---

The traditional Chinese restaurant was already bustling with the aroma of cooking. Xiao Lang and Su Xiao had ordered their food, and across the table sat a woman with a gentle air to her, accompanied by a young boy of about twelve. The boy was restless, his chopsticks dancing in the air as he played with his food, spilling rice all around. The woman merely reprimanded him gently, but it seemed he paid it no heed.

Chen Meizhen, with her youthful beauty still intact despite the passing years, was a sight to behold. Once a member of a song and dance troupe, her grace and charm had remained even as the lines of age crept across her face. She wore a red overcoat that accentuated her elegance, adorned with a pearl necklace.

Yet there was an underlying restlessness in her eyes. "A Yi has a tutoring class tomorrow. I haven't informed his father yet. Let's get to the point."

An empty chair separated them, with Su Xiao and Xiao Lang sitting there. Xiao Lang began, "I'm getting married soon, and I hope you'll come to my wedding."

Chen Meizhen glanced at Su Xiao, then turned her gaze to the red cloak, her lips pursed. "To see you growing up healthy, that in itself is a success. Now you're getting married, and I have nothing left to give you. The money you sent, I had it returned to the bank... Check your balance, see if anything is missing. I fulfilled my duty as your guardian, raising you into adulthood. Now that you're capable, I hope you can keep your distance from my family."

Xiao Lang's smile faltered, his eyes darkening. Su Xiao noticed the pain in his heart. She could see the rejection written all over Chen Meizhen's face.

"Your wealth can't replace the value of acknowledgment. You've been good to her, you two... live a happy life."

With that, Chen Meizhen stood up and, with her son by her side, left the booth. Su Xiao wanted to chase after her, but Xiao Lang's hand stopped her. Once the woman was out of sight, he sighed, his voice full of distress, "Don't go."

Tears welled up in Xiao Lang's eyes, falling onto his hand as he bowed his head. Su Xiao knelt in front of him, her voice filled with concern, "Xiao Lang, are you alright?"

Xiao Lang, his voice laced with sadness, spoke, "Why won't she acknowledge me?"

He told her about how he had always felt inadequate, raised in the hospital and ostracized at school. He had poured all his effort into his studies to gain her approval, a recognition that had remained elusive.

"In the holidays, or during the New Year, where was I to go? Most of the time, I was alone."

"Am I not good enough for her?"

"Why... has she never acknowledged me once?"

"Am I not her biological child as well?"

Xiao Lang had spent much of his childhood in a hospital, and at school, he was isolated by his peers. To gain her approval, Xiao Lang had dedicated himself to his studies, just to earn a single word of praise.

By high school and university, he was often the only one who didn't get to go home during holidays or festivals.

Su Xiao rose and embraced him, trying to comfort him. "Xiao Lang, you never needed anyone's acknowledgment. Now you've succeeded, and you will find someone who loves you truly."

"Let's eat, the food is still warm. Time is still on our side."

But the invitation was still unmailed.

In the end, Xiao Lang had been too hasty.

...

The next day, Shengshi Group

The President's Office

Su Xiao had told Song Qiqi about her relationship with Xiao Lang.

Song Qiqi was overjoyed by the news.

For her, it was essential for Su Xiao to become Xiao Lang's wife as soon as possible, so that she could smoothly place Xiao Jun in the mayor's position and Xiao Lang as the secretary, a position that could soon be achieved.

"I've done everything according to your instructions. Isn't it time you kept your part of the deal and no longer harmed Sister Mingyue?"

Song Qiqi smiled as she looked at her, "Of course. As long as Sister Mingyue doesn't appear in the city again, her past misdeeds are forgiven. But you'd better hope she never shows up again."

Su Xiao: "You're still going to take her down. Song Qiqi, you're not trustworthy at all!"

Song Qiqi slammed her hands on the desk, standing up abruptly, "I've made the most significant compromise. What more do you want? Su Xiao... Don't take advantage of being my sister and keep pushing your luck. I have limits to my patience!"

"I am your sister. You should think of me in everything, not some outsider. What did Sister Mingyue do to get you all to follow her? I don't understand, what is it about her that is so attractive."

Su Xiao: "Admit it, you're jealous of her. Your appearance doesn't come close to hers, and your kindness is nothing compared to hers. Simply because she never harms anyone, you will never be able to match her."

With that, Su Xiao turned and left the president's office, leaving Song Qiqi seething as papers flew across the desk...

Su Xiao had thought many times about where Sister Mingyue had gone.

The man who had taken her away had appeared at the wedding in a white suit, a beautiful woman in the guise of a man. She had seen it with her own eyes.

Did Song Qiqi really find Sister Mingyue, or was this just a means to pressure Su Xiao into marrying Xiao Lang?

And could she still trust Xiao Lang?

Su Xiao looked up at Xiao Lang, who was searching through files, her eyes dimming. She needed to take the initiative. Qi Cheng had said, "The moment something happens, your subconscious will tell you what to do."

Su Xiao felt that this was the right time. She needed to find the man named Xu Zekai to learn where Sister Mingyue was.

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（未完待續，約1500字）