Chapter 935: What do you think about this ink painting?

This surprised Zhou Weiguo a bit; frankly, how deep the foundation of a big family is, he knows well from experience—countless people have fought tooth and nail to get close to the family's current core.

But Su Yang wasn't in a hurry to accept; instead, he wanted to grow himself and also give others a chance. Such breadth of mind and vision is quite rare.

Of course, he also thought the old gentleman might have been overly excited and a bit rash; as for Su Yang, he truly has no contribution to the family, and in the future he will still need to rely on the family's help.

To be honest, just considering the leader's ink painting, although it carries weight, Su Yang among the family's younger generation basically has no foundation and still needs training.

Furthermore, as for himself, he has already used up all the resources of the second generation; now making the third‑generation core his son‑in‑law would somewhat take advantage of the family, which inevitably leaves others feeling unbalanced.

Therefore, as the future decision‑maker of the family, even if Su Yang had just joyfully accepted, he would still advise against it.

The old gentleman laughed heartily and said, "I really got a bit over‑excited; when people get old, they sometimes can't stay calm. Su Yang is not bad—he has a broad perspective and knows how to tolerate others. Since that's the case, let's talk about this later."

"What do you think about this ink painting?"

Su Yang said, "Grandfather, besides the ink painting given today by the institute leader, Secretary Chen also gave one. My idea is this: the institute leader's painting can be placed in our home—either in your study or my father's room, as you decide. As for Secretary Chen's piece, if possible, I will take it with Ruo Han to our new home later."

Speaking of selfish motives, Su Yang certainly has some. He really doesn't want to leave this ink painting in the Zhou family's old residence; taking it back to his own home would be better, and he could still admire it from time to time.

If someday he joins the Municipal Party Committee's leadership team and someone narrow‑minded keeps trying to suppress him, he could sincerely invite that leader to his home as a guest and then casually show off this ink painting. Just thinking about it makes him feel secretly pleased; he can already picture the expression of such people when they see the painting.

This time, before the old gentleman could speak, Zhou Weiguo said, "The superior leader, when signing, wrote 'gift to Su Yang as a wedding present.' It was probably meant for him directly, so even if we keep it here it would be in name only; better to let him take it all and hang it in his own home later."

The old gentleman glanced at Zhou Weiguo, then at Su Yang, actually suspecting that his own son might also have a bit of selfish motive.

But upon reflection, Zhou Weiguo's comment is reasonable—the superior's inscription bears Su Yang's name, so even if placed in the old residence it would be in name only. Thinking this, he said, "All right, all right; when Su Yang and Ruo Han move, we'll take it with them."

"Have you visited the other leaders?"

Zhou Weiguo said, "I've already gone to everyone I needed to see; overall the situation is fairly good. Next is preparing the wedding. Who do you think should be invited, and what scale should we set? This time the top leader probably won't come; the institute leader has already said so, but the institute's number‑two leader might come, and Secretary Chen of Modu and the Propaganda Department Head will attend in person. Also, I will invite Comrade Fang Runan and Comrade Liu Zhengyang; as for Elder Liu's side, we'll follow your opinion."

The old gentleman said, "Although this year's scale isn't big—just about forty‑five tables—you should still invite those you ought to. As for my side, I'll have a few old comrades. Moreover, Su Yang, we've specially reserved a table for you—your relatives and close friends can come, after all, the wedding is what matters most to you."

Su Yang said, "Grandfather, Dad, I don't have anyone else to invite on my side—just my parents and a childhood friend, making three people in total."

Zhou Weiguo said, "Su Yang, you all might have been taking this too seriously before. In other families they may stress status, power, even class divisions, but we don't need that here—we'll just treat it as a normal wedding."

"Whether leaders attend or not is their business; our relatives and friends who should come must come. So I had earlier prepared a table for you, but I felt it wasn't enough and could add another."

This was giving Su Yang full face; after all, although he appears to be taking a proper bride, in the eyes of the big families of Jingcheng this is hardly different from being a live‑in son‑in‑law.

Su Yang said, "You know how things are in our locality—if I really invited some friends, they'd all be from within the system, and if they came they'd go back spreading all kinds of rumors, which would do me no good at all in my future work. Just having one representative is enough."

The old gentleman laughed and said, "You really are a plain and unpretentious person; if that's what you want, that's fine—we fully respect your opinion. Over the next few days, don't do anything, just relax properly and take a leisurely stroll around the area with Ruo Han."

"Also, during this period don't worry about work; keep work and rest strictly separate. Otherwise you'll become especially tired—don't let yourself wear out young with a bunch of ailments."

"Also, don't worry about the country and the people; some people wear themselves out worrying all day, but the body is the capital of revolution. Keep an optimistic, proactive attitude and hold the common people in your heart."

After the three of them finished discussing these matters, they went outside to announce it to everyone.

The old gentleman said, "Exactly, this time Su Yang's meeting with the institute leader went well overall; that's a good thing for our whole family."

"So from now on you should also learn from Su Yang—not only to achieve outstanding results in your own posts, but also to have a broad perspective and a personal core. That's enough for today; we're about done, everyone disperse and get on with what you need to do."

After a tiring day, Su Yang went to bed early. Before sleeping he hugged Zhou Ruohan and said goodbye; since they couldn't linger together under everyone's gaze, Zhou Ruohan could only go to the nearby home of Old Mr. Qiao.

Although they were right next door, having to live apart left both Su Yang and Zhou Ruohan slightly regretful; otherwise it would have been a pleasant night. Still, this worked out well—Su Yang actually got a solid night's sleep, sleeping until 10 a. m. the next morning. After getting up and finishing breakfast, he then received a call from Zhou Ruohan asking him to go to the Qiao family home.

In fact, there's no need to make that call—Su Yang would have to go anyway. It's the New Year period, and Old Comrade Zhou also has to go pay New Year's respects to his father‑in‑law; coincidentally there are also some people to visit at the Qiao household, so Su Yang will inevitably be brought along.

After this visit to the Qiao household, Su Yang clearly felt a difference; the gaze of the Qiao family's third generation now held a different expression. Before, seeing Su Yang they had been completely indifferent; now they saw him with eyes full of fervent enthusiasm. Several uncles and aunts even came out of the courtyard to greet him.