Chapter 590 - Indeed Very Smug
Chapter 590: Indeed Very Smug
Li Qianxue’s heart had been hanging by a thread. When she saw Su Qingsang go on stage, she was very afraid. She had never been so scared before.
She was afraid that Su Qingsang would lose when competing against Su Peizhen. She was afraid that Su Qingsang would suffer.
She regretted countless times. She regretted why she had not been more magnanimous and tolerant.
If she had trained Su Qingsang according to same standards she had trained Su Peizhen, then Su Qingsang would be even more outstanding today.
That was until she saw Su Qingsang’s performance, and until she heard her daughter speak.
Her heart had been hanging in the air and all the way until Su Qingsang left the stage at the end.
Her heart, which had been worried about Su Qingsang, seemed to have finally calmed down.
A layer of sweat broke out on her back. After Su Qingsang’s performance, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Su Chenghui stood beside her. He had been paying attention to Li Qianxue and Su Qingsang.
He was also awed by Su Qingsang’s performance. He had never seen his daughter like this before.
After seeing Li Qianxue’s performance with Su Qingsang, his entire body relaxed. He reached out his hand and wanted to help Li Qianxue up.
Li Qianxue waved his hand away without thinking. Her eyes cold, she turned around to face him and stood still.
“Su Chenghui.”
She had too many things to say and too many emotions to vent. But now, other than calling Su Chenghui’s name, she couldn’t say anything else.
She didn’t need to say anything, Su Chenghui understood. Ignoring her resistance, he pulled her into his arms.
He gently patted her back. Li Qianxue’s body tensed up. At first, she wanted to break free, but it wouldn’t be appropriate in the current situation.
She thought of Su Qingsang, then she thought of Su Peizhen. The emotions in her heart were very chaotic.
She couldn’t help but grab Su Chenghui’s front lapel tightly, and her trembling voice was filled with suppressed emotions.
“Su Chenghui, you owe her, you owe her for the rest of your life.”
… ..
Su Peizhen shook off Su Qingsang’s hand. If it weren’t for her last shred of dignity, she might have had an outburst right on the spot.
After she shook off Su Qingsang’s hand, she realized that something was wrong. Instead, she held Su Qingsang’s hand and led her to a corner.
She took a step forward and stood close in front of Su Qingsang. She looked at Su Qingsang with fiery rage in her eyes, and her low voice was harsh.
“Su Qingsang, do you feel very smug now?”
“Smug?” Su Qingsang looked at her exasperated face and chuckled lightly. “I indeed feel very smug. After all, it’s hard for me not to feel smug after making you, young madam Su, accompany me. Don’t you think so?”
Her smile was aloof and her expression was composed. No matter who saw her current countenance, they wouldn’t have known about how nervous she was before she went on stage.
Speaking of which, Su Qingsang really didn’t have any talent that she could put on the table. She grew up as an illegitimate daughter. She was already fortunate enough if the Su family was willing to give her anything to eat. How could they let her go learn those things?
Moreover, she wasn’t interested in those things. Therefore, compared to Su Peizhen, she really didn’t have any talent that she could put on the table.
Although her voice was pleasant, she had never thought about singing.
To be able to sing the song “Legend” like that, she had to thank her time in medical school.
At the medical school party every year, someone had to perform on stage. Su Qingsang was never one who wanted to be in the limelight.
However, just as she was about to graduate that year, the class monitor misheard and signed up her name.
By the time she realized it, it was too late. She wanted to say that she wouldn’t perform, but the show had already been reported to the school.
Su Qingsang was helpless and had no choice but to bite the bullet.
She was a person who pursued perfection. Since she was going to go on stage, she had to perform well.
For the sake of going on stage that time, she practiced repeatedly for a very long time. She learned how to pronounce, how to enunciate, and how to change the pitches.
Fortunately, it hadn’t been long since she graduated. Her voice was still decent.
The calmer she was, the angrier Su Peizhen became.
“Su Qingsang, don’t go too far.”
“I –” how did she go too far? She was the one who provoked her first. How did she become the one who went too far?
“So what if my woman goes too far?”
A voice with a hint of coldness suddenly sounded. Huo Jinyao had arrived at some point in time.
His large hands wrapped around her shoulders, he stood in front of Su Qingsang, and he looked at Su Peizhen sharply.
Su Peizhen was intimidated by Huo Jinyao’s gaze, and her stance immediately weakened.
The corners of Huo Jinyao’s lips curled up. His tall figure gave her a sense of oppression.
“So what if my woman goes overboard?”
Su Peizhen gritted her teeth. At this point, what else could she do?
Su Qingsang looked at Huo Jinyao, and her heart warmed. In reality, she wouldn’t let herself be at a disadvantage. However, she liked Huo Jinyao’s protective attitude.
“President Huo, this is between me and Qingsang. It has nothing to do with you.”
“Qingsang is my wife. Do you really think it has anything to do with me?”
Just as Su Peizhen was feeling choked, another voice sounded.
“How lively.”
Huo Yifan had arrived at some point in time as well, and he stood beside Su Peizhen.
His gaze swept across Huo Jinyao and Su Peizhen. He smiled and said, “Big brother, what are you doing? No matter what, Peizhen is your future sister-in-law. Don’t scare her.”
He put his hands on Su Peizhen’s shoulder as well. It was obvious that he was defending her.
Huo Jinyao’s gaze swept past his hand and finally returned to Huo Yifan’s face.
Their eyes met, and there was eery tension in the air.
“You also said that it’ll be in the future. Since it’ll be in the future, let’s wait until she marries into the family.”
The corners of Huo Jinyao’s lips curled up slightly, and a hint of derision appeared on his face.
Su Peizhen’s heart felt increasingly stifled.
What did Huo Jinyao mean?
“Big brother, your words amuse me. Don’t worry. I’ll definitely make Peizhen your sister-in-law.”
“Then we can wait and see.”
Huo Jinyao held Su Qingsang’s waist as he swept his gaze across Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen’s faces. Then, he turned around and left.
Su Peizhen was so angry that her teeth were clenching. She was really feeling suffocated. She pushed Huo Yifan’s hand away.
“Enough.”
“Alright, babe, don’t be angry anymore.” Huo Yifan held her hand. “It’s never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Don’t be anxious.”
How could she not be anxious? She glared at Huo Yifan hatefully. “You’d better pray that the signing of the contract will go smoothly in two days, or else –”
“Alright, alright. “Huo Yifan pulled her back into his embrace. “Don’t be angry anymore. Trust me, it’ll go smoothly.”
Su Qingsang walked beside Huo Jinyao, and she suddenly laughed out loud. Her laughter was very low, and Huo Jinyao turned to look at her.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing.” Su Qingsang glanced at him. “I think Su Peizhen’s reaction just now was quite funny.”
Huo Jinyao’s lips twitched. “She probably didn’t expect it either. She wanted to see you make a fool of yourself, but you turned her into a joke.”
Su Qingsang laughed, stuck out her tongue, and said playfully, “It doesn’t count as a joke, but she didn’t get what she wanted, so she’s probably mad.”
Huo Jinyao smiled as well, then kissed her cheek gently. “You sang so well just now. Why didn’t I notice it before? Did you hide your true potential when you went out for fun with us?”
“Yeah.” Su Qingsang’s eyes were smiley. “I have to hide my true potential.”
“Well done.” Huo Jinyao looked at her slightly opened lips and couldn’t help but kiss her. “I like it.”
Su Qingsang blushed slightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Su Peizhen and Huo Yifan turn around and leave. The smile on her face faded a little.
She actually didn’t want to have a bad relationship with Su Peizhen.
From Su Peizhen’s point of view, she had lost everything. It was very understandable that she would be unhappy.
If Su Peizhen didn’t do anything and just let it go, then she was also willing to let it go.
If Su Peizhen didn’t want to stop and did more, then she had no choice but to return the favor.
..
Su Peizhen didn’t wait for the end of the banquet, and wanted to leave early.
But she couldn’t leave because Old Master Huo was looking for her.
Old Master Huo didn’t know that Su Qingsang didn’t know how to play the piano, so he treated the two sisters’ performance as a surprise.
Of course, he knew that Su Peizhen was a virtuouso. For a moment, he didn’t realize Su Peizhen’s ulterior motives.
“Peizhen, you gave me a good surprise today. Did you and Qingsang plan it beforehand?”
“Yes.” Su Peizhen smiled brightly, but she was the only one who knew how resentful she felt. “Originally, I wanted to play four hands together with sister, but she said that it would take longer to practice, so this would be the best surprise.”
“Okay, okay, okay,” Old Master Huo said. He looked at Su Chenghui and Li Qianxue in the distance.
“Let your father come over later to discuss your marriage with Yifan.”
Old Master Huo remembered that Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao had never held a wedding in Rong City. Now that Su Peizhen was going to be with Huo Yifan, the wedding had to be lively.
Su Peizhen’s face was really stiff now. Discuss her marriage with Su Chenghui?
Li Qianxue was in a bad mood. She also wanted to leave early.
But she couldn’t. Not only was she unable to leave in a hurry, she even stood aside when someone came up to greet her and found out that Su Chenghui was Su Qingsang’s father.
“President Su, you’re so amazing. You raised your two daughters so well, and both married into the Huo family. It’s really something to celebrate.”
“Exactly. President Su’s daughters outrival all the outstanding heiresses in Rong City.”
“You really raised them well.”
Su Chenghui didn’t want to hear those compliments.
However, he had to listen to them. Not only him, but also Li Qianxue.
Others didn’t know that they were divorced, much less that Su Qingsang and Su Peizhen had the same father but different mothers.
Li Qianxue stood beside Su Chenghui. After the crowd had dispersed, she gave Su Chenghui a cold look.
“This is the last time.”
She didn’t say what last time it was. She walked towards Su Qingsang, intending to leave first.
Sighing silently in his heart, Su Chenghui dazedly watched her leave.
He originally thought that it was a chance to get close to Li Qianxue and mend his relationship with her, but he didn’t expect that not only did it not go as he wished, but it also actually made their relationship worse.
Su Chenghui looked in Su Peizhen’s direction. He knew that it would be even harder to get Li Qianxue to forgive him.
Before he could recover from that emotion, Old Master Huo had already asked Huo Yifan to invite him.
Old Master Huo had a high position and immense power. After entertaining for half a day, he was sitting on the sofa in the banquet hall to rest.
Beside him sat Huo Yangyuan and Huo Yangxiu. Apart from them, there was also Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen. There was also Huo Mingliang, Nian Chunya and her husband, as well as Huo Yiyang and Huo Manzi.
Su Chenghui didn’t see Huo Jinyao or Su Qingsang, but he greeted everyone present.
In the end, he sat down on the sofa opposite Old Master Huo.
“Nephew, where’s my niece?”
“She’s not feeling well. She’s going back to the hotel to rest.”
Old Master Huo nodded. He understood the true relationship between Li Qianxue and Su Peizhen, so he didn’t ask anymore.
“Nephew, I’ve already said it once. I’ll say it again now and ask what you think.”
As Old Master Huo spoke, he looked in the direction of Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen. The two of them sat together while holding hands, and they looked deeply in love.
“Let’s discuss Peizhen and Yifan’s marriage.”
Su Chenghui had been prepared before he came, but he didn’t expect Old Master Huo to be so impatient.
“What I mean is, get engaged first, then get married. Have a lively wedding. As for how much betrothal gifts you want, what other requirements do you have, feel free to mention them all. I mean to have a wedding in Rong City. As for whether we will hold one in Lin City, I’ll ask your opinion. If it needs to be held, we can cooperate.”
Su Peizhen had married both his daughters into the Huo family. Huo Jinyao had already made the decision regarding Su Qingsang’s matter before reporting it to the Huo family.
Old Master Huo definitely wanted to hold the second wedding.
“I think that’s a good idea too,” Huo Yangyuan chimed in. “We’ll hold one in Rong City and one in Lin City. We can’t be too casual about marrying a daughter-in-law into the Huo family.”
Su Peizhen leaned her face against Huo Yifan’s chest. She had been feeling stifled earlier. Now, things were much smoother.
Su Chenghui sat there without moving for a long time. In front of him was the elder of the Huo family, and Old Master Huo’s mirthful eyes were across from him.
He turned to look at Su Peizhen, and saw the smile in her eyes.
He pursed his lips and spoke softly to Su Peizhen’s smiling face.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t agree to this marriage.”
Their surroundings seemed to have suddenly fallen silent. Everyone in the Huo family looked at Su Chenghui, as if they didn’t understand what he meant by this.
“Eldest nephew, are you joking?”
“I’m not joking.” Su Chenghui looked at Old Master Huo without any fear. “I indeed disagree.”
“Huh?” Old Master Huo looked at the other people present, then at Su Peizhen. In the end, he seemed to be a little confused. “Does nephew have any dissatisfaction with Yifan? Or something else?”
“Neither.”
Su Peizhen’s face turned pale. She never thought that Su Chenghui would play such a trick.
“Then what are you doing?”
“Grandfather, there are some things that I think it’s better I tell you first.”
Su Chenghui’s voice was indifferent. “You should know that although Peizhen is my daughter, she isn’t the eldest young madam of the Su family.”
When Su Chenghui said this, Su Peizhen’s expression was quite ugly.
She could barely resist bursting out in a fit of anger. Huo Yifan held her hand tightly and gave her a disapproving look.
Su Chenghui acted as if he didn’t see the change in Su Peizhen’s expression. “Peizhen is my daughter, but she’s an illegitimate daughter.”
Apart from Old Master Huo, everyone else’s expression changed.
Nian Chunya naturally knew about it long ago, but hearing Su Chenghui say it out loud, her expression became that of amusement.
“She’s an illegitimate daughter. Now, she has nothing to do with Lin City’s Li family. I think she doesn’t deserve –”
“Dad.” Su Peizhen had been in a bad mood the entire night. She had been suppressing her emotions.
At this moment, she didn’t want to suppress her emotions anymore. “Do you have to do this?”
“I just wanted to make it clear to the in-laws in advance.” Su Chenghui’s expression was calm. He looked at Su Peizhen. His usually refined face was filled with determination.
“I’ve taught you to be upright and open about your true background. I’ve made mistakes before, so I don’t want you to make them again. Your identity indeed isn’t worthy of Huo Yifan.”
“Dad.”
Su Peizhen gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tightly.
Old Master Huo looked at the father and daughter, and cleared his throat to smooth things over. “Eldest nephew, there’s no need to say this. I already know Peizhen’s identity. The Huo family doesn’t mind. We never objected to Qingsang’s marriage to Jinyao back then.”
“Old Master, I know you’re a good person.”
Su Chenghui’s attitude didn’t change. After what had happened previously, he now knew very well that Su Peizhen wanted to marry into the Huo family because she wanted to get even with Su Qingsang.
How sincere could she be towards Huo Yifan?
A marriage without feelings wouldn’t lead to happiness. Su Peizhen was now possessed by the Devil. In order to make Su Qingsang unhappy, she didn’t mind putting herself in harm’s way.
“But there are some things I want to make clear to you first. For example, Peizhen’s identity. For example, the difference between her and Huo Yifan. These are all things that I have made clear.”
“I know that you’re being magnanimous. However, these are all small matters. You don’t have to be so agitated, do you?”
“In short, I won’t agree.” Su Chenghui’s attitude was firm.
Su Peizhen was extremely angry. She sat there and felt as if she had been stripped naked.
Making her face turn red, embarrassment, humiliation, shame, all sorts of emotions surged up.
“Dad, I’m already an adult. I don’t need your permission to do anything.”
She was marrying into the Huo family and that was definite.
“Yes, you’re older and have your own opinions. So, you don’t need my permission to do anything.”
Su Chenghui nodded and didn’t refute her words.
“I’m just expressing my attitude. As for what you plan to do, that’s your business.”
He stood up and glanced at Old Master Huo.
“Old Master, I have reservations about this marriage, and I’ve already said it first. If you still want to let Peizhen enter the Huo family, then do as you please. There’s no need to inform me to attend the wedding.”
Su Peizhen’s face turned livid. She didn’t expect Su Chenghui to be so ruthless.
She stood up and blocked Su Chenghui’s way when he was about to leave.
“Dad, I thought I was still your daughter.”
“Yeah. I also thought that you were still my daughter.”
Su Chenghui knew what she meant, but he believed that she also knew what he meant. “I thought that you no longer thought of yourself as my daughter.”
If it wasn’t for Su Peizhen deliberately making things difficult for Su Qingsang, Su Chenghui wouldn’t have such an attitude now.
But as for Su Peizhen’s actions just now, others didn’t know, but he knew very well.
Since she had such an attitude now even before she married into the Huo family, if she really married into the Huo family and had more contact with Su Qingsang, what would she do?
Or perhaps, she had already made a move without him knowing?
Su Chenghui didn’t want to think that badly of Su Peizhen, but now he had no choice but to think about it.
“Dad.” Su Peizhen took a step forward. Her voice was low and pleading. It was her last hope towards Su Chenghui. “Today is a celebratory day. You can disagree with me marrying Huo Yifan, but you are my father. Are you sure you really want to do this?”
“Are you sure?”
Su Chenghui’s usually gentle eyes were now filled with disapproval. “Are you sure you’ve thought it through and want to marry Huo Yifan? Are you sure you love him? Are you sure?”
He looked at her with a sharp gaze that almost peered into her heart.
Before Su Peizhen could answer, Huo Yifan stood up first and held Su Peizhen’s shoulder.
“Uncle, of course Peizhen and I have real feelings for each other. I’ve been dating Peizhen for a few months now, although I can’t say that we know each other 100%. But sometimes, when we meet the right person, we can’t help but want to settle down with them. “Since Peizhen and I have already decided, we’ll naturally get along well. In the days to come, we’ll slowly deepen our mutual understanding and get to know each other better to take our feelings for each other to the next level.”
These words sounded very nice, but unfortunately, he was facing Su Chenghui.
“Is that so? If that’s the case, then I wish you all the best. However, I still maintain my attitude: I don’t support your marriage, but I won’t interfere or stop it. That’s all. I only hope that you won’t regret it.”
He didn’t believe that with Huo Yifan’s shrewdness, he couldn’t tell that Su Peizhen was marrying into the Huo family with ulterior motives.
But why would Huo Yifan still accept it? It showed that Huo Yifan’s motives were impure as well. Huo Jinyao was the president, and Huo Yifan was the vice president.
There was a big difference between the vice president and the president. Everyone had ambitions. With an outstanding brother like Huo Jinyao on top, Huo Yifan naturally would have his own opinions.
Su Chenghui was even certain that Huo Yifan and Su Peizhen still had some other dealings between them.
“Uncle, what are you talking about? Of course I won’t regret it. After all, I have true feelings for Peizhen.”
Su Peizhen didn’t speak. She didn’t want to speak anymore. She only looked at Su Chenghui. This time, she started to hate him as well.
She would firmly remember the humiliation that these people had given her today.
Whether it was Su Qingsang or Su Chenghui.
She would never forget everything that every one of them had done to her.
She concealed her emotions very well. In the eyes of others, she appeared sorrowful and pitiful. She appeared to feel very wronged that she didn’t receive her father’s blessing.
Only Su Chenghui didn’t miss the flash of hatred in Su Peizhen’s eyes.
His feelings became even more complicated.
“Peizhen, since you won’t regret it, you don’t need my permission. In short, you should take care of yourself.”
“Old Master.” Su Chenghui bowed in the direction of Old Master Huo. “Qingsang’s mother isn’t feeling well, so I’ll go see her now. Excuse me.”
Su Chenghui left the others present to glance at each other in bafflement. Finally, they all looked at Su Peizhen.