C3 He Was Trying to Sow Discord!

The reception room at the Su Family Manor was deserted.

Xiaobai sprawled on the couch, his deep blue eyes fixated on the tablet screen, engrossed in a small game, his tiny paws tapping away merrily.

Fifteen minutes later, Chiang Chen and Su Ziqing descended from upstairs.

"Congratulations, Host, on completing the mission: assisting Su Li in returning to the Su family and clearing all obstacles. Your reward, a one-time C-grade tool, has been deposited into your storage space," Xiaobai promptly leaped onto Chiang Chen's shoulder, eagerly sharing the good news. "You're truly exceptional, Host. You complete every mission both swiftly and excellently!"

The fluffy Xiaobai was immensely satisfied. Nothing was more endearing than a Host who approached each mission with earnest dedication.

He had it easy compared to the neighboring system, which constantly had to coax a temperamental Host into cooperation.

He could snooze or play games, simply waiting for the Host to finish the mission and coast to victory. What a wonderful life!

Chiang Chen offered Su Ziqing a warm smile as they parted ways. "Ms. Ziqing, I'll be awaiting your message."

"Don't worry, I've got it figured out," she replied, nodding. Her silky hair cascaded down her pale, slender neck, softening her features with a touch of gentleness and allure.

As she watched the departing car fade into the distance, the smile on Su Ziqing's face slowly retracted.

She casually swept her hair up, the soft allure giving way to a crisp, decisive demeanor.

Settling onto the sofa, Su Ziqing paused in thought before pulling out her phone to make a call. "Dad, when are you free? I'd like to have a talk."

Her attention then shifted to the tablet, still displaying the game, and she frowned slightly.

Honestly, she thought, every time she met with Chen, she'd become so scatterbrained that she hadn't even noticed opening the wrong page.

With a quick tap, she exited the game and turned to her work, diligently sorting through the documents in her inbox.

At 10 PM in the Su Family Manor, Su Ziqing, now in her silk pajamas, shed her usual façade. She was the picture of a carefree young girl as she served her father, Su Minghe, a cup of tea.

"My dear daughter, you can ask for anything. You know your daddy spoils you the most—I'll certainly grant your wishes!" Su Minghe, now in his casual attire, set aside the stern persona of Director Su, revealing the tender side of a father.

In his eyes, which usually held a shadowy intensity, a flicker of indecision passed as he spoke the words.

"Dad, I'd like to discuss Su Li's situation with you," Su Ziqing said, as she poured herself a cup of tea and took a seat across from her father.

Upon hearing Su Li's name, Su Minghe's face remained impassive, his gaze fixed on his daughter, awaiting her elaboration.

With a solemn look, she began, "Given that you've conducted a paternity test and confirmed Su Li is your son, it's time to consider bringing him back for the sake of the Su family's reputation. The rumors circulating lately are damaging our family's image."

"Bring him back?" Su Minghe echoed, his surprise evident.

He had always dreamed of having a son to continue the family legacy and inherit the estate. Yet, his wife had only given birth to a daughter, and her health declined until her death. None of the women he had kept on the side had managed to bear him any children over the years.

Ironically, it was a woman he had casually chosen to entertain him who bore him a son. He only found out two years ago.

Regrettably, his wife had bequeathed all her personal wealth to their daughter before she died. Su Ziqing had indeed inherited their knack for business, running the company efficiently at just nineteen.

To reclaim his illegitimate son, he needed Su Ziqing's consent. Without it, Su's Group, in name only, could be torn apart by her, with the largest share remaining firmly in her grasp.

Su Minghe wanted control over the entire Su's Group and to acknowledge his son as his successor. He was reluctant to release his daughter, the "eagle," before securing his "rabbit." So, after careful deliberation, he remained inactive, silently supporting Su Li's education at a top university, biding his time to bring him back.

Unexpectedly, his daughter broached the subject first.

Surprised and then ecstatic, Su Minghe's expression shifted momentarily before settling back into a benevolent smile.

"My dear daughter, about this matter, I owe you an apology..."

Before he could continue, Su Ziqing raised her hand to stop him, "Dad, let's not dwell on what's past. The most important thing now is to uphold the Su family's reputation."

In the brief moment that Su Minghe faltered, the astute Su Ziqing had already pieced everything together.

Fury was ablaze in her heart!

Chen had hit the nail on the head. Her father had long harbored the desire to bring his illegitimate child into the fold, yet he had been wary of the wealth she controlled, which kept him silent on the matter.

But the mere fact that he had secured a school placement for this child was a clear indication of his covert support.

Chen was spot on.

Such a threat couldn't be left unchecked; a clash was inevitable. Better to reel the child in sooner rather than later, making the situation more manageable.

Plus, she could seize the opportunity to curry favor with her father and lower his defenses.

Su Ziqing's heart ached for her mother.

Her father had come into the marriage with nothing, building his fortune on the back of her maternal grandfather's assets and connections within the Su's Group.

Before her grandparents' passing, they had bequeathed all their wealth directly to her mother. Despite her failing health, her mother had soldiered on.

Her final act was to pass on all her assets to Su Ziqing, leaving behind a firm directive: the assets must never fall into anyone's hands except her own child's!

These were the same words her grandfather had imparted before his death.

Yet, not even a year after her mother's demise, the scandal of her father's illegitimate child had burst forth!

And that child was a mere two months her junior!

Thankfully, her grandparents and mother had the foresight to make wise decisions.

The Su's Group, her grandfather's legacy, was left entirely to her; and she was entitled to half of her father's estate.

That's why her father had been reluctant to openly acknowledge the illegitimate child, fearing the control she wielded over 90% of the Su's Group.

Taking a deep breath and settling into a more relaxed posture, Su Ziqing voiced her concerns, "Bringing Su Li back now could stir up some complications."

"What kind of complications?" Su Minghe asked, his excitement giving way to reassurance, "Don't worry, my dear daughter, your dad will handle it." Realizing he may have spoken too soon, he quickly added, "But you go ahead and explain it to me first."

Su Ziqing managed to keep her irritation in check and spoke with a hint of uncertainty, "It's true that Su Li is your flesh and blood, no doubt about that. But after all these years adrift, growing up in such an environment, we're completely in the dark about his temperament and morals. My strong opposition at the time he was discovered was precisely because the timing seemed too convenient. Uncle Luo was merely in Sugar City on company business, yet, in a city of over a million people, he just happened to bump into a young man. And what are the odds that he'd fall and drop the ring you gave him? Uncle Luo initially didn't even notice the ring until Su Li, undeterred, stopped traffic insisting on compensation, flaunting the ring in front of him for quite some time. He repeatedly wept and lamented, recounting the story of how you gave him the ring, which eventually caught Uncle Luo's attention. Dad, the news of a long-lost son would naturally thrill you, so it's understandable you didn't scrutinize the details. But don't you think this series of coincidences is a bit excessive? It suggests that Su Li might be quite calculating. I fear he's picked up these tactics from his mother—you know how adept they are at manipulating and causing strife. I'm concerned that at his young age, Su Li hasn't learned much that's good, and his character might be flawed." Su Minghe's brow creased slightly as he listened to his daughter's concerns.

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