Shao Jun watched everyone's expressions with growing smugness.
Instead of stating the price of the Ginseng King directly, he walked over to Old Madam Tai and said with a grin, "Grandma, what do you think of my gift? Do you like it?"
Old Madam Tai was overjoyed, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. "I like it, I like it. How could Grandma not like it when my precious grandson gives it to her? You've spent a lot this time."
"Anything for Grandma is worth it."
Shao Jun said with filial piety, then turned to the crowd. "The lowest price for this top-grade Ginseng King outside would be this much."
He held up six fingers, his face full of self-satisfaction.
"Six hundred thousand! Heavens! It's six hundred thousand, that's too expensive, just as expected of Young Master Shao!"
"I knew this ginseng looked very valuable!"
"Six hundred thousand can buy a house in the county town, it's so expensive. The nutritional value must be extremely high, Old Madam Shao is blessed."
The onlookers began to chatter, their faces filled with envy.
Old Madam Tai looked at her grandson with increasing satisfaction.
The two ginsengs from Shao Zhenggang and Su Ding were, by contrast, ignored. No one looked at them anymore.
Comparison truly breeds contempt.
Shao Jun was pleased with the current outcome and further fanned the flames. "Grandma, I thought Uncle would at least send something more valuable than me, a junior, but I didn't expect... alas."
He deliberately sighed and looked at Shao Zhenggang. "Sorry, Uncle. Actually, six hundred thousand isn't that expensive, but I didn't expect you to buy ten-thousand-yuan ginseng for Grandma."
That smug and irritating smile made Su Ding want to slap him. He was so despicable.
Shao Zhenggang's expression was also unpleasant. He had finally seen his mother's attitude towards him improve slightly, but he was quickly ignored again.
Along with his disappointment came a pang of sadness and hurt.
"Mom, I'll take Xiao Xu with me now." Shao Zhenggang no longer wanted to be a foil for others and wished to escape quickly.
At this moment, he regretted coming here.
Knowing his mother didn't welcome him and his siblings and relatives were laughing at him, why was he so persistent? He had even dragged Xiao Xu into this, only for her to be hurt by these cold glances and words. Alas.
Old Madam Tai didn't even glance at Shao Zhenggang, continuing to cradle and admire the top-grade Ginseng King Shao Jun had given her.
"Xiao Xu, let's go."
Shao Zhenggang sighed and said dejectedly to Su Ding.
However, Su Ding did not urge him to leave. Instead, she said in front of everyone, "Do we need to give expensive gifts to be seated at the main table? Grandma."
Her voice was clear and cold, yet pleasant, and it stood out amidst the murmurs of the crowd.
When Shao Jun heard this, he felt it was a challenge. He immediately sneered, "What, cousin, do you and your dad want to sit at the main table?"
"I wasn't talking to you."
Su Ding retorted coldly and looked directly at Old Madam Tai.
As Old Madam Tai met Su Ding's clear yet cold gaze, she felt an inexplicable discomfort, and her expression naturally turned grim.
"Shao Xu, I already said that you and your father are to sit with your great-uncle. Didn't you hear?"
"I heard, but from what cousin just said, it seems that giving a valuable gift signifies importance for this birthday banquet?" Su Ding asked indifferently, pointing at Shao Zhenggang without calling him "Dad."
Old Madam Tai narrowed her eyes and said sternly, "That's right. Although the second son brought twenty thousand yuan worth of ginseng, it's nothing compared to the other gifts. As a junior, young Jun has put in much more effort than his elder. Doesn't that signify something?"
Her tone became very cold towards the end.
It seemed she was reprimanding Su Ding for daring to contradict her in front of outsiders.
"Okay."
Su Ding curved her lips, but there was no smile in her eyes. She looked at Shao Jun. "Actually, our gift isn't finished yet. Cousin, you were too hasty this time."
"What do you mean?" Shao Jun's expression also turned unpleasant.