Chapter 37: The 300,000 Prize
Chu Feng drove Grandpa Lin and the others to a nearby rural restaurant called Shali Farmhouse.
In recent years, rural living conditions had improved a lot, and more and more people in the countryside enjoyed eating out. As a result, country restaurants were booming.
Shali Farmhouse had become a very popular spot and had already opened several branches in the area.
Chu Feng turned to Shen Yuying and asked, “Is Uncle not coming?”
She shook her head. “Your uncle is a busy man. He won’t make it. But your aunt should be arriving soon.”
Chu Feng nodded, thinking: Uncle is a department head at the local bureau, and he talks like an official. He doesn’t really mix with poor relatives like us. Not coming makes sense.
“What about my older cousin?”
“Probably not coming either.”
Chu Feng nodded. “I see.” That was fine too—his older cousin had such high standards that he probably looked down on small rural restaurants like this.
Everyone waited for a while before Zhao Hong finally showed up. “Sorry, Dad, I’m late.”
Chu Feng rolled his eyes inwardly. She says it nicely, but it didn’t sound all that sincere.
Shen Yuying smiled. “Not late at all—just in time.”
Zhao Hong glanced at Lin Zhihao and said, a bit reproachfully, “Zhihao, you broke up with Jia Jia?”
Zhihao nodded.
Zhao Hong shook her head. “Tsk, tsk. You’ve got to spend money if you want to win over a girl. People are out here buying designer bags for tens of thousands. You bought a flimsy little necklace—it’s no wonder she thought you were stingy.”
Chu Feng: “…”
He rolled his eyes again. Aunt Zhao is as sharp-tongued as ever. Funny thing is, she was the one who introduced that girlfriend to Zhihao in the first place. Zhihao didn’t even want to date back then, and now that it blew up, she’s saying things like this.
“Auntie, they were just getting to know each other. Why would you need to spend that kind of money? The way you’re reacting, you’d think you were getting a commission from that girl,” Chu Feng said.
Zhao Hong glared at him. “What nonsense are you talking about? Girls these days need to be pampered. You’re so stingy—no wonder you’re still single.”
Chu Feng: “…” So what if I’m single? Singles have rights too!
Grandpa Lin scolded, “Enough! What kind of girl did you introduce anyway? Always asking for this and that right from the start—clearly not someone who’ll settle down. It’s better they broke up early.”
Zhao Hong said discontentedly, “Dad, I’m just anxious, alright? That’s how the situation is these days. If you don’t hurry while they’re still young, it’ll just get harder to find someone as they get older.”
“Nonsense. Good things are worth waiting for. A wife will come eventually,” Grandpa Lin said disapprovingly.
Zhao Hong gave a sheepish smile and said, “Old man, you’re right of course. But weren’t you the one who was in a hurry before?”
Grandpa Lin said, somewhat annoyed, “I’ve figured it out now.”
Chu Feng: “…”
Zhao Hong’s eyes shifted to Chu Feng. He suddenly felt a chill down his spine as she stared at him.
“Xiao Feng, I think I saw your car outside just now. The one with the license plate ending in 737—is that yours?”
Chu Feng nodded. “Yeah, that’s mine.”
“That’s not a cheap car! You must’ve spent all your savings on it,” Zhao Hong said.
Chu Feng gave a short grunt but didn’t answer.
Zhao Hong looked at him and continued, “That’s just wasteful. There are so many better ways to spend money. You probably bought it on a loan, right? You’d better be careful—if you can’t make the payments and the bank takes it back, it’ll all be for nothing.”
Chu Feng gave a dry laugh and said, “Thanks for your concern, Aunt.”
Seeing that Chu Feng remained unfazed, Zhao Hong kept pressing, “You know Qian Jin, right? That guy secretly bought a BMW without telling his parents. He lived on instant noodles just to make the car payments. When he couldn’t keep up, he had to ask his parents for help. They were furious and gave him a good beating. At least he had someone to help. If you get into trouble with your car loan…”
Shen Yuying’s face darkened. “Alright, big sister-in-law, that’s enough.”
Zhao Hong protested, “I’m just giving him a bit of advice. No one else is stepping in to guide him.”
Grandpa Lin, clearly angry, said, “Shut it! What do you know? Xiao Feng won a 300,000 yuan lottery prize and bought the car outright—with cash!”
Zhao Hong: “…”
Chu Feng glanced at Grandpa Lin, thinking: Grandpa really can’t hold his tongue. Aunt Zhao has a big mouth—if she knows, the whole family will know soon enough. Still, given how harsh she was being, it’s no wonder Grandpa snapped.
Chu Feng sipped his juice, not taking the “lottery reveal” too seriously.
Zhao Hong looked at him in disbelief. “You won the lottery? 300,000?”
Chu Feng nodded. “That’s right.”
Zhao Hong said sourly, “What luck.”
Chu Feng put on a cheerful expression and said, “I know, right? I spent 8 yuan at the convenience store that day—bought a bottle of water and a bun, and used the remaining 2 yuan on a scratch card. Never imagined I’d win 300,000 just like that.”
Zhao Hong gave a stiff smile. “Only 2 yuan, huh?”
Chu Feng nodded. “Yep. When luck’s on your side, nothing can stop it.”
“Xiao Feng, it’s been a while since you won, right? Why’ve you been keeping it such a secret?” Zhao Hong said coolly.
Chu Feng replied casually, “It’s just 300,000. With prices so high these days, it doesn’t buy much. Not really worth talking about.”
Grandpa Lin waved his hand and said, “Alright, enough, let’s eat. The lottery stuff—just keep it in the family, no need to spread it around.”
Chu Feng rolled his eyes. Says the guy who’s already told half the village.
Before Zhao Hong arrived, the others had already ordered quite a few dishes. When the waiter came back, she added several more.
Shen Yuying frowned. “That’s enough. We can’t eat all this.”
Zhao Hong dismissed it. “There are so many of us here, and it’s Dad’s 80th birthday. We can’t be stingy. Xiao Feng just won 300,000—he can afford it.”
Chu Feng nodded. “That’s right! I hit the jackpot, so don’t hold back—order whatever you want. My treat today.”
Shen Yuying gave him a helpless glare, but Chu Feng just calmly sipped his juice. He was a man worth over 100 million now. Even if Zhao Hong ate herself to death here today, he could easily afford it.
