Nanjing

What was supposed to be a quick clarification meeting escalated into a huge family feud. Chen Kai's monitoring of the Su family was his experience.

Su Lian left that family when she was barely an adult, which meant she wasn't taken seriously, and her family kept the mindset that she was being childish and still had some use to them.

Ignoring her over the years wasn't hard.

Chen Kai's investigation revealed how they had been living over the years. What chilled Su Lian and angered Chen Kai was the Su Patriarch's plan to tie his estranged daughter into a business marriage, assuring the other party that she would return to Hangzhou after college.

They were taking charge of her future without her knowledge, but after her visit back home, they became curious about her lavish spending and exclusive entry to certain clubs and events; they began their search.

Why look for prospective sons-in-law when Su Lian did a great job in securing one?

They didn't think about her feelings or her actions of leaving the family; they only saw the benefits.

Presently, it was the same.

Father and son sat across from the immaculately dressed Su Lian, who held a look of indifference on her face as they verbally attacked her while interjecting some words of 'taking care of the family name' and being 'filial'.

The private room was thankfully soundproof, and only the three were present. The other reason for such privacy was due to Chen Kai's influence. The teahouse was one of the few minor establishments under the Li family.

The Su father and son had no knowledge of this, but Su Lian did.

She mused silently, ' What will be their expression if they know this famous teahouse was under Kai's authority?' Sighing inwardly, she couldn't help but feel even more disappointed. Knowing her father, he would slip into business talks to get some benefits, and her brother would seek to get some authority to showcase power.

'I bet they will bring out the old spiel of, You're family and family should stick together.'

So said, so happened.

Mockery filled Su Lian's eyes when her father mentioned that crap about family.

Checking the pink diamond-crusted watch on her wrist, she realized it had been more than twenty minutes since the two sat with her.

It seems like they were putting in a lot of effort.

Their usual persuasion session takes five to ten minutes because they used to have the upper hand with her, but that ended when she resolutely cut off contact and ties with them.

Wanting to wrap up this facade of a family reunion, she rudely interjected into their two-man talk show, " I seem to remember that ties have been cut between us. It was stated that we no longer have any ties, whether it's business, political, or personal, unless Mr. Su Luan is bedridden or incontinent."

"Su Lian! Are you cursing your father?"

Emotionless eyes rested on the favored Su family heir, who now looked like a young cock ready to fight.

"Young Master Su should rein in his temper. In the notarized document, this was stated. It's in yours also. By your reaction, well, both of you, the document hasn't been read." A smirk formed on her lips as her lowered eyes hid the heavy sarcasm with which she was speaking.

"Enough, Lijun. Sit."

The patriarch has spoken.

Su Lian once feared his cold reprimand, even his strict orders; she lived on tenterhooks in that house, a little puppet led by the strings in his hands.

College was her escape, and her aunt was her shield to keep her from succumbing to their manipulative tactics.

Hearing this familiar order and witnessing her older brother's submissive actions, she couldn't help but feel bitter.

They were both bred to be under this man's thumb, yet she was deemed 'different' because her views were a contrast to theirs. Su Lian couldn't help but wonder about her brother's future.

"Lian. We've been in Nanjing for quite some time and have found numerous paths to expand our businesses here......"

"Congratulations, Patriarch Su. As I said before, the Su family business is of no importance to me or needs my undivided attention. My reason for agreeing to meet with you after the numerous contacts was to reiterate the severance between us personally, but you seem to have another opinion on that."

Su Lian didn't care if she interrupted him. She didn't want to stay in their presence any longer.

The once comfortably elegant room became dull and stifling by the clear displeasure of the three parties currently glaring at each other.

Su Lian stood her ground, not backing down, and taking this chance, she spoke again. "You did your investigations. The man I am currently with was a potential stepping stone for you. A fresh college graduate who inherited companies and connections, who may be easy to fool, right?"

She didn't hide the sarcasm and taunting in her tone.

Apart from their inclination to use her for their benefits, she became angrier at their unconcealed plotting against her Kai.

Her voice became colder as she listed out the steps in their plans. Su Lian even added a bit of mockery with the ending of her mother's family collaborations.

The faces of the Su father and son became redder by the second as they listened to Su Lian's taunting words.

She didn't shout or lose her composure. She stated every fact with great mockery, playing on their pride and arrogance.

She knew them well.

"Your persistence is commendable. You probably put two and two together after that national broadcast. Do you think I will allow you to suck my husband dry? He doesn't need 'help' nor to show a bit of 'goodwill' to get your approval. He's not like your son, who's like a dog without a brain..."

SLAP!

Su Lian's words were cut off by the unseen attack from Su Lijun. He couldn't stand her disrespect; he didn't have the mental fortitude of his father. He was already pissed off that Su Lian was outside of Hangzhou galavanting all over the city with a poor bastard who only had luck to stand at their level. It was already embarrassing to think that they had to bow their heads to such a rat.

So what if he's recognized by a big family, it still didn't wash away his shameful origins. How dare a child of the Su family lower themselves to someone like that?

Su Lijun didn't care about that stupid severance letter. Su Lian was born to follow the rules; she has to listen to them.

"Heh. Oooo. I forgot about your temper, young master Su. I surely didn't miss them," Su Lian said with a bitter laugh. Her head was harshly turned to the side due to the force Su Lijun slapped her. Her cheek burned at the impact sight; she was in pain, but she didn't cry.

They don't deserve her tears.

She smirked as she glanced at the livid young master who was looking down at her from his high pedestal. How can she not know how prideful he was?

Coming after her to get to Chen Kai was probably Patriarch Su's plan.

Slowly, she turned her head to face him; rising to her feet, she kept that smirk on her face.

"He doesn't need you, nor do I. Maybe you should try to hold onto the companies mother left in your care."

Su Lijun's eyes widen in surprise. "Wha-- How did you know?" They weren't planning to tell her about the dowry Madam Su left to the family and for Su Lian to take over when she's married.

"Do you think I wouldn't tell him about the rift between us? He's very meticulous when it comes to safeguarding his people, especially me! He was the one who told me of your arrival in Nanjing."

After her last word, she grabbed her bag and made her way to the door.

"Where do you think you're going? Get back here and stop behaving like an unhinged mistress." Su Lijun shouted after her.

The door was slightly ajar, and the guards outside, including Xiao Wei, heard that insult.

Not caring for whose relative he was, Xiao Wei strode in and sent a quick punch to Su Lijun's stomach, causing him to slump over the fierce assistant's arm.

Patriarch Su was pissed to see his son being attacked and made a move to retaliate, but the cold gaze he received from the assistant made him stop in his tracks.

"It's only because you're related by blood to the young madam that you're here. It is also because of that fact that a minor punishment was given. There should be no disrespect towards Young Madam Li. Take him and leave quietly, or be thrown out."

Each word was a dagger of humiliation to the old man's heart. Watching his son grimacing in pain, he knew that they were no match for these people. On top of that, it seems like this place was their territory.

Embarrassed, Patriarch Su helped his son out without sparing a glance at Su Lian.

Watching the two leave, Xiao Wei finally got a full visual of Su Lian.

The sharp gasp was loud in the room, prompting the two guards to look at their young madam.

"Fuck!" One guard couldn't stop the word from spilling out. He, along with the others, was thinking of so many scenarios that would happen after word gets to the boss.

They stood frozen for a millisecond as Su Lian's red, swollen cheek were burned into their retinas.

Su Lian was confused by their reactions and oblivious that she had an injury on her face. "Hey. Aren't we going?"

Her words brought them back to reality.

Xiao Wei mechanically took a photo of her and sent it to his boss.

"Young Madam. Who struck you?" he asked quickly.

"Assistant Xiao, shall we detain them?" One guard asked solemnly.

"Yes, before he...."

Su Lian's phone rang.

".... calls Madam." Xiao Wei closed his eyes and silently lit a candle for the Su family.