Chapter 1665: Rejected Red Packet

“Since Uncle Zhifu is offering it to you, just take it.” Chen Fangyu had heard Chen Zhifu mention this on the phone before, so she didn’t let Chen Mengyan reject it at this moment.

“Thank you Uncle Zhifu.” Since her mother said so, Chen Mengyan had to take the red packet that Chen Zhifu handed over. It was quite heavy and she didn’t know how much money was in it. It was inappropriate for Chen Mengyan to open it on the spot, Knowing that it must contain a lot of money, she was unwilling to owe this kind of favor. But it would be inappropriate to directly return it at this moment. So she had to keep it in her bag.

When Chen Mengyan took the red packet, Yang Ming scanned it with his special ability and frowned instantly! There is at least ten thousand yuan in this red packet. It is a thick stack! Yang Ming didn’t believe that Chen Zhifu would give so much meal ticket money to every child who was admitted to university. This ten thousand yuan was enough to eat for a year. For students who were more frugal and only ate in the school cafeteria, it was four years’ worth of meal ticket money!

Although Chen Zhifu was a distant relative of Chen Mengyan, he was not a real relative after all. Why did he give so much money at this time?

Yang Ming didn’t quite believe that it was to bribe Chen Fei. Since Chen Zhifu had grown up with Chen Fei, it was impossible that he didn’t know what kind of person Chen Fei was. How could it be possible for Chen Fei to take his bribe?

Moreover, a person like Chen Fei would still help his relatives even if he did not receive any benefits. So there was something fishy about this matter.

There was one remaining possibility – Chen Zhifu’s money was meant for Chen Mengyan. He wanted to give it to Chen Mengyan. Yang Ming couldn’t think of the reason for the time being. Yang Ming was a little unconvinced that it was because of Chen Xiaolong. It had been almost four years. Was this Chen Xiaolong still infatuated?

In any case, although such a large red packet was nothing in Yang Ming’s eyes, even five thousand yuan would be enough to sentence Chen Zhifu. Who knows what this Chen Zhifu’s plan is? Is there any kind intention? Will it cause trouble for Chen Fei?

Thinking of this, Yang Ming directly reached out and prevented Chen Mengyan from putting the red packet into her bag. He took the red packet in his hand and directly pushed it into Chen Zhifu’s hands, “Uncle Zhifu, this money is too much. How is this meal ticket money? We can’t take it. ”

Chen Zhifu saw Yang Ming just now but he didn’t care. He thought that it was Chen Fei or Chen Fangyu’s driver or something. It was not uncommon for Chen Fei or Chen Fangyu to have a driver to follow them. So even if he saw Yang Ming, he would never think that Yang Ming was Chen Mengyan’s boyfriend.

However, Yang Ming suddenly spoke at this time, and Chen Zhifu immediately realized that he had mistaken Yang Ming’s identity. This person should not be the driver of Chen Fei or Chen Fangyu!

But even so, Chen Zhifu made a face. In his opinion, even if Yang Ming was the relative or nephew of Chen Fei, it was inappropriate for him to speak before Chen Fei did.. It was simply uneducated and rude!

Chen Zhifu fixed Yang Ming with a cold gaze. He snorted and said, “This red packet is for Chen Mengyan, and not for you. Brother Chen Fei, whose child is this? Why is he so impolite?”

Chen Fei did not expect that Yang Ming would suddenly stop Chen Mengyan from receiving the red packet. It was a bit awkward. But according to his understanding of Yang Ming, Yang Ming was definitely not the kind of person who would make trouble out of nothing. He must have a purpose and a deep meaning. At this time, he was in a dilemma and didn’t know what to say.

“I’m Chen Mengyan’s boyfriend.” Yang Ming simply introduced himself as he didn’t want Chen Fei to do it. “I’m not rude, but you packed at least ten thousand yuan in this red packet. It would be fine if it’s a thousand or two thousand, but isn’t this too much? ”

“You … How do you know?” Chen Zhifu’s expression was stagnant. He didn’t expect Yang Ming to expose the amount in the red packet directly! He had racked his brain thinking about how to send this ten thousand yuan to Chen Mengyan! He specifically found a gift shop and bought a small gift box to package the red packet. So even if Chen Mengyan had doubts when holding it, she would not think that the gift box contained so much money! The gift box was a small one and no one could see how much money was in it.

“Uncle Zhifu, you have a gift box, but look how heavy it is? It only takes a little deduction to figure it out,” Yang Ming said lightly. “Otherwise, shall we open it?”

Chen Zhifu’s heart was angry and he glared at Yang Ming resentfully. He never thought that Chen Mengyan already had a boyfriend. She just entered her freshman year, right?

Previously, his little brother Chen Zhiye had called and emphasized that his nephew Chen Xiaolong liked Chen Fei’s daughter, Chen Mengyan. He asked him to prepare first.

Chen Zhifu didn’t understand why Chen Xiaolong liked Chen Mengyan. Even if they were classmates, they haven’t seen each other for years. How can there be any feelings and attachments? But since his brother had said so, Chen Zhifu could only try to help.

In his opinion, although Chen Fei was a chief, his position was not life-long. After retirement, he would be no different from ordinary people. Meanwhile, his younger brother was a billionaire. In the future, his business would be inherited by Chen Xiaolong. In this way, Chen Mengyan could be regarded as claiming a connection with his nephew, Chen Xiaolong, of a higher status!

Chen Zhifu wanted to object, but even his brother had agreed to it. So what else could he do? He just tried his best! Therefore, Chen Zhifu made every effort to have Chen Fei bring Chen Mengyan to the evening banquet, and also prepared meal ticket money worth ten thousand yuan. He thought the amount given was fine since it was for his niece-in-law.

Also, in Chen Zhifu’s opinion, which woman did not love wealth? If he showed his financial strength in front of Chen Mengyan, his nephew could also save a lot of energy when pursuing her.

This was why Chen Zhifu was so generous. Otherwise, if it was a normal Chen Family Village’s child, Chen Zhifu would give a thousand yuan at most. Why would he give so much?

If he was not afraid that Chen Mengyan would not dare to accept so much the first time, he would like to give fifty thousand yuan directly. He wanted to stun Chen Mengyan with money and let his nephew win over the beautiful lady that night!

However, there were some changes to his wonderful plan! In his plan, Chen Mengyan was still single. How come there was a boyfriend suddenly?

It was not that Chen Zhifu thought that Chen Mengyan should not have a boyfriend. He was thinking that even if she had a boyfriend, they would have just met in college. So, it would not be possible to bring him to such a family gathering occasion, right? At that time, under the temptation of his and his nephew’s money, Chen Mengyan would have a change of heart. Who cared about that college boyfriend?

It was just that he never expected that Chen Mengyan would bring her boyfriend along, and it seemed that he had already met Chen Fei and Chen Fangyu. Furthermore, the two of them had also tacitly agreed to their relationship, and they appeared quite harmonious!

This made Chen Zhifu wonder what to do temporarily! Chen Fei’s family upbringing should be very strict. How could he agree to Chen Mengyan having a boyfriend this early?

However, even if he had opinions, he couldn’t voice them out directly at this moment. Since Yang Ming could appear here with Chen Fei and Chen Fangyu, it meant that they had acknowledged Yang Ming’s identity. It would be slightly inappropriate for him to criticize and comment here.

“Why do you give so much money to a child?” After hearing that there was ten thousand yuan in the red packet, Chen Fei was shocked and said quickly, “Zhifu, this is a little too much. It would be more than enough to give one or two thousand as meal ticket money. What can kids do with so much money?

“This…” The reason why Chen Zhifu commissioned a gift box to carry the red packet previously was that he was afraid that Chen Fei would reject it directly because of the huge amount of money it contained. Now that he was exposed by Yang Ming, that little brat, he couldn’t continue to give it out forcefully. His heart was extremely outraged, but he could only continue to smile as he said, “I thought we are relatives. Hehe. Since it is too much, one thousand will do!”

As Chen Zhifu spoke, he took out his wallet from his pocket, counted out a thousand yuan and gave it to Chen Mengyan, “Here, is this all right now?”

Chen Mengyan hesitated for a moment, took the money, and said “thanks,” before keeping it in her bag.

Chen Zhifu threw the previous red packet into his bag. He looked at Yang Ming with a resentful heart, and thought, Later, I will find a reason to humiliate you, this little brat. I’ll make you step back by yourself.

Chapter 1666: Offense and Compromise

However, he better figure out the background of this little brat first.

Chen Zhifu was not a reckless person. He looked like a nouveau riche [1], but in fact, he was a very savvy person. He was usually careless, but quite sharp at times. Otherwise, he couldn’t develop his agricultural products business in just a few years!

Having Chen Zhiye’s investment was one thing. There were many people who could attract an investment, but not many of them were truly successful. This was enough to prove that Chen Zhifu was a smart person.

This could be seen from what happened previously. After he learned that Song Jiang International Hotel was actually a subsidiary company of Chen Fei, Chen Zhfiue could quickly change his attitude. This also showed that Chen Zhifu was a person who was good at trimming the sail to the wind [2].

Therefore, Chen Zhifu felt that since Yang Ming could become Chen Fei and Chen Fangyu’s recognized son-in-law, it meant that Yang Ming’s family history must be unusual. At least their family must be of equal social status. Otherwise, considering Chen Fei’s honorable position as the bureau chief, it was impossible for him to let his daughter marry an ordinary boyfriend.

It was because of this idea that Chen Zhifu did not act ruthlessly and turn his face on the spot. He had to investigate Yang Ming’s background before making a decision.

Finding faults with Yang Ming is Chen Zhiye and Chen Xiaolong’s business. There is no need for me to be the wicked man who offends Chen Fei! Therefore, it’s better to let Chen Xiaolong fight with Yang Ming later!

In Chen Zhifu’s view, even if Yang Ming’s family was good, there would be a big gap when compared with his nephew Chen Xiaolong. That kid will probably quit with shame.

“Let’s go. Let’s go together!” Chen Zhifu held back the rage in his heart and said to Chen Fei and Chen Fangyu without looking at Yang Ming again.

Chen Fei also could see that Chen Zhifu was displeased, but he thought it was only because Chen Mengyan didn’t accept the big red packet. He couldn’t think of other reasons, so he didn’t mind.

After all, ten thousand yuan for a child’s meal ticket money was a little too much indeed. Even if Yang Ming’s refusal had tarnished Chen Zhifu’s reputation, Chen Fei felt that Yang Ming did nothing wrong. If he knew the red packet had nearly ten thousand yuan, he would also request Chen Mengyan to refuse it.

Accepting this money was really not a good thing. Chen Fei didn’t know that Chen Zhifu was pleasing Chen Mengyan because of Chen Xiaolong. He thought that Chen Zhifu’s money was for him. Then Chen Fei definitely couldn’t accept it! On the contrary, it was fortunate that Yang Ming had discovered this in time and stopped it. Otherwise, if the money was accepted and they found out upon returning home, they could neither accept nor return it.

Chen Zhifu had just taken two steps, but he got angrier the more he thought of it. He scolded Yang Ming as a little brat ten thousand times in his heart. He felt quite displeased as if there was a raging fire that could not be released and was about to explode.

After two more steps, Chen Zhifu couldn’t hold it anymore! When was he ever subject to a junior’s criticism? On second thought, even if he couldn’t punish Yang Ming directly, he could just settle for the second-best option and make things difficult for him in other ways.

Soon, Chen Zhifu had an idea in his heart. He was also a kind of man who was full of nasty ideas, so it didn’t take him long to come up with one. The bad idea came directly into his mind, “By the way, Brother Chen Fei, this time’s gathering is a Chen Family Village gathering. We don’t bring outsiders to our gathering. This kid is not from the Chen Family Village. Isn’t it better if he doesn’t go? ”

Chen Zhifu thought, I can’t mess with you in person, but I will play tricks behind you. Let’s see if you can still be prideful in front of me. Isn’t it all done if I don’t let you attend the evening banquet? No matter if you are Chen Mengyan’s boyfriend, as long as you are not present, my nephew Chen Xiaolong will stand a chance.

Chen Zhifu’s remark startled Chen Fei suddenly. Although he did not think of Chen Zhifu’s deeper meaning, he realized that Yang Ming’s previous actions must have offended Chen Zhifu. Chen Zhifu was humiliated but he couldn’t scold Yang Ming anything because Chen Fei was there. So, he thought of such a trick to make things difficult for Yang Ming.

Thinking of this, Chen Fei couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. He had to voice out, “Brother Zhifu, this Yang Ming is not an outsider. He is Mengyan’s boyfriend. He spoke incoherently before as he was in a hurry. Don’t stoop down to this child’s level.”

Although Yang Ming might not be willing to attend this party, Chen Fei really couldn’t let Yang Ming leave just like that! Even if Yang Ming agreed, he would not be able to face Yang Ming in the future.

“Brother Chen Fei, what are you talking about? The previous things have passed, don’t mention it any more!” Chen Zhifu laughed and said, “I am just talking about what my younger brother wanted. Zhiye emphasized before that this is an internal gathering of Chen Family Village and outsiders should not be allowed in! Otherwise, with Zhiye’s status, maybe the mayor of Song Jiang City will come to the banquet as well!”

“This…” Chen Fei was confused by Chen Zhifu’s words and didn’t know what to say. He knew in his heart that Chen Zhifu was probably annoyed by Yang Ming because of the previous events. But since Chen Zhifu did not admit it, Chen Fei couldn’t do anything. What made it worse was that the reasons he stated were so dignified that they were irrefutable.

“Dad, mom, since this is the case, I’ll go back with Yang Ming first. How about we pick you up again when the gathering is over?” Chen Mengyan was unwilling to come here initially. After hearing Chen Zhifu persist on asking Yang Ming to leave, she felt hatred in her heart. So, she simply did not want to participate, and planned to leave with Yang Ming.

Chen Mengyan’s words made Chen Zhifu’s heart tighten and he was startled. At this time, he must not let Chen Mengyan go. His brother Chen Zhiye had specifically ordered him to invite Chen Mengyan to the dinner. If he couldn’t handle just one special order from his older brother, wouldn’t he seem too incompetent?

Moreover, Chen Xiaolong would also be resentful that this uncle didn’t do things well! So in this case, he had to let Yang Ming attend the party reluctantly. He might as well let Chen Xiaolong push Yang Ming until he had to leave without composure. Why did he have to do extra work?

“Mengyan, what is the matter with you?” Chen Zhifu said with a smile, “I’m just joking. Since this boy, Yang Ming, is your boyfriend, then he’s also considered a part of the Chen Family Village. So, let’s go together. Come on, haha!”

“Alright, Mengyan, you see, Uncle Zhifu was joking. Let’s go!” Chen Fei was busy smoothing things over and he was relieved. Although Chen Fei, as an honorable bureau chief, was usually dignified, he was really helpless in front of these relatives. It was especially inappropriate to say too much to Chen Zhifu as he was a capable person. Since he took the initiative to compromise, Chen Fei pushed the boat along with the current. [3]

“Oh…” Chen Mengyan followed reluctantly. Yang Ming, on the other hand, frowned again.

Before this, he felt that Chen Zhifu had ulterior motives towards Chen Mengyan from the red packet incident. The scene just now made it even more obvious!

After he offended Chen Zhifu, Chen Zhifu did not want him to attend the dinner party. However, when Chen Mengyan said that she would not attend too, Chen Zhifu immediately changed his attitude and directly made a compromise. What did this mean? At least it proved that Chen Zhifu really wanted Chen Mengyan to attend the dinner, even at the expense of Yang Ming coming along.

Perhaps there might be a polite element to it. If Chen Mengyan was gone, then Chen Fei might also withdraw. After all, it was barely okay to let Yang Ming leave due to Chen Zhiye’s excuse, but what would Chen Fei think if Chen Mengyan was to leave as well?

Probably Chen Fei would turn around and leave, right? He wouldn’t even bother to participate in the gathering anymore.

Of course, Yang Ming felt keenly that there must be an ulterior motive! Is Chen Zhifu hostile to me just because I prevented him from giving a red packet? Or is there another reason?

Is it really because of Chen Xiaolong? Yang Ming was a little confused.

Translator/Author’s note

[1] Nouveau riche is a term, usually derogatory, to describe those whose wealth had been acquired within their own generation but portrayed a lack of culture and refinement.

[2] A phrase meaning to make use of the favourable current situation to push matters through with little effort.