Su Weichu was so amused by Lin Chenxi’s words that she actually laughed.

She looked at her mockingly. “Oh, thank you for your concern. But even if I couldn’t have children, there are still enough men willing to marry me to line up around the city walls.”

Lin Chenxi choked on her words, jealousy surging in her heart.

This was the same woman she had once belittled and trampled on at will. How did she now stand so much higher than her?

The more Lin Chenxi thought about it, the angrier she became. Now that the two families were already working together, she no longer had any reservations. With no attempt to hold back, she spewed out the most vicious words she could muster.

“You’re nothing but a used-up shoe that my brother played with! Do you really think any man truly cares about you? They’re only interested in the Su Corporation behind you!”

Su Weichu’s face remained cold as she fired back. “At least I have the Su Corporation as my backing. And what do you have, Lin Chenxi? Without your brother, you are nothing.”

If it was a battle of words, Su Weichu had never lost to anyone.

She had simply been too lazy to bother with fools before—out of consideration for Lin Huaiyu.

“Who hasn’t fallen for a scumbag in their youth? But given my status, no one would care about my past. On the other hand, what you’ve done in the shadows is truly laughable. You’ve disgraced your brother more than anyone else ever could.”

As she spoke, Su Weichu forcefully shook off Lin Huaiyu’s grip and sneered, “Lin Huaiyu, instead of wasting time here pestering me, why don’t you keep your sister in check? Do you even know what she’s been up to? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard from people in my circle that she’s been throwing herself at wealthy men like a cheap street girl.”

“Su Weichu! Stop talking nonsense!”

Lin Chenxi suddenly shrieked, her face turning pale as she shot a panicked glance at Lin Huaiyu. The guilt in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Lin Huaiyu’s expression darkened instantly.

“Lin Chenxi!” His voice was cold as ice.

“Brother! I didn’t—she’s lying! Don’t listen to this vile woman!” Lin Chenxi scrambled to defend herself.

But Su Weichu was already out of patience.

“You two can take your time sorting this out. I’m leaving.”

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

---

For the next two days, Su Weichu stayed home to recover.

Oddly enough, Lin Huaiyu didn’t come to bother her. Perhaps he was too busy dealing with Lin Chenxi. Either way, the peace and quiet were a rare luxury.

After handling the backlog of work at the office, she casually glanced at her desk calendar. Her expression turned sharp—her strange illness was due to strike again in a couple of days.

She called for Yi Qingyun. “Any movement from Su Hetong lately?”

“Nothing major, but I heard that the Vice President has been out drinking with some of the company’s shareholders these past few nights.”

Yi Qingyun reported everything she had noticed.

Su Weichu nodded, then instructed, “I have some personal matters to handle soon and will be away for a few days. Distribute my workload accordingly, and bring me anything urgent before I leave.”

She planned to find a secluded place to rest when her illness hit.

Yi Qingyun accepted the order and left to make arrangements.

Just as Su Weichu was about to return to her work, her phone rang—it was a call from the Su family estate.

“Uncle Xiang, what’s wrong?”

Uncle Xiang was the butler of the Su estate. He had served Old Master Su his entire life and had watched Su Weichu grow up.

Because of that, she respected him deeply.

“Young Miss, could you come to the hospital?”

Before Su Weichu could ask, Uncle Xiang quickly explained, “A few days ago, the Master suddenly fell ill. He didn’t want me to notify you, but today your aunt showed up. I have a bad feeling about her, so I contacted you behind his back.”

“Uncle Xiang, something as serious as Grandfather falling ill should have been told to me immediately! I’m on my way now.”

Su Weichu hung up, grabbed her things, and rushed to the hospital as fast as she could.

Standing outside the hospital room, she saw Ji Xiaolan acting unusually attentive—offering her grandfather a bowl of soup.

“Father, I had this specially prepared for you. It’s very nutritious.”

She smiled as she pushed the bowl toward him.

Old Master Su gave her a glance but made no move to take it.

Ji Xiaolan’s smile stiffened. A flicker of annoyance flashed in her eyes.

This old man just doesn’t know what’s good for him.

The atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Su Weichu stepped inside with a smirk. “Well, well, the sun must be rising from the west today—Aunt is actually playing the role of a dutiful caregiver.”

She ignored Ji Xiaolan’s darkening expression and walked straight to her grandfather’s side, feigning mild complaint.

“Grandfather, why didn’t you tell me you were sick? If Uncle Xiang hadn’t called, I wouldn’t have even known.”

“What’s the point of telling you? It’s not like you can be sick on my behalf.”

Despite his gruff words, Old Master Su smiled when he saw her. “Besides, you have an entire company to run, and you just recovered from your own illness. It’s nothing serious—I have Uncle Xiang to look after me.”

“That doesn’t matter! You’re my only family in this world.”

Su Weichu’s heart warmed. She knew he didn’t want to worry her, but she still disapproved of his secrecy.

Ji Xiaolan seized the opportunity to stir trouble. “Weichu, that’s quite hurtful to hear. Are your uncle and I not your family?”

“In terms of blood, yes. But in terms of bonds, you don’t come close to my grandfather.”

Su Weichu didn’t bother with niceties.

Ji Xiaolan immediately heard the hidden mockery and clenched her fists in anger. Still, she refused to give up. “You speak so well, but where were you when your grandfather was sick? You weren’t here to care for him, were you?”

“It was my decision to keep it from her. Do you have a problem with that?”

Old Master Su’s expression darkened as he glared at Ji Xiaolan.

She opened her mouth but had no retort.

Su Weichu had no patience left. “Grandfather has me to take care of him. Aunt, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. It’s getting late—Uncle Xiang, please see her out.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

Uncle Xiang entered the room and promptly escorted Ji Xiaolan away.

Now, only Su Weichu and her grandfather remained.

She was about to ask about his condition when he suddenly erupted into a violent coughing fit.

“Grandfather! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” he managed between coughs.

But even as he spoke, blood trickled from the corner of his lips.

Su Weichu’s face paled in an instant.

“You’re coughing up blood, and you still say it’s nothing? I’m getting the doctor!”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and ran out of the room.

Within minutes, she returned with a doctor and a team of nurses.

“My grandfather suddenly started coughing and spit up blood—please, check him immediately!”

The doctor nodded and immediately began the examination.

Su Weichu stood to the side, hands clenched, heart pounding with fear.