Su Nian let out a furious roar. Her throat burned with a fiery pain, as if it had been torn apart. Song Hui's expression visibly darkened with sorrow. She sighed deeply, speaking with gentle earnestness.
"Nian Nian, you cannot continue like this.""You are your father's daughter, but Wan Wan is as well.""Besides, she lost her mother when she was young, and even her grandmother is gone.""In this world, perhaps your father is all the family she has left.""If even we, her closest kin, treat her harshly, how miserable she must feel."
Su Nian pointed at her trembling lips, raising an eyebrow in scorn."Family?""What kind of family would ruin their own sister and father like this?""She clearly wants us dead!""Maybe it was her curse that brought about her mother's and grandmother's deaths!"
Song Hui, usually gentle, was suddenly enraged—a fury Su Nian had never witnessed before. Her fierce defense of Su Wanwan sent a chill down Su Nian's spine.
"Su Nian! You are becoming more and more reckless with your words! Do you even know what you're saying?"
Seizing a pillow behind her, Su Nian hurled it fiercely at her."Get lost!"
Song Hui stepped back two paces, both angry and anxious."Calm down first! I'll check on your father and come back later."
When entering the hospital room, Su's father was already awake. His face was pale, and he looked quite weak. Ye Nan stood quietly beside him, nodding slightly at Song Hui.
"How is he?"
Song Hui entered. Su's father wore a forced expression."I nearly died of anger because of that little beast!""Usually she pretends to be so obedient, but as soon as she's out of the Su household, her true nature shows—like a fox's tail! Even I, her father, she treats with hostility!"
Song Hui frowned."Master, could there be some misunderstanding?""What misunderstanding? Su Wanwan is clearly wealthy and arrogant now—she thinks she can just fly away!" Su's father clutched his chest and coughed violently, each cough ripping through his waist with sharp pain. Song Hui hurriedly patted his chest, helping him breathe easier. She poured a cup of warm water from the table, handing it to him for a few sips.
Su's father's mood eased somewhat, but his face remained grim."Ye Nan, I'm afraid you've been made a fool of by the Su family."
Ye Nan smiled softly in reply,"Uncle, you're too polite. Soon, we'll all be one family."
"It's getting late. Your aunt is here to care for you. You should rest."
Though head of the Su family, Su's father felt embarrassed and vulnerable before the younger generation. Ye Nan sensed this and quietly took his leave. Song Hui stayed behind, accompanying Su's father until nightfall.
With a creak, the hospital door opened. Su Nian entered silently. Seeing Song Hui, surprise flickered in her eyes—she didn't understand why she was still there.
Without a word, Su Nian walked to her father's side and sat down. Seeing her battered state, Su's father's heart ached.
"Oh, my precious daughter, how did you get hurt like this?""That Su Wanwan hasn't even come to see you—I'm so disappointed!" Song Hui quickly interjected,"Master, don't be angry. I'll call her now."
This family matter needed to be settled clearly. Pulling out her phone, she pressed speakerphone. The call barely rang twice before Su Wanwan answered.
From the other end came Su Wanwan's cold, aloof voice:"Stepmother, what's the matter?"
"Wanwan, I'm at the hospital. Could you come over?"
Song Hui's gaze darted nervously to Su's father, fearing he might lose control.
Wanwan responded with a disdainful "No time." as if she didn't have a father at all.
Veins throbbed on Su's father's forehead, a raging fire ignited inside him."No time? Ungrateful child! I bet you're busy chasing some scoundrel!"
Su Wanwan's fingers lightly traced the piano keys nearby, playing two lively notes.
"Ungrateful?""Father, I don't understand what you mean.""As far as I know, I've never laid a finger on you.""It was your disrespect to Mr. Lun En that got you taught a lesson by his men. What does that have to do with me?"
Su's father opened his mouth in anger, but no words came—he could find no retort.
"If not for me, with Su Nian's reckless tongue, could you all have safely left that house?""In the end, you should be thanking me."
With that, Su Wanwan hung up abruptly, leaving the two on the other end seething with rage.
"Miss, do you want this piano?""Yes, move it to the Fu residence."
Fu Liangmu had just entered his home when he heard a lively melody from upstairs. Uncle Zhang approached and helped him remove his coat."Madam is playing piano upstairs.""Why not use the music room?" Fu Liangmu asked calmly.
Zhang had a good impression of Su Wanwan. She was polite and well-mannered in both speech and conduct.
"Madam said she wouldn't touch your things without your permission.""And you have your peculiar cleanliness habits."
Before Su Wanwan arrived, Fu Liangmu's belongings were untouched except for cleaning, which required disposable gloves. Furrowing his brow, Fu Liangmu found her distant words strangely grating when spoken by her.
"Why didn't you contact me?""I called you."
Fu Liangmu took out his phone and indeed found two missed calls. He ascended the stairs and noticed the door slightly ajar.
Su Wanwan sat before the piano, back straight, brows gently lowered, slender fingers dancing on the keys. Her gestures revealed she was no stranger to the instrument.
After finishing the piece, she turned a page of the sheet music.
"Why don't you come in?" Fu Liangmu finally realized he had been captivated."Have you studied before?"Su Wanwan modestly replied,"A little."Fu Liangmu didn't press further."There's a music room at home; you can use my piano anytime."
Su Wanwan smiled faintly, her red lips curling, eyes twinkling with a hint of teasing."Didn't expect we share a common interest."
Fu Liangmu responded with a noncommittal hum, neither mentioning Lun En's upcoming tour in West City.
Just then, an untimely phone rang. Su Wanwan stepped aside to answer, covering the phone to muffle the sound.
"Wanwan! Come to the bar! Let's celebrate my return!""I'm on my way."
Grabbing a nearby coat, she brushed past Fu Liangmu, pausing briefly."My friends are in West City; I might not come back tonight."
Still, as a husband, a brief notice was in order. Fu Liangmu nodded gently.
Su Wanwan quickly hailed a cab to the bar. As she pushed open the private room door, a dozen pairs of male eyes locked onto her in unison.