"This is good. You've really changed, and you have a future."
Huo Zheng said solemnly, "Don't underestimate me again from now on."
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare," Susu said with a smile. "By the way, because of my pregnancy and other things, I haven't had time to manage the boutique for you. It's all been handed over to the designer at the studio, Shishi. Have you handed over with her yet? Are there any problems?"
As soon as she mentioned Xu Shishi, Huo Zheng immediately puffed up his chest and said, "That Xu Shishi, it's outrageous. Just as I finished training and went to the store, she mistook me for a thief and almost broke my head!"
Susu burst into laughter, imagining the comical scene. "I didn't expect Shishi to have such a fierce side."
Huo Zheng looked like he didn't want to mention that woman anymore, saying, "Let's not talk about her, it's bad luck. Let's eat."
Susu chuckled inwardly, convinced that Huo Zheng and Xu Shishi were a bickering couple.
She looked at the dishes the waiter brought over, glad he hadn't ordered too much food.
While eating, she sent an electronic invitation to Huo Zheng, saying, "Take a look at this. If you have time, you're welcome to attend the wedding I'm having with Tianyi."
Huo Zheng opened the invitation and was stunned for a few seconds. He was incredibly jealous, but he still smiled and said, "Wow, I've heard of this island. The scenery is beautiful. President Qin is covering all the expenses, right?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll have to push aside my work to go."
Susu had eaten most of her meal and looked at him, saying, "That would be best. I was afraid you'd be too busy to come. Huo Zheng... there's one more thing, I wanted to ask for your help..."
"Sister Susu, when did you start being so hesitant when talking to me?"
Susu closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and decided to go for it. "Do you know that your father is targeting Shu's Group? Because of a batch of imported building materials, he's having his affiliated companies sue Shu's Group through legal channels?"
Huo Zheng put down his chopsticks and said, "I'm not very clear about what you're saying. Is there a problem with the old man doing this? Shu's Group has the enmity of killing his daughter now. I guess he'd do anything."
"Shu's Group is in a very bad situation right now." Susu didn't know how to explain the reasons to him. She paused and said, "But Tianyi has cooperative projects with them. If Shu's Group collapses at this time, it will have a significant impact on Tianyi's group as well. So, so can you talk to your father and ask him not to sue Shu's Group anymore? Give them a few more days, and they will definitely be able to deliver those building materials."
Huo Zheng finally understood and said, "So that's what it is. It's no big deal. I'll talk to the old man when I get back later. Even if he wants to go head-to-head with Shu's, he shouldn't harm innocent people, let alone you and President Qin. This matter is on me."
Seeing his righteousness and his quick agreement, Susu felt a little guilty for not telling him the whole truth, but she couldn't bring herself to say that she was also Shu Zhongze's biological daughter. She could only thank him.
After dinner, Susu parted ways with him, and her mood suddenly became a little lighter. Without Huo's Group's pressure, Shu's Group should be able to catch its breath.
When she returned home in the afternoon, Tianyi called her, saying that Shu Zhongze's condition was stable after waking up in the hospital and he should be able to be discharged in a few days.
Susu also proactively told him about having lunch with Huo Zheng, but she only mentioned delivering the invitation and didn't say that she had asked Huo Zheng to persuade Huo Liangcheng to withdraw the lawsuit.
She felt she had done what she needed to do and didn't think about Shu Zhongze and Shu's Group anymore, continuing to prepare for the trivial matters of the wedding.
Two days later, Shu Zhongze personally called her. "Susu, come to the hospital. I have something to tell you."
"Mr. Shu, it seems we have nothing to talk about," Susu said calmly. "I've already said everything I needed to say to your lawyer and secretary that day."
"I know all of that," Shu Zhongze's voice was a little strained. "But you or Qin Tianyi helped me get Huo's Group to withdraw the lawsuit."
"It has nothing to do with Tianyi. I just don't want Shu's Group's affairs to involve Aoxiang's interests."
Shu Zhongze forced a smile on the other end of the phone. "You are alike inside and out. Your heart is kind."
"Mr. Shu, I don't know what you're talking about. Please don't disturb my and Tianyi's lives anymore..."
"You're still blaming me for not acknowledging that granddaughter," Shu Zhongze interrupted her. "That's not my granddaughter, and Shu Yan isn't my biological daughter either. My wife had an affair long ago..."
Before he could finish, he started coughing violently on the phone.
Susu was shocked and didn't know what to say, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her.
"Do you want to know what's going on? Then... then come to the hospital to see me."
But as soon as Susu opened her mouth slightly, Shu Zhongze had already hung up.
Susu stared at her black screen phone, still in a daze. Was what Shu Zhongze just said a lie?
If Shu Yan wasn't his biological daughter, how could he have raised her like a princess for over twenty years?
She then remembered Jia Nanfang and Lu Yuanhong together, and Jia Nanfang bringing Xiaoxiao to Lu Yuanhong's house. Could it be, could it be...
She could no longer sit still and immediately went to the hospital to see Shu Zhongze, thinking that Shu Zhongze knew everything now.
But when did he find out? Did he know before, or did he just discover it recently?
Susu arrived at the VIP ward where Shu Zhongze was staying again. Standing at the door, she saw Shu Zhongze lying on the hospital bed. The tubes were gone, and only the needle in the back of his hand remained.
The ward was much quieter than before. Only a nurse was standing by his bedside, writing some records, and Secretary Zhan was by his side.
Shu Zhongze seemed to be asleep, his expression peaceful, with many white hairs appearing at his temples.
Susu stood quietly at the door, making no sound. They both knew about their relationship, and she felt a little lost when it was time to face him.
It wasn't until the nurse finished writing her records and came out of the ward that Secretary Zhan saw Susu at the door.
"Miss Gu, you're here. Why don't you come in?" The secretary immediately got up and made way for her.
At this moment, Shu Zhongze also opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Susu, and said, "You're here. Come over quickly."
Susu took a step with some difficulty and walked to Shu Zhongze's bedside, asking, "Are you feeling better?"
Shu Zhongze smiled at her without answering, motioning for the secretary to help him sit up and lean against the hospital bed.
Susu looked at him struggling to sit up and said, "You should lie down. If you have anything to tell me, please say it quickly."
But Shu Zhongze insisted on sitting up, took a few labored breaths, and asked the secretary to go out and close the door.
He then said to Susu, "I know you don't want to acknowledge me, and I can understand that. After all, I've never fulfilled my fatherly responsibility to you. You can hate me or resent me, I can accept it all."