Chapter 8: Coveting Vanity

"Why?"
Zhang Liping had been feeling guilty, but upon hearing this, she was instantly enraged. "How dare you ask? Everything I've done is for you!"

"Who is Jiang Hao anyway? A jinx who doomed his parents, a penniless, powerless loser, useless from head to toe—how can he possibly be worthy of you?"

"I told you to divorce him, but you wouldn’t agree. Well then, as your mother, I'll simply make you a widow!"

"And besides, being widowed sounds better than divorced, doesn’t it?"

"Mother, have you lost your mind?"
Su Qingli stared in disbelief at Zhang Liping's venomous face, unable to comprehend that this was her own mother.

Her tears broke forth in a torrent as she sobbed, "Mother, I love Jiang Hao. I only wish for a peaceful life with him. Why can’t you bless us?"

"Mother, I hate you. I truly hate you!"

After these words, Su Qingli ran back to her room, slammed the door shut, and collapsed weakly onto the floor.

Thinking of Wang Jun’an’s death, her heart turned cold as iron.

If Jiang Hao ever learned that her mother was one of those plotting against him, would he…

Su Qingli dared not imagine further. The bitterness in her heart deepened. Because of her mother's terrible misunderstanding, she could only grit her teeth and endure.

And for the wrongs her mother committed, she would spend the rest of her life making amends.

When Jiang Hao finished his cultivation and opened the door, he found Su Qingli about to knock.

"Jiang Hao, today is Grandmother's seventieth birthday. Would you... would you accompany me to the ancestral home for the banquet?"
Su Qingli glanced nervously at Jiang Hao’s indifferent expression, afraid he would refuse.

Jiang Hao was indeed aware of the birthday celebration. In the past, he had always despised such gatherings.

Because in the entire Su family, no one treated him as a human being. Attending the banquet would only make him the target of ridicule and humiliation.

And Su Qingli would also be looked down upon for having a useless husband like him.

But the Su family had strict rules: all members must attend family banquets. He had no way to refuse.

Yet now—
He no longer needed to care about the Su family’s opinion. With nothing else to do, why not watch the spectacle?

He nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "If you’re not afraid of embarrassment, let’s go then."

At the door, Zhang Liping, dressed in her finest, was already waiting impatiently.

When she saw Su Qingli emerge with Jiang Hao, her expression soured.

Especially when she noticed Jiang Hao hadn’t even bothered to change clothes, still wearing cheap streetwear, her face twisted with disdain. She snorted, "Qingli, why are you coming out with that loser?"

"Young Master Pan will be here to pick us up soon. Tell him to leave, he’s an eyesore!"

"Why must Pan Yixuan pick us up? Can’t we just take a taxi?" Su Qingli frowned, clearly displeased.

Zhang Liping smoothed her luxurious gown, her face full of pride. "I am the second lady of the Su family! If I arrive by taxi, where is my dignity?"

"Young Master Pan said yesterday that he’s bought a Maserati worth over three million. He’ll drive it over to take us to the banquet."

"It’ll be so glamorous to arrive in a luxury car!"

Though Su Qingli’s family was of the main Su bloodline, their status was low—otherwise, they wouldn’t be living in this modest neighborhood.

They only had a small Buick worth about three hundred thousand, usually driven by Su Bingming, the head of the family.

This time, Su Bingming was away on business and couldn’t return, leaving them without a car at home.

Clearly, Zhang Liping, ever proud and vain, couldn’t accept arriving by taxi, so she set her sights on Pan Yixuan.

Jiang Hao could see through her motives.

As her daughter, Su Qingli understood her mother’s vanity even more.

She was both angry and helpless, about to speak, when a flashy red Maserati pulled up in front of them, spewing exhaust.

The door opened, and Pan Yixuan, slick-haired and smug, got out and greeted Zhang Liping and Su Qingli. "Sorry, traffic was bad, so I’m a bit late!"

"Not late at all! We’ve just finished getting ready!"
Zhang Liping beamed at both Pan Yixuan and the Maserati, exclaiming, "What a beautiful car! Truly worthy of its three-million price tag!"

"Only a luxury car like this suits a distinguished gentleman like Young Master Pan!"

"Today, Qingli and I will shamelessly enjoy the luxury ride. Thank you in advance, Young Master Pan!"

Pan Yixuan grinned, full of self-satisfaction. "Aunt Zhang, don’t mention it. I sincerely like Qingli, and I’m happy to do anything for her."

"If you like the car, Aunt Zhang, just let Qingli marry me. Then as your son-in-law, I’ll gladly gift the car to you—it’s only right!"

He then turned, face full of contempt, and glared at Jiang Hao. "After all, unlike certain paupers, I can actually honor my mother-in-law."

"Young Master Pan is right. Some people truly aren’t qualified to be my son-in-law!"
Zhang Liping looked at Jiang Hao with disdain, then grabbed Su Qingli's hand. "Daughter, all the guests tonight are from powerful families. If that worthless Jiang Hao shows up, he’ll only embarrass you."

"Don’t bother with him. Come get in the car with me—later, Young Master Pan will accompany you at the banquet."

"I’m sure, with Young Master Pan by your side, you’ll shine brightly tonight and your grandmother will see you in a new light!"

Zhang Liping and Pan Yixuan, like a pair of performers, belittled Jiang Hao as worthless.

But Jiang Hao was unfazed, his gaze fixed on Su Qingli with a faint smile.

He wanted to see what choice this woman would make at this moment.