The atmosphere in the spacious, bright conference room was solemn.
Jiang Yuli’s phone on the table suddenly vibrated, breaking the silence with several consecutive buzzes.
This was practically unprecedented since Jiang Yuli returned to China to take charge of Hundred Rivers Group.
His phone was always on silent during meetings.
The meeting continued.
Jiang Yuli picked up his phone, and the screen was filled with messages from Su Lingyu:
[Uncle, I’m feeling a bit unwell.]
[Uncle, I’m heading back first.]
[Don’t worry, I definitely won’t stand you up tonight.]
She’s leaving?
Jiang Yuli abruptly grabbed his phone and stood up.
The conference room instantly fell silent, all eyes focused on him.
“The acquisition proposal is approved.”
He announced coldly, then strode out with large steps.
The moment the door closed, the tense air in the conference room suddenly relaxed, and relieved smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.
This acquisition proposal that had been brewing for half a year was finally settled!
Heavens, what a wonderful day this is!
“Who do you think could make the CEO leave in such a hurry?”
“Who? Who?”
“Who else… that delicate young lady from the Su family, our Vice President Shen’s ex-girlfriend!”
“Wow! The generation gap, the ethics… Who would have thought that iceberg CEO Jiang actually has this taste!”
Jiang Yuli walked urgently, his long legs covering ground quickly as he pushed open his office door.
He happened to lock eyes with Su Lingyu, who was just about to leave.
She had one hand pressed against her chest, her face even paler than before.
The situation wasn’t good.
A wave of self-blame surged in Jiang Yuli’s heart. If he could become Su Lingyu’s psychological support, she wouldn’t be suffering so much from Separation Anxiety Disorder right now.
“I’ll take you home.”
His voice carried undeniable tension and concern.
“Thank you.”
Su Lingyu didn’t refuse, responding weakly.
Soon, the car was speeding along the road.
Jiang Yuli frowned slightly: “Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”
Su Lingyu only felt headache and chest tightness. She instinctively moved closer to Jiang Yuli and boldly held onto his arm: “Uncle, do you think… I should undergo compulsory treatment?”
“Being sick is already hard enough. Whether to get treatment or not is your decision.” Jiang Yuli’s voice was deep and gentle.
Su Lingyu uncomfortably rested her forehead against his arm, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz: “You don’t understand… I want to go to many places, but there are only a few people who make me feel secure. They have their own lives too, they can’t revolve around me forever…”
She worried that she would never be able to establish that kind of completely trusting dependency with others again, worried that she would never find someone willing to travel the world with her, see all the sights, and record beautiful moments with her.
Jiang Yuli’s usually cold eyes were now filled with compassion and indescribable emotion.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing again?” Su Lingyu forced herself to look up. “What did you do?”
“If I could have made you feel secure earlier, you wouldn’t be suffering like this now.”
“It’s not your fault, it’s all Shen Qiao’s! He’s caused so much harm!” Her tone carried grievance and resentment.
Having just gone through a breakup, she couldn’t fall in love with someone else so quickly.
Shen Qiao’s words today were harsh but true—pity and sympathy aren’t the same as liking.
She and Jiang Yuli were more like two patients who understood each other.
Sick in the same way.
Although she hadn’t yet developed a secure attachment to Jiang Yuli, having him sitting beside her at this moment felt significantly better than being alone in the office earlier.
Jiang Yuli’s presence did have a somewhat soothing effect.
When the car stopped in front of the Su family villa, Su Lingyu hurriedly got out.
“Uncle, see you tonight!” she called back over her shoulder.
Jiang Yuli stood by the car, watching her figure disappear through the main gate before softly responding, “See you tonight.”
Su Lingyu jogged all the way to the living room, immediately spotting her brother Su Huainan and sister-in-law Lu Xiang sitting on the sofa.
She rushed straight over and wrapped her arms around Lu Xiang’s arm like a small animal seeking warmth: “Sis, let me cling to you~ Wuwu~”
Lu Xiang gently stroked her hair.
Su Huainan pushed a glass of water toward her: “You know you have Separation Anxiety Disorder, yet you still run off everywhere. Tell me, you disappeared first thing in the morning – where did you go?”
Su Lingyu felt too unwell to speak.
Su Huainan’s expression changed: “Su Lingyu, don’t tell me you went to reconcile with Shen Qiao? What kind of man who abandons you at the airport and even chokes you deserves you? If you get back together with him, don’t call me your brother anymore!”
Lu Xiang immediately shot him a “don’t say such things” look.
Among the three women in the family – his mother, sister, and pregnant wife – Su Huainan didn’t dare offend any of them, especially his wife who currently had the powerful buff of pregnancy.
He took a deep breath and softened his tone: “That’s not what I meant, brother just thinks he’s not good enough for you.”
Su Lingyu had recovered somewhat. Usually her discomfort stemmed from psychological factors, but when severe, her immunity would drop and she’d actually get sick.
Picking up the water glass, she said quietly: “It was… Jiang Yuli.”
“Who?”
“Jiang Yuli.”
Su Huainan frowned deeply: “Are you really that fond of the Shen family men? Did the Shen men put some kind of spell on you?”
He truly couldn’t understand – with so many men in the world, first it was the nephew, and now you’re targeting the uncle?
“Hmm…” Su Lingyu took small sips of water, “I don’t know, what do you think, brother?”
Su Huainan helplessly massaged his forehead.
Fine then.
The image of young Su Lingyu being kidnapped and locked in a dark room for three whole days was deeply etched in Su Huainan’s heart. When she was rescued, covered in dirt, those once lively big eyes filled with tears, bursting into loud sobs at the sight of them – he would never forget that scene for as long as he lived.
No matter what, as long as his sister was happy.
“Brother doesn’t know what type you like, but I prefer someone like your sister-in-law.” Su Huainan said, planting a loud kiss on Lu Xiang’s cheek, blatantly showing off and flaunting their affection.
“That’s too much!” Su Lingyu protested.
“Not everyone is as lucky as you two.” She also wanted a relationship that would succeed on the first try, but unfortunately, she didn’t seem to have that kind of luck.
“Jiang Yuli spent eighteen years abroad, and in the two years since he returned, he’s built a reputation for being cold-blooded and ruthless. And you’re such a clingy spirit… would the two of you even be compatible?” Su Huainan’s worries deepened.
One was aloof, abstinent, and kept people at arm’s length; the other was extremely insecure and craved clingy companionship.
With Jiang Yuli’s temperament, could he tolerate Su Lingyu sticking to him like a little accessory all day, managing his affairs?
Su Huainan had his doubts.
“Brother, don’t worry too much. I’m just testing the waters – if it’s not suitable, I won’t force it, rest assured.” Su Lingyu sweetly promised.
Apart from that childhood kidnapping, Su Lingyu’s life had been smooth sailing without much hardship—until Shen Qiao heartlessly abandoned her at the airport.
Su Huainan tentatively suggested, “Sweetheart, your brother happens to be off work today. How about I accompany you to see the psychologist this afternoon?”
Su Lingyu’s Separation Anxiety Disorder had never improved, for complicated reasons.
She avoided medical treatment like the plague, while her family spoiled her excessively, leading to constant postponement.
They had once attempted “desensitization therapy” by leaving her alone while secretly observing.
At first it went fine, but as time passed she would start crying, turn pale, and even vomited on one occasion—terrifying them into rushing her to the hospital.
In the end, they couldn’t bring themselves to force treatment on her.
“No, no!” Su Lingyu shook her head repeatedly. “I promised Jiang Yuli we’d have dinner together tonight, and I already stood him up once yesterday.”
“You didn’t even come downstairs for dinner yesterday,” Lu Xiang reminded her.
“Exactly, sis-in-law! I did a full makeup look! Full makeup! But then… I fell asleep with full makeup on…” Su Lingyu still felt frustrated thinking about it.
Given Jiang Yuli’s temperament, he had probably waited at the restaurant for a long time last night.
“Poor baby.” Lu Xiang touched her face sympathetically. “Next time remember to call your sis-in-law. I’m in my third trimester now and can’t sleep through the night—I’ve got plenty of energy to spare.”
The little one in her belly took after Su Huainan completely, as if possessing boundless stubborn energy.
“Mm!” Su Lingyu nodded emphatically.