Shen Dianlan sat down, wiped her hands, and said nothing more. She didn't want Su Fei'ang to be the family head at all, but she couldn't say it outright, so she simply remained silent.
After all, she was old, and it was perfectly normal to 'forget' things occasionally.
However, this tactic wouldn't work.
Han Yun chuckled. Pretending to be confused in front of her? Old age meant she could forget important matters at will?
It wasn't that easy!
"Cough, cough." Han Yun deliberately cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. Then, she said with feigned nonchalance, "Old Madam, I recall that before the old master passed, he gave instructions. Whoever researches the Shuiboying first will succeed as the next Su family head!"
Since Shen Dianlan was unwilling to bring it up, Han Yun decided to do it directly.
By laying the matter bare in front of so many people, there was no way to feign ignorance!
As expected.
Shen Dianlan's brows immediately furrowed, then slightly relaxed. She forced a smile and said, "Yes, yes, I almost forgot such an important matter. The old man did give instructions before he left. However, deciding the family head is a very significant affair and cannot be done casually. Today's New Year's Grand Assembly is not suitable for discussing these things. After we return, I will specifically set a time to discuss this matter properly."
If she couldn't escape, she'd try to stall. Shen Dianlan was indeed a cunning old fox.
Of course, Han Yun was no pushover either.
She sneered, "The appointment of the family head should indeed be grand and not treated lightly. However, Old Madam, I think we can decide on the family head today, and the specific matter of 'coronation' can be discussed later."
The intention was to force Shen Dianlan to verbally acknowledge Su Fei'ang's position as family head!
Once acknowledged, it would be difficult to deny it later.
Shen Dianlan's face turned sallow.
She was in an awkward position, unable to refuse or accept. Su Wanran, standing nearby, was also very nervous. If the Old Madam truly acknowledged Su Fei'ang as the family head, what would happen to Su Wanran?
At this critical juncture.
Inspired by Lu Ming, Jiang Mengxin stood up and declared loudly in front of everyone, "Old Madam, regarding the recent testing and identification of the Shuiboying, I feel that many aspects were not standardized. Are the levels of these researchers truly reliable?"
These words were incredibly harsh, like a sharp knife plunged straight into Han Yun's heart.
Han Yun, usually calm and composed, suddenly lost her temper and rebuked, "Jiang Mengxin, what foolishness are you speaking?! These researchers are the top researchers of our Su family, world-class. If their levels are unreliable, then no one in Mist City is reliable! Jiang Mengxin, please watch your words in the future. If you dare to slander our Su family again, I will make you regret it!"
Wow, this sounded serious.
However, Han Yun's outburst caused a shift in Old Madam Shen Dianlan's thinking.
Shen Dianlan knew Han Yun too well. She knew Han Yun was a woman of great depth, rarely showing emotion unless her sore spot was truly hit.
Why did Han Yun explode immediately when Jiang Mengxin mentioned these researchers?
Shen Dianlan, being the shrewd old fox she was, saw through the trickery at a glance. She scanned the room, noticed the researchers' eyes darting around, and became even more certain that something was amiss.
"Heh heh."
Shen Dianlan was amused. So, this was the root of the problem! It made sense that Han Yun and Su Fei'ang achieved such groundbreaking research results in such a short time. It turned out they had colluded with these researchers to fabricate their findings!
Actually, this trick wasn't very clever. Shen Dianlan had been clouded by emotion and hadn't stepped back to observe the situation, which allowed her to be deceived.
As the old saying goes: The bystander sees clearer than the player.
Jiang Mengxin, as a bystander, saw more clearly than Shen Dianlan, who was involved.
Now that she knew the truth, Shen Dianlan couldn't let Su Fei'ang and Han Yun continue their charade.
She said with a smile, "Han Yun, how can you speak so rudely to Madam Jiang? She is a guest, an honored guest of our Su family, and you should be polite to her."
"But!" Han Yun argued, "She slandered the level of our Su family's researchers. I cannot tolerate this!"
"Hahahaha." Shen Dianlan laughed, "What is there to it? She merely questioned, she didn't slander. Are we not even allowed to question? Is our Su family so overbearing?"
Huh?
Han Yun suddenly felt that something was wrong.
In reality, Shen Dianlan cared most about the Su family's reputation. In the past, Shen Dianlan would have surely asked Jiang Mengxin to leave, but at this moment, she was defending Jiang Mengxin. This was strange.
As expected.
Shen Dianlan continued, "Since Madam Jiang doubts the capabilities of our Su family, then fine, I will find another group of Mist City's most outstanding researchers to examine and identify these cherries and see if our Su family's researchers are truly capable?!"
This was ruthless. She had resolved the matter with a smile!
The older the ginger, the spicier it is.
Han Yun's face turned ashen. If others were to conduct the identification, their deception would surely be exposed.
What to do?
"No!" Han Yun exclaimed, "Old Madam, you cannot indulge outsiders and let them act recklessly."
Shen Dianlan smiled, "How is this reckless? I am simply trying to make Madam Jiang feel convinced. Guards, in my name, go and invite a group of the most outstanding researchers!"
As the situation had developed to this point, Han Yun was making a final struggle.
She stood up and said, "Old Madam, let me handle the matter of inviting the researchers. Why trouble yourself?"
Heh heh, let you handle it?
The researchers present were bought off by you to fabricate results! If you handle it again, will you find reliable people?
Not only should Han Yun not be allowed to handle it, but she should be pinned down right here!
Shen Dianlan said with a smile, "It's a small matter. Han Yun, you don't need to go. Today is our Su family's New Year's Grand Assembly. You are not allowed to go anywhere. Stay here and keep me company with drinks. Come, come, fill up Xiao Yun's cup."
Han Yun was so anxious that cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
She was in a dilemma, unable to leave or stay.
The more anxious she became, the happier Shen Dianlan was.
Before long, another group of researchers arrived, invited by Shen Dianlan's confidants.
Shen Dianlan was direct. Pointing to the cherries on the table, she said, "Come, examine and identify these cherries and see if they meet the data requirements my old man set for Shuiboying."
The group of researchers immediately began their investigation.
After an hour of detailed testing, they reached their conclusion.
Shen Dianlan asked, "How is it, does it meet the standard?"
A leading researcher stepped forward, gently placed down the cherry in his hand, and smiled, "It basically meets the standard."
Shen Dianlan frowned, "If it meets the standard, it meets the standard. If it doesn't, it doesn't. What do you mean by 'basically meets the standard'?"
The researcher explained, "All the data is very close to the benchmark. Some items have even met the standard. To put it simply, if the benchmark is 60 points, then several subjects have already met the standard, and the remaining subjects are around 55 points, very close."
Very close?
Hmph!
Shen Dianlan snorted and stated directly, "So, it doesn't meet the standard, does it?"