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The morning sunlight streamed into the dining room of the Li family mansion through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Li Yuke was preparing breakfast, humming a nursery rhyme that her mother often sang when she was a child.

Li Fendou, dressed in his pajamas, walked down the stairs and was stunned by what he saw. He hadn't heard his daughter sing at home for many years.

"Dad, good morning!" Li Yu turned around, a long-lost relaxed smile on her face. "I made your favorite scallion oil noodles."

Li Fendou's eyes welled up with tears as he walked to the dining table and sat down: "It's been so long since I've had your cooking! I remember when your mother and I were busy, you often cooked for us."

Do you miss my mom?

"Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed single all this time. Besides missing your mother, the most important thing is that I don't want you to have a stepmother."

"Isn't a stepmother good?"

"Hmph! I've lived for over fifty years and I've never seen a good stepmother. More often than not, having a stepmother means having a stepfather."

"Dad, thank you! You've sacrificed so much for me."

"Coco, I'm glad you understand! Don't make me angry in the future."

"Hmph! I don't have time for you! I need to spend time with Su Ning."

How's Suning doing lately?

"Great! We've closed several big deals recently."

“Coco, Suning is too perfect. I’m worried you won’t be able to handle him. Try to keep a close eye on him.”

"Dad, you're overthinking it! Su Ning is really good to me. Besides, I'm not stupid. I can tell whether he has feelings for me or not."

"That's good! Let's eat breakfast."

"Ah."

The father and daughter ate breakfast quietly, in a warm and natural atmosphere.

Li Yu secretly observed her father, Li Fendou. Since the reconciliation, the wrinkles between his brows seemed to have faded considerably, but the loneliness in his eyes still lingered.

"Dad," Li Yu suddenly spoke up, "what do you think of that Hu Manli?"

Li Fendou paused, chopsticks in his hand: "What, how?"

“Stop pretending,” Li Yuke smiled slyly. “I can tell you admire her. Your eyes light up every time she appears in front of you.”

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Li Fendou's face flushed red. "I just think she's very capable at work, a bit like your mother when she was young..."

After the words were spoken, both of them fell silent.

Li Yuke gently held her father's hand: "Mom has been gone for so many years, it's time for you to think about yourself."

Li Fendou withdrew his hand, his voice low and deep: "I've only ever loved your mother in my entire life."

“But Mom definitely wants someone to be with you,” Li Yuke insisted.

"..."

"Dad, think it over carefully. I'll be spending less and less time with you in the future. I can't let you be all alone forever, can I?"

"Actually... I do have a good impression of Hu Manli. I feel that she has a kind of energy that is like your mother."

"I knew it! You can leave the rest to me."

"Coco, don't do anything reckless! Otherwise, we might not even be able to be friends anymore."

"No! I'm confident I can convince her."

That afternoon, Li Yuke arranged to meet Hu Manli at a coffee shop.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting dappled shadows on Hu Manli's delicate profile.

"Coco, what made you suddenly decide to ask me out for coffee? I thought your world revolved around Suning."

"Sister Manli, I want to ask you to be my stepmother." Li Yu Ke got straight to the point.

"Pfft..." Hu Manli spat out a mouthful of coffee and hurriedly grabbed a tissue to wipe it off. "Coco, are you crazy? How can you make jokes like this?"

“I’m serious.” Li Yu’s eyes were firm. “My dad likes you, and you’re single right now…”

Hu Manli put down her coffee cup, her expression turning serious: "Coco, I am grateful for your and your father's trust, but I will not remarry."

She turned the ring on her left ring finger, saying, "One failed marriage is enough for me to bear."

"But……"

“No buts.” Hu Manli interrupted her. “My marriage with Ding Zhiyuan made me realize that I’m not cut out to be a good wife and mother. This is good—freedom, and I can focus on my career.”

Li Yu slumped her shoulders in disappointment, but quickly raised her head again: "At least you can be friends with my dad, right? He really admires you."

Hu Manli smiled and nodded: "Of course, no problem."

"Actually, you should think about Tyndall."

"What do you mean?"

"This is Shanghai! And Ding Da's biological father, Ding Zhiyuan, is a good-for-nothing. How can Ding Da succeed without resources?"

"Coco, thank you for reminding me! I have great confidence in Tyndall's future."

"Alright! But I still hope you can reconsider."

"..."

That evening, Li Yu told her father about Hu Manli's decision.

To her surprise, Li Fendou did not show disappointment, but instead breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good! We can be purely business partners."

"Dad! How could you give up so easily?" Li Yu said unwillingly.

Li Fendou patted his daughter's head: "Keke, feelings can't be forced. Hu Manli has her choices, and we should respect them."

He looked out the window, "Besides... once some people have taken up residence in your heart, there's no room for anyone else."

Li Yu suddenly realized that her father's love for her mother was far deeper than she had imagined.

……

The atmosphere in Taiying International's conference room was so heavy it was almost palpable.

All the executives sat upright, their eyes occasionally glancing at Tang Ling, who was sitting in the corner.

Li Qingqing walked in wearing ten-centimeter high heels, the sound of her heels hitting the ground like the second hand of a countdown.

She slammed a stack of reports on the conference table: "The results for last quarter are in. Anyone want to guess who came in last?"

No one dared to speak.

Li Qingqing sneered and pulled a bright red T-shirt from her briefcase, with the words "I am the bottom-ranked king" printed on it.

“Manager Tang,” Li Qingqing pushed the T-shirt in front of Tang Ling, “According to company regulations, the executive with the worst performance must wear this and make a self-criticism in front of the whole company.”

The meeting room erupted in an uproar.

Tang Ling's face turned deathly pale instantly, her fingers gripping the edge of the folder tightly: "President Qingqing, this...this is too insulting."

"An insult?" Li Qingqing raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you done that yourself? Surely some members of the team have done it too, right?"

"President Qingqing, please give me some face."

"Respect is something you earn yourself, not something you beg for like this. I've given you plenty of chances already."

"Qingqing..."

At this moment, Li Qingqing leaned closer to Tang Ling and said, "Put it on, or resign voluntarily."

Su Ning sat in Li Qingqing's deputy seat, watching this scene with a blank expression.

He recalled how Tang Ling had used the same methods to humiliate her competitor Xue Xiaozhou six months ago, ultimately causing Xue Xiaozhou to leave Taiying International in utter disappointment.

The business world is like a battlefield; cause and effect are cyclical, and retribution is inevitable.

Tang Ling probably never dreamed that this day would come. In her eyes, those team members were all pitiful creatures. However, weren't these executives also pitiful creatures in Li Qingqing's eyes?

In a sales company with such a wolf-like culture, only profit can guarantee success.

Moreover, Su Ning wasn't the moral exemplar Xue Xiaozhou, so naturally she wouldn't say anything good about Tang Ling. Tang Ling, her hands trembling, took the T-shirt, tears welling in her eyes: "I need to go to the restroom..."

“Change here,” Li Qingqing said coldly. “Everyone’s time is precious.”

Amidst the sympathetic or mocking gazes of the crowd, Tang Ling put on that humiliating T-shirt.

She stood in the center of the conference room, her voice choked with emotion: "I...I admit I'm incompetent and have dragged the team down...I'm sorry!"

After the meeting, Hu Manli caught up with Su Ning, who was walking ahead, and asked, "Do you think Li Qingqing went too far?"

Su Ning stopped and looked back at Tang Ling, who was still being pointed at and gossiped about by her colleagues: "Do you remember how she treated Xue Xiaozhou? If she had a weaker personality, she might have jumped off a building and committed suicide."

"But……"

“No buts,” Su Ning said calmly. “In this cutthroat sales world, you either adapt to the rules or you get out. Tang Ling chose the former, so she has to bear the consequences. If she can’t accept it, then she shouldn’t be in this circle.”

"Mr. Jin invited me to join Lanyang Insurance's retirement plan. What do you think?"

"Hmph! You look down on him! If he achieves something, it's his; if he doesn't, it's your time that's being wasted. Don't forget you still have a son and a father to support. Charity is not something someone like you can touch."

"..." Hu Manli nodded thoughtfully.

The two walked side by side toward the elevator, neither of them noticing the venomous look Tang Ling was casting from behind.

……

In the morning, the departure hall of Pudong International Airport was bustling with people.

Su Ning helped Wang Xue push the luggage cart, and the atmosphere between the two was somewhat awkward.

"Are you really sure? It's not too late to back out now." Su Ning asked again to confirm.

Wang Xue nodded, her eyes shining with determination: "An offer from NYU is not easy to get, and I don't want to give up this opportunity."

"Do you know how many international students never come back?" Su Ning couldn't help but ask, "Especially you girls..."

"What kind of outdated thinking is that?" Wang Xue frowned. "Just because I'm a girl, does that mean I can't pursue my dreams?"

Su Ning took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "That's not what I meant. It's just... long-distance relationships are hard to maintain, let alone cross-border ones."

“We can give it a try.” Wang Xue’s tone softened. “We’ll video chat every day and meet during holidays. I’m definitely not that kind of slut, otherwise I wouldn’t have saved my virginity for you.”

"And then?" Su Ning smiled wryly, "Once you've seen a wider world and met more outstanding people..."

Wang Xue fell silent.

The boarding announcement sounded at just the right moment, breaking the awkward silence between the two.

"I have to go." Wang Xue took the luggage, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Su Ning, if you really don't trust me, should we... separate for now?"

Although he had a premonition, hearing those words with his own ears still stung Su Ning.

He forced a smile: "I wish you success in your studies."

There was no hug, no goodbye kiss.

Wang Xue turned and walked towards the security checkpoint, her back view resolute and determined.

Su Ning stood there until her figure disappeared into the crowd.

On the taxi ride back to the city, Su Ning received a message from Li Yu Ke: [Want to come to my house for dinner tonight? Dad said he wants to talk to you about the new project.]

Looking at the scenery rushing past the window, Su Ning suddenly realized that life always closes one door while opening another.

He replied: 【Okay, see you tonight.】

Just then, Li Shan suddenly sent a message: "[Su Ning, where are you? Do you have time to spend with me today?]"

I just broke up with my girlfriend! She went abroad to study.

[Wang Xue, or Li Yuke?]

[Wang Xue.]

【Congratulations! That removes the obstacle between you and Li Yu Ke.】

Do you have time now? I'd like to see you.

Me too! A new host just joined the station! Younger! More beautiful! And I'm feeling particularly down right now.

[Perfect! Two irritable people meeting will produce a wonderful reaction.]

My home?

Come to my place! The location is...

……

A year later, at Taiying International's annual meeting, Suning was announced to have been promoted to vice president, becoming the company's youngest executive.

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Li Yu sat in the front row, her eyes filled with pride.

“This year, our team generated nearly 40% of the company’s revenue,” Suning said in his speech. “I would like to especially thank my two capable assistants, Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou.”

The spotlight shone on the two people who stood up and bowed.

Hu Manli looked radiant in a red dress; Xue Xiaozhou exuded confidence in a sharp suit.

Halfway through the banquet, Li Fendou pulled Su Ning aside and said, "Kid, now that you've made it big, when are you going to give me a straight answer?"

"Uncle is referring to..."

"Hmph! Don't play dumb!" Li Fendou glared. "My daughter has been with you for so long, when are you planning to marry her?"

Su Ning smiled and shook her head: "Uncle, you're here again. Coco and I both have our own rhythm."

"What rhythm or not!" Li Fendou said dismissively.

"This……"

Li Fendou said, "Suning, I'm getting old! I just want to see Coco happy and have my grandson soon."

Su Ning said seriously, "Uncle, I understand how you feel. But marriage is not a simple matter, but Coco and I will discuss it."

“I know, I know,” Li Fendou waved his hand. “You young people value love above all else. I just want to tell you that I, as your father, fully support you.”

"Thank you! Uncle, don't worry, I will tell Coco."

"it is good."

After the banquet, Suning drove a slightly tipsy Li Yuke home.

Shanghai at night is a dazzling display of neon lights, a scene of breathtaking beauty.

"Su Ning, is my dad pressuring me to get married again?" Li Yu asked lazily, leaning back in the passenger seat.

Suning smiled and nodded: "It's an old story."

"What do you think?" Li Yu suddenly sat up straight, her eyes becoming much clearer.

The red light came on, and the car stopped.

Su Ning turned to look at her: "Coco, do you remember the first time we met?"

"You accompanied Hu Manli to a luxury store to buy a suit."

“I was drawn to your smile back then,” Su Ning said softly. “It was so pure, so genuine, and it was especially precious in this materialistic city.”

Tears welled up in Li Yuke's eyes: "So..."

“So,” Su Ning grasped her hand, “I don’t want to make a hasty decision because of any external pressure. When we’re both ready, things will naturally fall into place.”

Li Yu smiled and nodded, leaning back in her seat: "You know what? What I love most about you is this—you always know what's right."

The car restarted and drove into the heart of the bustling night.

In the rearview mirror, the lights of Taiying International Building gradually faded into the distance, while their future was slowly unfolding as the wheels moved forward.

Of course, Su Ning only temporarily fooled Li Yuke, and I believe that Li Yuke herself will soon urge her to get married.

However, Suning is confident in arranging these few female companions well, as there aren't many of them compared to other dungeon worlds this time.

...(End of chapter)