Chen Da, standing nearby, suppressed a chuckle. No wonder their boss valued Zhu Shun Yao. Just looking at him, it was clear he had been a fox since childhood. Birds of a feather really did flock together.
"No, I’m not asking for directions," Zhu Guifu hurriedly said. He looked at Zhu Shun Yao, unsure how to explain himself. "Shun Yao, I am your Uncle Jin Fu. We are from the same clan."
"Don't know you," Zhu Shun Yao replied bluntly. The three words caught Zhu Guifu off guard. He had expected at least a polite greeting like "Hello Uncle," but Zhu Shun Yao ignored the script entirely.
Zhu Shun Yao continued inspecting the vegetable seedlings in front of him, seemingly ignoring Zhu Guifu. Feeling awkward, Zhu Guifu tried again. "Shun Yao, we are relatives."
Zhu Shun Yao waved his hand dismissively. "Never heard of relatives like you. To be honest, I only know the Zhu family in Sicheng Town. I don’t know anything about other branches or the Zhu City clan. Besides, even if you are from there, it has nothing to do with me."
"The main clan has good conditions, deep cultural heritage, and teaches proper etiquette. Your status is no longer simple, so you need to learn some manners," Zhu Guifu tried a different angle. "Also, don’t think creating the Azure Sovereign Group is a big deal. The main clan’s wealth is dozens of times yours."
"It’s not mine, so why should I care? The Azure Sovereign Group is enough for me," Zhu Shun Yao said without looking up. "I’ve known my own limits since I was young. As the saying goes, eat according to your ability. I am satisfied now. My wife eats well and dresses well. My children are raised well, smart, and I have no regrets." He waved his hand again. "The Zhu City main clan’s wealth, no matter how strong, has nothing to do with me."
"With the main clan as your backer, you won’t worry about being bullied," Zhu Guifu insisted, struggling to find reasons.
"That doesn’t concern me. And no one is bullying me anyway," Zhu Shun Yao stood up, looking at Zhu Guifu with a strange expression. "I don’t know why you are telling me this. No one is bullying me. Our branch has no elders. The elders from other branches are distant relatives. Greeting each other on holidays is enough. I can’t see the point of having the main clan as a backer."
Zhu Guifu paused. This man seemed to care about nothing. Or rather, he cared only about his wife and children, ignoring everything else. It was a headache. He looked like a stubborn ox but acted like a mule. Such people were hard to deal with.
"Shun Yao, you can’t say that. Family has always been important. Only with family support can one prosper. Look at those without family; if they have no descendants, their line ends. They might not even have incense offerings," Zhu Guifu stated directly.
Zhu Shun Yao looked at Zhu Guifu again, his eyes showing disbelief, as if asking, Are you foolish? "I don’t know why you are telling me this. My family is right here in Ganxie Village, Sicheng Town. My clansmen are here. Do you not know, or do you not understand?"