Chapter 19

Chapter 19

As she finished speaking, the man’s eyelids fluttered open. He glanced at her casually, a smile playing on his lips. "Who said I’m free? I’m working overtime during the Labor Day break."

Su Su narrowed her eyes, her voice tinged with curiosity. "May Day is a national holiday. You mean you don’t get it off?"

"That’s outrageous!"

Tao Youming shifted, finding a more comfortable position, his eyes glinting. "Of course, everyone else at the company gets the holiday, but I have to work."

Su Su frowned slightly, studying his unreadable expression, feeling a little confused.

Why was he so unfazed?

"So, you can’t go?" she asked.

Tao Youming nodded. "No, I’m very busy."

"That’s a shame," Su Su said, her gaze sweeping over his face before she smiled. "When I went yesterday, I saw a teacher called 'Super Handsome' who looked exactly like you. I actually thought it was you."

At her words, Tao Youming stiffened slightly. A fleeting look of surprise crossed his eyes, then he quickly reasoned that the single photo they had of him couldn't possibly reveal his identity.

After a brief thought, he straightened up, his expression calm, and looked at her, saying bluntly, "What are you thinking? How could I possibly be in a place like that?"

Su Su was momentarily stunned by his response, then suddenly found it quite logical. Tao Youming was into racing and entertainment; why would he ever be in such a place?

"If you want to do charity, I can find someone to go with you," Tao Youming added. "I’ll be very busy during May Day."

His words completely dispelled Su Su’s suspicion. If Tao Youming truly were that "Super Handsome Teacher," why would he bother hiding it?

She scrunched her nose, glaring at him. "Fine, if you won’t go, then forget it. No need to send someone else—the orphanage might not even want them."

Tao Youming lowered his gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly before he fell silent.

Su Su pushed the matter aside, deciding to complete her community service immediately after Qi Yu’s birthday banquet.

So, that afternoon after class, she sent Zhou Xin the final schedule for their visit to the orphanage.

That evening, returning to the villa, Liu Cailing stopped her before she could even enter the door.

Liu Cailing urgently pulled her aside, whispering, "Young miss, Grandma Su is back—and she brought Han Yunna with her!"

Upon hearing this, Su Su’s mind automatically brought up information about the old lady.

Grandma Su was Su Yaobo’s mother, nearly ninety but incredibly robust. She had outlived one daughter, and when her youngest fell ill, she insisted on visiting her personally.

Fortunately, the journey wasn’t far, and Su Yaobo had arranged for her transport. She was originally supposed to return after May Day, but unexpectedly came back early.

Han Yunna was the daughter of the original Su Su’s cousin—technically a generation younger but two years older in age.

Su Su pulled herself from her thoughts and looked at Liu Cailing, asking suspiciously, "So what if she’s back? Why are you making such a fuss?"

Seeing Su Su’s calm demeanor, Liu Cailing pressed on, "But she’s definitely here to take your bags, clothes, and perfumes again! Should I hide them?"

Su Su let out an "Oh," then tilted her head. "You said someone else came too?"

"Han Yunna!" Liu Cailing quickly replied.

Grandma Su’s youngest daughter had married poorly, and the Su family often provided financial aid to the Han family. The Hans, however, were far from modest—Han Yunna frequently used visits to the Su household as an opportunity to exploit the original Su Su, which was why the original Su Su looked down on her.

Su Su immediately agreed. "Alright, hide all my new items."

With that, she stepped into the living room, where her freeloading cousin and the robust old lady sat on the sofa, their dark eyes fixed on her.

Su Su approached them, greeting them with a polite but distant attitude.

Grandma Su’s wrinkled face deepened its creases, her tone displeased. "Why are you wearing so little? Your legs are completely exposed!"

Su Su paused, glancing down at her outfit: a sleeveless top, shorts, and flat shoes—very simple attire.

Zhang Liqi’s expression turned sour. "Mom, it’s so hot. Wearing shorts is perfectly normal."

Grandma Su glared at Zhang Liqi. "Look at her legs—they’re practically bare up to her thighs! Couldn’t she wear longer pants?"

The old lady spoke to Zhang Liqi with an impolite, imperious arrogance.

Grandma Su had always disliked Zhang Liqi, believing her ordinary background made her unworthy of Su Yaobo. The fact that she had only given birth to one daughter further fueled her dislike, extending it to the original Su Su as well.

Su Su glanced at the white-haired Grandma Su, then said, "Then I’ll go change my pants."

"Wait," Grandma Su called out as she turned to leave. "Is it true you said you wanted to break off the engagement?"

Su Su glanced at Zhang Liqi and Su Yaobo, both of whom looked uncomfortable, then slowly replied, "Yes."

"Mom, we’ve already discussed this with the Tao family. We’re letting the children handle it privately," Su Yaobo quickly said with a strained smile. "Su Su just got home; you should let her rest."

Grandma Su looked at Su Yaobo, a surge of anger rising within her. If she hadn’t returned early this time, she wouldn’t have known how long this secret would have been kept from her.

"So you just let her do whatever she wants, is that it?" she frowned. "Who was it that shamelessly threw herself at him before? Now you want to break off the engagement—how will the Tao family see us?"

"Mom, must you be so harsh?" Zhang Liqi’s face paled. "Su Su only decided to break off the engagement after thinking it through, and besides, we’ve already discussed it with the Tao family."

"That’s right, Mom," Su Yaobo chimed in. "Besides, Youming has always treated Su Su like a sister, hasn’t he? So we went to the Tao family and let the children decide privately."

"You two have spoiled her rotten!" Grandma Su glared at Su Yaobo. "Giving her whatever she wants, letting her moods swing back and forth—what man could put up with such a temper in the future?"

"Great-Grandma," Han Yunna interjected, hearing their conversation. "You can’t say that. If they don’t like each other, then breaking off the engagement is fine."

"Forcing a marriage would only lead to resentment," she added soothingly. "You can’t blame Auntie entirely—she’s finally come to her senses."

Su Su was momentarily surprised. She looked up at her cousin, whose slightly baby-faced features and well-defined eyes bore a faint resemblance to Su Yaobo.

Was she actually defending her?

"Nana’s right," Su Yaobo quickly said with a smile, then winked at Su Su. "You go upstairs and change your pants first. We’ll eat soon."

Su Su nodded, gave Han Yunna a brief glance, and headed upstairs.

After changing, she suddenly felt a headache coming on. With the old lady back, she knew she’d be subjected to constant nagging from now on.

After dinner that evening, Su Su and Tao Youming set a time for the next day to try on the formal wear for the banquet. Just as she was about to go to bed, there was a knock at her door.

Su Su opened it to find Han Yunna standing outside.

"Su Su," Han Yunna said with a gentle smile. "May I come in?"

After a moment’s thought—Liu Cailing had already hidden all her latest luxury items—Su Su generously invited her inside.

"Su Su, are you really breaking off the engagement this time?" Han Yunna turned to her cousin and asked.

The matter of the broken engagement was no longer a secret between the Tao and Su families, so Su Su nodded. "Yes, why?"

At this, Han Yunna’s heart skipped a beat. "You actually proposed to break it off?"

Su Su nodded. "I really did."

"Oh my god, I can’t believe it!" Han Yunna suddenly grabbed her arm, grinning excitedly. "I told you before, he doesn’t like you, so you should just dump him."

Han Yunna had advised the original Su Su to break off the engagement several times before, but the original Su Su was spineless. After declaring the breakup, she would go crawling back to Tao Youming, claiming it was just a joke.

Su Su felt suspicious—why was Han Yunna even more excited about the breakup than she was?

From what she remembered, the original Su Su and Han Yunna weren’t that close, were they?

Su Su looked at Han Yunna, managing a strained smile. "It’s nothing. If I don’t like it anymore, I’ll just end it."

"Impressive!" Han Yunna gave her a thumbs-up. "Tao Youming has agreed, right?"

Su Su thought for a moment before replying slowly, "We’re still working it out. We’ll discuss it more in a few days."

"What?" Han Yunna looked puzzled. "Why? Does he not agree to break it off?"

Su Su felt that this person was being a bit too nosy and didn't want to explain too much, so she tactfully said, "We haven’t settled it yet."

Han Yunna’s heart tightened slightly. "Alright then. You must stand your ground this time—don’t give that man another chance to mock you."

Han Yunna stayed for a few more minutes before leaving. Su Su thought back and felt something was off—why hadn’t she shown any interest in the things in her room this time?

*

The next afternoon, Su Su had no classes, so she went straight home after her morning lectures.

Apart from Han Yunna, no one else was home.

The energetic grandmother was out for a stroll, while Su Yaobo and Zhang Liqi seemed to have gone to the hospital again.

Su Su had just finished lunch when Tao Youming arrived.

"You’re here so soon?" Su Su had only called him twenty minutes ago and was surprised he arrived so quickly. "I haven’t even put on makeup yet."

Tao Youming glanced at his watch and asked, "How long will your makeup take?"

Su Su hesitated before answering, "About twenty or thirty minutes?"

Tao Youming sank onto the sofa. "Alright, I’ll wait for half an hour!"

Seeing that he wasn’t angry, Su Su hurried upstairs.

An immediate silence fell. Han Yunna cautiously raised her eyes to look at the man sitting on the sofa.

His head was slightly bowed, his fingers endlessly swiping on his phone, giving the impression of being very busy.

From her angle, she could see his strong nose and slightly upturned upper lip.

Her heart beat a little faster, just like the first time she had seen him.

Han Yunna stood up, her hands slightly clenched, and slowly walked over, stopping not far from him. "Third Young Master, would you like some dessert soup?"

The man didn’t react.

Han Yunna felt a slight embarrassment and called out again.

Tao Youming finally looked up, glanced at her, and replied coolly, "No, thank you. I don’t eat it."

Han Yunna looked at him, then returned to her original seat and sat quietly.

After a long while, she looked up at the man across from her, feeling restless.

Soon, she stood up again and walked over, sitting on the sofa beside him.

After hesitating for a moment, she slowly began, "So… Su Su told me about your situation."

Tao Youming hadn’t paid much attention to this relative of the Su family, but hearing her mention him and Su Su, he asked, "What did she tell you?"

Han Yunna looked at his expressionless face and slowly said, "She told me she proposed to break off the engagement."

"Is that all?" Tao Youming asked, his eyes curving slightly.

Han Yunna nodded slightly, then the probing words slipped out, "You know Su Su can be a bit impulsive. She often talks about breaking off engagements, so I hope you won’t take this breakup to heart."

Tao Youming’s expression turned suspicious—what was this woman trying to say?

"What do you mean by ‘impulsive’?" he frowned.

Han Yunna frowned slightly—he hadn't picked up on her hint? What exactly was his stance on the breakup?

Never mind, he didn’t like her anyway!

Han Yunna smiled faintly, her hands on her lap clenching slightly. "She’s been spoiled by my uncle—she just doesn’t always consider other people’s feelings."

"If she’s offended you in any way, I apologize on her behalf."

Tao Youming found this somewhat interesting. Was she badmouthing Su Su?

He knew of this woman but wasn’t familiar with her. He only remembered her frequent visits to the Su household. What nerve did she have to suddenly discuss these matters with him?

What did his relationship with Su Su have to do with her?

Acting like an elder to criticize Su Su?

What authority did she even have?

Apologizing on her behalf?

Heh.

"Is that so?" A hint of coldness flashed in Tao Youming’s eyes. He pulled out his phone, swiped it open, and held it up to her. "See for yourself."

Han Yunna looked confused at the phone he handed her, then heard the man say, "Look, read it out loud."

Han Yunna lowered her gaze. On the screen, in the social media post he had opened, was a line of text: "Su Su, you are the most beautiful, kindest, and most adorable fairy I’ve ever met in my life!"

Her face paled as she read the words.

Was this how Tao Youming saw Su Su? Tao Youming took back his phone and glared at her coldly. "What goes on between me and my wife is none of your damn business. Who asked you to apologize for her?"