Hearing Lu Zhe’s words, Su Ci, on the other side of the screen, glared and hung up the video call on the spot.

Su Ci called Fugui out. “Is my charm not enough? With a face as stunning as mine, Lu Zhe actually said he doesn’t want to see me?”

She had always been confident, but being rejected by Lu Zhe every time forced her to start doubting whether she had any appeal to him at all.

Fugui perked up: 【In Fugui’s eyes, Master is the most beautiful person in the whole world, with star-bright big eyes, a pointy little claw-face, and a straight nose. Lu Zhe just doesn’t know how to appreciate it. Master shouldn’t give him golden cotton candy anymore.】

Su Ci resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Are you sure you’re not describing an alien?”

Fugui felt wronged. It had asked its friend Badao, and Badao said the master would definitely like hearing this kind of praise.

Was it still praising wrong? No wonder Badao said a woman’s thoughts were hard to guess.

Every time it thought Lu Zhe had angered its master and she wouldn’t give him golden cotton candy anymore, the next second, with just one glance from Lu Zhe, its master’s anger disappeared, and she would even trot over obediently to hand the golden cotton candy to him.

Lu Zhe probably had some kind of magic; otherwise, how could he manage to handle a master as difficult as this one so easily?

Fugui withdrew with great grievance.

– – – ˗ˋˏ♡ˎˊ˗ – – –

Night.

Qin Shiyan had been waiting in the living room for her father, Qin Zhiming, to return.

“Dad.” Qin Shiyan called out.

“Xiao Yan is back? You don’t have work today?” Qin Zhiming limped his way slowly to the sofa. He had just finished a game of chess with his friend and had also drunk a bit.

“No schedule today. Dad, did you go drinking with Uncle Shitou next door?” Qin Shiyan smelled the faint scent of alcohol on him.

Qin Zhiming scratched his head. “Just two glasses.”

Ever since he had saved Su Ci’s father, Qin Zhiming had become lame in one leg. To repay him, Su father gave him several million as thanks. The house they were living in now was also given by Su father, and even her smooth entry into the entertainment industry was thanks to the Su family.

Qin Zhiming could no longer drive, but now that he had money, and with his daughter earning a good income in the entertainment circle, he didn’t need to work anymore. So when he had free time, he would find neighbors to play chess and have a drink.

Even though one of his legs was disabled and he walked with a limp, his life was comfortable now. He didn’t need to struggle like before, and he felt it was worth it.

Looking at her father, who seemed like a good-for-nothing, Qin Shiyan no longer had the strength to scold him.

When she was young, she knew her father was the Su family’s driver. She had already realized the gap between herself and the Su family’s young miss, Su Ci. Su Ci lived in a beautiful villa, wore beautiful princess dresses, and looked fair, tender, and exquisite like a little fairy child.

But she lived in an old urban village, surrounded by shabby, poorly dressed tenants. Her home and the Su family were worlds apart.

She often thought, if only Su father and Su mother were her parents. Her biggest childhood wish was to become Su Ci.

Now that she was grown, she knew clearly that her wish would never come true. She wouldn’t become Su Ci, but she could work hard to become rich.

With the Su family behind her, she entered the entertainment industry smoothly and even became a popular rising star, with resources better than other actresses.

But today, because of a momentary misstep, she caused a grave mistake.

At the swimming pool, she had let herself go. She had only meant to play a little thrill, but she hadn’t expected Su Ning to almost drown.

She could not lose the Su family as her backing.

When she debuted, she did so under the title of the Su family’s foster daughter. Everyone in the entertainment circle looked at her differently because of that. If she lost the Su family, she would be a newcomer with no background at all—how could she possibly make a name for herself?

“Dad, didn’t you say yesterday that Grandma sent some local specialties from the countryside?” Qin Shiyan suggested with a smile. “Why don’t you bring some to the Su family tomorrow for Uncle Su and Auntie Su? You haven’t visited them in a long time.”

Having her father go to the Su family was meant to remind them of his life-saving kindness. She wouldn’t tell her father about what happened today; otherwise, it would be too intentional, too obvious.

“I’m just a nobody. How would I dare bother Sir and Madam?”

Qin Zhiming had a clear sense of his place.

Everything he had now was given by the Su family. He had been a bit clever back then—he suggested letting his daughter become Su Ci’s playmate, giving her a chance to enter a wealthy household. He had paved the road for his daughter early on.

Anything more than that, he didn’t dare to think about.

Having worked in a wealthy household for many years, he knew clearly that the rich were like wolves—devouring someone without even spitting out the bones. Everyone inside those circles was sharp and cunning. How could small people like them ever outsmart the wealthy?

“Dad, why are you just like everyone else? You’re Uncle Su’s lifesaver! A few days ago, Auntie Su even mentioned you to me—she’s very grateful to you.” Qin Shiyan couldn’t stand seeing her father so timid and shrinking back.

“Sir and Madam are being polite. How could the local specialties your grandma sent be something we give them? It’s too embarrassing.” Qin Zhiming waved his hand in refusal.

“The Su family is rich. What haven’t they seen? Are you planning to give them jade or gemstones? Even if you did, Uncle Su and Auntie Su wouldn’t care for it.” Qin Shiyan reminded him, “Don’t you think the Su family knows exactly what our situation is? Giving expensive things would make them think we’re desperately trying to cling to them.”

Qin Zhiming was stunned. He felt his daughter made a lot of sense.

“So giving the local specialties from our hometown is simply showing a small, sincere gesture. It’s not deliberate flattery.” Qin Shiyan understood the art of it perfectly.

She had stayed with the Su family for so long—of course she knew what they were like.

Even if they scrimped and saved to buy an expensive gift, no matter how valuable it was, in the eyes of the Su family it was probably something they could throw away on a whim.

That was the difference between their family and the Su family.

“You’re right.” Qin Zhiming was convinced by his daughter. “Tomorrow I’ll bring the local specialties to the Su family.” It could count as thanking them for always looking after his daughter.

– – – ˗ˋˏ♡ˎˊ˗ – – –

The next day, Mother Su was worried that her youngest son had been frightened yesterday. After coaxing him to sleep at night, she stayed by his side the whole morning after he woke up.

“Mommy, has Sister gotten up yet?” Little Su Ning still remembered how he had fallen into the swimming pool yesterday and how his sister had saved him.

When he was scared, his sister had been like a superhero, holding him tightly.

His sister had even said she would protect him.

He liked his sister so, so much. When he grew up into a big man, he would protect his sister well.

“Sister hasn’t come downstairs yet. She has to go to school today. After she gets home, she’ll keep Ningning company.” Mother Su gently patted her younger son’s head.

Her youngest child was different from her older son and daughter. He was especially soft, sweet, and obedient—like a little angel. Thinking of how he had nearly gotten into an accident yesterday, she couldn’t help crying to her husband last night, terrified by the thought.

“Okay, Ningning will wait for Sister.” Little Su Ning nodded obediently.

Children forget things quickly—he had already forgotten yesterday’s fear of drowning. All he remembered was that his sister had protected him.

At this moment, Su Ci came downstairs, her eyes filled with exhaustion.

She really did not want to go to school.

Why, heavens—why did she transmigrate into a book only to still have to go to school?

She was wearing the school uniform of Chuangming High School, which was different from the white-and-blue uniform of No.1 High School where Lu Zhe studied. Chuangming High School was considered an elite school. The girls’ uniform consisted of a white campus-style blouse and a plaid skirt, while the boys wore a white shirt and long trousers.

Su Ci had an excellent figure. Wearing the short skirt, her long, straight, slender legs were fully revealed. And with her fair skin, those long legs were so white they dazzled the eyes, making it hard for anyone to look away.

“Cici is downstairs, come eat breakfast.” Mother Su had someone bring her daughter’s breakfast over. “The company has been busy recently. Your father and your older brother already left.” She informed her daughter.

Seeing her daughter come closer, Mother Su realized that the school uniform on her was clearly smaller than before. Not only was the top a bit tight, but even the skirt had become shorter. “Look at my memory, I forgot to have a new uniform tailored for you.”

Of course, seeing how good her daughter looked in the uniform, she couldn’t help feeling proud.

Her daughter had completely inherited her beauty—she was even more beautiful than she was.

“Sister is pretty.” Little Su Ning’s big round eyes stared blankly at his sister.

His sister was so pretty.

Su Ci received herself a little fanboy, and her reluctance to go to school lifted a bit. “Mom, no need to order a new one. There are less than two months before the college entrance exam anyway.”

She looked good like this too, it was just a bit more fitted.

At this moment, the butler relayed a message to Mother Su. “Madam, Qin Zhiming is outside the door.”

“So early in the morning? What is he here for?” Thinking of the matter with Qin Shiyan yesterday, Mother Su subconsciously frowned.

“He said he wants to bring some local specialties from his hometown for Sir and Madam.” The butler asked, “Should I let him in?”

“Bring him in.” During the years Qin Zhiming had driven for the Su family, she had come to know his character. And since he had saved her husband, even though Qin Shiyan had done something wrong, she wouldn’t blame everything on Qin Zhiming.

After the butler left, Mother Su told Su Ci that Qin Zhiming was Qin Shiyan’s father.

Su Ci ate the fragrant, soft porridge unhurriedly in small bites, and before long she saw the butler lead in a man of average looks, not very tall, with a slight limp. He was a middle-aged man carrying several bags, looking cautious. His appearance was honest, not sly or shifty.

“Good morning, Madam, Miss, Young Master.” Qin Zhiming greeted respectfully.

Mother Su had delicate, gentle features and a kind temperament. She didn’t make things difficult for him. “Have you had breakfast?”

“Yes, thank you for your concern, Madam.” Qin Zhiming looked embarrassed. “I brought some local specialties from my hometown for Sir and Madam to try. It’s just a small token of appreciation. Thank you for always looking after Shiyan. If she has done anything wrong normally, Madam can tell me. I will discipline her properly.”

Even if his daughter hadn’t said anything, her expression yesterday had been a little unusual. As her father, he could guess.

“Was it your daughter who asked you to come?” Mother Su adjusted little Su Ning’s small bib to keep him from dirtying his clothes.

“No, no.” Qin Zhiming hurriedly denied it.

His expression grew even more restrained. “It’s just that I haven’t visited Sir and Madam in a long time. These years, I’ve lived a stable life thanks to your care. Shiyan’s work has also gone smoothly. I came to express my gratitude. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Su Ci withdrew her gaze. Qin Shiyan’s schemes ran deep, but her father seemed like someone who understood things clearly.

Su Ci still had to rush to school, so she didn’t listen too closely to what Qin Shiyan’s father continued saying. In any case, she knew that Mother Su might look gentle on the surface, but when it came to matters involving her children, she would become forceful.

The car stopped in front of Chuangming High School.