Category: After I Abandoned the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration]

Chapter 152: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (27)

Yu Nian simply replied with a question mark.

She was at Wanda’s branch office, learning the ropes under Yu Wanru’s watchful eye. She had felt bad for not replying to Dai Yan’s earlier messages and had been planning to invite her to dinner.

But she hadn’t expected such outrageous gossip to be circulating.

What the hell is “master/pet literature or dynamic?”

Yu Nian stared at the picture and the rumors, seeing her own demeanor beside Su Mingxiu, lost in thought.

She had thought she would look happy, but the picture showed her looking preoccupied.

“Yu Nian?”

The person explaining the company’s investment strategies put down his laser pointer, thinking she was confused, and paused.

Yu Nian, as if startled awake in class, quickly caught up, hiding her distraction.

After the meeting, she returned to her desk, finished her work efficiently, then looked at the black and white photo again—her head lowered, Su Mingxiu adjusting her collar.

The Bulgari Serpenti necklace and ring were eye-catching, a touch of luxury.

As if…

…she was Su Mingxiu’s pet.

Yu Nian finally understood the source of her complex emotions. It was because Su Mingxiu was now more powerful than her, even more so than Yu Wanru, the mountain that had always loomed over her. This newfound power made Su Mingxiu seem distant, unfamiliar, and Yu Nian felt a pang of self-doubt, a worry that she wasn’t good enough.

But this… wasn’t Su Mingxiu’s fault.

After all, Su Mingxiu had left the show because of her, no longer under Yu Wanru’s control, this was a good thing.

If she continued to hesitate, to be more timid than before, why would Su Mingxiu wait for her?

Su Mingxiu must have many admirers now.

Finally making up her mind, a sense of clarity washing over her, she sat up straight, then realized that her work had already been reviewed by the vice president.

But there was no feedback yet. She sent a message to Su Mingxiu: “Are you free tonight? I’d like to have dinner with you.”

*

Half an hour earlier…

Su Mingxiu was looking at a picture Sheng Qian had found of her and Yu Nian, a thoughtful expression on her face. “This is a good photo, should I hire this photographer as my personal paparazzi?”

She had been too focused on Yu Nian’s feelings during their meeting to notice anything else, even taking Yu Nian straight back to the dormitory instead of her apartment, to give her time to process everything.

But a week had passed, and Yu Nian had vanished, no messages, no calls. Su Mingxiu’s patience was wearing thin.

If the little one didn’t make a move soon, she would.

She replied to Sheng Qian: “Have you considered that this picture is good because the models are beautiful, not the photographer?”

Sheng Qian: “?”

Sheng Qian: “You’re right, but please don’t say that again.”

Su Mingxiu sent him a sarcastic emoji, saved the picture, and leaned back on the sofa in her office, thinking about how to lure Yu Nian out for some “education.”

But before she could come up with a plan, the opportunity presented itself.

—Yu Nian had sent her a message.

Seeing the dinner invitation, she smiled and replied with a simple “Okay,” then approved her own early leave and went to choose an outfit.

*

7 PM, a bustling commercial street.

Yu Nian, seeing the black Bentley parked by the roadside, put her employee ID in her pocket and walked over to the driver’s side. “Has the Ferrari fallen out of favor?” she asked as she opened the door.

Su Mingxiu, putting on a pair of sparkly gold and pink high heels, her long, manicured toes slipping into the shoes one by one, then gracefully got out of the car, letting Yu Nian close the door.

She was wearing a long, ombre grey and black dress, its layered skirt like shimmering lights, the subtle colors surprisingly elegant on her.

She turned to Yu Nian, a smile on her lips, her words laced with a hint of sarcasm. “I thought CEO Yu was too busy to remember a mere idle person like me.”

This made Yu Nian laugh.

She had been planning to apologize, but hearing Su Mingxiu’s words, she knew that she was still important, still remembered.

She reached for Su Mingxiu’s hand, a playful glint in her light-colored eyes. “Have you been thinking about me?”

Su Mingxiu, anticipating her move, dodged her hand and walked towards the bustling street, locking the car. “I’m also very busy,” she said, implying that she didn’t have time to think about anyone.

But the smile on Yu Nian’s lips didn’t fade. She quickly caught up and grabbed Su Mingxiu’s hand again. “I was wrong before, I overthought things, I made you wait too long, please don’t be angry with me, okay?”

The child knew how to soften her heart. But they were now inside a crowded mall, their exceptional looks not enough to attract undue attention.

Su Mingxiu looked down at Yu Nian’s hand holding hers, a playful smile on her lips, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She let Yu Nian lead her to a private dining restaurant on the top floor.

It was peak hour, the best restaurants always had long queues. If Yu Nian hadn’t booked a private room, they would have been in trouble.

As they walked inside, Su Mingxiu suddenly sighed. “With our current relationship… isn’t it inappropriate for you to treat me to dinner?”

Huh?

Yu Nian was stunned, wondering what was wrong with them having dinner together. Were their companies competitors?

As Yu Nian looked at her, confused, Su Mingxiu continued: “I’ve been thinking, after all, I’m your Little Mom, it’s… ethically wrong for us to be together.”

The waiter leading them, straining to overhear their conversation, couldn’t help but glance at them after they entered the private room, her eyes filled with a mixture of shock and pity.

Shocked by their beauty, and pitying their… forbidden love.

Yu Nian was speechless. She had thought Su Mingxiu had agreed to dinner because she was giving them a chance.

But Su Mingxiu was rejecting her, using this excuse. She didn’t even look at her seat, only walking towards Su Mingxiu. “Why? I told you before, I don’t care about that, I like you, it has nothing to do with your past—”

“Bang.” The waiter accidentally slammed the door shut.

Su Mingxiu looked at the distressed, almost teary-eyed Yu Nian and suddenly felt a pang of guilt. She pulled Yu Nian closer, and as the girl fell into her lap, she kissed the corner of her lips. “Silly.”

Yu Nian, bewildered by the sudden rejection and then the unexpected reward, clutched the soft fabric of Su Mingxiu’s dress, her mind racing. After a moment, she finally understood.

Su Mingxiu had been teasing her, wanting to see her flustered.

Realizing this, Yu Nian playfully nipped at Su Mingxiu’s lip, then, remembering her own cold shoulder treatment, she softened, licking the spot gently, her voice a soft sigh. “Don’t scare me like that… I was really scared.”

“Scared of what?”

Su Mingxiu, unfazed by Yu Nian’s playful bite, also licked her lip, savoring the faint mark left behind.

Watching her, Yu Nian’s breath hitched, wanting to speak, but she hesitated, then, under Su Mingxiu’s intense gaze, she buried her face in Su Mingxiu’s neck, inhaling her scent. “Scared that… you wouldn’t want me anymore,” she confessed softly.

Hearing her finally open up, showing her vulnerability, Su Mingxiu tightened her embrace, her lips brushing against Yu Nian’s ear, a hint of reprimand in her voice. “If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t have taken that risk for you.” Such an ungrateful little thing.

From the beginning…

Since high school?

Yu Nian felt a tingling sensation in her ear, the pain mixed with the warmth of Su Mingxiu’s breath, her mind consumed by the sensation, her voice softening.

“Do you… like me?”

Su Mingxiu’s hand moved down to Yu Nian’s waist, giving her a playful pat. “Do you want me to prove it right here?” she asked, a teasing smile in her voice.

Yu Nian: “……?!”

Her eyes widened, then, after a moment, she instinctively pushed Su Mingxiu away. “No, no, no—”

Her back hit the table, knocking over the dishes, the clattering sound alerting the waiter outside.

A minute later…

The waiter opened the door, about to ask if everything was alright, then saw Yu Nian looking at the menu and Su Mingxiu, her head resting on one hand, playing with a teacup, seemingly nonchalant.

Seeing the waiter, Yu Nian paused, then, as Su Mingxiu was ordering, a mischievous glint appeared in her light brown eyes. Her foot, hidden under the tablecloth, slowly moved towards Su Mingxiu, sliding under her skirt.

With a sincere expression, she said to Su Mingxiu: “I’ve thought about it, Little Mom, you were right—”

“I won’t bother you like that anymore.” Of course, I’ll just find more exciting ways.

Her foot, like a little snake, reached Su Mingxiu’s thigh, taking advantage of Su Mingxiu’s distraction, igniting a fire.

The waiter, taking notes: “!”

She stared, wide-eyed, having just witnessed the beginning and end of a scandalous love story, her mind filling in the blanks.

Su Mingxiu chuckled softly, her dark eyes glancing at Yu Nian, a “I’ll deal with you later” look, then she reached down and grabbed Yu Nian’s ankle under the table.

She continued ordering, her voice casual. “And a serving of guotie (pan-fried dumplings). Tell the chef to cook them slowly, over low heat, flipping them carefully. I’m not in a hurry, good food takes time.”

As she finished speaking, Yu Nian felt like she was the dumpling, sizzling in the pan.

Chapter 151: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (26)

The lingering sweetness of the red velvet cake was a tempting invitation. But Yu Nian, surprisingly, resisted the urge to lean closer, her gaze fixed on the snake-bone ring, maintaining a safe distance.

Then, she smiled sincerely. “Happy.”

She had been struggling with how to navigate the complex relationship between Su Mingxiu and Yu Wanru, the broken marriage, the business rivalry, and her own feelings caught in the middle…

She could only compartmentalize, being a good daughter to Yu Wanru, a good lover to Su Mingxiu—at least, that was her current intention.

“I’m happy to see you again so soon.”

She finally looked at Su Mingxiu. Even though she knew Su Mingxiu’s beauty was exceptional,

She was still stunned. Perhaps it was Su Mingxiu’s newfound success, adding another layer of allure.

Su Mingxiu’s makeup was always impeccable, but having lived with her, Yu Nian knew her natural beauty was just as striking. Now, seeing her in next season’s designer outfit, the snake-bone necklace complementing the ring, she felt like Su Mingxiu was the most dazzling presence in the entire room.

Yu Nian even offered a sincere compliment: “You look especially beautiful today.”

Su Mingxiu looked at her for a long moment, then leaned back on the sofa, her eyes half-closed, her voice soft. “Don’t you want to ask about… what’s been happening?”

She did.

Of course, she did.

Every time they met, Yu Nian had so many questions. Before, she had wanted to ask about Su Mingxiu’s alleged infidelity during her marriage.

Later, she had wanted to ask when Su Mingxiu would reciprocate her feelings. And now, even more questions.

About Su Mingxiu’s relationship with Sheng Tianheng, her reasons for targeting Wanda, and… did she even like Yu Nian?

Yu Nian chuckled softly, a self-deprecating sound, the realization that she might only be seeing a reflection, a mirage, the real Su Mingxiu far beyond her reach.

Their relationship had been wrong from the start.

Her Little Mom didn’t need her pity or her naive promises, didn’t need her pretense of familial affection… Yu Nian wasn’t even sure if she deserved a second chance.

Would Su Mingxiu ever need her love?

“I…” After a moment, Yu Nian smiled faintly. “I don’t want to ask anymore.”

Seeing that Su Mingxiu had taken a cake from her plate, assuming she hadn’t eaten dinner, Yu Nian offered her the entire plate. “Knowing that I like you… is enough.”

She had imagined confessing her feelings in a romantic setting, with candles and flowers, a declaration of her unwavering love—

She hadn’t imagined saying these words so casually, without romance, without confidence, almost…humble, like a speck of dust in Su Mingxiu’s radiant presence.

Su Mingxiu didn’t reply, only taking the pastries from Yu Nian’s plate, one after another. As she ate, a silence settled between them.

Yu Nian, feeling uneasy, stood up. “Do you want anything else? I can get it for you.”

But as she stood up, Su Mingxiu grabbed her collar. A ripping sound—

Yu Nian looked down and saw that her bow tie had snapped.

Su Mingxiu withdrew her hand, a hint of apology in her eyes. “Sorry, but I wanted to say, your bow tie was crooked, and it didn’t match your outfit.”

She had guessed that Yu Wanru had chosen Yu Nian’s outfit, only that control freak would buy a pre-matched set, so unimaginative.

It didn’t suit Yu Nian’s youthful energy.

Yu Nian’s black shirt, without the bow tie, seemed even more somber.

But she didn’t seem to notice, picking up the broken bow tie and saying: “It’s okay.”

She was about to leave with her plate when Su Mingxiu stopped her, placing the plate aside and pulling her back onto the sofa. Tracing Yu Nian’s collar, she said: “I’ll compensate you with something better—”

She unclasped the diamond-studded snake-bone necklace from her own neck, a piece worth almost 500,000 yuan, and casually placed it around Yu Nian’s neck.

It looked like a white snake emerging from her black shirt, its tail dangling, a surprisingly alluring contrast against Yu Nian’s innocent features.

But Yu Nian, oblivious, only touched the necklace, her gaze lingering on Su Mingxiu’s matching ring, her expression complex. Su Mingxiu pulled her up.

“These pastries are too sweet, not very filling.”

“Have dinner with me.”

Su Mingxiu had seen Yu Nian’s barely touched plate, she knew the girl was hungry, so she used this as an excuse. But Yu Nian didn’t know. She hesitated, then silently followed.

As they stepped out of the elevator, Su Mingxiu adjusted Yu Nian’s collar, her ring and Yu Nian’s necklace catching the light, their brilliance echoing each other.

This scene, captured by someone, would later be misinterpreted—

The “Rich Kids’ Club” chat exploded again.

I, Shangguan Nanbei: “Shocking! Su Mingxiu brought down Wanda Group to…”

Violent: “If I didn’t know the backstory, I would have thought this was a picture of a queen and her loyal puppy. But knowing their relationship, I just want to say, what the fuck?!”

Never Buy a Bag Until I’m 90 lbs: “Is this a sugar baby story? I really thought Yu Nian joined that show because she was interested in her stepmom… but now, it seems… different?”

Violent: “@Static Beauty, I’ve been out of town for a few days, what did I miss? You’re closest to Niannian, spill the tea.”

Static Beauty: “…”

Static Beauty: “I don’t know, don’t ask me, she hasn’t replied to my messages.”

Violent: “I have even bigger news, someone photoshopped this picture and posted it on a BDSM forum, saying it’s a real-life dominant/submissive relationship, they’re now a popular fantasy couple. [/picture]”

Never Buy a Bag Until I’m 90 lbs: “What the fuck, that’s weird.”

I, Shangguan Nanbei: “What the fuck, but I can’t stop looking at it, they actually look good together, it’s kind of hot.”

Static Beauty: “What the fuck are you guys talking about?”

Dai Yan rarely cursed, but now, staring at the black and white photo, the two beautiful faces, one leaning in, casually adjusting the other’s collar, the snake-bone ring sparkling, matching the necklace—

And the way Yu Nian tilted her head slightly, the snake’s tail pendant dangling from her neck, almost touching Su Mingxiu’s fingertip,

It looked like the pendant was an extension of the ring,

Not a necklace, but a collar.

Dai Yan was stunned. She hadn’t wanted to know any more about the Yu family drama, but this picture was too much. She sent it to Yu Nian, her voice weak and trembling. “What… what’s your relationship with Su Mingxiu?”

Mother and daughter?

Enemies?

Or this… this disturbingly captivating master/pet dynamic?

Chapter 150: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (25)

Yu Wanru woke up late at night. Although a nurse was attending her, Yu Nian had stayed at a nearby hotel, in case of emergencies.

Used to luxury hotels, she felt suffocated in the small, windowless room.

Her phone’s ringtone startled her from a restless sleep, her back drenched in sweat. A stranger’s voice informed her that Yu Wanru was awake.

The hospital entrance was busy even at night, ambulances wailing.

Even though she reached the ICU in five minutes, Yu Wanru had fallen asleep again.

Yu Nian, now wide awake, paced the hallway, then sat down, scrolling aimlessly through her phone. She received a message from Dai Yan.

Dai Yan had asked about Yu Nian’s participation in Heartthrob, but she hadn’t replied. Now, Dai Yan sent two more messages: “There’s a business leaders’ summit tomorrow night, how’s your mom?”

“I heard Su Mingxiu will be there.”

Two short sentences, a mix of concern and something else, her intentions unclear.

Yu Nian didn’t reply, staring at the messages, her mind racing, the thoughts elusive.

The sky outside the window gradually brightened. The floor was quiet,

But the elevator’s constant movement suggested a busy morning.

A nurse brought her breakfast, which seemed unusually personalized, as if tailored to her taste. After finishing, she took the exquisite wooden box to the nurse’s station. “Excuse me, this breakfast…”

“A beautiful lady brought it earlier, she knew your information… is there a problem?”

Yu Nian’s lips parted. After a moment, she whispered: “No, thank you.”

She traced the patterns on the box, wanting to ask about Yu Wanru’s condition, but the nurse was called away by the caregiver, who excitedly announced that Yu Wanru was awake.

The doctor, after checking Yu Wanru’s condition, confirmed that she was stable and could be transferred to a regular ward.

When Yu Nian was finally allowed to visit, she saw Yu Wanru, looking much older, her face pale and drawn, almost unrecognizable.

“How’s the company?” Yu Wanru asked, her first words.

Yu Nian started to answer, but Yu Wanru frowned and asked her to call her secretary for a report.

The room fell silent, the joy of her awakening overshadowed by business concerns.

10 AM.

Yu Wanru’s secretary arrived, giving a detailed report on the company’s losses and the shareholders’ reactions, as if about to launch into a PowerPoint presentation.

The experienced caregiver, initially unfazed, after a while, reminded Yu Nian to have her mother eat something.

Yu Nian tried, but Yu Wanru only glanced at her coldly. The doctor arrived and, after sending the secretary away, ordered Yu Wanru to rest.

Yu Wanru’s collapse had been caused by a blood clot in her brain, which had been dissolved with medication.

But her condition was still unstable, another episode could lead to a brain herniation, with potentially serious consequences, even with surgery.

Faced with the doctor’s authority, Yu Wanru couldn’t maintain her usual dominance. She sighed softly and asked her secretary about her schedule.

“Leave company matters to the three vice presidents… As for tonight’s business leaders’ summit, have Yu Nian attend.”

Yu Nian, startled, looked at Yu Wanru, her lips moving, but she didn’t say anything, accepting the arrangement.

But Yu Wanru, who had barely acknowledged her since waking up, now looked at her and asked: “Niannian, can I entrust Wanda to you in the future?”

The question, in this setting, was heavier than Yu Nian could have imagined.

She couldn’t even mention the possibility of seeing Su Mingxiu at the summit.

After a long silence, Yu Nian finally replied: “Yes, Mom.”

Yu Wanru smiled, her first smile since waking up, a fleeting expression. “Starting today, you’ll be the manager of Wanda’s investment division. I’ll give you six months to prove yourself.”

After the secretary left, a stream of visitors arrived: Yu family members, company subordinates, and business partners. Yu Wanru met with a few important ones, leaving Yu Nian to deal with the rest.

3 PM.

Yu Wanru, her hospital gown neatly buttoned, was slowly eating the bland soup the caregiver had prepared.

She showed no reaction to the taste, unlike the flavorful soups prepared by the family chef.

Yu Nian, who had always been reluctant to spend more than an hour in the same room as Yu Wanru, now patiently stayed by her side.

Although she didn’t speak much, she helped the caregiver, peeling an apple for Yu Wanru.

The atmosphere between them was tense.

Yu Wanru finally spoke. “The summit is at the International Hotel, the speeches are scheduled, followed by networking. You can review the attendee list.”

“Okay.” Then, silence again.

After meticulously peeling the apple, Yu Nian looked up. “Have you seen the list?”

“Yes.”

Then…

Did Yu Wanru know that Su Mingxiu might also be there?

She didn’t ask, but Yu Wanru, as if reading her mind, asked another question: “Do you know how Wanda’s capital chain was broken?”

Even though it was her family’s company, Yu Nian, having been at school, didn’t know the details. “A few banks didn’t approve our loan applications, causing cash flow problems.”

Yu Wanru chuckled coldly. She didn’t answer directly, instead asking: “Remember that project I took you to in Northern Europe during summer break?”

How could she forget?

It was their first reunion after so long.

But hearing Yu Wanru mention it, she felt a sense of unease, which she quickly suppressed.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“That land… there’s no gold mine. Tianyan was the first to show interest, they had done their research, knew the situation, yet they pretended to be eager to acquire it—”

“I recently had a team conduct a survey, and they found… rare earth minerals.”

A valuable asset had turned into a liability.

Yu Wanru wasn’t happy about admitting this, a silent acknowledgment of her defeat.

But seeing Yu Nian’s infatuation with Su Mingxiu, she still held her ground.

She had walked that rebellious path herself, she knew the consequences, she didn’t want Yu Nian to repeat her mistakes.

And Su Mingxiu’s current behavior was different from before, clearly hiding something.

Whether her collaboration with Tianyan was for revenge or for Yu Nian, Yu Wanru felt that this woman was cunning and dangerous, Yu Nian, with her innocent heart, would be devoured.

She would never approve of their relationship.

“I had planned to give you that gold mine as a dowry,” Yu Wanru said, looking at Yu Nian meaningfully. “You must have heard, she’s now Tianyan Pictures’ prized partner, Sheng Tianheng treats her differently.”

“Do you really think… she’s the same Little Mom you knew before?”

6 PM.

International Hotel.

Yu Nian was wearing a professional three-piece suit chosen by Yu Wanru, making her look older than her age.

She was so nervous that she didn’t even notice how tight her bow tie was.

She knew most of the business leaders present, having met them with Yu Wanru before.

Normally, she would be comfortable in this setting, but her mind was preoccupied.

No matter how many times she took a deep breath, she couldn’t force a smile, making several CEOs, who had sent their secretaries to inquire about Yu Wanru’s condition earlier, ask if her mother was seriously ill.

She shook her head.

The summit started at 6:30 PM. Yu Nian, representing Wanda, despite their current difficulties, was still seated in the front row.

Unable to see the people behind her, she didn’t know what she was expecting, what she was nervous about.

Would Su Mingxiu come?

If they met, what would she say?

Ask if she had collaborated with Tianyan to sabotage Wanda?

Or ask how she had acquired such skills? Was it for her?

Thinking about the last question, she felt a pang of self-doubt.

Was she… worthy of such efforts?

And if Su Mingxiu admitted to everything, what would she do?

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t even notice when the speeches ended, only snapping back to reality as the clinking of glasses and the chatter of networking filled the room.

Suddenly, the noise subsided.

Yu Nian, wondering how long this event would last, wanting to find a quiet corner,

Was immediately surrounded by people wanting to offer their condolences and inquire about Wanda’s situation.

After forty minutes of polite conversation, she finally excused herself and went to the buffet table, a polite smile on her face, a plate in her hand, seeking refuge in a quiet corner, a sofa facing away from the crowd.

As she rounded the sofa, her gaze lowered, the soft cushions making her lose her balance—

A hand steadied her.

A beautiful arm, its delicate floral pattern visible through the semi-transparent fabric, entered her vision.

Even more eye-catching than the design was the snake-bone ring on her index finger, white metal and diamonds creating the illusion of elegant joints, its intertwined loops like a Möbius strip, or perhaps simply a nature-inspired design.

Her fragrance was different now, colder, slightly damp, with a woody base note, like… pine trees covered in moss.

Yu Nian froze, not even turning around.

She wondered when this person had arrived.

Su Mingxiu, enjoying her stunned silence, knowing that Yu Nian had recognized her and knew about the rumors,

Patiently held her, her other hand reaching for the red velvet cake on Yu Nian’s plate.

She took a bite, the sweetness spreading over her tongue, then, leaning closer, her warm breath caressing Yu Nian’s ear:

“I said we would see each other again soon…”

“Happy now?”

Chapter 149: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (24)

Having soaked Su Mingxiu’s dress, Yu Nian was also in a dishevelled state. Her phone vibrated incessantly with calls from Yu Wanru and her secretary.

Su Mingxiu, watching Yu Nian peek out from behind the closet door, a playful smile on her lips, asked: “Not answering?”

Yu Nian, holding a casual outfit, her earlier excitement fading, hesitated. “They’re… urging me to go back.”

“Then go back,” Su Mingxiu said, her calm demeanor unlike someone caught in a passionate embrace. “She’ll punish you if you’re late, right?”

“But…”

Yu Nian knew Su Mingxiu was right, but she wanted to be selfish, to savor every stolen moment.

Su Mingxiu sighed, stepped forward, and kissed her forehead. “We’ll see each other again soon—and then, if you want, you can stay with me as long as you like.”

“Really?”

Yu Nian, although unsure of Su Mingxiu’s confidence, instinctively believed her. After Su Mingxiu nodded, she reluctantly went to the bathroom and changed, finding the earring in her pocket.

She put it away.

Su Mingxiu walked her to the elevator. As Yu Nian looked at her, her eyes pleading for a goodbye kiss, Su Mingxiu smiled gently, pressed the elevator button, and turned to leave, the golden doors closing between them.

Returning to her room, she passed an open door—

Sheng Tianheng, holding a glass of red wine, swirled it and commented: “The Yu family has a knack for producing lovesick fools. But I’ve always believed that being consumed by love leads to ruin. You, Miss Su, seem to be uprooting the very foundation of the Yu family.”

Su Mingxiu, hearing his theatrical commentary, stopped and looked at him. Sheng Tianheng swirled his wine, offering her a sip. “Romanée-Conti, 2005, the hotel’s finest. Care to try?”

She glanced at it and said with a deadpan expression: “Fake.”

Then, she left without another word.

Sheng Tianheng: “?”

“Impossible!” he exclaimed, then remembered Su Mingxiu’s earlier comment about his tea, which had turned out to be true.

He sniffed his wine, examined its color, then took a sip, the taste familiar.

But this woman’s uncanny palate, never wrong when it came to wine, tea, or food… he returned to his room, his earlier smugness gone, and had the manager confirm that the wine was indeed authentic.

2:30 AM.

Sheng Tianheng sat up in bed, his voice filled with frustration. “Is it real or fake?”

Su Mingxiu, unaware and uninterested in Sheng Tianheng’s predicament,

Bought a plane ticket back to China the next day. There was too much work at the studio, her team still small, requiring her personal attention.

Summer break flew by, uneventful for working adults except for the Lunar New Year, a holiday that highlighted the loneliness of living alone.

This was true for Su Mingxiu, and even more so for Yu Wanru.

Having found Yu Nian at the hotel after the bidding war, her clothes changed, but having gotten no answers, she was in a foul mood.

She knew Yu Nian had gone to see Su Mingxiu, and Yu Nian knew that she knew. But this encounter had only been possible because Yu Wanru had brought Yu Nian along on her business trip.

Yu Wanru could only assign Yu Nian more tasks, even monitoring her academic progress after she returned to school.

But by October, Yu Wanru had no time to worry about her daughter.

Wanda Group’s projects in various locations were facing loan delays. There had never been any problems before, the branch managers assuring her that their communication with the banks had been smooth, but the funds weren’t being released.

A single broken link in the capital chain of a large corporation could cause a domino effect. Without the loans, projects were stalled, construction workers were unpaid, buyers who had paid deposits for pre-sold properties were panicking, fearing they had bought into unfinished projects, and other projects dependent on the incoming funds were also delayed…

Initially, Yu Wanru had thought her subordinates were being negligent, urging them to communicate with the banks, expediting paperwork, offering bribes.

But her subordinates couldn’t even get a meeting with the bank managers.

The funds seemed to be indefinitely delayed—

This was the most terrifying scenario.

For the first two months, Yu Wanru had been able to use her reserves to cover the shortfall, halting new projects. But by the end of December, the situation continued to worsen.

Media outlets started reporting on Wanda’s stalled projects, amplifying the buyers’ panic, causing the company’s stock price to plummet.

Even self-proclaimed experts started speculating about Wanda’s losses and the likelihood of bankruptcy.

Yu Wanru wasn’t foolish enough to think this was just bad luck, or that her employees were incompetent. This was clearly sabotage.

But by whom?

With Wanda’s power, how many rivals did she have?

This feeling of being trapped, suppressed… was ominous.

January.

G City.

Yu Wanru encountered Tianyan again at a bidding conference. Sheng Tianheng was still accompanied by that beautiful, irritating woman.

Despite the cold weather, she was dressed like a blooming flower beside Sheng Tianheng, attracting envious glances.

Sheng Tianheng, passing by Yu Wanru, paused, his fingers tracing his prayer beads. “You look unwell, Ms. Yu, haven’t been sleeping well?”

Wanda’s predicament was public knowledge, but the exact reason was unknown. They assumed it was government intervention, perhaps Wanda had become too powerful.

Yu Wanru knew he was mocking her. She glanced at him coldly. “You have time to worry about me, why not worry about yourself, or… your bed partner?”

Her gaze shifted slightly towards Su Mingxiu, a subtle jab even in her current predicament.

If Sheng Tianheng had any such intentions, he would have taken the bait.

But he only looked at Su Mingxiu in surprise, then raised an eyebrow at Yu Wanru. “You mean Miss Su? I can’t afford such a title, it would shorten my lifespan.”

Then, he turned to Su Mingxiu, his tone playful. “Miss Su, I told you before, dress more professionally for formal occasions, see, now you’ve caused a misunderstanding.”

Miss Su?

Yu Wanru looked at them suspiciously. She didn’t believe Su Mingxiu, with her limited abilities, deserved such a respectful title from Sheng Tianheng.

But the details of their previous encounters resurfaced. Whenever Su Mingxiu and Sheng Tianheng appeared together, she was always by his side, their interactions not overly intimate, making people assume that Sheng Tianheng preferred aloof and independent women.

“Professional?” Su Mingxiu said, not looking at Yu Wanru, her tone sharp. “Like someone with billions in debt, terrible investment judgment, stubborn, foolish, and prejudiced? No, thank you.”

Yu Wanru: “…”

She almost choked on her own blood.

Sheng Tianheng, enjoying the drama, chuckled and spread his hands towards Yu Wanru. “See, such a terrifying person, how could I possibly dare to provoke her?”

“But it seems your advice is more applicable to yourself—after all, you seem to need a better understanding of your… former bed partner.”

“If it weren’t for her, Wanda wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

He sounded like he was offering genuine advice, but the bidding was about to start. Su Mingxiu reminded him calmly: “Mr. Sheng, have you heard this saying?”

“Hmm?”

“Villains die from talking too much.”

Sheng Tianheng chuckled, then sat down beside Su Mingxiu, sighing dramatically. “Being the villain is quite enjoyable.”

The project, naturally, was won by Tianyan.

Yu Nian had initially only heard vague rumors about Wanda’s troubles.

Then, Wanda’s stock plummeted, almost making headlines, and her wealthy friends sent her messages of concern. Yu Wanru hadn’t called her for two weeks, and she realized the situation was more serious than she had thought.

The rumors, from various sources, reached her ears.

And Su Mingxiu—was at the center of it all.

Yu Nian had never imagined hearing about Su Mingxiu like this. Before, the mentions of Su Mingxiu had always been filled with disdain and mockery,

As if she were worse than those in shady professions.

But this time, it was different.

They spoke of Su Mingxiu with a mixture of awe and fear.

“I heard she collaborated with Tianyan and set a trap for Wanda… If it weren’t for that, Wanda wouldn’t be facing a broken capital chain, that’s ruthless… I heard she’s Yu Wanru’s ex-wife, the one who was left with nothing after the divorce. Never underestimate a scorned woman.”

“That land Wanda bought in Northern Europe? A total loss, over 40 million yuan down the drain. And they’re already short on cash, Yu Wanru can’t even sell it, I feel bad for her, what a terrible investment. How did she fall for that?”

“You should be wondering how Su Mingxiu pulled it off. Yu Wanru is experienced, to be outmaneuvered by a novice… talk about being capsized in a gutter.”

“A novice? Have you heard of XU Studio? They were the main investors in two blockbuster films this summer. Su Mingxiu is the owner, her financial strength, the speed at which she built her empire from scratch, her investment acumen, I’m starting to think she has a cheat code for life. Living frivolously for years, then suddenly becoming a ruthless businesswoman, who wouldn’t admire her?”

“Damn… the entertainment industry is so messy, how did she do it? I heard she wanted to be a celebrity, but after a few years, she was still a nobody. So, her talent lies in investing? Is she some kind of chosen one? Every project she invests in turns into gold?”

“I heard Yu Wanru collapsed at a business forum today and was rushed to the hospital, things are about to change at Wanda.”

…

When the last rumor reached her, Yu Nian had just returned to the city and was waiting outside the ICU, Yu Wanru still unconscious.

But behind her, Wanda’s shareholders, the Yu family’s relatives, and high-ranking executives, blocked by bodyguards, were trying to get information.

Before her was the ward,

Behind her, the vultures circling, eager to pick at the carcass of a dying empire, their faces masks of self-preservation.

Countless times, in moments of intense longing for Su Mingxiu, looking at her mother, the insurmountable obstacle between them, she had yearned to grow up—

To be strong enough to climb this mountain and see the view on the other side.

But now, the mountain had crumbled, and she stood amidst the dust and debris, looking ahead, realizing that the scenery was different from what she had imagined.

Even the person she had expected to be waiting there was now a blurred image, distorted by the rumors.

Chapter 148: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (23)

Yu Nian’s enthusiastic kiss left Su Mingxiu feeling a slight sting on her lower lip. She leaned against the wall, a hint of indulgence in her posture, but the more she retreated, the more aggressive Yu Nian became.

So, after giving her a taste, she gently held Yu Nian’s chin and gestured towards the hallway. “There are cameras here, or do you prefer… an audience?”

Her words, meant as a warning, delivered with slightly swollen lips, sounded more like… a playful invitation.

At least that’s how Yu Nian interpreted it. The image of Yu Wanru watching this scene through the cameras flashed through her mind, a thrill of forbidden desire and rebellion surging through her.

She blushed at her own thoughts, then, captivated by Su Mingxiu’s alluring expression, her rationality wavering, her mind torn between stopping and surrendering to her desires, wanting to turn this world upside down.

Unable to resist, she tried to break free from Su Mingxiu’s grasp, leaning closer—

Su Mingxiu chuckled softly, whether amused by her eagerness or mocking her impulsiveness.

Before Yu Nian could decipher her emotions, Su Mingxiu gently pushed her away, the intoxicating fragrance fading slightly. As Yu Nian tried to lean closer again, Su Mingxiu touched her ear. “My earring is missing, help me find it.”

But Yu Nian refused to move, her gaze fixed on Su Mingxiu. “I’ll buy you a new one,” she offered.

But Su Mingxiu wasn’t swayed, the single earring dangling from her ear, a unique, asymmetrical beauty. “I like this pair.”

After a moment, Yu Nian gave in and looked down at the carpet, searching for the earring Su Mingxiu had playfully placed on her ear earlier.

As she searched, her earlier passion subsided slightly. Crouching down near the elevator, her fingers just touching the earring tangled in the carpet fibers, she saw Su Mingxiu walking towards the hallway.

Like a child afraid of being abandoned, she grabbed the earring and chased after Su Mingxiu, hearing the swipe of a key card, the click of a door opening. Just as Su Mingxiu entered the room, Yu Nian hugged her from behind.

Su Mingxiu managed to close the door while being clung to like a koala, then, turning her head slightly, felt Yu Nian’s warm breath on her neck.

She tried to turn around, but Yu Nian’s embrace was too tight, the friction pulling the thin strap of her green dress off her shoulder. Although the same amount of skin was exposed,

The now crooked strap made it even more alluring.

As Yu Nian kissed her, the meaning of her actions changed.

Sensing that Yu Nian was about to leave a mark, Su Mingxiu dodged slightly. “I have a meeting later, no biting—”

But this gentle evasion, to Yu Nian, was a rejection. A sudden surge of possessiveness, and her initial playful kisses turned into a desperate attempt to mark Su Mingxiu as hers.

Especially… remembering the young man at the bidding conference.

A soft gasp from the hallway.

Su Mingxiu had been indulging Yu Nian, but seeing her escalating boldness, she pinched Yu Nian’s waist and held her chin, pulling her away, her dark eyes meeting Yu Nian’s amber gaze. “No. Biting. Understand?”

She enunciated each word, her tone patient—if you ignored her restraining actions.

Yu Nian gritted her teeth, frustration and resentment mixing with a sudden surge of委屈 (grievance, feeling wronged), her voice soft and pleading. “I missed you, I missed you so much…”

“Don’t you miss me?”

Her voice was slightly nasal, accusatory,

As if Su Mingxiu was the heartless one.

Su Mingxiu, amused by her tone, chuckled softly. As Yu Nian looked at her, confused and slightly hurt, she replied casually: “Of course I missed you.”

Then, her voice taking on a nostalgic tone, she added: “It’s been… quiet without an annoying brat around.”

Yu Nian: “?”

As Yu Nian’s expression turned blank, Su Mingxiu released her and gently lifted her chin, like teasing a pet. “Come on, let me hear it.”

Yu Nian: “??”

She rarely felt so confused, her emotions a rollercoaster.

It could be summarized as the shock of: I thought we were dating, but you want to be my mom?

“Susu…” she mumbled after a moment.

Su Mingxiu, clearly not satisfied, raised an eyebrow, looking at her. Just as Yu Nian thought she was about to do something, Su Mingxiu turned away, as if refusing to play along.

Yu Nian followed her, tugging at her skirt. Seeing that Su Mingxiu wasn’t turning around, she sat beside her on the sofa, leaning against her, then mischievously pulled the other strap of Su Mingxiu’s dress off her shoulder, her face close to Su Mingxiu’s, and whispered sweetly: “Susu.”

Su Mingxiu glanced at her, then suddenly pulled her into her lap, her earlier passivity gone. She captured Yu Nian’s lips with her own.

Yu Nian had initially wanted to take the lead, but as an inexperienced novice, she was quickly overwhelmed, surrendering to the sensations, her eyes fluttering closed, her hand pushing weakly against Su Mingxiu’s chest.

She felt like a fly caught in a spider’s web, Su Mingxiu’s seemingly gentle nature hiding a predatory instinct.

She wanted to beg for mercy during the kiss, but after Su Mingxiu released her, she felt a lingering desire, lost in the intoxicating fragrance, a mix of floral and Su Mingxiu’s own scent. She leaned against Su Mingxiu, then, restlessly, reached for the zipper of her dress.

Su Mingxiu quickly caught her hand.

“What are you doing?”

As if the person who had just kissed her passionately wasn’t her, her tone devoid of any lust, only amusement.

Yu Nian nuzzled against her neck, too embarrassed to be explicit, her other hand reaching for Su Mingxiu’s waist. “I miss you…” she mumbled.

If her earlier “miss you” had been a simple expression of longing, this one was laced with desire.

Su Mingxiu captured both her hands and held them above her head, then, as Yu Nian looked at her, helpless, almost surrendering, she leaned closer, her beautiful dark eyes scanning Yu Nian’s body. “Miss me where? How?”

Yu Nian: “…”

The lower Su Mingxiu’s gaze traveled, the more embarrassed she felt. Finally, she broke free and covered Su Mingxiu’s eyes, not wanting to answer.

But then, she suddenly straddled Su Mingxiu’s lap, as if regaining some control, her breath warm against Su Mingxiu’s face.

After a moment, she leaned closer to Su Mingxiu’s ear and whispered, her voice laced with a playful taunt: “Like this.”

“Ah!” If it weren’t for Yu Wanru downstairs, who could discover Yu Nian’s absence at any moment, Su Mingxiu wouldn’t have let her leave this room tonight.

But she controlled herself, her hands still free despite her eyes being covered. She wrapped her arms around Yu Nian’s waist, her fingers exploring, then chuckled softly. “Indeed, like this.”

Yu Nian: “?!”

Her earlier boldness had been her limit, and now, hearing Su Mingxiu’s words, she buried her face in Su Mingxiu’s neck, too embarrassed to speak.

Su Mingxiu patted her lightly. “Get off.”

She said, “You’ll stain my dress.”

The child was so warm, so eager. Su Mingxiu had initially thought her earlier reaction to the medicine had been an exaggeration.

But now, even with just kisses and hugs, Yu Nian seemed ready to soak her jeans.

The little one, who had been so shy about wanting to stain Su Mingxiu’s sheets, after their long separation, had chosen desire over pride.

“Then let it stain—”

She bit Su Mingxiu’s ear, her warm breath tickling Su Mingxiu’s skin, even biting the remaining earring, as if trying to leave her mark. “I don’t want you to see anyone else.”

She wanted to lock this enchanting woman away, keep her all to herself.

As Yu Nian was lost in her fantasies, Su Mingxiu suddenly said, her voice following Yu Nian’s words: “With this much, you can’t even stain my dress.”

Yu Nian, her thoughts interrupted, leaned against Su Mingxiu, confused.

After a moment, Su Mingxiu’s lips curved into a smile, her voice slow and seductive. “Do you want me… to help you?”

Before Yu Nian could answer, Su Mingxiu’s hand landed on her backside, a loud smack—

Even more humiliating than the sound was the location.

Yu Nian, realizing the implications of her words, tried to cover herself. “No, no, no…”

Su Mingxiu pulled her back, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Since you’re so ambitious, Little Mom will naturally help you.”

Yu Nian: “?!”

The forbidden nickname made her lose all resistance, a surrender that would cost her dearly.

Half an hour later, on the sofa in the darkened hotel room…

The girl in the trench coat, her clothes dishevelled, her shirt collar askew, leaned against the woman in the green dress, her head resting on Su Mingxiu’s shoulder.

But where her grey jeans met the silk dress, there were dark, damp stains.

Su Mingxiu held her waist, preventing her from falling, but it wasn’t enough. As Yu Nian’s face turned crimson with embarrassment, she slowly opened her hand, revealing the faint sheen of moisture on her palm and fingertips.

“Look,” she said, her expression calm, yet a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, her voice low and steady, “not just my dress, you’ve stained my hand too.”

But this calm tone, combined with her earlier actions, was even more provocative!

Yu Nian whimpered, gathering her remaining strength, and bit Su Mingxiu’s wrist, her voice muffled. “How could you…”

How could you spank me there?!

Pervert QAQ!

She hadn’t realized how many ways this woman had to torment her.

Chapter 147: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (22)

Yu Nian didn’t know how long she stared.

She couldn’t even remember where she had put her AirPod, or what the auctioneer had said.

The English words went in one ear and out the other, her gaze fixed on Su Mingxiu.

—As if trying to sear every detail, every strand of hair, into her memory.

Her intense gaze even made Sheng Tianheng, sitting beside Su Mingxiu, glance back.

But he didn’t react, only turning to look at Su Mingxiu, then returning his attention to the auctioneer.

After the introductions, the details of the land being auctioned were presented. Yu Wanru, confident in her information, leaned back in her chair, a relaxed, self-assured posture.

As expected, the bidding began, Sheng Tianheng’s assistant making the first offer, slightly above the starting price.

If there truly was a gold mine, even with the 3% refining tax, acquiring the land for under three million dollars would be profitable for Wanda.

This kind of deal wouldn’t normally require Yu Wanru’s personal attention. She had come because of Sheng Tianheng’s unusual interest, suspecting valuable mineral deposits.

Most of the bidders were local companies, unable to compete with the two major Chinese real estate developers. After a few rounds, only Tianyan, Wanda, and an unknown company remained.

Yu Wanru, seeing the unknown bidder sitting beside Sheng Tianheng, had her secretary investigate. Her secretary, always prepared, quickly accessed the company’s information on her laptop.

But the company’s ownership structure was simple, a single owner with 100% shares, a typical small mining company.

She also checked the owner’s background, an entrepreneur with eight years of experience, no significant backing.

The secretary whispered the information to Yu Wanru.

Eliminating this unknown factor, Yu Wanru was even more certain about the gold mine.

She aggressively raised the bids, outbidding the mining company owner.

The middle-aged man, wiping the sweat from his forehead, glanced at Yu Wanru.

But Yu Wanru’s attention was on Tianyan, not bothering with small fry.

Suddenly…

Sheng Tianheng, who had been quiet, turned to the mining company owner and offered him a wet wipe.

As the man looked at him, Sheng Tianheng took the bidding paddle from his assistant and, leaning closer to Su Mingxiu, whispered: “The show is about to begin.”

He was so close that Yu Nian couldn’t help but notice, her heart clenching with jealousy as she looked at his expensive clothes, his privileged background.

He and Su Mingxiu… seem so close.

What’s their relationship?

Su Mingxiu glanced at him, knowing that Yu Nian had been staring at her since she entered. Sheng Tianheng’s actions were only adding fuel to the fire.

After all, he had said that keeping her at arm’s length was the safest option.

She didn’t respond, leaning back in her chair, seemingly indifferent to the outcome of the bidding. Yu Wanru, perhaps misinterpreting her actions,

Continued raising the bids, even exceeding her three million dollar limit, determined to make Tianyan pay, even if she didn’t win.

Sheng Tianheng had the same thought. Just as he was about to raise the bid to 4.2 million, Su Mingxiu suddenly said: “That’s enough, Mr. Sheng, we don’t have that much money.”

Sheng Tianheng, as if convinced, put down his paddle. “As you wish,” he said, his tone full of trust.

Yu Wanru, seeing this, scoffed, thinking she had judged Su Mingxiu correctly. This woman never disappointed, always using the same tricks.

She had thought Sheng Tianheng was more astute, but… even heroes succumbed to beauty.

This man, entangled with a spendthrift like Su Mingxiu, was doomed.

—If it weren’t for that woman’s words, I would have raised the bid to 4.5 million and let Tianyan take the loss.

But it didn’t matter, it was a minor setback.

The auctioneer, after confirming that there were no more bids, finalized the deal, announcing Wanda Group as the winner.

Sheng Tianheng stood up, a polite smile on his face. “Congratulations, Ms. Yu.”

Then, he left with the middle-aged man, Su Mingxiu, and his assistant, not even glancing back, as if they didn’t know anyone else.

Yu Nian, watching Su Mingxiu’s green dress disappear through the grand doors, couldn’t sit still any longer. Excusing herself, she left through the back door.

Looking at the long, carpeted hallway, she felt a sense of disorientation.

Since promising Yu Wanru that she wouldn’t see Su Mingxiu again, and with Yu Wanru’s surveillance, having cut off all contact, she had known… that she could only see Su Mingxiu again when she was strong enough.

But…

This encounter was like a gift, a surprise, and she knew that if she missed this opportunity, she didn’t know when she would see Su Mingxiu again.

If they hadn’t met, perhaps she could have endured it, but having tasted this drop of rain in the desert, quenching her thirst, how could she resist wanting more?

The longing in her heart was like new feathers sprouting on a bird, growing everywhere, an unbearable itch.

She started walking quickly, through the empty restaurant, then down a hallway adorned with paintings, then, realizing she had reached a dead end, she turned and ran, as if trying to outrun time.

There were only regular rooms on this floor, the suites were on the higher floors with better views. Yu Nian wanted to knock on every door,

But there were hotel staff around, so she tried asking them instead.

Unfortunately…

No one knew.

Dejected, she entered the elevator, realizing she didn’t have her key card. She was about to press the button for the first floor when the elevator started ascending, the numbers flashing, finally stopping at the 36th floor.

“Ding.”

The doors opened, and Yu Nian, her reflection in the golden elevator walls, looked up.

The cool air from the hallway brought the scent of a forest, a faint whisper of hope in her shattered heart.

The woman in the green dress stood there, a gentle smile in her eyes. Yu Nian stared, frozen.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, she lunged forward.

Su Mingxiu instinctively stepped back, catching her. Looking down at the person in her arms, she thought Yu Nian seemed taller, her body more firm, not as soft as before.

Must be all that exercise.

She thought.

Yu Nian looked up, her emotions overflowing silently, her eyes slightly red, as if lightly dusted with pink eyeshadow. She stared at Su Mingxiu, feeling the warmth of her embrace, this unexpected reunion like a dream.

She leaned closer, wanting to kiss those rose-like lips.

But Su Mingxiu’s index finger stopped her.

“So long no see, and not even a greeting? So rude.”

Yu Nian’s lips brushed against Su Mingxiu’s cool fingertip, and she froze. Su Mingxiu withdrew her finger, looked at her for a moment, then wiped her own lips and gently rubbed her fingertip against Yu Nian’s lower lip.

“Why so pale?”

She rubbed Yu Nian’s lips, the color transferring.

Yu Nian was about to say that she had been running, but realizing what Su Mingxiu was doing, her mind went blank.

I’m going crazy.

She didn’t dare speak, afraid of accidentally brushing her lips against Su Mingxiu’s finger, the lingering warmth too tempting. Like a puppet, she let Su Mingxiu do as she pleased.

Su Mingxiu noticed that she was only wearing one AirPod. “Where’s the other one?” she asked, her tone casual, as if they had been living together.

Yu Nian didn’t answer.

Su Mingxiu sighed, took off one of her earrings, and, seeing that Yu Nian didn’t have pierced ears, playfully hooked it onto her earlobe, watching it dangle precariously, a mischievous smile on her lips.

Then, as if dissatisfied with Yu Nian’s lack of reaction, she gently pinched Yu Nian’s earlobe, leaning closer, her lips curving into a smile. “What, did Yu Wanru poison you and make you mute?”

Her breath was warm, carrying a fragrance Yu Nian had never smelled before, a new perfume perhaps, or… a custom-made scent, Su Mingxiu’s secret weapon.

She was like a bewitching demon, capable of stealing one’s soul with a single glance. Yu Nian, her ears burning, thought she was truly going crazy.

Whether driven mad by their long separation or by Su Mingxiu’s intimate gestures,

She suddenly grabbed the back of Su Mingxiu’s head and kissed her, her movements forceful, almost biting.

The dangling earring fell onto the carpet, its delicate chain tangled.

The carpet, snagged by a high heel, its smooth surface now rumpled, a silent testament to their passionate embrace.

Chapter 146: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (21)

Summer.

A ski resort in Northern Europe.

It was 8 PM, but the sky was still bright. Yu Nian skied down the black diamond slope, checking her goggles. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a snowboard approaching from behind. Her friend slowed down as she passed, but the spray of snow still covered Yu Nian.

She brushed off the snow and heard her friend whistle. Her friend pulled down her goggles and nudged Yu Nian with her shoulder. “One more run?”

“No, let’s go back, I have a flight tomorrow.” Yu Nian had come here with Yu Wanru, who was negotiating a business deal.

According to Yu Wanru’s plan, if Yu Nian followed her path, she would eventually inherit Wanda Group.

After all, she was Yu Wanru’s only child.

But Yu Nian wasn’t willing. She wanted to pursue her own interests: art and design.

But in Yu Wanru’s eyes, these were frivolous hobbies, not a proper career.

“You were born with a head start, if you end up in the same place as everyone else, it only proves you’re useless,” Yu Wanru’s words echoed in her mind.

Yu Nian felt suffocated, knowing that Yu Wanru was monitoring her, making sure she followed her plans, even scheduling every minute of her vacation, forcing her onto the path of a corporate heir.

And it seemed… the more Yu Wanru invested in her, the more controlling she became. Yu Nian’s usual silence and compliance were now met with lectures about how she would be “led astray” without Yu Wanru’s guidance.

So Yu Nian now resisted passively, or even argued back.

Since Su Mingxiu’s departure, their mother-daughter relationship had become strained, making Yu Nian reluctant to see Yu Wanru, avoiding her whenever possible.

“Okay, I have a nice home theater, want to watch a movie? The latest domestic films haven’t been released here yet, I heard there’s a popular sci-fi movie this summer, but I haven’t heard of the production company, Tianyan Pictures, I think?”

“Tianyan? Aren’t they a real estate developer?”

Being in the same industry, Yu Nian had some vague recollection.

But their projects weren’t in the same region as Wanda’s. Tianyan focused on the north, while Wanda operated mainly in their home city.

Even when expanding to other provinces, Wanda only developed high-end villas in less developed areas, not competing with local developers in prime locations.

They chatted as they walked towards the exit, their ski equipment in tow. Their instructor caught up with them, checking if they were injured, then bid them farewell.

Half an hour later…

In the wooden chalet, Yu Nian opened a can of soda. Her friend had chosen an animated movie, and she didn’t mind. But before the movie started, a commercial played—

Golden stars shimmered, then the ink-colored Tianyan logo appeared. A goldfish jumped out of a fishbowl onto an embroidery cloth, transforming into vibrant, embroidered threads, a lifelike, colorful fish.

The fish’s eye was dotted, and it flew up, scattering golden dust, a line of text appearing on the screen:

XU Studio

“Huh, that studio again,” her friend muttered. “Tianyan’s investments are all over the place, but I’ve seen this studio’s name in the credits of several recent films. Is it owned by one of Tianyan’s shareholders?”

Her friend was a film student, their meeting a coincidence. Yu Nian, not understanding the industry, simply chuckled and agreed.

Back in China…

6 AM. Su Mingxiu, yawning, sat in the tea room of a waterfront villa, her hand supporting her head, her gaze unfocused.

Across from her sat a young man, a Buddhist scripture in one hand, a prayer beads bracelet in the other.

A woman in a plain cotton dress brought in a tea cake and started brewing tea, the fragrance filling the air.

“Try it,” the man said, finally looking up. “I had someone specially purchase this, Pu’er from a 300-year-old tea tree.”

Su Mingxiu glanced at the extravagant tea set, made of red ore and decorated with dragon patterns, then looked at the man. “Even the finest tea doesn’t warrant waking up at 6 AM for a tasting.”

“Is this a bad time?” he frowned, looking at the lush greenery outside the window. “The air is fresh, perfect for cultivation.”

Su Mingxiu: “…”

Seeing her barely contained annoyance, Sheng Tianheng quickly changed the subject: “That land, we can’t get it.”

Su Mingxiu didn’t understand at first, then remembered the recent expansion of domestic real estate companies, their ambitions extending even to overseas mines.

There were valuable resources near the Arctic Circle, especially in countries with private land ownership.

Unfortunately…

Tianyan had invested heavily in that land, rumors of a rich gold mine circulating in the industry. Few companies could compete with their financial resources.

Su Mingxiu said calmly: “Didn’t I say that location was too prime, it would be difficult to acquire?”

Sheng Tianheng clicked his tongue. “It’s not just the location—”

He paused, his fingers tracing an invisible character on the wooden table: rare.

Su Mingxiu understood. She took a sip of the slightly cooled tea. “Aren’t you interested in that land in G City’s commercial district? Save your money for that.”

Sheng Tianheng looked at her, a strange glint in his narrow eyes. “Wanda is likely to win that bid, don’t you know? Yu Wanru, she either doesn’t compete, focusing on her high-end villas, or she crushes the competition.”

If it weren’t for the current market conditions, making it difficult for Wanda’s high-quality projects to recoup their investment, Yu Wanru would be even more aggressive.

Su Mingxiu took another sip of tea. “She’s overextended, taken on too many risky projects, the outcome in G City is still uncertain.”

She glanced at the Buddhist scripture in Sheng Tianheng’s hand. “With your piety, perhaps the heavens will intervene, causing some mishap for Wanda, allowing you to snatch that prime location and build your shopping mall.”

“You seem very certain that something will happen to Wanda…” Sheng Tianheng, remembering the rumors about Su Mingxiu’s feud with the Yu family, asked tentatively: “That rumor about the gold mine… did you spread it?”

“Of course not,” Su Mingxiu looked at him in surprise. “Would I betray a partner?”

Initially, Sheng Tianheng had only been interested in developing tourism projects in that location.

But during the geological survey, they had discovered something valuable. Just as they were trying to identify it, several other exploration teams had arrived.

He had hoped it wasn’t anything significant, so his plans could still proceed, but the mineral deposits were substantial.

Just as he was trying to secure the land—

The rumor about the gold mine had spread, attracting more competitors.

Wanda was among them, Yu Wanru reportedly conducting on-site inspections.

If it weren’t for his connections, these competitors would have realized their mistake and left. He looked at Su Mingxiu, guessing what had happened.

“I’ll have someone book tickets for next month, send the details to my assistant.”

He was certain that Su Mingxiu was planning to watch the drama unfold, even if he didn’t know her exact role in this.

Normally, partners avoided investigating each other, it could damage their relationship.

Su Mingxiu agreed. Seeing that he had nothing else to say, she stood up, wanting to go back to sleep.

But before leaving, remembering how Sheng Tianheng had woken her up so early with information she already knew, she added:

“Your tea—”

“Isn’t from a 300-year-old tree, you’ve been scammed.” It was closer to 120 years old, but she wouldn’t tell him that.

Sheng Tianheng: “??”

His anticipation turned into confusion.

The villa complex was vast. Su Mingxiu hadn’t driven herself and was about to call for a ride when Sheng Qian called.

“Are you two brothers cultivating immortality or something?” she asked, still drowsy.

Sheng Qian: “He contacted you too? Never mind, I found a promising new talent, I’m going to check them out today, interested?”

“No,” Su Mingxiu refused flatly.

Ever since she had allowed Sheng Qian to join her studio, he had been constantly searching for new talent, his choices always questionable.

Su Mingxiu had already had to deal with two of his disastrous recruits.

“Has anyone ever told you that your judgment… if you need money for an eye exam, I can help you out.”

Sheng Qian: “?”

Sheng Qian: “I won’t allow you to insult yourself like that.”

Su Mingxiu: “?”

She wanted to strangle this smooth-talking agent.

Sheng Qian, reminiscing about his past glory, said: “If it weren’t for me convincing you that you had potential in the entertainment industry, even though you left, you’re still a success, a winner in life, doesn’t that prove my good judgment?”

Su Mingxiu, thinking about the original owner’s uselessness, her drowsiness completely gone, could only say: “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Sheng Qian replied cheerfully.

Thinking about the “talent” he was about to unleash upon the entertainment industry, Su Mingxiu advised: “If all else fails, just go home, your family isn’t exactly poor.”

Sheng Qian, who had initially vowed to be self-reliant, had used his family connections to help her after she left Heartthrob with a hefty penalty, leading to Tianyan’s entry into the film industry and the creation of XU Studio.

“Look who’s talking—”

“I’d rather starve to death, freeze to death, fade into obscurity, than ask my family for money.”

“Besides, I have your success story as inspiration, as long as I work hard, I can also succeed.”

Su Mingxiu: “…” The Sheng family seems to have a shared delusion.

But since he was an old acquaintance, she corrected him patiently: “If you work hard for five or six lifetimes, you might be as successful as me.”

Sheng Qian, not understanding: “Huh?”

August, the weather in the US was pleasant, the coastal scenery picturesque.

Inside the conference hall of a six-star hotel, a bidding war was underway.

Yu Nian followed Yu Wanru, watching as her secretary received the bidding documents, then she put on her AirPods, tuning out the proceedings.

After they sat down, Yu Wanru glanced at her, frowning slightly at her casual attire, and had her secretary remind her to be mindful of her appearance.

The secretary looked at Yu Nian hesitantly.

Yu Nian, not wanting to make things difficult for her, took off her AirPods, one of them falling to the floor.

More people entered the conference hall, representatives from other companies.

As Yu Nian bent down to pick up her AirPod, she saw a deep green silk dress, a faint floral fragrance reaching her.

A man’s voice from beside her: “The AC(air conditioner) is a bit strong, need a jacket?”

“No.”

The melodious voice stopped Yu Nian in her tracks.

Yu Wanru, seeing the person sitting in the front row, narrowed her eyes—

She had heard that Tianyan was interested in this land, but they hadn’t been able to reach an agreement.

But…

When did this woman get involved with the Sheng family?

Yu Nian’s secretary, seeing her still bent down, leaned closer to help: “Ms. Yu—”

Yu Nian quickly covered her mouth, her gaze fixed on the person in front of her, the expanse of fair skin revealed by the thin straps of her dress, the delicate lines of her collarbone and spine captivating.

A necklace adorned her slender neck, but from behind, it was impossible to tell what kind of jewelry it was.

Yu Nian, as if mesmerized, her gaze tracing the person’s figure, from her hair to the thin straps of her dress, the deep V-neck partially hidden by the chair’s back, making one wonder how far it plunged.

She measured with her eyes, with her memories, as if trying to determine if Su Mingxiu had gained or lost weight.

But the person in front seemed oblivious to her gaze, chatting with the man beside her, her long, wavy hair falling to the side, then casually tucked behind her ear…

Revealing a deep green watch.

Chapter 145: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (20)

September.

The scent of osmanthus blossoms filled the air, heralding autumn. Su Mingxiu entered her apartment, ignoring the sixteen flashing stock tickers in the living room, and went to her bedroom. She opened her laptop and searched for B University’s opening ceremony live stream.

She opened a can of iced tea, the bitter taste familiar, and watched as the camera scanned the stadium, trying to find a familiar face—

Then, she realized she didn’t know which department Yu Nian had chosen.

But she didn’t leave, listening to the speeches, even releasing the system from its confinement to share the experience.

The system, having “died” countless times in the mental maze, if not for its advanced processing power, would have needed time to recover.

It initially didn’t understand Su Mingxiu’s sudden act of mercy, then, checking the storyline, it realized she was simply bored, wanting to mess with it.

[You…] it started to say, but Su Mingxiu interrupted.

“Shh, be quiet.”

[If you stay quiet, I can pretend you don’t exist. If you insist on making your presence known, I’ll put you back in the maze.]

The system: “…”

It realized that Su Mingxiu was in a bad mood, randomly releasing it to provoke a reaction.

If it misbehaved, it would be back in that virtual hell.

After a moment, it resigned itself to its fate.

Su Mingxiu also listened to the speeches, then suddenly asked: “You seem happy about my predicament. Isn’t your mission to have me seduce and then abandon the protagonist?”

The system paused, then replied: “You guess.”

Tsk.

Su Mingxiu said seriously: “You’re too old for these games, it’s disgusting.”

The system: [? It wanted to curse again.]

As they bickered, the opening ceremony ended. The students stood up, the camera panning across the crowd, making it difficult for Su Mingxiu to find Yu Nian.

She sighed softly and closed her laptop, taking her unfinished iced tea and leaving the apartment.

Although her cultivation techniques allowed her to suppress hunger and fatigue, the original owner’s body was weak, so she still needed food and water.

And this so-called energy drink… disgusting.

She glanced at her bank balance and sighed, realizing that her earlier laziness had caught up to her.

Autumn deepened, winter approaching.

Just before the Lunar New Year, Su Mingxiu had accumulated some capital and, using Sheng Qian’s connections, attended several entertainment industry galas.

Unfortunately, most of the people there were all talk and no substance, offering few business opportunities.

On New Year’s Eve, she bought tickets for every movie in the holiday season.

From the beginning to the end, she sat alone in the spacious couple’s seats, her soda untouched.

Leaving the cinema at dawn, she heard the fireworks by the river, took out her phone, and saw a simple message: “Happy New Year.”

It seemed impersonal, a mass text perhaps.

Su Mingxiu stared at the message, then replied: “Happy New Year, wishing you academic success and may all your wishes come true. And may I get rich.”

There was no reply.

Su Mingxiu put away her phone and, walking home, noticed a light snowfall, the tiny snowflakes landing on the shop windows with soft, crackling sounds.

She paused, then continued walking, not bothering to send another message, to say, It’s snowing.

The first snow of the year.

In a hotel suite in the capital…

Yu Nian was woken up early. The family’s maids had all gone home for the holidays, refusing even a generous bonus.

And since she insisted on interning at the branch office here, Yu Wanru had booked a hotel suite for the holidays. Other relatives were also present.

Breakfast was a lavish spread, but she had no appetite, only sitting there, smiling at her phone, her fingertip tracing the screen, then her smile fading, a loneliness in her eyes.

A few months ago…

Yu Wanru had made her swear never to see Su Mingxiu again, and she had obeyed.

Now…

She really wanted to know how Su Mingxiu was doing.

Was she alone for the holidays? What was she cooking? Was she still taking those long baths?

“Auntie—”

A sweet voice interrupted her thoughts. Yu Nian looked down and saw her cousin’s daughter, dressed in a cute outfit, a small bag slung across her shoulder.

“What is it?”

The little girl had been competing with the other children for the biggest crab. Each child had one.

Although there were more on the table, they were on the other side of the lazy susan. She looked at Yu Nian, sighed like a little adult, and placed her crab in Yu Nian’s bowl.

“Here, so you won’t cry.”

“I…”

Yu Nian blinked, then saw the tear stains on her phone screen. She took the crab, smiling at the little girl. “Thank you.”

But as she was eating the crab, she remembered a bowl of seafood noodles.

She had angered Su Mingxiu once, and Su Mingxiu had prepared a table full of raw dishes, making her unsure what to eat. Only after seeing her predicament had Su Mingxiu finally revealed the hidden bowl of noodles.

At a five-star hotel restaurant by the Xiangjiang River…

Su Mingxiu, having successfully secured a meeting with an important investor, had completed her annual goal. In the current investment climate, connections and proven ability were essential.

She lacked a platform to showcase her skills. Even her small studio needed a powerful backer.

To avoid her beauty influencing the investor’s judgment, she had put on subtle makeup. After the banquet, as she was walking towards the parking garage,

A red rose appeared before her—

A young man, also at the banquet, leaned against her car, his eyes full of invitation.

Su Mingxiu glanced at the rose, then at him, not even bothering to remember his face. “I don’t like roses,” she said indifferently.

The young man, thinking he had a chance, asked eagerly: “Then what do you like?”

“Carnations.”

“Uh…” This playboy, usually smooth and charming, was confused. He had chosen a rose to avoid any mistakes. But hearing “carnations,” he felt a strange unease.

After all, carnations were usually given to mothers.

What did this woman mean?

Did she want to be his mother?

Was “mommy girlfriend” a new trend?

He felt insulted.

Chapter 144: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (19)

Su Mingxiu hated seeing a spirited young person’s pride broken by love. Even though Yu Nian had yielded to Yu Wanru’s command, she still wanted to help her up.

Her dark eyes fixed on Yu Wanru, her voice calm and cold. “Does humiliating a child’s dignity make you happy? She’s willing to kneel because she’s grateful—”

“My family saved your life. My parents never asked for anything in return. Before they died, they entrusted me to you, asking you to take care of me. But judging from the outcome of this marriage, your way of repaying kindness is… unique. I won’t argue with you about anything else. For saving your life, kneel down and kowtow to my parents, and we’ll consider the debt settled. How about that?”

Yu Wanru, who had initially ignored her, now turned to Su Mingxiu, her face twitching with anger.

She wanted to lash out at this ungrateful woman, to list everything she had given her.

But the thought of airing their dirty laundry in public, of discussing their failed marriage, was too humiliating.

“What, is a CEO’s dignity more valuable than a child’s?”

Su Mingxiu pressed, her calm tone, unlike the original owner’s usual hysterics, even more compelling.

Only someone with unshakeable confidence could challenge authority like this.

But what did Su Mingxiu have to be confident about?

Thinking about Su Mingxiu’s frivolous spending habits, Yu Wanru’s expression hardened. “Don’t push it. I tolerated you before because of my gratitude to your family. Su Mingxiu, if you don’t know your place, I’ll make sure you learn it, every single day.”

A blatant threat.

Su Mingxiu, surprised by this, raised an eyebrow. “So, are you going to kowtow or not, Ms. Yu?”

Yu Nian, kneeling, her gaze shifting between them, finally realized how inappropriate her feelings were.

She could do nothing for this love, even trying was a sin.

“It’s my fault—”

She straightened up slightly, no longer letting Su Mingxiu hold her, her voice hoarse with suppressed emotions as she looked at Yu Wanru.

“Mom, I was wrong, it has nothing to do with her.”

Su Mingxiu could have forced her up, but she knew it was pointless. Hearing Yu Nian’s words, she felt a pang of sadness.

She knelt down, her hands cupping Yu Nian’s face, her voice firm and clear: “You did nothing wrong.”

“If you’re afraid of her threats, don’t be. She can’t hurt me.”

“Stand up.”

In countless worlds, regardless of her initial intentions towards the protagonist, Su Mingxiu had always protected and nurtured them, shielding them from harm.

This was the child she had cared for so many times, how could she bear to see Yu Wanru break her spirit?

Hearing her boastful words, Yu Wanru scoffed. “Don’t overestimate yourself.”

She had tolerated Su Mingxiu out of gratitude, but no more.

She knew Su Mingxiu was only after Yu Nian’s money. If she had used other methods, perhaps Yu Wanru could have tolerated it. But corrupting her child like this, she would never forgive.

Continuing this argument would only make them a laughingstock. She turned to leave, then, seeing Yu Nian still kneeling, she looked back. “Aren’t you coming? Do you want to watch me have her removed from the show?”

Yu Nian closed her eyes, then stood up, her light-colored eyes meeting Su Mingxiu’s, their gazes intertwined like invisible threads.

But in the end, she suppressed her emotions and turned to follow Yu Wanru.

She was afraid that any hesitation, any lingering affection, would only make things harder for Su Mingxiu.

Just as she was about to leave the courtyard, a calm voice came from behind, stopping her.

“Yu Nian, she’s not your real mother.”

“If you come with me, I can guarantee you a better life than with her.”

Yu Nian paused, but Yu Wanru, already in the car, rolled down the window, her gaze a final warning.

Yu Nian didn’t turn back.

In the courtyard of the House of Elegance…

The director and producer, feeling the pressure from the investor, and considering Su Mingxiu’s popularity, were torn. Wanda Group’s investment was substantial, but Su Mingxiu was a ratings magnet.

Several brands had already expressed interest in sponsoring the show, but they weren’t sure if the advertising revenue could offset the loss of Wanda’s investment.

Before they could reach a decision, Su Mingxiu approached them.

“What?”

“You want to leave the show?”

They were stunned. They were still trying to protect her from the investor’s pressure, and she was already giving up?

Su Mingxiu knew what they were thinking. She was confident that she could generate enough buzz to make this season even more successful than the first.

But… it was too slow.

And even if she became famous, it would only mean returning to the entertainment industry, a world where connections and capital were everything. She had no skills, and she had already offended a major investor. The road to stardom was long and arduous.

She didn’t have time.

She let them assume whatever reason they wanted, offering no explanation. She had Sheng Qian review the contract, and they quickly reached an agreement on the penalty for breaching it.

Soon…

The other contestants learned about her departure. Shao Chen, who had only seen the scene in the courtyard from the living room, unable to hear their conversation, looked at Su Mingxiu strangely. As Su Mingxiu was packing, she entered the room and asked: “What’s your relationship with Ms. Yu…?”

Then, realizing how nosy she sounded, she quickly added: “I mean, is there anything I can do to help?”

Su Mingxiu, looking at the watch box on the bed, said suddenly: “Yes.”

She went to the closet, took out the Hermès box, and handed it to Shao Chen.

Before Shao Chen could speak, she said, her voice firm and unwavering: “If you really want to help me, take back this gift. I can’t accept such an expensive gift without having earned it.”

“Anything else?” Shao Chen asked, her gaze intense.

Su Mingxiu smiled faintly. “No.”

A few minutes later…

Shao Chen took back her gift.

Su Mingxiu and Yu Nian left Heartthrob one after the other. Since the first episode hadn’t aired yet, their departure coincided with its release. The program team, to appease the investor, had to find new contestants.

And because of this incident, they also cancelled the live stream format, reverting to the pre-recorded format of the first season, adding stricter clauses to the contracts to prevent similar situations.

The viewers, disappointed by the cancellation of the live stream, flocked to online forums, seeking explanations, various rumors circulating.

When the first episode finally aired, without Su Mingxiu, the viewers flooded the official website, demanding answers. The program team issued two brief statements, announcing the termination of their collaboration with @Su Mingxiu and Yu Nian. And Yu Nian, it turned out, didn’t even have a social media account.

The incident generated much discussion, but that’s a story for another time.

At Pearl Manor…

Yu Nian, upon returning, was confined to her room by Yu Wanru, ordered to write a sincere apology letter and denied any food until she did.

Midnight…

The window in Yu Nian’s room was open, a cool breeze hinting at the approaching autumn.

She held a pen, her mind blank, filled with memories of Su Mingxiu.

Strangely, the memories of Su Mingxiu at the manor were hazy, distant.

But the image of Su Mingxiu at the school gate, in her red Ferrari, was vivid, as if it had happened yesterday.

She hadn’t considered the moral implications at first, only her own feelings. Initially, she had thought Su Mingxiu was pitiful, deserving of her company.

Then, at some point, her feelings had changed.

And now, after Yu Wanru’s reaction, she finally realized how absurd it was to like Su Mingxiu.

Why couldn’t she care for someone her mother had discarded?

Yu Nian, her stomach growling, sat at her desk, unable to write the apology letter, her suppressed emotions growing stronger with the cool breeze.

She took her water bottle, intending to go downstairs, and opened the door, finding a maid waiting outside.

They looked at each other, and Yu Nian, seeing the maid’s helplessness, didn’t want to make things difficult for her. She returned to her room, paced around, then looked out the window.

Ten minutes later…

The housekeeper alerted Yu Wanru, who was working in her study.

Yu Wanru walked through the crowd and, looking at Yu Nian standing on the lawn, her knees and sleeves stained with grass, scoffed. “What, are you planning to elope with her?”

Yu Nian didn’t answer. Although she had only wanted some water, she had also been thinking about Su Mingxiu, wondering if she was okay.

“You’ve grown bold, haven’t you? For a money-grubbing, shameless woman, you’re willing to throw away your future, your education, everything, just to be with her?”

As she spoke, Yu Wanru had someone bring a file from her study. A moment later, a folder was tossed onto the grass before Yu Nian.

“Since you’re so shameless, so willing to disregard all morals to be with this woman, as your guardian, I have a duty to show you what kind of person she is, so you won’t regret it later.”

“Open it and see how two-faced and greedy your ex-stepmother is.”

Yu Nian looked at the folder.

Logic told her that it contained things she didn’t want to see. But her emotions urged her, telling her that it was about Su Mingxiu, whether she believed it or not was one thing, but whether she wanted to see it… even if it was just pictures, was another.

After a long moment…

With the servants discreetly distancing themselves, Yu Nian finally picked up the folder, slowly untying the string, and found a thick stack of photos inside.

The first one showed Su Mingxiu with heavy makeup, her red lips like fire, a cigarette between them, the glowing tip… being lit by a man’s lighter, the flame reflected in Su Mingxiu’s eyes.

She didn’t recognize the man.

But judging from his clothes and accessories, he was clearly wealthy.

Yu Nian looked at Su Mingxiu in the photo, her dark eyes sparkling with an indescribable allure, and for a moment, she wanted to be that cigarette.

… So Su Mingxiu smokes, I never knew.

Just like… I didn’t know she could dance. Had Su Mingxiu danced for others too, in those moments I hadn’t seen?

Yu Nian hadn’t wanted to look further, afraid of the jealousy she would feel, but now, as if wanting confirmation, she flipped through the photos, one after another, but she didn’t find any pictures of Su Mingxiu in a dance costume.

She felt both relieved and disappointed.

Yu Wanru, observing her expression, seemingly thinking it wasn’t enough, tossed another stack of papers onto the grass, Su Mingxiu’s bank statements from during their marriage, showing regular deposits of tens of thousands of yuan from various sources.

Yu Nian, holding these documents, suddenly wanted to confront Su Mingxiu, to ask for an explanation.

She wouldn’t jump to conclusions and insult Su Mingxiu like before.

But she still wanted to hear Su Mingxiu’s side of the story.

Just then, Yu Wanru spoke again. “If you leave this house today, I’ll cancel all your cards. Let’s see if she still wants you when you’re penniless.”

Yu Nian’s grip on the folder tightened.

She lowered her eyes and defended Su Mingxiu softly. “She’s not like that.” Not as greedy as you say.

But…

Yu Nian suddenly realized that without her family name, what could she offer Su Mingxiu? She hadn’t even finished university.

Even her promise to take care of Su Mingxiu seemed like a joke now.

She wasn’t afraid of hardship, but she was afraid… of not being able to offer Su Mingxiu anything.

“I don’t care what kind of person she is—” Yu Wanru said sharply.

“From now on, if you see her again, I’ll disown you. I’ll pretend I never raised you. Even after I die, you’re not allowed to visit my grave.”

Chapter 143: The Toyed-With Goddaughter (18)

After stating her reasons, Yu Nian even checked the price, thinking it was beyond Su Mingxiu’s budget. The thought of one-upping her rivals and seeing their reactions made her offer: “I’ll pay.”

She took out her card, and the live stream chat, although the brand logo was blurred, quickly identified the watch and its price.

[Whoa, a 1.7 million yuan watch, just like that. I get it now… Yu Nian isn’t just a top student, she’s a rich kid!]
[I’m calling her “wife” from now on!]
[When a beautiful woman is smarter and richer than you…]
[Scary story: One of the top 5 real estate tycoons in the country is a local businesswoman surnamed Yu.]
[Another scary story: The villa complex where the show is being filmed is also owned by the Yu family.]
[Shocking, the investor is personally participating to…]

As the netizens started investigating Yu Nian’s background, news of the events on Heartthrob finally reached Yu Wanru’s office.

She hadn’t expected such a surprise from her daughter after just a two-day trip abroad.

“Have you contacted the program team? Now, immediately, have them remove Yu Nian from the show.”

She didn’t throw anything or yell, but her gaze was terrifying, the temperature in the office plummeting.

“Right away.”

“And how did she even get on the show?” Yu Wanru stared at her secretary, demanding an answer.

The secretary, clinging to her job, wanted to cry. If it weren’t for the first episode airing today, and a colleague mentioning Yu Nian’s appearance, she wouldn’t have known.

After all, she was swamped with work.

But facing her boss’s interrogation, she quickly came up with an answer: “I assume it’s because Miss Yu interned in the marketing department. Since we’re investors, she has direct contact with the program staff.”

Yu Wanru, for the first time, lost interest in the documents before her. After a moment of silence, she said: “Find me a device, I want to see what kind of miracle this dating show is, that she would even skip university registration to participate.”

Her subordinate’s heart sank.

What miracle?

It’s your divorced ex-wife, causing chaos with her beauty!

She could already imagine Yu Wanru’s fury upon discovering the truth, but defying her now…

It’s either a quick death or a slow one. The secretary resigned herself to her fate and showed Yu Wanru the live stream on her phone.

The screen showed Yu Nian paying for Su Mingxiu’s gift.

And the comments in the live stream chat, like “Is this a dowry?” and “If I were Su Mingxiu, I would marry her,” made Yu Wanru’s grip on the phone tighten, wanting to smash it.

But a shred of rationality remained.

What was the point?

Yu Nian’s actions on this show, broadcast for all to see, were more humiliating than anything she had ever done.

On the show…

Yu Nian, carrying the watch box, accompanied Su Mingxiu to the women’s clothing section. She saw a beautiful dress on a mannequin, but before she could approach, she sneezed.

A sudden unease.

“Caught a cold?”

Su Mingxiu walked over and touched her forehead, checking for a fever.

If it weren’t for the cameras and the other shoppers, Yu Nian would have held Su Mingxiu’s hand, wanting her touch.

She had close friends at school, physical contact wasn’t uncommon, but no one had ever made her feel this way.

She wondered… what it would be like to hold this person while sleeping.

Just the thought made her recall the intimacy of last night, Su Mingxiu applying medicine to her back. Seeing her blush, Su Mingxiu, thinking the mall was too warm, looked at her strangely, then turned to the dress Yu Nian had been looking at earlier.

Yu Nian followed her to the fitting room and, after waiting for a while, asked through the curtain: “Need any help?”

Since this was a private area, the cameras remained outside, Yu Nian’s figure on screen now tiny.

A faint chuckle came from inside. “Are you sure you’re here to help?”

Not sure.

Yu Nian glanced at the camera and didn’t answer.

She looked around, her gaze falling on a white birdcage at the end of the hallway, decorated with vines.

She stared at it—

Her thoughts took a different turn.

She wanted to lock someone inside, that person wearing the flower necklace, a golden dress, like a flower fairy, scattering golden dust with every movement, yet unable to escape.

Hers.

Only hers to see.

“Hey.”

A flick on her forehead startled her. Yu Nian looked up and saw Su Mingxiu, now wearing the dress and the ranunculus necklace, the vibrant purple against the plain fabric, surprisingly alluring.

Yu Nian gulped.

Su Mingxiu had wanted to ask if she looked good, but seeing Yu Nian’s stunned expression, she chuckled, amused, then, about to tease her, a staff member hurried over and handed Yu Nian a phone.

A call.

Seeing the caller ID, Yu Nian’s expression changed. She walked away to answer the call, almost running, quickly distancing herself from Su Mingxiu.

Whatever she had wanted to say was now lost.

When she returned, she seemed distracted, not even hearing Su Mingxiu’s question. Su Mingxiu flicked her ear, and she finally turned around. “What?”

“Lost your soul?” Su Mingxiu narrowed her eyes, observing her. “They’re going to a bar tonight, it’s Tracy’s birthday.”

A bar?

A dangerous place.

Yu Nian frowned, wanting to tell Su Mingxiu not to go, but remembering Tracy’s interest in Su Mingxiu, and now with her birthday as an excuse, it would be inappropriate to object in front of the cameras.

“Okay,” she said.

Su Mingxiu looked at her for a moment. “You look…”

Yu Nian, hearing her drawn-out words, instinctively wiped her face, smudging her lipstick without realizing it. “What about me?”

“Like you haven’t finished your homework and snuck out to play, about to be caught by your parents.”

Yu Nian: “…”

She pouted. “What a stupid analogy, I would never not finish my homework.”

Su Mingxiu smiled faintly. “The point is the second half.”

Yu Nian was silent for a longer time, then, afraid of appearing cowardly, she reached for Su Mingxiu’s dress, but Su Mingxiu dodged.

“This dress is new, and expensive, clean your hands first.”

Yu Nian: “?”

She looked down and saw the lipstick stain on her hand.

After a moment, she realized she was wearing makeup, looked at her reflection in the car window, seeing that her lipstick had faded, and asked: “Do you have any lipstick?”

Su Mingxiu suddenly leaned closer.

Yu Nian instinctively closed her eyes.

Su Mingxiu’s breath warmed her lips.

[Ahhhhh So exciting! Kiss her!]
[The other contestants: ?]
[Cameraman, nudge their heads together!]

After a moment, Su Mingxiu pulled away and replied seriously: “I don’t have your shade.”

Yu Nian: “??”

She opened her eyes, her amber-colored gaze fixed on Su Mingxiu, realizing that she had only leaned in to… check the color.

She was so angry that she wanted to grab Su Mingxiu’s collar and kiss her, using Su Mingxiu’s lipstick to reapply her own.

“We’re here.”

As if knowing her thoughts, Su Mingxiu pointed ahead, the car stopping in front of the bar.

10:30 PM.

With the cameras rolling, the contestants didn’t drink much. After celebrating Tracy’s birthday and watching her dance, they applauded enthusiastically.

Thankfully, they were on the show and had to follow the “no direct confessions” rule. Otherwise, judging from Tracy’s intense gaze, Yu Nian suspected she would have kissed Su Mingxiu right there on the sofa.

“What’s so great about dancing…” she mumbled.

Su Mingxiu, hearing her jealous tone, remembering the dancing mermaid from a previous world, teased: “Can you dance?”

Yu Nian was speechless.

She was about to say that kind of dancing was inappropriate when Su Mingxiu, imitating her earlier smugness, said slowly: “I can.”

“Ah!” Yu Nian’s eyes widened in surprise.

She grabbed Su Mingxiu’s sleeve, her eyes sparkling, imagining Su Mingxiu dancing on stage, alluring and captivating. “Then, then you—”

“Let’s go back,” Rong Hua said, brushing sunflower seed shells from Xu Wenbai’s hands.

Su Mingxiu, as if she hadn’t said anything, immediately stood up and followed them.

On their way back, Yu Nian was thinking about how to see Su Mingxiu dance.

Even a cute bunny dance would be fine.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice they had arrived back at the villa.

Professor Tang was the first to enter the courtyard. Seeing that the cameras were off, she looked around in surprise. They hadn’t filmed much at the bar because of the crowd, but now, back at the villa…

“Due to an emergency, filming will be suspended for one hour, thank you for your understanding,” the director’s voice announced.

The viewers, who had been struggling to follow the events at the bar with the flashing lights and lack of audio, were frustrated.

They flocked to the official website, demanding an explanation.

But the dark live stream screen offered no answers.

Yu Nian, still thinking about Su Mingxiu’s dancing, wanting to try acting cute, took a couple of steps forward and reached for Su Mingxiu’s sleeve, but Su Mingxiu didn’t turn around.

She followed Su Mingxiu’s gaze and saw a figure she couldn’t mistake, standing amidst the program staff.

Remembering the phone call earlier, Yu Nian’s lips parted, and she finally managed to utter a single word: “Mom…”

Yu Wanru stood there, her secretaries behind her. Seeing this, the other contestants quickly retreated inside.

But the floor-to-ceiling windows connecting the living room to the courtyard offered a clear view.

Su Mingxiu didn’t leave. She also saw Yu Wanru.

But Yu Wanru’s gaze was fixed on Yu Nian, her hand still holding Su Mingxiu’s sleeve, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and anger, perhaps even more so than if she had seen Yu Nian holding something she had dug out of the trash.

“You still remember I’m your mother?”

Yu Wanru finally exploded, the lines on her face deepening, her voice full of authority.

Yu Nian, startled, loosened her grip on Su Mingxiu’s sleeve. She wanted to approach Yu Wanru, to explain, to take the blame, to protect Su Mingxiu.

But she didn’t have a chance to speak.

Yu Wanru’s voice, sharp and commanding, stopped her in her tracks. “Kneel!”

Yu Nian hesitated for a split second, a hesitation that didn’t escape Yu Wanru’s notice.

“What, are you embarrassed?”

“You used your future as a bargaining chip, worked so hard to get into a domestic university, yet you skipped registration, wasting your life on this ridiculous show, and you’re not embarrassed?”

“Letting everyone see you chasing after your ex-stepmother, you’re not embarrassed?”

Yu Nian had wanted to argue, but seeing the anger directed at Su Mingxiu, she couldn’t bear it.

She knew Yu Wanru hated defiance. She wanted her to kneel. If she didn’t, Yu Wanru would only say worse things to Su Mingxiu.

Just as Yu Nian’s knees buckled, Su Mingxiu grabbed her arm, her grip firm. “You did nothing wrong, don’t kneel.”

Yu Wanru chuckled softly, her gaze contemptuous as she looked at Su Mingxiu, as if asking: What right do you have to interfere?

The debt of gratitude, heavier than blood ties, was a mountain on Yu Nian’s shoulders. She gently pulled away from Su Mingxiu’s grasp—

A soft sound echoed in the courtyard.

Soft,

Yet heavy.

The sound of a young person’s dignity shattering on the cold stone.