Inside the luxurious hotel private dining room, the large round table was filled with a sumptuous feast, surrounded by nearly ten people, both old and young.
Everyone was chattering and laughing when the door of the private room was pushed open and a woman dressed in a black skirt and high heels entered.
The short-haired, capable-looking woman at the table immediately went up to greet her. She was Shen Hanxiu's mother, Deng Tonglian, who eagerly asked, "Yalan, where is Ah Shu?"
Su Yalan looked somewhat troubled and said, "...he said he was busy."
"This child, wasn't he just out on a business trip a few days ago? What is he busy with just after getting back?"
The white-haired Su Guotian at the table said, "Ah Shu is busy with work; let's not bother him."
Everyone exchanged glances, knowing full well that Shen Hanxiu was not actually busy with work; rather, he had never taken this arranged marriage to heart in the first place. The marriage was initially agreed upon privately by Deng Tonglian and the Su Family, and he had never personally acknowledged it.
Six years ago, an engagement was set, and it was thought to be certain. Yet, he turned around and married Su Nian, that girl. Four years ago, after Su Nian suddenly disappeared, Deng Tonglian brought up the matter again, and the marriage was rekindled. But over these four years, there had been no progress between Su Yalan and Shen Hanxiu, let alone a marriage.
At the dining table, Su Yalan seemed preoccupied with heavy thoughts. Sitting next to Su Guotian, Liu Yuyuan noticed it and asked, "Yalan, is something wrong?"
Su Yalan looked up at everyone hesitantly and then voiced her doubts, "Mom... I think I saw Su Nian, she seems to have returned."
"What?"
"Are you sure?"
Both Deng Tonglian and Liu Yuyuan were shocked.
"I am not entirely certain, but I have a feeling it was her."
Deng Tonglian then said, "I'll go and check tomorrow. This marriage cannot be disrupted by her again." She then paused and looked at Su Guotian, "Old Master Su, she is your granddaughter after all. If she and Yalan compete, will you support your own daughter or your own granddaughter?"
Su Guotian looked slightly stunned. He once thought that the girl Su Nian was already dead and felt somewhat guilty. Knowing she was alive dissolved his guilt, and he said somewhat angrily, "When I drove her out years ago, I had no intention of keeping this granddaughter! A rebellious daughter of a rebellious son, what use is she!"
Hearing his stance, Liu Yuyuan and Su Yalan looked at each other and smiled. Su Yalan said sweetly, "Thank you, Daddy."
The next day, Deng Tonglian took Su Yalan to Sheng Han, and with Deng Tonglian's influence, they smoothly made their way to Shen Hanxiu's office, only to be told that Shen Hanxiu was in a meeting.
Deng Tonglian then went directly to the human resources department.
"Madam!"
"Could you help me check if there is someone named Su Nian working in the company?"
"Yes, Madam, just a moment." Less than a minute later, she got a reply, "Yes, Madam, she just joined yesterday, in the finance department."
Su Yalan felt a bit panicked, "She really has returned... and is working under Ah Shu."
"Don't worry, Yalan. Your aunt is on your side; she will surely help you and not let them mess things up again."
The two of them hurried to the finance department; Su Nian was deeply engrossed in her work when she heard someone asking, "Who is Su Nian? Someone is looking for her outside."
Su Nian thought it strange since she didn't know many people in the company, wondering who would come to see her.
Lin Weilan urged, "Hurry up, Sister Niannian, it must be President Shen."
Su Nian was sure it wasn't Shen Hanxiu, as he usually came in directly to find someone and wouldn't use such a subtle approach.
Curiously, she stood up and saw two familiar people through the glass door. Su Nian smiled knowingly and did not avoid them, but walked towards them.
Approaching Su Yalan, she asked with a smile, "Should I call you my dear sister-in-law?"