Yang Su

Biodata

Background / History

Yang Su initially treats Zhang Yang, her live-in son-in-law, as an embarrassment. At her birthday banquet, she questions where he got the money for her gift even after his ability to appraise antiques impresses guests 26. She secretly buys an expensive sapphire necklace, but when the Cheng company faces a cash shortfall, multiple appraisals reveal that its sapphire is fake. She had trusted the person who sold it to her and is devastated by the loss 10 32 33 34 35.

Seeking a wealthier husband for Cheng Dongxue, Yang Su arranges a meeting with Xu Mingxian despite her daughter’s marriage. She pursues a divorce even after Xu withdraws, though she becomes less confident when she learns Zhang Yang may be dangerous 42 86 95. She later favors Jiang Chi, who offers her a villa, and again presses Dongxue to leave Zhang Yang. Dongxue refuses and decides to move out of the Cheng home 142 148 149.

Yang Su’s view begins to change as Zhang Yang’s financial skill and influence become harder to dismiss. After he resolves a crisis threatening the Cheng company, she agrees to treat him more respectfully and thanks him at a family meal 126 163 164. At a later dinner, she acknowledges her past mistreatment when he gives her a jadeite bracelet. By the time Zhang Yang faces trouble in Kyoto, she accepts him as a suitable son-in-law and wishes him and Dongxue well 237 301.

Appearance

Yang Su is forty-five in Chapter 10. She takes care of her appearance and follows fashion; Zhang Yang observes that she looks young enough to be mistaken for Dongxue’s sister 10.

• Wears fashionable clothes and striking makeup 10 95.
• Wears a sheer blouse and loose trousers at her birthday banquet 19.

Personality

Yang Su places great weight on wealth, status, and what a son-in-law can provide. She repeatedly dismisses Zhang Yang’s achievements while praising wealthier men, and she is willing to pressure Dongxue’s marriage to secure the lifestyle she wants 86 107 142 149. Her spending habits also contribute to the Cheng family’s financial strain 32.

She is quick to anger and reluctant to admit a mistake, but her judgments are not fixed. Once she sees Zhang Yang help the family, she begins to reconsider how she treated him; her pride makes her apology indirect 126 164 237.

Items

• Sapphire necklace — Bought secretly for millions. Yang Su reluctantly agrees to pawn it during the company’s crisis, only to learn that its sapphire is fake 10 33 34 35.
• Green jadeite bracelet — A gift from Zhang Yang that she examines and confirms is genuine 237.

Relationships

• Cheng Hai — Husband. They argue over her necklace and the family’s finances; he later urges her to give Zhang Yang a chance and supports reconciliation 32 92 163 164.
• Cheng Dongxue — Daughter. Their relationship is strained by Yang Su’s repeated efforts to end Dongxue’s marriage to Zhang Yang 42 86 149.
• Zhang Yang — Son-in-law. She belittles him for years, then gradually acknowledges his abilities and accepts him into the family 26 141 164 237 301.
• Xu Mingxian — Her preferred alternative for Dongxue until he refuses to pursue the match 42 86 95.
• Jiang Chi — Another prospective match she promotes for Dongxue after he offers her a villa 142 148.
• Lin Xiaofei — Dongxue’s friend, who challenges Yang Su’s view that wealth determines marital happiness and objects to her matchmaking 86 148.
• Liu Mei — Zhang Yang’s mother. She and Yang Su go shopping together after the opening of his company 217.