After staying at Jianglan’s for two nights, the old lady insisted on going home. Just like many elderly people accustomed to the countryside, she felt uncomfortable in the city and was only interested in seeing something new. Staying any longer made her feel bored.

It didn’t help that there weren’t any friends of the same age around to chat with.

Unable to persuade her to stay, there was no choice but to send her back.

As they were helping the old lady into the hall, they came face to face with a middle-aged woman in a floral dress. Her sharp eyes, high cheekbones, and thin lips made it clear she was a difficult person to deal with.

Peng Xiue, Liu Guida’s wife.

"Mom, you’re back! Why not stay in the city a few more days?"

Despite the smile she wore, Peng Xiue’s demeanor seemed forced and uncomfortable.

In fact, Qin Shiqing’s elder aunt wasn’t a kind and gentle woman. Her fiery temper, acerbic tongue, and pettiness were infamous throughout the village. Her treatment of the old lady was no better; she was the quintessential difficult daughter-in-law.

She was only putting on a show for Su Zelin and Qin Shiqing’s sake.

But no matter how she masked it, Su Zelin had seen through her true nature since he was a child. There was no need for her to pretend in front of him.

The rascal had even witnessed Peng Xiue scold the old lady out of displeasure, frequently calling her an "old hag." The way she called her "Mom" now felt entirely unnatural.

As she spoke, her gaze fell on the jade bracelet adorning Qin Shiqing’s wrist, her brow instantly furrowing.

Wasn’t that the old lady’s bracelet? How did it end up with Shiqing?

That jade bracelet was an antique, part of the old lady’s dowry and worth at least twenty thousand.

Yet she just gave it to the little girl without consulting her.

Feeling her authority in the household was being challenged, Peng Xiue was displeased; the smile on her face became strained.

If it weren’t for her son Liu Caizhi being a manager at someone else’s digital store, she might have exploded with anger right there.

She took a deep breath and refrained, planning to confront the old lady once the others had left.

Su Zelin observed all of this, yet remained expressionless.

"Shiqing, why don’t you take Grandma to rest in her room first? I’ll chat with Auntie for a bit!"

"Oh, okay!"

Qin Shiqing didn’t suspect anything: "Grandma, let’s go!"

Watching the old lady and girl disappear into the inner room, Su Zelin spoke again: "Auntie, Caizhi is quite talented, doing well at the digital store!"

Upon hearing Su Zelin praise her son, Peng Xiue’s mood lifted instantly: "Haha, not to boast, but my Caizhi has been smart and clever from a young age. I always knew he was destined for great things. Of course, we must thank Xiaolinzi for recognizing his potential; without him, Caizhi wouldn’t have had such a good opportunity!"

Su Zelin gave a slight smile: "Caizhi is great, it’s just a pity he lacks a bit in education. The competition nowadays is fierce; many positions and big companies only want college graduates. Even those graduating from less reputable colleges struggle to find good jobs!"

Peng Xiue was a bit stunned.

Why did Xiaolinzi’s tone change so quickly?

He was just praising Caizhi, and now his tone didn’t seem right.

"There are many talents at the digital store too, Manager Luo is quite good, being a college graduate and having previous experience as a supervisor at a supermarket. I initially hesitated over whether Caizhi or he should be the manager."

Su Zelin sighed: "But in the end, considering my familiarity with Caizhi, I felt he was more suitable!"

"Yes, yes, of course having someone from our own family is more reliable than outsiders!"

Peng Xiue echoed eagerly, not hesitating to cozy up to Su Zelin.

Su Zelin suddenly remembered something: "Oh, Auntie, my dad mentioned that Caizhi’s salary and commission last month totaled over seven thousand. Did he tell you?"

"Seven thousand?"

Peng Xiue was slightly taken aback.

Liu Caizhi had told her it was five thousand.

That brat, even daring to deceive his own mother, fearing I’d ask him for money!

"Such a well-paying job is hard to find, so many people would be envious." Su Zelin laughed: "With two or three months of salary, buying a jade bracelet like Grandma’s wouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Peng Xiue finally understood. Su Zelin had been beating around the bush to settle this account.

This cunning boy probably noticed her displeasure.

"Yes, yes..."

Peng Xiue felt a bit embarrassed and could only nod repeatedly.

"Being so familiar with Caizhi, I really hope he can always be the manager at the digital store."

Su Zelin’s words carried a deep implication, startling Peng Xiue quite a bit.

She knew that Su Zelin had weight in decisions between the Su and Qin families, even able to make critical decisions.

A single word from him had once secured a key opportunity for her son between both families.

Likewise, a single word from him could see her son out.

"Xiao... Zelin, you must take care of our Caizhi!"

Peng Xiue’s smile turned sycophantic, not daring to call him Xiaolinzi any longer.

Su Zelin’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

This wicked woman might be fierce and unreasonable, but she had a soft spot—her son Liu Caizhi.

As long as he grasped this, he could manipulate her at will.

If he hadn’t talked to her and applied some pressure, the old lady would surely be scolded for giving the bracelet to Qin Shiqing.

Not responding to her words, the rascal changed the subject, "Grandma has always been good to me, and I respect her, but each time I see her, she seems thinner and not as strong. I wonder if it’s a poor appetite, or perhaps... other reasons!"