She was crouched at the gate, a tiny little thing.

The blazing sun had turned the half of her neck and her little ears that were exposed to the sunlight bright red. Because of her crouched posture, her collar had dipped down, and when he approached and looked down, he could clearly see that row of bony ribs…

She looked very skinny.

But it seemed like…

She had indeed grown up.

Not like the first time he saw her four years ago—frail, tiny, like she hadn’t grown properly yet.

His gaze lingered on her chest bones for a second. Sheng Yize’s eyes flickered, and he quickly looked away.

Soon after, Sang Sui finished the porridge.

The hunger had eased a bit. She quietly put down the spoon and obediently held up the empty bowl to show him. “I finished it…”

Sheng Yize was looking at his phone and gave a faint “Mm.”

A waiter came over to clear the bowl. Sang Sui glanced at the entrance.

Why isn’t Zou Jin here yet?

Feeling uneasy, she rubbed her hands together and glanced at the man across from her.

The atmosphere was getting awkward, so she tried to make small talk.

“So… thanks for bringing me back last night.”

Sheng Yize looked up.

“And, thanks for the medicine too.”

He let out a neutral hum and lowered his head again to look at his phone.

Sang Sui smiled slightly. “Even though it was probably Uncle Sheng’s idea, I still want to thank you.”

“Just flapping your lips. Anyone can do that,” the man sneered, lifting his eyes to meet her wide ones. “And don’t mention him in front of me.”

“……”

Sang Sui instantly shut her mouth.

Ever since Aunt Lin passed away, Sheng Yize’s young master temper had gotten more and more difficult. He was especially cold toward Sheng Guohua—every time the father and son met, it either ended in a fight or in a cold, unhappy departure.

She had never known what exactly had happened between them, only that Aunt Lin’s passing had sent the whole family into chaos. Sheng Yize, just a teenager at the time, had single-handedly held everything together.

In those years, he had to manage school, manage the company, and act as a buffer between his grieving father and the chaotic board of directors. One wrong step and the entire Sheng family would’ve collapsed.

And he’d done it all.

Later on, even Sheng Guohua’s rivals would privately say that Sheng Yize was born with a ruthless streak and a monstrous edge—he wasn’t just a qualified heir; he was a weapon.

A sword.

Sang Sui lowered her eyes and didn’t speak again.

The air between them fell back into an awkward silence.

Ten minutes later, Zou Jin finally arrived in a panic.

She had just gotten out of the hospital and rushed straight over.

“Sui Sui! Are you okay?! I heard you fainted!”

Sang Sui stood up. “I’m okay now.”

Zou Jin ran over and checked her from head to toe. Seeing that she looked normal, she let out a sigh of relief, then turned to Sheng Yize. “President Sheng, I’m so sorry. I had something to deal with just now, otherwise I would’ve been here earlier.”

“It’s fine,” Sheng Yize said, standing up as well.

Sang Sui quickly said, “I’ll head back with Sister Zou now.”

He didn’t answer. Just glanced at her and left with his hands in his pockets.

The private room door closed behind him with a thud.

Only then did Zou Jin let out a long breath and say with a chuckle, “So the one who carried you back yesterday really was President Sheng, huh?”

Sang Sui nodded, blushing a bit. “…Yeah.”

Zou Jin smiled. “Well, at least he’s not completely heartless.”

“……”

Sang Sui didn’t reply.

Zou Jin drove her back to the studio. The moment they entered, Sang Sui was pulled aside by her assistant.

“Sister Sui! Something’s wrong!”