Chapter16

At noon, people in the teahouse gradually finished their meal and some went to the private rooms to play mahjong, while others played poker outside. Everything was orderly and leisurely.

At a table near the entrance sat four elegant women, clearly burdened with worries. "Yu Jie, you really don't need to order a portion for yourself. The fried rice here is very good," one of them said.

Shen Ruyu looked a bit impatient as she glanced at the entrance and shook her head. "No need, my son-in-law will bring me lunch later."

"Your son-in-law, the one who works at Xin Hui Real Estate, what position does he hold?" one of them asked.

"How would I know? I don't interfere in young people's affairs," Shen Ruyu replied.

"Hehe, when my son buys a house, I'll look for him and see if there's a discount," another woman said.

"Yan Jie, you also bought this bracelet? I told you it's popular now, right?" one of them remarked.

"My daughter bought it for me. We're at this age, it's embarrassing to wear something so fashionable, but if we don't wear it, it would be a waste!" Yan Jie replied.

Shen Ruyu sat there silently, feeling a bit bitter as she watched them compliment each other and how almost everyone had this bracelet that cost thousands of yuan. It seemed like a trend, and not wearing one would make them feel ashamed.

Shen Ruyu thought about buying one for herself too, and she could say that her son-in-law gave it to her. "Oh, Yu Jie, I said you're always so simple."

"Yes, Yu Jie said that wearing it is addictive, but she wore some other jewelry last time," another woman added.

The group of middle-aged women chatted tirelessly, with a hint of sarcasm. But that was the atmosphere here, even playing cards required dressing up meticulously, as if they couldn't resist wearing their valuable jewelry.

At least when Xubin arrived, he looked dumbfounded seeing several women dressed like Christmas trees, covered in gold and silver.

"Mom, hello ladies!" Xubin greeted as he approached their table, obediently placing the food he brought on the table.

"Oh, it's our son-in-law visiting. What kind of food did you buy for your mother? It's such a big bag," one of them, named Yanzi, who was an old friend, asked. The others couldn't even remember Xubin's name, but this particular woman's words were just as sharp as Shen Ruyu's.

Xubin pulled out a chair and sat down, placing the gift bag in front of his mother-in-law, and sincerely said, "Mom, take a look and see if you like it."

"What is it?" Shen Ruyu was confused, but the others could see the logo on the handbag.

Opening the jewelry box and seeing the bracelet she had longed for, Shen Ruyu covered her mouth in shock, and Yanzi leaned over, a bit sourly saying, "No way, this is the most expensive one. I told you, son-in-law, you didn't buy a high-quality imitation, did you?"

"Yes, it doesn't look like pure gold!" the others chimed in.

Ignoring their comments, Xubin took his mother-in-law's hand and placed the bracelet on her wrist, saying, "Mom, I've always wanted to buy it but didn't have the time. I went to see it today, and you know I'm not good at picking, so I let them bring the newest model."

Shen Ruyu looked at the heavy bracelet on her hand, her eyes filled with astonishment, but she didn't show it. A woman is the best actress, and she didn't show her excitement.

Xubin deliberately let the invoice fall out of the bag, and Yanzi quickly picked it up, and the others gathered around. Seeing that it was from the most expensive collection, they felt a bit sour.

Shen Ruyu also saw it, and her eyes immediately showed a soft light. She coquettishly said, "You silly child, didn't Mom say she wanted something metallic? Why did you buy this?"

Actubin immediately smiled and said, "Mom, you don't need it anymore. Last time, you ate those imported vitamins, and you're fine now. Don't be so suspicious."

"Then let me try it on and see if I'll have an allergic reaction," Shen Ruyu smiled coyly, making Xubin a little infatuated.

But he quickly changed the subject, speaking in an elder's tone, "You, last time Mom said not to buy it, why don't you listen?"

Shen Ruyu was overjoyed at their synchronized performance, she didn't expect Xubin to act along with her, and she didn't expect her seemingly dull son-in-law to be so clever.

And of course, she didn't expect Xubin to have the money to buy her the most expensive gold bracelet, but now she couldn't ask.

With a displeased tone, Yanzi said, "Yu Jie, this bracelet is a bit heavy. Your hand will ache when we play cards later."

"Yes, son-in-law, why did you buy something so heavy? It's inconvenient to play cards later," the others added.

Shen Ruyu ignored them and continued to show off in her own way. In the past, she always fed, uh, Xubin, that poor boy… It seemed like the first time she called him "son-in-law" so affectionately.

Indeed, money, tailored to their preferences, no woman who admires vanity can resist.

"I'm not good at picking, so I let them bring the most expensive one!" Xubin said with a smile.

"Mum, if you find it too heavy, I'll buy you a lighter one later," Xubin said.

"Don't waste money, if you're allergic, Mom won't wear it," Shen Ruyu replied.

"If you don't wear it, it's fine. After all, gold appreciates. Just remember to take those imported vitamins, and don't let us nag," Xubin said.

"Alright, I understand," Shen Ruyu replied.

Shen Ruyu's vanity was satisfied like never before, and her feeble so-called allergy gained confidence under Xubin's lies.

At this point, the fried rice that Yanzi had ordered arrived. Impatiently, she said, "Alright, let's eat quickly and then play cards. If you have something to say, go home and talk, don't waste our time."

Her tone was a bit aggressive, but it made Shen Ruyu even more delighted. Xubin put the invoice back into the gift box and reminded, "Mom, keep the invoice safe. If it gets stolen, you can report it."

"I know, son-in-law, you can go home first. Oh, and tell Nannan not to buy groceries tonight. I'll go shopping tonight," Shen Ruyu said.

"Okay, goodbye, ladies!" Xubin said as he left.

Once Xubin left, Shen Ruyu smiled as she admired her gold bracelet, which was clearly larger than the ones the other ladies had. She felt proud, almost looking down on others.

The jealousy of the other women was apparent, but Shen Ruyu enjoyed it even more. She was even so excited that her underwear was a little wet.

Looking at the large bag in front of her, Shen Ruyu said as she opened it, "Oh, it's a bag from the Ocean Hotel."

The bag itself was exquisite, with the logo printed prominently. In this city, who wouldn't recognize the Ocean Hotel? But Shen Ruyu didn't want to say anything with her smug and proud expression.

Shen Ruyu placed the exquisitely packaged items on the table, making the ordinary boxes of fried rice ordered by Yanzi and the others pale in comparison.

Even if the women didn't want to engage in conversation, their attention couldn't help but be drawn when the boxes were opened.

A portion of Thai fragrant rice, a plate of braised sea cucumber, a high-end customized roast meat pl of shark fin soup.

Shen Ruyu held the takeaway menu and grumbled in dissatisfaction, "This brat only knows how to spend money recklessly. This stuff costs over 500 yuan. I have to scold him properly when I get home."

"Let's eat quickly, finish up and play cards!" Yanzi urged impatiently, suddenly finding the fried rice in her mouth tasteless.

Shen Ruyu said "yes, yes" but continued to eat slowly, still enthusiastically inviting, "Yanzi, try this braised sea cucumber, it's really delicious."

"Axia, try the crispy pig skin, it's the Ocean Hotel's signature dish."

"Hey, this son-in-law of mine, I must scold him. He's so careless with his clothes, doesn't want to buy new ones, but spends money so recklessly!"