Volume 1, Chapter 19: Does He Even Care About His Pride Anymore?

Meng Yanli gently patted her shoulder in consolation. Then he turned to Su Wan. “Alright, no matter what your sister said, since she has apologized, you should forgive her.”

One major reason he sided with Su Mei was the deep guilt he felt toward her at that moment. After some careful thought, he realized their engagement had indeed been arranged too hastily. Previously, lacking a suitable partner, he had agreed to marry Su Mei on his mother’s advice. But now that he was aware of his feelings for Su Wan, he could no longer go through with the marriage to Su Mei.

He planned to discuss the matter with his mother and then set a date to formally break off the engagement with the Su family. He intended to provide Su Mei with a generous compensation as an apology. However, Su Mei remained unaware of these intentions and mistakenly believed Meng Yanli stood by her because he liked her.

She was so pleased with herself that her smile barely concealed her delight. Struggling to hide her grin, she nestled close in his arms and feigned shyness. “Yanli, can we bring the wedding date forward? I miss you so much every day; waiting a whole year feels too long…”

Meng Yanli was momentarily speechless. He felt awkward. Having just decided to end the engagement, here she was already urging him to hasten the marriage. Rubbing his temple, he hesitated, wondering whether to tell her his decision now.

At that moment, his phone rang. He gently pushed her away. “You talk with your sister, I need to take this call.” The timing of the call felt almost providential.

It was Assistant Wu, reminding him of an important meeting today. “Alright, I’ll head back to the office immediately.” Turning back to Su Wan, he said, “The doctor said you need to be observed for a few more hours before discharge. I’ll come pick you up later.”

Su Mei’s expression darkened. Why did Yanli still care so much about that wretched Su Wan? She quickly stepped over and coaxed Meng Yanli, “Yanli, I want to go too. Will you take me home?”

“Are you leaving now?” Meng Yanli was surprised; he thought Su Mei would stay longer with her sister.

Su Mei caught on and hurried to explain, “She doesn’t want me here. She even rushed me away earlier. Since that’s the case, I won’t stay to bother her. Let her rest well.”

Her explanation was reasonable and subtly implied that Su Wan was ungrateful. Su Wan curled her lips in disdain. That girl was truly crafty. But it didn’t matter—she was used to taking the blame. She just felt sorry for Mr. Meng, who had married such a drama queen.

“Alright then, let’s go together,” Meng Yanli said, casting one last glance at Su Wan, whose complexion still looked pale.

“Someone will bring you food later; make sure to eat and rest well,” he added, just as Su Mei urged him to leave.

“Okay,” he replied.

As they left, the shadow in Su Wan’s eyes deepened. For some reason, seeing Su Mei linked arm in arm with Meng Yanli, looking so affectionate, stirred an unexpected ache in her heart. She ruffled her hair in frustration, thinking she must be losing her mind.

Could it be that simply because Meng Yanli had saved her and stayed with her all night, she was falling for him? But he was her boss, and soon to be her brother-in-law! Su Wan was Su Wan—she had to stay clear-headed!

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That afternoon, Meng Yanli came to pick her up from the hospital.

Su Wan felt awkward. “Actually, I can take a taxi home myself.”

“Let’s go,” Meng Yanli said, reaching out to help her.

The moment he touched her, Su Wan instinctively pulled away. “I’m fine now. I can walk on my own.”

His eyes darkened. Could it be because of how he had touched her the night before? He felt a twinge of guilt.

Su Wan awkwardly explained, “Mr. Meng, I just don’t want Su Mei to misunderstand again…”

He suddenly breathed easier. Even the most high-stakes billion-dollar contracts had never made him this nervous. Just moments ago, he had genuinely feared Su Wan might see him as a lecher because of what happened last night.

Once inside the car, a subtle tension filled the air. Both sat with backs straight, hands at their sides, like two obedient students. Assistant Wu glanced in the rearview mirror, sensing something different. Having worked with Mr. Meng for years, he had never seen him so tenderly protective of a woman.

When Meng Yanli had brought Su Wan to the hospital the night before, his tense urgency had made the doctors nervous too. After all, Meng was an investor in the hospital, and no one wanted to lose their jobs.

Now, with Meng’s serious demeanor again, even Assistant Wu dared not breathe loudly.

He wondered what had happened between these two—had Su Wan once again angered Mr. Meng?

Halfway through the drive, Meng Yanli broke the silence. “Don’t worry. I’ve already taught Ye Fan a lesson. I doubt he’ll dare bully you again.”

The word “bully” changed Su Wan’s expression. Last night felt like a nightmare; just thinking about it sent chills down her spine. If Meng Yanli hadn’t arrived in time, she wouldn’t be sitting here unharmed now.

“Thank you, Mr. Meng,” she said, feeling she owed him a proper thanks.

Meng Yanli’s deep eyes locked onto her delicate face. His voice was calm. “From now on, make sure to protect yourself. Don’t trust others so easily.”

Su Wan hesitated, sensing a hint of mockery in his tone. Did he think she was too naive to tell good from bad?

She felt a surge of indignation. After all, Ye Fan was her college classmate—how could she have imagined he would turn out to be such a scoundrel?

But she said nothing, pursing her lips.

Seeing her silence, Meng Yanli felt a trace of regret. He had intended to comfort her, but his words had come out wrong. He really wasn’t good at offering solace.

He moved his fingers slightly, wanting to reach for her hand, but restrained himself.

They remained silent until they arrived at Su Wan’s home. After getting out, she politely thanked him.

Meng Yanli nodded coolly and instructed the driver to leave.

Just as Su Wan turned to go inside, the car reversed and stopped beside her.

The man opened the door and stepped out.

She froze. “Mr. Meng, you…”

Meng Yanli frowned slightly. “What’s with that expression? I just want to see you inside. Is it really that alarming?”

“No, Mr. Meng, that would be too much trouble…” Su Wan’s face flushed. If he went in with her, it would only confirm the rumor that she was trying to steal Su Mei’s fiancé.

She absolutely could not let him enter the house!

“Oh? So you’re refusing me?” Meng Yanli’s eyes darkened.

Why was he always rejected by this girl? As a powerhouse in the business world, used to being fawned over, it was humiliating to be turned down by a mere girl.

He could tell she sensed his displeasure, but this time Su Wan refused to back down.

She did not want to provoke a bigger family scandal. Even if the others held back out of respect for Meng, once he left, she would suffer the consequences.

So she refused again gently. “Mr. Meng, I’m already embarrassed enough that you lost sleep over me last night. You should go get some rest.”

Meng Yanli’s face darkened further. Through clenched teeth, he spat out cold words. “Fine. Then you should get some rest early too.”

Without another word, he strode back to the car, ordering Assistant Wu with a cold expression, “Drive!”

“Yes, Mr. Meng,” Assistant Wu replied promptly, flooring the accelerator and driving off.

He had witnessed the entire scene and couldn’t help but feel anxious for Su Wan. That girl was truly foolish—why reject Mr. Meng’s kindness? What was she thinking?

Su Wan finally exhaled in relief.

Dragging her tired feet, she entered the house.

No sooner had she stepped inside than her father’s angry shout rang out, “Su Wan! Come here right now!”

She forced a bitter smile. As expected, Su Mei had gone running to complain again.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly approached her father.

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

Before she could finish, a sharp slap landed across her face, reddening her cheek.

Clutching her face, she glared at him in frustration. “Why do you always hit me without hearing my side? What did I do wrong this time?”

“Hmph, feeling wronged now?” Her eldest brother sneered from the side. “You disappear all night without coming home, that’s bad enough. But now you’re trying to seduce your little sister’s fiancé? Have you no shame?”