Volume One, Chapter Nine: Reproached by the Entire Family

Upon seeing Su Wan, Zhao Lan’s panic was unmistakable.

Su Wan was momentarily stunned but quickly composed herself. Just as she was about to pretend not to know her and leave, Zhao Lan grabbed her arm.

Anxiously, she said, “President Meng, please don’t listen to this girl’s words—she’s just talking nonsense!”

Meng Yanli was taken aback. “What do you mean by that? You two know each other?”

Zhao Lan was instantly dumbfounded.

She looked at Su Wan in disbelief.

A faint sneer curled at the corner of Su Wan’s lips.

Witnessing this woman’s flustered expression was truly satisfying.

She wanted to see how Zhao Lan would try to cover this up.

Sure enough, experience prevailed. After the initial panic, Zhao Lan quickly regained her composure.

She smiled and said, “President Meng, you probably don’t know yet, but I am Su Wan’s stepmother. She has always been hostile toward me and often picked fights with me and my daughter. That’s why I was worried she might say things that would damage Meimei’s reputation and affect your impression of her…”

“Oh, you’re Su Wan’s stepmother?” Meng Yanli was surprised.

His deep eyes shifted to Su Wan, as if seeking confirmation.

Su Wan lightly nodded. “Yes, President Meng.”

She couldn’t help but admire Zhao Lan for so easily explaining away her earlier flustered words.

Not only that, she even slandered Su Wan as someone who often bullied her and her daughter.

This woman was truly adept at twisting the truth.

Meng Yanli frowned slightly. “Aunt, you’ve misunderstood. Su Wan hasn’t spoken ill of you.”

Su Wan replied coolly, “Aunt Zhao, may I leave now?”

In front of Meng Yanli, Zhao Lan found it hard to say anything and had no choice but to let go.

Feigning magnanimity, she patted Su Wan’s shoulder and said, “Su Wan, you’re still young and may not understand the feelings between me and your father. I don’t blame you. I hope we can get along peacefully from now on, alright?”

Su Wan felt a wave of disgust.

She gently brushed off the woman’s hand and said in a calm tone, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

With that, she quickly walked away.

…

In the restaurant, Han Wei watched the engagement livestream on her phone.

The engagement ceremony of the richest man in Haicheng was causing a sensation throughout the city, quickly soaring to the top trending spot in just minutes.

Countless young girls’ dreams were shattered—their idol was actually engaged!

“Su Wan, the woman Meng Yanli is marrying is actually your stepmother’s daughter?”

Han Wei’s eyes nearly popped out in shock.

No wonder Su Wan looked so pale.

…

“Su Wan, you should hurry and tell the truth. Maybe you can stop their engagement…”

Su Wan took a sip of juice and smiled bitterly.

Her stepfamily treated her like an enemy; they wouldn’t let her get near.

“Did they hit you?” Han Wei noticed the bruises on her face.

“My dad did,” Su Wan’s voice choked slightly.

“That’s too much. You’re his biological daughter!”

Han Wei stood up, indignantly declaring, “If you won’t speak up, I will. I refuse to believe Meng Yanli would marry that girl knowing the truth!”

“Don’t go!” Su Wan hurriedly grabbed her friend’s arm. “Meng Yanli marrying Su Mei isn’t just about repaying a favor—they must have feelings for each other. I don’t want to destroy that…”

Besides, if she went, everyone would think she was trying to steal her own sister’s man, and she’d be drowned in scorn.

…

That evening.

The moment Su Wan entered the house, her father rushed over, demanding, “What did you say to Meng Yanli today?”

“If I had said anything, would Su Mei still be able to get engaged to him?”

Her eldest brother said coldly, “You’re being smart.”

Su Mei clung to Su Zhiwen’s arm, whining, “Big brother, I’m still so worried. I feel like Yanli’s eyes look strange when he looks at me…”

Hearing this, the eldest brother immediately grabbed Su Wan’s wrist and asked coldly, “You stubborn girl, be honest. Did you speak ill of our little sister to President Meng?”

He believed that although Su Wan hadn’t told the truth about saving him, she must have said bad things about their sister.

Their stepmother seized the opportunity, saying, “No wonder. When I first entered, I felt President Meng’s gaze was off. She must have been trying to smear Meimei!”

Their third brother urged from the side, “Su Wan, if you really said something, just admit your mistake.”

Su Wan glared at him sharply.

Who was this? Wearing the clothes she helped make but not saying a single word in her defense!

She said coldly, “I didn’t say anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”

“Besides, Meng Yanli was clearly saved by me. Why would Su Mei take credit behind my back?”

Her words caused an awkward silence.

But soon, the eldest brother snorted coldly. “What credit? The moment our little sister appeared, President Meng fell in love at first sight. His mother also likes her very much, which is why this engagement was arranged!”

“Oh, is that so?” Su Wan sneered. “Then why don’t you all go tell Meng Yanli clearly that I’m the one who saved him?”

“You stubborn girl, you’re asking for trouble—” The eldest brother raised his hand to strike, but the third brother stopped him.

Trying to smooth things over, the third brother said, “Alright, Su Wan did go a bit too far, but she’s young and immature. Let her apologize, and it’ll be fine.”

He then gave Su Wan a meaningful glance.

Su Wan replied coldly, “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?”

Although she was grateful the third brother intervened, she knew he didn’t truly understand her.

“Are you getting cheeky now? See if I don’t beat you senseless today!” Su Wan’s father, furious, was about to strike.

Dodging, Su Wan shouted loudly, “Fine! If you hit me again, I’ll really go to Meng Yanli! Then let’s see who he believes!”

Seeing the situation worsening, her stepmother quickly came over to stop her husband.

Feigning concern, she said, “Honey, don’t be angry. We’re all family; there’s no need to cause such trouble. Su Wan is young and naive; just talk things out.”

This girl was stubborn; if she got really angry and revealed the truth, it would be trouble.

Although their daughter was already engaged to Meng Yanli, they weren’t married yet, and the relationship was unstable. She couldn’t take that risk.

Once their daughter married into the wealthy family, no matter how much Su Wan caused trouble, it would be useless.

Su Wan’s father understood this and reluctantly backed down, warning her coldly, “I warn you, if you dare reveal the truth, I will disown you!”

Su Wan’s face went pale.

Though she had long known her father disliked her, hearing this was still painful.

After all, they were father and daughter by blood, and she had once longed so deeply for his love.

Dragging her weary steps, she went upstairs.

Fighting with her family every day, she was truly exhausted.

It seemed she needed to hasten her plans to move out.

…

The next day.

Meng Yanli called Su Wan into his office.

“President Meng…”

He looked at the girl before him.

She was very beautiful—delicate and elegant. Her dark eyes were captivating, her nose small and straight, and her lips gracefully curved.

But at this moment, her gentle face was pale, looking somewhat pitiful.

Su Wan felt embarrassed under his gaze, a faint blush coloring her fair cheeks.

Meng Yanli’s heart skipped a beat unexpectedly. Clearing his throat, he spoke with a calm yet gentle tone, “You and Su Mei share the same father but different mothers?”

Su Wan was startled but answered honestly, “No, she’s my stepmother’s daughter.”

Meng Yanli raised an eyebrow. “So, you don’t like her?”

His words caught Su Wan off guard.

Was the president defending Su Mei?