"Little Bin, you've really made it big. We misunderstood you earlier. Anyone would be shocked to see someone come into so much money, right? My sister's lucky to have a filial son-in-law like you—must've earned some serious karma in her past life. In the future, our Bin Bin will need your help. We're family, after all. Don't forget us when you're rolling in it," Shen Yun sidled up, fawning with a flattering smile.
Du Jianjun, meanwhile, had shed his earlier arrogance and elder's air. He treated Li Bin with utmost courtesy, even tinged with flattery and praise.
"Little Bin, I always knew you'd make it big. As your elder, I push you, guide you, for your own good! You gotta understand your uncle. I'm tough on the outside but soft inside. I've always supported your web novel writing, heh～～"
"Brother-in-law! You're loaded now—how about hooking me up with an E300L sometime? I'm your cousin, after all～～If you and Sister Wan don't help me, who will, right?" Du Bin eyed the Mercedes enviously, grinning shamelessly at Li Bin.
This family had been jealous, itching to tear him down before.
Now, seeing he'd reached heights they couldn't touch, they flipped to groveling, hoping to leech off his success.
Li Bin saw through their motives, his heart filled with contempt and disdain.
"Heh, what success do I have? Uncle, you're the real moneymaker with your business. Du Bin's so smart—once he takes over, he'll probably scale it up in three, five years, maybe even go public. Me? I'm just a grunt, scraping by with hard-earned cash. Heh, it's getting late. Let's head home."
Li Bin brushed off the Du trio with a half-hearted smile, turning gently to Shen Han. "Mom, we'll ride in your new car home today—no need to trouble Du Bin or Uncle to drive us!"
"Heh, yeah, yeah, gotta enjoy the new car, right? Sis, we'll head out then," Shen Yun said, her jealousy mixed with awkwardness as she forced a smile at Shen Han.
"Not coming to our place for a bit? It's a rare day～～" Shen Han, gripping the steering wheel, her face beaming with pride and joy, offered a polite but empty invitation. "Didn't Jianjun always say he wanted an E300? Perfect chance to test-drive it. If you like it, Jianjun, get one for Shen Yun too."
"No, no～～heh, got some factory stuff to handle today, so we won't visit, Sis. We're off～～" Shen Yun, seething at Shen Han's smugness, could barely hide her envy.
Today, the Du family had made total fools of themselves.
Without waiting for Shen Han's reply, Shen Yun stormed out of the banquet hall, dragging Du Jianjun and Du Bin with her.
"Sister-in-law, we should head back too," Wen Ying said timidly, approaching Shen Han to take her leave.
Wen Ying's family had always been intimidated by Shen Han, and now, with Li Bin's lavish display, they felt even more inferior, barely daring to speak.
"Auntie, Uncle, Xiaoyan, you came all this way—don't rush off. Come back to the house for a bit," Wen Wan said, grabbing Wen Ying's arm, reluctant to let them go.
"Little Wan, your aunt and uncle traveled far. It's dangerous driving back late. Let them go. We'll visit their place another day," Shen Han said brusquely, waving at Wen Ying and Li Limin. "Go on, it's late. Drive safe."
"Alright, alright, Sister-in-law, we're off."
"Sister-in-law, we'll go."
"Bye, Aunt."
The trio politely bid farewell to Shen Han and the group.
Li Bin stepped forward, taking Li Xiaoyan's arm, saying softly, "Xiaoyan, I didn't get much chance to talk today, but I know what's on your mind. If you're in any trouble, call me. I'll help."
Smiling, he patted her head, handing her a slip of paper with his phone number. From earlier chats, he sensed Li Xiaoyan had something weighing on her.
Though they shared no blood, Li Bin couldn't help but see her as a little sister. His bond with her was even stronger than with Wen Ting.
Li Xiaoyan had always liked Li Bin too.
"Thank you, Brother-in-law. I'm leaving!" Li Xiaoyan clutched the paper tightly, glancing reluctantly at Li Bin, Wen Wan, and Wen Lan before hurrying after her parents out of the hall.
After seeing off the guests, the family happily piled into the new Mercedes E300L. Li Bin took the front passenger seat, the three sisters in the back, and Shen Han, still getting the hang of it, drove the car slowly out of the hotel.