Wen Su's lips twitched slightly. He had considered everyone's feelings—everyone except hers.
Shen Fei'an stared at her straight back, his tone growing more serious: "I hope you'll take the initiative to go to Qingyun and smooth things over. At the very least, maintain the necessary decorum in public. Don't let the company staff see a spectacle."
This was the Shen Fei'an that Wen Su knew. He liked to handle everything his own way.
As for other people's feelings—in his eyes, they were beneath consideration.
"I won't go to her to make amends." Wen Su stood up, her voice calm and unruffled: "I'll only do what I'm supposed to do."
With that, she didn't look back at his instantly frozen, darkened handsome face. She turned, opened the door steadily, and walked out.
She had just returned to her office when her mother's call came through.
Jian Lan gently informed her: "This Saturday is your father's birthday. We're planning to set up two tables and invite close friends and family over for a meal. Remember to bring Fei An and Qingqing along."
Hearing her mother's gentle voice, Wen Su's eyes welled with a sour ache.
"Alright, we'll come." Wen Su suppressed her emotions, not daring to let her mother detect anything unusual.
"How is your sister-in-law doing now? Is she holding up alright? She and the eldest Shen brother always had a good relationship—her man passed away suddenly, so she must be very sad. You two have always been close; when you have time, do comfort her a bit." Jian Lan, as an elder, offered a few words of concern.
Wen Su's heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton—suffocating, with no way to voice her pain.
"Mom, I'm a bit busy here. I'll hang up now. Early Saturday morning, I'll bring Qingqing home." Wen Su said softly.
"Alright!"
Jian Lan didn't disturb her daughter's busy work.
Wen Su glanced at her computer. In five minutes, there was a review team meeting for "Star Chart Phase Three." Wen Su picked up several important data lists and walked toward Conference Room One at a measured pace.
"Susu!" A soft, gentle voice came from behind her.
Wen Su paused in her steps.
Lu Qingyun walked up beside her, a cordial smile on her face, holding a thermos cup that seemed to emit the bitter scent of traditional Chinese medicine.
Wen Su noticed the thermos cup, and her gaze froze.
It was something she had given Shen Fei'an half a year ago as a birthday gift. For a while, he had been staying up too late and his stomach had acted up, so she'd used that thermos to bring him herbal medicine.
Seeming to notice Wen Su's gaze lingering on the thermos in her hand, Lu Qingyun immediately smiled: "Oh, Fei An gave this to me."
"Is something the matter?" Wen Su's voice unconsciously cooled by three degrees.
Lu Qingyun took a sip of the herbal medicine, the bitterness making her furrow her delicate brows, yet the smile on her face only grew. Her tone was natural: "Nothing special, just… thank you for your support and understanding regarding yesterday's project."
Wen Su's expression stiffened.
Lu Qingyun reached out and, as she used to, gently linked her arm through Wen Su's: "Susu, you're our most outstanding talent. There will be many things I'll need your guidance on in the future. I hope you won't feel that I'm bothering you."
Some colleagues passing by overheard this speech and inwardly praised how agreeable Dr. Lu was.
Wen Su had forcefully taken over the project she was responsible for, yet she still treated Wen Su like her dearest family.
In comparison, Wen Su's pettiness seemed all the more repulsive and nauseating.
Lu Qingyun spoke with such sincerity, as if she knew nothing of the disputes and rivalries.
Wen Su watched her performance coldly, catching a hint of a victor's probing in those smiling, innocent eyes.
"Since the project is fully under your charge, your decisions naturally take precedence. As for guidance…"
Wen Su paused: "If there are technical issues that require my involvement, going forward, follow the proper procedure—raise them via email or in project meetings. As a member of the company, that's my duty."
The smile on Lu Qingyun's face stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Quickly, she lowered her head and took another sip of the herbal medicine, her expression returning to natural warmth.
"The review work for Star Chart Phase Three must be heavy. I heard you joined the team—that'll be hard work for you. I hope the review yields good results."
"It's just part of the job."
After Wen Su's brief reply, she turned and walked toward the conference room.
Before the end of the workday!
Wen Su received a call from Shen Fei'an: "I've picked up Qingqing and we're on our way to the old residence. Grandmother wants the whole family to come for dinner. Come over in a bit."
Wen Su had originally wanted to refuse, but with her daughter there, she could only answer with a simple "Alright."
Darkness had fallen, and a light drizzle added to the damp chill of autumn.
Wen Su wore a beige coat over her shoulders as she stepped into the old residence's living room.
The crystal chandelier illuminated the stately, luxurious living room, but the recent passing of a loved one cast a heavy, oppressive gloom over the atmosphere.
Wen Su had arrived late; by now, a lavish dinner had already been laid out on the long table.
The old lady sat at the head of the table, with Shen Fei'an holding Qingqing in the seat of honor to her right. Next was the grandmother-in-law, Wu Yingna, along with several uncles and aunts from the side branches of the family.
Qingqing sat on her father's lap, taking small bites of the meal specially prepared for her, her big dark eyes curiously observing everyone around her.
At tonight's family dinner, Lu Qingyun did not appear.
Her absence seemed to silently declare something.
Everyone ate and chatted, discussing some business matters and then the weather.
The old lady set down her soup spoon, dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, and spoke: "I've already arranged for someone to handle Qingyun's paperwork for going abroad. Next Friday, I'll have the butler send someone to take her to the airport. Everything abroad has been properly arranged…"
The air seemed to congeal for a moment, and several of the senior relatives from the side branches looked as if they wanted to speak but held back.
Qingqing suddenly jumped down from her father's arms and ran over to Wen Su's side, pouting: "Mommy, want meat."
Wen Su picked up a piece of steamed fish, carefully removed the bones, and placed it in her small bowl.
Shen Fei'an also set down his chopsticks. He didn't respond immediately, only gently swirling the red wine glass in his hand.
His gaze fell on the rim of the glass, his expression complicated.
Just as the old lady assumed he was silently acquiescing—
Shen Fei'an spoke: "Grandmother, Qingyun cannot leave."
The old lady's face darkened, her tone clearly displeased: "Fei'an, this matter has already been decided. Why bring this up now?"
"This matter—I haven't agreed to it yet." Shen Fei'an looked straight into the old lady's eyes, his voice heavy: "Big Brother just passed away, his body barely cold, and our Shen family is already rushing to send his widow abroad. What will people outside say? That our Shen family is heartless and unjust, unable to even tolerate a widow?"
His voice was not loud, but it struck everyone's ears with undeniable weight.
"Nonsense!"
The old lady suddenly grew angry: "Sending her out is for her own good. Staying here, surrounded by reminders of the past, will only make it harder for her to move on. I'm doing this for her sake."
"Grandmother, you may say that, but I dare not believe it." A smile with no warmth tugged at the corner of Shen Fei'an's mouth: "If you truly cared for her, you would have helped her through this dark time like an elder, like family, when she needed comfort the most."
"Enough, Fei'an, don't argue with your grandmother." Wu Yingna interjected at the right moment.
Shen Fei'an turned to his mother and said: "Mom, you're the one who said Qingyun is like a half-daughter to you. Now that something like this has happened to her, shouldn't you say something too?"
"Just say less, and that'll be enough." Wu Yingna shot her younger son a reproachful glance.
Shen Fei'an's expression was unreadable.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, the senior relatives from the side branches dared not speak up.
The Shen family's empire had always been ruled by the two brothers, Shen Fei'an and Shen Feiyi. Now that Shen Feiyi had passed away suddenly, Shen Fei'an held the most sway in the group.
"Shen Fei'an, what nonsense are you spouting?" The old lady's position in the household was equally unshakable—all domestic matters big and small went through her. This was the first time she had been publicly contradicted by her grandson, and her pride was wounded.
"Grandmother, I know very well what I'm saying." Shen Fei'an showed no sign of backing down. He even leaned forward slightly, his tone growing firmer and more resolute.