49: Chapter 49 The Ji Family Finally Gets a Smug Look

"Xiao Cao, this car of yours looks quite grand. What brand is it? How much did it cost? I don't think I've seen this logo before."

Everyone's gaze focused on Cao Kun once again.

Ji Guangli frowned slightly, while Ji Baoxiu and Ma Guilan also looked at Cao Kun with some nervousness.

Cao Kun merely smiled, his tone as casual as if he were talking about the weather. "Oh, this car is an aito m9, a domestic new energy vehicle. It's not worth much; altogether, it cost about five or six hundred thousand. It's mainly just comfortable to drive."

Five or six hundred thousand? And it's 'not worth much'?

These words were like another bomb, leaving everyone dizzy and lightheaded.

In the village, buying a car worth a hundred thousand or so was considered decent. A car worth five or six hundred thousand? That was practically a thing of legends!

Zhao Laosi's face stiffened. He let out a sheepish laugh and stopped talking.

Wang Caifeng refused to give up. Squeezing out a fake smile, she deliberately asked loudly, "Guangli called back a few days ago and said you bought a house in Zhongzhou, Xiao Cao? Which district is it in? How big is it? Housing prices in Zhongzhou aren't cheap these days, are they?"

This question was even more direct, almost questioning the reality of Cao Kun owning a home.

Cao Kun glanced at Wang Caifeng, his eyes calm and his expression still as unruffled as a light breeze. "The house is in Fenghuali; it's not exactly a prime location. Just a normal three-bedroom apartment for the sake of a convenient commute. I bought it in full, it wasn't much, just about three million."

Three million! Paid in full!

Boom—!

The crowd was completely speechless.

While the Moutai, gold bracelets, and mountain of gifts from earlier were shocking, they were still concrete objects one could visualize.

But this offhand remark about buying a house for three million in full directly exceeded the understanding of the vast majority of the villagers!

In their eyes, three million was an astronomical figure that they couldn't earn in a lifetime!

Ji Baoxiu and Ma Guilan were also stunned. They knew their daughter's boyfriend was well-off, but they hadn't expected him to be this well-off!

Buying a house for three million in full?

Just... how deep were his pockets?

The faces of Wang Caifeng and the other women who had been questioning him turned completely ashen, as if all the strength had been drained from them.

Their last bit of courage and excuses for nitpicking were crushed to pieces in the face of Cao Kun's two consecutive underplayed yet heavyweight answers.

He drives a car worth five or six hundred thousand, bought a three-million-dollar house in full, and gives gifts worth tens of thousands on a whim... was there even a need to suspect he was faking? This kind of strength couldn't be faked even if you tried!

Looking at the Ji Family again, the hand Ji Baoxiu used to hand out Chunghwa cigarettes no longer trembled, and his back was straight as a rod.

Ma Guilan stroked her gold bracelet, her face filled with unhideable pride and happiness.

Ji Guanghui and Ji Guangke played with their new phones, chatting excitedly in low voices.

Ji Guangli stood beside Cao Kun. Although she didn't speak, her calm, peaceful, and proud demeanor said everything.

So sour, it was so sour!

Jealousy grew wildly like weeds!

Watching any longer would only make them feel worse!

"Oh my, I just remembered I have water boiling on the stove! I have to get back!"

"My chickens haven't been fed yet..."

"It's time for the kids to get out of school, I have to go pick them up..."

The people who had been excitedly watching the spectacle and even looking for faults now found clumsy excuses and hurriedly left the Ji Family's gate with complicated expressions.

They really didn't want to see the Ji Family's triumphant and happy expressions anymore, let alone hear Cao Kun's casual yet devastatingly humblebragging remarks.

Soon, the crowd at the gate mostly dispersed, leaving only a few neighbors who were genuinely happy for the Ji Family. They helped move the gifts into the house, their mouths full of congratulations and envious words.

The Ji Family's small courtyard had never been so lively, nor had it ever been so full of hope and confidence.

Cao Kun's carefully planned display of strength was a complete success.

Not only did it thoroughly establish his image as the perfect son-in-law in the hearts of the Ji Family, but it also washed away the grievances Ji Guangli and the Ji Family had endured for years, winning a beautiful victory in Zhao Family Village!

Ji Baoxiu and the others looked at Cao Kun.

They couldn't be more satisfied.

As the clamor died down and the gossiping villagers left with their own thoughts, the Ji Family's courtyard finally regained the peace belonging to a family.

Only this peace was overflowing with unprecedented joy and satisfaction.

Ji Baoxiu and Ma Guilan were so enthusiastic they were almost at a loss, repeatedly inviting Cao Kun into the house.

In the main room, although the furniture was old, it was kept clean. Ma Guilan brewed tea using the family's cleanest cups. The tea leaves were the ones Cao Kun had just brought, and the fragrance was refreshing.

Ji Baoxiu kept insisting that Cao Kun sit in the only wooden chair that looked the sturdiest.

"Xiao Cao, come sit, have some tea! The house is simple, please don't mind it." Ma Guilan's face was beaming; the more she looked at Cao Kun, the more satisfied she became.

Today, the old couple had finally let out the breath they had been holding in their hearts all these years!

Watching those neighbors who usually wagged their tongues leave in envy and helplessness—it was incredibly satisfying.

"Uncle, Auntie, you're being too polite. This is very nice."

Cao Kun smiled as he took the tea, his attitude respectful and natural. He didn't put on any airs just because he had given expensive gifts, which made the Ji couple feel even more comfortable.

After attending to Cao Kun,

The old couple started busying themselves to prepare lunch in the kitchen.

Cao Kun stood up to help, but was stopped by Ji Baoxiu's repeated waving.

"How can we let you lift a finger! You're a guest, just sit and rest. Driving must have been tiring! Guangli, stay and talk with Xiao Cao!"

Ji Guangli originally wanted to help in the kitchen, but she was also pushed back by Ma Guilan. "Go, go, go, accompany your boyfriend! Your dad and I are enough for the kitchen!"

Ji Guangli had no choice but to sit with Cao Kun in the main room.

The two looked at each other and smiled, both feeling a sense of relief.

Cao Kun whispered, "It seems Mom and Dad are quite satisfied with this son-in-law?"

Ji Guangli lightly pinched his arm and scolded playfully, "What son-in-law... you're so smooth-tongued. But... thank you so much for today." Her voice was very soft, but the gratitude and affection in it were genuine.

A little after ten in the morning, seeing that time was almost up, Ji Guanghui and Ji Guangke had to go to work at the restaurant in town, even though they were extremely reluctant to part with their new phones.

Before leaving, the two were much more affectionate toward their brother-in-law, calling him 'Brother-in-law' clearly and warmly.

The lunch was extremely sumptuous.

Iron-pot stewed goose was the main dish, with rich gravy and tender, flavorful meat.

Besides that, there was braised carp, stewed ribs, cured meat stir-fried with garlic sprouts, shredded pork with green peppers, tomato and egg stir-fry, cold cucumber salad, fried peanuts...

A large table was fully set, with barely enough room for all the bowls and plates.

Clearly, the Ji Family had brought out dishes they wouldn't necessarily be willing to eat even during the New Year.

Ji Baoxiu happily took out the case of Moutai Cao Kun had given and opened a bottle.

"Xiao Cao, I'm happy today. The two of us must have a drink!" He poured a full glass for Cao Kun.

...