Chapter 376: Pre-Banquet Phase

"Sister, there are still scammers in the world! Aren't the other relatives trying every way to swindle our money?"

Jiu Jiu sincerely thinks that Maternal Grandparents are going to train sister. Sister's mind is really becoming more and more like a simple, naive sweetie. A perfectly fine person is increasingly unwilling to think, almost becoming useless!

"But…"

Guoguo really wants to say she won't be fooled. But thinking of the dispute between Xie Xin Yi and mother, she doesn't dare to speak up.

"Xiao Yu sister's birthday, Xie Xin Yi will probably go, what should we do then?"

Mingmeng and Xie Xin Yi had a very unpleasant dispute because of a scammer's scheme. Mingmeng was busy at the time, followed Xie Xin Yi's suggestion, handed the funds to Xie Xin Yi to manage, planning to sign the contract later when she had more time.

But Xie Xin Yi, because of a problem with her child, only invested Mingmeng's funds at that moment, and did not invest her own money.

Afterward the scam was exposed, Mingmeng's money was completely lost. Mingmeng was unhappy; upon learning that Xie Xin Yi hadn't invested anything at all, she became very angry! Especially after discovering that the scammer was the husband of a certain relative from the Ye family, and that the scammer's wife was the tutor of Xie Xin Yi's two children, she felt even more that Xie Xin Yi was setting a trap for a friend! Xie Xin Yi at that time took the money to the Ming family and asked Mingmeng why there was not even a bit of trust in this friend? It is said that Xie Xin Yi said she was busy taking care of the two children, so she had no time to manage it.

Mingmeng didn't believe it, thinking Xie Xin Yi was forced by the circle's public opinion pressure to give the money, and Xie Xin Yi didn't think she was at fault at all!

The two's relationship broke down; either they ignore each other, or they end up arguing.

"It doesn't matter, mother won't go."

"Huh? Why?!"

Guoguo was shocked; she was still planning to go to Xiao Yu sister's coming-of-age ceremony! "You're worried we'll be kidnapped!"

"But that's Xiao Yu sister's coming-of-age ceremony; the safety factor should be high."

Jiu Jiu gave sister a withering look, "The banquet's safety factor is high, so what? You're not flying directly to the venue!"

Jiu Jiu's point made sense; Guoguo couldn't refute it.

"Ugh…"

Guoguo hung her head in dejection; Jiu Jiu went upstairs to find Maternal Grandparents, asking them to give her lazy sister extra lessons!

That evening, Guoguo saw Su Yu appear in the house, her face full of surprise, "Xiao Yu sister, why are you here?"

"I came to see you; I heard you couldn't come to my birthday banquet, so I invited you to eat cake early!"

Su Yu brought a cake made by a chef, sharing it with Guoguo and Jiu Jiu.

Su Yi and Ji Yan also brought one, went upstairs and shared it with the Mingmeng couple.

Guoguo was deeply moved, so she blabbed all the household situation, making Jiu Jiu's face turn almost black!

Sister's education! It's truly urgent!

Su Yu listened carefully, then gave Guoguo a suggestion, "You could try running a project; the thrill of success is quite different. When you put in one effort and reap two rewards, you'll fall in love with that feeling."

The Su Clan Group, from top to bottom, is enthusiastic about work. Is the reason that they love work? No, it's that they get paid for their labor! In a highly efficient work environment, employees don't need overtime to finish their daily tasks; overtime due to special circumstances is paid at triple wage, and most employees think of that triple pay as a big profit!

All employees' morale is upward; it's hard for the company not to make money! Su Yu, now gradually taking over as president of the Su Clan, is even more aware of the Su Clan's profits.

"Making money can be addictive; spending the money you earn on yourself gives you double the happiness!"

Jiu Jiu tilted her head, "Xiao Yu sister, that's twisted reasoning; you said you'd be tender about money and reluctant to spend it recklessly."

"Right, because I don't have enough money!"

Jiu Jiu was stunned. She's good at math, and Maternal Grandparents plan to send her to study finance. She has been exposed to basic data of various companies early on, so she knows exactly how wealthy Su Yu, about to inherit the Su Clan, truly is. That's still not enough; how much more money does Su Yu need?

That's what Jiu Jiu thought, and that's what she said.

"You'll know later; aren't you also studying economic management? Like Guoguo, you can learn by handling a project."

Many people, after earning money, only think about continuing to invest to earn more.

Su Yu is no exception.

Su Yu shared a lot of investment experience with Guoguo and Jiu Jiu, and also posted some common investment scams, project guidelines, and other business operation knowledge, including avoidance guides summarized by seniors from various industries.

"Your Huo Huo sister is currently developing an otome game; if you're interested, you can join in."

Liang Yan's otome game is in closed beta, encountering many issues, possibly needing a remake. Guoguo and Jiu Jiu are now participating, perhaps they can learn a lot.

"But we can't go out."

Guoguo felt aggrieved and helpless. Within the Shi Family, internal battles are life-and-death; those who win keep eyeing the two sisters without letting go.

They once went out and were almost kidnapped. If they hadn't brought enough bodyguards, who knows what would have happened! "Ask your Huo Huo sister? Maybe she'd be willing to vent with you?"

Su Yu wasn't saying this randomly. Liang Yan has been wailing lately.

Liang Yan regretted! Is it because she doesn't have enough money in hand?

Or is it because the rich woman's play projects are too few?

Why does she feel she can't become a corporate worker?

She really is about to be blown up with anger!

The imagined game is completely different from the real game! She learned drawing herself; the CG that people produce, compared to the actual in-game characters, can't be said to be identical, only completely unrelated! So ugly! The special effects, if you don't look closely, basically don't exist!

The uniform sharp chin, aside from changing hairstyle and hair color, gives the face no distinctive features!

Who wants to spend money on microtransactions! After Liang Yan complained that Su Yu's game studio wasn't satisfying, she turned to Su Yu to vent. Then Su Yu suggested she either switch to a PC version, or develop a dedicated handheld console or gaming phone for mobile games, or make it a VR game.

Current mobile chips can't achieve the rendering effects Liang Yan wants.

But the market mainstream is mobile games; if Liang Yan's game is only on PC, its traffic could drop to an unimaginable level, making it very likely a money-losing game!

Then there's the sharp-chin character issue. The design team made adjustments based on market templates, which indeed didn't meet Liang Yan's expectations.

Su Yu also criticized the studio staff, telling them not to freehand! The most important thing in a custom game is what the boss wants, not that they create a market-friendly, profitable game within the boss's limited framework.

Su Yu described Liang Yan's current situation, and Guoguo immediately called Liang Yan to ask if she and her sister could join! Liang Yan answered excitedly, "Of course we can!"

She sent the three male protagonists' photos to Guoguo and Jiu Jiu, asking their opinions on the three pictures.

Guoguo didn't hang up; Jiu Jiu leaned forward to look, squinting, "Um, why are the characters changing hair and eye colors? Isn't an otome game about romance? How did it become a dress-up game?"

Jiu Jiu was confused. The difference among the three photos is probably just different outfits? Spending money to buy clothes for a paper-thin man, why not buy clothes for herself? Jiu Jiu decided she didn't want to play this game! Liang Yan became even more excited!

"I told you! These three have no features at all! At first glance, you can't tell who is who!"

Guoguo studied carefully, "If you look closely, the three do have differences."

"Right, but will people look closely nowadays? No, they only have patience for things that dazzle at first glance! These photos simply can't attract anyone's attention!"

Liang Yan is really fed up with that group of modelers! They already have CG, yet the game can still mess up the faces! Having long been sick of Liang Yan's ranting, Su Yu, with headphones on, used the time while three people were chatting to keep grinding her Yan Le Yuan design plans.

……

Su Yu ate cake with some close friends and officially ushered in her eighteenth birthday banquet.

The banquet was held at the largest hotel of the Su Clan. The hotel had been closed for half a month before the banquet began, and all staff assisted other employees in arranging the venue, carpet‑searching for any issues they might have missed.

Three days before the banquet, a large number of bodyguards patrolled the venue to ensure every spot was safe!

Those who were skilled and armed even climbed up and down, looking for suitable cover, ready to physically subdue any opponent at any moment.

On the day the banquet began, the entire Su Family was present.

Yang Zhichun sat near the platform chatting with her older sisters, Su Yu stayed in the dressing room applying makeup, and Su Xi, Ji Yan, Su Yi, Xu Mingyue and Ji Tianlin were outside entertaining guests of higher status.

"Little sister Xiao Yu, you're so beautiful!"

Su Yu, considering her status, deliberately chose a makeup style that made her features more fierce; the overall look was a mature‑woman vibe—both sharp and beautiful.

"Thank you!"

Tang Can was snapping photos beside them, "click click."

"Can Can, what are you doing?"

Liang Yan came over, holding only photos of cosmetics, looking all foggy! "Riding the hype, my sister's hype—if I don't jump on it, I won't at all!"

After speaking, Tang Can raised the camera and said to Su Yu, "Softy, take a wide shot!"

"Alright!"

Su Yu cooperated and took a picture.

"I want to take a picture too!"

Liang Yan's smile was forced into the photo.

Tang Can simply asked the photographer here to help; the three of them struck all sorts of goofy poses! Every indoor angle was captured, and Tang Can set her sights on the outdoors.

"It's still early, Softy hasn't taken the stage yet; let's go outside and shoot some among the flowerbeds!"

"Sure!"

Su Yu responded enthusiastically, lifted her skirt and ran outside.

Liang Yan hurriedly followed, "Little sister Xiao Yu, you need high heels with that kind of dress!"

Su Yu ignored him and insisted on wearing sneakers for the shoot.

The three laughed and joked, and the photographer went out with them, focusing intently on photographing their playful antics.

The three reached the edge of the flowerbeds, wanting to pick a blossom for the shoot. Su Yu called the person in charge, just as she was about to ask whether the flower could be picked, a plaintive female voice came from the neighboring flowerbed.

"Are you really going to marry Su Yu?"

"In our circle, only she is worthy of my status!"

Su Yu:??? Who are you? Su Yu is the top princess‑daughter in the circle! Those so‑called princes can't compare to her!

Aside from those low‑key N‑generation members, Su Yu's status is the highest!

"She's a woman whose eyes only see money; what does she know about love?"

【Wulongcha, did I encounter a brain‑dead person?】

【Yes!】

Wulongcha actively investigated the information, harboring great malice toward this target: 【He's after your money! He wants to use you to swallow the entire Su Family!】

【Heh, such a big appetite—our Su Family can't afford to entertain that!】

Su Yu originally just wanted to pick a flower; now she only wants to kick this pair of dog‑people out so they don't taint her birthday banquet!

She's got a career‑mind and a money‑mind! This love‑mind should stay as far away as possible!

Su Yu ordered the nearby bodyguards to throw the people out without mercy!

Su Yu was fuming, and Liang Yan found it unsurprising.

"Little sister Xiao Yu, you've seen too little; once you inherit the company, more people will try to climb onto you, and many of them lack ability yet are overly confident!"

Liang Yan can have men delivering flowers to her as soon as she steps out. Is it really love at first sight? A small part is attracted by looks, the majority by wealth—malicious coincidences!

At first Liang Yan was thrilled, thinking her charm was huge—so many people liked her!

After she bragged to her parents, her father carefully analyzed it with her, and Liang Yan learned that during her mother's tenure running the company, the "expressions of love" she received were more than double what she got.

They're not after the people, only the money on them.

After figuring it out, every time Liang Yan sees such a "confession," she feels a disgusting sensation like being stared at by flies!

Tang Can thought for a while, "That man, I think I know him!"

"You know him?"

Liang Yan was surprised! "Yes, I think I saw him when I was young, but it's been a long time, so I'm not sure."

At that time, Tang Can's family was still fairly well off with the Ye Ruotian family. The Ye Ruotian family's influence had not yet entered the Xu family.

"That person is likely a relative from the Xu family, Softy; you should prepare in advance."

The main line of the Xu family now has a younger darling, so Su Yu is no longer the sole palm‑pet. If the person is indeed a Xu relative, Su Yu's tossing them out might give the Xu family gossip.

"It doesn't matter; the Xu family is currently united, and even the concubines are kept in the open under watch!"

The Xu family is overly united, so united that many other families are jealous. Consequently, several families sacrificed exceptionally talented girls, marrying them into the Xu family to split it.

In daily life, they even deliberately send some brain‑dead people to the banquet, intending to damage the relationships of everyone in the Xu family!

When the Xu people sensed something off, they began to respond. They dug up all the concubines but didn't deal with them, just kept an eye on them, occasionally feeding false information to bait big fish! Though no big fish has been caught yet, there are indeed many small fish.

"That's good!"

Tang Can exhaled, waved a hand, "It's about time; touch up your makeup and let's go out!"

"Alright!"

Su Yu had the makeup artist check once more, then walked out wearing her own high heels.

"Clack clack clack!"

With the music, Su Yu walks onto the stage, getting ever closer to the platform…

"Little Yu, you're amazing! It's my first time wearing high heels, I almost fell on my face! Waa‑waa crying, my mom and dad were both terrified!"

Tang Can walks by, still daring to wear high heels and beat people abroad! Thanks to the darlings for the votes~ Good night, darlings~