Now she came over and actually suggested filing insurance claims separately, which Lu Xiuyun felt was completely unnecessary.
"There's no need for insurance," he quickly said, cutting in. "It's a rear-end collision, and I'm entirely at fault. Just name your price, and I'll write you a check."
His tone was decisive, carrying a natural, unquestionable dominance.
Hearing this, Su Li was slightly startled, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She quickly analyzed the other's intentions in her mind, soon arriving at the same conclusion as before.
Someone who could afford such a luxury car was undoubtedly wealthy and influential; money might truly be nothing more than a number to them.
Her gaze grew even calmer. Lowering her eyelids slightly and pondering for a moment, she decided against taking his check—after all, she wasn't short on money either.
The only reason she had insisted on speaking with him was to avoid any future trouble.
Since the man had so gentlemanly admitted his full responsibility and offered compensation, Su Li gently bit her lower lip, the corners of her mouth curving up into a generous, radiant smile.
"Since you acknowledge your responsibility, let's each just fix our own cars. I don't need your compensation," she said, her voice unhurried yet carrying an undeniable aura that commanded attention.
With that, she turned gracefully and walked away, not even giving Lu Xiuyun a chance to reply.
Su Li's reasoning was very simple: she had no desire to become entangled over trivial matters and waste each other's time and energy.
Holding the checkbook and preparing to pay, Lu Xiuyun watched Su Li depart as a strange, unfamiliar emotion welled up inside him.
His gaze followed her receding back closely, as if pulled by an invisible force.
He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of Su Li's license plate.
A long-absent smile broke across his striking face. This woman was rather interesting.
If Yan Ling could see Lu Xiuyun right now, the guy would probably laugh his head off. After all, Lu Xiuyun had always kept women at arm's length, yet here he was, suddenly fascinated by a complete stranger—it was simply unbelievable.
After dealing with the accident, Su Li drove on toward the Su Family Ancestral Residence.
Built on the eve of the Republic of China era, the Su Family Ancestral Residence was nestled within Cangming Mountain in the suburbs of Haining City.
Thanks to its unique geographical advantages, Cangming Mountain had remained largely unchanged through the shifting tides of time.
The entire mountain belonged to the Su family. In the long river of China's history, while the Su family could not compare with the flourishing Four Great Families of Capital today, their heritage ran deep for a retired prominent family.
Having spent many years in Haining City, the Su family had always maintained a low profile.
Yet, generation after generation of officials had never dared to touch them.
This dated back to the early days of the People's Republic of China, when the Su family had contributed genuine wealth and effort to support the nation.
Later on, as the national government gradually stabilized and economic construction surged forward, the head of the Su family possessed extraordinary wisdom. Knowing that showing too much brilliance was never a good thing, he gradually chose to retreat into seclusion.
The upper echelons understood the Su family's cleverness and appreciated their discretion, eventually granting the ownership of Cangming Mountain to the Su family in perpetuity. From then on, the Su family completely faded from the public eye, transforming from an ancient noble lineage into the top wealthy tycoon of this coastal city of Haining City.
The scenery of Cangming Mountain in the early morning was enchanting, and the air was exceptionally fresh.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, the area was surrounded by lush, verdant trees, with the joyful chirping of birds echoing through the woods.
A breeze brushed past the treetops and caressed Su Li's cheek, inadvertently plunging her into deep memories.
In her previous life, Su Li had been deeply cherished and taught by her grandfather, but her mother's sudden passing had plunged the young Su Li into a psychological condition known as avoidant personality disorder.
The doctor had explained that her refusal to return to the Su Family Villa, her silence about her deceased mother, her reluctance to speak, and her temporary self-imposed isolation were all subconscious attempts to escape the painful memories.
Similarly, after her beloved grandfather passed away, she had once again fled the Su Family Ancestral Residence, hastily moving back to the Su Family Villa.
Because she didn't want to return to the ancestral home, she had deliberately avoided everything her grandfather had entrusted to her.
She had wanted to escape, so when Ji Qinchuan appeared, she treated him like a straw to grasp for a fresh start, abandoning everything to live the life of an ordinary person.
Little did she know that human fate is predestined; there were still many unresolved attachments deep within her heart, or the wheels of fortune would not have favored her so kindly.
After driving into the mountain for a short while, the car passed through the openwork iron gates. Looking up at the ancestral residence gates looming close ahead, a complex wave of emotion welled up in Su Li's heart.
Grandfather, your Su Li has come home.
As Su Li's car drove in, the grand gates of the Su residence swung open to both sides.
Having received a call from Auntie Lan informing him that the eldest granddaughter was returning to the ancestral residence, the head butler Su Cheng quickly ordered the rooms to be tidied up and led the staff out to welcome her.
Old Master Su had passed away more than half a year ago, and the death of a loved one had dealt Su Li another fatal blow, causing her to flee the Su Family Ancestral Residence just as she had fled the Su Family Villa in her childhood.
Receiving Auntie Lan's call today with the news that the eldest granddaughter was coming back, Butler Su Cheng had been thoroughly surprised and did not dare delay for even a second. He hurried out to welcome the little princess he had watched grow up.
In truth, the head butler cherished her just as if she were his own biological granddaughter.
Su Li stepped out of the car and greeted everyone warmly and familiarly.
With eyes full of paternal affection, the head butler asked, "Miss, you're back."
"Yes, I'm back," Su Li replied, her voice steady and calm.
"How has your health been lately?" Su Li asked, showing deep respect for the elderly man who had cared for her since childhood.
"Good, good, I'm doing very well."
"That's good. Make sure to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest."
Led by Su Li, the group walked inward.
The surroundings of the ancestral residence were blanketed in lush green bamboo, facing shaded groves that carried a natural, woody mountain fragrance.
Farther inside lay a vast expanse of manicured lawns and a sprawling, vibrant flower bed. Every garden on the grounds was planted with numerous floral varieties, some separated from the expansive ponds by verdant wooden fences.
Both sides near the entrance featured a vibrant bonsai corridor, filling the air with a faint, elegant fragrance as one passed through.
Moreover, a wide pathway wound beneath the lush canopy across the entire estate. At one end, deep within the shrubbery, stood a white Western-style villa, while the other end featured traditional, ancient-style architecture.
The scenery here was picturesque, and the harmonious blend of Chinese and Western architecture was a testament to the ingenious craftsmanship and painstaking effort of the person who originally designed the estate.
Su Li walked toward the white Western-style villa. The three-story villa was built against the mountain, offering unique and breathtaking views from every single level.
Past the front entrance lay a pebble-paved path flanked by rows of stone benches displaying bonsai plants of various shapes. Turning left along the path brought one to a moon gate bearing the inscription Xiangming Residence. Stepping through the moon gate led directly to the courtyard of the villa's first floor.