Sophie praised her, "With your capabilities, it shows their discerning eye to seek your collaboration. Our studio might even surpass them in the future."
"I wouldn't dare to think that far ahead."
Sophie smiled and asked, "While you're happy, are you still going for lunch?"
Usually, Susu would have Zhang Ting order takeout for the studio, believing it saved time and allowed her to focus more on work.
However, she realized Sophie was different and couldn't let her eat takeout. Taking Sophie out for a proper lunch was also a way to help her relax.
"Yes, let's go. We'll have a good meal to celebrate." Susu thought of something else and added, "Why don't we invite the other colleagues too? I want to announce this good news to them."
Sophie preferred to dine with Susu alone, without any disturbances. She suggested, "Perhaps we can announce it to everyone after the formal signing tomorrow. Announcing it at a lunch gathering today is too rushed."
"You're always so thoughtful." Susu picked up her bag and said, "Let's go out for lunch first."
They found a Western restaurant. Sophie still couldn't get used to Chinese food after arriving in Lancheng; Western cuisine suited her palate better.
During lunch, they reminisced about their days studying in Paris. They chatted about trivial matters while sipping coffee, milk tea, and enjoying salads and steaks. kanδん
Sophie cheerfully placed a slice of cut steak onto Susu's plate. "This beef is very tender. Try it."
Susu replied, "I have some; you eat it yourself."
Sophie put the steak into her mouth and, in her good mood, hummed a lyric.
Susu glanced at her, feeling that Sophie had suddenly returned to her usual self.
Just then, Susu received a text message from Xiao Anjing.
Susu quickly picked up her phone and opened it. The message read, "Young Madam, the test results are out. It's confirmed to be high-risk acute leukemia. A bone marrow transplant is needed as soon as possible."
She stared at her phone, frozen. She hadn't expected the worst outcome.
Susu put down her cutlery and replied, "Is Xiaoxiao okay now?"
Xiao Anjing quickly responded, "She's so young and doesn't understand anything. She's hospitalized here with a children's playroom and someone to accompany her. The doctors and nurses are very kind to her, and she smiles happily at everyone."
"I'll go see her right away."
Xiao Anjing sent another message, "No need. I'll accompany her for a bone marrow aspiration this afternoon. If you and Young Master have time, you can visit her tomorrow."
Susu replied with an "Okay," put down her phone, and her mood plummeted again.
Sophie, having glimpsed their text messages, asked, "What's wrong? Who has leukemia? Is it serious?"
"A child from the welfare home. Tianyi and I want to help this child." Susu did not reveal Xiaoxiao's background to Sophie.
Sophie thought of something and said, "Is it a child from the orphanage you used to stay at? You and President Qin are doing charity work."
Susu vaguely hummed in agreement, thinking she needed to do more work today. She would sign with RJ tomorrow morning and then make time in the afternoon to visit Xiaoxiao at the hospital.
Seeing that Susu didn't want to elaborate, Sophie felt that Susu was keeping her at a distance and didn't consider her one of her own. A sense of resentment welled up within her.
...
Late at night, Susu lay in Qin Tianyi's arms and whispered, "Xiao Anjing must have told you about Xiaoxiao. This child is truly pitiful."
"Yes, the hospital is working on her bone marrow matching. She can be saved if a match is found." Qin Tianyi said with some fatigue, "And I've already sent people to look for Xiaoxiao's biological father. Everything will be fine."
"Then will you come with me to see Xiaoxiao tomorrow?" Susu snuggled closer to him. "I want to see her, but I'm afraid of seeing her. Seeing her reminds me of myself when I was little."
"Why didn't I meet you sooner? Then you wouldn't have suffered so much." Qin Tianyi felt heartache for Xiaoxiao the moment he saw her, thinking that at least he had his mother by his side for protection and love when he was young.
Later, even though his mother was gone, she had arranged everything for him, ensuring he would at least live a life of comfort and security. He considered himself luckier than Susu.
Susu smiled and said, "How much earlier? When I was only a few months old, you were just a child yourself. Although life in the orphanage was a bit tough, I was fortunate to grow up without illness or disaster."
"Don't worry. Although I detest Shu Yan, I can distinguish that the child is innocent. I will do my best to help her with you. However, regarding adopting this child, you can forget about it. I still want a daughter of our own."
Susu looked at him and said, "There's no conflict. We can raise more daughters, both biological and adopted."
"But Mrs. Qin, please tell me, where is our biological daughter, and how are we going to raise her together?"
Susu suddenly noticed something amiss in his gaze. She quickly broke free from him and rolled aside with a smile. "What are you trying to do? It's late. I'm going to sleep. I have a lot to do tomorrow."
"Who was it that said we should raise more daughters just now?" Qin Tianyi's eyes darkened as he pounced on her. "Do you think you can escape by being on the same bed as me?"
Susu covered her face and protested, "Mr. Qin, you're too terrifying. Why are you always so ravenous? Who can handle this!"
"You always say you can't handle it, but who ends up enjoying it the most, and who becomes the exhausted laborer?" Qin Tianyi chuckled as he pressed down on her, kissing her neck and moving downwards. "Mrs. Qin, you seem to be blocking the wrong place. Does blocking your face help?"
Susu's face turned crimson, and she immediately stopped covering her face, using her hands to shield her chest. "Mr. Qin, you have a lot to do tomorrow too, can't you just calm down a bit?"
"The moment I see you, I can't calm down." Qin Tianyi said, changing his strategy, and kissed her nose, then deeply kissed her lips.
Susu felt as if the air in her lungs had been completely drawn out by his kiss. She felt like she was floating in the air, then landing on marshmallows, her body growing increasingly limp and weak.
Unknowingly, she swayed with his rhythm, as if riding the clouds. His deep, sexy voice echoed in her ear, "Susu, tell me, do you like me? Do you want me?"
"I like... I like..." Her eyes were already misted over, her cheeks flushed like blooming red roses, and her soft voice sounded completely unlike her own.
They were like twin lotuses, entwined like tangled roots, inseparable.
...
The next day, Susu arrived at the studio early, having prepared all the documents for the signing with RJ.
Before leaving, she took out a makeup mirror and adjusted the silk scarf around her neck. Although the way she tied the scarf was old-fashioned, it was the only way to cover the hickeys on her neck down to her collarbone.
It was all Qin Tianyi's fault. Whenever he got into the mood, he disregarded everything else, only thinking of his own pleasure. His bites were quite fierce.
But there was no use blaming him after waking up early in the morning. He even retorted that she had initiated his advances, which infuriated her.