The art exhibition drew to a close amidst a minor commotion, ultimately concluding with the sale of twenty paintings.
With twenty pieces sold, each fetching between fifty and one hundred thousand yuan, the day's earnings exceeded one million. While this was still a significant gap from established artists, it was an impressive feat for a newcomer.
This was something Su He had never imagined.
Moreover, this was merely the beginning.
After seeing off the last guest, Su He’s legs felt numb from standing.
Lu Yanbei felt her leaning weight and steadily supported her shoulder. "Busy day, tired?"
Su He nodded honestly. However, upon recalling the substantial income for the day, her eyes immediately lit up again. "After deducting venue rental and worker wages, the profit is close to eighty thousand! Come on, I'll treat you to a delicious meal tonight!"
A mere eighty thousand could make her this happy? Lu Yanbei couldn't help but chuckle.
Still, he wouldn't dampen his wife's spirits when she was rarely this joyful. "What grand feast would Mrs. Lu like to treat me to?"
"Chinese, Western, or anything else, you choose!" Su He gave him a look that said, "See how generous I am?", her demeanor incredibly proud.
Lu Yanbei actually began to ponder. "Then how about Chunfeng Deyilou?"
Su He: ...
You can't be this much of a scamp with your wife!
That place was by membership only, and a single meal there could easily cost five or six figures, practically highway robbery!
"Not okay?" Lu Yanbei asked.
Su He gritted her teeth. "Is it easy for me to earn money? You'd spend it all in one meal!"
"Just kidding," Lu Yanbei chuckled, pulling her into his arms. "With me here, how could I let you pay?"
Su He, the little money-lover, finally felt at ease.
That evening, Lu Yanbei had indeed booked a table at Chunfeng Deyilou. He had also invited Su He's family, her mentor Ms. Hong and her husband, and some of his close friends.
"Since we're all gathered, let's just have a casual meal together." These were Lu Yanbei's exact words.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Chunfeng Deyilou, everyone was astonished by his definition of a "casual meal."
Locals knew that this century-old establishment had numerous rules and regulations, and its membership fees were no less than those of high-end clubs. Ordinary people rarely had the chance to dine there.
"I heard the cheapest dish here costs four figures?" Ms. Hong, despite being accustomed to a life of comfort, was visiting this place for the first time.
Mr. He patted her hand and whispered, "To be honest, this is my first time here too."
"I wonder what kind of service they offer, to charge such exorbitant prices!" Su Ying flipped through the menu. The dish names were quite interesting, filled with poetic flair, but she was unsure about the taste.
She casually selected two dishes and handed the booklet to Su Lin beside her.
Knowing that his brother-in-law Lu Yanbei was treating, Su Lin wasn't shy. He quickly marked down several signature dishes and ordered some drinks. "You guys are too cautious! This is a rare opportunity, no need to save money for him."
Tang Jiaojiao glared at him, exasperated. "There's a saying, 'A gentleman's revenge is never too late.' Little Lin, you're still too green."
Su Lin shrugged dismissively. "That day will never come!"
"Don't be so sure," Su He said, propping her chin and looking at him with a half-smile. She didn't believe he wouldn't fall in love one day. When he got married, she'd definitely fleece him.
While the siblings were still glaring at each other, the elders had already struck up a conversation.
They had basically gotten acquainted at the wedding, and today they had jointly resolved a troublesome matter, leading to an even more harmonious atmosphere.
"Mrs. Su, you are truly blessed to have such outstanding children. Looking at them makes one envious!"
"Not at all, Mrs. He, you are so talented, and your children are filial..."
"Filial? They all advocate for singlehood and refuse to get married. Your father and I are almost worried sick!"
"It's the same in our family! Look, they're all doing spectacularly in their careers, but their personal lives are stagnant. I don't know when I'll get to hold a grandchild!"
Seeing the elders chatting so congenially, the younger generation suddenly felt a sense of impending crisis.
As expected, the next topic burned their way.
"Hmm, why don't we try to leverage our resources?" Ms. Hong glanced at the handsome man and woman beside Tang Jiaojiao and had a sudden inspiration.
"How do we leverage them?" Tang Jiaojiao asked with interest.
"What do you think of my good-for-nothing son?" Ms. Hong pointed at He Shufan at the next table. "How about introducing him to your eldest daughter?"
"How old is young He this year?" Tang Jiaojiao's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Twenty-seven!" Ms. Hong sighed mournfully.
"Ah, my Xiao Ying is twenty-eight." Tang Jiaojiao replied.
"Older is good!" Ms. Hong didn't think age was an issue at all. "I heard Miss Su Ying is an internationally renowned fashion designer? To have achieved so much at such a young age is truly admirable!"
"Auntie, you flatter me," Su Ying replied reluctantly, forcing a smile. Despite being a career-driven woman, she felt somewhat at a loss in front of elders.
Especially before a senior as artistic as Ms. Hong.
"Mom, are you trying to set up Shufan and my sister?" Su He placed a lamb chop into Tang Jiaojiao's bowl, unable to help but sweat profusely for Su Ying.
"Is that not allowed? I think they'd be quite a good match!" Tang Jiaojiao looked at He Shufan, who was fair-skinned, tall, and slender, with an scholarly demeanor. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
"Perhaps you should ask Sister's opinion first? What if she already has someone she likes?" Su He offered kindly.
Tang Jiaojiao dismissed it. "If she liked someone, wouldn't she tell me? She hasn't brought a boyfriend home in so many years, it's clear she's been too busy with work!"
"Now that she's finally met someone good, we must seize the opportunity."
After speaking, Tang Jiaojiao was already inquiring about He Shufan's hobbies with Ms. Hong.
The two ladies hit it off, their enthusiasm growing.
Su Ying rubbed her temples in exasperation but dared not react on the spot.
Su Lin gloated from the side. "Sister, how does it feel to be pushed into a corner?"
"Don't get cocky! It'll be your turn sooner or later!" Su Ying snorted coldly.
Su Chen didn't join their bickering, quietly eating his food.
He was an uninvolved bystander.
Mmm, this West Lake vinegar fish is quite good.
He wondered if he could get it packed for takeout. Someone was waiting for him to return and feed them.
Su Chen paused at this thought.
Without him realizing it, had he already considered that place home?
The only place he had ever referred to as home before was the dilapidated house in Fengxi Village where the four siblings had grown up.
Now, could that also be considered his home?
A ripple stirred within Su Chen's heart.