From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

The usually domineering and arrogant father of Su slowly lowered his head, his eyes filled with deep thought.

After a brief silence, I spoke again slowly: "I've said everything I needed to say. Actually, I do have an idea, but I think you probably don't want to hear it."

Father Su looked up at me and said, "Tell me what you think."

I glanced at Su Qing and said calmly, "Actually, I think both of you can give each other a way out, which can be each taking a step back."

Before I could finish speaking, Su Qing said firmly, "Impossible, I will never back down."

"You always interrupt me. Can't you just let me finish before you make a decision?"

Su Qing glared at me and pouted in dissatisfaction.

I turned around and continued, "Both of you should compromise and give Su Qing a year-long buffer period."

"Within a year, you can cut off all material supplies and let her start from scratch and support herself."

"If she can support herself during this period, it will be a growth for her, and it is what you want to see."

After a pause, I continued:

"If she can't persevere, then what reason does she have to refuse the path you've paved for her?"

"Of course, if you agree, then please explain things clearly to the Fang family yourselves, and also ask Fang Heng not to bother her anymore."

Upon hearing me say this, Su Qing finally smiled.

Su's father and mother both fell silent, seemingly finding the decision very difficult.

Su's mother was also undecided and looked at Su's father.

Father Su frowned, pondered for a very long time, and finally looked up and said:

"Alright! We'll give you a year. If you can't survive during this time, then you'll have to accept our arrangements."

"I agree!" Su Qing replied without hesitation.

Father Su let out a long breath and continued, "As for your Uncle Fang, I will talk to him and ask him to stop bothering you for the time being."

He paused, then suddenly emphasized, "But you must also promise me that you won't rely on anyone during this time."

"It's a deal." Su Qing said decisively.

With his inner turmoil temporarily subsided, Su's father addressed the servants in the hallway: "Serve the dishes, prepare for dinner."

I immediately lifted my foot and said, "I won't stay. You all have a good meal."

"I won't eat either." Without saying another word, Su Qing quickly followed in my footsteps.

I stopped and turned back, whispering to her, "Don't be stubborn, stay and have a meal with your parents."

"It's pointless unless they cook for themselves." Su Qing was stubborn and insisted on following me outside.

Su's parents sat in the living room, not getting up to stop her, clearly already used to her willful departures.

The two walked quickly to the wrought iron gate of the villa, where a white Porsche Panamera with a cool and sophisticated look smoothly drove into the courtyard parking space.

Su Qing's expression hardened slightly, and she said in a low voice, "My sister, Su Wan, is back."

The car door opened, and a woman in a minimalist black business suit stepped out and stood there.

Her features and bone structure were seven-tenths similar to Su Qing's, and her beauty was stunning. However, she exuded a chilling aura and her eyes and brows were distant and indifferent.

His entire being exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay, far surpassing that of Su's father.

She didn't look at me, or even at Su Qing, and walked straight in.

"Sister," Su Qing greeted her first.

Her sister simply nodded slightly, offering no response whatsoever, displaying extreme indifference.

Su Qing didn't want to have any more interaction with me, so she pulled me quickly toward the Mercedes and planned to leave.

Suddenly, Su's father's voice came from behind: "Stop."

"As agreed, the car keys, property keys, all bank cards, and personal luxury bags were all handed over."

Su Qing's brows furrowed deeply, her eyes filled with panic: "I have to pay now? Where am I supposed to stay tonight? How am I supposed to get around?"

"That's your problem," Su's father said bluntly.

Su Qing wanted to argue, but I gently patted the back of her hand and softly comforted her, "Hand it over. You're willing to accept the loss."

Su Qing took a deep breath, then took out her bag from the car and rummaged through it to find her wallet and various keys.

"Keep the bag along with the rest; the bag belongs to the Su family. Only keep the ID card." Su's father's tone remained unyielding.

"On what grounds?"

"Because you can also exchange this bag for money, and we agreed to take back everything we gave you before."

Su Qing was almost in tears, but she still followed the rules. Although she was unwilling, she did not complain.

Su Qing felt wronged but stopped arguing. She obediently put down her bag and valuables, keeping only her ID card safe.

"Your sister is back. Are you sure you're not having dinner at home?" Mr. Su asked one last time.

"No need."

Su Qing turned away angrily, grabbed my wrist tightly, and strode out of the Su family courtyard.

The villa area is so big that when we drove in, it didn't feel very far.

She walked out, but after only a few hundred meters, Su Qing stopped.

Her brows furrowed, her spoiled princess temper flaring instantly, and she complained, "Why is this road so long? My feet are hurting, carry me!"

"Why is it so far? I can't walk anymore, carry me!"

I stopped in my tracks, staring at her in astonishment: "Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

"You heard me right, come here quickly." Su Qing raised her chin, still speaking in her usual haughty young lady tone.

I couldn't be bothered to indulge her, so I didn't even lift my eyelids and quickened my pace.

Su Qing shouted urgently from behind, "Lin Ye, come back here! Don't forget we have a contract to pretend to be a couple! Don't you want that 100,000 yuan reward?"

Without turning my head, I said, "Miss, save your energy. You're already in dire straits yourself, where would you get any money?"

Su Qing stood frozen in place, stammering for a long time, but couldn't come up with a single rebuttal.

In the end, he slunk along, head down, lips pursed, sulking, without uttering a word the whole way.

I glanced at her and kindly reminded her, "Don't be stubborn. Think carefully about how you plan to make a living and support yourself in the coming year."

Su Qing suddenly seemed to remember something, and her arrogant demeanor returned.

"Hmph, this is no problem for me! I keep my word, the contract stands, and I will not shortchange you on the promised 100,000."

Looking at her feigned composure, I couldn't help but laugh and ask, "You're penniless right now, how are you going to give me money?"

Su Qing subconsciously looked around, lowered her voice, leaned closer to me, and whispered:

"Come with me to a place and help me move some things. I'll have money right away after we sell them."

"What is it?" I wondered.

"Don't ask any questions, just follow me."

It took them more than ten minutes to walk along the long path before they finally arrived at the main entrance of the villa area.

The security guard on duty at the gate recognized Su Qing and immediately stood up straight, bowing respectfully in greeting.

"Miss Su, why...didn't you drive?"

Su Qing was already seething with anger, and retorted irritably, "Can't I get down and walk around to exercise?"

The security guard shut up sheepishly, not daring to say anything more.

I stood aside and shook my head inwardly.

A pampered young lady who has never lifted a finger.

Let alone last a year, they probably wouldn't even last three days.

No wonder Mr. and Mrs. Su readily agreed to the one-year agreement.

They knew their daughter's personality too well and were certain that she wouldn't be able to hold on and would eventually give in.