Chapter 141: The Family Banquet (Part One)
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Chen Feng was a quintessential car enthusiast. Unlike many others, he had the means to fill his garage with the cars he loved—luxury sedans, sports cars, off-road vehicles—any distinctive automobile was a coveted addition to his collection.
By his own account, he owned no fewer than twenty vehicles, including four SUVs.
Among these four off-road vehicles was a modified Hummer H2. Chen Feng’s assessment of this vehicle was that it was imposing but impractical—perfect for city driving to impress, but hardly adaptable to all terrains.
Another was a Porsche Cayenne, the fastest SUV in his fleet, yet with poor off-road capability; it was basically limited to urban roads and would stall on even moderately steep slopes.
He also owned an Acura MDX, which Chen Feng regarded quite favorably. Though inexpensive, it offered balanced performance and exceptional value.
However, the crown jewel in terms of terrain adaptability was the AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz G65. Among off-road enthusiasts, this was considered an absolute marvel.
The G series’ timeless design was a classic in the eyes of car lovers. Its roaring V12 engine, cutting-edge technology, and three mechanical differential locks allowed it to conquer the most daunting terrains. As Chen Feng put it, “As long as you’re not trying to climb Everest with it, you can go anywhere.”
Of course, this was a slight exaggeration, but Zhang Wenhao knew well the formidable off-road prowess of this vehicle. Besides, he had no intention of venturing into uncharted mountain hollows without roads. Given the geography of Yunnan and Guizhou, the G65 could reach nearly all inhabited areas, with ample interior space—more than enough for his needs.
Though its fuel consumption of nearly 20 liters per 100 kilometers was daunting, the large fuel tank allowed for a range of five to six hundred kilometers on a full tank. Despite its multimillion-dollar price tag, the vehicle was exceptionally durable; as long as the lubrication oil was sufficient and a spare tire was on hand, it could comfortably travel nearly ten thousand kilometers without breaking down. It was the perfect choice for Zhang Wenhao.
Without hesitation, Zhang Wenhao thanked Chen Feng, left the Scirocco behind, and drove off in the G65. His first destination was a large medical supplies and pharmaceuticals distributor he had previously researched.
Since he intended to work as a traveling doctor, he only needed to procure relatively simple medical devices: stethoscopes, hemostats, scalpels, surgical scissors, syringes, infusion sets, drainage tubes, and blood type test reagents, among common tools. The rest involved bulk purchases of various medicines, most of which were readily available from the distributor. Only a handful of specialized drugs required complicated paperwork and approvals—mostly painkillers and sedatives like morphine or pethidine, which Zhang Wenhao rarely needed and could substitute with other methods if necessary.
Fortunately, the distributor maintained adequate inventory, so Zhang Wenhao found everything he required. After swiping his card and completing payment, the sellers loaded all the medicines into his car.
The entire trunk was packed to the brim, and most of the rear seat was filled with various pharmaceuticals. The medicines he purchased were all premium-grade, more expensive than ordinary counterparts. For instance, common amoxicillin might cost five or six yuan per box, but high-end cephalosporin antibiotics could reach several tens of yuan, with injectable antibiotics priced at hundreds per vial. Zhang Wenhao’s selection of mid-to-high-end drugs promised better treatment outcomes and shorter recovery times, allowing him to maximize his earned points within a limited timeframe.
The expense for one full load of equipment and medicine exceeded one hundred thousand yuan. Zhang Wenhao had no idea how long these supplies would last, but with two stable income sources, earning four to five hundred thousand yuan monthly was no problem, making this rate of consumption manageable.
Beyond medical supplies, Zhang Wenhao also bought essential daily items and tools for the road. Once everything was ready, he parked the fully loaded G65 in a paid daily rental garage for fifty yuan a day.
His plan was to send Su Ruoran off the next day, have dinner with his mother’s relatives the following evening, and then set out early the day after. He had memorized a detailed map of the country and carefully planned his route, eagerly awaiting his departure southwestward.
Having returned the Scirocco to Chen Feng, and with the G65 now overloaded and unsuitable for fetching Su Ruoran, Zhang Wenhao took a taxi to her home.
Because he was meeting his family and relatives that day, Su Ruoran took great care in her appearance, wearing a rare off-shoulder little black dress by Versace. The dress was custom-made by a designer at her mother’s behest and reserved for important occasions.
The black dress, adorned with tiny sequins, fit her perfectly. Though it was off-shoulder, it revealed only one flawless white shoulder. The neckline rested just below her collarbones, cinched at the waist with exquisite pleats, and the skirt ended just above the knees. On Su Ruoran, the dress showcased her figure and enhanced her grace—an impeccable beauty.
“Ruoran,” Zhang Wenhao exclaimed at first sight, “you look absolutely perfect. I’m worried my mom might object to us being together once she sees you.”
“Why?” Su Ruoran asked nervously. “Is the off-shoulder too much? Maybe I should go upstairs and change.”
“No, no,” Zhang Wenhao quickly reassured her. “I’m afraid my mom will think you’re too beautiful and that I’m not good enough for you.”
Su Ruoran relaxed slightly and teased, “You scared me. I thought Auntie would disapprove of my outfit.”
Zhang Wenhao smiled gently. “Don’t worry. My mom isn’t that old-fashioned. She was actually very supportive of me marrying you. In her eyes, you’re absolutely wonderful.”
Su Ruoran blushed shyly. Seeing that Zhang Wenhao hadn’t brought his car, she asked curiously, “Why didn’t you drive?”
He laughed lightly. “I gave the car back to Chen Feng. Actually, I shamelessly convinced him to swap the Scirocco for an off-road vehicle, but that one is too flashy, so I didn’t bring it out.”
Su Ruoran’s curiosity was piqued. “Why switch to an off-roader? Are you planning a trip?”
She knew Zhang Wenhao was not one to chase vanity. If he exchanged the Scirocco for an off-road vehicle, it was for practical reasons. Since an off-roader wasn’t much use in Jiangcheng, she immediately guessed he intended to travel far.
Zhang Wenhao didn’t hide it. Nodding with a smile, he said, “Once I send you off tomorrow, I want to take a little trip—go on a road trip.”
“I want to go too,” Su Ruoran pouted, looking at him with pleading eyes. “It would be great if we could go together.”
Zhang Wenhao chuckled. “Aren’t you going back? Your whole family is waiting in Yanjing. If I ran off with you now, Auntie Nie would never forgive me.”
Su Ruoran smiled softly. “It’s not as serious as you say. But I definitely have to return to Yanjing first—Dad’s coming back soon. I haven’t seen him in almost a year, and Grandpa and Grandma keep asking about me.”
Zhang Wenhao nodded. “That’s why I figured after you leave, I could go out and clear my head. Staying cooped up in Jiangcheng is getting boring.”
Su Ruoran asked with a smile, “Have you decided where to go?”
“To Yunnan and Guizhou,” Zhang Wenhao said. “I’ve always been fascinated by the culture there. It’s the perfect time during summer break to visit.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Su Ruoran said a little wistfully. “Looks like it’s going to be hard to meet over the next month or two.”
Zhang Wenhao comforted her softly, “It’s just one summer. By September, we’ll be inseparable.”
Su Ruoran nodded, feeling somewhat reassured. Together, they took a taxi to Jiangcheng Hotel. Su Ruoran was quite nervous; she had never formally dined with Zhang Wenhao’s family before, and now he was bringing her to meet his entire family, which was an intimidating prospect.
Along the way, Zhang Wenhao kept comforting her. Although he said it was something they had to do sooner or later, and better sooner than later, Su Ruoran remained anxious.
At 6:30 p.m., Zhang Wenhao and Su Ruoran arrived hand in hand at a private room reserved by his father. Inside, only his parents were present. They had already heard about Zhang Wenhao bringing Su Ruoran, so there was no surprise. However, his mother was delighted and warmly greeted Su Ruoran with a smile: “Ruoran, you look so beautiful today. Standing next to Wenhao, he’s hardly worth looking at!”
Zhang Wenhao looked at Su Ruoran and grinned, “See? What did I tell you?”
Song Huafang shot him a glance and asked, “Did you say anything bad about me to Ruoran?”
“No, no,” Zhang Wenhao hurriedly waved his hands.
Su Ruoran, blushing, greeted Song Huafang and then Zhang Xingping. Seeing Su Ruoran’s nervousness, Song Huafang took her hand and smiled kindly. “Ruoran, today is just a family dinner. You’re Wenhao’s girlfriend, so it’s time for his grandparents, uncles, and aunts to meet you. But there’s no need to be nervous—just think of it as a casual meal.”
Su Ruoran nodded lightly, feeling more at ease. Zhang Wenhao held her hand as they all sat down together.
Song Huafang sat to Su Ruoran’s right and asked with genuine concern, “Ruoran, how did your exam results turn out? Are you satisfied?”
Su Ruoran smiled faintly, “Not as well as Wenhao. I scored just over 720.”
Zhang Wenhao quickly added, “Ruoran was second in the entire province.”
Song Huafang was surprised and praised, “I didn’t expect you to be both beautiful and so academically accomplished. Wenhao is truly blessed.”
Zhang Wenhao felt embarrassed. Whenever his mother praised Su Ruoran, she always seemed to drag him into it, as if she liked Su Ruoran more than her own son.
The three of them chatted for about twenty minutes, and Su Ruoran’s initial awkwardness gradually faded, replaced by a natural ease.
By 7 p.m., Zhang Wenhao and his parents no longer felt the subtle awkwardness they once did when entering private rooms at Jiangcheng Restaurant. This time, they had arranged a luxurious large room, waiting for relatives to arrive.
Zhang Wenhao recalled the New Year’s Eve five months ago when he had reluctantly come to this place for a family dinner, his failures making it impossible for him or his family to hold their heads high in front of everyone. Yet today, everything had changed dramatically.
The first to arrive were his paternal aunt and her family. She was usually close to Zhang Wenhao’s eldest uncle’s family. Her husband had recently quit his accounting job at a food factory to become the financial director for the eldest uncle, tripling his salary and gaining excellent benefits. She harbored little respect for Zhang Wenhao’s family, but when her second brother called to say Zhang Wenhao had topped the provincial college entrance exam, she initially refused to believe it until she saw it on television. Now she realized that the Zhang Wenhao of today was a completely different person from just a few months ago.
As soon as they entered, Zhang Xingping warmly invited them to sit. The aunt smiled and said, “Second brother, Wenhao really brought honor to our Zhang family this time.”
Zhang Xingping smiled, “The boy’s improvement has indeed been surprising.”
The aunt nodded enviously, “Second brother, Wenhao must have won a prize of at least a hundred or two hundred thousand yuan for topping the provincial exam, right?”
Zhang Xingping replied calmly, “I’m not sure. I don’t know this year’s municipal policies.”
The aunt glanced at Zhang Wenhao with a smile, “Provincial top scorer—there’ll be awards from the school, the city, and the province. Conservatively, it should be at least a hundred thousand. That’s enough to cover two or three years of your and your wife’s salaries.”
Zhang Wenhao inwardly bristled. His aunt was always rather mercenary. She obediently followed the eldest uncle’s family, sought closer ties with them, and brought gifts during festivals. She rarely cared for Zhang Wenhao’s family or even the grandparents, seeing only relatives who brought her tangible benefits as true family, others barely worth a neighbor’s regard.
Before the aunt could ask about Su Ruoran, Zhang Wenhao stood and introduced, “Aunt, this is my girlfriend, Su Ruoran.”
The aunt was momentarily stunned. A girlfriend? Zhang Wenhao wasn’t even nineteen yet, and already dating? Moreover, this Su Ruoran was strikingly beautiful and stylish, unlike the girls she usually saw. She thought to herself: Zhang Wenhao really has extraordinary luck—not only did his grades soar, but he also found such an outstanding girlfriend.
Zhang Wenhao’s cousin Qin Xuan hurried over shyly, glanced at Su Ruoran, and cheerfully said, “Hello, sister-in-law.”
Su Ruoran blushed deeply, unsure how to respond. Qin Xuan then turned to Zhang Wenhao and said, “Brother Wenhao, can you teach me how to become a top scorer too? Then I can earn tens of thousands for Mom and Dad.” He added wistfully, “And maybe teach me how to find a girlfriend as beautiful as sister-in-law...”
“Aren’t you still a kid?” the aunt scolded playfully. “Do you think tens of thousands just blow in the wind? You’re worthless even if they sold you. If you become half as good as your brother Wenhao, I’d be happy.”
Qin Xuan pouted and whispered in Zhang Wenhao’s ear, “Mom’s so fickle—last time she said she’d be happy if I scored half as well as Sister Ran; now it’s you.”
Zhang Wenhao smiled faintly, knowing his aunt liked to say things for appearances but was strict. When Qin Xuan’s grades slipped, she punished him severely, far from the carefree image she portrayed.
Just then, Zhang Wenhao’s uncle and aunt arrived with his grandparents. The elderly couple wore pleased smiles. Upon seeing Zhang Wenhao, his grandmother exclaimed, “Wenhao, our dear grandson really made us proud. Our Zhang family has never produced a top scorer before—this is a first.”
The grandparents doted on Zhang Wenhao. With three sons, the eldest uncle had only a daughter, the uncle and aunt had been married for years without children. To the traditionally son-preferential older generation, Zhang Wenhao was the only hope and was cherished deeply.
After greeting his grandparents, Zhang Wenhao received a thick red envelope from his grandfather, who said with a smile, “Wenhao, you’ve brought great honor to our family. This is a reward from Grandpa and Grandma. Keep it well and don’t give it to your parents—think of it as your pocket money. I’ll cover your first year’s university tuition.”
Zhang Wenhao tried to refuse, saying he was an adult and didn’t want to trouble them, but his grandfather insisted with authority, “As long as you’re unmarried, you’re still a child in our eyes. You will take it. If you refuse, Grandpa won’t be happy.”
Zhang Xingping smiled slightly and said, “Wenhao, just accept Grandpa’s red envelope. Don’t make him angry by refusing.”
Reluctantly, Zhang Wenhao thanked them and accepted the envelope. Nearby, his aunt muttered discontentedly, “Dad, you’re so biased. You never treated Qin Xuan as well as Wenhao.”
Grandpa laughed heartily and said, “If Xuan can become a top scorer, I’ll give him an even bigger red envelope.”
This only deepened the aunt’s displeasure.
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