At once, Mr. Su masked his expression and shot Su Wanwan a warning glance before putting on a welcoming smile to greet Ye Nan.
Ye Nan entered the room, carrying several bags, and greeted them politely."Good afternoon, Uncle, Auntie.""My father heard you enjoy tea, so he specially asked someone to bring this from abroad.""Auntie, this jade pendant is something my mother picked out especially for you."
Mr. Su accepted the gifts with delight."You're too kind—visiting is enough, there's no need for gifts."
Ye Nan smiled and glanced over at Su Wanwan, who sat on the sofa with a calm and detached expression."Apologies—I didn't know you'd be here, so I didn't bring anything for you."Su Wanwan met his gaze with unrestrained arrogance."No matter," she said coldly."You saved me the trouble of throwing it in the trash."
Ye Nan's expression shifted subtly.
"Wanwan!" Mr. Su barked lowly, "Don't make a scene. We have guests—go make some tea!"
"I'll do it," said Song Hui. "Wanwan just got home, why keep ordering her around?"
Su Nian scoffed and flung herself into Ye Nan's arms, her tone coquettish and saccharine."Nan-gege, you're finally here. I've missed you so much."
Ye Nan patted her head, smiling gently."Be good. I've been busy with Mr. Gao's case. The contract was ruined by Wanwan, so I had to renegotiate.""Who knew he'd stand me up in the end… sigh."
Mr. Su's brows twitched fiercely."Ruined the contract?"
Ye Nan shook his head slightly."Nothing serious, just some company matters."
Mr. Su turned to Su Nian."Nian Nian, you explain."
Su Nian glanced pitifully at Su Wanwan, then exaggerated the tale:"It's because Sis doesn't understand business and offended a potential partner of Nan-gege.""I had no choice but to step in and mediate.""The contract was already in hand, but Sis accused me of stealing her spotlight and tore it apart…"
The more Mr. Su heard, the angrier he grew."Su Wanwan! You're utterly reckless!""And you too, Ye Nan! You two broke up—why is she still working at your company?"
Su Nian pouted sweetly."Daddy, don't blame Nan-gege. I gave him permission.""Besides, Sis has no other options. No one else would take her."
Ye Nan tried to smooth things over."Let it go, it's just a trivial matter."
Song Hui came out from the kitchen, placing tea on the table."Enough standing around, Ye Nan—come, have a seat."
Whether by accident or intention, Su Nian led Ye Nan to sit directly opposite Su Wanwan."Nan-gege, I want some grapes."
Ye Nan smiled and picked up a grape, bringing it to her lips.But Su Nian wouldn't let up."No, I want it peeled."
"Alright, alright, I'll peel it for you."
The two of them were immersed in their own little world, drawing a delighted smile from Mr. Su.
"So sweet! Sister, you should try some too," Su Nian said, casting a triumphant glance at Su Wanwan.
Su Wanwan barely looked at her, secretly grateful she had already eaten. Her silence only made Su Nian more pleased—this was exactly what she wanted. She wanted Su Wanwan to suffer. She wanted her to watch as her ex-boyfriend now doted on someone else—on her.
Soon, a servant announced that dinner was ready.
Su Nian and Ye Nan were feeding each other tenderly, like a couple deeply in love.
Mr. Su finally couldn't hold back."Ye Nan, when can our two families sit down and discuss the wedding?"
Ye Nan's hand paused, then he smiled politely."There's no rush."
"How can there be no rush? The betrothal gifts have already arrived—it's time to set a date."
Su Nian nodded eagerly, eyes shining."Exactly, Nan-gege. It's been ages since I've seen Auntie, too."
Ye Nan's expression became slightly unnatural. His left hand, resting on the table, unconsciously clutched a tissue.
Having been with him for two years, Su Wanwan knew this habit all too well.Whenever he was nervous, flustered, or searching for an excuse—he did this.
"Uncle," Ye Nan began, "since I'm marrying Nian Nian, I want to give her the best. The previous wedding house didn't truly belong to us, so I plan to sell it and purchase a new one.""I'll also ensure the wedding is prepared with utmost care.""Once everything is in place, I'll arrange for you to meet my parents.""How does that sound?"
Mr. Su nodded reluctantly. Clearly, he wasn't pleased with this answer. But given that the Ye family was still a respectable match, he had no choice but to let it go. Otherwise, it would seem like Nian Nian couldn't find a husband.
"…Very well."
Ye Nan's shoulders relaxed slightly as he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Nan-gege, this is for you," Su Nian said, presenting him with an invitation to a performance by renowned pianist Lun En."Do you have time? Let's go together."
Without even glancing at it, Ye Nan nodded."As long as you want to go, I'll be there."
"You're the worst!" she giggled.
Just then, Ye Nan's phone rang. After speaking a few words, he looked apologetically at the group."Forgive me, Uncle, Auntie—I have an urgent matter to attend to."
Mr. Su was momentarily stunned, then quickly said,"Nian Nian, walk Ye Nan out."
"Of course." Su Nian hooked her arm through his and led him away.
Seeing this, Su Wanwan set down her chopsticks and stood up."I'm finished. I'll be leaving now."
Mr. Su slapped the table, face dark with anger."Leaving? Where do you think you're going?""The elders haven't even finished eating, and you're getting up?""You studied abroad for four years and still haven't learned basic manners?""Where did you get the gall?"
Just as Su Wanwan opened her mouth to respond, a powerful, domineering voice echoed from the foyer."I gave her that gall."
Her eyes trembled slightly as she turned toward the voice, surprised.
Striding in with long, confident steps was Fu Liangmu, dressed sharply in a shirt and slacks. His scarred face, now unmasked, was intimidating, especially when paired with his dark, cold eyes. A single glance from him was enough to make one's blood run cold.
He walked straight to Su Wanwan's side and, with one sweeping motion of his arm, pulled her into his embrace.
"She's my woman. It's not your place to discipline her."
His tone was laced with an icy menace that made the air around him freeze.
Mr. Su was stunned speechless.
It was Song Hui who recovered first. She stood up gracefully and extended her hand."You must be Young Master Fu. A pleasure—I'm Wanwan's stepmother."
Fu Liangmu offered a nonchalant nod.Song Hui withdrew her hand naturally and rested it on Mr. Su's shoulder."Dear, aren't you going to greet Young Master Fu?"
Mr. Su scrambled to his feet, a broad smile plastered across his face."Y-Young Master Fu… what an unexpected visit…"
The face before him was even more terrifying than the rumors.
"Mr. Su," Fu Liangmu said coldly, not bothering with pleasantries.
His voice was as glacial as a millennium-old block of ice. Without a flicker of emotion, he enunciated each word with warning:
"The Young Mistress of the Fu family is not someone you're allowed to humiliate."