Chapter 769: A Father-in-Law's Toast
"Since Uncle has so graciously invited me, then I shall impose."
Facing the earnest invitation from Zhang Yaqian's father, Zhang Yunhai, Shen Anyu offered a faint, polite smile and accepted.
Seeing Shen Anyu grant him this small measure of face, the tension in Zhang Yunhai's shoulders eased, and the smile on his own face deepened into something genuine. He had been more than a little nervous just a moment ago.
By any normal measure, Zhang Yunhai was a titan. As one of Hangzhou's top ten wealthiest men and the chairman of the Yunhai Group, his net worth was counted in the tens of billions. Shen Anyu was his future son-in-law, a man who was with his beloved daughter. This gave him the dual advantages of being both a father-in-law and a billionaire.
If he were facing an ordinary live-in son-in-law, he would naturally carry an imposing, almost suffocating aura, and the other party would be trembling in their shoes. If it were some street punk who had somehow caught his daughter's eye, Zhang Yunhai wouldn't even bother with an invitation to dinner; he would have his bodyguards throw the boy out on his ear.
But this time was different. The young man seated before him was Shen Anyu—the First Young Master of Yanxia's Shen Clan, the impossibly powerful Master Shen who had annihilated Old Qin with a single gesture and brought the entirety of Yanxia's Yu Clan to heel.
The tables were completely turned. In this scenario, it was Zhang Yunhai, the father-in-law, who had to be unfailingly polite, not daring to show the slightest hint of negligence. He knew perfectly well that Shen Anyu's acceptance had nothing to do with his own status as a tycoon. It was a gesture of respect for his beloved daughter, Zhang Yaqian.
In truth, Shen Anyu's thoughts ran along the same lines. When you've taken a man's treasured daughter, the least you can do is show him some courtesy.
Besides, he had other ideas in mind—ideas he had never tried before, especially not in front of the girl's father.
A mysterious smile touched Shen Anyu's lips as he glanced at Zhang Yaqian, then he gently took her small hand and led her toward the dining room.
The Zhang family's housekeeper brought out the exquisitely prepared dishes and a bottle of fine red wine, arranged them on the table, and then withdrew with a respectful bow.
Soon, the vast, luxurious dining room held only three people: Shen Anyu, Zhang Yunhai, and his daughter, Zhang Yaqian.
Zhang Yunhai took his seat at the head of the long, polished table, while Shen Anyu and Zhang Yaqian sat opposite him, their shoulders close enough to touch.
Watching his precious daughter sitting so intimately beside Shen Anyu, a complex wave of emotion washed over Zhang Yunhai's eyes. His mind drifted back through the years. His first love, Zhang Yaqian's birth mother, had divorced him. He had been too busy with work, rarely came home, and had a few casual lovers on the side. She later remarried, taking a young Yaqian with her to live with an old classmate she had always cherished—the patriarch of the Hangzhou Zhang Family.
Then came the bloody night that followed. The Hangzhou Zhang Family was annihilated by the Wan Fa Sect in a single, brutal massacre. The only survivors were Zhang Zhiyun, who was taken away by the Sect Master of the Tianshi Sect, and Zhang Yaqian, who had been saved by a stroke of luck, having been out playing that evening. Zhang Yaqian's mother had died tragically in the slaughter.
For all the years since, Zhang Yunhai had painstakingly raised Zhang Yaqian on his own. He never remarried, pouring all his love and attention into this one precious child, doting on her immensely.
Zhang Yaqian had more than lived up to his hopes. Not only did she blossom into an exceptional beauty, but she excelled in all her pursuits, earning her the well-deserved title of Hangzhou's First Young Lady. The line of suitors hoping for her hand in marriage had nearly worn a groove into the Zhang family's doorstep.
After careful consideration, Zhang Yunhai had selected Zhao Tao, the only son of the Chenguang Group's chairman. The families were of equal standing, and he thought he had done his due diligence. But unexpectedly, the Chenguang Group had declared bankruptcy some time ago. His old friend, Zhao Chenguang, had taken his own life by jumping from a building, and his son, Zhao Tao, was beaten to death on the spot by furious debt collectors. The engagement, naturally, was called off.
After that, Zhang Yunhai had been plagued with worry over how to find a suitable match for his daughter.
His anxiety had peaked when he saw Ling Qingcheng appear at the Yu Clan's banquet alongside Shen Anyu. Ling Qingcheng was his daughter's best friend. Surely, Zhang Yaqian's future husband couldn't be too far beneath Shen Anyu, could he?
Zhang Yunhai had watched Ling Qingcheng grow up as well. He hoped she would find a good husband, but a part of him prayed that man wouldn't be too good. He worried for Ling Qingcheng, but he also worried about the impossible standard it would set.
If her best friend landed such a prize, how could he ever find a son-in-law for his own daughter? Finding a young man comparable to Shen Anyu was an exercise in futility. Forget family background, looks, and ability for a moment—Shen Anyu had, for Ling Qingcheng's sake, forced the Second Young Master of the Yu Clan to his knees and openly defied one of Yanxia's most powerful families. His sense of responsibility and commitment was on a completely different level.
In terms of family, appearance, capability, and character, there was simply no one who could compare.
Just as Zhang Yunhai was sinking into this pit of worry, his beloved daughter, Zhang Yaqian, had given him the surprise of a lifetime.
Somehow, impossibly, Shen Anyu was now his son-in-law too!
In fact, his daughter had gotten there first! In the future, Ling Qingcheng would even have to call Zhang Yaqian "Older Sister."
As for Shen Anyu having two, or even more, women in his life, Zhang Yunhai truly didn't care. In ancient times, a man of Shen Anyu's status would be a prince, or perhaps something even greater. To even be his concubine would be an unattainable dream for most. And Shen Anyu wasn't even married yet. If his daughter could become the main wife, it would be a blessing upon their entire family line.
After all, didn't that tech billionaire Dong Ge marry the "Milk Tea Sister" who was twenty years his junior, much to her father's delight? Shen Anyu's status was exponentially higher, and he was young and handsome to boot.
"Daddy, Brother Shen~"
Zhang Yaqian dutifully poured wine for both Zhang Yunhai and Shen Anyu before filling her own glass.
Zhang Yunhai immediately picked up his glass, his face beaming with enthusiasm as he stood up, ready to clink glasses with Shen Anyu.
"Uncle, you're being too polite. How can an elder stand when offering a toast?" Shen Anyu smiled, rising from his own seat to meet the gesture.
Shedding any pretense of a future father-in-law's authority, Zhang Yunhai spoke with heartfelt earnestness. "Shen Anyu, Yaqian is my only precious child. Since she has chosen to be with you, you must, you absolutely must, take good care of her."
"That's a given," Shen Anyu replied without a moment's hesitation, his smile firm and his nod decisive. "I will definitely take good care of Yaqian."
Seeing Shen Anyu's sincere and resolute demeanor, a broad, relieved smile spread across Zhang Yunhai's old face. He tipped his head back and drained the entire glass of red wine in one go.
The vintage, from a storied Bordeaux winery in France, was mellow and smooth. It had a slightly sweet entry but a powerful, lingering finish.
After downing the glass, a flush immediately crept up Zhang Yunhai's neck and bloomed across his face, leaving him feeling a bit tipsy. Yet, the smile never left his face. He was truly, deeply happy tonight.
"Daddy, drink less. You know your tolerance isn't good," Zhang Yaqian advised, seeing his state.
"It's been so many years since I've been this happy," Zhang Yunhai said, waving her concern away. "Yaqian, you've found a wonderful man. Now, Daddy can finally face your mother in the afterlife. It's fine to drink a little more. The worst that can happen is I take a day off work tomorrow."
As the chairman of the Yunhai Group, he didn't have anyone watching him to clock in. If some subordinate were stubborn enough to try, they'd likely be fired the next day for the offense of entering the company with their left foot first.
"Sit, sit! Shen Anyu, Yaqian, please, eat. Our nanny's cooking is quite good."
With a little wine to loosen the atmosphere, the conversation began to flow freely.
Feeling the pleasant dizziness of the alcohol, Zhang Yunhai began to talk, recounting tales of Zhang Yaqian's past, starting from what felt like her kindergarten days. He particularly lingered on a story of how, as a child obsessed with Disney princess movies, she would only wear princess dresses and insisted she would one day marry a Prince Charming. The story made Zhang Yaqian's cheeks burn a deep crimson.
"Daddy, what nonsense are you talking about?" she protested, her voice a coquettish whine.
Zhang Yunhai just chuckled, his spirits soaring. He continued to talk and drink, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Zhang Yaqian was about to try and dissuade him again, but in the next moment, her protest died on her lips. She bit down lightly on her lower lip, a sudden, deep flush coloring her face, far redder than what her father's embarrassing stories could have caused. It was as if she, too, were drunk. Her bright, starry eyes, now shrouded in a captivating mist, slowly turned to fix upon Shen Anyu.
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