At the school entrance, the area was bustling with people.
Shen Ming sent a message to Su Yuyan."Let's meet at the back gate of the school."
She had already heard some rumors about the Su family, but Su Yuyan hadn't mentioned anything to her. Still, she was curious about how Su Yuyan found out she was working at Dongjia University. Even Ning Zhiqian couldn't figure that out.
"You work at Dongjia University, and you didn't even mention it to me. We've talked so many times these past few days—was it all for nothing?" Su Yuyan's tone seemed a bit resentful.
"This isn't exactly good news, so what's there to say?" Shen Ming replied.
Su Yuyan was indeed upset. She quickly corrected herself."You didn't need to tell me. You even deleted me from WeChat. You've made up your mind to cut ties with the Su family. If I don't call you, you wouldn't call back anyway."
Shen Ming could feel the bitterness in his words.
"That was because of your WeChat... it wasn't just you I deleted, I deleted your mom's as well. She and I had some unpleasant exchanges," she explained.
"Shen Ming, you deleted me before we even argued," Su Yuyan sighed.
Shen Ming remembered. She had deleted him when she saw him and Gu Feng in the mountains, harvesting bamboo shoots. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, driven by her anger. She chuckled, a little awkwardly.
"Well, I kept your phone number though. Anyway, you're here now, so what's the matter?"
Su Yuyan, still upset, glanced at her before turning to the subject at hand."The Ning family came to propose. Your mom arranged it, and for now, the matter with the Rong family is on hold. The priority is for you to return to the Su family."
Shen Ming knew she couldn't go back, but she also knew how stubborn Su Mrs. Su could be. This was clearly an attempt to force her to bend.
"What does your mom mean by this?" Shen Ming asked.
"She's very clear about it. She sent me to deliver the message: either you get engaged to someone from the Ning family, which is great for business, or you go to the Wei family and apologize."
Shen Ming's eyebrows knitted together in frustration."Even you are pressuring me now?"
Su Yuyan didn't answer immediately.
Shen Ming couldn't believe it."Are you siding with them too? After everything, I thought you were my brother. Looks like I should delete your number as well."
Su Yuyan sighed."I'm not taking anyone's side, Shen Ming. This isn't a matter that can be solved with that kind of attitude. This time, you're being reckless."
She had never seen Su Yuyan speak to her like this before. It made her feel a bit emotional.
After a long pause, she just couldn't find the words.
Su Yuyan had come to meet her despite his busy schedule. When he saw her downcast expression, he reached out and lightly tapped her forehead, twice.
"Stop causing trouble with the family. Come back soon. Mom's heart is hurt because of you. She's been hospitalized these past two days."
Later that Day
Unable to reach her, Ning Zhiqian had resorted to this tactic. He was pulling out all the stops.
Shen Ming managed to find a break in her day and went to visit Su Ning at the hospital. She was allowed in after Su Yuyan made arrangements.
As she reached the door of the VIP room, she overheard a conversation inside.
"Mom, try the apple I peeled for you. Don't eat the one dad peeled!"
Su Ning received the apple from Gu Feng, smiling warmly at her daughter.
"Sweetheart, it doesn't matter who peels it, the apple is still the same."
"But it's not! Mom always eats the one Dad peels, and I don't want that. Mine tastes the best."
Su Ning finally smiled at her daughter's antics.
"It's just an apple. I'll eat both."
Behind them, Su Changsong, smiling warmly, added, "Little Feng always wants to be the one to compete."
"Dad, you're so annoying..."
Shen Ming stepped back from the door. She placed the fruit basket she brought on the front desk and sat in the downstairs garden for a while.
The sunlight was harsh, but the warmth felt comforting as she sat on the bench, trying to process her emotions.
After some time, she finally pulled herself together and called Su Yuyan."Tell Mrs. Su that I'm willing to apologize to the Wei family."
She agreed to meet them for a dinner to settle things. The location was set at a restaurant called Jixian Zhuang, a place with a mix of Chinese and Western styles. The building was old-fashioned, and the interior of the restaurant had a deep red theme.
She arrived early, but the Su family had not yet arrived. As she stood in the corridor, making a phone call, she heard Su Yuyan's voice behind her.
"Shen Ming, come on in."
Everyone from both the Su and Wei families had already arrived.
On the Su family's side were Su Ning and Su Yuyan. On the Wei family's side, it was Wei's father and son, along with Wei Leng.
Shen Ming knew that Wei Leng was favored in the family, but she didn't realize just how much.
The situation had escalated to involve both families' elders.
She put away her phone and walked into the dining room.
It had been a long time since she last saw Su Ning. The atmosphere was tense as they looked at each other without speaking. Shen Ming stood by Su Yuyan's side and avoided making eye contact with Su Ning.
Wei's father, always the mediator, spoke up."Since everyone's here, let's begin."
Shen Ming and Su Yuyan walked behind, and Wei Leng shot Shen Ming a cold look, his arrogance unmistakable.
At the dinner table, Shen Ming found herself sitting across from Wei Leng, with Wei Leng's brother, Wei Sen, sitting next to him.
Wei Sen had a strong build and a cold aura, yet there was an undeniable strength to him, like someone who spent a lot of time exercising.
Though the issue with the younger generation could be minor, Wei's father felt it was important to resolve it without letting it escalate.
"Mr. Su, it's really just a matter for the younger generation. Let them sort it out. We, the adults, shouldn't get involved," he said casually. "Come on, let's eat."
Though his words seemed casual, they were really waiting for Shen Ming to respond.
Shen Ming glanced at Wei Leng across the table. His arrogance was as clear as day, and his smug expression didn't hide the hurt he had endured.
But the food in front of her was unappetizing.
Su Ning spoke up."Let's pause the meal. Shen Ming, now's the time to clear things up with Miss Wei. Tell us what happened, so we can move past this."
Wei's father tried to ease the tension."Ah, this really isn't worth discussing. If your daughter and my daughter can sit together and have dinner, then everything's fine. Why bring up that night again?"
But Su Ning's gaze made it clear that Shen Ming couldn't refuse.
Shen Ming stayed silent, her expression cold."There's nothing to discuss. Let's just eat."
Her aloof demeanor reminded Su Ning of the argument they had that night. Her stubbornness only made Su Ning angrier.
At this point, Wei Sen, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
He was clearly taking his sister's side."Since there's nothing to discuss, how about an apology? Miss Shen, my sister's injury wasn't without reason. I hope you'll give her an explanation for this matter."