Chapter 37: Family Banquet

Chen Churan explained with a smile, "You don't know yet? The treasure appraisal you did for Li Xiumei the other day has become a trending topic!"

"Her daughter's medical condition and the video of you helping the archaeology team avoid traps are all over the internet. Netizens are now calling you the 'Living Lei Feng of Treasure Appraisal'! Even the Children's Medical Foundation shared and liked it, and our company's stock has risen significantly because of it!"

Cheng Ziqiu listened, stunned.

A living Lei Feng?

Him?

Cheng Ziqiu couldn't help but think of the things he had done in his past life.

"Living King of Hell of Grave Robbing" would have been a more accurate description!

In this life, he only wanted to find a powerful backer and coast through life, so how did he end up being a living Lei Feng?

This contrast was even more absurd than digging up a living person while grave robbing!

"Boss Chen, are you sure they haven't got the wrong person? Me? A living Lei Feng? At most, I'm just an... appraiser in the appraisal industry."

Chen Churan covered her mouth and chuckled.

"In any case, you have brought huge profits to the company, and this is all your credit. As a reward..."

She paused deliberately, a hint of slyness appearing in her eyes as she looked at Cheng Ziqiu.

"I have decided to double this month's bonus!"

"Double the bonus?"

Cheng Ziqiu's eyes lit up.

"Boss Chen is generous! If there are any more good things like this in the future, just give the order. I, Cheng Ziqiu, will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Chen Churan was amused by his exaggerated tone.

"No need to go through fire and water; you just need to keep up the current momentum and help the company promote itself a bit more."

"You got it! Boss Chen, just wait and see!"

Cheng Ziqiu patted his chest in assurance.

Watching him act like a money-grubber, Chen Churan couldn't help but smile.

"Then why don't you hurry up and start today's live stream?"

"Live stream? Now?"

Cheng Ziqiu was stunned for a moment. He had been so focused on the doubled bonus that he had completely forgotten about the live stream.

"I'm not prepared yet!"

Chen Churan looked at him with an ambiguous smile.

"Preparation? What do you need to prepare? Aren't you a master of treasure appraisal? Just grab something and bluff your way through it, won't that do?"

"Boss Chen, how can you call it bluffing? This is what I call professionalism! Professionals doing professional things—this is called having a specialty in one's field!"

Cheng Ziqiu retorted righteously, though he was muttering to himself: *This beautiful boss really has me wrapped around her finger.*

"Fine, fine, professional. Then go get your professional tools ready."

As she spoke, Chen Churan pointed to the mountain of delivery packages nearby.

"These were all sent by fans who are asking for your help with appraisals."

Cheng Ziqiu looked at the mountain of packages, his eyelids twitching.

*Good grief, how long is this going to take?*

Even in his past life as a grave robber, he had never dug up so many things!

"Boss Chen, this... is too much, isn't it? How can I possibly manage all this by myself?"

"Even if you can't manage it, you have to."

Chen Churan patted his shoulder.

"Who told you to be the company's cash cow? Work hard, I'm counting on you!"

With that, Chen Churan swayed her slender waist and walked away.

Cheng Ziqiu watched her receding back, his heart a mix of complex emotions.

A cash cow?

He had robbed countless graves in his past life and never felt like a tree!

This feeling was quite novel!

...

No sooner had Chen Churan left than her phone rang.

The word "Big Brother" flashed on the screen.

The smile in Chen Churan's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a trace of annoyance.

She stared at the screen for a few seconds before finally answering.

"Hello, Big Brother."

"Churan, don't forget to come back to the old mansion tonight. Dad misses you and said he wants us to have dinner together."

Chen Jianguo's voice carried its usual tone of command.

"A family dinner?"

Chen Churan's tone was tinged with impatience.

"I'm very busy lately, there's a pile of things at the company..."

"No matter how busy you are, you must come back. This is Dad's wish."

Chen Jianguo interrupted her.

"Dad knows about those live-streaming appraisal things you've been doing at the company lately. He's very happy and wants to praise you in person."

At this, Chen Churan's heart softened.

Although she detested those two vampire-like brothers, her father's love for her was genuine.

Since taking over the company, she had been so busy she barely had time to breathe, and indeed, she hadn't seen her father in a long time.

"I know. I'll try my best to get back."

After hanging up, Chen Churan rubbed her temples, feeling a wave of exhaustion.

Family disputes and the pressure of the company left her breathless.

Chen Churan started the car, the roar of the engine temporarily drowning out the agitation in her heart.

...

Driving at top speed, Chen Churan returned to the old mansion.

The ornate iron gates slowly opened, and a musty scent rushed toward her.

"The eldest miss is back."

The old butler, Uncle Chen, came forward and bowed slightly.

Chen Churan nodded slightly and walked straight into the main hall.

The luxurious crystal chandelier and the expensive rosewood furniture all served to showcase the Chen family's wealth.

However, beneath this gilded facade, undercurrents were surging, and everyone harbored their own hidden agendas.

As soon as Chen Churan entered, Chen Jiwang saw her, and his aged face immediately filled with smiles.

"Ranran is back!"

He greeted her kindly and patted the seat next to him.

"Come, sit down. We were just waiting for you."

Chen Churan sat beside him, feeling the warmth radiating from her father, and the softness in her heart deepened.

"Dad, how is your health lately?"

"I'm doing great, doing great!"

Chen Jiwang laughed heartily.

"Your big brother and second brother buy me supplements every day; I'm almost over-supplemented!"

Chen Churan echoed with a forced smile.

"Big brother and second brother are truly filial."

At this moment, Chen Jianguo, who was sitting to the side, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said sarcastically:

"Oh, the busy bee is back! I thought you were so busy making money that you'd forgotten about home! Dad has been talking about you for days, and you don't even know to come back and see him."

Chen Churan snorted coldly and retorted.

"Second brother, you're here with Dad every day, so why don't I see the company's performance going up? Filial piety should be within one's means; don't just do things for show."

"You!"

Chen Jianguo slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Chen Churan in a rage.

"You unfilial daughter, how dare you speak to me like that!"

"That's enough, Second Brother!"

Chen Jianguo stopped him with a deep voice, then turned to Chen Churan, his tone mocking.

"Churan, you too. You're all grown up now; you should consider your personal affairs. A woman, in the end, must return to the family. No matter how successful a career is, without a man, it is ultimately incomplete."

"I am quite complete!"

Chen Churan retorted bluntly.

"My own career is thriving, why should I rely on a man?"

"Besides, the people you've introduced to me, Big Brother, aren't they all the same age as Dad? If you want me to be a baby-making machine to consolidate your status in the company, forget it!"

Chen Jianguo's face darkened, and his tone became stern.

"What kind of talk is that! The people I introduced to you are all middle-aged talents; it's all for your own good! What does a woman like you know about a career? Getting married and having children early is the right path!"