As they chatted, the conversation turned to the upcoming birthday banquet for Tan Shengjun’s grandfather. After all, Du Shi’s father was among those qualified to receive an invitation. Many from that social stratum would attend, and naturally, Du Shi’s father wouldn’t miss such an excellent opportunity.
When the topic of the banquet came up, Du Shi suddenly sighed with melancholy. “That day… will Shengjun-ge be going with… the young master of the Su family to… receive guests?”
Tan Shengjun paused, then replied in a tone that was both sweet and somewhat resigned, “It’s Grandfather’s birthday, after all. I’ll definitely be hosting and receiving guests that day. And Xiao Yezi—since he’s my fiancé—will naturally accompany me.”
Though relations between the Su and Tan families had never been particularly warm, they had eased somewhat after Su Baiye, the second son of the Su family, began dating Tan Shengjun. Still, there remained an unbridgeable ideological gap between them.
The Su family valued open, fair business dealings and mutual benefit, while the Tan family pursued their goals by any means necessary, squeezing every advantage they could. This fundamental difference had always made their relationship awkward. Even after Tan Shengjun and Su Baiye got engaged, becoming officially recognized as fiancés, that underlying tension remained.
Tan Shengjun, feeling slighted, harbored deep dissatisfaction toward the Su family. Yet, given the Su family’s status and influence—which were undeniably beneficial to him—he never let it show. In public, he and Su Baiye still appeared deeply affectionate.
As for how much of that affection was genuine and how much was pretense, only Tan Shengjun himself knew.
Meanwhile, Du Shi, upon hearing that Su Baiye would be hosting guests alongside Tan Shengjun as his official fiancé, felt her earlier joy at shopping and dining with Tan Shengjun evaporate instantly. Waves of bitterness and jealousy surged within her, leaving her utterly miserable.
Still, Du Shi refused to let Tan Shengjun see her in an unflattering light. Suppressing her resentment, she forced a smile. “Is that so? Then Shishi wishes Shengjun-ge happiness and a lifetime of love with the young master of the Su family.” By the end, her voice even trembled with unshed tears.
Tan Shengjun pretended not to notice, gently stroking her hair instead. “Shishi, in my heart, you’ll always be the little sister I cherish most. So, I truly hope you’ll find happiness too—someone who’ll love you and stay with you forever.”
Du Shi’s eyes welled up as she gazed at him, her smile painfully strained. “Yes… Shishi will definitely find someone… someone as good to her as Shengjun-ge… someone who’ll take care of her for a lifetime! And Shengjun-ge… you must be happy too.”
Tan Shengjun’s eyes softened with honeyed warmth, tender and indulgent. They chatted a while longer before parting reluctantly—Tan Shengjun had plans to pick out formal attire with Su Baiye that afternoon.
Du Shi watched Tan Shengjun leave with sorrowful reluctance, her expression crumbling the moment his figure disappeared from sight. She lowered her head, climbed into her car, and shut the door. Instantly, her fragile sadness vanished, replaced by sharp mockery.
She sneered. “That idiot Tan Shengjun—does he really think I’m so easy to fool? What a trashy scumbag, wasting my time and youth. If it weren’t for needing him to help me deal with that old man (her father) and that disgusting white lotus (the woman who bore her father’s illegitimate child), do you think I’d bother humoring him like this?”
She knew full well his affection was an act. Why else would she waste her time playing along?
With a careless flick, Du Shi lit a slender cigarette and took a leisurely drag. After changing into a flashy sports car, she sped off for a drive.
Men? Pfft. What were they good for? Were games not fun enough? Movies not entertaining? Who needed them?
She scoffed. If not for her delusional mother, still clinging to the futile hope that her father might one day return to them, Du Shi would’ve long since staged a scene, extorted a hefty sum from the old man and that white lotus, and vanished to live freely.
The family business? Whoever wanted it could have it. All she cared about was money—not the endless social obligations and headaches that came with running a company. She’d rather be a silent shareholder, collecting dividends while doing whatever she pleased.
Instead, she was forced to play the role of a refined, elegant lady to satisfy her mother’s fantasies. The act was suffocating. Honestly, she’d much rather be a wild, untamed spirit.
At least then she wouldn’t have to wear this mask, pretending to tolerate Tan Shengjun’s two-faced nonsense. Thank goodness for Su Baiye keeping him occupied—otherwise, Du Shi might’ve vomited from sheer disgust by now.
Hmm. From that perspective, she actually had some appreciation for Su Baiye.
If not for that one time she’d accidentally glimpsed his jealous, twisted expression directed at a certain young noble—a pampered, princely ten-year-old—she might’ve even subtly warned Su Baiye about Tan Shengjun’s true nature.
As a daughter of the Du family, Du Shi recognized that look all too well.
Su Baiye was, after all, just an adopted son of the Su family, while that cherished youngest child was the family’s true treasure. Petty and envious, Su Baiye couldn’t help but resent him.
The Su family had treated Su Baiye well—but he was insatiable, never content. Du Shi shook her head. If possible, she hoped the Su family could free themselves from him sooner rather than later. Otherwise, he’d only drag them deeper into filth.
Meanwhile, oblivious that his true nature had been exposed, Su Baiye greeted Tan Shengjun with an innocent, radiant smile—his eyes pure and adoring. The hero-worship in his gaze stroked Tan Shengjun’s ego perfectly.
After a sweet, affectionate moment, Tan Shengjun bid farewell to Su Baiye’s parents, Su Jun and Kong Qintong, as well as his elder brother, Su Baixiao, before taking Su Baiye out to shop for clothes.
Once they left, Su Jun dismissed the servants, leaving only his family of three in the dining room.
Su Baixiao ate casually, remarking offhandedly, “Old man, the Tan family isn’t a good partner.”
Su Jun sipped his tea. “You disrespectful brat—did you swallow your manners along with your food? As for the Tan family, I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. Do you think I don’t know?” The Su and Tan families were fundamentally incompatible. Birds of a feather flock together—and they were anything but.
Kong Qintong touched a pendant around her neck, her eyes reddening. “It’s all my fault. Lao Su… how could I have lost our little treasure back then?”
If that child hadn’t gone missing, she wouldn’t have been so distraught that she nearly lost her mind—prompting her husband to adopt Su Baiye out of pity. Now, neither her husband nor her eldest son could escape the complications Su Baiye and Tan Shengjun brought.
Seeing Kong Qintong’s tears, Su Jun abandoned his stern facade, quickly taking her hand. “Qintong, how many times must I tell you? Stop blaming yourself for everything. If our child was lost, wasn’t I, as his father, also at fault? When will you learn to stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?”
Su Baixiao set down his bowl and joined his mother. “Exactly, Mom. As the eldest brother, I was the one who failed to protect him. How could it be your fault?”
Kong Qintong took a deep breath, managing a faint smile. The grief in her eyes lessened slightly. Without her husband and son by her side, she might’ve collapsed long ago.
After lunch, once Kong Qintong had calmed, Su Jun and Su Baixiao retreated to the study. Kong Qintong assumed they were discussing business as usual—but in reality, their conversation revolved around the child they’d lost years ago.
Su Jun’s earlier gentleness was gone, replaced by icy fury. “So, it really was that woman’s doing?”
Su Baixiao appeared composed, but his clenched fists—nails digging into his palms—betrayed his turmoil. “Back then, she was meticulous, leaving no traces. But after all these years, she’s grown careless. I’ve finally found some leads.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage