The news of Zhou Jianguo’s arrest sent shockwaves through the business world.
Almost overnight, Hengyuan Group’s stock price plummeted. Business partners scrambled to cut ties, while banks aggressively demanded repayment on outstanding loans. The once-mighty corporate empire collapsed in a matter of days, crumbling into ruin.
As a result, the supply chain crisis looming over the Su Corporation was resolved entirely.
Those suppliers who had previously been intimidated by the Zhou family and refused to work with the Su Corporation suddenly began calling one after another, eager to resume cooperation. Some even offered prices lower than before.
Su Qingyuan rejected every single one of them.
Instead, she signed contracts with entirely new suppliers, securing transparent agreements and fair pricing for the next three years.
Her assistant, Xiao Chen, could not understand her decision.
“President Su, those old suppliers came back on their own and even lowered their prices. Why didn’t we work with them again?”
Su Qingyuan did not even lift her head from the documents in front of her.
“In business, integrity comes first, loyalty second. If they abandoned us during a crisis once, they’ll do it again someday. People like that are not worth keeping around, no matter how cheap they are.”
Assistant Chen nodded thoughtfully.
That evening, after returning home, Su Qingyuan told Chen Yan about the matter.
At the time, Chen Yan was in the kitchen preparing dinner. After listening, he nodded in approval.
“You handled it well.”
Leaning against the kitchen doorway, she watched him quietly.
“What’s your opinion?”
Chen Yan continued chopping vegetables, not even glancing up.
“In business, character matters more than anything. Those suppliers fall into one of two categories, foolish or malicious. Foolish people fail to understand the situation, while malicious people have no principles. It’s best to stay away from both.”
A smile spread across her lips.
“That’s exactly what I thought too.”
Chen Yan turned his head slightly to look at her.
Standing there by the doorway, she was smiling genuinely, relaxed and carefree, completely unlike the polite, distant smile she usually wore around others.
Only then did he realize that she had been smiling much more often lately.
While they were eating dinner, Su Qingyuan suddenly spoke.
“My dad wants to meet you.”
Chen Yan paused.
“Your dad?”
She nodded.
“He saw the news. He knows the Zhou family’s downfall has something to do with you, and he wants to meet you.”
Chen Yan fell silent for a moment.
“When?”
“This weekend. He wants us to come over for dinner.”
Chen Yan looked at her.
“Us?”
She lowered her head slightly, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
“If you don’t want to go, I’ll just tell him you’re busy.”
Chen Yan smiled.
“I’ll go.”
She looked up at him.
He gave her a reassuring nod.
“I should go.”
That weekend, the two of them drove to the old Su family residence.
The villa sat halfway up a hill on the eastern side of the city. Though old, it carried an elegant charm. Flowers bloomed throughout the courtyard, while a stone pathway stretched toward the front entrance.
As the car came to a stop, Su Qingyuan stepped out.
Chen Yan followed behind her.
Waiting at the entrance stood a middle-aged man.
He looked to be in his fifties. Though strands of gray had already appeared in his hair, he stood tall and upright. Dressed in a dark gray Zhongshan suit, he wore a warm and gentle smile.
Su Qingyuan walked over.
“Dad.”
Father Su nodded, his gaze shifting past her and settling directly on Chen Yan.
Chen Yan stepped forward politely.
“Hello, Uncle.”
Father Su studied him carefully from head to toe.
Then he smiled.
“Come inside.”
The three entered the house.
The living room was spacious and tastefully decorated. Elegant calligraphy and traditional paintings adorned the walls, while bookshelves packed with books lined the room.
Father Su gestured for them to sit before personally brewing tea.
Once it was ready, he handed a cup to Chen Yan.
“Try this. It’s some Da Hong Pao from my private collection.”
Chen Yan accepted the tea and took a sip.
“Excellent tea.”
Father Su smiled.
“You know tea?”
“A little.”
Father Su nodded before taking a seat across from him.
“I heard about what happened with the Zhou family.”
Chen Yan stayed quiet.
Father Su looked directly at him.
“You brought Zhou Jianguo down by yourself?”
Chen Yan thought about it briefly.
“Not entirely. Many people helped.”
“For example?”
“Uncle Li. Zhang Chenghai. And the people my father helped years ago.”
Father Su nodded slowly.
“You’re humble.”
Chen Yan said nothing.
After a brief silence, Father Su asked,
“Has everything regarding your father’s case been resolved?”
Chen Yan nodded.
“Yes.”
“Zhou Jianguo was the mastermind?”
“Yes.”
Father Su sighed softly.
“I heard bits and pieces about what happened back then. Your father was a good man, just too trusting.”
Chen Yan remained silent.
Father Su looked at him again.
“What are your plans now?”
Chen Yan considered it for a moment.
“No major plans for now. I’ll continue with my current work.”
Father Su blinked in surprise.
“Your current work? Being Qingyuan’s assistant?”
Chen Yan nodded.
Father Su turned to glance at Su Qingyuan.
She lowered her head, expression unreadable.
Looking back at Chen Yan, Father Su asked,
“You really plan on continuing like this?”
Chen Yan smiled faintly.
“Is there anything wrong with it?”
Father Su stared at him for a moment.
Then he chuckled.
“Not at all.”
He stood up.
“Come on, let’s eat.”
During dinner, Father Su asked many questions.
He asked how Chen Yan had survived over the years, where he had lived, and what he hoped to do in the future.
Chen Yan answered honestly, never saying too much, but never hiding anything either.
Father Su listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
After dinner, Su Qingyuan headed to the kitchen to help clean up.
Chen Yan remained seated alone in the living room.
Not long after, Father Su returned and sat beside him.
“Xiao Yan.”
Chen Yan turned toward him.
Father Su remained silent for a brief moment before speaking.
“Qingyuan has been distant ever since she was little. Her mother passed away early, so I raised her alone. She learned very young how to shoulder responsibilities and rely only on herself.”
Chen Yan listened quietly.
Father Su continued,
“Over the years, many men pursued her. She never cared for any of them. For the longest time, I worried she’d spend her entire life alone.”
Turning his head, Father Su looked Chen Yan directly in the eye.
“Until the day she told me you moved into her home.”
Chen Yan looked at him quietly.
Father Su smiled softly.
“You probably don’t know this, but she has never allowed anyone to stay at her house. Even me, her own father, I have to stay at a hotel whenever I visit.”
Chen Yan froze for a second, genuinely surprised.
Father Su gently patted his shoulder.
“Treat her well.”
Chen Yan fell silent briefly before nodding firmly.
“I will.”
By the time they left the Su residence, the sky had already gone completely dark.
The two drove home together.
Su Qingyuan barely spoke during the ride.
Chen Yan glanced at her.
“What’s on your mind?”
She shook her head.
“Nothing.”
He did not press the matter.
Soon, the car pulled into Yunqi Villa and stopped outside.
The two got out and walked toward the house.
Just as they reached the door, Su Qingyuan suddenly stopped.
“Chen Yan.”
He turned around.
Standing beneath the moonlight, she looked directly at him.
“What did my dad say to you?”
Chen Yan thought for a moment.
“He told me to treat you well.”
She froze briefly before lowering her head.
The moonlight illuminated her face, revealing the tips of her ears turning bright red.
Watching her, Chen Yan suddenly chuckled softly.
“What do you think?”
She looked up in confusion.
“What do I think about?”
“About how I’ve been treating you,” he said, smiling lightly. “How am I doing so far?”
She stared at him, her bright eyes glimmering beneath the moonlight.
After a long pause, she quietly replied,
“You’re doing alright.”
Chen Yan stepped closer.
“Just alright?”
She shot him a glare.
“What more do you want?”
Looking down at her, he suddenly leaned forward and gently kissed her lips.
She froze completely.
When he pulled back, he looked at her with a smile.
“How about now?”
Her face instantly turned crimson.
She shoved him away, spun around, and hurried into the house.
Chen Yan stood there watching her retreating figure, unable to stop himself from laughing.
Her muffled voice drifted from inside.
“Close the door!”
Still smiling, Chen Yan stepped inside and shut the door behind him.