Supreme Heir Son-in-law

Just as Xu Ke was beginning to understand what was happening, he saw a tear fall from the man’s eye, landing on his shoe, before the man quickly wiped it clean.
Not far away, the big guy was still recounting various things that had happened to the man under everyone’s watchful eyes. His sharp words and the surrounding laughter turned into sharp knives piercing the man’s heart, making his tears flow even harder. The speed and amount of tears falling on Xu Ke’s shoe increased, and the man’s wiping action became faster and faster.
Xu Ke’s shoes were already not dirty, now with the wiping, Xu Ke doubted that the polish might be rubbed off.
Without hesitation, Xu Ke pulled back his foot.
The sudden loss of target left the man momentarily stunned, and he looked up at Xu Ke.
The man’s aggrieved, tear-filled eyes made Xu Ke almost think of himself as a bully.
"Why did you pull your foot back," the man asked in a fluster, wiping his tears and looking at Xu Ke.
"There wasn’t really a need to, you’ve already fulfilled this bet."
"Why?" The man was puzzled. In his impression, he had always been someone trying to bully and provoke the other, so why was Xu Ke willing to let him off so easily now?
"There’s no why, I just think this bet is quite pointless. You didn’t have to find me, I never intended to make you fulfill this bet," Xu Ke said while savoring a mouthful of cream.
The sweet and sour taste of strawberry, paired with the creamy, smooth texture, made Xu Ke extremely happy. He even felt a rising urge to take the pastry chef from the man’s house away, believing that both Lin Mengyao and Yu Xia would like this cake. Even he, as a man, couldn’t refuse such a cake, let alone a woman?
After speaking, Xu Ke focused on his thoughts, oblivious to the significant impact and shock his words had on the man.
The man remained kneeling, showing no intention of standing up.
Watching Xu Ke leisurely eating, the man’s Eastern appearance and thin build seemed overly frail, as if a mere snap of a hand could break him, leaving him shattered. Yet, in reality, his slender body held an unparalleled explosiveness, ready to silence those who mocked him at any moment.
The man had always believed Eastern people were deceitful, untrustworthy, and utterly detestable, rubbish that shouldn’t exist in this world. But today, his image of Eastern people had undergone a complete reversal.
They are strong and forgiving, willing to extend this forgiveness even to their opponents, opponents everyone detests.
"Thank you, you’ve taught me a lot. From today on, you’re Jim’s friend. If anyone bullies you in this town, just mention my name, Jim." Jim stood up from the ground and extended a large, fan-like hand, patting Xu Ke’s shoulder firmly.
Xu Ke paused with the small spoon in his hand, unsure of what was happening. Clearly, moments ago, the other seemed eager to cause trouble, but now he suddenly wanted to protect him. Perhaps the taste of the cake was too delightful, and a rare hint of confusion appeared in Xu Ke’s eyes.
"Are you talking to me?" Xu Ke put down the small spoon and pointed to himself, asking.
"Of course."
"But didn’t you hate me before? How come suddenly..." Xu Ke didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
"I misjudged you before, viewing you with prejudice. But today I realized my previous thoughts were wrong. I won’t do that anymore, and from now on, you’re my friend. I’m always good to my friends," the man said, pounding his shoulder.
As for the big guy still tarnishing his reputation in the back, the man no longer wanted to engage. Before he possessed sufficient strength, confronting the other would only result in disgrace or mutual destruction. Once he had enough strength, such small figures wouldn’t even deserve his attention. So now, his mindset was unprecedentedly positive.
Among those engrossed in gossip, many witnessed the scene of the man kneeling and wiping Xu Ke’s shoes, which slightly reduced their trust in the big guy, and they didn’t look at the man as strangely as before.
After speaking with Xu Ke, the man walked away happily, leaving Xu Ke bewildered again, shaking his head with a helpless smile, unable to understand the man’s mindset.
While Xu Ke was happily enjoying the delicacy, elsewhere, Claude, who had met Xu Ke once, was looking displeased at Marian. Marian’s expression was no longer as arrogant and domineering as before, yet it still couldn’t be called respectful.
"It’s just a few broken paintings and a few smashed vases, why are you giving me this look," Marian rolled her eyes, looking like she was saying, why are you so petty?
"The ’few broken paintings’ you mentioned were ones my mother purchased from abroad at great expense. The ’few smashed vases’ were bought from an antique collector in Huaxia. The price of these broken things is roughly eight and a half million yuan. Considering the favors and gifts given to get these items, the total is about eight and a half million yuan. If I don’t see this amount in my account by nine tomorrow morning, I will personally go to your mother and your maternal family to collect it,"
Claude’s eyes, akin to blue sapphires, looked at Marian, making her flush with embarrassment.
"Eight and a half million yuan! Why don’t you go rob? You say these things are expensive, but who knows if you’re just jealous of dad liking me, deliberately trying to scam me!" Marian shouted unhappily.
"When collecting the debt, I’ll bring the appraisal certificates. To prevent you from denying it, I’ll also bring the remaining fragments. If you don’t believe it, feel free to have a trusted appraiser verify them. As for your claim that I’m retaliating because dad likes you, with such a stupid method? Ha, you’re underestimating me. I don’t care who dad likes; preferences can change anytime, but the power held in one’s hands never does."
Claude took a step forward, closing the distance with Marian, looking down upon her.
"You!" Marian was so enraged by Claude’s words that she trembled, looking at Claude as if he were a wolf cub seeing blood and flesh.
"You won’t get father’s favor, just like you won’t get anything father holds. You’ll end up like your pathetic mother, maintaining a facade while having nothing secretly," Marian’s words were the most vicious curse, whispered into Claude’s ear.