Chapter 10: For You, What’s a Little Pain?
“Liang Shucheng, on what grounds do you think you can marry my granddaughter?” Su Tong suppressed his anger and asked coldly.
Liang Shucheng stood with his hands behind his back, head held high and chest out.
“A golden-scaled dragon is no mere pond creature; it transforms when the wind and clouds arise. I, Liang Shucheng, may be silent now, but when I roar, I will astonish the world. When I achieve fame and success, it will be a matter of course. Give me a chance, and I will prove to my grandfather that I am worthy of Han Wei.” As he spoke, pride filled his voice, as if he truly were a magnificent dragon soaring beyond the clouds.
Su Hanwei’s admiration for Liang Shucheng grew even deeper at his confidence.
This was a true man worthy of her—worthy of Su Hanwei herself!
What was Xu Mu compared to him? Nothing but a trivial nuisance.
Su Tong glanced at Su Hanwei, feeling disgusted by his own granddaughter at that moment.
One shameless, the other ignorant of his own limits—a perfect match made in heaven!
No wonder they ended up together.
Su Tong had served diligently all his life, honest and upright, so how had he raised such a shameless granddaughter?
No wonder Xu Mu had divorced Su Hanwei.
These past three years had been truly hard on Xu Mu.
Throughout his life, Su Tong had lived with a clear conscience, except for one thing: marrying his granddaughter to Xu Mu was a matter of convenience.
Ah!
“Don’t call me grandfather—you’re not worthy! You, Liang Shucheng, a petty man, in eight lifetimes could never marry my granddaughter!” Su Tong shouted angrily.
Liang Shucheng had once thought Su Tong was merely old-fashioned, but now he saw him as stubborn and blind.
How could Su Tong fail to see his exceptional qualities?
If it weren’t for the fact that Su Tong was Hanwei’s grandfather, he wouldn’t have held back.
A mere prefect—what was that compared to him?
Even the deputy governor had called him a rare talent among men!
“Grandfather, thirty years west of the river, thirty years east of the river; don’t mock a young man’s poverty. Today you treat me coldly, but one day you will realize I am beyond your reach.
Xu Mu is a worthless fool, unworthy of Hanwei. Only I am her true destined match.
But I don’t blame you. One day you’ll understand how utterly wrong you are today. But since you are my grandfather, I won’t hold it against you…”
Su Tong’s anger was about to burst his lungs.
He had put it all on the line, yet this petty man still dared to defy him like a clown performing a farce—and didn’t even respect him.
“Old man, old man…” Su Tong looked around for something to use, his gaze suddenly locking on a box of gleaming silver.
“I’ll make you a golden-scaled dragon! I’ll make you transform!”
He grabbed the silver from the box and hurled it fiercely at Liang Shucheng.
“I’ll show you thirty years west of the river!”
“I’ll show you thirty years east of the river!”
“I’ll beat you, you shameless little fool who overestimates himself!”
After throwing the silver, Su Tong found a broom and started chasing Liang Shucheng, striking him fiercely.
In the small courtyard, chaos erupted.
Liang Shucheng ran while shouting, “You truly fail to recognize a great man! Even if you’re half-buried in the earth, you’re still just a small prefect! My future achievements are boundless! You… stop this!”
Soon Liang Shucheng was bruised and battered by Su Tong’s relentless blows.
Su Hanwei tried to pull Su Tong back but could not restrain him.
In the end, Liang Shucheng was chased all the way out the main gate.
A pile of silver was thrown out by the steward of the Su household.
“Take your worthless belongings and get as far away from this house as you can! If you ever come back, I’ll break both your legs!”
With a heavy slam, Su Tong shut the door.
He was gasping for breath, exhausted.
Yet this outburst seemed to clear the stagnant anger in his chest somewhat.
Still, his fury only grew stronger.
It was the most disgraceful moment of his life.
Liang Shucheng gathered the silver back into the box.
“You old relic, one day I’ll make you regret this—I’ll have you serving me tea and water!”
Liang Shucheng hadn’t gone far when Su Hanwei hurried after him.
“Brother Shucheng!”
Though furious, seeing Su Hanwei calmed him somewhat.
Her pursuit showed she still cared.
“Brother Shucheng, I’m sorry my grandfather hit you just now. He’s not really against you; it’s just that Xu Mu and I just divorced, and you coming to propose now isn’t quite appropriate,” Su Hanwei hurried to explain, afraid he would be angry.
“It’s alright. I won’t give up on you. If now is not the time, then I’ll wait until I’ve earned my title and become an official. Then I’ll come for you in a grand procession. By then, your grandfather will definitely agree!” Liang Shucheng held her hand and spoke with deep affection.
Su Hanwei thought of how he was just scolded by her grandfather yet still wouldn’t give up on her.
He was a man who didn’t care for worldly opinions—a good man worthy of her heart!
His persistence far outweighed Xu Mu, who threatened divorce at the slightest provocation.
Brother Shucheng had great ambitions, and she had seen them all clearly.
“Brother Shucheng, I believe in you. You will succeed. I’ll wait for you to marry me! But for now, it’s better if you don’t come to my house. I’ll try to speak well of you to my grandfather,” Su Hanwei said, blushing.
Then she noticed the wounds on Liang Shucheng’s face and tenderly touched his handsome cheek.
“Brother Shucheng, did grandfather hurt you badly?”
“For you, a little pain means nothing. I’ll show you that our love can withstand any hardship.”
“Mm.”
Liang Shucheng glanced at the box of silver and said, “This is the betrothal gift I’ve prepared for you. Since I’ve given it, there’s no taking it back. Keep the money and buy whatever you want. But don’t let your grandfather find out, or that old traditionalist will surely scold you.”
“Brother Shucheng, you’re so goodI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.