jin fell into thought.
“I’m not telling you to imitate her—relying on men and pretending to be weak.
I’m telling you to understand the situation—when to be soft, and when to be strong.”
After thinking for a while, Su Jin’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Grandpa, I think I understand now.”
Su Tingyun smiled with satisfaction. He had always known his granddaughter was smart—she grasped things quickly.
At that moment, Wang Guifhua brought the dishes to the table. “Master, Miss, it’s time to eat.”
Originally, the Su family had many servants, but after hearing rumors, Su Tingyun dismissed most of them, keeping only one cook.
Though Wang Guifhua was busy cleaning and cooking, the Su family paid well.
As for the steward Su Chengshan, he had grown up here—the Su family was his home. Wherever the master was, he would be.
Su Tingyun looked at Su Jin. “Come, you must be starving by now.”
Su Jin rubbed her stomach and smiled. “If Grandpa hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten. Too many things happened today.”
Su Tingyun frowned slightly and sighed. “Yes… too many.”
So many that even he felt overwhelmed.
But he couldn’t collapse. He had to stay steady.
Some accounts could be settled later. Right now, what mattered was protecting Su Jin, preserving the family, and safeguarding the Su lineage.
After washing their hands, the grandfather and granddaughter began eating.
Compared to before, the meal was much simpler—just three dishes and a soup—but even that was considered luxurious.
After eating, Su Jin wanted her grandfather to rest while she continued collecting items from the other rooms.
But how could Su Tingyun have the mind to rest now? Time was pressing.
He knew this old mansion held more than what was visible—there were hidden things known only to the head of the family.
“Come, Xiao Jin. We’ll start with my room.”
Su Tingyun led the way.
His room was simply furnished, yet everything was carefully arranged—and many things were hidden within.
Following behind him, Su Jin watched as he retrieved several account books from a hidden compartment beneath the bed.
“Xiao Jin, store these.”
She took them and placed them into the space.
Then, as Su Tingyun searched, Su Jin stored—important letters, family seals, and inherited items.
After finishing his room, they went to the main rear hall.
Su Tingyun headed straight for a cabinet against the wall.
“Xiao Jin, these were left by your grandmother.
The porcelain is from the Ming and Qing dynasties—part of her dowry.”
Su Jin glanced at them—headpieces, hairpins, ornaments… all exquisite.
Without examining them closely, she stored everything. There would be time to look later—today’s task was simple: collect everything.
Next, they went to the east wing, where her uncle had lived in his youth.
He had gone abroad to study long ago and later lost contact.
The year he disappeared, Su Jin’s mother, Su Qingli, was only twelve.
To this day, there had been no news. The family believed he was gone, and the novel never mentioned him. Su Jin didn’t know if her unseen uncle was still alive.
The furniture in his room was all high-quality—zitan wood desk, huanghuali armchair, carved canopy bed, wardrobes, chests—everything was stored into the space.
Even the bed curtains were taken.
Not just that—Su Jin emptied the entire east wing, leaving not even the carpet behind.
Su Tingyun froze for a moment. “This…”