170: Chapter 170 The All-Powerful Fourth Uncle

He Ming couldn't figure it out, he really couldn't figure it out. He felt something was nine parts wrong out of ten. Although Li Biao's reputation in Chang City wasn't exactly terrible, he had been a street thug in the past, so it certainly wasn't good either.

Now, he was actually so respectful to Su Ye, this young man, even taking the initiative to admit his mistake and apologize before hurriedly leaving.

He Ming looked at Su Ye, who was bowing his head to sign the contract, with a hint of fear in his eyes. What kind of background or power did this person have? How could he make Li Biao so afraid? Furthermore, Li Biao had sold him out before leaving. Would Su Ye come looking for trouble with him later?

He Ming stood there like a lackey, feeling completely uncomfortable. Su Ye didn't even glance at him. After signing the contract, the Sales Director of the Lanshan Sales Office appeared and greeted Su Ye very enthusiastically.

"Apologies, Mr. Su. My surname is Peng, and I am the Sales Director for the Lanshan property. I was attending a very important group meeting just now and neglected you."

Facing Director Peng's apology, Su Ye didn't say much, just reached out to shake his hand calmly, and then exchanged a few pleasantries.

However, when Su Ye left, he glanced at He Ming, mentioned how He Ming had blocked his car at the entrance, and then got into his car and drove away.

He Ming, his face deathly pale, saw the director staring at him with a frown, and Li Qiuhong, who looked furious and seemed ready to pounce and scratch his face.

——————

When the gilded sign of Shu Xiang Pavilion lit up in the twilight of Chang City, Su Ye was holding Grandmother Zhang Yin's arm. He looked up and saw Fourth Uncle, Su Yi, standing by the revolving door.

His black suit made him look even more upright than when they had reunited yesterday. Having shed the awkwardness of his first meeting with the family, there was a bit more composure between his brows. Seeing Grandfather Su Mu walking over, he immediately went up to take his cane, his voice still carrying the respect of a junior:

"Dad, the wind is strong outside. Please, come inside."

Although Su Mu complained with his mouth, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunched up. He patted Su Yi's hand—the same large hand that had been trembling while clutching his own at the reunion banquet yesterday was now very steady, with distinct knuckles and the thin calluses of someone who had held a pen for years.

"You brat, you still remember this old bag of bones."

The private room "Wangjiang Pavilion" had been booked early. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the night view of the Chang River. The table was already set with the signature dishes of Shu Xiang Pavilion:

Amber-colored camphor tea duck, glistening red-oil sliced beef and ox tongue, and steaming matsutake chicken soup. In front of seven-year-old Su Xingxing sat a small sweet-skin duck leg, and she was eating it with her little mouth all oily.

Su Yi picked up his teacup and toasted the two elders, Su Mu and Grandmother Zhang Yin, first:

"I should have stayed at home for a few more days to keep Dad and Mom company and talk,"

"but the provincial authorities are in a rush. I have to return to Chengdu early tomorrow morning, so I can only use this meal to gather with the family."

Eldest Aunt had the most straightforward personality.

"Why are they rushing you so much? You just found your family! What's with the government? Can't they even let someone have a family reunion? Fourth, if it doesn't work, just tell your boss and stay for a few more days."

There was already a choke in Eldest Aunt's voice. As the eldest child in the family, it was no exaggeration to say that she had raised the fourth and fifth brothers. When the fourth brother returned yesterday, she had almost cried until she fainted. Now, she couldn't bear to see her younger brother leave just like that.

Su Yi looked at his eldest sister with a bit of helplessness, but there wasn't a trace of discomfort in his heart; instead, it felt warm. This feeling of being missed and cared for by family was something he hadn't experienced in decades.

Su Yi explained gently:

"Sister, the organization has its arrangements, and I have to be responsible for my work. Besides, I'm still in Sichuan Province, aren't I? When you have time later, come to Chengdu, and I will host you. I remember when I was little, I said I would take you to Chengdu to see the big world."

Eldest Aunt wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand and broke into a smile upon hearing Su Yi's words.

"Back then, a classmate was showing off in front of me that she had been to Chengdu. You were only ten or so at the time, and you jumped out and said, 'We aren't envious. In the future, I will earn lots and lots of money and take my sister to Chengdu to see the big world.'"

After a long sigh, Eldest Aunt immediately turned the conversation to Su Ye beside her.

"Since you insist on leaving, I won't stop you. It's not easy for Little Su to work in Chengdu; you two can just travel back together and look after each other on the road. Little Su, your Fourth Uncle works in Chengdu. If you have any difficulties in the future, just tell your Fourth Uncle. Don't try to tough it out."

Su Ye had just picked up a slice of bamboo shoot and nodded with a smile upon hearing this:

"I know, Eldest Aunt. I'm doing quite well in Chengdu; there's no need to trouble Fourth Uncle."

Younger Sister Su Li, sitting diagonally across from him, almost couldn't hold back her laughter—who could have imagined that a big boss in Chengdu worth billions would just be an "ordinary wage earner" in their Eldest Aunt's eyes.

She hurriedly picked up her teacup to cover it up:

"Eldest Aunt is right. Su... Little Su is indeed very steady in Chengdu. We can even meet up for a meal occasionally."

Su Yi glanced at Su Ye, a flash of tacit understanding passing through his eyes. Although the two hadn't spoken, Su Yi believed that Su Ye had definitely investigated him, just as he had investigated Su Ye. Both knew each other's identities, but neither had made it public.

Su Yi turned the conversation to Su Hong:

"By the way, Little Five, I heard you say yesterday that it's been a bit hard to get engineering projects lately?"

Su Hong frowned slightly and put down his wine glass with some worry, saying:

"Yeah, Fourth Brother, you know how it is. Because of that thing a few years ago, I didn't have any work for three years. Although things were okay last year, the economy has been very sluggish, and I've been living off my savings these past few years."

As he spoke, he looked at Su Ye, who was bowing his head eating, and sighed with emotion:

"Now that Little Su has grown up, he'll be getting married in a couple of years. Then there's the money for buying a house and the bride price; that's going to cost several hundred thousand, right? So I want to earn more money, but who knew, I contacted some old friends recently, and nothing came of it."

Su Yi first glanced at the silently bowing Su Ye and then said:

"I asked someone to check. There is a housing project tender in the new district of Chang City next month. If your qualifications are sufficient, you can give it a try. I'll send you the materials and the contact person on your phone in a moment. You just need to prepare the materials and contact this person."

Su Hong was stunned for a moment, then his face was full of surprise:

"Really? I thought you needed connections to get into that tender..."

Su Yi waved his hand.

"It's a compliant and legal matter; there's no need to look for connections. I only asked for you. But Fifth Brother, I have to make it clear: whatever we do, it must be legal. You cannot do anything illegal."

Su Hong, beaming with joy, picked up his wine glass and patted his chest as he said:

"Don't worry, Fourth Brother. You know me, don't you? If it weren't for Little Su, I would have considered retiring already—"

Facing Su Yi's teasing gaze, Su Ye couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart, thinking that when he got home later, he would definitely have to reveal his true identity.

After Su Yi had a drink with his younger brother Su Hong, he looked at Zhang Ya from the Third Aunt's family:

"Isn't Ya Zi in Zhuhai? It's not really good to be so far from home. The tobacco factory here in Chang City is hiring this year. I had someone inquire about the information. Ya Zi, prepare well."

The chopsticks in Zhang Ya's hand dropped onto the table with a "clack," and his face flushed red:

"Fourth Uncle, you... how are you so amazing?"