The living room fell into a momentary silence, and Lu Zi'ang found himself at a loss for words.
It wasn't until Su Niannian gently tugged at his hand and whispered.
"Brother Zi'ang, you're not in the wrong..."
He snapped back to reality, gratefully squeezing her hand tight.
"Niannian, you're right," he said.
Liu Wan and Su Zhen stood protectively by Su Niannian's side, one on the left and one on the right, giving her a sense of security.
Lu Zi'ang looked at Su Miaomiao and sighed.
"Miaomiao, we're all adults here, and some things lose their meaning once said out loud."
"Honestly, you're not good enough for me."
"Whenever I think of you being bullied by those wild men in the mountains, I feel disgusted."
"I've tried hard to overcome this mental shadow over the years, but unfortunately, I've failed."
"The appearance of Niannian has shown me that there are still such pure girls in this world."
"I can't let her down, I want to marry her."
Su Miaomiao looked at the shameless Lu Zi'ang, playing with her phone, and laughed angrily.
"Lu Zi'ang, has your brain wires crossed? The old man set this marriage when you were 22, not two."
"What, after three years, you suddenly become wise?"
Her sarcasm turned Lu Zi'ang's face a shade of iron, but he had nothing to say in retort.
"Are you sure you aren't just feverish in the head?"
"Niannian and I have been together for two years, not two days," she said.
Lu Zi'ang, sighing with resignation, spoke before Su Niannian could.
"Miaomiao, I love her, you have no need to cling on."
"Honestly, you and my uncle could be good together."
"He won't despise you, and you aren't in a position to despise him either."
More importantly, his uncle had promised that as long as he brought Su Miaomiao to him, he would gift him a two percent stake in the Lu Family's shares.
"Truly, a love affair that shakes the heavens!"
Su Miaomiao clapped her hands and scoffed with laughter.
"You two have been hooking up for two years and kept it a secret all this while."
"The moment the old man falls ill, you lay your cards on the table, certain that the old man can't support me now?"
Lu Zi'ang pursed his lips, clearly hit where it hurt by her words.
"So, the trait of a mistress can be inherited?"
Liu Wan's face turned pale, and she looked like she was about to collapse.
Su Niannian stepped forward in indignation for her mother's plight.
"Sister, the one who isn't loved is the third party, don't you know that?"
Slap!
Su Miaomiao showed no courtesy as she raised her hand and gave her a slap.
"You're better than your mother; even less shamefaced than she is."
"Rest assured, I have no interest in Lu Zi'ang."
"May you be locked together for eternity."
She had never felt anything for Lu Zi'ang, agreeing to the marriage to put the old man at ease.
If they had been open and above board, she would have happily facilitated this favor. Unfortunately, they chose to disgust her behind her back.
Enraged, Su Zhen burst out, "Brute, she's your own sister!"
Liu Wan tearfully grieved, "Niannian, does it hurt?"
Lu Zi'ang soothed her with tenderness.
"Niannian, don't be afraid, I'll take you to the hospital."
Su Niannian covered her face, tears pitter-pattering down, yet she pretended to be strong.
"It's okay, Brother Zi'ang, my sister won't find anyone better than you. It makes sense for her to take it out on me."
Su Miaomiao shook off her hand, grabbed her purse, and walked out the door in her heels.
She left the chaotic Su Family behind her.
"Miaomiao?"
Su Zhen shouted angrily, stopping Liu Wan.
"Let her go. Once she comes to her senses, she'll return to apologize to President Lu..."
Without money or a job, who else could she turn to if not her father?
Su Miaomiao took a taxi straight to the hospital and looked at Su Yanzhi lying on the bed, his body riddled with tubes, eyes reddening.
The man who once had a fiery temper and a figure as imposing as a mountain now lay unmoving.
He could no longer cook her delicious meals, nor stand behind her and say, "Let's see who dares bully my Miaomiao. I'll skin them alive."
Su Zhen may not care for her, but the old man cherished her deep in his heart.
She sniffled and tucked Su Yanzhi in properly.
"Grandpa, can you please get better soon? Without you to support me, they're all bullying me..."
Her throat choked up as she fought back tears.
The old man would be heartbroken if he saw her cry.
What answered her was the monotonous, mechanical beep of the monitor.
Then, the nurse walked in.
"Are you related to Mr. Su? Hello, please go and make an additional payment."
To keep her in his control, Su Zhen had not paid the medical bills.
Even after emptying her pockets, Su Miaomiao still fell short by a large amount.
She tried to call a friend for a loan, but couldn't get through.
The medical staff didn't make it difficult for her and gave her three days to come up with the medical fees.
Leaving the hospital, Su Miaomiao sat bewildered on the street.
Only then did she realize her heels had rubbed her raw, the pain searing.
Kicking off her high heels, she let the tears she had held back all morning fall.
She couldn't let her grandfather go without medicine. Could it really come to Su Zhen selling her off?
At that moment, a Rolls-Royce Phantom glided by.
The window rolled down, revealing Xie Yuan's stunningly handsome profile, shimmering in the sunlight.
That's right, how could she forget?
There was still such a powerful figure!
If she was going to take advantage of a man, it might as well be the toughest one.
Losing a sesame seed but gaining a mountain of gold—why was she snivelling?
Su Miaomiao, have you lost your mind? Go for him!