Chapter 68: She Came Here for Him

As the most esteemed figure in the Su family—Old Madam Su—she hurriedly abandoned her male and female guests, leaning on her cane as she swiftly approached Zhao Shibo.

“Master Zhao, it has been so long since we last met. How have you been lately?” Old Madam Su greeted him with a cheerful smile.

Zhao Shibo smiled broadly and nodded, replying, “Indeed, it’s been many years. There’s nothing to be done about it, we’re old... I was gravely ill for a while, and only recently recovered enough to walk again.”

“You must take good care of your health!” Old Madam Su said earnestly.

Zhao Ziyun chimed in, “Old Madam Su, you are too kind. Thank you for your concern. My father is now fully recovered, there are no lingering issues.”

“That’s wonderful, truly wonderful...” Old Madam Su nodded repeatedly, then signaled Su Tianming to bring fine tea and wine for Zhao Shibo and Zhao Ziyun.

After that, the two family heads exchanged a round of seemingly warm, but ultimately empty pleasantries. It was nothing more than the usual social ritual, with no substance.

After some time, Zhao Shibo appeared impatient and glanced around, as if searching for someone.

Su Tianming immediately asked respectfully, “Master Zhao, are you looking for someone?”

Zhao Shibo scratched his head in confusion, “Strange, where is your family’s son-in-law? I don’t see him.”

“Him? Of course he’s not here. We didn’t invite him to today’s banquet! That Jiang Hao won’t be our son-in-law for much longer,” Su Tianming replied promptly.

Hearing this, Zhao Shibo’s brows tightened into a deep frown. Zhao Ziyun’s expression grew unpleasant as well.

Zhao Shibo had come to the Su family’s banquet specifically to meet Jiang Hao; now, with Su Tianming saying Jiang Hao wasn’t even invited, how could Zhao Shibo be pleased?

Noticing the change in Zhao Shibo and Zhao Ziyun’s faces, Old Madam Su quickly shot Su Tianming a glare.

Su Tianming realized he had spoken out of turn and hurriedly stepped aside, closing his mouth.

“Master Zhao, is there something you need with our son-in-law?” Old Madam Su asked with a smile.

Zhao Shibo did not conceal his intentions, responding openly before everyone, “Here’s the truth: it was your son-in-law Jiang Hao who cured my illness. If not for him, I would still be bedridden, waiting for death! Jiang Hao saved my life—how could I not show him proper gratitude?”

Zhao Ziyun stepped forward, his tone displeased, “To be frank, my father attended your banquet today solely to see Mr. Jiang Hao. I did not expect your family would neglect to invite your own son-in-law—what an absurdity! In that case, there is no reason for us to remain at your banquet!”

With that, Zhao Ziyun turned to Zhao Shibo, “Father, let’s leave. I know where Mr. Jiang lives; I’ll take you to him now.”

“Very well.” Zhao Shibo nodded with a smile, and with his future daughter-in-law Liu Hong’s support, prepared to leave the Su family banquet.

Old Madam Su grew anxious, quickly stepping in front of the three to block their way.

“Master Zhao, you’ve come all this way—how can you leave so soon? Please wait, I’ll contact Jiang Hao right away and bring him to you,” she said, glancing at Su Tianming and signaling him urgently.

Su Tianming was reluctant to invite Jiang Hao, but now he had no choice and could only comply with Old Madam Su’s wishes.

Just then, a woman’s voice called out, “Master Zhao, Jiang Hao is right here!”

It was Su Qingli who spoke.

Earlier, she hadn’t heard the conversation between Zhao Shibo and Old Madam Su clearly due to the distance, but the last few sentences, perhaps because they were spoken loudly in anger, reached her ears.

She was astonished to learn the Zhao family valued Jiang Hao so highly, and even more surprised that it was Jiang Hao who had cured Zhao Shibo’s illness.

Such an opportunity could not be missed. She immediately called out.

Upon hearing Su Qingli’s shout, Zhao Shibo and Zhao Ziyun turned and saw Jiang Hao standing in the corner with Su Qingli.

“Mr. Jiang!” Zhao Ziyun’s face lit up with a smile, and he waved.

Jiang Hao nodded calmly and lifted his hand in greeting.

Seeing this, Zhao Shibo addressed Old Madam Su directly, “Old Madam Su, don’t worry about me. Ziyun and I will speak with Mr. Jiang. You Su family members should attend to your other guests—don’t neglect them.”

With Zhao Shibo’s clear words, Old Madam Su had no choice but to nod in agreement, despite her reluctance.

Watching Zhao Shibo and his companions move toward Jiang Hao and Su Qingli, Old Madam Su muttered angrily, “Jiang Hao is like a harbinger of doom—always at odds with our Su family!”

Su Tianming cast a resentful glance at Jiang Hao from afar. “Exactly, Jiang Hao is infuriating! I never expected him to cure Master Zhao. Wasn’t it said that Master Zhao’s illness wasn’t a disease, but possession by spirits?”

After a pause, Su Tianming added, “Grandmother, don’t be upset. Once Master Zhao finishes speaking with Jiang Hao, I’ll have him thrown out of the banquet.”

“No, this banquet is too important. If we quarrel with Jiang Hao now, the whole event will be ruined. Endure it for now, Tianming; once the banquet is over, we’ll find a way to deal with that scoundrel,” Old Madam Su said through gritted teeth.

“You’re right, Grandmother. Let’s leave him be for now,” Su Tianming nodded vigorously.

At the corner of the banquet, Zhao Shibo, Zhao Ziyun, and Liu Hong approached Jiang Hao and Su Qingli.

Su Qingli, quick-witted, brought over a chair for Zhao Shibo to sit, but Zhao Shibo had Liu Hong bring a second chair and invited Jiang Hao to sit first, only taking his own seat afterward.

Though it was a small gesture, it surprised Su Qingli.

Zhao Shibo, the head of the Zhao family and an elder, was naturally entitled to sit first. For Jiang Hao, a young man and junior, to sit before him was highly unusual.

Yet Zhao Shibo treated Jiang Hao with such deference, proving just how highly he regarded him.

“Jiang Hao, did you truly cure Master Zhao’s illness?” Su Qingli asked in astonishment.

“Yes,” Jiang Hao replied with a calm nod.

“This... This is incredible! How did you acquire such remarkable medical skill?” Su Qingli pressed further.