"Yanyi." Qin Jiran suddenly called out to Su Yanyi, holding her hand. Su Yanyi looked at him in confusion, waiting for him to speak.
"Thank you." Qin Jiran said seriously, truly grateful for Su Yanyi’s protection. Always relying on himself for everything, he had rarely felt this sense of being protected—intimate, warm, and deeply moving.
He had fallen in love with Su Yanyi a long time ago, so deeply that he thought his love couldn’t be described or deepened. But with their recent interactions, discovering her adorableness, her tenderness beneath her domineering demeanor, and that warm protection, Jiran felt his love for this woman growing even stronger.
He squeezed Su Yanyi’s hand back, with a firmness that was gentle and not enough to hurt. This too was a part of Qin Jiran’s tenderness and affection.
"I thought that between us, thanks were no longer needed." If thanks were indeed necessary, how many times should she have thanked him in their past life? His gentle and meticulous care, his unwavering devotion—she would have much more to thank him for.
Qin Jiran smiled, his eyes brimming with amusement as he gripped Su Yanyi’s hand even tighter.
The two returned to Old Master Su’s side, who then picked up the microphone to begin his opening speech.
"I’m very thankful for everyone’s attendance at this old man’s birthday banquet. I’ve grown another year older. Now, with three generations under one roof in the Su family, things are running smoothly. The only regret is we don’t have any children yet. Yanmo, Yanyi, Jiran, you all must work hard. Next year at this time, this old man is very much looking forward to the Su family welcoming a new addition," Old Master Su said with a twinkle in his eye, putting pressure on the younger generation.
Not to mention Su Yanmo, who had just been divorced, but Su Yanyi and Qin Jiran, despite being married, were clearly not yet at the stage of having children. However, they kept hearing such topics, which was rather distressing.
Afterward, Father Su, as the current head of the Su family, also said a few words, but mostly pleasantries. Then it was Brother Su’s turn to speak, the successor.
Brother Su appeared expressionless as usual, but his voice conveyed strength when he spoke.
"I’m grateful for the friends who have come to my grandfather’s birthday banquet. Not everyone is suited to attend, though. Friends are welcome, but if someone is not a friend, then don’t blame the Su family for not knowing how to entertain guests..."
Su Yanyi was domineering, but Su Yanmo was no less so. As they say, don’t mess with the Su family; provoke one and you provoke the whole lot, and each one more challenging than the last—whoever does so is out of luck.
The guests naturally understood Su Yanmo’s meaning, having witnessed the scene before the banquet began. Many looked forward with interest to what might unfold; some even dared to speculate whether there might be changes among the Four Great Families of City A. They wondered which family would remain, but no matter which, the proverbial fisherman always benefited when the snipe and clam fight. Eliminating one family could mean a rise for another. Thus, any family with a sliver of competitiveness began to plan.
Su Yanyi watched with a cold but wicked smile. Muddy waters make for good fishing, and she believed with these people involved, or rather covering for them, the Su family’s plan to take over the Wang family and the Qin family would proceed even more smoothly.
After Su Yanmo’s brief speech, it was time for the family photo. Old Master Su, flanked by Su Yanyi and Qin Jiran, captured this warm moment.
And this scene was also witnessed by many, solidifying Jiran’s status. The movie star who became a wealthy granddaughter’s husband was no longer an invisible entity but was formally acknowledged, a recognition that compelled others to take him seriously.