Chapter 65: Stealing the Credit

After Su Qingli left, the old matriarch of the Su family lay back down, attempting to sleep. As the saying goes, joy brings vigor; now that she knew the crisis threatening the Su family had been averted and the dire situation had taken a turn for the better, she was far too happy to sleep.

It was then that a knock sounded at the door once more.

“Qingli, is that you?” The old matriarch sat up in bed and put on her coat.

“Grandmother, it’s me,” Su Tianming’s voice called from outside.

She had thought Su Qingli might have forgotten something and come back, but realizing it was Su Tianming, the matriarch’s spirits lifted. Su Tianming was her eldest grandson and the one she loved most dearly. In her mind, he was already designated as the future head of the Su family.

His arrival at this hour delighted her, and she climbed out of bed to open the door for him herself.

As soon as the door opened, the strong scent of alcohol wafted from Su Tianming.

“You’ve been drinking?” she frowned.

Su Tianming answered helplessly, “Grandmother, I went to see Pan Yixuan, the eldest son of the Pan family. He offered me a drink—how could I refuse?”

With that, he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

Then, with a puzzled look, he asked, “Grandmother, did Su Qingli just come by?”

“Yes, she came to see me,” the matriarch replied at once.

“What did she want?” Su Tianming eyed her suspiciously.

It was odd for Su Qingli to visit the ancestral home at such a late hour, seeking out the matriarch. She had never come to her of her own accord; usually, it was only after something had happened and the matriarch summoned her that Qingli would reluctantly come.

The matriarch explained, “Qingli came to tell me that the Bai family had stepped in to help us—she said they wired one hundred and twenty million to our family’s account. I checked, and sure enough, the money had arrived! I never imagined the Bai family would be willing to help us. If we get the chance, we must thank them properly.”

Hearing this, Su Tianming felt even more perplexed. The Bai family’s assistance was something he had arranged—he had gone to see Pan Yixuan, who then called the Bai family and persuaded them to help. That had been just over an hour ago.

How could Su Qingli know about it, and so soon? How had this wretched woman caught wind of it so quickly?

“By the way, what brings you here?” The matriarch motioned for him to sit on the sofa by her bed.

Su Tianming set aside his suspicions and said, “Grandmother, I came to talk to you about this very matter. This afternoon, I went to see Pan Yixuan and asked him to persuade his family to help us. But he told me the Pan family is strapped for cash and couldn’t come up with such a large sum. So Pan Yixuan called Bai Qiming of the Bai family and asked for their help. Pan Yixuan really has connections—even the Bai family answered his call and agreed to assist us at once.”

“I see…” The matriarch nodded in sudden realization.

She thought for a moment, then her expression changed. “So, the Bai family only helped us for Pan Yixuan’s sake. It was your efforts with the Pan family that made this happen.”

“Exactly!” Su Tianming said, displeased. He muttered, “How did Su Qingli find out, and why did she rush here to claim all the credit for herself? She’s shameless!”

“That wretched girl! And to think I was just thanking her!” The matriarch’s face grew even darker, her mood turning grim.

Su Tianming let out a laugh. “Never mind, Grandmother. Qingli just wants to impress you—that’s all. Don’t be too harsh on her.”

“You’re thoughtful and considerate of others, Tianming. I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.” The old lady smiled, lovingly patting his head.

But Su Tianming quickly changed the subject. “Still, Pan Yixuan has done us a great service. We should show our gratitude.”

“What are you suggesting?” The matriarch looked at him, her tone slow and measured.

“The same as before—we should arrange for Su Qingli to divorce that scoundrel Jiang Hao and marry Pan Yixuan as soon as possible. That way, not only do we repay Pan Yixuan’s kindness, but we also forge an alliance with the Pan family. If the Su family ever faces hardship again, the Pan family won’t stand idly by.”

He finished and looked at the matriarch, awaiting her answer.

She did not hesitate, nodding immediately. “Your reasoning is sound. That’s how it should be done. But that stubborn girl Qingli refuses to divorce Jiang Hao, and there’s little I can do.”

“You’ll have to persuade her, Grandmother. Help her see where her advantage truly lies,” Su Tianming said earnestly.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll talk to her,” the matriarch agreed.

After chatting with her a little longer, Su Tianming took his leave.

The days that followed passed peacefully.

With the one hundred and twenty million, plus additional funds contributed by each member, the Su family scraped together two hundred and twenty million—enough to cover the losses from the fire.

With this capital, they purchased a new batch of medicinal herbs, successfully placating the city’s major pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies that had longstanding partnerships with them.

The Su family’s crisis was finally resolved.

As the new stock brought in profits, the family gradually recovered.

To celebrate, the matriarch held a grand banquet at the ancestral home, inviting all the prominent figures of Maple Leaf City, even including members of the Zhao family on the guest list.

To make a splash, she had Su Tianming widely publicize the upcoming banquet.

As a result, Jiang Hao also heard the news.

But Jiang Hao felt no interest whatsoever. He had no affection left for the Su family—if anything, there was only resentment between them. Naturally, he had no intention of attending.

What he did not expect was for Su Qingli to seek him out once more.

“How many times must I say it? I’m not going! I have no interest!” Jiang Hao said coldly to Su Qingli.

Yet she did not leave, remaining seated on the leather sofa in the living room, looking at Jiang Hao with helpless resignation.