1 It Must Be a Dream

noon the next day.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting a blinding band of light on the carpet.

Shen Yi suddenly opened his eyes, his head throbbing, his whole body aching as if he had been run over by a truck.

He stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind a jumble of thoughts, the crazy and shameful images from last night flooding back like a tidal wave.

"It's a dream...it must be a dream..."

He muttered to himself, trying to convince himself.

But when he moved his fingers, the dull pain in his waist and the faint bluish-purple sensation on his skin ruthlessly shattered his illusions.

That wasn't a dream; it was a real trace left behind by that madwoman, Su Qiu.

I didn't leave the bathroom all night!

asshole!

Su Qiu, that bastard!

"Su Qiu!"

Shen Yi sat up abruptly, trembling with anger, but his throat was terribly dry and hoarse.

The roar that was on the tip of his tongue was reduced to a weak, hoarse voice, devoid of any force.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, and a fierce hatred surged in his eyes:

"I will definitely kill you!"

Struggling to get out of bed, every step pulled at my aching muscles.

It took him a full half hour to clean himself up and change into loose loungewear, trying to cover up the obvious marks.

As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone rang. It was Lin Wei calling.

"Mr. Shen, I have some important news to report." The assistant's voice was tinged with excitement.

"A new company has emerged in the inland area called Qiu Yi Group. It is very large and I heard that it has a deep overseas background."

Our team discovered that they are interested in expanding into the local market. Partnering with them would greatly help us open up international channels and could even solidify your position in the industry.

Shen Yi frowned, rubbing his throbbing temples: "Qiu Yi Group? Never heard of it."

"They appeared out of nowhere, and they act very discreetly, but their strength should not be underestimated."

Lin Wei added, "Their manager is supposedly arriving in the city today. Would you like to arrange a time to meet him?"

Shen Yi remained silent for a moment.

To solidify his career... that's exactly what he needs right now.

I've been so upset about Su Qiu lately that several of the company's projects have been affected.

If we can seize this opportunity, it might allow him to regain a sense of control.

"Send me the information," he said in a deep voice. "We'll talk about meeting after I've reviewed the information."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Yi walked to the window and drew back the curtains.

Sunlight streamed in instantly, making him squint.

He looked down at the bustling traffic below, but a fire still burned within him.

Su Qiu... Qiu Yi...

Little did he know that these two names would soon be intertwined again in a way that caught him completely off guard.

……

Before this, Shen Yi began to investigate Su Qiu, who was not as simple as he had imagined.

What exactly happened when Su Qiu was kicked out of the Su family?

Or perhaps Su Qiu was always a mystery?

Su Qiu was never a child of the Su family, and there was no such thing as a substitution of a prince for a cat.

Could it be that Su Qiu's biological parents or related personnel have found her...?

Are these people not simple?

Shen Yi rubbed his temples; this was really difficult to deal with.

Suppressing his anger, he knew he couldn't rashly go to Su Qiu's place this time.

Otherwise, he'll be the one who suffers.

Seemingly realizing something, Shen Yi became furious and embarrassed, his ears turning bright red as he slammed the documents in his hand onto the table in front of him.

"You damned woman!"

……

The Lu family.

Mrs. Lu's fortieth birthday banquet was held in the banquet hall of the city's most luxurious hotel.

The crystal chandelier refracted a dazzling light, illuminating the room filled with the fragrance of clothes and the glitter of people.

Those invited were all prominent figures in the industry, including high-ranking officials, dignitaries, and business tycoons.

Amidst raising their glasses and chatting, they offered words of congratulations to Madam Lu.

As the prospective in-laws of the Lu family, the Su family elders arrived early with Su Qian.

The gift they presented was a translucent and lustrous jade ornament, its vibrant green color clearly indicating its high value.

Later, some people privately discussed that this ornament was worth at least ten million.

"Mrs. Su is so lucky to have found such a talented young man as her son-in-law!"

"That's right! Lu Chen is young and promising, and he cares deeply for Su Qian. Su Qian married the right person!"

Exclamations of admiration rose and fell around her, and Madam Su couldn't stop smiling.

Holding Lu Chen's hand, she kept praising him, and her eyes were full of satisfaction and pride when she looked at Su Qian.

Su Qian, dressed in a champagne-colored evening gown and with exquisite makeup, linked arms with Lu Chen, accepting the envious gazes of the crowd, her face displaying a perfectly reserved smile.

Her close friends, who usually called her "sister," also gathered around, their words full of flattery:

"Qianqian, you're so lucky! Lu Chen spoils you so much, I'm so envious~"

"Exactly, compared to some people, you are the real winner in life."

The "certain people" mentioned here naturally refer to Su Qiu, who did not appear.

Whenever Su Qian appears, Su Qiu always seems to be brought up for comparison, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

"Speaking of which, the incident of Su Qiu hitting someone a while ago caused quite a stir."

Some people whispered among themselves, "I heard that although the video was deleted, the reputations of those who were beaten have been affected, and they must be feeling incredibly resentful behind the scenes."

"Yeah, even if your family has some influence, you can't be this arrogant, can you? Hitting someone, it's so embarrassing if word gets out."

"Su Qian is so sensible and proper, she looks like a lady from a well-to-do family, a world apart from Su Qiu."

The murmurs weren't loud, but they were loud enough for people nearby to hear clearly.

Su Qian's fingers tightened slightly as she held the wine glass, her fingertips turning white, but her face remained expressionless.

In her heart, she hated Su Qiu to the core: Bitch! If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have been humiliated! And Lu Chen wouldn't have ended up like her!

Therefore, when Shen Yi helped her deal with Su Qiu, she and Lu Chen also added fuel to the fire.

At this moment, Su Qiu is probably hiding in some corner crying.

Or your home address might be found by some perverted or lewd people online...

Or perhaps, unable to withstand the online harassment, they're already lying in the morgue...

Thinking of all this, Su Qian's smile deepened. She leaned gently against Lu Chen's chest, her voice tender:

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Today is Mom's special day."

Lu Chen naturally put his arm around her waist, looking at Su Qian with tenderness and affection.

"Yeah, that's a piece of trash. Let's not talk about him."

He then turned to his mother, raised his glass, and said with a smile, "May my mother enjoy boundless happiness and longevity."

Lu Chen then looked at the Su family elders and greeted them politely: "Hello, Uncle and Aunt."

Old Master Su embraced his wife, looked at Lu Chen, and became more and more satisfied. He said, "Why are you still calling him Uncle and Aunt? You and Qianqian will be engaged in a month."

The Lu family is more powerful and influential than the Su family, and now they have successfully climbed up to the Lu family.

The Su family's status also rose accordingly.

Master Su was very satisfied; bringing Qianqian back was the right decision.

As for Su Qiu, who was kicked out, he's a fool. Whether he lives or dies is none of his business.

But if it affects the Su family, then don't blame him for being ruthless.

Lu Chen smiled politely, "Yes, Dad."

Melodious music filled the banquet hall, and congratulations echoed throughout.