The Lee family members who did not gain too many benefits from the meeting promptly ended the gathering.
Old Madam Zhang along with her son, his wife, and her grandson sent Elder Lee 's family off. When they returned to the family mansion, they all sat together in the living room.
During the meal earlier, zhang hyang, who remained silent throughout practically the entire gathering, was now having problems holding back. Although she was scared of old Madam Zhang, there were some things she had to ask. So, she carefully chose her words, "Mum, why are you so happy today?"
Knowing what her daughter-in-law was thinking, old Madam Zhang did not beat around the bush. "You're asking why I gave so many betrothal gifts to Myeon?"
When dealing with old Madam Zhang, Hyang always had a fear of her. Every glance old Madam zhang sent her way would make her heart beat faster, "No, it's just, it seems that mum has high regards for that Suho ."
"Hm, I do like that child, Suho a lot. Although he's quite young, but he is very stable, has a good disposition, intelligent and those good looks. He's very compatible with Yixing."
"But, he is a boy after all."
"You mean, suho and Yixing are both male; although they're getting married, it would not last long, and that giving Suho that many gifts would be a big waste, is it?"
"Mum, that's not what I meant. I just think that two men getting together...it's not a long-term plan after all. You know Yixing's temper, plus he didn't seem to like men. Forcing them together is not a good plan in the end. Till then, the Zhang family's loss might be a minor issue, but our reputation would be affected."
"How did you know that Yixing did not like Suho ?"
"Ah?"
Old Madam Zhang ignored her daughter-in-law, "Guo, do you have the same thoughts as well?"
Zhang Guo: "Yes, mum. Can you explain?"
"Why? Did you think there's a story behind all this?"
"Hm. Otherwise according to mum's personality, you wouldn't have given that big of a surprise on the first meeting. Although Suho was indeed a very nice child, he's not that excellent."
Old Madam zhang chuckled at her son, "Indeed, like what you've said. Suho is a good child, but your mother isn't a silly old woman. Dealing with a child that we've just met, I'm not so childish to think that giving all that benefit would make him loyal to Yixing."
"Then, why did you...?" Zhang Guo blinked his eyes, "Was it because of...the Kim family?"
Old Madam Zhang nodded her head in agreement. "Hm, it is indeed because of the Kim family."
Zhang hyang looked at her mother-in-law puzzledly. "So what mum meant was, Kim Junmyeon 's maternal grandparents' family?"
Zhang Guo continued, "Hyangyang, the zhang family and Kim family are long time friends. When my father was around, he was like brothers with the Kim family's old man."
"But, according to what I know, Suho 's mother had already severed ties with the Kim family when she married his father. Then, mum, why are you doing this for?"
"Although Suho 's mother had already severed ties with the Kim family, no one knows what would happen in this world." Old Madam zhang smiled mysteriously. "Perhaps, there might be some changes soon, you'll never know."
"But, mum, what has that got to do with the betrothal gifts you're giving?"
"Back when your grandfather was a young lad, there were some problems with Zhang Enterprise. It was thanks to old man Kim back then who gave us a hand that saved him and the Zhang family. The favor we owed back then, I want suho to receive it."
"There must be some other grandsons in the Kim family. Plus, Suho 's position with the Kim family seems a bit too awkward right now. Even if mum wants to repay that favor, wouldn't it be better to just contact the Kim family directly instead?"
Old Madam zhang shook her head. "The Kim family only had one daughter, who was Suho's mother, in that generation. Plus, what happen back then wasn't what the outsiders were saying. Putting aside the details, in any case, Suho 's betrothal gifts are for the reasons between us and the Kim family, and because Suho is worth my effort to do so."
Old Madam zhang's 'worth' made zhang Guo pondered in deep thoughts, he recalled all the details that happened earlier and suddenly remembered something. He looked up and faced old Madam Zhang in shock. "Mum, did you notice anything?"
Old Madam Zhang giggled, "What do you think?"
Zhang Guo felt unbelievable, but things were all making sense now. "Is that true?"
"Just wait and see; we'll find out."
Zhang Guo suddenly smiled in gratification. "If that's really the case, mum, I won't object to it. It's just that they..."
Old Madam Zhang mysteriously smiled. "Everything's still unknown. What will happen in the future, just wait and see. As for other matters, why not just let nature takes its course?"
The mother and son conversation was like a guessing game; zhang hyang did not understand at all. "Mum, dear, what are you talking about? Why don't I understand anything?"
"Honey, mum knows that you have your suspicions and worries about today's matter, but I can assure you that the betrothal gifts for Yixing's wife, Yuchan will have the same amount. As for Yuhi's dowry gifts, the treatment would be the same as well."
"Mum, I..." as her inner thoughts got exposed by old Madam Zhang, Hyang inevitably felt awkward. But Yuchan and Yong were her children. As their mother, her worries are understandable.
"Alright, you don't have to think too much. I'm not old and silly; I have my own plans about this. They are all my grandchildren. I won't mistreat any one of them." She paused. "Yixing will be welcoming suho into our family. I hope you would treat him neutrally. Don't mistreat Suho because he's a man. The same thing goes for Yuchan and Yong. Do take your time to guide them; don't let them lose their manners."
Old Madam Zhang insisted to the end to let Yixing marry a male wife. It wasn't that Hyang hadn't thought about it; marrying a male wife would meant that there would be no children, which meant that the Zhang Enterprise's right of inheritance would fall to her own son. Although her status didn't necessarily need her son as a background support, if her son did inherit Zhang Enterprise, then her position as his mother would be a blissful one.
Yet, witnessing old Madam Zhang's attitude towards suho and those sky-priced betrothal gifts, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. A male wife whose status could not be publicized - how could he be more valued than her own children? If those sky-high betrothal gifts were meant for a female, fine. But it had to be a man who's accepting it. It would be a lie if hyang said she was alright with it.
In addition, she had another worry; that should Yixing asked for a divorce, with how old Madam zhang favored suho , she would most definitely allow him to take away all those betrothal gifts. Those belonged to the Zhang family, yet they could be given away just like that. She was full of regrets, yet unable to stop old Madam Zhang, so the anger and frustration grew stronger in her heart.
The thought of Suho , who was going to be her family soon, made her dislike him even more. However, since she was terrified of old Madam Zhang's authority, she ended up forcing a reply reluctantly, "Alright mum, I'll treat Suho well. I'll communicate well with Yuchan and Yong to get along well with him too."
Hyang 's half-heartedness wasn't that hard to notice, but old Madam Zhang couldn't be bothered about it - she wouldn't have the guts to be scheming anyway. "Hm, good that you've understood. Alright, I'm tired, I'll go rest first."
Compared to the Zhang family's small-scaled storm, the Lee family's situation was like raging hell on earth.
The moment they entered the door, Elder Lee made the first move as she immediately interrogated suho , "Junmyeon , was your conscience all fed to the dogs?!"
Suho simply smiled softly. "What do you mean, grandmother?"
"Stop acting like you don't understand what's going on. I'm asking why you have not asked to transfer those businesses to your father and your brothers to manage?"
"Why should I give what's mine to them?"
"suho , don't forget who brought you up."
"Of course, I know who brought me up."
"Good. Since you understand then there's nothing much to talk about. Call the Zhang family right now and ask to let us manage those businesses."
Suho snickered, "I think you've mistaken, grandmother. I did not say that I was brought up by any of you."
Elder Lee raised her eyebrows sinisterly, "If it wasn't the Lee family that brought you up, then did you grow up eating nothing?"
"That's not the right way to say it. Although it's true that a person can't possibly grow up eating nothing." As if he was confirming something, suho continued, "Hm, before I reached fifteen years old, I was brought up with the money my mum left for me; Aunt Qin was the one who fed me every meal. Fifteen years later, I brought up myself, ah, and Aunt Qin too, she was 'brought up' by me too. Ever since I could earn my own money, I've been paying my living expenses and meal allowances to the family. Yeah, that's how it was. Grandmother, if I remembered correctly, that was requested by you personally."
"You..."
Elder Lee lost her words once again.
Seeing how defeated the old lady was, Congmin immediately continued the conversation, "Junmyeon , you can't be so calculative towards your family. Do you know how concerned your father is about you? Those minor squabbles amongst your brothers shouldn't matter at all. How could you go against your principles because of that? You know nothing about managing business, but your father and your brother are experienced! They can manage those businesses of yours. Just don't worry, let your father and brothers deal with it, you have nothing to lose. It's better than letting those outsiders manage it. Don't you agree with aunty?"
Suho chuckled as he heard how this woman acted for the sake of her sons - hiding that face full of derision and putting up a façade full of love and concern. It's quite hard to get used to it. "Aunty, what you say makes sense too. But if you can decide on behalf of old Madam Zhang and their young master, I won't object against it."
"You..."
Yet another who went speechless.
Elder Lee looked at her daughter-in-law and then finally turned her gaze on her son, "yang, that's the wonderful son you've raised. He's not even married to them yet he's siding with them already." Feeling even more vicious, she added, "Fine, since you're that heartless then don't blame us for turning against you. That matter that we've agreed, it's off."
Suho smirked coldly, "Has grandmother thought about the consequences?"
Elder Lee raised her voice in agitation, "You little bastard, you dare threaten me? Let me tell you this: don't assume that since you've got strong support from the Zhang family you can forget about everything else. Don't forget, even if you're married into their family, you're just a male wife whose status is lower than everyone else. Without a child, sooner or later you'll get ditched by the Zhang family. Don't burn all your bridges, or else you'll find yourself with nothing."
The anger in Suho was instantly ignited, even the words he said sent chills down their spines, "Bastard? Don't forget whose blood it is that's flowing in me. With regards on becoming a lowly male wife, that's all thanks to you, grandmother, that I got this honor to bring our Lee family's blood to squander my way into the Zhang family."
"You, you, you little bastard! Atrocious, atrocious! Yang, get this heartless thing out of the house right away! The Lee family does not have such disgraceful, dishonorable thing! Get him out, right now!" Elder Lee 's body trembled with anger as her face turned pale, shouting without a care, as if she was going to pass out from anger at any moment.
Update : 24 Oct 2021
Total words : 2099