Tang Xiaomin's face was ashen. She couldn't stand their smug, shameless bullying of Yan Jue.
"Gifts? You think you're worthy!"
Tang Xiaomin's fury was ignited, and the air crackled with tension, on the verge of an explosion.
Tang Yu and Zhang Meiyu were preparing to step in and smooth things over.
At that moment, Yan Jue suddenly chuckled.
"Heh... Minmin, don't be angry. It's my fault for not preparing in advance."
They disliked him? What was so difficult about that? He would make them sincerely impressed later.
"I didn't prepare a gift, but I brought something else."
As Yan Jue spoke, he expertly pulled a thick stack of checks from his inner pocket, took out a pen, and began writing with swift strokes.
Soon, one check was filled out. He handed it to Zhang Meiyu first, as she was his mother-in-law.
"Auntie, please accept this as a small token of my appreciation. Don't be polite with me."
The last time he came for a proposal, he had given everyone a generous red envelope, and now he was doing it again!
Wang Na's eyes lit up. She leaned over to look at the check and gasped in surprise.
"Wow! Eight point eight million!"
Wang Na truly saw Yan Jue in a new light. She had seen rich people before, but someone who carried checks and filled them out on the spot was a rare sight.
He was dishing out millions as a starting point. How many people could match such extravagant spending?
Soon, another check was filled out, this time for Wang Na.
When it came to giving red envelopes, it was natural to give them to those who were most pleasing to the eye first.
"I get one too?" Wang Na was ecstatic.
"Besides my father, you're the second person to give me a red envelope. I have high hopes for you."
"I've always felt that only you are worthy of Xiaomin. You are a match made in heaven, a talented man and a beautiful woman."
Yan Jue loved to hear this, and he immediately filled out another check for Wang Na.
"To each their own. This is for the little one."
Even the unborn baby received something. There was nothing more to say.
"Even the little baby gets one. Mr. Yan, as expected of a boss of a major corporation, your consideration is truly thoughtful. I'll thank Uncle Yan on behalf of the baby."
At this moment, Yan Jue unleashed the full power of his wealth.
Then it was Tang Yu's turn.
"Housing prices have gone up again recently. This red envelope is just enough for your down payment."
Then it was Tang Ye's.
"Starting a company can't be easy, right? Consider this red envelope my investment. If you need help in the future, just say the word. We're family, we help each other out as much as we can."
Solving the problem of snobbery, was it that simple?
Scatter money!
No?
Then scatter more money. There was always a price that would satisfy these snobs. Just like now.
Even Tang Yan, the spoiled second-generation heir, received one. Yan Jue wasn't stingy with his own brother-in-law, who had targeted him first.
With a sweep of his hand, he quickly filled out a number.
"This is for my little brother-in-law."
Yan Jue, with a half-smile, placed a check in front of Tang Yan.
Tang Yan grumbled, "Having money makes you amazing!"
That's what he said, but his eyes saw something else entirely.
He saw the entire family beaming at Yan Jue, utterly pleased with their golden son-in-law, as if they had been charmed.
These people... not a single one had any backbone.
Seeing Tang Yan's unhappy expression, Tang Xiaomin said coldly, "If you don't like it, give it back. You really think you're something."
This time, Tang Yan didn't speak.
After all, he had been given a red envelope. How could he possibly return it? It was better to take it than not.
He silently accepted the check and casually glanced at the number on it.
Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he looked closely, counting again.
"Ones, tens, hundreds... That's not right. Why is it only eight hundred and eighty-eight?"
Everyone else was getting millions, but his share was only a few hundred? Was he being treated like a beggar?
Hearing this, the others also crowded around to look. Indeed, it was only a few hundred.
However, they all adopted an indifferent attitude, as if it had nothing to do with them.
Zhang Meiyu said, "Didn't you just say that whether the gift is big or small, it's the thought that counts?"
Wang Na said, "Eight hundred isn't little either. It's still Yan Jue's gesture of goodwill. As people, we shouldn't be greedy."
Tang Xiaomin said irritably, "If you think it's too little, then don't take it."
This...
He had finally been released, and his family provided meals, but they didn't give him any money.
His pockets were as clean as his face. This eight hundred-plus was a fortune to Tang Yan at this moment.
It was little, but it was better than nothing.
After experiencing so much, he understood that face was worthless compared to money.
Tang Yu said, "Let's all eat. The food will get cold and won't be good."
Tang Ye didn't say another word. He just quietly tucked the check away, afraid it would fly off.
The dinner, warmed by the infusion of money, became harmonious.
Outside, countless lights flickered, warming small families in the cold night.
A few days later, Tang Zhongcheng went to the hospital to check his reports.
After the doctor closed the door, he took out the report and told Tang Zhongcheng with a grave expression.
"Mr. Tang, we have assessed your and Ms. Zhang's overall health. The final result is that your heart is indeed suitable for Ms. Zhang Meiyu. At the same time, I express my condolences regarding your condition."
Tang Zhongcheng had lied, claiming he had a terminal illness, which was why the doctor agreed to help him with this assessment.
When he received the examination report, his face showed no sign of gravity. Instead, a long-lost excitement flickered in his eyes.
Heaven helps those who help themselves. It seemed that fate was showing him mercy, giving him an opportunity to save Zhang Meiyu.
This was the last thing he could do for her.
He left the hospital and got into a BMW 740.
Radio broadcast: "A piece of good news, Mr. Yan of Xianfu Group and Miss Tang Xiaomin will be holding their engagement banquet on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month at the Shanghai Grand Hotel..."
Zhang Meiyu was critically ill, and Tang Xiaomin was holding her engagement banquet at this very time.
After everything he had been through, Tang Zhongcheng knew Tang Xiaomin's character. She wasn't someone who would act so foolishly.
There could only be one explanation: she wanted to use the happy occasion to bring good fortune to Zhang Meiyu, meaning Zhang Meiyu's condition had reached a very critical stage.
At this moment, a wave of reluctance washed over him, and he felt a thousand emotions with nowhere to express them.
His opportunities to see Zhang Meiyu were dwindling.
Today was New Year's Eve.
Fireworks were being set off all day long in Shanghai. The smell of sulfur permeated the air, and the streets and alleys were filled with joy and a strong festive atmosphere.
This was the time for family reunions, joy, and cherishing familial bonds.
Even though Tang Zhongcheng sat in a luxury car worth millions, with tens of millions in his bank account, he couldn't buy that kind of happiness.
At this moment, no luxurious venue, not even a pile of money, seemed to warm his soul.
He drove aimlessly, and as if guided by fate, he found himself at the Central Garden residential complex again.
He parked, turned off the engine, and silently gazed at the villa, watching for the entire day.
It wasn't until dusk that Tang Yu drove back and, while retrieving a box from the trunk, unexpectedly discovered Tang Zhongcheng in the car.
"Dad, why are you here?"