At noon, Su Ding arrived at Shao Zheng Gang's house.
Shao Zheng Gang still lived in the same small villa as before. Although it was the home she had lived in for so many years, it now seemed very strange, even desolate.
Past memories surfaced, making Su Ding feel a sense of change and unfamiliarity.
"Miss, you're back. The Master and the Old Madam are all waiting for you at home," the housekeeper said with a smile as she saw Su Ding.
Su Ding nodded and walked into the living room.
As soon as she entered, she saw everyone sitting neatly on the living room sofa. The entire Shao family was there.
Led by Old Madam Shao, the eldest son Shao Zheng Chang, the third son Shao Zheng Kang, the fourth daughter Shao Qing Qing, and Su Ding's father Shao Zheng Gang were all seated, chatting.
"Xiao Xu, you're back." Shao Jun saw Su Ding and greeted her with a fawning smile.
Su Ding glanced at him indifferently, ignoring him. Instead, she looked at Old Madam Shao, "Grandma, why did you come over?" Of course, she asked a question she already knew the answer to.
Old Madam Shao displayed a kind smile. "Since you returned to the country, our family hasn't had a proper meal together like this in a long time. So, Grandma called your uncle, third uncle, and aunts to come over for a reunion dinner. Xiao Xu, please sit down quickly."
As she spoke, she glanced at Shao Qing Qing, who was sitting beside her.
Shao Qing Qing quickly stood up and moved to the edge of the sofa, also smiling at Su Ding, "Xiao Xu, please sit here."
"No need."
Su Ding raised her hand. "I'll sit over there."
After speaking, she walked directly to the dining area and sat on a stool by the dining table.
Although the distance was not too great.
It clearly showed her attitude, indicating a distinct sense of detachment from the Shao family.
Shao Qing Qing's expression faltered, and she looked at Old Madam Shao. Old Madam Shao's face showed a momentary gloom, but she quickly turned to a smile. "It is indeed a bit crowded, hehe. Third brother, isn't your company in the home furnishings business? Get your second uncle's family a better sofa. Do you hear me?"
Shao Zheng Kang said with a smile, "Alright, second brother. I'll pick out a good one for you and send it over."
Shao Zheng Gang was somewhat flattered and nodded with a smile, "Thank you."
"Brother, why are you being so polite? Do we need to use those words between brothers?" Shao Zheng Kang patted Shao Zheng Gang's shoulder and said affectionately.
Shao Zheng Chang, not to be outdone, said, "Second brother, I also brought a gift for you this time. Last time Xiao Xu attended Mom's birthday banquet, Xiao Jun was still immature and caused an accident. You adults are magnanimous and have forgiven him. I won't be so thoughtless. Cough cough..."
He cleared his throat and looked at Shao Jun, "Haven't you brought out the gifts you got for your second uncle and Xiao Xu yet?"
Shao Jun reacted, and with a smile, he quickly retrieved two gift boxes.
"Second Uncle, this is the top-grade Longjing tea I'm giving you. I specially got it from a friend. And here's a tea set that has been passed down from the Qing Dynasty. You can display it later and savor this Longjing tea."
After hearing the word "forgive," Shao Zheng Gang subconsciously glanced at Su Ding.
After all, he had asked his daughter to come back precisely hoping she could act as a mediator to ease the relationship between the two sides. He had no intention of forgiving the two million himself.
Why would his elder brother say it like that? What if Xiao Xu insisted on pursuing the two million? Wouldn't that be awkward?
"Uh, this..." Shao Zheng Gang, feeling a bit uneasy, wanted to say something. Shao Zheng Gang, however, said with a chuckle, "Second brother, don't you like it?"
Shao Zheng Gang did this intentionally.
He deliberately phrased it as if Shao Zheng Gang had already forgiven on behalf of Su Ding. This way, even if Su Ding disagreed, it would seem petty and create a rift if she continued to pursue it. It would also embarrass her father.
In this manner, Su Ding was put in a difficult position.
Shao Jun also took the opportunity to walk in front of Shao Zheng Gang and said guiltily, "Second Uncle, I apologize. If you don't like these, I'll bring you something else another day. You can even give this tea and tea set away as gifts later."
Shao Zheng Gang looked at the luxuriously packaged gift boxes and couldn't help but like them.
He was a tea lover himself, so he naturally liked the gift very much. However, he was very worried about Shao Xu's attitude.
"Xiao Xu..."
Shao Zheng Gang looked at Su Ding, his tone somewhat hesitant.