C15 Drinking and Causing Trouble!!

"You don't remember?" Su Minghe's mouth twitched with fury after hearing the brief account. "Clearly, you've inherited none of my genes. It's all the inferior traits from that whore of a mother! Was she out turning tricks while pregnant with you? Is that why your brain's so full of nothing but sperm? The video's right here. Even if you don't believe it, can't you use your head and think it through? If the video's a lie, then what Du Xinyu said must be true. So tell me, how does Chu Jiangchen get Du Xinyu to obediently trek to a deserted lakeside in the dead of night to wait for him? She's your girlfriend, currently at our Su Family Manor, surrounded by guests. Isn't she worried you'll catch her and dump her on the spot?"

Upon hearing the insult to his mother, Su Li's fists clenched in rage. But this wasn't the time for retaliation. He needed Su Minghe's power to reclaim Su's Group. When that time came, no amount of slicing and dicing Su Minghe would suffice to quell his fury.

"Xiner... Du Xinyu, she..." Su Li fought to keep his anger in check, organizing his thoughts. "Du Xinyu claims Chu Jiangchen threatened her into going. You know she's been with Chu Jiangchen long enough to have vulnerabilities he could exploit."

Su Minghe looked at him with a mix of pity and scorn, scoffing, "Threatened? Have you stopped to consider what kind of leverage would make Du Xinyu risk getting dumped by you to keep such an appointment? If Chu Jiangchen truly had something that compelling, why would he only use it to coerce her into a lakeside rendezvous? Just for a chance to cling and embrace? Su Li, are you projecting yourself onto Chu Jiangchen? You're so naive and thoughtless! If Chu Jiangchen really had something on her, and he cared that much about Du Xinyu, he wouldn't agree to a breakup; he'd threaten her into leaving you instead of arranging such a foolish encounter that could lead to you discovering them! If he truly had leverage, it's far more likely he'd use Du Xinyu as a pawn, keeping her close to you. As the future heir to Su's Group, Chu Jiangchen could wield immense influence through her. Why would he squander such an advantage for a mere hug?"

Let's take a giant step back. Du Xinyu was coerced into that meeting, yet she had the audacity to defy Chu Jiangchen? Was she truly frightened by the threat, or not?

Did you ever stop to consider how nonsensical it is for Chu Jiangchen to force Du Xinyu into that rendezvous?"

Listening to the analysis, Su Li's mind went blank.

When Du Xinyu tearfully confided in him about her coerced predicament, he was too preoccupied with sympathy to question the validity of her claims.

Reflecting on it now, it struck him as utterly illogical.

"Still not seeing the full picture?" Su Minghe paused the video on the frame of Du Xinyu glancing around the lakeside and pressed on with his analysis: "Take a closer look at her body language and eye movements.

Does this resemble someone who's been threatened?

A person under threat would be anxious and terrified, yet she appears to be anticipating something.

Observe the direction of her watchful gaze—it's certainly not where Chu Jiangchen would be coming from.

I've personally overseen the renovations at the Su Family Manor; I'm intimately familiar with every inch of the place.

If Chu Jiangchen were coming to meet her, he'd take the small path to the right of the hall. Du Xinyu's eyes should be trained to the left front, not the complete opposite direction to the rear right!

Consider what's in that rear right position, and who would be darting from there.

Setting everything else aside, during the time Du Xinyu was waiting, she wasn't showing signs of fear or anxiety. Instead, she was covertly watching you, almost as if she was trying to catch your attention."

Seeing his son lost in thought, Su Minghe's voice softened, "I've tried piecing together the entire event.

There's no reason for Zhang Mingming to lie.

He's barely a week into his job as a lowly attendant – Qingqing wouldn't bother enlisting him.

And if his account holds true, then everything falls into place.

It must have been Du Xinyu who actively sought out Chu Jiangchen, which would explain her constant glances in your direction.

Think about it—why would she do that?

She arranges a midnight meeting with her ex-boyfriend by the secluded lakeside, all the while hoping to be discovered by her current boyfriend."

There's only one logical explanation—Du Xinyu is quite the schemer.

She orchestrated a scene for you to witness: Chu Jiangchen all over her, while she firmly set boundaries with him, crafting an image of a virtuous and loyal woman for herself.

It all adds up to Du Xinyu's machinations, aligning with both logic and her behavior at the scene.

So... Su Li, think back carefully. How did you end up exactly where she needed you?

Massaging his temples, Su Li felt a mix of irritation and confusion.

A throbbing pain pulsed at his temples, like a relentless, tiny drum.

That night... Why had he gone to the other side of the lake?

To catch fish!

The moment Su Li saw himself on the split-screen video wielding a net, it all came flooding back.

Before everything unfolded, Du Xinyu had stayed close by his side.

As the star of the banquet, he was swamped with social obligations, inevitably leaving her sidelined.

Yet Du Xinyu was so well-behaved and understanding. When he drunkenly asked what she wanted as compensation, she giggled behind her hand and coyly pointed to the artificial lake, mentioning the many large, beautiful koi she'd seen upon arrival. Catching one for good luck would suffice, she said.

Su Li had readily agreed.

After mingling and making small talk with the guests, he grabbed a fish scoop, spurred on by the alcohol and the allure of the female lead, and made his way to the lake's edge to fish.

But what about Du Xinyu...

Su Li strained to remember. Initially, she was right there, cheering him on, but then she excused herself to take his wet suit back.

His memories after that were hazy. He dimly recalled Chu Jiangchen at the lake, badgering and forcibly embracing Du Xinyu, who wept and resisted before being pushed into the water by Chu. In a fit of rage, Su Li had charged forward, only to be kicked in as well.

Yet another part of him faintly remembered lunging for Du Xinyu, overwhelmed by the heat of the alcohol.

The sounds of heavy breathing, the cool, damp lips, the fervent kiss, and the rush of falling to the ground felt all too real.

The images Du Xinyu painted for him and those in the video kept flashing before his eyes, blurring the lines between reality, fantasy, or perhaps a dream...

"Heh... Du Xinyu again," Su Minghe scoffed, leaning back with a cold gleam reflecting off his glasses. "Su Li, I've laid it all out for you. You can't still be in the dark, can you?"

Su Li's right hand clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palm—a sharp pain to keep his mind clear.

He had to admit, the situation had finally become transparent.

Du Xinyu had initially coaxed him into talking about compensation before suggesting they go fishing, guiding him every step of the way to a spot she had scouted earlier.

Then, she proactively reached out to Chu Jiangchen, a conversation overheard by Zhang Mingming.

Her true aim was to leverage Chu Jiangchen to demonstrate her unwavering loyalty, hoping to dispel any doubts about her motives and sincerity. But things didn't go as planned—Chu Jiangchen never showed up.

Instead, it was she who...

Indeed, alcohol only leads to trouble!

"From what I understand, when you and Du Xinyu confronted Chu Jiangchen to break up, she faced nothing but humiliation. Knowing Du Xinyu's past, how can you be so blindly devoted to a woman who bites the hand that feeds her and manipulates men to advance her own agenda?" Su Minghe asked, his frustration evident.