Chapter 17: Di Yunsen Visits the Su Family

After thinking it over, Su Qingli put down her phone. “Cause and effect follow their order. Since you’ve asked, it means we’re fated to meet. You’ve treated me well, so for your sake, I’ll gift the old man something of real value.”

With that, Su Qingli returned to her room. It wasn’t long before she came back out.

“Here.”

Di Yunshen took the small box and opened it to find a black object, wooden in appearance. Judging by its looks alone, it was pitch black, resembling kindling or firewood—something no one would bother to pick up if it were lying on the ground.

But Di Yunshen didn’t question it. He knew Su Qingli always had her reasons.

“Li’er, what is this?”

“The Stone of Longevity.”

“Does it really grant immortality?”

Su Qingli rolled her eyes. “Everything I own is a treasure, all right? Even if it doesn’t make you immortal, it will prolong your life and health—living to a hundred and eighty wouldn’t be a problem. Of course, if you’re murdered, there’s nothing it can do.”

“Understood! Li’er, you’re amazing.”

Su Qingli lifted her chin in a proud gesture. Di Yunshen seized the moment to ruffle her hair. “I’ll be sure to tell them this is a gift from my wife.”

The next day, Di Yunshen took a private plane to the Su family estate.

By the time he arrived, the Su residence was already filled with guests.

It had truly been many years since he last set foot here… Now, as he crossed the threshold again, everything had changed.

“Old Master, look who’s here!” someone called out, drawing all eyes toward the door.

Di Yunshen, as ever, strode forward with steady steps.

“Old Master, it’s been a long time.”

Grandfather Su’s health hadn’t been good these past years. He rose shakily from his wheelchair. “It’s—it’s that rascal from the Di family!”

“It’s me.”

“It really has been some years!”

“I came to see you, and I’ve brought some gifts.”

Even as he spoke, attendants outside began announcing the presents.

“Congratulations from the Di family!”

“A pair of jade Ruyi scepters!
A set of gold-inlaid warm jade!
Two exquisite longevity peaches!
A seaside villa!
A ton of gold!
One hundred million in cash!
…”

All around, the guests stared in shock—now this was gift-giving! Only moments ago, some had been smug about the value of their own presents, but now, Di Yunshen had given them a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget.

Everyone here was wealthy, but which family had the nerve to give gifts on such a scale? Only the Di family could pull off such extravagance!

Some had even mocked Di Yunshen for arriving late, but now they could only swallow their words in envy.

“President Di really is generous! Anyone who marries him could laugh themselves awake in their dreams,” someone in the crowd remarked, emboldened by the spectacle.

Yet, it seemed his own wife wasn’t so pleased—she was even considering divorce!

“Old Master, my wife has also prepared a gift for you.”

“Wonderful, wonderful!”

Di Yunshen took the small box from his pocket. He hadn’t even opened it before everyone crowded around, eager to see what exceptional treasure the Di family had singled out.

But what they saw left them dumbfounded.

Some even burst out laughing. “Ha! It’s just a piece of wood.”

“Looks like a stick for the fire! President Di probably didn’t even check the gift—otherwise, how could he have brought this?”

“I heard President Di didn’t marry into a famous family—wasn’t it some beggar girl from the countryside?”

“No wonder! Maybe it’s something she got while begging!”

The crowd chattered incessantly, one snide remark after another.

“That’s the Stone of Longevity. It’s rare and almost impossible to come by. I remember three years ago, there was a small one at an auction. Didn’t it sell for six hundred million in the end?”

Shen Ci, standing behind, immediately replied, “Yes, sir. It was bought by a businessman, who later resold it for 1.3 billion! That auction house became famous overnight.”

The onlookers remained skeptical.

“It’s just an old piece of wood. An auction house? President Di must be joking.”

“I don’t believe it either. That ‘wood’ isn’t even good enough for kindling.”

“You could find a pile of this stuff in any garbage can!”

“Ha ha ha!”

Of course, with so many people present, there were a few who knew the truth.

“If you don’t understand, best not to speak. President Di, don’t mind their words. Every status comes with its own standards. They haven’t even figured out how to play in the minor leagues, yet they dare to criticize those at the top?”

“And who are you to speak here?” snapped a young woman.

She turned and met the gaze of her challenger. “I am Gu Zixi, eldest daughter of the Gu family.”

At these words, no one dared to speak further…

For in this country, the Gu family’s status was supreme. They had no formal ranking and stayed out of most affairs, but were always recognized as the foremost of the hidden clans.

The Su family had once been their equal, but had declined over recent years…

Luckily, the Gu family showed no interest in worldly matters; otherwise, every other family present would have been swept aside.

Whoever heard the name ‘Gu family’ would keep their distance for fear of getting burned.

Now, with a Gu family member present, those nearby both longed to curry favor and feared giving offense.

“It was our Gu family who bought the Stone of Longevity for 1.3 billion those years ago. Does anyone here have an issue with that?”

No one replied. Gu Zixi sneered, “There’s a reason your families never amount to anything.”

“If you put half the energy you waste gossiping into your own family’s interests, you’d be much better off. You’re all just noisy and useless!”

No matter how harsh her words, no one dared contradict her. Even if they felt aggrieved, they swallowed their resentment.

Grandfather Su sighed. “Zixi, don’t let them get to you. Yunshen, come with me, I have something to discuss with you.”

Just then, a woman entered from outside, her eyes glinting with something strange…