Su Cimu rolled his eyes outright, as if this whole argument had not been started by that rotten old man.
However, after Shen Chuannan spoke, neither Shen Zhongyuan nor Hao Mei said anything more.
In fact, the purpose of the various banquets held by high society was to offer people in the same social circles all sorts of opportunities to cooperate and make connections. There was no shortage of people hoping to climb the social ladder through their children.
"Since you're here, stay by Yannian's side and behave yourself. Don't embarrass him, and certainly don't embarrass the Shen Family."
Listening to Shen Chuannan's overbearingly paternal words, Su Cimu picked at his ear and treated them as so much hot air.
Before long, Su Huaiyuan arrived with his wife and son.
Su Cimu was a little surprised to see his father, but on second thought, the Shen and Su families were now connected by marriage and had a ten-billion-yuan collaboration as well. Of course they would come to offer birthday wishes.
"Congratulations on your seventieth birthday, sir. Please accept this modest gift as a token of our respect."
Su Huaiyuan first glanced at his younger son, then presented his birthday gift.
"Our in-laws are here. Have a seat. We're all family, so there's no need for such formalities."
Shen Chuannan placed great importance on appearances and pomp in public. Even though he disliked the Su Family, he was perfectly courteous about the arrival of Su Huaiyuan and his family.
The old residence's butler accepted the gift Su Huaiyuan had brought and gave Shen Chuannan a questioning look, asking whether he wanted it opened.
"Dad, our in-laws must have put a great deal of thought into this gift. Why don't you open it now?"
Shen Zhongyuan glanced at Shen Chuannan, then urged him to look at the gift right away.
In Shen Zhongyuan's mind, nouveau riche like the Su Family could not possibly give anything worthwhile, and he wanted to use this opportunity to humiliate them.
Hearing Shen Zhongyuan's words, Su Cimu could not help narrowing his eyes. Very good. Shen Zhongyuan, was it? I'll remember you.
At that, Shen Chuannan had the butler open the gift.
Su Huaiyuan had brought a long wooden box. The butler carefully opened it and took out a scroll.
It was a little awkward to open alone, so the butler called over a servant, and the two of them supported the scroll as they unrolled it.
The moment the scroll was unfurled, Shen Chuannan's expression changed.
"Is this the Scroll of the Eighty-Seven Immortals by Wu Daozi of the Tang dynasty?"
Shen Chuannan's eyes filled with admiration and surprise. A painting of this caliber was not something just anyone could get their hands on!
"You have a discerning eye, sir. This Scroll of the Eighty-Seven Immortals is indeed an original by Wu Daozi. I've had it in my collection for many years, but I thought no one could appreciate it while it sat in storage. When I learned you enjoyed poetry and painting, I chose something to suit your tastes. I hope you'll find it acceptable."
Su Huaiyuan smiled as he explained the painting's provenance to Shen Chuannan, remaining composed in the face of favor or slight.
Shen Chuannan nodded in satisfaction, seeing Su Huaiyuan in a new light.
"You're being modest. Money alone can't buy a painting like this. Do you dabble in painting appreciation too, Brother Su? We should sit down and appreciate some paintings together another day."
"As long as you don't mind my company, I would naturally be happy to join you," Su Huaiyuan agreed with a smile.
Shen Zhongyuan had never expected the old man to be so pleased with Su Huaiyuan's gift. When one scheme failed, he came up with another, turning his attention to Su Cimu.
"It seems Dad really likes the painting our in-laws brought. What birthday gift did you prepare for Dad, Xiao Ci? Surely it can't be any less impressive than this painting? Why not bring it out and broaden our horizons too?"
Su Cimu raised an eyebrow at that. It was not that he was afraid his gift would be unpresentable, but he had yet to tell Old Su that he had taken a painting from his storeroom. Wouldn't he be caught red-handed right here?
Su Cimu looked at his older brother, and Su Yunchao gave him a look that said, "There's nothing I can do."
"What? Don't tell me you didn't prepare a birthday gift, Xiao Ci?" Shen Zhongyuan looked at him in feigned surprise.
The corner of Su Cimu's mouth twitched slightly.
That acting is truly terrible! It hurts to watch!
"Of course I did. Shen Yannian's dad, congratulations on your seventieth birthday. I've prepared a painting for you as well."
With that, he glanced at Shen Yannian, signaling for him to take out the box he had brought.
Shen Yannian opened the box and unfurled the painting together with Su Cimu.
This time, the old man could no longer stay seated and rose to his feet!
"This is Qi Baishi's Twelve Landscape Screens!"
The moment Shen Chuannan finished speaking, many of those present erupted into an uproar!
"What? The painting that fetched over eight hundred million at auction?!! Is Young Master Su really that generous?"
"Could it be a fake? He'd better not be trying to fool the old man with a forgery!"