12: Chapter 12 You Are My Moonlight: The Substitute Male Supporting Character 11

Mr. Su nodded.

Mrs. Su reached out to touch her face, which was showing signs of panic.

"We accompanied that child here last time. He chatted with Old Master Su for a few minutes and came out quickly. We don't know what exactly was said."

Mr. Su added from the side:

"Qingxue, Meng Zhu is a sensible person. He can handle this well; you need to trust him."

Could he handle it?

Su Qingxue recalled her time with Meng Zhu, and then remembered the banquet from a while ago.

That's right, he is indeed very capable.

It seems there is nothing in this world that can stump him.

But that is her grandfather. This matter should have been her problem, so how did it become Meng Zhu's problem?

On the sofa opposite, the Second Uncle and Second Aunt had not spoken from the beginning to the end; they had clearly been warned by Old Master Su.

At least until Old Master Su spoke, they could not interfere without permission.

But Su Jianan, the Second Uncle, couldn't help but narrow his eyes as he watched Su Qingxue's expression.

He, like many of the collateral branches, had previously thought that Su Qingxue and Meng Zhu were likely not a real couple.

But now it seemed he might have been wrong.

"He looks decent enough, but what a pity. The Su Family isn't lacking in sons-in-law like him—pleasant to look at but useless."

In the silence, Second Aunt finally couldn't hold back and looked at Su Qingxue with a cold sneer.

"Hmph, whether a son-in-law is good or not, Qingxue knows, and as her parents, we know too. It's not up to outsiders to worry about."

Mrs. Su now treated Meng Zhu as her own son, and she couldn't stand others slandering him.

"Who are you calling an outsider? Qingxue is the president of Su Group; her marriage is not just her own business."

Second Aunt had been warned by Old Master Su earlier and was currently furious. She couldn't hold back, immediately pointing at Mrs. Su, acting fierce but inwardly weak.

Mrs. Su was not annoyed, however; she just rolled her eyes indifferently.

"Oh? So you do know my daughter is the president of Su Group?"

"You..."

"Alright, shut up. Old Master Su will decide on this matter."

Su Jianan glared fiercely at his wife, cutting off the meaningless argument.

In the study on the other side.

This was the second time Meng Zhu had come here.

Su Qingxue thought too simply; she always wanted to be fully prepared and bring him back to The Old Mansion at the most appropriate time.

But in this world, how could every battle be one that was fully prepared for?

When Old Master Su contacted him last time, he was taking time out to cook delicious food for Mr. and Mrs. Su at their home.

So the two of them accompanied him here. In the same study, Meng Zhu asked Old Master Su to give him some time, promising to discuss this matter properly the next time they met.

And now, he had come.

The butler poured tea for both of them.

Old Master Su got straight to the point.

"Since you have already appeared in public, does that mean you are ready?"

Meng Zhu nodded.

"Heh."

Old Master Su sneered.

"Since you left last time, I have been keeping an eye on you. Qingzhu Intertainment is indeed a dark horse. Being able to drag that brat from the Gu Family onto your chariot is even more of a testament to your ability."

"But young man, even so, thinking you can negotiate terms with Su Group just like this is a bit naive."

Meng Zhu was not discouraged; instead, he took a sip of tea.

"Old Master Su, when I negotiate terms with you, it's not about looking at what you want, but looking at what I have."

"What do you mean?"

Old Master Su frowned slightly. He had to admit that this young man had ability, but he wasn't qualified to stand on equal footing with him yet.

Meng Zhu didn't beat around the bush.

"When I came last time, I had nothing, so nothing I said was important, and no one would listen. But this time is different."

"Look, I haven't even done anything yet, and haven't you already been paying attention to me?"

This was a fact.

If Old Master Su had only found out that Meng Zhu was a househusband, he wouldn't have cared.

But he happened to find out about Qingzhu Intertainment, so he couldn't help but keep watching him until now.

"We are in a sham marriage."

While Old Master Su was still thinking, Meng Zhu suddenly dropped this line. The butler on the side twitched his lips, barely holding back.

Old Master Su, on the other hand, was much calmer.

Meng Zhu continued.

"You have roamed the business world for half your life. Qingxue's tactics can deceive people for a while, but not for a lifetime."

"So what? They are all just petty tricks that can't be brought to the table."

Old Master Su's point was that the contract marriage was completely unnecessary.

"I understand."

Meng Zhu nodded.

"The Second Branch is pushing hard, and the collateral branches are constantly making small moves. You want to find someone of equal social standing for Qingxue, someone who can support each other to help her completely control the Su Family and also continue the glory of Su Group."

"Compared to these, Su Qingxue's thoughts are not important. Love or whatever can be cultivated after marriage. I believe the son-in-law you approve of can't be too bad."

Old Master Su nodded indifferently.

"That is only natural."

Meng Zhu, however, restrained his smile at this moment.

"But Su Qingxue was raised by you personally, and I believe in your affection for her. Since that's the case, why not give her a chance?"

"Three years, two paths."

"What do you mean?"

Old Master Su narrowed his eyes; only then did he start to take this seriously.

"I have a three-year contract marriage with Qingxue. Path one: she finds a husband of equal social standing whom you are satisfied with and whom she likes herself."

"Path two: she uses her own ability to completely take control of the Su Family until no one can dictate her marriage."

"I believe you can accept both of these paths. Regardless of which one she chooses, I will cooperate with her and assist her throughout."

"Let's set a three-year term. If she finds a husband you are satisfied with within three years, I will withdraw. Otherwise, with my ability, three years is enough to help her complete the second path. What do you think?"

After saying this, Meng Zhu looked quietly at Old Master Su. He wasn't lying; these two paths were just to give Su Qingxue a chance, and he believed Old Master Su wouldn't refuse.

"What gives you the right to make such a guarantee?"

Sure enough, Old Master Su did not refuse; he only questioned Meng Zhu's ability.

But at this moment, the man smiled again, his whole being filled with composure and confidence.

"This is why I only came to negotiate with you this time."

"Just based on Qingzhu Intertainment?"

Meng Zhu nodded generously.

"In name, I can shut the Second Branch's mouths. In terms of means, Qingzhu Intertainment is more than enough to hold them off for three years."

"Heh, Su Group is a massive enterprise with many collateral branches. Even this old man wouldn't dare say for sure that he could let Qingxue completely control the Su Family. What gives you such confidence?"

Old Master Su's words sounded like sarcasm, but his eyes were full of scrutiny.

Meng Zhu chuckled.

"Since you have been keeping an eye on me, do you think I will still be the same person in three years?"

Old Master Su fell silent.

The butler watched from the side. He was the one who knew best just how serious Old Master Su's expression was every time he heard news about Meng Zhu.

By now, Meng Zhu was basically certain he had secured it; he just had to wait for Old Master Su to nod.

But he didn't expect that Old Master Su's final question would actually surprise him a little.

On his aged face, his eyes were deep, carrying a sharpness that made young people fear being seen through at a glance.

"You are indeed capable, but the question is, what about you? What are you after?"

Businessmen only care about profit; Meng Zhu was a bit too selfless.

Looking up at the calligraphy and painting on the wall, Meng Zhu spoke as if remembering something.

"Three years of marriage is worthless to me. Years ago when the Meng Family went bankrupt, the Su Family was the only one that didn't kick us while we were down. Years later, when I was at my lowest, it was Su Qingxue who gave me a hand, and even the two million in startup capital was given by her."

"Besides, she and I have the friendship of childhood playmates. Helping her for three years is what I should do."

Meng Zhu said this sincerely, which was moving.

Old Master Su's expression changed again and again; perhaps this was an answer he had not expected at all.

After a long while, his voice became much gentler, as if he had also recalled something, carrying a hint of guilt.

"Back then, it was too sudden and too fast. The Su Family ultimately didn't help the Meng Family. I had a deep friendship with your grandfather. I owe your Meng Family an apology."

"Old Master Su, you speak too seriously. Given the business entanglements between the Su Family and the Meng Family at that time, the Meng Family was already very grateful that you merely withdrew rather than kicking us while we were down."

When saying this, Meng Zhu had already stood up and even bowed slightly to express his gratitude.

"Enough, let's not mention the past. The Meng Family was indeed not destined to end; to be able to produce a real dragon like you. Let's go, let's go down and eat."

The dust had settled.

Under the butler's astonished gaze, Meng Zhu helped Old Master Su, walked out slowly, and went downstairs together.