Chapter 34 Master, Your Disciple Honors You

Chapter 34: Master, Your Disciple’s Gift to You

Zhao Zhangfeng had looked bored at first, but when he turned and saw his mother carrying so many things that weren’t hers, his face immediately fell.

He was about to say something when Jiang Ruotang pressed a hand to his back, signaling him to keep quiet.

“Mom, do you, Zhangfeng and I share some psychic connection that we’d run into each other here?” Jiang Ruotang greeted her with a smile, taking the bags from Zhao Yunshu’s hands. “Wow, did you buy all these? You should’ve told Xiao Gao, or at least called me and Zhangfeng to help carry them. Birthday shopping is all about treating yourself!”

Zhao Yunshu was momentarily stunned—these clearly weren’t hers.

Wu Ning jumped in, “Oh, sorry! We were so caught up in chatting that we forgot these were ours… Yunshu…”

Before she could finish her apology, Jiang Ruotang brightly interrupted, “Oh! So these are presents for Mom’s birthday from all of you aunties? Thank you so much! I’ll have Xiao Gao take them all back right away!”

Wu Ning was left speechless. The women were slow to realize they hadn’t even given Zhao Yunshu a proper gift… How were they supposed to explain this to Jiang Ruotang?

Mrs. Chen, the biggest shopper among them, panicked first—the bag Zhao Yunshu had been holding for her was a limited edition she’d waited a month for, requiring over 300,000 yuan in additional purchases to secure!

“No, no! That bag is mine! Sorry about that!” Mrs. Chen nearly tripped rushing to grab it back.

Following her lead, the other ladies quickly reclaimed their purchases, too flustered to save face.

Zhao Yunshu’s hands were finally free, but Zhao Zhangfeng’s anger grew further when he saw the marks left by the shopping bags on her skin.

Jiang Ruotang’s expression shifted from cheerful to furious in an instant, his tone turning sharp. “What kind of game is this, aunties? If these weren’t for my mom, why make her carry them? Do you not have drivers or assistants, or do you just look down on the Jiang family? My dad may be mild-mannered, but he’s still technically the chairman. If you have him running errands today, will you have him scrubbing your floors next?”

The store went dead quiet.

Even the sales staff exchanged glances, shocked at how these society women had treated the “chairman’s wife” like an invisible assistant.

Wu Ning gasped. She knew Jiang Ruotang could be willful—unlike her own son, Lin Lu, who was politically savvy—but she never expected him to call them out so bluntly like this.

Mrs. Chen and the others were shrinking under Jiang Ruotang’s glare. If word got out, they’d become jokes for being so tacky.

They’d only meant to put Zhao Yunshu, with her humble background, down—to remind her not to make trouble for their husbands at the company. But things had escalated, and now Jiang Ruotang had caught them in the act.

Wu Ning was the first to apologize, clutching Zhao Yunshu’s hands desperately. “How could we ever look down on you? I’m so sorry, Yunshu! We were careless. Please tell Ruotang not to misunderstand!”

Mrs. Chen hurried to jump in to fix the situation. “Yes, yes! Making the birthday girl carry our things was terribly rude of us. Joseph! Bring out the latest collection for Director Jiang’s wife to choose from. Yunshu, take your pick—my treat!”

The others, not wanting to be left out, scrambled to apologize and copy Mrs. Chen’s gesture.

“Ruo Tang, don’t misunderstand! How could we disrespect the Jiang family? Yunshu, this brooch is lovely—try it on!”

“Yunshu, this brand’s evening gowns are exquisite. With your figure, you’d look absolutely regal!”

They changed their tune faster than the pages of a book, and suddenly, Zhao Yunshu was the center of attention.

Their apologies meant nothing to her, nor did their gifts, or their circle. But she did feel a private victory. She’d worked her way up from nothing to where she was now, enduring much along the way. She never expected Jiang Ruotang to stand up for her and drag these women.

Even Joseph, their longtime attendant, had never seen them grovel like this.

If not for their VIP status, he’d have loved to leak the security footage—proof of how these so-called elite ladies fawned over status and then tripped over their own arrogance.

Jiang Ruotang stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down his nose, the epitome of contempt.

“Aunties, my mom’s too nice for her own good—she just wanted to make friends. As for gifts, my dad and I know her taste best. But real friendship doesn’t need acts.”

Mrs. Chen and the others froze, the tension growing.

Wu Ning’s ears turned red, her face burned with humiliation. A cold sweat broke out on her back. What was wrong with Jiang Ruotang? He’d turned into an expert at making scenes!

Mrs. Chen quickly saved face. “I’m determined to be friends with Yunshu—she’s capable, humble, and genuine. If I ever need advice on managing assets, I’ll definitely ask her. Women should support each other.”

At this praise, Jiang Ruotang’s expression finally looked less angry.

He turned and took a bag from a sales associate, handing it to Zhao Yunshu. “Mom, this is from Zhangfeng and me.”

Zhao Yunshu was stunned. She’d never expected Jiang Ruotang to give her anything. She was about to say, “Don’t waste your money, return it,” when she caught Zhao Zhangfeng’s warning look urging her to accept it.

She took the bag and slowly pulled out its contents. She couldn’t tell designer brands apart, but the bag’s minimalist, elegant design suited her taste—and it was roomy enough for files, making it practical.

Then she saw the price tag: over 80,000 yuan. She almost had a heart attack.

Even knowing Jiang Ruotang had made a fortune from stock trading, this was reckless spending. She wanted to wring the little brat’s neck!

But the “little brat” just smirked and said, “When Zhangfeng and I grow up and earn more, we’ll buy you even better ones.”

Mrs. Chen, who’d just bought a limited-edition bag herself, was green with envy. “Yunshu, you’re so lucky. No wonder you said Ruo Tang has a good heart—he even brought Zhangfeng to pick a gift for you. And with his own money! My son? I’ve given him so much, and he’s never so much as bought me coffee.”

Wu Ning, always competitive, wanted to brag about Lin Lu. But as she went through her mental inventory, she realized—while Lin Lu praised her taste in bags, jewelry, and hairstyles, he’d never actually gifted her anything.

The mood shifted as the women complained their kids couldn’t compare to Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng’s filial piety.

Wu Ning hurriedly changed the subject—she couldn’t stand them kissing up to Zhao Yunshu.

“Mrs. Chen, don’t overthink it. Children are just little debtors—if they grow up healthy, that’s blessing enough. Didn’t you want to see QUNNE’s new jewelry? Let’s all go take a look!”

Zhao Yunshu was about to excuse herself to take the boys back to school when Jiang Ruotang nudged her with a mischievous smile. “Come on, let’s go admire some shiny gems too!”

Zhao Zhangfeng sighed. He hated shopping—he’d only come because Jiang Ruotang insisted Zhao Yunshu needed their support. Otherwise, he’d have been napping at his desk. What was the point of all this? He didn’t understand why these women decorated themselves like store windows.

At QUNNE, the sales staff swarmed the ladies, especially Mrs. Chen and Wu Ning, who tried on necklaces and bracelets with festive enthusiasm.

Jiang Ruotang, Zhao Yunshu, and Zhao Zhangfeng settled at a small corner table, sipping drinks brought by an intern.

Wu Ning eagerly announced, “Your manager texted me last week that the master-designed ‘Birds and Clouds’ set has arrived. Bring it out for us!”

She’d begged Lin Chengdong for it, but he always brushed her off, saying she had enough jewelry and her credit limit couldn’t cover it. She just wanted to see it in person.

“Ning, I’ve been waiting for this piece—don’t fight me for it!” Mrs. Chen teased.

“Haha, I won’t, but as sisters, you have to let me try it on!” Wu Ning laughed.

The others buzzed with anticipation.

But when the manager appeared, she regretfully informed them, “Ladies, I’m afraid ‘Birds and Clouds’ has already been reserved, so we can’t display it.”

“What? Already?”

“It sold in just a week? That set’s over 1.3 million!”

“Reserved, not sold—so the buyer hasn’t picked it up yet. Just let us see it!” Wu Ning wheedled.

The store manager could only continue apologizing, "The other party paid in full and will come to collect it before closing. We have no right to display a customer's privately stored items."

Zhao Zhangfeng, who was snacking, smirked mischievously and whispered, "Thought they were big shots? Someone snatched it up first—can't see or touch it now, huh?"

Zhao Yunshu shook her head helplessly, though the two brothers seemed perfectly content enjoying the free tea and snacks. Watching the two young men—one with cream on his nose, the other with chocolate crumbs at the corner of his mouth—she felt a sudden warmth, turning the dull moment into something amusing.

Just then, Jiang Huaiyuan walked in.

"Sorry! Sorry, Yunshu, I hope you haven’t been waiting long! I was deep in conversation with Uncle Qin and lost track of time!"

"Huaiyuan? What are you doing here?"

"Huh? Didn’t Ruo Tang message me saying you were here to see the jewelry I ordered for you?" Jiang Huaiyuan looked completely baffled.

Wu Ning and Mrs. Chen quickly put down the jewelry they were examining and stood up to greet him.

"Huaiyuan’s here!" Wu Ning, quite familiar with him, said warmly. "Are you here to help Yunshu pick out jewelry?"

Mrs. Chen sighed regretfully. "What a shame! That designer 'Birds and Clouds' piece has already been reserved!"

To everyone’s surprise, Jiang Huaiyuan pressed his palms together apologetically in front of Mrs. Chen. "My apologies—'Birds and Clouds' was reserved by me. It’s Yunshu’s birthday gift!"

Instantly, the expressions on Wu Ning, Mrs. Chen, and the others changed—a mix of surprise, awkwardness, and envy.

They had listened to Wu Ning’s claims that Zhao Yunshu was just a middle-aged housekeeper—working for Chairman Qin at the company and handling trivial financial matters for Jiang Huaiyuan at home. In short, marrying into the Jiang family wasn’t about luxury but about being a mere tool for Chairman Qin and Jiang Huaiyuan.

This "tool" had dared to target their husbands’ interests. Threatening their income was akin to harming their parents—of course, they had to unite and show her her place, making it clear she didn’t belong in their world.

—Know your place! A mouse can't move a mountain!

But now, it seemed Zhao Yunshu’s happiness truly existed in a different world.

They all said stepmothers had it tough, yet Zhao Yunshu clearly had an excellent relationship with her stepson, Jiang Ruotang.

For their birthdays, their husbands would at most hand them a credit card to spend freely—no thoughtfulness whatsoever.

But Jiang Huaiyuan had personally reserved jewelry. It was obvious who truly mattered.

Zhao Zhangfeng, sipping his black tea, finally realized, "Mom… that bird-and-cloud necklace was for you?"

Zhao Yunshu was stunned too. She had never imagined touching jewelry worth over a million, let alone wearing it.

But the store manager had already retrieved the necklace and handed it to Jiang Huaiyuan.

With a smile, Jiang Huaiyuan held the necklace by its ends and stepped behind Zhao Yunshu to fasten it around her neck.

"Yunshu, thank you for marrying me."

Zhao Yunshu paused, overwhelmed—she was now wearing something worth a house around her neck.

Just as she was about to stand up, Jiang Ruotang bent down and whispered in her ear, "Mom, some things aren’t valuable just because they’re expensive—they make sure no one dares to look down on you. Whether at the company or in social circles, you can’t be ignored."

In an instant, Zhao Yunshu understood Jiang Ruotang’s meaning—this was the father and son having her back.

The goal was for these ladies to go back and tell their husbands that Zhao Yunshu held status and influence in the Jiang family, which also signaled her position on the board.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Yunshu straightened her posture and looked at her reflection in the mirror—her husband and two children standing behind her.

Jiang Huaiyuan added, "I originally planned to surprise you with the necklace at dinner tonight. But Ruotang said you were here with Sister Ning, so I rushed over. Oh, Uncle Qin said for your birthday, he’s gifting you a car—it’s at a dealership nearby. Let’s go take a look!"

"A car… what kind?"

"Don’t worry, not a sports car. Uncle Qin knows you’re low-key and practical, so he chose a business sedan—a Lorenth Benyun. He said the name suits you."

Chairman Qin was Zhao Yunshu’s direct superior, the core director who most supported her in leveraging the audit function, and one of the founding veterans of Universe Pictures.

Mrs. Chen shot Wu Ning a reproachful look: A Lorenth Benyun, even the standard model, costs over 1.5 million. How highly must Chairman Qin regard Zhao Yunshu? And you dragged us into offending her?

The other ladies also began to realize they’d been misled by Wu Ning.

The weight of this car was unmistakable—it was a message for them to relay to those nosy shareholders and executives: The audit team isn't playing around. If you don’t want to get dragged down, stop scheming with Lin Chengdong.

Jiang Huaiyuan accompanied Zhao Yunshu to pick up the car, while Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng took the bus back to school.

"I thought you’d take a taxi back," Zhao Zhangfeng muttered.

"Why throw away money on a taxi? Sleeping on the bus beats napping at a desk," Jiang Ruotang said, yawning as he patted his mouth.

Zhao Zhangfeng wanted to knock some sense into him. "How is spending 60,000 on a bag not a waste, then?"

"It’s different. Spending on family is never a waste." Jiang Ruotang tipped his head and dozed off on Zhao Zhangfeng’s shoulder.

Irritated, Zhao Zhangfeng realized he couldn’t sleep now—or they’d both overshoot their stop.

But Jiang Ruotang’s words—"spending on family is never a waste"—made his eyes sting.

Zhao Zhangfeng remembered being so hungry as a child that he took five yuan from his good-for-nothing father’s pocket to buy instant noodles. When he tried to return the 3.5 yuan in change, his father dragged him around the building, shouting "Thief!" Yet Jiang Ruotang, who shared no blood with him, was utterly generous to him and his mother, splurging freely.

Not because Jiang Ruotang had more than others—but because he believed they were worth it.

"Fine, sleep. I’ll wake you at our stop."

The bus bumped along all the way to the school gates.

Zhao Zhangfeng nudged Jiang Ruotang awake, and they strolled off. Glancing at the small blackboard outside the school’s reception office, Jiang Ruotang said, "My package arrived. Help me carry it—it’s heavy."

Zhao Zhangfeng snapped. "I’m not your servant! Get it yourself."

"But you’re my brother. It’s really heavy—help me out."

Seriously? Was "brother" just a label Jiang Ruotang used whenever it suited him?

With a sigh, Zhao Zhangfeng followed him into the office. Jiang Ruotang’s package was a desk-sized box—seriously heavy.

Looking at Jiang Ruotang’s slender arms and legs, Zhao Zhangfeng admitted he did need help.

Back in the classroom, Zhao Zhangfeng dropped the box on Jiang Ruotang’s desk and immediately flopped onto his own to catch up on sleep.

Jiang Ruotang opened the package—inside was a stack of magazines. The top few were about basketball, which he promptly placed on Zhao Zhangfeng’s head.

"What’s this…?" Zhao Zhangfeng lifted one to his eyes, brightening up—until he opened it and frowned. "Why are they all in English?"

Jiang Ruotang replied, "Great for practicing reading comprehension."

From the next seat, English rep Jian Sha joked, "Want to rent an e-dictionary? Five yuan a day."

"No way!"

Jiang Ruotang handed her another magazine. "English love story. If Teacher Wang catches you, you can claim you’re studying English."

Jian Sha took it, and her face fell upon seeing the title and author. "You call Stephen King's horror novels romance?"

"Don't horror novels have love too? Just roll with it."

Jiang Ruotang carried the remaining magazines to Lu Guifan’s desk and placed them in front of him. "Class president, these are for you."

Lu Guifan paused. "What are these?"

Seeing how heavy they were, he stood up and took them from her.

"With my English level, do you think I know what these are?" Jiang Ruotang replied unapologetically. "But since they’re books, they must contain 'treasures and beauties' inside."

Lu Guifan flipped through them and realized they were various academic journals from M University across the ocean.

There were topics on mathematics, physics, and chemistry—essentially compiling cutting-edge research subjects.

For Lu Guifan, this was next-level knowledge—higher-level theories, ideas, and even experimental research reports.

To say he wasn’t surprised would be a lie.

To use a cliché metaphor, it was like a traveler in the desert suddenly receiving a full bottle of water from a kind stranger.

Lu Guifan wanted to understand the world beyond, and this content wasn’t necessarily something he could find online. Yet Jiang Ruotang had opened a window for him.

"How… did you get these?"

"My dad’s friend’s child studies there. I asked them to help collect them. Do you find them useful? If so, they said they could gather and mail them every month."

"How much do these cost? I—"

Jiang Ruotang leaned on the desk, tilting her head at Lu Guifan with a smile. "Master, this is your devoted disciple’s tribute. If I don’t improve in the next monthly exam, then we can talk about money."

Lu Guifan stared into Jiang Ruotang’s eyes for a long moment before finally saying, "Thank you."

Jiang Ruotang watched as Lu Guifan carefully stored them all in his well-worn backpack, then bounced back to her seat.

Lin Lu had just learned from his mother’s message what had happened. Word was, Lin Chengdong had blown up, questioning Wu Ning about her lack of tact—he stopped just short of pointing at her forehead and asking why she was being so blatant about sidelining her. He even froze two of her premium credit cards.

The other wives, especially Mrs. Chen, had told their husbands about the incident after lunch. Now, they were all scrambling to do some damage control, and blaming Lin Chengdong for roping them into this mess and potentially putting them in Zhao Yunshu's crosshairs.

Wu Ning hoped Lin Lu could ask Jiang Ruotang what Zhao Yunshu liked.

Lin Lu took a deep breath. Earlier, Jiang Ruotang had handed out the English magazines she bought and didn't even spare him a thought, despite sitting right beside him. How could he possibly ask her now?

He could only reply to his mother: "[Just compare notes among yourselves and give birthday gifts in the same price range.]"