Shen Qiao was in a foul mood. After returning home that evening, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol.
The next day, he dragged himself to the office, feeling as if the entire company was shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere.
His hangover pounded in his skull. If it weren’t for Hu Kexin’s phone call, he’d probably still be lost in dreams.
“President Shen! President Shen!” Hu Kexin hurried over, her face etched with anxiety.
“What is it? Rushing to find me like this…” Shen Qiao massaged his temples, his tone laced with irritation.
“Su Huainan is here! He’s in President Jiang’s office right now!”
Shen Qiao froze.
Today was Su Lingyu’s birthday. Following their annual tradition, they should have already been preparing to celebrate.
How could Su Huainan still have the mind to come to the company?
Right!
Su Huainan had also witnessed Su Lingyu’s date with Jiang Yuli last night.
Shen Qiao’s spirits lifted slightly. Forcing calm, he said, “Why panic? Perhaps Su Huainan came to tell my uncle to stay away from Su Lingyu.”
Someone as rigid and aloof as Jiang Yuli was utterly incompatible with the radiant Su Lingyu.
That brother-obsessed Su Huainan was most likely here to persuade him to back off.
Despite this reasoning, Shen Qiao found himself drawn toward Jiang Yuli’s office, holding his breath as he waited outside the door.
Inside the office, separated only by a door.
Su Huainan lounged with his long legs crossed, his tone teasing. “You can know a person’s face but not their heart! You—actually want to be my brother-in-law!”
Jiang Yuli sat upright across from him, his expression composed. “Before Pao Pao had a boyfriend, I never revealed my feelings. Now that she’s single, I believe it’s appropriate to pursue her.”
“You…” Su Huainan narrowed his eyes. “Tch, fine. I don’t have any other objections. As long as my sister is happy. After all, you’re handsome, have a great physique, a sharp mind, and you seem clean-cut and proper.”
His tone shifted, carrying an undeniable authority. “So… we can continue our collaboration, but on one condition. The person in charge of the joint projects between Su Corporation and Baichuan must be changed from Shen Qiao to you. This is an internal matter for your company, but I’m making it clear: if you can take over these projects, the cooperation continues. If you can’t…”
“If I take all the projects, Shen Qiao will probably go mad with rage,” Jiang Yuli finished.
“Will he?” Su Huainan chuckled. “Then I’d love to see that. Besides, even though he’s your nephew, your relationship is barely better than strangers. Why bother with familial sentiment for such a nephew? Just take what you want.”
“Brother’s advice is sound,” Jiang Yuli replied humbly.
Su Huainan was once again astonished by Jiang Yuli.
Although he was two years older than Jiang Yuli, Jiang Yuli’s seniority in the family hierarchy was fixed. He and his sister had always followed Shen Qiao in addressing him as “Uncle.”
To chase after his sister, this guy had no shame!!!
“You rascal—” Su Huainan stood up, patting Jiang Yuli’s shoulder meaningfully. “I can see you’re truly eager to advance.”
He headed for the door. “I’m off. Waiting for your update.”
Jiang Yuli rose to see him out.
As the door opened, Shen Qiao instinctively took two steps back.
Su Huainan and Jiang Yuli stood side by side, their equally cold and sharp gazes fixed on him.
“I… I was just passing by!” Shen Qiao stammered out a clumsy excuse. “Uncle, you’re busy. I’ll escort President Su downstairs.”
Su Huainan shot a meaningful glance at Jiang Yuli and strode away.
Shen Qiao hurried after him.
The elevator doors closed, and Shen Qiao immediately changed his expression. “Brother Su! Did you come to see my uncle because you’ve had second thoughts? Did you sleep on it and realize he’s not a good match for Lingyu?”
“Of course not,” Su Huainan replied coldly, his tone laced with warning. “Shen Qiao, is it because my sister was too kind and dependent on you before that gave you such blind confidence? Listen carefully—if you dare interfere in her relationships, I won’t let you off.”
Shen Qiao was instantly speechless.
He had been mistaken.
Then why had Su Huainan come to the company so early in the morning?
As soon as Su Huainan got into his car, he sent a message to his assistant: Release the news about Su Lingyu and Shen Qiao’s breakup.
Their breakup had been kept too quiet, making Shen Qiao think he still had a chance.
What chance did he have!
#Shocking! Su Lingyu and Shen Qiao’s Romance Ends, Su-Shen Alliance Marriage Falls Apart#
The news quickly went viral.
At that moment, Su Lingyu was trying on a beautiful evening gown.
Yu Chengyin rushed in excitedly, phone in hand.
“Xiao Yu! Look! It’s news about you!”
Su Lingyu glanced at the screen and raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Huh~”
“What? What is it?”
“I thought this news would’ve spread everywhere ages ago. I can’t believe it only broke today?”
Yu Chengyin was exasperated. “Don’t you even pay attention to your own news?”
“Who did this? Definitely not Shen Qiao, and as for the others…” Su Lingyu was about to rule out Jiang Yuli but reconsidered.
“Probably my brother’s doing. He’s fed up with Shen Qiao right now.”
“But didn’t he used to like Shen Qiao a lot?” Yu Chengyin asked, puzzled.
“Wrong! He only tolerated him before because I liked him.” Su Lingyu raised an eyebrow, lifting the hem of her dress as she spun gracefully. “So, how do I look? Beautiful?”
“Gorgeous! My stunning beauty! You’re absolutely breathtaking!” Yu Chengyin praised sincerely.
Su Lingyu wore a white evening gown with an elegant strapless design that accentuated her slender neck and delicate shoulders. The voluminous skirt billowed out from the waist, layered with countless tiers of lightweight tulle, flowing like drifting white clouds as she moved.
Her hair was swept up in an elegant chignon, adorned with a dazzling diamond tiara. The pure platinum base was set with perfectly cut diamonds of varying sizes, the largest central stone shining like a brilliant star, casting a radiant fire under the lights and enveloping her in a halo of sacred light.
At this moment, she looked like an angel descended from heaven.
Su Lingyu blushed slightly at the praise, a shy, charming smile gracing her lips.
Yu Chengyin dramatically placed a hand over her heart. “Happy 22nd birthday, little princess! May all your wishes come true!”
“Thank you, darling!”
The birthday banquet hadn’t started yet, and Su Lingyu was in no hurry to go downstairs.
Tonight, she was the star, and she intended to shine all evening.
As night fell, stars filled the sky.
The lavishly decorated banquet hall welcomed a steady stream of guests.
Shen Qiao, dressed impeccably, walked with feigned composure to the entrance of the banquet hall, with Hu Kexin following closely behind, holding a gift.
Just as he was about to step inside, a security guard at the door reached out to stop him.
Shen Qiao frowned displeased. “What’s the meaning of this? Don’t you know who I am?”
The guard replied politely, “Young Master Shen, how could we not know someone as famous as you?”
“If you know, then how dare you stop me? Step aside!”
“Sorry, Young Master Shen,” the guard’s tone remained unchanged. “Our eldest young master specifically instructed that since tonight is the young lady’s birthday banquet, he doesn’t wish to see her ex-boyfriend here. Therefore, you may not enter.”
Shen Qiao’s face instantly turned ashen.
How dare Su Huainan treat him like this!
Without giving any chance for reconciliation, he was shut out!
“Young Master Shen, please leave.” The security guard made a “please” gesture.
“Fine, I won’t go! Who cares anyway!” Shen Qiao snatched the gift from Hu Kexin’s hands and threw it violently to the ground. “A birthday ‘congratulatory gift’ for your young lady!”
He turned and stormed off in anger, only to bump directly into Jiang Yuli who had just arrived.