Chapter 12 – Scared into Clinging to Sheng Qiye

Liu Xu was in high spirits.
“That’s perfect. I’ll cancel tomorrow’s lesson. Oh, should we buy some kind of gift? I can prepare it.”

Su Rong shook her head.
“No need, not yet.”
She wasn’t even sure if they could find him.

Liu Xu clasped her hand with heartache.
“Rongrong, you’re covered in injuries like this. Don’t the Su family see it? Do they just ignore you?”

Su Rong hadn’t told her that three years ago she’d been framed by Su Xue’er and sent to prison. Liu Xu was too loyal, too quick to act on impulse—Su Rong worried she might ruin her plans if she knew.
“I’ve been covering it up as much as I can so they won’t notice,” Su Rong said softly.

Perhaps only the old madam would pity her, and Su Rong didn’t want her grandmother to worry. As for the others—she wasn’t sure what they thought. Better not to burden herself with it. Everyone was busy with their own lives, and she didn’t want to trouble them.

She had once been the little princess adored by the entire Su family. But ever since Su Xue’er returned, everything had changed. The family bent over backwards to make up for Xue’er, while she was pushed to the side, treated like an outsider. She couldn’t even voice her grievances—otherwise, she’d be called petty, selfish, narrow-minded.

Su Rong understood this. She had even tried to please Su Xue’er, to maintain their so-called sisterhood. But Su Xue’er was far too vicious.

“It’s fine. You still have me.” Liu Xu gave her a brief hug.
“It’s late already. Come on, let me treat you to a feast. French cuisine, at the revolving restaurant overlooking the Seine—how about it?”

“Let’s go!” Su Rong smiled faintly.
“There’s no trouble that a good meal can’t solve.”

For a moment, Liu Xu was dazed—Su Rong seemed like the lively girl she once was, her eyes bright with youthful spark. But the moment passed, and the heaviness returned to her face.

“Come on then.” Liu Xu sighed, leading her toward the World Trade Center.

When the elevator doors opened, two men were already inside—Sheng Qiye and Leng Xiao, having come up from the underground parking.

Su Rong froze. She’d been running into these two far too often these days. Her gaze met Sheng Qiye’s, and she suddenly felt nervous.

Liu Xu greeted them casually, tugging Su Rong to enter the elevator. Su Rong hesitated, unsure if she should step in. Sheng Qiye looked at her coolly—what, did she expect him to invite her into an elevator? Wasn’t she supposed to be bold?

Only when the doors were about to close did Leng Xiao press the button to hold them open.
“Coming up?” he asked.

At that, Su Rong followed Liu Xu inside.

The elevator wasn’t small, yet with the two men there, it felt stifling.

And right at that moment, the lights suddenly went out.

Su Rong let out a sharp scream—and the next second, she threw herself into Sheng Qiye’s arms, clinging tightly, burrowing into his chest.

She had suffered from claustrophobia since childhood, and during her time in prison, Zhu Hui had deliberately locked her in solitary confinement several times, worsening her condition. The sudden darkness of the elevator had triggered her panic.

Fortunately, after just ten seconds or so, the lights flickered back on.

Face pale, Su Rong hurriedly let go, her head buzzing.
“I’m sorry, President Sheng.”

Sheng Qiye could tell she hadn’t done it on purpose, nor was she faking. And to his surprise—being held so tightly by her, he hadn’t felt any disgust.

Liu Xu supported Su Rong and quickly explained,
“Sorry about that, President Sheng. Rongrong has claustrophobia. The blackout just startled her.”

Catching her breath, Su Rong moved aside, afraid something else unexpected might happen. Thankfully, they soon arrived at the top floor.

Later, Liu Xu and Su Rong sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Liu Xu muttered,
“A place this high-end, and the elevator still has problems? Once in a century, really.”

She glanced over at Sheng Qiye and Leng Xiao, seated not far away.
“You might’ve scared him just now. Should we send them a fruit platter as an apology?”

Still shaken, Su Rong nodded.
“Sure. You decide.”

Whether or not they cared, an apology was proper.

When the fruit platter arrived, Sheng Qiye looked at Leng Xiao.
“You ordered this?”

The waiter explained,
“The two ladies over there sent it as an apology for earlier.”

Liu Xu smiled, waving toward them, then made a little “sorry” gesture.

Sheng Qiye forked a piece of fruit into his mouth.
“Tastes good. Next time, order a fruit platter.”

Liu Xu beamed.
“See? He ate it—that means he accepted our apology.”

Su Rong managed a faint smile.
“You’re thoughtful.”

A few sips of juice helped calm her racing heart.

Cutting her steak, Liu Xu said,
“Honestly, Sheng Qiye doesn’t seem nearly as cold or unapproachable as the rumors say.”

Su Rong nodded.
“I think so too.”

By the time they looked back again, Sheng Qiye and Leng Xiao were already gone.

Back at the Su house, laughter and joy echoed through the halls—proof enough of how happy they’d been these past three years without her.

When Su Rong entered, Su Xue’er leaned closer to Bai Fei, talking about her time at Yu Palace.
“Maybe it’s been too long since Sister played the piano—she’s forgotten how. I think she should find a private teacher to get some lessons before joining the Ladies’ Hall. After all, it’s not just her own image at stake—she represents the Su family, too.”

She didn’t mention Su Rong’s injured hand at all.

Bai Fei agreed,
“Yes, some time in a training program would be good.”

She hated Lin Lan for switching the babies, making her real daughter suffer while another girl lived in luxury with all her love. But Su Rong was still the child she’d raised for nineteen years. That bond couldn’t be cut off so easily. Her heart was conflicted, which made her attitude toward Su Rong lukewarm.

The old madam asked gently,
“Rongrong, what do you think?”

Su Rong needed the Ladies’ Hall to build her reputation and status. With no degree, and a criminal record, it would be hard for her to find work otherwise.
“I wasn’t prepared today, but I’ll adjust slowly,” she replied.

The old madam nodded.
“Good. If you run into any trouble, tell Grandma. I’ll help you.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

After the greetings, Su Rong returned to her room. It was becoming harder and harder to feel like part of this family. Since Su Xue’er’s return, she had become nothing more than an outsider.

The next morning, Su Rong drove with Liu Xu toward Phoenix Mountain on the northern outskirts, about two hours from the city.

Li Nan had told her that Hua Tuo owned a villa at the base of the mountain and occasionally stayed there. Whether they would meet him depended on luck.

Liu Xu munched on a crab roe bun.
“How’s your hand? Want me to drive instead?”

“I’m fine.”

Driving wasn’t like playing piano. She could use her right hand when her left hurt, or just switch on the car’s autopilot. The old madam had bought her the latest model, equipped with cutting-edge technology.

Following Li Nan’s directions, Su Rong found the villa deep at the base of Phoenix Mountain. She rang the doorbell.

The villa had a small courtyard. Herbs were spread out to dry, filling the air with a strong medicinal fragrance even from the gate—clear proof the owner was home.