Jiang Hua's family lived in a modest residential complex. By county standards, it wasn't small, having been built about 10 years ago. Their home was on the fourth floor, not too high, with an area of about 100 square meters.
As soon as they parked, several cars pulled up behind them - all BMWs and Audis.
Jiang Hua's eldest uncle rushed out before his car had even come to a complete stop.
"Little Jiang, hurry up, the hotel is all set. I prepared this especially for you."
Seeing his uncle's impatience, Jiang Hua knew he must have invited some important guests, expecting Jiang Hua to entertain them.
"I've never entertained guests even when I was boycotted in the entertainment industry. Who do you think you are?" Jiang Hua thought to himself.
He glanced at his cousin sitting in the passenger seat, who wore a look of disdain, just like in high school. So arrogant.
Jiang Hua smiled, dodging his uncle's reaching hand, and said:
"Uncle, I won't be going. Enjoy yourselves. Put the bill on my tab, consider it my treat."
Mentally, Jiang Hua was decades older and had enough perspective not to argue like a youngster. He was already being very considerate of his uncle's face.
But his uncle wouldn't let it go. This was crucial for his plans to expand into the city.
"Jiang Hua, what do you mean? Do you think I lack money? Do you know who's coming? People from the Development and Reform Commission, Industry and Information Technology, Urban Construction - people we can't usually even invite."
"Oh, really? But what's that got to do with me? Did you arrange my schedule? If so, send a secondment letter to the Hangcheng Tourism Bureau."
His cousin couldn't stand it anymore and shouted, "Jiang Hua, what's your problem? You think you're famous now? How much do you make in a month? We'll pay you an appearance fee, how's 200,000 yuan?"
Jiang Hua laughed, "Sorry, that's not enough. My baseline for a single ad endorsement is 80 million. What did you think?"
He then turned to the Tourism Bureau staff and said, "I don't want to be disturbed. Come pick me up the day after tomorrow."
"Certainly, Mr. Jiang. Please rest well."
The staff and driver stood in front of Jiang Hua, specially selected by the Tourism Bureau - tall and strong, doubling as bodyguards.
Jiang Hua's uncle was still shouting.
"Jiang Hua, you're disregarding family ties, showing no home training. You can forget about being in the Jiang family genealogy."
Oh, threatening him with the family genealogy now? He really thought he was the family patriarch. Besides, what was this Jiang family genealogy? Jiang Hua had never heard of it.
Jiang Hua waved his hand, "No one can force me to do what I don't want to do. You've looked down on our family since I was little. Now we're all pretending, which is painful. Let's just stop associating. That's it."
His mother tugged at his clothes, looking bewildered. This wasn't good for Jiang Hua's reputation - people might say he doesn't recognize relatives after becoming successful.
The uncle turned to Jiang Hua's father, "San, aren't you going to control your son?"
"Big brother, you should go. Let's reduce our contact. I'll transfer Mom's living expenses to your card on time. She doesn't want to see me, her third son, so I'll try not to appear before her. That's it."
Without giving his elder brother time to respond, he went straight home. This was a complete falling out.
Jiang Hua's grandmother had never liked her third son, favoring the eldest, and had transferred all the family property to him.
Jiang Hua's father hadn't said anything about this, but his mother looked at the eldest brother as if he were an enemy.
The eldest brother must have been stirring things up. After all, how could a mother hate her son like an enemy?
It was better to cut ties with such relatives.
"You... hmph, you're all ungrateful wretches," his uncle raged impotently downstairs, cursing for a long while before leaving.
Jiang Hua put on his headphones, played some relaxing music, and slowly drifted off to sleep. Somehow, despite napping on the plane, he still felt tired.
In the living room, Jiang Hua's mother frowned, "Old Jiang, isn't it bad to have a falling out? After all, we're relatives."
"What's good or bad about it? We haven't been in touch for a long time. When our son entered the entertainment industry, they publicly declared we weren't family anymore. We should have cut ties long ago. Stop worrying so much, live your own life, take care of your health. You still need to look after grandchildren."
"Oh, Old Jiang, so that's your plan. Isn't it enough that I've served you and raised our child? Now I have to look after grandchildren too? I've been tired all my life, can't I enjoy myself a bit?"
Old Jiang muttered, "Jiang Hua has money now. We don't have to take care of them, we can hire a nanny."
His wife immediately refused, "How many news stories have there been about nannies abusing children? I can't trust that. I'll take care of the children myself."
"Hmph, I can listen to you on other matters, but regarding Jiang Hua's marriage, you have to listen to me. My friend has a daughter who's a university teacher now. I've met her, she's very quiet and well-behaved, good at housework and taking care of people."
"I don't think that Mai Le Di is good. She's pretty, but she can't take care of a family."
Jiang Hua's father helplessly said, "Whatever you say."
Then his mother picked up her phone and made a call.
"Hello, Xiao Min? My son is home... Yes, yes, he has a secure job too, earning over 10,000 a month, stable work, and he's done a bit of side business... Mm-hmm, no problem, he has a car, he just didn't drive it back this time."
"As for the house, it's up to you. We'll pay the down payment, there's no financial pressure."
"Is that so? Well, why don't we arrange for them to meet tomorrow? Make sure it's settled, we'll definitely meet tomorrow night."
While Jiang Hua was still asleep, a blind date was being arranged for him. Anyone who didn't know better would think he couldn't find someone on his own.
His father complained, "Is there a need to be so rushed? How old is Jiang Hua anyway?"
"Rushed? How can we not be rushed? Good girls are rare, especially those who are family-oriented, gentle, kind, and caring. Do you know how many bachelors can't find wives? The internet says at least 30 million, at least!"
Jiang Hua's mother, who scrolled Douyin daily, had been sold a dose of anxiety.
At this moment, Jiang Hua was woken up by a phone call.
"Hello, Jun Jun, what's up? I'm home already. You're on holiday? Mm-hmm, good. Yun Xiao is there too? Alright, alright, Happy New Year. I'll bring you gifts when I come back."
Chen Lijun hung up the phone and looked helplessly at Li Yunxiao, who had been eavesdropping nearby.
Li Yunxiao had been acting strange lately, often shutting herself in her room to drink tea alone.
"Jun Jun, there's a boy pursuing me recently. What should I do?"
"Ah, what's his name? What does he do? Is he good-looking?"
Li Yunxiao sighed, "He's okay, quite ordinary, a bit chubby. The key is, he's the son of my mom's best friend, and his conditions are quite good."
Chen Lijun asked, "Do you like him?"
Instead of answering, Li Yunxiao asked a question of her own.
"Jun Jun, what do you think of Jiang Hua as a person?"
...