"No need for you to remind me."
Those were the last words Su Qinghuai left before leaving.
The brief exchange between the two in front of everyone made Su Zhiyi suspicious.
Fortunately, after Su Qinghuai left, Si Yanjing asked the question that had been on her mind: "I didn't expect Young Master Song and Young Master Su to be so familiar."
His tone was full of provocation.
He was the one Su Zhiyi had chosen, her current fiancé, the ultimate victor.
So, he had the right to act arrogant in front of the former fiancé who was now without claim, right?
As the provoked "former fiancé," Song Lian showed no embarrassment. He gave Si Yanjing a faint smile and said lightly, "He and I aren't familiar. How did Young Master Si get the idea that we are very close?"
"I was just reminding him about a business cooperation between the Song family, represented by me, and the Su family, represented by Young Master Su, a few days ago. I was afraid he might forget in his emotional state. Young Master Si might be overthinking things."
Song Lian seemed uninterested in continuing the conversation with Si Yanjing. After briefly explaining, he turned his gaze to Su Zhiyi, casually glancing over her hand clasped with Si Yanjing's.
The ring on Su Zhiyi's finger sparkled brightly, shining directly into his eyes.
He glanced at it, then calmly met Su Zhiyi's eyes, raising the corners of his mouth. "Congratulations, Zhiyi."
His tone was steady, as if he were sincerely blessing his former fiancée.
Being congratulated by her former fiancé in front of her current fiancé made Su Zhiyi feel strange.
She pulled the corners of her mouth into an awkward smile and accepted Song Lian's blessing. "Thank you..."
Whether Song Lian had truly let go or was just pretending well, his emotions didn't show like Su Qinghuai's. He remained warm and polite as usual, exchanged a few words of consolation with Su Zhiyi's parents, then excused himself with the reason "I need to check on my parents" and left.
With the most annoying rival finally gone, Si Yanjing looked like a triumphant general returning from battle, his face beaming with pride. He held Su Zhiyi's hand tighter.
Sincerely, he said to the Su Family Head and Mrs. Su, "Uncle and Auntie, I truly like Zhiyi. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Of course, my feelings aren't just empty words. The ring I gave her is just a token. The Si family values Zhiyi, and we will naturally show our sincerity."
After solemnly delivering this speech, he turned and signaled to Si Yancheng.
Si Yancheng understood and said to the Su Family Head and Mrs. Su with utmost seriousness, "Xiaojing and I have long discussed this with our parents. Since Miss Su has accepted Xiaojing, the Si Corporation will transfer 5% of the shares held by Xiaojing to Miss Su's name, to demonstrate our sincerity—both the Si family's and Xiaojing's—to Miss Su. Furthermore..."
He looked at his father, the head of the Si family.
The Si family head, who had remained silent until now, spoke, his words exuding old money. "The Si Corporation has a project worth tens of billions. Chairman Su, are you interested?"
Upon hearing about the Si Corporation's tens-of-billions project, the Su Family Head's eyes lit up immediately, but then intense hesitation followed.
A tens-of-billions project from the Si Corporation... that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Cooperation on a tens-of-billions project was just the beginning. After one cooperation, there would be many more chances to work with the Si family. A partnership between the two families would be a win-win.
As a shrewd businessman, he understood this simple truth.
But... Su Zhiyi was not his biological daughter after all.
Not long ago, he had ruthlessly expelled Su Zhiyi from the Su family.
The Su Family Head was a businessman who valued interests highly. He couldn't bear to give up the tens-of-billions project.
So, he tentatively asked Su Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, what do you think?"
Hearing these rich people casually throw around shares and tens-of-billions projects, tossing money around like it was nothing, Su Zhiyi felt a pang in her heart. She thought of her own salary card with only three thousand left and a bank balance of less than two digits in this world.
The Si family's sincerity was truly substantial. First, they gave her personal benefits—5% of the shares—and then they offered the Su family a tens-of-billions project as a gesture of goodwill.
Damn it... there were so many rich people in the world, why couldn't she be one of them?
She wanted to toss around a hundred billion too.
After silently complaining in her mind, she heard the Su Family Head's probing question.
Her cheap former father, who wasn't related by blood and had already disowned her, seemed... unwilling to reveal her identity?
He was even acknowledging her as the Su family's Eldest Miss in front of the Si family.
The Su Family Head was wavering.
If she agreed, she would be the Su family's Eldest Miss in name, if not in blood.
Then, no one would know she wasn't rich.
Su Zhiyi accepted quickly. After weighing the pros and cons, a pink, cherry-like smile curved on her lips, revealing a bright grin.
"My opinion? I think Father can certainly accept."
"Because... I really like Yanjing too."
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Author's note: From now on, updates will be stable at midnight. I have a lot of drafts, so updates will be consistent!