Chapter 126: How Filial...

Just as Shi Yufen was feeling embarrassed and humiliated, the door was pushed open.

Shi Qingqing walked in, wearing a ponytail, a white T-shirt, and gray jeans.

She smiled and replied, "Yes, I suppose I was just lucky to get into Qingming. Unlike Cousin Huihui, who had to pull strings and spend hundreds of thousands to get in, right? If I think about it, my 'luck' is worth hundreds of thousands, which makes it quite valuable, don't you think, Aunt?"

A flash of disgust crossed Shi Yuzhen’s face when she saw Shi Qingqing.

"Why are you only just arriving? Look at the time! Making your grandmother wait—do you have no shame?"

Shi Qingqing glanced around. "Oh? Is she waiting just for me? How come I don't see my eldest uncle or my eldest aunt's husband?"

Shi Yuzhen was left speechless.

Shi Yufen quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Qingqing, you're late. Hurry and wish your grandmother a happy birthday."

"Happy birthday, Grandmother."

Old Mrs. Mei looked Shi Qingqing up and down, let out a grunt through her nose, and made no effort to hide her disdain.

Shi Qingqing greeted her two cousins, Shi Huihui and Shi Xiaoxiao, but they ignored her completely.

Shi Qingqing didn't care; she was used to it. It would have been more surprising if these people treated her well.

Just then, a waiter came in to ask if the dishes were ready to be served.

***

Just at that moment, the eldest uncle, Shi Weifang, and the eldest aunt's husband, Qin Dedong, arrived together.

Both men were beaming, looking remarkably pleased and excited.

The others crowded around them, and no one paid any more attention to Shi Qingqing and her mother, which suited Qingqing just fine.

"What has you two so happy?"

"We just saw a high-level executive from the Hengyuan Consortium at the entrance, heading up to the third floor."

The eyes of Shi Yuzhen and the others lit up. "A high-level executive from the Hengyuan Consortium? They’re dining here too? Do you know them?"

A gleam of greed appeared in Shi Weifang’s small eyes. "I know one of the managers in the Human Resources department. It’s a pity that ordinary people can’t get onto the third floor. Once we finish eating, we’ll wait by the stairs and see if we can catch a word with them."

"Great! You always have such good connections, Brother. Make sure to bring Dedong along."

The implication was clear; if they could have followed them up, they would have already gone to the third floor to curry favor.

Shi Qingqing was no stranger to their sycophantic nature, so she simply ignored them and spread out her workbook to study.

This restaurant was quite grand, and its seating reflected the social hierarchy. It was very clear and precise.

The Shi family used to run a distillery called Shi Feng Liquor, which was quite famous back in its day.

***

After her grandfather passed away, the Shi family distillery was mysteriously dissolved.

Her eldest aunt, Shi Yuzhen, and her eldest uncle, Shi Weifang, each received a portion of the remaining assets, allowing them to live quite comfortably. The other half remained in the hands of her grandmother, Mei Feng.

Only Qingqing’s mother, Shi Yufen, left with nothing and was driven out of the family.

The reasons behind this were unclear. Qingqing had once asked her mother, but her mother wouldn't say, only becoming deeply saddened.

Eventually, Qingqing stopped asking. She realized that relying on others was no substitute for relying on oneself; being strong was what mattered most.

Her mother was also a proud woman; no matter what happened, she never went back to beg for their pity. Whatever hardships or suffering she faced, she endured them all alone.

Soon, the dishes began to arrive.

Shi Qingqing put away her workbook.

Shi Yuzhen chimed in again, "Qingqing, you child, are you here to celebrate your grandmother's birthday or just to do your homework? Honestly, look at our Huihui—how filial she is..."