Sheng Qiye came to a halt and signaled for Leng Xiao to take out his checkbook. "Name your figure. How much do you want?"
Su Rong took a deep breath. "It’s not about the money. Thank you for the medicine you gave me last night; it worked very well."
Sheng Qiye waited for her to continue.
Su Rong carefully laid out her request. "I hope President Sheng can make an exception and let me join the Socialites Hall at Yugong."
Sheng Qiye looked at her stubborn little face, which was flushed under the glow of the lights. She had always been a great beauty; three years in prison might have made her a bit darker and thinner, but that unique temperament of hers still carried her charm.
Sheng Qiye frowned. "Is this your condition for a trade?"
He did not like calculating women.
Su Rong said candidly, "Joining the Socialites Hall is my dream. Helping you retrieve the gemstone was purely accidental; I didn't know you would be here beforehand."
Liu Xu hurriedly helped explain, "I dragged Su Rong here to have some fun. We only realized you were here after we entered the lobby."
Sheng Qiye was silent for a moment before saying, "Go report for duty tomorrow."
Su Rong was surprised he had agreed so readily. "Thank you, President Sheng."
Sheng Qiye strode away, glancing back at Leng Xiao. "Tell President Zhang at Yugong that Su Rong is my recommendation. Let her join directly."
Leng Xiao said, "Boss, that’s not in line with the rules. Su Rong has a criminal record."
Sheng Qiye countered, "Do you think Su Rong’s qualifications are inferior to those women in the Socialites Hall? Or do you think their character is better than hers?"
Leng Xiao had just witnessed Su Rong's capabilities firsthand. "Alright."
It was still early, so Sheng Qiye and Leng Xiao returned to the office.
Old Madam Su had arrived and had been waiting in the reception room for a while. Leng Xiao brought her into Sheng Qiye’s office.
Old Madam Su took out a file folder and placed it on Sheng Qiye’s desk. "President Sheng, I’m truly sorry to bother you again. This is the information for my granddaughter, Su Rong. I hope she can join the Socialites Hall at Yugong for her studies."
So it was for Su Rong.
Sheng Qiye did not want to reject the Old Madam’s face. "Since you have asked... leave the materials here. I will have someone send them over. Whether she can stay depends on whether she passes the assessment."
In other words, the matter of Su Rong’s criminal record could be ignored.
"Thank you, thank you, President Sheng! Rongrong has always been excellent; I believe she will definitely pass the assessment. I will transfer her membership and tuition fees shortly."
Old Madam Su was delighted to be able to do something for Su Rong. "I won’t disturb you any longer. You must be busy."
He hadn't expected his influence to be so great—Sheng Qiye had agreed without much hesitation. It seemed the status of the Su Family was rising, and a partnership with Shengshi Group was just around the corner!
Sheng Qiye glanced at Leng Xiao. "See Old Madam Su out."
Once they left the office, Sheng Qiye opened the folder. The documents were very complete, containing all kinds of award certificates Su Rong had received since childhood, as well as papers she had published in well-known domestic and international journals.
There was also a photo from her ID taken before she was imprisoned. It was an unedited shot: a head of jet-black hair, exquisite features, brows like a painting, and a perfectly defined nose bridge. She looked like a meticulously carved piece of art...
Leng Xiao returned to the office and saw him flipping through Su Rong's profile. He looked surprised. "Boss, you wouldn't happen to be... interested in Su Rong, would you?"
Sheng Qiye gave him a cold look. "Keep your mouth shut! Have someone send these files to Yugong later. I’ve personally approved it; there is no need for further discussion."
...
Su Rong and Liu Xu finished dinner before returning to the Su Family home.
Qin Chufeng had just dropped off Su Xuer and was walking into the courtyard when he saw Su Rong carrying shopping bags. He lingered for a few moments, looking slightly awkward as he greeted her. "Went shopping?"
Su Rong walked right past him. She had once looked forward to their future countless times, believing, as Qin Chufeng had said, that he would love her for a lifetime. But reality had slapped her hard in the face.
"Rongrong..." Qin Chufeng called out.
Su Rong’s heart trembled, and her footsteps faltered.
Qin Chufeng walked up to her. "I’m sorry, about Su Xuer and me... it’s complicated. It’s not what it looks like on the surface..."
His posture was like that of a pitiable woman forced into a life of vice.
Su Rong’s eyes reddened. Regardless of the circumstances, the fact remained that he had betrayed her. "What do you want to say?"
Qin Chufeng stammered, wanting to explain but seemingly unable to find the words, struggling internally. "I..."
"Brother Chufeng, you forgot your phone." Su Xuer ran out holding his phone. Seeing the two of them together, she grew intensely jealous. "What are you two doing?"
Su Rong ignored her and turned to go inside.
Su Xuer shoved the phone into his hand and demanded, "What do you mean by this? Why are you getting so close to her?"
Qin Chufeng did not want to explain. He replied coldly, "We just happened to bump into each other."
Su Xuer disliked his attitude—he was in the wrong, yet acted so righteous. "Have you not forgotten her yet?"
"Don't let your imagination run wild; there's nothing going on. I should go. Get some rest early." Qin Chufeng turned to leave.
"You haven't explained yourself clearly!" Su Xuer grabbed him, acting aggrieved. "After all, she’s your first love, your 'white moonlight.' How can you expect me not to worry?"
Qin Chufeng took a deep breath. "We were just kids back then. It was really no different from friends. What is there to worry about?"
He was right. At most, he and Su Rong had held hands; they hadn't even kissed. Unlike Su Xuer, who had offered herself to him and slept with him the moment they met.
Su Xuer hadn't been worried before, as she had already trampled Su Rong into the mud and held leverage over Qin Chufeng. But the reality was that Su Rong hadn't been crushed; she was struggling to climb back up.
"Then promise me, you must keep your distance from her in the future! You are not allowed to be so close to her!"
Qin Chufeng weighed the pros and cons; he had no other choice for now. "Fine, fine, I promise. Is that good enough?"
"That's more like it. Be careful on the road." Su Xuer hugged him and kissed him, watching him leave from the courtyard before returning inside.
Su Rong was sitting in the living room chatting with the Old Madam. Seeing Su Xuer return, she stood up, said "good night" to the Old Madam, and headed upstairs.
The Old Madam had already told her that she had visited Sheng Qiye and that she could go directly to Yugong tomorrow.
Su Rong had intended to tell her about meeting Sheng Qiye today, but after hearing what the Old Madam said, she swallowed her words. She felt grateful for everything her grandmother had done for her.
When she returned to her room, she saw several shopping bags on the floor. They were filled with clothes—coats, tops, pants, several sets in total.
There were also two pairs of shoes. She tried them on, and they fit perfectly. The clothes were also styles she loved, with the tags still on, from the brand she used to wear often.
Su Rong’s eyes welled up with tears. She ran downstairs and hugged Old Madam Su. "Grandma, thank you."
"Silly girl, what’s this for?" Old Madam Su patted her back gently.
Su Rong choked up. "You’ve been so thoughtful, Grandma. You even bought all these clothes for me."
"Clothes?" Old Madam Su looked surprised. She hadn't bought Su Rong any clothes.