Su Family.
On the brightly lit top floor of the Su Corporation Headquarters Building, Su Heng’s private study.
The heavy redwood door was gently knocked.
“Come in.”
Su Qinghan pushed the door open and entered, her high heels stepping on the thick handmade carpet almost soundlessly.
In the study, only a warm yellow antique desk lamp was lit, concentrating the light on the large redwood desk area, casting Su Heng’s figure like a sculpture.
The air was filled with the lingering scent of cigars and the rich aroma of aged Pu’er tea.
“Dad.”
She walked to a spot two steps in front of the desk and stood still, slightly bowing her head.
Su Heng did not speak immediately.
He just leaned back in the wide leather armchair, his heavy gaze falling on his daughter.
That gaze was like a precise ruler, evaluating his daughter.
From her meticulously styled hair bun, to her flawless light makeup, to the well-tailored dark gray women’s suit she wore.
After a long while, he let out a barely audible sigh, his voice low, carrying the authority unique to those in high position:
“Qinghan, I’ve already heard about your trip to Jiang Muyun’s birthday last time.”
Su Qinghan’s fingertips curled slightly, but her expression remained calm and unruffled, only straightening her back a little more.
“I don’t interfere with your social life with friends.”
Su Heng said slowly, tapping his fingertips lightly on the smooth redwood desk,
“But at the same time, I hope you can give equal importance to family matters.
Personal social engagements cannot affect the responsibilities you have as the heir of the Su family.”
He paused, his gaze turning sharp.
“The latest risk assessment and cost accounting report for the ‘Donggang Smart Logistics Park Phase II’ project that I assigned to you last month… I’ve read it.”
Su Qinghan’s heart sank slightly.
“You did poorly.”
Su Heng’s tone was not harsh, even could be described as plain, but every word was like a heavy hammer.
“In the risk assessment, your prediction of compliance delays due to changes in port regulations was insufficient; you underestimated the buffer period by at least fifteen working days.
In the cost accounting, your consideration of supply chain fluctuations and price increases due to recent environmental policies for special building materials was too optimistic, leaving a gap of at least 5% in the budget.”
He raised his eyes, looking directly at his daughter.
“With your ability and the resources you can mobilize, you shouldn’t have made such basic mistakes.
It’s because you weren’t attentive enough yourself.”
The study was silent, only the ticking of the second hand of the antique clock was clearly audible.
Su Qinghan felt her cheeks burn.
Not because of her father’s criticism, but because… he was right.
During that time, Jiang Muyun was about to return home, and she had indeed been distracted.
Many pieces of data that she should have personally verified, she delegated to her deputy; several steps that she should have taken herself, she only listened to briefings.
“This matter ends here.
I’ve already had Wang Mishu return the report for a redo.”
Su Heng didn’t dwell on the issue further.
He pulled open a drawer, took out a brand new folder, and pushed it across the desk.
“Now, I have a new project to assign to you.”
Su Qinghan stepped forward, picked up the folder, and opened it.
The title on the first page read:
“Linjiang New City TOD Comprehensive Development Project Preliminary Plan.”
“Linjiang New City is a key development area for the city over the next five years, and this TOD project is the core of the core.
The city intends to introduce strong enterprises for joint development, so competition will be fierce.”
Su Heng looked at her, his tone serious.
“I want you to take full charge of the preliminary feasibility study, bid proposal preparation, and to smooth over all necessary connections.”
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze deep.
“Qinghan, I hope you can truly grow up quickly and take on the burden of the heir.
The future of the Su family rests on your shoulders.”
Su Qinghan’s fingers tightly gripped the edge of the folder, the sharp corners pressing against her fingertips.
She lowered her eyes, her bangs hiding the complex emotions in them.
She knew that taking on this project meant she would be busy nonstop for at least the next six months.
It meant countless late nights of overtime, endless social receptions, and careful maneuvering and games with various forces.
‘And Jiang Muyun…’
“Yes, Father,” she finally lifted her head and met Su Heng’s gaze.
“I will do it well.”
Su Heng examined the complex expression on her face, then nodded, his severity slightly easing.
“This is your last chance to prove yourself.”
He spoke earnestly.
“Our Su family only has you as a daughter.
I know that as a woman, it’s harder for you to support this family business than others, and you have to give more.
But since you are determined to do well, I hope you can do your best, so that no one can say anything.”
“I understand, Dad.”
Su Qinghan bowed her head again, holding the heavy folder tightly to her chest.
“I won’t let you down.”
“Go ahead.
Wang Mishu will give you the specific materials and contact person.”
“Yes.”
Exiting the study, the heavy wooden door closed silently behind her, cutting off the suffocating pressure inside.
Su Qinghan stood in the empty, magnificent corridor, leaning against the cold wall, taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling.
The light from the ceiling lamps in the corridor was a bit cold white, making her complexion look a little pale.
She held the folder but didn’t leave immediately.
Instead, she subconsciously took out her phone from her designer bag.
The screen lit up.
She swiped to unlock, her finger hovering over the screen for a moment before finally tapping on that familiar chat interface.
The pinned contact had the nickname “Muyun.”
The profile picture was a back view of Jiang Muyun taken while studying abroad, standing by a blue sea, hair flying, under bright sunshine.
Before, every time she saw this profile picture, a soft warmth would rise in her heart.
But at this moment, looking at this profile picture, Su Qinghan felt a… strange feeling for the first time.
A feeling of distance, of coldness.
On the day of the birthday party, Jiang Muyun had looked so happy, surrounded by admirers.
They had even danced briefly, and Jiang Muyun leaned against her, softly saying,
“Qinghan, thank you for being with me.”
But after the birthday party, everything seemed to change.
Jiang Muyun no longer contacted her as frequently as before, her reply speed slowed down significantly, sometimes even taking half a day to reply with a simple “Mm.”
When occasionally invited, she would always say “I’ve been a bit busy lately” or “Hanging out with old girlfriends.”
Her attitude was also subtly less warm than before.
‘What… went wrong?’
Su Qinghan frowned, her fingers unconsciously tracing the cold side of her phone.
‘Could it be… because of the unpleasant incident with Yan Yu that day?’
But Su Qinghan didn’t think she had done anything wrong.
Yan Yu’s dress got dirty, and she immediately mediated and later compensated Yan Yu for the clothes, even giving extra.
She soothed who needed soothing, dealt with what needed dealing, and she was the one who paid and carefully arranged the birthday party.
‘Why… does Jiang Muyun seem unhappy instead?
Even faintly taking out her anger on me?’
‘It’s really confusing.’
Su Qinghan sighed softly, pressed her forehead against the cold phone screen, and closed her eyes.
Because she was the young lady of the Su family, because she was taught from childhood to take responsibility and be accountable, in relationships she always habitually played the role of being more proactive, more thorough, and more willing to give.
Paving the way for Jiang Muyun, solving her problems, providing her with the best conditions—these seemed to become her way of expressing care.
But that doesn’t mean she is willing to accommodate the other person unconditionally and without limits, tolerating inexplicable coldness and temper.
Even if the other person is Jiang Muyun.
Even if she has always harbored a deep sense of responsibility and indebtedness toward Jiang Muyun, stemming from a life-saving grace in their youth, so profound it almost became an obsession.
After one similar incident after another, where she felt she had done nothing wrong but had to guess the other’s feelings and digest the other’s inexplicable emotions…
Su Qinghan could clearly feel that the heart in her chest, which once beat passionately only for the name “Jiang Muyun,” was cooling down bit by bit.
That rose-tinted “love” seemed to be quietly worn away by exhaustion.
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