I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2404 - 1520: Fate’s Misalignment (Part 2)

"What cup? Pour him some alcohol so he gets drunk and causes a scene?"

Jiang Huazi's words held a veiled meaning. It wasn't that she was unwilling to give him face, but rather that he himself was discarding his own dignity. Despite her repeated advisement to leave, he insisted on staying, inadvertently placing her in a difficult situation as well.

Hong Xiaoyu immediately froze, not daring to make a move.

Zhang Zhongquan let out an awkward chuckle and nonchalantly stated, "You all drink; I have a bit of fatty liver, so it's better if I don't consume too much."

"What did you say about Jiang and Qing Qing..."

Seizing an opportune moment when no one was looking, Pan Hui cast a glance at her husband and quietly inquired.

"I didn't say anything of the sort. I merely commented that he has excellent taste. It was he who began overthinking and acting coy."

Fang Weiguo responded with an even tone.

That was precisely the case.

He hadn't uttered a falsehood.

He had simply chosen not to dispute the existing narrative.

It was all Zhang Zhongquan's own self-deception. What did that have to do with him?

"If you proceed like this, Qing Qing will..."

"Do you truly believe Qing Qing would object?"

Fang Weiguo interrupted his wife's expression of concern. "If Zhang Zhongquan discovered Jiang Chen's presence, he would undoubtedly implore Jiang Chen for assistance, even if it meant resorting to underhanded tactics. Regardless, Jiang Chen is an elder, and we are all assembled here. Jiang Chen would find it exceedingly difficult to outright refuse, so... just allow him to harbor his own thoughts."

"When they were younger, those two were always referred to as a 'golden boy and jade girl.' Letting them 'reprise their roles' could be rather amusing, don't you think?"

Fang Weiguo added thoughtfully.

Pan Hui appeared momentarily taken aback, then observed her daughter and, almost unconsciously, nodded slowly.

Perhaps through some unexpected turn of events, it seemed to soothe a certain unspoken regret lingering within her heart.

"...It does seem rather pleasant."

By this juncture, Fang Weiguo had already raised his glass and offered Jiang Chen a smile. "Care for a drink?"

His smile now possessed a subtle yet distinct nuance compared to its usual demeanor.

With a clear objective in mind, Zhang Zhongquan began to assert his presence. "Young man, you ought to drink with Uncle Fang properly. According to our local customs, if you don't accompany Brother Fang in drinking, then you and Fang Qing... hehe."

"Be quiet. Eat your food."

Jiang Huazi interjected with palpable impatience.

"Sister, I am merely instructing him. Back in the day, when I first visited my father-in-law's home—and I'm not exaggerating—I consumed a quart and a half of alcohol, completely incapacitating my father-in-law on the spot..."

Zhang Zhongquan spoke with animated gestures and profuse spittle. His fervent desire to distinguish himself was evident; he truly yearned to be the center of attention. However, Jiang Huazi showed no inclination to indulge him.

"Could you refrain from talking? If you cannot, then take the dishes to the kitchen and remain there!"

"Sister, please, you..."

Zhang Zhongquan's demeanor shifted to one of sullenness, a remnant of his pride still intact. His voice lowered, and he ceased his attempts to dominate the conversation.

"Qing Qing, please eat. Pay no mind to your Uncle Zhang's ramblings."

When Jiang Huazi turned her attention to Fang Qing, her expression softened into a kind and gentle smile once more.

"Mmm, these chicken feet are quite delicious. They're a specialty of my mom's. Brother, kindly offer Sister Fang Qing some."

Hong Xiaoyu suddenly interjected with these words.

The instant his words left his mouth, everyone present, with the sole exception of Zhang Zhongquan, paused for a beat, including Fang Weiguo himself.

Selecting food for her?

If they were a couple, this action would be entirely unremarkable...

No, wait.

The two of them were precisely meant to be portraying a couple at this very moment.

What else could be said?

The performers present were not exactly seasoned professionals.

Yet, it hardly mattered.

So they were amateurs. What did it matter if their roles weren't fully embodied?

The discernment of the audience also varied considerably.

As the sole individual in the room remaining unaware of the subtle dynamics at play, Zhang Zhongquan failed to notice anything out of the ordinary. He even considered that his nephew possessed a rather high level of emotional intelligence. He had previously perceived the young man as introverted—clearly, his initial assessment had been mistaken.

The term 'Brother' sounded so natural, so filled with genuine affection.

Due to Hong Xiaoyu's small impromptu suggestion, all eyes simultaneously shifted to Jiang Chen. If he did not select food for her, the charade would undoubtedly falter.

However, it was merely a single marinated chicken foot. Given his supposed relationship with Fang Qing, it was an insignificant gesture; even sharing a drink from a joined cup would have been a minor matter.

Very well.

A shared drink from a joined cup still warranted some degree of consideration.

They were no longer children engaged in a game of make-believe.

Under the collective gaze of everyone present, a marinated chicken foot was deftly picked up by Jiang Chen's chopsticks and gently placed into Fang Qing's bowl.

Fang Qing tilted her head slightly.

"It's sweet and spicy. Qing Qing, do give it a try."

Jiang Huazi promptly attempted to redirect the focus of attention.

"Young man, how old might you be this year?"

Zhang Zhongquan inquired cheerfully, completely oblivious to the underlying currents of the situation.

"The same age as Fang Qing."

"Indeed? That sounds like a perfect match then. Where do you work?"

"Him? He's started his own venture. He manages his own business."

With a proud and beaming expression, Fang Weiguo spoke for him, taking a sip of his drink. His demeanor caused Zhang Zhongquan to maintain a stoic face externally, though his heart seethed with discontent.

What exactly is he so pleased about?

He was merely fortunate.

It was only due to having an excellent daughter, nothing more.

Otherwise, is he not just an insignificant nobody, a mere truck driver struggling to make ends meet?

"Young people nowadays are truly remarkable. In their twenties and already a business owner. The family must have provided him with substantial assistance, correct?"

Jiang Huazi recognized her cousin's persistent flaw: narrow-mindedness, a penchant for jealousy, and an enduring bitterness towards the success of others.

"He accomplished everything himself. Not a single relative offered him any support!"

Jiang Huazi's sudden declaration, quite loud, startled Zhang Zhongquan. "Sis, why are you exclaiming like that?"

Jiang Huazi desperately wished to retort, but for the sake of maintaining harmony, she stifled her urge. "If you have nothing knowledgeable to contribute, then refrain from speaking carelessly."

As an elder sister, a mild reprimand to her younger brother was permissible; Zhang Zhongquan could typically accept such corrections. However, being repeatedly chastised in the presence of numerous acquaintances and younger individuals, he began to feel a sense of humiliation. He thus defended himself: "Sis, what nonsense did I utter? I was merely engaging in casual conversation."

"Very well, Zhongquan meant no offense."

Fang Weiguo intervened, aiming to de-escalate the situation.

"Brother Fang, you are the one who truly comprehends my perspective."

Zhang Zhongquan readily seized upon this, allowing himself to relax. He let out a profound sigh. "Brother Fang, you are an exemplar for individuals like us. I am simply consumed by envy towards you. A remarkable daughter, and a prosperous and promising son-in-law. Were I in your position, I would be reveling in my good fortune even in my sleep."

Thankfully, Jiang Chen and Fang Qing demonstrated sufficient professionalism by remaining silent.

However, Fang Weiguo could not maintain the same level of composure. Being praised by Zhang Zhongquan caused him to beam, his face radiating with delight—it remained unclear how much of this was sincere and how much was merely for appearance's sake.

"It is perhaps a bit premature to discuss such matters at this moment. They are merely dating. It is impossible to predict future outcomes with certainty. Regardless, as parents, we fully endorse our children's choices. We shall never impose ourselves upon their relationship."

Upon hearing this, Pan Hui's face flushed with heat. She fervently wished she possessed the same naivety as Zhang Zhongquan.

Yet, she could not. Her clarity of mind was too acute. Instead, she began to question whether her husband's perception had become somewhat clouded.

"Have you imbibed a bit too much?"

It was not solely Pan Hui who harbored such doubts. Observing Fang Weiguo's outwardly righteous and logical discourse, Jiang Huazi and her husband exchanged peculiar glances.

"Could Brother Fang truly be intoxicated... or is this sincere truth emerging after a drink? That seems improbable; he has only consumed a small amount, perhaps two or three taels?"

Jiang Huazi murmured under her breath.

"Hush." Hong Ou offered neither agreement nor disagreement; her sole action was a quiet reminder to be silent.

"Brother Fang, it is no surprise that you are capable of raising someone as exceptional as Qing Qing. Your open-mindedness and reasonableness are truly commendable. Young man, you ought to realize that Brother Fang is renowned in this vicinity as a man of great character—kind-hearted and magnanimous. Should anyone find themselves in distress and seek his assistance, Brother Fang will invariably extend his aid without hesitation..."

Fang Weiguo raised a hand.

"Zhongquan, please do not speak in such terms. I am not exceptionally great. I merely act within my capabilities. Furthermore, my willingness to assist often depends on the individual. Those who are cold-blooded and self-serving—I would certainly distance myself from them. You would likely adopt a similar stance, would you not?"

There it was.

Pan Hui received her definitive answer.

Her husband was unequivocally not intoxicated.

Jiang Huazi's complexion shifted rapidly from red to pale. If she could grasp the implication, why would Zhang Zhongquan be unable to?

It was evident that subtle criticisms were being directed, metaphorically attacking one while intending to admonish another.

However, individuals are not uniform in their reactions.

Some possess a sense of decorum.

While others exhibit a brazenness thicker than fortress walls.

"Precisely. I am quite like you, Brother Fang. Otherwise, our enduring friendship spanning decades would not have been sustained."

Setting aside other observers.

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing could not suppress a subtle tremor at the corner of her lips.

"Uncle and nephew truly share a familial bond."

She commented softly, her words subtly laced with passive-aggressive barbs.

The "young man" whose thick skin was equally remarkable remained unfazed. Seizing the opportune moment when everyone else was still processing Zhang Zhongquan's audacity, he retrieved another chicken foot. After taking a bite and finding the sweet and spicy flavor slightly unfamiliar, he casually placed it into his "girlfriend's" bowl.

"Consume more, Qing Qing."