Shu Yan said resentfully, "Does he treat his wife and daughter like people? His eyes are only on his group interests..."
"Shut up." Jia Nanfang looked around to ensure no servants were present. "He's been good to you. At least you grew up by his side and are one of his five acknowledged children."
"Who wants that? Does he really think he's an emperor?" Shu Yan's tone remained disdainful.
Jia Nanfang said sternly, "Why don't I send you abroad to a place where no one knows you, and you can start over? You don't have to claim to be part of the Shu family anymore."
"Mom, what's the difference between that and me staying alone in the countryside? I'm not going."
"Then what do you want? You're unwilling to apologize to your father, and you don't want to go abroad?" Jia Nanfang said angrily, "Do you know this isn't over? There are still reporters watching, and someone went to the old house in the countryside to investigate you."
Shu Yan panicked and asked fearfully, "What reporters? What are they doing going to that poor place?"
"Now you're scared." Jia Nanfang placed the trimmed fresh flowers into a vase. "Just recently, that woman named, named Gu Susu, went to the countryside and asked around about anyone who had come looking for you. You told me your address in the countryside, besides telling Xiao Anjing, who else did you tell? Why can they all find you?"
Shu Yan could no longer hide her shock and exclaimed, "Gu Susu? Why would she go there to inquire about me?"
Jia Nanfang also speculated, "Is Gu Susu looking for clues about her own background? She's Qin Tianyi's legitimate wife now. Did she go there to find out about you because you fought over Qin Tianyi, and she wants revenge?"
Shu Yan glanced at Jia Nanfang. She dared not tell her mother about Huo Jin; the matter was too serious, and she decided not to tell anyone, keeping it buried in her heart.
"That's possible."
Jia Nanfang looked at her seriously and said, "Yan, I've thought about it. To quell the matter of your illegitimate child, the only way is to quickly find someone to marry. And you should stop attending those socialite gatherings and blind dates with young masters of similar social standing. Just marry Xiao Anjing and have a grand wedding with him. Given his relationship with Qin Tianyi, we can announce to the public that you and Xiao Anjing have always been a couple, and it was only because he had a good relationship with Qin Tianyi that the outside world mistakenly believed you were with Qin Tianyi. This way, your reputation can be somewhat salvaged."
"You want me to marry him? What is he? Just Qin Tianyi's dog..."
"He's not as bad as you say. He's the second-in-command at Aoxiang, and he's related to Qin Tianyi. The former Xiao family was also a top-tier affluent family." Jia Nanfang thought this would kill two birds with one stone: it would protect Shu Yan's reputation, prevent a complete break between the Shu Corporation and Aoxiang, allowing for continued cooperation on projects, and save Old Shu some face.
As soon as Shu Yan agreed, she planned to discuss it with Old Shu that evening.
"I've never heard of the Xiao family being an affluent family. I refuse to marry someone like that..."
"You won't do this, and you won't do that. Then what do you want?" Jia Nanfang said fiercely, "Just wait for your father to forcibly send you abroad. I won't bother with you anymore."
"Mom, I want to stay here." Shu Yan had been in her room for days and hadn't thought of a way to turn things around.
If her mother, like before, abandoned her in the countryside and completely ignored her, even the village women and low-class servants like Chen Ma would be able to bully her.
Right, Chen Ma had seen her once in the countryside. Gu Susu must have found her there because Chen Ma told that woman.
Jia Nanfang patiently persuaded her, "Since you want to stay, you must learn to endure. Taking a step back opens up a wider view. A person can't always be aggressive; you have to learn to play the pig to eat the tiger. How did I teach you since you were little? Your father is right; I've spoiled you."
No matter how slow Shu Yan was, she knew her mother was no ordinary person and could only nod helplessly, "Mom, I'll listen to you."
"Then quickly help me arrange these fresh flowers. Don't let your father come back and have a gloomy face." Jia Nanfang said with a bit of unease, "Does that boy Xiao Anjing have feelings for you? He won't refuse to marry you like Qin Tianyi, will he?"
When Jia Nanfang mentioned this, Shu Yan felt immense hatred. She said, "Mom, Xiao Anjing is already smitten with me. As long as I ask, he'll definitely marry me. Besides, it's good that our Shu family isn't asking him to be a live-in son-in-law. Am I not good enough for him!"
"Your family background is stronger than Xiao Anjing's, but you can't show it in front of men." Jia Nanfang taught her, "No matter how strong a woman is, she must know how to act pitiful and weak in front of men. Men like to play the hero; they don't like women who are equal to or stronger than them, as it hurts their pride. Understand?"
Shu Yan seemed to grasp something and said, "Oh."
Jia Nanfang continued, "If you really want Xiao Anjing to be smitten with you, you have to show weakness and act pitiful in front of him more."
"Okay." Shu Yan thought about how pitiful it was to be alone with her child in the countryside; that wasn't acting. Xiao Anjing always felt sorry for her and the child when he visited, which is why he later helped send the child to the orphanage. He didn't think she was too heartless.
It seemed her mother was right; as long as she continued to act pitiful and weak in front of Xiao Anjing, he would do anything for her.
...
Today, Susu's studio was officially established, with congratulatory flower baskets lining the entrance.
Everyone had arrived, and Susu hosted a small buffet-style reception in the studio.
Qin Tianyi seemed even happier than her, busying himself with greeting guests.
Ya Nan also came from Dechuan and stood beside Susu, nudging her with her arm. "Oh my god, who would have thought the aloof President Qin could smile so readily? It's so unaccustomed."
"Don't you think he's more charming when he smiles?" Susu's gaze followed Qin Tianyi's movements.
Ya Nan said with amusement, "I can't stand you. Love is blind. Of course, you find him handsome no matter how you look at him now."
"Susu, congratulations on finally having your own studio." At this moment, Sophie arrived, with Chang Qingchuan behind her.
Susu pulled Sophie over and said, "Sophie, Qingchuan, why are you only arriving now?"
Chang Qingchuan still had a faint smile. He offered her congratulations and then went to the side, dejectedly picking up a glass of wine.
Seeing him like this made Susu feel sad. Sophie smiled and said, "The company was a bit busy today, so I hitched a ride with Director Chang, and we came together."
"So you're Sophie? I'm Wei Ya Nan." Ya Nan was meeting Sophie in person for the first time and extended her hand to shake hers.
Sophie clasped her hand and smiled, "Hello, Ya Nan. Susu has mentioned you. You're so beautiful."