Chapter 81: Buying a Car
News that Chu Feng had visited Lin Shumin spread quickly through the Chu family.
These days, everyone compares everything—young people compare houses and cars, while the older generation compares whose children are more successful, who’s more filial, and how much they give for elder support.
At the village mahjong Hawk, Chu Ding (Chu Feng’s grandfather) was cornered by some old friends while playing.
“Old Chu, your grandson Chu Feng is really lucky! I heard he won three million!”
“Word is, he’s already bought a house and a car!”
“Three million! That’s amazing. My grandson graduated from a top university and only makes 70-80K a year—might never make that much in his whole life.”
“Did your grandson buy you anything?”
“I heard he went to the Lin family and brought two whole cases of Mou Tai for the old man!”
Chu Feng had casually brought the Mou Tai for Lin Shumin, knowing his grandfather liked it. He had carried over a lot of things, but Lin Shumin didn’t think much of it. After Chu Feng left, his card-playing buddies came over and insisted on seeing what he brought. Seeing the Mou Tai, they were stunned—it’s a luxury item and a status symbol.
“Mou Tai, huh?”
“Well, he did win the lottery—two whole cases!”
“Bit wasteful maybe, but definitely shows he’s filial. Old Chu, what did Chu Feng get you?”
Chu Ding was left speechless and left the mahjong Hawk early.
*
As he walked away, the other elders gossiped:
“Looks like Chu Feng’s been hiding the news from the Chu family.”
“Of course! Chu Jinhui just got married—if the old man found out about the money, he’d probably bleed Chu Feng dry.”
“I heard Chu Feng’s aunt’s been complaining, saying he’s heartless.”
“How can she say that? Chu Feng made it on his own. The old man always said Jinhui was promising, but looks like Chu Feng’s the one who really made it—he has a house and a car now.”
“That’s not success—that’s just luck.”
“Well, after all these years, he finally turned things around.”
*
Chu Ding returned home looking grim.
He’d always favored his eldest son and grandson, ignoring Chu Feng and thinking he was a failure compared to Jinhui. Now, even his friends were praising Chu Feng, and mocking him.
“You’re back, Dad?” said Yan Ping (his daughter-in-law).
Chu Ding nodded.
“Didn’t you go to watch people play mahjong? Why’re you back so early?”
“Nothing worth watching,” Chu Ding muttered.
Seeing his sour expression, Yan Ping didn’t press further and instead began to complain: “Chu Feng went over to the Lin family. We couldn’t reach him and thought he was missing, but clearly, he’s just ignoring us.”
Chu Ding sighed. He knew Chu Feng had issues with him. “Ask him to come back for a meal.”
At first, Chu Ding was happy about the three-million win—though disappointed it wasn’t his elder grandson. But Chu Feng hadn’t returned or answered calls, and that left a bitter taste.
He had considered yelling at Chu Feng, but guilt over a 30,000-yuan loan from years ago made him hesitant.
Yan Ping said sourly, “He wouldn’t come even if I asked. Maybe he’ll come if his cousin’s wife’s sister calls him.”
She’d been deeply disappointed in her new daughter-in-law, who hadn’t lived up to expectations. Now that she knew about Chu Feng’s winnings, Yan Ping was jealous—she wanted Chu Feng to bail them out of their financial trouble.
At first, upon learning about the three million, Yan Ping was furious—thinking Chu Feng had deliberately hidden his wealth, watching them scramble for money like it was a joke to him. But after days of failed calls, her anger faded, and she focused on how to get a share of the money.
Chu Ding sighed. “Have Lin Sheng give him a call.”
Yan Ping nodded. “Alright.”
*
Meanwhile, Chu Feng was at a car dealership.
Having picked up on Illya’s preferences from a previous visit, he knew he liked large vehicles.
“Sir, are you interested in this model?” the saleswoman asked.
Chu Feng nodded. “Yes, I’ll take this one.”
“Chu Feng?”
He turned around and saw Zhou Lingling.
She looked surprised. Ever since she’d run into Chu Feng at the mall, he had been on her mind. At first, she wasn’t interested in being set up with him, but later changed her mind. By then, though, Lin Yuan had stopped following up.
According to Lin Yuan, Chu Feng had become too arrogant and no longer bothered with relatives—he wouldn’t even answer their calls.
“It’s you!”
Zhou Lingling glanced at Chu Feng, looking slightly puzzled. “Are you here to buy a car?”
Chu Feng smiled. “Yeah. You too?”
Zhou Lingling blushed. “No, I came with a friend.”
Her family wasn’t well-off, and although she wanted a car, she never considered buying a BMW. She was accompanying Zhong Hu, a colleague who had been pursuing her. She was interested but still uncertain.
Chu Feng nodded, simply replying, “Oh.”
Zhou Lingling recalled how Lin Yuan had said Chu Feng wasted money on clothes instead of getting a decent car—who would’ve thought he was here to buy one now?
“Sir, the paperwork is ready. You can check out now,” the sales assistant said cheerfully.
Chu Feng nodded. “Alright.”
He gave Zhou Lingling a polite nod. “Excuse me.”
She replied, “Go ahead.”
Chu Feng bought a BMW SUV for over 800,000 yuan. Zhou Lingling watched the near-million-yuan purchase with mixed emotions.
“You like SUVs?”
Chu Feng shook his head. “Not really. I prefer my Volkswagen.”
“Then why—?”
He smiled. “He likes bigger cars.”
Zhou Lingling paused, realizing who “he” was, and her expression shifted. “He’s not with you?”
“No, he had something to do and went home.”
“Oh.”
“Sir, the film on your car will be done this afternoon. Will you be picking it up later?”
Chu Feng nodded. “Alright, I’ll be back then.” He smiled at Zhou Lingling. “I’ll get going.”
“Okay,” she replied.
“Who was that? He bought such an expensive car,” Zhong Hu asked.
“Lin Yuan’s cousin,” Zhou Lingling replied.
Zhong Hu frowned. “The guy who hit the jackpot and won three million?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“I heard he already bought a house and a car. Is this another one? At this rate, three million won’t last long.”
“Winning the lottery is amazing,” Zhou Lingling said enviously.
Zhong Hu shook his head. “That’s all luck. Take Director Wang—he’s been buying lottery tickets for over ten years and the most he’s won is 100 yuan. He’s spent tens of thousands on tickets.”
“True,” Zhou Lingling nodded. These things really depend on luck.
She looked down, feeling a bit bitter. She had come with Zhong Hu to look at a 300,000 yuan car, but he still couldn’t decide. Chu Feng, on the other hand, had just spent over 800,000 yuan in full without blinking…
—
Not long after Chu Feng left the dealership, he received a message from his third uncle, Chu Linsheng.
Chu Feng had a habit of disappearing for periods of time. People often couldn’t reach him, even by phone. These days, even when he was around, he sometimes didn’t pick up, giving the impression he was unreachable. That’s probably why his uncle messaged him instead.
Chu Linsheng’s message mentioned the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and asked if he’d come home for a reunion dinner. He gently hinted that the grandfather already knew about the three-million lottery win—and also that Chu Feng had visited Lin Shumin. The old man felt jealous but was glad Chu Feng and Chu Linsheng still had a good relationship. Chu Feng didn’t pretend he hadn’t seen the message and simply replied, “Got it. We’ll see then.”
—
At Chu Linsheng’s house.
Gu Jia looked at her husband. “What did Xiao Feng say?”
“He said, ‘We’ll see,’” he sighed.
“Maybe he’s busy starting a business,” she said thoughtfully.
“Could be. But how did the prize go from one million to three?”
“I know, right? At this rate, next time it’ll be ten million,” Gu Jia joked.
She had first heard from the Lin family that it was 300,000. When she told her son, he accidentally revealed it was actually one million. She worked hard to keep that secret, only to now hear it’s three million from the Lin side again. Gu Jia suspected next time it might really be ten.
Chu Linsheng chuckled bitterly. “If Chu Feng really won ten million, his aunt would go insane.”
“She’s probably already losing her mind,” Gu Jia muttered.
Three million! From the look in Yan Ping’s eyes, it was clear she couldn’t wait to sink her claws into Chu Feng.
Too bad Chu Feng had vanished again. Gu Jia thought to herself: Everyone has their own fate. Even though Jin Hui graduated from a top university, who knows when he’ll earn three million.
Chu Linsheng shook his head. “So, the thing about buying that friend clothes for 80,000 yuan is probably true?”
The Lin family had said Chu Feng spent 80,000 yuan on clothes for a friend. Linsheng hadn’t believed it, but now that he knew the win was three million, it seemed plausible.
Gu Jia frowned. “Probably.”
He shook his head. “Xiao Feng sure is…”
“Forget it,” she said. “He’s grown now. He knows what he’s doing. No point worrying about him when we should be worrying about ourselves.” She thought: At least he’s spending his own money how he wants.
“Xiao Feng has a house and a car now, and we haven’t even sorted our place. And what about the 50,000 your sister-in-law borrowed—does she plan to pay it back or not?”
“I have no idea either!” Chu Linsheng said through gritted teeth, clearly upset. Gu Jia’s face was tense as she said irritably, “I told you long ago, we never should’ve lent that money.”
Originally, Chu Hongzhi wanted to borrow 200,000 yuan. Of course, Chu Linsheng was unwilling. So Chu Hongzhi kept lowering the amount until he got it down to 50,000, promising he’d pay it back soon.
Chu Linsheng had a soft heart and eventually gave in to Chu Hongzhi’s persistent coaxing. He withdrew the 50,000 and lent it to him.
Now that the eldest brother’s household was a mess, Chu Linsheng was being dragged down with them too.
