I couldn't take it anymore; when I went home for Chinese New Year, the family genealogy book ha

"Hmph! It's just a car key, what's so interesting about it!"

Zhao Youcai turned his head to the side, trying to save face.

"There are so many high-quality fakes these days! Who knows if your key is real or fake!"

His aunt, Wang Xiuqin, who was standing next to him, quickly chimed in, speaking in a high-pitched voice.

"Exactly! Jianjun, Xiuying, you two, why make such a big fuss about coming back? Are you afraid people won't know your family is rich now?"

"Renting a car like this must cost a lot of money for a day, right? Wouldn't it be better to use that money to buy your mom something nice to eat?"

Today, Wang Xiuying is wearing a mink shawl that her son bought for her; she is no longer the submissive wife she once was.

Upon hearing this, she immediately sneered and prepared to retort.

Jiang Jianjun, however, took the heavy key with the four-circle logo first, weighed it in his hand, and then shoved it back into the pocket of his Armani coat with a "snap".

He imitated his son, not even glancing at Zhao Youcai, and simply spoke in a calm tone.

"Let's go, Mom must be getting impatient."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards home.

Zhao Youcai felt a tightness in his chest, unable to catch his breath, and it was extremely uncomfortable.

Looking at Jiang Jianjun's smart attire and his ramrod-straight posture, the flames of jealousy in his heart burned even brighter.

"Hmph! Pretentious!"

He cursed under his breath, but could only follow behind with a dark expression.

The courtyard gate had already been opened.

An elderly woman with a full head of silver hair and a slightly hunched figure stood shakily at the door, leaning on a cane and looking around.

It was Jiang Chen's maternal grandmother.

"grandmother!"

When Jiang Chen saw the old man, all the sharpness and playfulness on his face instantly turned into the warmest tenderness.

He rushed forward in a few steps and steadily supported his grandmother's trembling arm.

"Oh, my dear grandson! I've been waiting for you!"

When Grandma saw Jiang Chen, her wrinkled face immediately broke into a wide smile.

She reached out her withered hand and touched Jiang Chen's face, then his arm, muttering to herself.

"He's grown taller and more handsome, even better looking than those celebrities on TV!"

"Grandma, your grandson is handsome!"

Jiang Chen grinned and whispered in his grandmother's ear.

The family surrounded Grandma as they entered the somewhat dimly lit main room.

Aunt Wang Xiuqin felt even more bitter seeing this scene. She pursed her lips and said to Wang Xiuying next to her in a sarcastic tone.

"Mom is just biased; she's always loved your family the most. Xiuying, I'm not trying to be mean, but what exactly is Chen'er doing in Shanghai? I heard from the villagers that he's delivering food? Or maybe he's working as a security guard for some big company?"

"No matter how handsome he is, if he doesn't have a proper job, what girl would dare to marry him?"

These words immediately created an awkward atmosphere in the room.

Jiang Jianjun's face darkened again.

Today, Wang Xiuying wore that mink shawl and drank the "physical enhancement liquid" her son gave her. Her complexion was rosy and she exuded confidence.

She gently put down her teacup, looked up at her eldest sister, and said slowly and deliberately.

"Big sister, your information is way outdated."

"Our Chen'er is now running his own projects and is his own boss. He manages quite a few people under him."

Wang Xiuying paused, then glanced meaningfully at Zhao Youcai, who was shaking his leg beside her.

"Unlike some contractors, who, although they manage people, are always covered in dust and dirt on the construction site and don't see much money all year round."

"you!"

Wang Xiuqin was so shocked by the rebuke that she couldn't catch her breath, and her face instantly turned ugly.

Zhao Youcai even stood up from his chair, feeling that he had been subtly insulted!

In an attempt to regain face and rebuild his "authority" in front of his mother-in-law, he cleared his throat and began his performance.

"Oh, speaking of money, the market this year is really good!"

Zhao Youcai deliberately raised his voice, as if afraid that someone in the room wouldn't hear him.

"My construction site to the south just received a payment of 300,000 yuan a couple of days ago! It's tiring, but what can I do? Dozens of workers under me depend on me for their livelihood!"

As he spoke, he pulled out an unopened pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket and deliberately tapped it loudly on the greasy octagonal table.

The voice was so loud, as if afraid others wouldn't notice.

After finishing his cigarette, he skillfully tore open the packaging, took out one, and without even looking at anyone else, handed it to Jiang Jianjun with a gesture that seemed to be giving alms.

He glanced sideways at Jiang Jianjun, his chin pointing at him with an undisguised sense of superiority.

"Come on, Jianjun."

"How was the harvest this year? Even after working your butt off, you probably didn't earn much money, right?"

"Try this, it's a really good cigarette, a soft pack of Zhonghua! It costs sixty or seventy yuan a pack! You probably wouldn't even see one in your village, would you?"

These words were both venomous and cruel.

He was not only flaunting his wealth, but also using this method to remind Jiang Jianjun that there was an insurmountable class divide between them.

Jiang Jianjun's face turned red instantly.

I'm not excited, I'm angry!

He looked at the cigarette offered to him, raised his hand slightly, then put it down again.

To accept is tantamount to admitting that one is inferior to him and accepting his "charity".

If I don't answer, I'll seem stingy, and he'll probably call me "fussy about money."

Just when Jiang Jianjun was caught in a dilemma and in dire straits.

A young, strong hand reached out from the side, gently yet undeniably blocking the cigarette.

It's Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen still wore that harmless smile on his face. He looked at Zhao Youcai and slowly began to speak.

"Uncle, thank you for your kindness."

"But you should keep this cigarette for yourself."

Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then said something that stunned everyone present.

"My dad's voice is very sensitive lately, and he can't get used to this cigarette."