[Morning, Time: - 8:00 AM]
In the luxury villa, a beautiful woman crossed her long legs and sattled on the sofa. She wore Stretch black pants, a somewhat lousy white blouse tucked into the pants, a gray tailored blazer draped over her shoulder, and a sharp 3-inch heel. She arrogantly picked up the file with her sharp, cold eyes and examined it carefully. A feeling of relief washed over her.
She speaks in an arrogant tone, "Finally, I have secured the AA group project. The total worth of the project is 500 million dollars. With this, my SU family will become the No. 1 family in Wujin City!"
As she talked to herself, a man who stood around 182 cm tall approached her. His long hair was tied in a bun at the back of his head, with a few strands falling over his eyes. He spoke in a gentle tone, "Um… Babe, breakfast is ready. You can come and eat!"
She looks at him with cold eyes, but beneath that icy exterior, there is still some warmth for him. She still chooses to reply in a slightly angry tone, "Why are you late today? Didn't you realize I'm running late for the office?"
In a sad tone, "I am sorry babe please forgive me. I won't do this again!"
She ignored his apologies, moved towards the dining table, and sat on the chair. "So what did you make for today's breakfast?"
He put a bowl of oatmeal in front of her, "According to your diet plan you provide, I made oatmeal for you and packed some salad for the office".
She quietly eats her oatmeal while casually using her phone. A girl comes down the staircase and hugs her as she eats. "Good morning, big sister! Congratulations on securing such a big project with the AA group. You're definitely on your way to becoming the next CEO of the Su group!"
While both sisters enjoy this moment, the men standing beside them speak warmly. "Congratulations, babe, on receiving the project with the AA group! You worked hard to achieve this project. But why didn't you tell me yesterday? I could have made something delicious for you, and we could celebrate together."
With a bitter smile, she said, "It was already midnight, and I didn't want to bother you with this, but I should have informed you. I hope you understand and aren't upset."
The girl standing next to her sister speaks as if she is disgusted by the men in front of her.
"Wang Xiaotian, how can you blame my sister for not informing you about the project? Do you want to know why she didn't tell you yesterday? She was at the party and busy celebrating with Ji Yuan late at night, which is why she came home late. Are you feeling insecure now?"
She tries to stop her sister, but suddenly another woman enters the dining hall. She speaks with authority, saying, "What is going on here? Wang Xiaotian, are you bullying my daughters?"
Wang Xiaotian, try to calm down the old woman, "Mom it's not what you think, it's just a small misunderstanding!"
Su Lihua's tone shifted to one of nagging. "Oh! Do you think I'm deaf? I can hear how you criticize my sweet Su Moyan. She was just enjoying her victory last night and didn't want to tell you because all you do is spoil her fun! Besides, she knows that sharing it with you only brings bad luck and nothing good!"
Wang Xiaotian speaks, "Mom please let me…".
Before he completes his sentence Su Moyan speaks up, "Wang Xiaotian just shut up!! And mom please don't fight in the early morning, it's given me a headache".
Wang Xiaotian, get closer to Su Muyan, "Do you want me to bring some medication for you?"
Su Muyan, after hearing his word put her head and spoke in guilt, "No you don't need to bring the medication, I am fine!"
When Wang Xiaotian going to touch her shoulder to support her, Su Lihua slapped his hand, "Don't dare to touch my daughter with your filthy hands".
"I am sorry!" Wang Xiaotian back off.
Su Lihua looked at him with disdain and supported her daughter. "Are you okay, Yan'er? My poor baby, you must be so tired, but you need to stay spirited. Today is your grandparents' wedding anniversary, and they are hosting a banquet to celebrate. They specifically invited you because you secured such a big project for the Su family!"
Su Moyan smiled warmly and replied, "Of course, Mom! I will join the banquet. Just send me the hotel address where it's being held, and I'll be there!"
Su Lihua caressed her head, "It's okay I will text you the address, yesterday you're dad and brother already left for the banquet and your dad also want to discuss something with your grandpa, so don't worry about them!"
Su Moyan looked at Wang Xiaotian and said, "Here, take the credit card and buy some new clothes and gifts for today's banquet. Don't embarrass me tonight!" She handed the credit card to him, and Wang Xiaotian nodded.
Suddenly, Su Lihua's voice filled with concern, "Yan'er, why on earth are you handing him the credit card? What if he drains the account and disappears? You know how your grandparents feel about him; their disapproval could tarnish your reputation. Instead of him, why not take Ji Yuan with you? He's a much better choice." With that, she swiftly snatched the credit card from his hand.
Su Moyan's voice carries a note of frustration as she asserts, "Mom, that's enough. I know him far better than you do—he would never betray our trust for money. If my grandparents disapprove, that's their issue to handle, not mine. And let's not forget, this is a family banquet, and Ji Yuan is still an outsider!"
She snatches the credit from her hand and gives it to the Wang Xiaotian again.
Su Lihua speaks with a gentle warmth, "What are you saying, Yan'er? Ji Yuan is not merely an outsider; he's someone who has been part of your life since childhood. He was your first crush back in school. Have you forgotten all those precious moments you shared with him?"
In guilt and frustration, she raises her voice, "Fine, invite him!" With that, she swiftly retreats to her bedroom.
As she strides out of the dining hall, Su Lihua casts an incredulous glance at Wang Xiaotian and says, "Oh, I almost forgot to mention—your five esteemed masters will be joining us at the banquet. It's hard to believe that you are their disciple, and yet, here you are, still utterly ineffective. Now look at Ji Yuan he is a hundred times better than you; after being accepted by the five masters he achieved those things you can never achieve in your whole life".
Su Lihua and Su Yixin laughed at him as they left the dining hall.
Wang Xiaotian gazes at the credit card clutched delicately in his frail fingers, a hint of crimson staining his lips as he coughs weakly. "Let's forget everything else," he whispers hoarsely, "My body is crumbling, and I have only a day or two left to live. I want to spend my final moments with my daughter."
He steps away from the dining hall and approaches the locked door of Su Muyan's room. With a gentle knock, he asks softly, "May I come in?"
A cold voice comes out from the room, "Yes, come in"
Wang Xiaotian swung open the door and stepped into the room, where he found Su Muyan bustling about, preparing herself and her two-year-old daughter for the evening's banquet. Concern etched on his face, he asked gently, "Are you alright? You left the dining hall in a bit of a huff."
She stays silent
Wang Xiaotian speaks again, "So you are leaving for the banquet now?"
She tilted her head slightly, her voice steady yet tinged with coldness. "Yes, I'm leaving for the banquet now with o-our daughter. If you choose to accompany us, I won't stand in your way, but I urge you to reconsider. Attending will only invite disdain from others, and I am weary of enduring that. Please, try to understand my perspective."
Wang Xiaotian looked down at the floor while hearing her excuse, as she indirectly saying him don't come to the banquet because it will only harm her reputation and her grandparents don't like him who is the majority shareholder in the company, and she regard him as dead weight on her shoulder that pulling her back to become CEO of SU family business.
Wang Xiaotian hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yes, I understand," he said softly. "Since I won't be attending the banquet, I won't be needing new clothes or gifts." With a reluctant sigh, he reached into his wallet and handed her a credit card.
She took the credit card from his hands and placed it in her purse. "Thank you for understanding my feelings," she said with a smile.
Wang Xiaotian says to her, "It's fine. You're running late; you should go."
Su Muyan gently gathered her daughter in her arms, preparing to leave, when Wang Xiaotian stepped closer, his fingers brushing affectionately over his daughter's hair. "Su Wanran is becoming more beautiful by the day," he remarked, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Wifey, Ji Yuan will accompany you to the banquet instead of me, right?"
Su Muyan was taken aback by Wang Xiaotian's unexpected actions, a wave of guilt washing over her heart. "Yes, he will accompany me to the banquet. It's my grandfather's wish, and I can't go against that," she explained gently. "Please don't let jealousy consume you; it's merely a family gathering, and we're just friends—nothing more. This will be his first family event since returning from abroad, so let's avoid any unnecessary scenes, alright?"
Wang Xiaotian chuckles softly, "Oh, there's no need to worry. Creating a scene would yield nothing of value. Why stir the pot when such an endeavor serves no purpose?"
Su Muyan looked at him in pity, "Don't feel sad before leaving I will make some prodigy for you as your losing too much vitality these day's and prodigy with the tonic send by your master, it will help you recover your health, okay?"
He nodded slightly, watching his wife as she gracefully departed for the banquet. After a moment, he left her room and made his way to his own—though one might call it a storeroom. He climbed onto his bed, lying back and staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.
"Su Muyan, did you forget your promise to accompany me to today's doctor's appointment? Tsk, never mind. If the doctor can't discern the source of my illness, I suppose it's to be expected. My master relentlessly sends me tonics, yet for some inexplicable reason, they seem to offer no relief. Sigh." With that, he closed his eyes and surrendered to sleep.