Yao Lingxuan stared blankly at her phone as the call ended, her delicate brows knitted together.
Had she offended someone she shouldn't have?
Aside from her run-in with Su Yan today, she hadn't offended a single soul, had she?
Surely she couldn't be facing such widespread abandonment just for clashing with Su Yan, could she?
She gave a mocking laugh. Su Yan couldn't possibly have that much power.
Wu Li said worriedly, "President Yao, if this many people cut ties with us, we’re going to lose a massive amount of money."
"I know." Yao Lingxuan’s face darkened as she said with dissatisfaction, "It must be the Jiang family. They are backing Su Yan and deliberately putting obstacles in our path."
"Then let’s go back and see Old Madam Shen now. She is your grandmother; she certainly won't sit idly by," Wu Li urged.
Upon hearing this, Yao Lingxuan’s frantic heart immediately settled.
That was right.
She was the granddaughter of the Shen family now. With the Shen family backing her, what did she have to be afraid of?
If the Jiang family was helping Su Yan go after her, she had the Shen family to help her in return. She would be just fine.
Her tone grew calm, and she smiled, "Grandmother hasn't fully recovered yet. If I go to see her now, it will only make me look too anxious. I’ll go visit her tomorrow instead."
Seeing her so full of confidence, Wu Li’s own heart finally steadied.
She had almost thought Lingxuan Group, which had just begun to soar, was about to crash to the bottom.
It seemed she had been overthinking it. With the Shen family as the Yao family's backbone, the Yao family would never be in trouble!
She wondered if the people of the Jiang family had gone mad—why else would they be helping Su Yan at every turn?
Inside the Jiang family living room.
Jiang Huili knelt on the floor, her hair still dripping wet.
Jiang Yunhe’s face was dark as he commanded, "Useless thing! Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Su!"
Jiang Huili lifted her head and looked at Su Yan, who was standing not far away. As she met his handsome face, she bashfully lowered her gaze.
Why hadn't she realized how handsome and dashing Su Yan was before?
And to possess such formidable ability—it was truly heart-stirring.
"I… I’m sorry."
Jiang Huili apologized with genuine sincerity.
"It was my own lack of vision; I underestimated Mr. Su’s medical skills. I am grateful that Mr. Su did not hold it against me and cured my grandmother."
"I am apologizing to Mr. Su here and now. If Mr. Su is willing, I will accept any punishment he deems fit."
As she spoke the final words, her tone shifted, carrying a hint of ambiguity and seduction.
Jiang Yunhe glanced at Jiang Huili with approval. This girl was quick-witted; she had realized what needed to be done so fast.
If they could form a kinship with Su Yan and become family, what would there be to worry about regarding the Jiang family’s future?
"Mr. Su, what do you think?" Jiang Yunhe asked cautiously, watching Su Yan.
Su Yan replied with a playful air, "Who was it that said if I couldn't cure Old Madam Jiang, they would stand on their head and wash their hair?"
"This..." Jiang Yunhe was left speechless.
Jiang Huili’s expression turned deeply awkward, "I… I was just being sharp-tongued. I…"
"What?" Su Yan interrupted her. "Is something as basic as that impossible to do?"
Jiang Huili’s expression froze, and she looked at Jiang Yunhe in desperation.
She had finally met a man who satisfied her this much and was just preparing to make her move.
If she lost face in front of Su Yan now, how could she ever get along with him in the future?
Jiang Yunhe looked at Su Yan, but seeing his indifferent expression, his heart skipped a beat.
"Someone! Bring a basin of water for the young lady!"
A servant quickly placed a basin of water by the wall.
Jiang Huili watched this scene, then looked up at Su Yan and Jiang Yunhe.
Meeting their cold, expressionless gazes, her heart plummeted to the bottom.
"Grandfather…""Do you need me to have someone drag you over there?" Jiang Yunhe asked in a deep, stern voice.
"No... no need... I'll do it myself." Jiang Huili stood up, walked to the wall, and hoisted herself into a handstand.
Her already damp hair became drenched once more. The other servants stepped in to help her wash it. She looked utterly wretched.
Su Yan glanced at Jiang Yunhe nearby and smiled faintly. "Elder Jiang, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave now."
Jiang Yunhe hurriedly replied, "Dinner has already been prepared at the house. Please, Mr. Su, stay for dinner before you go."
"That won't be necessary." Su Yan walked straight toward the exit, with Xu Guangyao rushing to follow him.
Jiang Yunhe accompanied him all the way outside, trying to persuade him to stay the entire time, but Su Yan refused.
Su Yan climbed into the passenger seat of Xu Guangyao’s car and reached out to take Duoduo, placing the dog on his lap. Duoduo seemed to sense that it had been abandoned by its previous owner; it lay listlessly on his lap, no longer struggling.
Xu Guangyao asked respectfully, "Mr. Su, shall I take you back to the villa?"
"Take me home," Su Yan said, giving an address—the home of his close brother, Nie Jinhong.
After his parents passed away, the Nie family had taken him in for five full years, treating him like their own son. It wasn't until the day he married Yao Lingxuan that he finally moved out. Over the years, not only had he helped Yao Lingxuan elevate her status, but he had also secretly supported the Nie family. Today, they held a respectable position in Yunhai, and their company was thriving.
The car pulled up to the entrance of the residential complex, and he got out, holding Duoduo.
Xu Guangyao hurriedly stepped out of the car and handed him a business card. "Mr. Su, this is my number. If you ever have need of anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I am willing to do whatever you require."
Su Yan took the card and nodded with satisfaction. "Many thanks. You may go now.""...Yes," Xu Guangyao acknowledged, and drove away.
As Su Yan reached the entrance of the residential compound and prepared to go inside, a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure walked out from within.
It was Nie Qingyao, the younger sister of Nie Jinhong.
Three years had passed, and the once green, naive young girl had grown into a woman, possessing a certain feminine allure.At this moment, she wore a white knitted sweater paired with black shorts, which highlighted her slender waist and long, graceful legs.
Her dainty, oval face was charming and cute, and she held an ice cream cone in her hand, lightly licking it with a touch of playfulness."Su Yan?!"
Nie Qingyao's bright eyes caught sight of him instantly, and she recognized him.
"It's me!" Su Yan nodded with a smile.
"Weren't you supposed to have three months left before getting out? How are you out already?" Nie Qingyao asked in surprise.
Su Yan smiled and said, "I had good behavior inside, so I got out early. How are your uncle and auntie doing?"He was originally supposed to be released from prison in three months, but after settling his affairs early and finding no reason to remain inside, he opted for an early release.
When he stepped out, he only notified Yao Lingxuan, planning a family reunion, but who could have known...
"They're doing quite well," Nie Qingyao replied, looking him up and down.
Her eyes suddenly lit up. She grabbed his arm and said excitedly, "You’ve come back at the perfect time. Come with me to a place."
With that, she pulled him into a taxi and headed to "Cloud Hidden," the most famous bar in Yunhai.
Su Yan glanced at the bar. "What do you want me to do?"
Nie Qingyao blinked her eyes at him. "Pretend to be my boyfriend and help me turn someone down."