In City D.

Lu Zhe was discussing the matter of opening a company with Boss Fang.

“You agreed?” Boss Fang’s face lit up with joy.

Lu Zhe: “Uncle Fang, I’m planning to apply to B University.”

Boss Fang gave Lu Zhe a meaningful glance. “Because of Xiao Ci?”

The corners of Lu Zhe’s lips lifted slightly. Rarely, his usually stiff and cold face carried a bit of embarrassment. “Mm. She hopes I’ll attend university in City B.”

Hearing this, how could Boss Fang not understand? Su Ci wanted Lu Zhe to go to City B, so Lu Zhe agreed. If he didn’t like her, with Lu Zhe’s cold personality, how would he possibly listen to Su Ci?

“You’ve thought it through? The Su family…” Boss Fang hesitated.

Lu Zhe lowered his eyes, his long, thick lashes covering his gaze. “Uncle Fang, I know my own situation. The problems you’re thinking about won’t exist.”

Boss Fang let out a long sigh. Young men as outstanding as Lu Zhe were truly rare, but unfortunately, he simply had bad fate.

Even if someone had a poor background, with hard work they could still gamble for a better life. But Lu Zhe’s problem was with his body. Some things—fate-given—couldn’t be overturned no matter how hard he worked.

Carrying the regret and sympathy of an elder, Boss Fang patted Lu Zhe on the shoulder.

Lu Zhe gave a relaxed smile. “After the college entrance exam, I’ll go to City B. If I open a company here, I won’t be able to manage it.”

“You mean opening the company in City B?” Boss Fang’s brows tightened as he fell into thought. “There are certainly more opportunities in City B, but right now money is the issue. If we open the company there, the cost will be even higher.”

He wanted his son to have a better life. Going to City B would mean better prospects, but it also meant they needed more money.

“Uncle Fang, you don’t need to worry about the funds. The Su family gave me a sum of money. Just treat it as me borrowing from the Su family.” Even if Su Ci didn’t mind his background and illness, the Su family was different.

He wanted to work hard.

He didn’t want the fact that he stood beside Su Ci to cause people to look down on her or laugh at her.

– – – ˗ˋˏ♡ˎˊ˗ – – –

Three days before the banquet, Su Ci finally learned from Fugui that Father Su and Mother Su had died in a fire.

Su Ci was stunned. “Was it intentional murder?”

Fugui: 【Someone deliberately set the fire.】

Su Ci’s gaze sank. Fugui only knew the cause of death, but it did not know the location of the fire. So she had no way of knowing where Father Su and Mother Su died—was it at home, or at the banquet venue?

The servants at home had worked in the Su family for many years and likely bore no ill will. Could it be that someone from outside entered the Su residence to start the fire?

Or was it at the banquet venue, where someone intended to set the place ablaze?

There were too many possibilities. Saving them would be extremely difficult.

Over the next two days, Su Ci had the butler prepare several fire extinguishers in the Su residence. Although the butler was puzzled, he immediately had people arrange it.

As for the banquet venue, Su Ci learned it would be held at the International Hotel. The Su family had rented an entire floor. Su Ci felt the hotel had too many targets, making it even harder for her to save people.

On the day of the banquet, all kinds of luxury cars filled the exterior of the International Hotel.

For a banquet hosted by the Su family, many among the wealthy were desperate to obtain an invitation. After all, opportunities to cling to the Su family were rare, and the guests able to attend were all top-tier figures within the circle. In a place like this, opportunities were everywhere.

Inside the hotel lobby, many guests had already arrived. Everyone was dressed in sharp suits and glamorous gowns. The air was filled with various perfume scents, mixed together but not unpleasant.

Su Zhiyuan wore a fitted black suit. With his refined and outstanding features, as the future heir of the Su family, he was someone all the guests wanted to befriend.

“Brother Zhiyuan, why hasn’t Cici come out yet?” He Ermeng was also wearing a black suit. With less childishness and sharper features, he looked increasingly handsome.

He stood beside Su Zhiyuan, waiting for Su Ci to appear.

Su Zhiyuan didn’t have much fondness for someone who wanted to steal his sister away every day. But when his sister’s life had once been uncertain, He Ermeng had searched for her like a madman and had even cried several times. Because of that, Su Zhiyuan’s dislike had eased quite a bit.

At the very least, He Ermeng truly liked his sister.

“Girls need time to dress up,” Su Zhiyuan said.

“Only ugly girls need time to dress up. Cici is so beautiful, what does she need to dress up for?” He Ermeng was practically Su Ci’s number one beauty fan.

Su Zhiyuan gave him a speechless look.

At that moment, Su Ci came out together with Father Su and Mother Su.

Su Ci was already naturally beautiful. With a light layer of makeup and a blue gradient gown inlaid with sparkling rhinestones, she looked like a mermaid siren brought to life.

Su Zhiyuan glanced at the He Ermeng beside him. As expected, the other boy was completely stunned.

Useless!

Seeing Su Zhiyuan walk over, He Ermeng quickly followed. Up close, he realized Su Ci was even more beautiful.

Damn, Cici was really gorgeous tonight!

The little tyrant He Ermeng’s heart was thumping wildly. He stared straight at Su Ci. “Cici, you look really good today.”

Su Ci was already used to He Ermeng’s lovestruck gaze. She said irritably, “I look good every day.”

“Yes, Cici looks good every day.” Whatever Su Ci said, He Ermeng would echo it.

Su Ci ignored him.

He Ermeng continued staring at her with eager eyes, and even greeted Father Su and Mother Su.

Su Mother responded with a soft acknowledgment, feeling that the youngest son of the He family truly liked her daughter.

Father Su, however, was different. His sharp gaze scrutinized He Ermeng. Even though he could see the wolfish nature in this boy from the He family, he still didn’t appreciate him. No matter how he looked at it, he felt the other party was not worthy of his daughter.

When the people around saw Father Su and Mother Su bringing out the Su family’s young lady, many came forward to socialize.

One couldn’t help but sigh—the Su family standing together was truly a beautiful, eye-catching sight.

The Su family’s genes were simply too outstanding. Not to mention Father Su and Mother Su, both famous for their looks back then—now, the heir Su Zhiyuan, the young lady Su Ci, and even little Su Ning, the toddler being held by a servant—each one of them had heaven-defying looks and exceptionally striking faces.

But Su Ci’s mind wasn’t on the banquet at all. She looked at the life values on Father Su and Mother Su’s wrists, her heart tightening.

There were ten minutes left.

Originally, she had thought about having Father Su change the time, but the invitations had already been sent out early. She also couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse to change the banquet schedule. More importantly, she couldn’t confirm whether the fire happened at the hotel.

And now that their life values showed only ten minutes, it seemed their place of death was indeed here in the hotel.

The difficult part was that with so many guests, Su Ci had no idea who started the fire, nor where in the hotel the fire would begin.

And with the hall full of guests, it was nearly impossible for her to suddenly pull Father Su and Mother Su away from the hotel.

Su Ci’s brows tightened.

Noticing her daughter’s frown, Su Mother thought she was feeling unwell and asked worriedly, “Cici, what’s wrong? Your face looks so pale.”

Su Ci’s eyes brightened. She leaned close to Su Mother and said weakly, “Mom, I’m not feeling well. Can you and Dad accompany me home? I don’t want to stay here.”

She knew her excuse was flimsy, but with the situation so urgent, she couldn’t hesitate anymore.

“What’s wrong? Where do you feel unwell?” Su Mother looked at her anxiously. “I’ll take you to the lounge. Later I’ll have a doctor come check on you.”

Su Ci hurriedly shook her head. “I’m not uncomfortable anywhere. I just want to go home.”

She didn’t need a doctor, she needed to get her family out immediately.

Seeing her daughter’s firm attitude, Su Mother became worried. “Wait a moment, let me tell your father, then I’ll go with you.”

Su Ci shook her head. “We’re all leaving together.”

“Cici, the banquet has only just begun. Your brother and your father have to stay here and entertain the guests.” Otherwise, others would think the Su family was being rude.

Su Ci’s brows furrowed tightly. Seeing the red line of Su Mother’s life value grow fainter, she grabbed her mother’s hand directly, intending to pull her along to find Father Su so they could leave together.

At that moment, the sound of an alarm suddenly rang through the hall.

Su Ci’s heart sank.

“Fire! There’s a fire downstairs! Quickly, everyone run!” No one knew who shouted from the entrance, but it was like someone had thrown a bomb into the hall, startling everyone instantly.

Those who had been calmly chatting just moments earlier immediately panicked and fled in all directions. The entire hall descended into chaos.

“Cici, hurry, follow me!” Su Mother grabbed her daughter’s hand, trying to find her younger son.

But perhaps because the guests felt the heat rising from downstairs, the panic grew even worse. Everyone pushed and shoved, desperate to rush toward the exits.

Su Ci was pushed away several times, her hand slipping from Su Mother’s grasp again and again.

At the doorway, Su Mother abruptly pushed Su Ci out. “Cici, your little brother is still inside. I’m going to get him—hurry and leave.” She had seen the servant holding her youngest son fall behind in the crowd of fleeing guests.

“Mom…”

Su Ci had no strength at all. She was immediately squeezed forward by the crowd and could only move where the people pushed her.

Someone shouted, “Run! If you don’t run now, it’ll be too late!”

Su Ci wanted to push against the flow and go back to find Father Su and Mother Su, but in the next second, someone grabbed her hand.

“He Ermeng!”

“Cici, hurry, come with me. There’s a passage on that side that hasn’t been burned yet—let’s go that way.” He Ermeng pulled her along.

“You go! My mom and little brother are still inside!” Su Ci tried to yank her hand free, but he only tightened his grip.

He Ermeng no longer looked like his usual puppy-like self. His expression was dark and firm. “Cici, don’t make trouble. The firefighters are almost here. With your body, who can you save? I’m taking you out.”

He dragged her forward with force.

Su Ci was furious. She was half-pulled, half-dragged by He Ermeng as he forced her to leave.

Inside the hotel, the fire was growing stronger and stronger, and the firefighters still hadn’t arrived.

Su Ci was successfully brought outside by He Ermeng. The moment he let go of her hand, she immediately slapped him. “I don’t need you interfering.”

He Ermeng touched the side of his face where she had hit him. His eyes were bright as he looked at her. “Even if you hit me, I don’t regret it. I can’t watch you get hurt.”

Su Ci didn’t want to respond. She anxiously looked upward—she could see the flames surging fiercely.

“Cici.” At that moment, Su Zhiyuan came out carrying little Su Ning. The child’s face was already streaked with tears.

“Brother, where are Dad and Mom?” Su Ci rushed over.

“They haven’t come out yet?” Su Zhiyuan had only found their little brother. There were too many people inside the hotel; he hadn’t seen their parents at all.

Knowing their parents were still inside, Su Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. Even if he wanted to go back in now, it was completely impossible.

Su Ci’s brows tightened to the point of pain. Was she still unable to stop it?

Just then, Boss Fang suddenly appeared from somewhere and called out to her, “Xiao Ci, have you seen Lu Zhe?”

“Uncle Fang?” Su Ci’s mind was already in chaos. She stared at Boss Fang in shock. “Why are you here? Lu Zhe is here too?”

Boss Fang looked anxious. “I came here with Lu Zhe for some business. When we were passing the hotel, he heard there was a fire. Knowing you were upstairs, he went up to find you.”

Su Ci’s mind went blank—she could no longer hear anything.