The Su family was bustling with activity today, the recently renovated mansion inside and out welcoming distinguished guests from afar.
Emmanuel had not come empty-handed; he truly brought his sincerity. Accompanying him was a gift weighing over a hundred kilograms: the "Timekeeper."
When everyone carried this present to Mrs. Su, she had no idea what precious item lay within the wooden crate.
But as Emmanuel excitedly asked workers to pry open the crate in front of everyone, a grandfather clock standing at 1.6 meters tall was revealed.
This was no ordinary grandfather clock; it had a special name – the Timekeeper.
It was the world's most expensive grandfather clock, handcrafted, with only ten produced annually, and its price had risen from eight hundred thousand to over a million.
However, Emmanuel's intention in gifting this clock was not to flaunt its expense or rarity. He deeply understood the value of time, and he cherished the opportunity to meet a friend like Su Ruiyi in his remaining years.
Yet, upon seeing the clock, Mrs. Su was unsure whether to express delight or shock. But seeing Emmanuel's smug expression, she could only play along and praise it as a wonderful item.
Mrs. Su and Xu Shuming treated Emmanuel with great hospitality. Their home was filled with antiques, and to welcome Emmanuel, those kept in bank vaults were finally brought out and displayed in prominent places.
Thanks to Emmanuel's visit, the Su family's dining table had not been this lavish in a long time.
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Emmanuel, it is an honor for the Su family to have you visit. How long do you intend to stay?"
Emmanuel: "For a while. I'm not sure when I'll leave, but I really like it here."
Mrs. Su was overjoyed. Emmanuel must have come for Su Ruiyi. Not just for a while, but if the marriage could be settled, even a lifetime would be acceptable!
Mrs. Su: "Mr. Emmanuel, do you find the food to your liking?"
Emmanuel repeatedly gave a thumbs-up. He had tasted countless delicacies, but it seemed only at the Su family's residence did he truly experience what it meant to be utterly delighted!
Xu Shuming raised his glass: "Come, Mr. Emmanuel, consider this your home. Let us raise our glasses and welcome you to the Su family!"
Everyone raised their glasses. Su Ruiyi, with a forced smile, joined them. She truly admired Emmanuel's understanding.
When they parted ways in France, she had casually said he was welcome to visit the Su family, and he had actually packed up and come.
Emmanuel: "By the way, Mr. Xu, Mrs. Su, do you like the gift I brought you?"
Mr. Xu and Mrs. Su looked slightly embarrassed. They genuinely did not like it, but felt awkward admitting it.
It was then that Su Ruiyi interjected.
Su Ruiyi: "They don't like it."
Mrs. Su: "Yiyi!!!"
Emmanuel: "I thought so too, but why? Is the Timekeeper not pleasing to the eye?"
Su Ruiyi: "Because in our culture, it is taboo to gift clocks or watches to others."
Mrs. Su: "Yiyi!!!"
Emmanuel: "Why?"
Su Ruiyi: "It's called 'song zhong' (sending off the final journey)."
Emmanuel still didn't quite understand how gifting a clock equated to sending someone off, but since Su Ruiyi said so, he could only nod, indicating he understood.
Mrs. Su: "Not at all, we like it very much, Mr. Emmanuel. This kind of watch… it’s truly beautiful."
Emmanuel: "I apologize, Mrs. Su. I don't understand your culture. My intentions were good, please don't be angry."
Xu Shuming raised his glass again: "Not at all, Mr. Emmanuel. Those are very old customs. We like it, it's just that we were too surprised and didn't know how to express our gratitude. Come, let's have another drink."
This time, Su Ruiyi did not raise her glass. She increasingly disliked her parents' hypocrisy!
They were clearly superstitious, they were clearly displeased the moment they saw the Timekeeper, yet they still pretended to like it. It was truly sickening!