novelraw Chapter 416 : Welcome Gift
Chapter 416 : Welcome Gift
Chapter 416: Welcome Gift
Second Aunt Chen Meiyun doubted if she had heard correctly.
She turned her head to look beside her, only to find that others were also staring at Chen Fan with blank expressions.
Even Chen Fan's parents had their mouths slightly open, wearing expressions of surprise.
They had always known their son was making money, but they never imagined he was making this much.
The impact of 1 million yuan versus 10 million yuan is completely different conceptually.
Especially considering this was 2003.
In their village, most people hadn't even seen what 10,000 yuan looked like.
"10... 10 to 20 million... Xiao Fan, you're not joking, are you?"
Chen Fan's Third Uncle couldn't sit still either, staring at Chen Fan with wide eyes, then looking at Chen Jianye.
"Big Brother, is what Xiao Fan saying true?"
Chen Jianye shook his head with a bitter smile.
"We two only knew that this kid was starting a business outside, we don't know exactly how much money he's making."
Third Aunt quickly asked, "Xiao Fan, are you telling the truth?"
Chen Fan nodded, "It's true. I've been quite lucky, the club I opened is doing pretty well."
"Hiss..."
Third Aunt drew in a sharp breath, "This isn't just doing well, this is reaching the heavens."
10 to 20 million yuan!
They couldn't even imagine it. In the entire county, how many people could earn ten million in a year or two?
At once, everyone's gaze towards Chen Fan began to change.
Cousin Gao Shengbo stared at Chen Fan with excitement, while cousin Chen Wan kept secretly glancing at Chen Fan, seemingly unable to believe that the quiet boy in her memory could actually do business.
Only little cousin Chen Xiao was so excited he was almost crying, because the richer his cousin was, the more hope there was for his father.
"Mom, Dad can be saved now, Dad can have the surgery."
Chen Fan also smiled and chimed in, "Fourth Aunt, now you can rest assured, right? Don't worry about Fourth Uncle's surgery costs, he will definitely get better."
"Ah ah... I'm relieved. Xiao Fan, Fourth Aunt doesn't even know what to say."
"Big Brother, you have a good son," Third Aunt added, "Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, I truly envy you. Your son has really made something of himself. If my Xiao Wan could have half her cousin's success, I wouldn't have to worry so much."
Chen Wan pouted, clearly not convinced.
Chen Jianye waved his hand: "This kid just got lucky, that's all."
Seeing his parents chatting with everyone with a restrained yet somewhat proud expression, Chen Fan smiled.
Su Ruochu looked over, and Chen Fan said in a low voice, "How was that? How did your boyfriend do with this show-off?"
Su Ruochu smiled softly, then whispered, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"The Chen Fan I know isn't one who likes to show off."
Su Ruochu looked at Chen Fan with a grin, actually understanding Chen Fan's reasons for doing this.
First, to save Fourth Uncle and put Fourth Aunt at ease. Second, everyone present was from the Chen family, and Chen Fan's business couldn't be kept secret forever, they would have to know eventually.
The sooner this kind of thing was revealed, the better.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Chen Fan proactively spoke up, so no one would overthink why Chen Fan's parents hadn't mentioned this before.
Also, Su Ruochu could see that Chen Fan cared a lot about harmony within the family.
Today, once Chen Fan's situation was announced, the entire Chen family became unprecedentedly united.
The often overlooked eldest brother Chen Jianye had thoroughly established his position as the eldest in the Chen family. From now on, it was likely that no one would dare challenge his authority again.
Of course, there was one thing Su Ruochu hadn't anticipated, which was that everyone's attitude towards her became increasingly warm.
If there was still a hint of scrutiny in their looks before, seeing how enthusiastically Li Jinqiu treated Su Ruochu,
Everyone understood that she was now being viewed as the future daughter-in-law of the Chen family.
That meant Su Ruochu would be Chen Fan's wife in the future, and if Chen Fan's business continued to grow, she would be the mistress of this group company.
In the future, her attitude might be even more important than Chen Fan's.
So, during the meal that followed, whether it was Chen Fan's Second Aunt or Third Uncle's family, they were clearly much more enthusiastic towards Su Ruochu.
Su Ruochu wore a smile on her face, responding to everyone's enthusiasm while silently taking in all of this in her heart.
And all of this was the effect brought about by a few casual words from the big guy sitting beside her.
Seeing that they were almost done eating, Chen Fan quietly asked his father beside him.
"Has the person who hit Fourth Uncle been caught?"
Chen Jianye glanced at Chen Fan's Fourth Aunt sitting opposite, and said in a low voice, "They've been caught, a drunk man riding an electric bicycle who ran a red light. He'll probably be sentenced to prison."
Chen Fan asked, "Can't we make him pay part of the compensation?"
Chen Jianye shook his head, "It's difficult. According to the police, the guy is just an unemployed vagrant, a bachelor in his forties who still lives with his old mother, idle all day long..."
"You can't expect this kind of person to come up with tens of thousands of yuan, let alone a few thousand."
Chen Fan sighed, this was exactly the kind of situation he feared most.
It seemed Fourth Uncle could only chalk this up to bad luck.
As the meal ended, everyone insisted on not letting Big Brother Chen Jianye pay the bill. In the end, it was Chen Fan's Third Aunt who urged Third Uncle to go settle the bill.
Moreover, as they were leaving, the three families were whispering and discussing something in front.
Chen Jianye called out to everyone, "Xiao Fan and Ruochu just got back and haven't had a chance to rest properly. We'll head back first."
Chen Fan's Fourth Aunt nodded, "Everyone should go home. There's nothing much to do here anyway, I'll stay and keep an eye on things."
"If Jianlong wakes up, I'll let everyone know."
At this moment, Chen Fan's Second Aunt came over with a few banknotes in her hand.
"Xiao Fan, this is the first time your girlfriend has met everyone. Although the meeting place isn't ideal, she has called me Second Aunt after all."
Second Aunt handed over the money.
"Don't think it's too little, it's just a small token from Second Aunt."
As soon as Second Aunt spoke, even Third Uncle and Fourth Aunt beside her took out money they had prepared in advance.
It seems they must have been discussing this earlier.
Su Ruochu was a bit at a loss, "I... I can't accept this."
"How can you not accept? This is given by us as elders, and it's a custom. If you don't accept it, it means you think what we're giving is too little."
Hearing this, Su Ruochu nervously looked to Chen Fan for help.
Chen Fan hadn't experienced this kind of thing either, so he could only look to his parents.
Li Jinqiu took a look and waved her hands repeatedly.
"This isn't appropriate. It's too much money."
According to village customs, in this era, when bringing a girlfriend home to meet the family for the first time, a welcome gift of 100 or 200 yuan was considered quite generous.
But the three families had clearly discussed this, and each was giving 500 yuan.
In Li Jinqiu's view, this was far too much.
Chen Meiyun, however, didn't give them a chance to refuse and directly stuffed the money into Su Ruochu's hand.
"What do you mean too much? It's not too much at all."
"Besides, this girl is so beautiful, I liked her at first sight. It's our Chen family's fortune to have her marry into our family in the future."
"Xiao Fan, you have good taste. You must treat her well."
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Second Aunt, I've always had good taste."
Then he looked at Su Ruochu and said softly, "When elders bestow gifts, one dares not refuse. Since Second Aunt is giving it, just accept it."
Only then did Su Ruochu accept the money. Her little face slightly flushed as she spoke softly.
"Thank you, Second Aunt."
Third Aunt and Fourth Aunt also hurried to give their welcome gifts, along with many words of praise.
Su Ruochu thanked them one by one.
To avoid disturbing Fourth Uncle's rest, the family dispersed at the hospital entrance, leaving Fourth Aunt to go up and take care of him.
Chen Fan drove, taking Su Ruochu and his parents away.
Li Jinqiu sighed, "Usually we see everyone treating money so preciously, especially Third Brother's wife, who is so stingy even when lending money. I didn't expect them to be so generous this time."
"Ruochu, you really have face. It seems everyone really likes you a lot."
Hearing this, Su Ruochu just smiled slightly, secretly glancing at Chen Fan who was driving.
Chen Jianye, sitting beside her, glanced at his wife.
This foolish woman.
She still hasn't figured it out?
Does she really think they gave so much money because of the girl Ruochu?