Lian Shuang had actually been waiting outside the office from the start, rehearsing different ways to begin a conversation with Su Yuze. But as she lingered by the door, she caught the cadence of someone talking on the phone inside.
“—just tell people she’s my girlfriend...”
“You can call her ‘sister-in-law’ if you want...”
“You’re not going to give me your blessing?”
What the hell? The CEO has a girlfriend? When did that happen? He didn’t have one before he disappeared—did something happen while he was gone? Damn it, what on earth took place during that time?
Her fingers tightened on the doorknob until they trembled. She wanted to burst in and demand who the woman was—who had the nerve to be his girlfriend? But barging in without permission felt rude.
“Come to our wedding then...”
When she heard that last line, the last thread of “reason” snapped inside her. Without thinking, she pushed the door open and strode in. “Sir!”
Su Yuze’s expression hardened the instant the woman appeared. He snapped coldly, “What are you doing? Why didn’t you knock?”
Lian Shuang bit her lip. “I... I’m sorry, Sir.” As soon as the words left her mouth she realized her mistake—Su Yuze hated people walking into his office unannounced.
“Get out.” He pointed toward the door, voice flat. For a heartbeat he didn’t even recognize the heavily made-up woman in front of him. “Go, see your department manager. Ten percent off this month’s salary.”
Lian Shuang’s eyes went wide. Ten percent? She didn’t linger—“I understand,” she murmured, bowed her head, and backed out.
The door closed and a thought flashed across her mind: his eyes looked so strange...has he forgotten me? “I’ve been his secretary for years!” She stamped her foot in frustration. He couldn’t possibly not remember her.
Who was his girlfriend? Who was lucky enough to have him? But they weren’t married yet—maybe there was still a chance.
Inside the office, Yu Feng had been silent for a long moment before he asked, “Yuze, what happened? Who was that?” Su Yuze’s sharp rebuke had startled him. Who had irritated him so?
“Someone from some department—it just barged into my office,” Su loosened his tie, a hint of impatience in his voice. “Continue.”
“Right.” Yu Feng let it go. “By the way, Su Corporation is moving on Shengshi’s stock. Su Kaiming plans to buy them out.”
Su Yuze glanced at the computer. “I saw.”
“I’m stabilizing things from my end, but the stock should be falling. Why’s yours climbing instead?” Yu Feng sounded puzzled. The Yu family’s firm couldn’t match Su Corporation’s resources; if Su Corporation really wanted to take Shengshi down, the Yu firm would only be able to slow the drop. They’d never seen the counterintuitive situation of a rival’s stock rising.
“Is someone helping you behind the scenes?” Yu Feng asked.
Su Yuze’s lips lifted in the barest of smiles. “Yes. The Jin Sen family.”
“The Jin Sens?” Yu Feng rubbed his chin. That clan was notoriously insular—rarely did they do business with Asians unless they had a personal interest. So Su Yuze had apparently bought them off. “Not bad, Yuze. You’ve even got the Jin Sens on your side.”
“Heh. I just found something on them.” In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, having leverage was everything.
Yu Feng brightened. “That explains it. Your Shengshi is safe then.” With the Jin Sens trading on their behalf, the stock could be steadied.
“By the way,” Yu Feng asked, “have the Sus found out you’re back?”
“Not yet.”
“Planning to keep it low-key?” Yu Feng teased. “I don’t know what happened in your family, but with Ruoruo’s situation alone you’ve got enough on your plate.”
Su Yuze gave a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
“If you need anything, you name it.” Yu Feng sounded sincere.
“Thanks.”
“Alright. I’ve got to go. Talk later.”
After they hung up, a gleam passed through Su Yuze’s eyes. His fingers flew over the keyboard.
...
Su Rou woke late—noon already. She stretched, slow and lazy, and padded downstairs. The moment she reached the first floor a strong odor of medicinal herbs hit her.
Wang Sao, with a wet towel clamped over her nose and mouth, was stirring a pot of decoction. When she saw Su Rou she set the towel aside. “Miss, you’re up. Lunch is on the table and still hot. Hurry and eat. And Young Master said you must have a cup of warm milk.”
Su Rou sat primly at the table and began to eat.
“That smell’s a bit strong—bear with it,” Wang Sao said apologetically. The herbs did have an acrid tang that could kill one’s appetite.
“I’m fine. I’ve gotten used to it,” Su Rou replied lightly. “Thank you for your trouble, Wang Sao.”
“Don’t mention it.”
After lunch Su Rou sat in the living room and called Xiao Yun. Her phone had been left at home for four months and was dead; it had needed a full night’s charge before it would switch on again.
“Hello? Rou Rou?” Xiao Yun’s voice burst out the moment he picked up. “Did you come back to the country?”
“Yes.” Hearing his voice made the corners of Su Rou’s mouth lift.
“Where are you?”
“At home,” she said, lying back on the sofa. “What about you? Still attending classes?”
“Yeah, I’ve been going to class.” He sounded content.
Su Rou smiled. A little more time enjoying campus life couldn’t hurt. “Hey, let’s visit Feifei at the hospital this weekend. I haven’t seen her in so long.”
“Sure. Feifei misses you.” Though she couldn’t speak, Su Rou knew Feifei must be worrying about her.