The Su Family, being able to form a marriage alliance with the Lu Family, naturally belonged to the circle of the elite.
However, within this so-called elite, there were still various ranks.
If the Lu Family stood at the pinnacle of the pyramid, then the Su Family could only be considered as just having stepped inside the pyramid.
The initial reason the Lu Family chose Su Nanxing was purely due to fortunate coincidences at the time.
The Su Family owned a piece of ancestral land that was unremarkable until it was suddenly included in a new planning area, and its value increased by more than ten thousand times overnight.
But the Su Family alone definitely couldn't handle the development of that place, which prompted their interest in forming a matrimonial alliance.
And the Lu Family was naturally the first choice for the Su Family.
The potential profits from this land were so substantial that even the Lu Family had to take it seriously.
In the end, it was the Old Master of the Lu Family who made the final decision and agreed to this marriage.
Of course, the agreement that Lu Beiyuan had signed privately with Su Nanxing was unknown to both families.
Thereafter, the cooperation between the two families grew closer, tied by mutual interests.
Owing to the marriage alliance with the Lu Family, the Su Family was held in higher regard.
In the eyes of outsiders, the Su Family appeared glamorous and prosperous, rising step by step.
However, Su Nanxing had been married for three years and had returned home only a handful of times.
Her mother had passed away in a car accident when she was eighteen.
Less than half a year after her mother's death, Su Liangsheng brought a woman into their home, along with her two children.
More ludicrously, that son was even older than Su Nanxing.
Going back thirty years, when the Su Family was just rising, they were secretly called nouveau riche behind their backs.
Eager to shed this derogatory label, the Su Family set their sights on Su Nanxing's mother, who came from a family of scholars.
They attempted to use this connection to elevate their family's prestige.
Su Nanxing's maternal grandfather's family, the Han family, had scholars known in their era up to several generations.
They held considerable prestige locally.
Armed with good looks, Su Liangsheng put on the facade of a devoted and passionate lover in front of others, successfully winning the heart of Su Nanxing's mother.
But Su Nanxing had known since she could remember that her parents' marriage was not a happy one.
At that time, the Su Family had not yet secured a firm footing, and many things still relied on the prestige of Su Nanxing's maternal grandfather, so Su Liangsheng dared not do anything too outrageous.
In recent years, the development momentum of the Su Family had become stronger.
After the unexpected death of Su Nanxing's mother,
Su Liangsheng had no hesitations, and brought the mistress he had kept outside, Fang Biro, and her children back home.
"We're here."
Tang Shen's voice brought Su Nanxing's thoughts back to the present.
Su Nanxing looked at the familiar gates of the villa, yet felt no desire to step out of the car.
"Go on," Tang Shen said, "Say what you need to say and then come out. I'll wait for you here."
Su Nanxing felt that perhaps Tang Shen was the person in the world who understood her the best.
She took a deep breath, nodded, and then pushed the door open and got out of the car.
The family servant opened the door, saw her, and said indifferently, "The young miss is back."
Ever since Fang Biro entered the Su Family, all the servants had been replaced.
Su Nanxing never bothered to argue with them, as it was pointless.
Su Liangsheng and Fang Biro both looked over upon hearing the noise.
Su Liangsheng was surprised.
But jealousy filled Fang Biro's eyes.
Having been with Su Liangsheng from a young age, she had been kept as a mistress for nearly twenty years, enduring scorn and disdain from others.
Now, she had finally turned her fortunes around. The woman was dead, and her daughter naturally became the thorn in Fang Biro's side.
Yet, peculiarly, Su Nanxing had married into the Lu Family.
Moreover, her several uncles were particularly fond of her.
This deterred her from taking rash actions.
Fang Biro's two children, putting everything else aside, just in terms of looks, were way inferior to Su Nanxing.
Their own children had grown up being ridiculed for not having a father, being criticized by everyone around them.
Meanwhile, Su Nanxing was the star everyone adored.
So, how could Fang Biro not be jealous when she saw Su Nanxing?
They were both children of Su Liangsheng, so why should her children be treated as lesser?
"Xingxing, why have you come back today?" Su Liangsheng stood up and even looked behind her, "Beiyuan hasn't returned?"
Fang Biro also hurried to speak, "Come on, wash your hands and eat, the food is just ready."
Su Nanxing knew that they were being polite to her because of Lu Beiyuan's presence.
She didn't even look at Fang Biro, directly addressing Su Liangsheng, "I came back to talk to you about something."
"What is it?" Seeing that Lu Beiyuan hadn't returned, Su Liangsheng's tone became less warm.
"Lu Beiyuan and I are divorced."
This statement dropped like a heavy bomb in the Su Family!
At first, Su Liangsheng couldn't believe his ears, "What did you say?"
But Fang Biro had heard it, "What? You and Lu Beiyuan are divorced?"
It was then that Su Liangsheng came back to his senses, repeating like a parrot, "You and Lu Beiyuan are divorced?"
Su Nanxing stood just inside the entryway, ready to leave after speaking, "Yes, we're divorced."
This matter couldn't be hidden, and Su Nanxing added, "Don't worry, the partnership between our two families won't be affected..."
Su Liangsheng interrupted her, "Why get a divorce? Who initiated it?"
"Don't ask..."
"How can I not ask?" Su Liangsheng exploded in anger, "Is divorce a trivial matter? You just decide to get divorced just like that? What exactly happened? You won't say? I'm calling Lu Beiyuan right now!"
"Dad!" Su Nanxing raised her voice, "We're already divorced, what good will calling him do?"
"Then you tell me, who proposed the divorce! Why get a divorce!"
"Lu Beiyuan proposed it," Su Nanxing reluctantly said, "We were incompatible."
"Incompatible?" Fang Biro recovered from her shock, "He suggested it and you just agreed? Nanxing, are you confused? Do you know how much our businesses will be impacted?"
"This is a private matter between him and me," Su Nanxing said. "He said that the partnership will not be affected."
"You just believe him?!" Su Liangsheng pointed at her and scolded, "Worthless! Can't even keep a man in check!"
Su Nanxing just felt mentally and physically exhausted, "I'm leaving."
As she turned to go, she suddenly saw a dark figure and a loud 'thud', and a sharp pain radiated from her forehead.
It was Su Liangsheng who had impulsively thrown a plate from the dining table at her.
Su Nanxing knew he would be angry, but she never expected him to be violent!
All her life, even though she had suffered many indignities under Lu Beiyuan, no one had ever physically harmed her.
She covered her bleeding forehead, her eyes coldly fixed on Su Liangsheng, "Are you trying to kill me?"
Su Liangsheng was also stunned.
It was just a reflex from his rage. When he regained his senses and saw the blood on Su Nanxing's head, he suddenly panicked.
After all, he couldn't provoke any of Nu Nanxing's uncles!
Su Nanxing looked at them once more, said nothing further, and walked away.
Seeing her come out, Tang Shen, who had been anxiously waiting, immediately approached, "Xingxing... what happened? Are you hurt? Did your dad hit you?"
Su Nanxing's eyes were slightly red as she pulled Tang Shen, who was about to rush inside, "I'm fine, let's go."
Tang Shen angrily declared, "I'm going to find him! How dare he hit you!"
Su Nanxing's tears were about to fall, "Can you first accompany me to check the wound?"
In fact, she knew the wound wasn't deep; it was just an excuse to get Tang Shen to leave.
Minutes later, Tang Shen drove her to the nearest clinic.
The doctor disinfected Su Nanxing's wound, and Tang Shen asked anxiously, "Is the cut deep? Does it need stitches? Will it leave a scar?"
Seeing his anxious face, the doctor smiled, "Don't worry, the cut is very small, it doesn't need stitches and it won't leave a scar. Just don't touch water and keep it clean for the next few days."