Qin Yu looked deeply embarrassed as all eyes turned toward her. She wanted to explain herself, but was cowed by a sharp look from Old Madam Su. The Qin Family had relied on the Su family for business over the past two years, and she was not completely brainless.
"I remember now. Fearing I would lose the bracelet, I later put it in Su Xuer's handbag. I forgot about it for a moment, which caused a misunderstanding and almost wronged Su Rong..."
With that, she bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Rongrong. I apologize to you. It was my misunderstanding, and I hope you can be the bigger person and... forgive me."
Old Madam Su gave a cold snort. "Watch yourself next time! Our Su family lacks nothing, and no one is after your bracelet!"
"Yes, yes, it was all my fault..." Qin Yu wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
"Well, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, everyone enjoy yourselves," Old Madam Su said with a smile, greeting the guests. "Rongrong, let's go have a look over there."
Qin Yu's explanation seemed rather far-fetched, but out of respect for the Old Madam, no one pursued the matter further.
Furious, Su Xuer drained a glass of ice water and glared at Qin Yu. "It's all your fault, you useless thing!"
Qin Yu felt even more aggrieved; she had clearly tried to help her, only to bring trouble upon herself. "Su Rong is just too cunning. I remember she bumped into you, so she must have slipped the bracelet into your handbag right then..."
Su Xuer was speechless. "Then why didn't you say so just now!" leaving her to face such vicious words from others.
Qin Yu had been intimidated by the Old Madam. "The scene was a bit chaotic, and I didn't react in time. Just wait, I'll definitely settle this score with her!"
"Use your brain next time! You almost got me killed!" Su Xuer turned her head and caught sight of Qin Chufeng.
Qin Chufeng's gaze was following Su Rong, his eyes complex and slightly heavy.
"What are you looking at? Su Rong is back now—you don't want to start over with her, do you?" Su Xuer wiped the anger from her face, looking deeply wronged.
Having spent nineteen years living a humble life in the slums with Lin Lan, even though she was the true daughter of the Su family, and even after being polished abroad, she still couldn't change people's preconceived notions.
Coming to her senses, Qin Chufeng pulled back his gaze, looking somewhat distracted. "Don't let your imagination run wild. You're the one I love now."
"Is that so?" Su Xuer felt that the way he looked at Su Rong wasn't quite right, but she didn't want to make a fuss.
Qin Chufeng reminded her, "There's no possibility between Su Rong and me anymore. Since the Su family has brought her back, get along with her well from now on and stop provoking her."
Su Xuer's expression darkened. "Feeling sorry for her?"
"I'm just afraid you'll try to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used as bait." Qin Chufeng knew Su Rong had always been outstanding; her calmness and composure displayed tonight made him feel somewhat dazed, as if returning to the time before Su Rong went to prison.
Back then, they were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a talented scholar and a lovely lady. Wherever they went, they formed a striking scenery, an envied couple.
Pity that everything was beyond recovery.
One wrong step, every step wrong.
If he hadn't accompanied Su Xuer to Zhu Family Village that day...
Pity there were no ifs.
"Don't worry, I know what to do." Su Xuer linked her arm in his. "Let's go toast Grandma."
Qin Chufeng looked at Su Rong's retreating back, his eyes slightly red, as Su Xuer pulled him toward Old Madam Su.
***
Before the banquet ended, Sheng Qiye left early, coming over to say goodbye to the Old Madam.
After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, Old Madam Su said to Su Rong, "Rongrong, go see President Sheng out."
"President Sheng, Special Assistant Leng, please." Su Rong walked them to the entrance. Both men were aloof; walking alongside them made the surrounding temperature feel several degrees colder.
Still, since they had helped her, Su Rong said sincerely, "About tonight... thank you, President Sheng."
Sheng Qiye turned back to stare at her, the corners of his mouth curving in an ambiguous smile. When he caught sight of the faint scars visible beneath her collar and on her wrist, his gaze darkened—she must have suffered no small amount of torment inside.
In a place like that, being beaten and insulted was common occurrence. With someone pulling strings behind the scenes, she would be doing well just to survive and make it out alive.
Su Rong had come straight to the banquet hall upon her release from prison, so the Su family probably hadn't taken her for a physical checkup.
As it happened, he still had medicine in his car... He mentioned it to Leng Xiao once they returned to the vehicle.
Su Rong gave a bitter smile. It seemed he had no desire to pay her any mind. She turned around and began walking back.
"Miss Su." Leng Xiao hurried after her, holding two bottles of medicine. "These were mailed from Nanjiang. One is for oral administration, and the other is for external use—apply it to the wounds. The instructions for use and dosage are on the bottles."
Su Rong's heart trembled. "Why is Special Assistant Leng giving me medicine?"
Leng Xiao pointed toward her collar. "Take them. This medicine is very effective for your injuries."
The next second, he shoved them directly into her hand and turned to leave.
A sourness rose in Su Rong's nose, a mist of tears blurring her eyes. She had injuries on her body, yet the Su family hadn't noticed, or if they had, no one cared. Yet two strangers like Sheng Qiye and Leng Xiao showed her such concern?
Back in the car, Leng Xiao—who served as both Sheng Qiye's special assistant and his driver—asked, "President Sheng, Lord Shen asked you to buy this medicine, and we went through a lot of trouble to get it. Why did you give it to Miss Su?"
He was also puzzled as to why Sheng Qiye cared so much about Su Rong.
Sheng Qiye leaned lazily against the car seat. "We bought two large boxes; we won't miss these two bottles."
Leng Xiao couldn't help pressing further. "You and Miss Su... have some kind of past friendship?"
They certainly didn't look like it.
Could the boss have some private matters he didn't know about?
Sheng Qiye replied impatiently, "When did you get so many questions?"
"I'm just curious, aren't I?" Leng Xiao didn't dare ask anymore. As Sheng Qiye's special assistant, his thoughts and actions were supposed to stay ahead of his boss's, but this was the only time he couldn't quite fathom his boss's mind.
Su Rong hadn't brought a handbag, so she slipped the two bottles of medicine into her trench coat pockets. Fortunately, the coat was roomy and the bottles weren't too large, so the bulges in her pockets didn't look overly conspicuous.
After the birthday banquet ended, she returned to the Su family residence with Old Madam Su.
The Su family members were all sitting in the living room in high spirits, discussing tonight's birthday banquet.
The housekeeper handed the list of gifts sent by guests to the Old Madam for review. As the Su family was currently thriving, the gifts brought by guests were becoming increasingly valuable.
Especially the Sheng Family, who had sent a pair of imperial green jade *ruyi* of inestimable value.
The Su family had always wanted to cooperate with the Sheng Family, but hadn't found the right opportunity. This time, Sheng Qiye had personally attended the birthday banquet, giving the Su family a great deal of face. If they could facilitate cooperation on a new project, the Su family would surely reach another level in the business world.
After some discussion, the topic shifted to Su Rong.
As the head of the Su family, Su Jiancheng offered a few words of concern first, then said, "Since Rongrong has just returned, she should rest well at home for a few days before making any plans."
His words were concerned, but to Su Rong, they carried an obvious detachment, sounding more like a formality. She replied politely, "Yes, Father."
At the same time, she resolved within herself that she would stay at the Su family—not just because of the Old Madam, but also because she needed to investigate what happened three years ago.