Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Li Qianxueâs heart had been hanging by a thread. When she saw Su Qingsang go on stage, she was very afraid. She had never been so scared before.
She was afraid that Su Qingsang would lose when competing against Su Peizhen. She was afraid that Su Qingsang would suffer.
She regretted countless times. She regretted why she had not been more magnanimous and tolerant.
If she had trained Su Qingsang according to same standards she had trained Su Peizhen, then Su Qingsang would be even more outstanding today.
That was until she saw Su Qingsangâs performance, and until she heard her daughter speak.
Her heart had been hanging in the air and all the way until Su Qingsang left the stage at the end.
Her heart, which had been worried about Su Qingsang, seemed to have finally calmed down.
A layer of sweat broke out on her back. After Su Qingsangâs performance, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Su Chenghui stood beside her. He had been paying attention to Li Qianxue and Su Qingsang.
He was also awed by Su Qingsangâs performance. He had never seen his daughter like this before.
After seeing Li Qianxueâs performance with Su Qingsang, his entire body relaxed. He reached out his hand and wanted to help Li Qianxue up.
Li Qianxue waved his hand away without thinking. Her eyes cold, she turned around to face him and stood still.
âSu Chenghui.â
She had too many things to say and too many emotions to vent. But now, other than calling Su Chenghuiâs name, she couldnât say anything else.
She didnât need to say anything, Su Chenghui understood. Ignoring her resistance, he pulled her into his arms.
He gently patted her back. Li Qianxueâs body tensed up. At first, she wanted to break free, but it wouldnât be appropriate in the current situation.
She thought of Su Qingsang, then she thought of Su Peizhen. The emotions in her heart were very chaotic.
She couldnât help but grab Su Chenghuiâs front lapel tightly, and her trembling voice was filled with suppressed emotions.
âSu Chenghui, you owe her, you owe her for the rest of your life.â
... ..
Su Peizhen shook off Su Qingsangâs hand. If it werenât for her last shred of dignity, she might have had an outburst right on the spot.
After she shook off Su Qingsangâs hand, she realized that something was wrong. Instead, she held Su Qingsangâs hand and led her to a corner.
She took a step forward and stood close in front of Su Qingsang. She looked at Su Qingsang with fiery rage in her eyes, and her low voice was harsh.
âSu Qingsang, do you feel very smug now?â
âSmug?â Su Qingsang looked at her exasperated face and chuckled lightly. âI indeed feel very smug. After all, itâs hard for me not to feel smug after making you, young madam Su, accompany me. Donât you think so?â
Her smile was aloof and her expression was composed. No matter who saw her current countenance, they wouldnât have known about how nervous she was before she went on stage.
Speaking of which, Su Qingsang really didnât have any talent that she could put on the table. She grew up as an illegitimate daughter. She was already fortunate enough if the Su family was willing to give her anything to eat. How could they let her go learn those things?
Moreover, she wasnât interested in those things. Therefore, compared to Su Peizhen, she really didnât have any talent that she could put on the table.
Although her voice was pleasant, she had never thought about singing.
To be able to sing the song âLegendâ like that, she had to thank her time in medical school.
At the medical school party every year, someone had to perform on stage. Su Qingsang was never one who wanted to be in the limelight.
However, just as she was about to graduate that year, the class monitor misheard and signed up her name.
By the time she realized it, it was too late. She wanted to say that she wouldnât perform, but the show had already been reported to the school.
Su Qingsang was helpless and had no choice but to bite the bullet.
She was a person who pursued perfection. Since she was going to go on stage, she had to perform well.
For the sake of going on stage that time, she practiced repeatedly for a very long time. She learned how to pronounce, how to enunciate, and how to change the pitches.
Fortunately, it hadnât been long since she graduated. Her voice was still decent.
The calmer she was, the angrier Su Peizhen became.
âSu Qingsang, donât go too far.â
âI ââ how did she go too far? She was the one who provoked her first. How did she become the one who went too far?
âSo what if my woman goes too far?â
A voice with a hint of coldness suddenly sounded. Huo Jinyao had arrived at some point in time.
His large hands wrapped around her shoulders, he stood in front of Su Qingsang, and he looked at Su Peizhen sharply.
Su Peizhen was intimidated by Huo Jinyaoâs gaze, and her stance immediately weakened.
The corners of Huo Jinyaoâs lips curled up. His tall figure gave her a sense of oppression.
âSo what if my woman goes overboard?â
Su Peizhen gritted her teeth. At this point, what else could she do?
Su Qingsang looked at Huo Jinyao, and her heart warmed. In reality, she wouldnât let herself be at a disadvantage. However, she liked Huo Jinyaoâs protective attitude.
âPresident Huo, this is between me and Qingsang. It has nothing to do with you.â
âQingsang is my wife. Do you really think it has anything to do with me?â
Just as Su Peizhen was feeling choked, another voice sounded.
âHow lively.â
Huo Yifan had arrived at some point in time as well, and he stood beside Su Peizhen.
His gaze swept across Huo Jinyao and Su Peizhen. He smiled and said, âBig brother, what are you doing? No matter what, Peizhen is your future sister-in-law. Donât scare her.â
He put his hands on Su Peizhenâs shoulder as well. It was obvious that he was defending her.
Huo Jinyaoâs gaze swept past his hand and finally returned to Huo Yifanâs face.
Their eyes met, and there was eery tension in the air.
âYou also said that itâll be in the future. Since itâll be in the future, letâs wait until she marries into the family.â
The corners of Huo Jinyaoâs lips curled up slightly, and a hint of derision appeared on his face.
Su Peizhenâs heart felt increasingly stifled.
What did Huo Jinyao mean?
âBig brother, your words amuse me. Donât worry. Iâll definitely make Peizhen your sister-in-law.â
âThen we can wait and see.â
Huo Jinyao held Su Qingsangâs waist as he swept his gaze across Huo Yifan and Su Peizhenâs faces. Then, he turned around and left.
Su Peizhen was so angry that her teeth were clenching. She was really feeling suffocated. She pushed Huo Yifanâs hand away.
âEnough.â
âAlright, babe, donât be angry anymore.â Huo Yifan held her hand. âItâs never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Donât be anxious.â
How could she not be anxious? She glared at Huo Yifan hatefully. âYouâd better pray that the signing of the contract will go smoothly in two days, or else ââ
âAlright, alright. âHuo Yifan pulled her back into his embrace. âDonât be angry anymore. Trust me, itâll go smoothly.â
Su Qingsang walked beside Huo Jinyao, and she suddenly laughed out loud. Her laughter was very low, and Huo Jinyao turned to look at her.
âWhat are you laughing at?â
âNothing.â Su Qingsang glanced at him. âI think Su Peizhenâs reaction just now was quite funny.â
Huo Jinyaoâs lips twitched. âShe probably didnât expect it either. She wanted to see you make a fool of yourself, but you turned her into a joke.â
Su Qingsang laughed, stuck out her tongue, and said playfully, âIt doesnât count as a joke, but she didnât get what she wanted, so sheâs probably mad.â
Huo Jinyao smiled as well, then kissed her cheek gently. âYou sang so well just now. Why didnât I notice it before? Did you hide your true potential when you went out for fun with us?â
âYeah.â Su Qingsangâs eyes were smiley. âI have to hide my true potential.â
âWell done.â Huo Jinyao looked at her slightly opened lips and couldnât help but kiss her. âI like it.â
Su Qingsang blushed slightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Su Peizhen and Huo Yifan turn around and leave. The smile on her face faded a little.
She actually didnât want to have a bad relationship with Su Peizhen.
From Su Peizhenâs point of view, she had lost everything. It was very understandable that she would be unhappy.
If Su Peizhen didnât do anything and just let it go, then she was also willing to let it go.
If Su Peizhen didnât want to stop and did more, then she had no choice but to return the favor.
..
Su Peizhen didnât wait for the end of the banquet, and wanted to leave early.
But she couldnât leave because Old Master Huo was looking for her.
Old Master Huo didnât know that Su Qingsang didnât know how to play the piano, so he treated the two sistersâ performance as a surprise.
Of course, he knew that Su Peizhen was a virtuouso. For a moment, he didnât realize Su Peizhenâs ulterior motives.
âPeizhen, you gave me a good surprise today. Did you and Qingsang plan it beforehand?â
âYes.â Su Peizhen smiled brightly, but she was the only one who knew how resentful she felt. âOriginally, I wanted to play four hands together with sister, but she said that it would take longer to practice, so this would be the best surprise.â
âOkay, okay, okay,â Old Master Huo said. He looked at Su Chenghui and Li Qianxue in the distance.
âLet your father come over later to discuss your marriage with Yifan.â
Old Master Huo remembered that Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao had never held a wedding in Rong City. Now that Su Peizhen was going to be with Huo Yifan, the wedding had to be lively.
Su Peizhenâs face was really stiff now. Discuss her marriage with Su Chenghui?
Li Qianxue was in a bad mood. She also wanted to leave early.
But she couldnât. Not only was she unable to leave in a hurry, she even stood aside when someone came up to greet her and found out that Su Chenghui was Su Qingsangâs father.
âPresident Su, youâre so amazing. You raised your two daughters so well, and both married into the Huo family. Itâs really something to celebrate.â
âExactly. President Suâs daughters outrival all the outstanding heiresses in Rong City.â
âYou really raised them well.â
Su Chenghui didnât want to hear those compliments.
However, he had to listen to them. Not only him, but also Li Qianxue.
Others didnât know that they were divorced, much less that Su Qingsang and Su Peizhen had the same father but different mothers.
Li Qianxue stood beside Su Chenghui. After the crowd had dispersed, she gave Su Chenghui a cold look.
âThis is the last time.â
She didnât say what last time it was. She walked towards Su Qingsang, intending to leave first.
Sighing silently in his heart, Su Chenghui dazedly watched her leave.
He originally thought that it was a chance to get close to Li Qianxue and mend his relationship with her, but he didnât expect that not only did it not go as he wished, but it also actually made their relationship worse.
Su Chenghui looked in Su Peizhenâs direction. He knew that it would be even harder to get Li Qianxue to forgive him.
Before he could recover from that emotion, Old Master Huo had already asked Huo Yifan to invite him.
Old Master Huo had a high position and immense power. After entertaining for half a day, he was sitting on the sofa in the banquet hall to rest.
Beside him sat Huo Yangyuan and Huo Yangxiu. Apart from them, there was also Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen. There was also Huo Mingliang, Nian Chunya and her husband, as well as Huo Yiyang and Huo Manzi.
Su Chenghui didnât see Huo Jinyao or Su Qingsang, but he greeted everyone present.
In the end, he sat down on the sofa opposite Old Master Huo.
âNephew, whereâs my niece?â
âSheâs not feeling well. Sheâs going back to the hotel to rest.â
Old Master Huo nodded. He understood the true relationship between Li Qianxue and Su Peizhen, so he didnât ask anymore.
âNephew, Iâve already said it once. Iâll say it again now and ask what you think.â
As Old Master Huo spoke, he looked in the direction of Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen. The two of them sat together while holding hands, and they looked deeply in love.
âLetâs discuss Peizhen and Yifanâs marriage.â
Su Chenghui had been prepared before he came, but he didnât expect Old Master Huo to be so impatient.
âWhat I mean is, get engaged first, then get married. Have a lively wedding. As for how much betrothal gifts you want, what other requirements do you have, feel free to mention them all. I mean to have a wedding in Rong City. As for whether we will hold one in Lin City, Iâll ask your opinion. If it needs to be held, we can cooperate.â
Su Peizhen had married both his daughters into the Huo family. Huo Jinyao had already made the decision regarding Su Qingsangâs matter before reporting it to the Huo family.
Old Master Huo definitely wanted to hold the second wedding.
âI think thatâs a good idea too,â Huo Yangyuan chimed in. âWeâll hold one in Rong City and one in Lin City. We canât be too casual about marrying a daughter-in-law into the Huo family.â
Su Peizhen leaned her face against Huo Yifanâs chest. She had been feeling stifled earlier. Now, things were much smoother.
Su Chenghui sat there without moving for a long time. In front of him was the elder of the Huo family, and Old Master Huoâs mirthful eyes were across from him.
He turned to look at Su Peizhen, and saw the smile in her eyes.
He pursed his lips and spoke softly to Su Peizhenâs smiling face.
âIâm sorry, but I donât agree to this marriage.â
Their surroundings seemed to have suddenly fallen silent. Everyone in the Huo family looked at Su Chenghui, as if they didnât understand what he meant by this.
âEldest nephew, are you joking?â
âIâm not joking.â Su Chenghui looked at Old Master Huo without any fear. âI indeed disagree.â
âHuh?â Old Master Huo looked at the other people present, then at Su Peizhen. In the end, he seemed to be a little confused. âDoes nephew have any dissatisfaction with Yifan? Or something else?â
âNeither.â
Su Peizhenâs face turned pale. She never thought that Su Chenghui would play such a trick.
âThen what are you doing?â
âGrandfather, there are some things that I think itâs better I tell you first.â
Su Chenghuiâs voice was indifferent. âYou should know that although Peizhen is my daughter, she isnât the eldest young madam of the Su family.â
When Su Chenghui said this, Su Peizhenâs expression was quite ugly.
She could barely resist bursting out in a fit of anger. Huo Yifan held her hand tightly and gave her a disapproving look.
Su Chenghui acted as if he didnât see the change in Su Peizhenâs expression. âPeizhen is my daughter, but sheâs an illegitimate daughter.â
Apart from Old Master Huo, everyone elseâs expression changed.
Nian Chunya naturally knew about it long ago, but hearing Su Chenghui say it out loud, her expression became that of amusement.
âSheâs an illegitimate daughter. Now, she has nothing to do with Lin Cityâs Li family. I think she doesnât deserve ââ
âDad.â Su Peizhen had been in a bad mood the entire night. She had been suppressing her emotions.
At this moment, she didnât want to suppress her emotions anymore. âDo you have to do this?â
âI just wanted to make it clear to the in-laws in advance.â Su Chenghuiâs expression was calm. He looked at Su Peizhen. His usually refined face was filled with determination.
âIâve taught you to be upright and open about your true background. Iâve made mistakes before, so I donât want you to make them again. Your identity indeed isnât worthy of Huo Yifan.â
âDad.â
Su Peizhen gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tightly.
Old Master Huo looked at the father and daughter, and cleared his throat to smooth things over. âEldest nephew, thereâs no need to say this. I already know Peizhenâs identity. The Huo family doesnât mind. We never objected to Qingsangâs marriage to Jinyao back then.â
âOld Master, I know youâre a good person.â
Su Chenghuiâs attitude didnât change. After what had happened previously, he now knew very well that Su Peizhen wanted to marry into the Huo family because she wanted to get even with Su Qingsang.
How sincere could she be towards Huo Yifan?
A marriage without feelings wouldnât lead to happiness. Su Peizhen was now possessed by the Devil. In order to make Su Qingsang unhappy, she didnât mind putting herself in harmâs way.
âBut there are some things I want to make clear to you first. For example, Peizhenâs identity. For example, the difference between her and Huo Yifan. These are all things that I have made clear.â
âI know that youâre being magnanimous. However, these are all small matters. You donât have to be so agitated, do you?â
âIn short, I wonât agree.â Su Chenghuiâs attitude was firm.
Su Peizhen was extremely angry. She sat there and felt as if she had been stripped naked.
Making her face turn red, embarrassment, humiliation, shame, all sorts of emotions surged up.
âDad, Iâm already an adult. I donât need your permission to do anything.â
She was marrying into the Huo family and that was definite.
âYes, youâre older and have your own opinions. So, you donât need my permission to do anything.â
Su Chenghui nodded and didnât refute her words.
âIâm just expressing my attitude. As for what you plan to do, thatâs your business.â
He stood up and glanced at Old Master Huo.
âOld Master, I have reservations about this marriage, and Iâve already said it first. If you still want to let Peizhen enter the Huo family, then do as you please. Thereâs no need to inform me to attend the wedding.â
Su Peizhenâs face turned livid. She didnât expect Su Chenghui to be so ruthless.
She stood up and blocked Su Chenghuiâs way when he was about to leave.
âDad, I thought I was still your daughter.â
âYeah. I also thought that you were still my daughter.â
Su Chenghui knew what she meant, but he believed that she also knew what he meant. âI thought that you no longer thought of yourself as my daughter.â
If it wasnât for Su Peizhen deliberately making things difficult for Su Qingsang, Su Chenghui wouldnât have such an attitude now.
But as for Su Peizhenâs actions just now, others didnât know, but he knew very well.
Since she had such an attitude now even before she married into the Huo family, if she really married into the Huo family and had more contact with Su Qingsang, what would she do?
Or perhaps, she had already made a move without him knowing?
Su Chenghui didnât want to think that badly of Su Peizhen, but now he had no choice but to think about it.
âDad.â Su Peizhen took a step forward. Her voice was low and pleading. It was her last hope towards Su Chenghui. âToday is a celebratory day. You can disagree with me marrying Huo Yifan, but you are my father. Are you sure you really want to do this?â
âAre you sure?â
Su Chenghuiâs usually gentle eyes were now filled with disapproval. âAre you sure youâve thought it through and want to marry Huo Yifan? Are you sure you love him? Are you sure?â
He looked at her with a sharp gaze that almost peered into her heart.
Before Su Peizhen could answer, Huo Yifan stood up first and held Su Peizhenâs shoulder.
âUncle, of course Peizhen and I have real feelings for each other. Iâve been dating Peizhen for a few months now, although I canât say that we know each other 100%. But sometimes, when we meet the right person, we canât help but want to settle down with them. âSince Peizhen and I have already decided, weâll naturally get along well. In the days to come, weâll slowly deepen our mutual understanding and get to know each other better to take our feelings for each other to the next level.â
These words sounded very nice, but unfortunately, he was facing Su Chenghui.
âIs that so? If thatâs the case, then I wish you all the best. However, I still maintain my attitude: I donât support your marriage, but I wonât interfere or stop it. Thatâs all. I only hope that you wonât regret it.â
He didnât believe that with Huo Yifanâs shrewdness, he couldnât tell that Su Peizhen was marrying into the Huo family with ulterior motives.
But why would Huo Yifan still accept it? It showed that Huo Yifanâs motives were impure as well. Huo Jinyao was the president, and Huo Yifan was the vice president.
There was a big difference between the vice president and the president. Everyone had ambitions. With an outstanding brother like Huo Jinyao on top, Huo Yifan naturally would have his own opinions.
Su Chenghui was even certain that Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen still had some other dealings between them.
âUncle, what are you talking about? Of course I wonât regret it. After all, I have true feelings for Peizhen.â
Su Peizhen didnât speak. She didnât want to speak anymore. She only looked at Su Chenghui. This time, she started to hate him as well.
She would firmly remember the humiliation that these people had given her today.
Whether it was Su Qingsang or Su Chenghui.
She would never forget everything that every one of them had done to her.
She concealed her emotions very well. In the eyes of others, she appeared sorrowful and pitiful. She appeared to feel very wronged that she didnât receive her fatherâs blessing.
Only Su Chenghui didnât miss the flash of hatred in Su Peizhenâs eyes.
His feelings became even more complicated.
âPeizhen, since you wonât regret it, you donât need my permission. In short, you should take care of yourself.â
âOld Master.â Su Chenghui bowed in the direction of Old Master Huo. âQingsangâs mother isnât feeling well, so Iâll go see her now. Excuse me.â
Su Chenghui left the others present to glance at each other in bafflement. Finally, they all looked at Su Peizhen.