"So you know how unfairly you treated me back then," Gu Susu said with a laugh. "But it's not what you think. His acquisition of Ai Corporation has nothing to do with me, nor would he do these things for me. He has his own plans, and I don't know the reasons behind them."
"Susu, no matter what happened in the past, we are family after all," Ai Yifeng said, setting aside his arrogance. "Mom and Dad already know Yiwei is an ungrateful wretch and regret their past actions. Can't you forgive us and help us this once?"
"She's more than ungrateful; she deceived your feelings too. But this is all your own doing."
Ai Yifeng's gaze darkened, a deep ferocity appearing on his face.
Gu Susu knew she had unintentionally hit a nerve. She felt as if she were melting under his terrifying gaze.
She gulped down the Americano, placed a hundred-yuan bill on the table, and stood up. "My treat today. I really can't help you with what you're asking. I need to go."
"Even if you hate us, we're still blood-related! Can you be at peace if you stand by and watch Ai Corporation be taken away, and us pushed to the brink of desperation?" Ai Yifeng stood up simultaneously and shouted after her retreating figure, "Do you think Qin Tianyi will still treat you well once he's no longer foolish? Once the Ai family collapses, you'll have no value to him. Everyone's saying he's close with the youngest daughter of the Shu family. You'll be kicked out. What kind of ending do you think awaits you!"
Gu Susu stopped, turned back calmly, and said, "What did you all do when I needed you! I don't need the Ai family as my backing. Instead, I hope he kicks me out soon and gives me back my freedom." Without another word, she walked out of the coffee shop.
On the way back, she wondered what Ai Yifeng meant by being pushed to the brink of desperation.
Qin Tianyi had promised her he would only acquire Ai Corporation and wouldn't harm Ai Shunan and the others. Was he planning to be as ruthless as he was with Qin Corporation and her father?
Gu Susu felt a pang of unease. Back at the apartment, Xiaomei had already picked up Little Star from kindergarten, and he was looking at a picture book.
Xiaomei greeted her, took her bag and coat, and noticed her red and swollen cheeks. "Young Madam, what happened to your face? I'll boil an egg to help with the swelling."
"No need, I've already done that." Gu Susu changed her shoes and entered. "And don't call me Young Madam anymore. Call me Miss Gu from now on."
Xiaomei realized she couldn't switch easily and rubbed her hands. "Okay, I'll start making dinner now. It'll be ready soon."
Gu Susu went to Little Star, kissed his cheek, and asked, "How was kindergarten today? Were you happy?"
Little Star immediately grabbed his schoolbag, took out a drawing, and handed it to Gu Susu. "Mom, this is what I drew at kindergarten. The teacher asked us to draw our family today."
Gu Susu unfolded the drawing. Blue sky, white clouds, and three figures standing on a colorful meadow, one of them a child. She froze.
Little Star excitedly pointed to the figures. "The child in the middle is me. The one on the left is Daddy, and the one on the right is Mommy. I'm holding your hands, and we're happy together."
Gu Susu smiled and praised him. "Star, your drawings are getting better and better. You really have a talent for art."
"I love drawing. Daddy said I inherited your talent and wants to enroll me in a special art class with award-winning teachers." Little Star leaned his head against her, eagerly anticipating the art class Qin Tianyi mentioned.
Gu Susu wondered how expensive such an art class would be. When she was raising Little Star alone, she had considered enrolling him in an art class, but the long-term tuition was something she couldn't afford at the time, so she gave up.
Now that Little Star was attending the best aristocratic kindergarten, Qin Tianyi had enough money to nurture any talent he might have. Perhaps… perhaps the child would be better off with Qin Tianyi than with her.
Gu Susu smiled and asked him, "Star, if, and I mean *if*, one day you had to choose between Mommy and Daddy, would you prefer to live with Daddy?"
Little Star clutched her tightly, his eyes wide with alarm. "Mommy, don't you want me anymore?"
"No, of course not. Mommy would never abandon you. I'm just asking hypothetically," Gu Susu soothed him.
Little Star said with a hint of tears, "I choose Mommy! I want to be with Mommy..."
Gu Susu felt both sad and happy. She gently patted his back. "Don't be afraid, Mommy won't leave you either."
Little Star finally relaxed and snuggled into her arms, acting spoiled.
Just then, Qin Tianyi opened the door and entered, like a man returning home from work.
Little Star's ears perked up at the sound of the door. Seeing Qin Tianyi, he happily ran towards him with his drawing. "Daddy, look, look, this is what I drew."
Gu Susu remained seated, momentarily dazed. Why was Qin Tianyi here again tonight? Shouldn't he be with his official fiancée? Always coming to the woman he kept on the side, wasn't he afraid Shu Yan would get angry?
The thought brought back the memory of the slap she received today. Young masters and ladies from influential families were extremely possessive and wouldn't tolerate anyone snatching anything from them.
She lowered her head, trying to appear natural, and covered her slapped cheek with her hand, not wanting Qin Tianyi to make a scene about it again.
Qin Tianyi praised Little Star's drawing and swung him around. For a moment, the small apartment was filled with Little Star's laughter.
Gu Susu felt even more acutely that she didn't bring much happiness to her child, but rather quite a few scares. Qin Tianyi's presence brought Little Star immense joy, making her feel like an incompetent mother.
Xiaomei emerged from the kitchen, about to tell Gu Susu that dinner was ready. She saw Qin Tianyi and, after a moment of surprise, beamed. "Young Master, you're back just in time. I'll set the table now."
Gu Susu, however, didn't want to eat at the same table as him. She stood up and said, "You all eat. I'm not hungry. A colleague sitting next to me at the company today brought a lot of snacks, and I ate them until I was full."
Without waiting for Xiaomei to ask, she walked back to her room and closed the door.
"Let her be," Qin Tianyi said to Little Star with a smile. "Let's eat first. We'll save some food for your mother, and she'll naturally eat when she's hungry."
Little Star nodded. "When children don't eat properly, the teacher says the same thing. So, we'll save the dishes Mommy likes for her."
"Okay," Qin Tianyi said, placing the plate of twice-cooked pork, Gu Susu's favorite dish, aside. He smiled at Little Star. "This plate is for Mommy."
"Mm," Little Star said sensibly. "Then I'll eat fish."