040: Grandma Hialun's 83rd Birthday (6)

Grandma Hialun eventually made her way to the front of the group, helped along by Madam Yue and Madam Su. Her granddaughters and great-granddaughters, Yue Jixia, Yue Ruxia, and Su Rukia, trailed behind her, and everyone cheered when she arrived because she was the star of the celebration today.

A round of applause fills the entire auditorium, and congratulations are shouted for the elderly woman to hear. Grandma Hialun gladly takes in the words of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Grandma Hialun said, "You had gathered here today for this old lady's birthday. To think I could reach the age of 83. Hoho~"

"Grandma can still reach the age of 100! We have a few more years to celebrate for you!" said Yue Ruxia.

Su Rukia spoke, "Great Grandmother, I still haven't made you a rich old lady yet. I should be able to do it soon."

"Hoho~ is that so? I guess this old lady can still wait for a few more years," said Grandma Hialun.

Yue Jixia said, "No need to wait for too long. Grandma can immediately become a millionaire today. Once Dajie arrives, what grandma wants should be achieved."

"Is Yue'er going to give this old lady money?" asked Grandma Hialun with a teasing tone.

Obviously, I did not give Yue Jixia much thought, and the others assumed she was kidding when she said that only the Xing Family, Su Rukia, and the Qu Family—aside from Madam Qu—knew about the current wealth that the Yue Family held. Nevertheless, there is a lot of laughter going on, and everyone is thoroughly enjoying the celebration of the event.

Madam Su spoke, "Okay, before we begin eating, let's start the ceremony of gifting. We'll go by the order of age. Once your family name and birth name are called, please come over to give your presents."

"Let's start. Big brother Xia Kian and his family. You may come over!"

Grandma Hialun called her firstborn son, Xia Kian, who worked overseas and was the first of his siblings to leave the country. His life was prosperous; at least up until the point of retirement, he had saved up enough cash to purchase a modest mansion for his family as well as a few small businesses managed by his wife and kids. These days, he is contentedly retired with his grandchildren.

Xia Kian and his spouse advanced; his offspring are all employed overseas and have left their kids in the care of their parents. Xia Kian was carrying a small, English-speaking doll, which belonged to his youngest granddaughter. He sat down so that he was at the same level as his mother, smiled at her, and passed the doll to his wife.

"Mother, Happy 83rd Birthday!" said Xia Kian and his wife.

Xia Kian took out a thick red envelope, which should have contained at least 50,000 rmb, and handed it to his mother.

"It wasn't much because Mother can use it to buy something you want and for your daily intake of medicines," said Xia Kian.

Grandma Hialun smiled and caressed the face of her eldest son.

"No need to give too much. This old lady wouldn't live for long anyway," she said.

Xia Kian said, "That's not true! I hope my mother lives longer than 100 years."

"Hm~ this old lady didn't want to become a God so pass~," said Grandma Hialun.

Hahaha~ Peals of laughter can be heard all around the venue.

Madam Su spoke, "Okay. I'm next. Brother, you can go away now."

"Come on, Ruirui. You can't just shoo your elder brother away~" said Xia Kian playfully.

Madam Su said, "Elder Sis, you should drag this man away. Hmp!" She was talking to her eldest sister-in-law.

Whilst everyone watched, Madam Su took out a small box from her garment that was slightly larger than her palm, Xia Kian's wife chuckled at the sibling antics and complied with Madam Su's request, pulling her husband back to their seats.

Madam Su opened it, revealing an exquisite jade bracelet.

"Mom, please take this. It's a warming jade bracelet. It wasn't much, but it should be able to lessen the cold air in your body to keep you healthy," said Madama Su.

Madam Yue commented, "Wow, that's neat, Dajie. It looks nice."

"Of course! I've worked hard to get this. It caused a few ten thousand, but it is worth it," said Madam Su.

Grandma Hialun smiled and said, "Thank you, Ruirui. It is indeed warm."

Grandma Hialun gladly accepted her children's gifts, no matter how simple or costly. Some gave money, but not as much as Xia Kian. Some gave her gadgets, like tablets, to allow Grandma to learn how to use video calls to contact them. The gifts continue. A sack of various fruits and vegetables recently picked is one of the common gifts.

Madam Su continued calling names until the family of Qu was named next. Madam Qu walks confidently in front of her family. A large diamond ring around her neck and finger and a beautiful box in her hand, a display of her family's wealth.

Yue Ruxia and Yue Jixia looked at Madam Qu with shocked and weird expressions.

Su Rukia mumbled, "Woa~ is she for real?"

"Her hands and neck are moving weirdly," commented Yue Ruxia.

"Shss! She might hear you," said Yue Jixia.

Pfft!

When Madam Qu eventually halted in front of Grandma Hialun, she could not help but give Madam Yue a scornful glance, which Mama Yue had to turn a blind eye to. Madam Yue and Madam Su almost burst out laughing at the murmuring of the youngsters behind them.

When Qu Yuru heard from her father that Uncle Yue had brought out a few collectible wines and shared them with the family, she did not realize that her husband and kids were viewing the Yue family differently than they had previously. Uncle Yue had brought at least five different types of wine bottles, most of which cost a few million more than regular wines.

It was reported that an article of customized clothing from that world-class designer cost tens of millions of dollars for seasonal clothing designs. Qu Yuru could not help but warn her siblings not to make a move at the Yue family like before because they would most likely be the ones who lost again if they fought with wealth. Unfortunately, Madam Qu does not know anything, and she keeps acting like a vain person. After closely examining the clothing Madam Yue, Yue Ruxia, and Yue Jixia are wearing, Qu Yuru is certain that they are wearing a customized editioned collection from a private brand in Paris.

They finally stopped in front of Grandma Hialun who had kept her smile from the beginning. She even turns a blind eye to her daughter's foolishness.

Madam Qu was about to speak but was cut off by her husband, Mr. Qu.

"Mom, do you know what I bought?"

"Mother, happy birthday! Please accept this small gift from us!" said Mr. Qu as he bowed his head.

His kids took their cue from him and quickly concluded their family pleasantries, and Grandma Hialun was given a small box with an imprinted trademarked crest on it.

"Mom, open it. I'm sure you would like it~" said Madam Qu while sneaking a peek at Madam Yue, who was ignoring her. "I'm sure it is better than the others who might not even bring you any gifts~"

Mr. Qu pulled her over. "Su'er!"

Madam Qu said to her husband, "What are you doing?"

"Enough. Don't you feel embarrassed with what you are saying!?" said Mr. Qu.

Bewildered, Madam Qu asked, "What are you talking about?"

Madam Su seeing that the couple was about to fight, finally spoke up: "Okay. Susu, after you are done, you can go back to the table and start eating with your family."

Madam Qu didn't listen and said, "Mom, open it. You should like my gift more!"

Grandma Hialun's smile almost disappeared in her annoyance towards her daughter, Susu. But seeing that today was such a joyous event in her life, she decided not to get angry.

"I will open it now. Sigh~" said Grandma Hialun.

Grandma Hialun was clearly disappointed with the gift, and even Mr. Qu was taken aback when he realized that the one he had purchased was not the same as the one his mother-in-law had received from Madam Qu. When the box from Madam Qu was opened, a necklace made of gold and small diamonds was immediately visible. However, compared to the one on Madam Qu's neck, the diamonds on this necklace are obviously too small to be seen.

Mr. Qu's face turned dark. "Su'er, isn't this a gift I bought for Yurei? Where's the emerald jewelry set I bought for Mother's birthday?!"

"Ah? Isn't this what you plan to give my mother? Anyway, there isn't much difference~" said Madam Qu. Clearly, she didn't want to give away the emerald set she had set her sights on and give her mother a smaller piece of jewelry, regardless of whether it would fit her or not.

Mr. Qu said, "Are you not embarrassed enough? That is a gold diamond set for young ladies. There is no way it would fit, mother. You didn't want to gift the emerald set I've bought!"

"I... anything is fine for a gift, right?" retorted Madam Qu.

Mr. Qu said, "Yes, but it didn't have to be the one I gave my daughter! You are a disappointment."

Qu Yurei could not even lift her head, knowing that her mother did not want to give away that emerald jewelry set his father bought for Grandma and even took away her father's gift for her. Instead, Qu Yuwen and his lover were dumbfounded, not understanding why things were happening the way they were. Qu Yuru was so embarrassed by her mother that she made the decision to split from her parents.

Qu Yurei was about to leave when she heard her grandmother calling her name.

"Rei'er, come over to grandma."

"Yes, Grandma?" asked Qu Yurei, as she didn't look good forcing herself to smile like this.

Grandma Hialun gently pats her granddaughter's head and smiles at her.

"It's okay. This is supposed to be yours, right? Grandma returns it to you."

"B-But... Grandma's gift..." said Qu Yurei, as she didn't want to take back that gold diamond necklace, which she had only worn once before her mother took it away.

Grandma Hialun spoke, "It does not fit grandma. So you should wear it instead, Rei'er. It's okay. Ignore your mother next time."

Madam Su spoke out for Qu Yurei when she saw that her grandmother was gently pushing the box toward her. Qu Yurei was hesitant to take it.

"Take it. Such a piece of cute designed jewelry wouldn't fit your grandma. Since she returned it to you, it is already yours."

"Thank you, Grandma!" said Qu Yurei.

When Madam Qu saw this, she became enraged because she thought her daughter was too shameless to return the present that Grandma Hialun had given away.

"Yurei! What are you doing!? That's your grandma's gift!"

"Su'er! I had lost enough face for today!!" said Mr. Qu.

When Madam Qu attempted to reclaim the gold diamond jewelry set from her daughter, her mother's harsh voice and her husband intervened.

Grandma Hialun bellowed, "Xia Susu! You stop for this old lady!"