C12 A Sliver of Hope

The slap stunned Lu Yuan.

But when he looked up and saw the tears brimming in Su Lianyi’s eyes, all he could feel was a wrenching ache in his heart.

“Lianyi, I...”

“I don’t want to hear it,” she interrupted. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough?”

She took a deep breath and continued, “Did I ever wrong you in any way, Lu Yuan? It’s been five years. I never even complained to you about all the pain and humiliation I’ve suffered since you left.

Did I ever look down on you in the past? Did I ever scold you or belittle you in front of my family?

You left without saying a word, and now, you just waltz back in and take the reins of my life as if you have every right to.”

Su Lianyi choked on a sob, and the dam finally broke.

Lu Yuan’s throat tightened at the sight of her crying. “I’m so sorry, Lianyi. I know I’m in the wrong. I returned to make it all up to you.”

He drew closer and tried to gather her in his arms, but Su Lianyi shoved him away. “Then why did you agree to my grandfather’s condition? Don’t you realize how crucial it is for me?”

She didn’t wait for his response and ran out of the conference room, still wiping her tears away.

Lu Yuan could do nothing more than watch her go.

Later, Su Lianyi was just stepping through the door of her family’s courtyard when her mother bore down upon her with a plethora of complaints.

“Lianyi, I heard that Lu Yuan stormed into the company earlier! Is it true that he agreed to take on the task of securing a collaboration with the Qingyuan Group?”

“Mom, I’m really tired,” Su Lianyi said helplessly. “Do you think you can let me sit and rest for a while?”

“It’s not just your life that’s on the line here! If you fail this mission, your father and I, and even your sister will be kicked out of the family, too! Why didn’t you just agree to get together with Qingyuan Group’s general manager? How hard can it be?”

As a matter of fact, Su Lianyi went straight to the Qingyuan Group building after walking out on Lu Yuan. Yet no matter how she tried, she didn’t even get to step foot inside the company’s lobby.

She really was tired, mentally and physically, and she had no energy left to deal with her mother.

“Mom, I’m begging you. Please stop talking. I was already sent away from the Qingyuan Group without even seeing the general manager. I can’t listen to this right now.”

Her eyes were red and a little puffy. Her burdens were weighing her down, and she was barely hanging by a thread.

“Mom? Sister?” Su Xiaoyu arrived just then. "What are you guys talking about?"

Sensing the tension in the room, she asked, “Mom, were you berating Sister Lianyi again?”

“Xiaoyu, are you aware of what your sister has done in today’s business meeting? She agreed to acquire a joint venture with the Qingyuan Group!

And if she fails, we will all be disowned by the Su family!”

Surprisingly, Su Xiaoyu wasn’t the least bit fazed. She skipped over to her sister’s side and liked arms with her. “Don’t worry, Sister. I may be able to help you out!”

Su Lianyi felt a shiver down her spine.

“What did you say, Xiaoyu? You can help me? Don’t lie.”

“I’m serious, Sister! I went to Qingyuan Group yesterday to apply for a job. As of today, I am officially employed by the Qingyuan Group!”

Su Lianyi was overjoyed to hear this, but her relief was short-lived. “Even if you are an employee, you’re still new. You can’t possibly be in any position to lend me any assistance.”

“Just trust me, okay?” Su Xiaoyu countered. “My best friend, Cheung Xiao is the head of the Department of Human Resources. I’m sure she has a good relationship with the higher-ups. If we ask her, she will definitely help us get the collaboration you need.”

Truth be told, Su Xiaoyu wasn’t that confident that they would succeed. But to her credit, she felt the need to give her sister some semblance of comfort, a saving grace, so to speak.

Sure enough, Su Lianyi gradually relaxed, and hope flickered in her eyes. “That’s great, then,” she sighed. “Thank you, Xiaoyu.”

Su Xiaoyu smiled and turned to their mother. “See, Mom? Stop criticizing Sister, okay? I will help her settle this matter. Just let her rest and sort her thoughts for a while.”

Suen Xiulian bobbed her head in agreement and beamed with pride. “Our Xiaoyu is really outstanding. Not only was she chosen by the richest man in Yun State, she even managed to get a job at the prestigious Qingyuan Group!”

“Yes, Xiaoyu has made me feel more at ease,” Su Lianyi added before glancing at her watch. “It’s time. I need to pick up Xiaoxiao from the kindergarten.”

“Oh, Sister! You can take my car!” Su Xiaoyu offered magnanimously, tossing her car key over.

In the CEO's office of Qingyuan Group.

“Chairman Lu, there are numerous companies that have sent letters of intent, seeking to cooperate with us on various projects. I took the initiative to pick out the most prominent businesses. Their positions in their respective industries will ensure success.”

Zhao Chen handed over a document.

Lu Yuan took it and wordlessly read through the list. Indeed, these companies were among the popular and top-performing ones in Yun State.

“Choose three companies that you think are suited best, as well as the Tianzheng Group of the Su family,” Lu Yuan said casually as he gave the list back to Zhao Chen.

The latter had to pause and think back for a while before finally recognizing the name of the Tianzheng Group. He deliberated with himself for a brief moment, then said, “Chairman Lu, I’m afraid the Tianzheng Group is not on par with the other companies. It falls beneath the standard of Qingyuan Group.”

Lu Yuan raised his head and looked Zhao Chen in the eye. “Su Lianyi of the Tianzheng Group and the Su family is my wife.”

Understanding dawned on Zhao Chen’s face, and he grew pale with fear. “I understand, Chairman Lu. So Miss Su is your wife. She actually came yesterday and tried to meet with me, but I refused to see her. Please forgive me for my ignorance.”

He chanced a peek at Lu Yuan, terrified that he had finally incurred his superior’s wrath.

“Oh, I am aware of the fact. Fortunately for you, I meant for you to personally deliver the contract to the Tianzheng Group tomorrow. With that said, I don’t want anyone to know my identity, not even my wife. Do you understand?”

Lu Yuan’s tone was a little flat. He didn’t seem inclined to blame Zhao Chen for his oversight. The man heaved a sigh of relief and instantly nodded his head.

Once Zhao Chen took his leave, Lu Yuan glanced at the time. “Kindergarten is about to end,” he muttered to himself. “I should go and pick up Xiaoxiao.”

Cloud Sea Senior Kindergarten.

A white Maserati ground to a stop at the entrance of the campus. The gorgeous woman who exited the car immediately turned heads, catching the attention of the men hovering around.

Su Lianyi was still graceful even as she hurried out of the car, her brows furrowed with worry.

She didn’t care that people were staring at her, she simply hurried inside the campus and made a beeline for her daughter’s classroom.

Classes had been dismissed a while ago, and the place was bustling as parents flocked over to pick up their children. Su Lianyi had to fight her way through crowds in search of her daughter.

She was at it for what felt like ages before she heard Su Xiaoxiao’s melodious voice coming from a corner. When she walked in that direction, the sight that greeted her made her livid.