Feeling the warmth of Lin Zhunyu’s hand enveloping hers, Qiao Shan’s heart fluttered with joy. His touch, so sudden yet lingering, made her believe—perhaps he did still care for her.

With a delicate flush rising to her cheeks, she cast him a hesitant glance, her voice soft and filled with concern. “If I stay any longer, Miss Su might not be happy. I don’t want to upset her and cause trouble in your collaboration with the Su family. Maybe…maybe it’s best if I leave.”

Bai Xueping, who had been watching the exchange with thinly veiled disdain, suddenly interjected with a sharp sneer. “Well, at least you have some self-awareness.”

Qiao Shan’s breath hitched. She hadn’t expected such a blunt remark and felt a flicker of unease tightening in her chest. She instinctively turned to Lin Zhunyu, seeking reassurance.

She had only meant to subtly cast a shadow over Su Weichu in his heart, to plant the seed of discord. Yet, she failed to notice the way his sharp gaze darkened, how a cold glint flickered within his midnight eyes.

“That’s not your concern,” he said coolly. “Just stay here and rest.”

Qiao Shan’s heart leapt at his words and before she could respond, Bai Xueping scoffed in frustration.

“Zhunyu?” Qiao Shan whispered, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

Bai Xueping stared at her son in shock, unable to mask the surprise that twisted her features. She never imagined that Lin Zhunyu would agree to let this woman stay.

Just as she opened her mouth to protest, Lin Zhunyu beat her to it. “Mother, come with me for a moment. I need to speak with you,” he said, his tone firm yet calm.

Without waiting for her response, he released Qiao Shan’s hand, his fingers lingering for a fraction of a second before he turned and strode toward the door, each step purposeful.

Bai Xueping frowned, her mind already racing, but she followed him, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Once they were out of earshot, Lin Zhunyu wasted no time, the weight of his words cutting through the tension between them.

“I’m moving out today,” he said, his voice cool, almost detached.

“Moving out? Why?” Bai Xueping’s brow furrowed deeply, her displeasure creeping into her voice. Lin Zhunyu’s gaze remained steady, unyielding. “To better focus on the company project…and to win Su Weichu back.”

Bai Xueping paused, her eyes narrowing as she processed his decision. After a long beat, she sighed, her tone softening with reluctant acceptance. “Fine. Just make sure you take care of yourself while you’re at it…and bring Weichu back.”

She couldn’t argue further; she knew it was pointless. With a nod, she finally relented, her gaze lingering on her son, filled with a mother’s unspoken worries.

In the sterile, dimly lit hospital room, Qiao Shan sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the closed door. She had originally hoped to coax Lin Chenxi into standing by the door to eavesdrop on the conversation. But to her surprise, Lin Chenxi had misunderstood her subtle hint, instead standing proudly to the side, as if savoring a victory. He spoke with a smug grin, “See? I told you this plan would work. As soon as he heard you fainted, my brother rushed right over. He still cares about you, after all.”

Qiao Shan forced a soft smile, though her thoughts couldn’t help but curse inwardly. What an idiot.

Before she could respond, she noticed Bai Xueping entering the room. Her eyes quickly scanned the space, but there was no sign of Lin Zhunyu.

“Aunt, where’s Zhunyu?” she asked, unable to hide the curiosity and a hint of disappointment from her voice.

Bai Xueping cast a dismissive glance at her, her irritation obvious. “You think Zhunyu has all the time in the world for you? You’re not exactly dying, are you? Of course, he wouldn’t waste his time on someone like you.”

The sharp words hit their mark, and Qiao Shan was left speechless, her smile faltering as the bitterness boiled inside her. Her hands tightened around the blanket, her nails digging into the fabric as her teeth clenched.

That old woman…

One day, you will be forced to beg her, groveling and desperate for her approval.

After leaving the hospital, Lin Huaiyu didn’t immediately seek out Su Weichu although he wanted to. He knew full well that after their previous confrontation, Su Weichu wouldn’t be willing to meet him anytime soon. It was better to focus on other matters for now, so he decided to head to the company and tackle the pile of work that had accumulated over the past few days.

The next morning, in the office of Su Group’s president, assistant Yi Qingyun knocked softly before entering. She stepped into the room, her demeanor respectful as she spoke, “President, Mr. Lin is downstairs. He wishes to meet with you regarding the overseas project collaboration.”

“How many people did he bring with him?” Su Weichu paused her work, turning her gaze toward Yi Qingyun as she inquired.

“He came alone, so it’s just Mr. Lin,” Yi Qingyun replied promptly.

Su Weichu was silent for a moment, her thoughts drifting as she absorbed the information. She knew, without a doubt, that Lin Zhunyu had come alone for a reason. The supposed “business meeting” was likely nothing more than a pretense. His real goal was probably to find a way to entangle her once again.

“Since he’s alone…then let Director Chen handle the negotiations.”

On the other side, Lin Huaiyu sat in the meeting room, his eyes fixed intently on the door. His mind replayed the words he had carefully prepared, rehearsing them once more, as if every syllable had been meticulously crafted for this moment.

Just then, the sharp, rhythmic sound of high heels clicking against the floor echoed through the air, accompanied by the unmistakable scuffing of leather shoes. Lin Huaiyu assumed it was Su Weichu arriving with her team, and immediately adjusted his posture, sitting up straighter as he waited with composed anticipation for them to enter.

Moments later, the door to the meeting room creaked open.

But when Lin Huaiyu saw who had walked in, his demeanor shifted in an instant. The warm, welcoming expression that had adorned his face disappeared, replaced by a cold, ruthless gaze.

“Why are you two here? Where is Su Weichu?”

Lin Huaiyu recognized the two figures before him — Yi Qingyun, Su Weichu’s assistant, and Director Chen, a key staff member for the Overseas Project. It was clear to him that Su Weichu, in her avoidance of facing him, had entrusted the negotiation of the Overseas Project to these two.

The air grew tense, as if the very atmosphere was pressing down on them. Yi Qingyun and Director Chen could feel the weight of the moment, a chill creeping down their spines.

Especially Director Chen, who felt his legs tremble as fear gripped him, his mind racing with uncertainty.

Fortunately, Yi Qingyun reacted swiftly, subtly supporting Director Chen from behind, ensuring that he wouldn’t embarrass himself in front of Lin Huaiyu.

As for why Yi Qingyun remained unscathed under Lin Huaiyu’s pressure, it was because, before serving under Su Weichu, she had been an assistant secretary to the old master Su. Naturally, she had a sturdier backbone than Director Chen when it came to handling such intense situations.

“The president is currently occupied with other matters,” Yi Qingyun said with a gentle smile, her tone all business as she spoke. “We’ve been entrusted to discuss the specifics of the Overseas Project with you, Mr. Lin.”

At the sound of her words, Lin Huaiyu’s expression darkened immediately, and the temperature around him seemed to drop so sharply that it could almost crystallize into ice.

“Tell Su Weichu,” he said, his voice as cold as the depths of winter, “that I’ll only discuss the project with her. No one else. No exceptions.”

Yi Qingyun met his gaze without flinching, knowing full well that this matter wasn’t something she could sway. She smiled lightly, her demeanor still composed. “I understand, Mr. Lin. Please give me a moment to report back to the president.”

Back in her office, Su Weichu heard Yi Qingyun’s report and, with no need for further explanation, immediately understood Lin Huaiyu’s intentions.

She scoffed sharply, not even bothering to look up from her desk as she gave the order. “Tell Lin Huaiyu this—if he wants to discuss the project, fine, but if not, he can get lost. Su Enterprises isn’t short of partners for the Overseas Project. He’s not the only option.”

Yi Qingyun nodded respectfully and turned back into the meeting room, relaying her president’s words without altering a single syllable.

At the end of her report, she fixed her gaze on Lin Huaiyu with professional detachment, offering a polite smile. “Would Mr. Lin be willing to discuss the project with us?”

Lin Huaiyu’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her, his expression as dark as a thunderstorm before it breaks. His gaze bore into Yi Qingyun like a shadow, sending a chill down her spine.

Is he going to take his anger out on me? she wondered, unease creeping into her thoughts.

Just as her mind begun to race, a low, almost imperceptible laugh broke the silence, drawing her attention.

Lin Huaiyu, whose face had been thunderous a moment ago, now wore a mysterious, cryptic smile at the corners of his lips. His voice, previously cold as ice, now had a touch of lightness as he spoke: “Since your president has asked us to discuss the matter, then let’s talk.” With that, he slid a neatly arranged stack of documents onto the table.

Yi Qingyun and Director Chen were momentarily stunned, thrown off by the abrupt shift in his demeanor.

This man had been so furious just moments ago, yet now he was smiling and cooperative as if a completely different person altogether. What had just happened?