Su Ning was upset by her lack of attention, but what she didn't know was that Su Yuyan was even worse.
Having stayed up all night, Su Yuyan was called in early in the morning. After listening to a long, rambling conversation, he lay on the couch and opened his sleepy eyes when Su Ning called him.
"Let's do it the way you said. Shen Ming is new to this, and Xiao Feng just started his internship this year. It's too early for them to deal with internal company matters. As for the Huayi case, let the two of them handle it. Whoever performs better will be promoted to the PR department."
He stood up, rubbed his tired eyes, then turned and spoke to Shen Ming, who was still dazed.
"Do a good job. This case isn't easy. Don't embarrass the Su family."
Shen Ming still didn't understand.
She had only suggested to Su Ning that she might want to visit the company, and somehow it was assumed that she wanted to take over company affairs. Even worse, there was now a competition with Gu Feng.
Su Yuyan had already left the Su residence, and Shen Ming put down her phone and leaned back on the couch.
"Su Ning, I think you misunderstood."
"Misunderstood what?"
"At the moment, I have no intention of working. I've just been through a setback in my career and am in recovery. I'll need at least another month to rest. As for the Huayi case, let Gu Feng handle it. I'm not interested."
She and Su Yuyan not only looked alike, but their temperaments were also incredibly similar. The way she pinched the bridge of her nose reminded Gu Feng of Su Yuyan—he had just done the same thing.
Shen Ming's patience was running thin. She stood up from the couch.
"Su Ning, I've scheduled a meeting with my coach for a fitness program. The person should be here soon. I need to go meet him."
Without waiting for a response, she left the living room, and the conversation ended on a sour note.
Su Ning was visibly upset, her brows furrowing in irritation. Shen Ming was indeed rebellious, not even listening to Su Ning's words.
Even Yuyan, when spoken to, would listen.
"Xiao Feng, you're still the sensible one. Start working on the case. Whether Shen Ming wants to or not, she's already taken it on. If she doesn't do well, there will be a scolding at the monthly meeting. How could the young lady of the Su family not care about her reputation?"
The morning's conversation had really frustrated Su Ning.
That evening, when she returned, she asked the housekeeper about Shen Ming's activities for the day.
The housekeeper replied, "Miss Ming hasn't gone out all day. She's been at home."
Staying home the entire day was baffling to Su Ning.
She learned from the housekeeper that Shen Ming's day had gone like this: she practiced yoga in the morning, fencing in the afternoon, and even suggested swimming lessons for the evening. She had clearly kept herself very busy.
"Where is she now?"
"On the balcony."
The sunset was gentle and intoxicating, casting silver rays over Shen Ming's figure. Su Ning saw her rebellious daughter sitting by the flowerbed on the balcony, engrossed in a book.
There were books scattered across the table, and when she encountered something difficult, Shen Ming took out a pen and jotted down notes in her notebook. Her focused expression made Su Ning stare at her for a moment, impressed by the transformation from the lazy girl she had seen in the morning.
Su Ning walked over, sat on a chair next to her, and picked up a book from the side.
Mechanical engineering.
Aerospace design.
How could she be studying such complex subjects?
"Shen Ming, what are you reading?"
Shen Ming was revisiting her old area of expertise.
The next steps in her plans were already set in motion.
She had never been one to openly talk about her plans but briefly explained to Su Ning.
"I'm preparing for an interview."
"An interview?" Su Ning was puzzled and flipped through a couple of pages. If she remembered correctly, her daughter used to run a perfume company. How did she end up studying these subjects?
Shen Ming didn't raise her head. Even though Su Ning had come over, her concentration was not disturbed. She kept calculating complex formulas in her notebook.
"I have a friend at the base. He'll be coming to the city soon. Back when I was in university, I promised him we would partner to open a machinery company once he returned."
Su Ning understood. "So, this is for your new business?"
Shen Ming shook her head.
"That was a previous agreement. His situation has changed... Back when we graduated, we had some disagreements. It's highly unlikely that we'll continue working together."
"So what are you doing now?"
It was rare for Su Ning to listen so calmly. She had clearly angered her earlier that morning.
Shen Ming looked up and, to her surprise, saw a trace of care in Su Ning's expression. She put down her pen and picked up a cup of water from the shelf to take a sip.
"Su Ning, you must have forgotten that I double-majored in physics and finance in university, doing my master's in finance as well. I applied for a delay when I was working on my PhD, and recently the school notified me to return and continue my doctorate."
"Delaying your PhD?" Su Ning looked surprised.
Clearly, Su Ning hadn't done much in-depth investigation into her.
"I never planned to return for that. If I wanted to, I would have gone abroad when I got into Stanford. I declined the offer."
Su Ning looked at her with a hint of confusion, trying to figure out what Shen Ming was planning next.
Shen Ming put down the water cup and returned to her calculations, the breeze gently blowing her hair out of her face.
"So, Su Ning, as I've said, I'm really busy right now. I don't have time to handle the company's case. Let Gu Feng take it. She's in her internship and needs the experience. As for me, I haven't had enough of the 'young lady' lifestyle, so let me enjoy a few more peaceful days."
This conversation made Su Ning realize that her rebellious daughter wasn't doing nothing—she had carefully organized her time and plans.
Without the Su family's support, Shen Ming was still managing just fine.
But that didn't change Su Ning's desire for her to take over the case.
"The Huayi case can wait. Tomorrow night, there's a meeting at the jewelry association. It's a private gathering with familiar faces. Get ready and come with me."
Shen Ming looked up from her book with an expression of disbelief.
A networking event? Wasn't this just a disguised way to introduce her to people?
Why was Su Ning suddenly so invested in her?
"Tomorrow? I think I have plans to meet a friend for dinner."
"Don't be so quick to refuse. I heard the Rong family will send people as well. The old man's birthday is at the end of the month, and their kids will be there for the charity event."
There was some truth to that—doing charity was often a way of showing respect for elderly family members.
But why had Su Ning brought up the Rong family?
Did she know about her secret connection with Rong Zhaonan?
"Su Ning, why does it matter whether the Rong family is going or not?"
Su Ning calmly responded, "It's related. I want to introduce you to the second son of the Rong family."