Chapter 485: Chapter 183: Two Women Compete for a Husband—A Soap Opera Unfolds at the Su Family! (Part 2)

The red envelopes in the Jiangzhe and Lu areas of Xia Country are famously generous, especially the New Year’s money given to one’s own children, often amounting to thousands later on.

Even at the dawn of the New Era, it wouldn’t be too little.

Of course, it depends on the situation of each household.

For example, in a family like the Su family with relatively good conditions, Old Su gave Su Zelin 666, and Zhao Lixia got 368.

For other people’s children, it might be less, but still a decent 68, 88, 108, or 168, depending on the situation. There are exceptions, like the two elders being generous with Qin Shiqing, who this year received the same treatment as Su Zelin, clearly seen as a future daughter-in-law.

Red envelopes at the beginning of the New Year are hard to refuse, and more so when given to one’s own child.

"Boss Huang, thank you!" Su Jianjun quickly took out a red envelope in return, saying, "This is for Panpan, I wish her academic progress!"

He felt a bit embarrassed as his red envelope was smaller, containing only 168. Su Jianjun hadn’t expected this situation and couldn’t stuff more money into it right in front of Huang Hongbo, as that would be too impolite.

"Haha, sure, I’ll thank you on Panpan’s behalf, Boss Su. Let’s play cards together again next time, goodbye!"

"Sure, goodbye!"

Huang Hongbo got into an Audi with the license plate ending in three eights and drove off, only then did Su Jianjun start his Santana and head home.

As soon as he entered the door, Zhao Lixia asked, "Did you win or lose?"

Even though she wasn’t too supportive of Su Jianjun playing cards, it was inevitable during the New Year; he needed to find some fun. Fortunately, her husband was quite sensible and didn’t get addicted, he knew his limits.

However, every time he came back, Granny Su had to ask about his wins and losses.

"I won nineteen hundred!"

Su Jianjun reported truthfully.

"That much?"

Zhao Lixia was pleasantly surprised.

Usually, when Su Jianjun went out to play cards, he won or lost a few hundred at most. On particularly lucky or unlucky days, it would be around five or six hundred.

She couldn’t help but ask, "Who had such bad luck?"

"It’s not that they had bad luck, they intentionally gave me money!"

Su Jianjun corrected her.

"Giving you money? You’re not a leader, who would be bored enough to do that?"

Granny Su was confused.

"Huang Hongbo!"

Su Jianjun said the name, surprising Zhao Lixia.

"What, Huang Hongbo?"

"Yes, he said our son helped persuade Panpan and improved her relationship with her parents considerably. Besides, Zelin took good care of Panpan at the university and helped her join the student council. Look, he even gave our son a big red envelope, presumably 888!"

Su Jianjun took out the red envelope.

"That big, what did you give him back?"

"168, I couldn’t do anything about it, that was the largest I had prepared."

Su Dad felt a bit helpless, and then continued.

"It seems Huang Hongbo doesn’t oppose Panpan hanging out with Zelin."

If he didn’t want Huang Panpan near his son, he would make his gratitude obvious but also hint at the boundary.

However, he didn’t mention anything else at the time.

Zhao Lixia was puzzled.

Of course, Shiqing is the most ideal daughter-in-law.

But Panpan is also quite nice; before the New Year, she even came over specifically to give them New Year’s goods.

Ah, if only they knew to make their rascal a bit uglier, then they wouldn’t attract so much interest, making things tricky now.

The two elders were casually chatting when Su Zelin walked out of his room.

"Dad, you’re back." Su Zelin glanced at Old Su, casually asking, "How much did you win tonight?"

By observing, he could tell Su Jianjun had won.

"How much could it be, just a couple hundred!"

Faced with this cunning kid, Su Jianjun was cautious.

Pretending to be poor is never wrong, so he reported a fraction.

Luckily, Su Zelin didn’t find an excuse to ask for money; he knew not to be too excessive.

This year’s fuel costs, New Year’s money, and the persuasion to get Mom to let Dad buy a car with five thousand just about covered it.

"Oh!"

Su Zelin responded briefly, just as he was about to go to the restroom, Su Jianjun beckoned him.

"Zelin, come over here first."

"Dad, what’s going on?"

"This is your red envelope."

"My red envelope?"

Su Zelin was a bit confused.

Didn’t dad and mom already give New Year’s money on New Year’s Day?

A quick check showed it was quite thick, likely 888. Even dad wasn’t that generous, usually just 666.

"Uncle Huang gave it to you!"

"Which Uncle Huang?"

A flash of insight hit Su Zelin: "Do you mean Panpan’s dad?"

Aside from Huang Hongbo, Su Zelin couldn’t think of any other acquaintance of his dad with such generosity.

But Huang Hongbo wasn’t even a friend of dad’s; they didn’t know each other, their circles were a bit too different.

"Today, I went to play cards and saw Panpan’s dad. We chatted a bit before leaving; he appreciated you taking good care of Panpan and gave this red envelope."

Su Jianjun briefly explained.

"Zelin, I heard that you helped Panpan get into the student council and that you brought her back together during winter break. Is that true?"

Zhao Lixia couldn’t help but ask.

"Well, I helped a bit. The president of one of the departments in the student council is just a friend of mine, so I mentioned it to her. Of course, Panpan’s speech was very impressive!"

Su Zelin didn’t deny it, but he didn’t completely take credit either.

"As for bringing her home, well yes, there was still an empty seat, and after all, when someone asks, it’s hard to refuse, right?"

"So, how did she and Shiqing get along in the car?"

Granny Su asked nervously.

"They got along well."

Qin Shiqing and Huang Panpan were fine; it was Xiaoyanzi and the little junior who were quite tense at the time.

"Son, be honest with us, what’s your relationship with Panpan?"

Su Jianjun’s face turned serious.

"Just friends, what else could it be!"

The idle son kept the same attitude.

Don’t ask; if asked, the answer is friends, otherwise, female classmates.

"What about you and Shiqing?"

"Also friends!"

"And you and Lu Haoran?"

"Best buddies!"

The two elders: "..."

Well, they somehow felt this son might not be straight.

...

Zhao Lixia went into the kitchen to cook.

Father and son were in the living room drinking tea. Su Jianjun lowered his voice, "Son, that matter, how’s the talk with your mom?"

He was referring to getting Su Zelin to help persuade Zhao Lixia to buy a car.

It’s been over half a month, and there’s still no sign. Old Su was getting anxious.

Though during winter break, the Santana belonging to the son could be borrowed occasionally, once break ends, it has to be driven back to Lin’an.

Having gotten used to the life of a man chasing the wind, Su Jianjun really couldn’t get used to life without a car.

"I mentioned it, and even talked about it several times. Dad, these things can’t be rushed. You know how stubborn Mom is, it’s not easy, I have to slowly sway her thinking!"

Su Zelin indeed had talked with Zhao Lixia, but it was vague, not enough to persuade her.

Of course, it was intentional; if he persuaded Mom too early, Dad would bring the car back early, and there’d be no one to refuel for him.

"Dad, I tried talking to Mom today too, you were out playing mahjong and missed it. I just started speaking and got scolded fiercely. Let’s wait a few days, give it some time!"

Jianglan’s Oscar-winning performance was convincing, displaying all sorts of expressions.

Even the old fox Su Jianjun was fooled: "Alright, make sure of it first, the job gets done, then you get the money!"

He began to lose faith in Su Zelin.

If even the son can’t persuade the tigress mom, it’s going to be tough.

Old Su frowned with worry.

"Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch!"

Su Zelin leisurely took a sip of tea.

The timing was about right; about ten days left before break ended.

Hmm, in a few more days, once Dad helps refuel one last time, I’ll persuade Mom, then get the five thousand happily and head back to school.

As for in a few days, it depends on when Dad helps to fill up the gas.

After the family finished dinner, Granny Su was in the living room watching a soap opera, just as it was unfolding with the cliche plot of two women fighting over a husband.

The father and son continued drinking tea.

Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door, and it was Huang Panpan.

"Uncle, Aunt, Senior, sorry for dropping by unannounced and disturbing you!"

That afternoon, Huang Hongbo went home and gave the red envelope from Su Jianjun to Huang Panpan, which thrilled the little junior.

Though it was just 168 bucks, she felt it was a token of affection from her future father-in-law, and she felt she should visit to express her thanks soon, so she came right over that evening.

"Oh, Panpan is here, it’s cold outside, come in quickly and sit down!"

Zhao Lixia said warmly.

"Thank you, Auntie, and thank you, Uncle, for the red packet!"

Every time she’s at the Su family, the little junior could not be more well-behaved.

As soon as they exchanged a few words, someone else came through the door.

"Uncle, Aunt, have you eaten..."

The sentence was left hanging, as Qin Shiqing saw the little junior.

Their gazes met, and time seemed to freeze instantly.

Zhao Lixia was both joyful and worried.

She was just watching two women fight over a man in a soap opera, and now the same drama was happening right at home.

Most mothers only worry about their son not finding a wife.

However, when there’s more than one outstanding girl around the son, it becomes a delightful dilemma for the parents.

...