The three sat around the tea table, an oppressive atmosphere thick in the air."Big brother… it's all a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding!""I had no idea she was my sister-in-law. If I had known, even if you lent me a hundred and twenty doses of courage, I wouldn't have dared to do such a thing!"
He had long been aware of Fu Liangmu's marriage, yet there had been no news outside. The bride was from the Su family's unloved eldest daughter. He had always assumed Fu Liangmu's wife was an unremarkable woman, hardly worth showing off. Otherwise, why wouldn't big brother flaunt her around? Fu Ziyang felt deeply wronged.
Fu Liangmu sat with a cold expression, his back straight, right leg casually crossed over the left. One hand rested on the table, his index finger tapping rhythmically, creating a steady sound that unsettled Fu Ziyang's heart."Sister-in-law, say something for me!" he pleaded, desperate to leave alive.
Su Wanwan cast him a sidelong glance, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds, calmly enjoying the spectacle."Big brother, you can't blame me entirely for this.""The blame lies only with sister-in-law's beauty!""Besides, I just turned twenty last month… sometimes youthful ignorance and blossoming feelings get the better of us.""Right… isn't that so?"
At her words, Fu Liangmu lifted his gaze, his dark pupils flashing with a hint of frost."Looks like you're itching to cause trouble lately."
Fu Ziyang hastily responded,"No, no! Not at all! I just washed yesterday!""Go back to your den and stay put. Don't keep coming here for no reason," Fu Liangmu said coldly.
"Understood!" Fu Ziyang promptly fled.
Sensing Fu Liangmu's gaze upon her, Su Wanwan stretched leisurely."Tired. Going to sleep," she said calmly.
Fu Liangmu remained, staring at her retreating figure, lost in thought.
These past few days, Su Wanwan had taken leave specifically to accompany Xia Kelan shopping in West City, arranging their new home meticulously. That night, after dinner, Su Wanwan received a call from her father. She expected his usual irate tone but was met instead with unexpected gentleness."Wanwan, have you eaten?""My sister and I were just discharged today. We've been reflecting carefully at the hospital about the matter with Lunen, and we realize we were in the wrong.""Can you forgive your father?"
Su Wanwan replied with a question instead of an answer,"So?"
"Our family hasn't had a proper meal together in ages. I've booked a restaurant; I'll send you the address. Please come.""Even if it's just for an apology from me and Nian Nian."
With that, Su Wanwan hung up.
Xia Kelan, having observed everything clearly, was puzzled."What's going on? Got scolded and suddenly a complete 180 in attitude?"
Su Wanwan, walking toward the parking lot, exhaled slowly,"When things go awry, there must be a deeper reason."
Xia Kelan's delicate brows furrowed tightly. She gripped Su Wanwan's hand, visibly anxious."What will you do? Are you going?"
Su Wanwan smiled gently, trying to ease her friend's worries."A banquet of traps—do they really think they can hold me down?"
Xia Kelan felt the heavy stone in her heart fall away. Nothing had ever truly defeated Su Wanwan.
Half an hour later, Su Wanwan arrived at the restaurant. Pushing open the private room door, only Su Nian and her father were present. The absence of Song Hui made Su Wanwan immediately realize the situation.
"Finally, you're here. Sit down," her father breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief, believing he had concealed it well, yet Su Wanwan saw right through it.
No sooner had she sat than her father, taking the serving chopsticks, began serving her dishes with a thoughtful demeanor, as if truly embodying a good father.
Su Wanwan's cold voice interrupted,"Weren't you going to apologize to me?""Let's get to the point.""No need for these empty gestures."
Her father and Su Nian exchanged a glance, struggling silently. Su Nian stood first, raising her glass to toast."Sister, I'm sorry. Last time, I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me."
Su Wanwan remained unmoved, raising an eyebrow."Is that all?"
Su Nian was stunned. What more could she do?
Her father cunningly reminded,"Bow to your sister!"
He winked subtly, signaling Su Nian not to stir the waters. Better to endure some humiliation now and hold on a little longer.
Su Nian clenched her teeth, her fingertips whitening around the glass. She closed her eyes, then bent sharply at the waist, forming a perfect ninety-degree bow in midair."I'm sorry!"
This damned Su Wanwan—if she dared to be smug again, Su Nian vowed to make her regret it so deeply she wouldn't even remember how she cried.
Su Wanwan rose calmly, circling Su Nian's trembling figure. Suddenly, with a swift kick to the back of Su Nian's knee, she forced her to collapse onto her knees.
Thud!
Overhead came Su Wanwan's approving words,"Yes, that's how you apologize."
Humiliation flooded every fiber of Su Nian's being. She erupted, grabbing the wine glass to splash at Su Wanwan, but before she could act, the glass tipped, spilling rich wine all over her own face and eyes, causing a sharp cry of pain.
"Oh dear, sorry! I meant to toast you, but my hand slipped," Su Wanwan blinked innocently.
"Su Wanwan, you—"
Before Su Nian could finish, a firm hand gripped her shoulder, squeezing tightly."Grab some tissues and wipe it off. Your sister didn't do it on purpose."
Her father tore off a few napkins, helping her clean up. When Su Nian returned to her seat, her makeup was smudged, and her hair roots clung wetly to her scalp.
Her father glanced down at his phone, forcing a smile."Wanwan, the apology has been made. Let's not dwell on it.""After all, we are family."
Su Wanwan continued eating without a word. Her father awkwardly rubbed his nose, exchanging glances with Su Nian.
Time passed, until Su Wanwan heard her father's phone vibrate twice. He stood abruptly, saying,"I'm going to the restroom."
Su Nian quickly followed,"Me too."
Su Wanwan glanced at the private room's adjoining restroom, saying nothing. Once they left, a faint door click sounded from the slightly ajar restroom door. In the sudden silence, it was unusually clear.
Su Wanwan stood to investigate, but the room door was pushed open. A familiar figure hurried inside."My little beauty, I've finally caught you!"