From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Su Qing, with a stubborn expression, said without hesitation:

"I'm not going back. I said I'd live alone this year. You promised, and now you're going back on your word and interfering in my life. Who's really being unreasonable here?"

"you!!!"

Su's father looked embarrassed and was speechless.

I stood beside Su Qing and could feel her hand, which was holding my arm, trembling slightly.

She appears strong, stubborn, and unyielding on the surface, but inside she is seething with resentment.

Who in the world can remain calm and unmoved when their own parents publicly tell them that they "don't have this daughter"?

Seeing her trying so hard to stay upright, my heart softened, and I immediately took a step forward to stand beside her.

Looking directly at Su's parents, he said calmly, "Uncle, Aunt, I know you don't like me. I'm just an ordinary person, so it's normal for you to have concerns. But I implore you both to listen to me for a few words."

Su's father let out a cold snort, his face full of impatience, but he did not interrupt, which was tantamount to acknowledging my right to speak.

I seized the opportunity to speak: "You suddenly came to our door today and forced Su Qing to go home. I know without a doubt who's behind it. Fang Heng has been secretly watching our every move, and he's never stopped."

Su's mother frowned suddenly, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

I continued:

"He doesn't genuinely care about Su Qing's situation at all; he's just unwilling to be rejected by Su Qing and can't save face."

"So he deliberately sowed discord, instigated you to come and force Su Qing to compromise, and tried every means to create trouble for us."

Both of you are men of status and stature. Are you really willing to be used as pawns by a junior, forcing your own daughter into this situation? If this gets out, will outsiders laugh at the Fang family, or your Su family?

After I finished speaking, Su's father's expression visibly changed slightly.

He still didn't refute me, clearly having taken my words to heart.

Su Qing immediately took over the conversation, her tone still firm, the previous hostility gone:

"Dad, Mom, I only have one thing to say. I won't go back, and I won't let Fang Heng lead me by the nose. You are my biological parents, and I'll accept whatever you say to me..."

"But I will never allow an outsider to interfere in my life or dictate my choices."

It's clear that Su Qing didn't really want to sever ties. Those resolute words she just uttered were just angry outbursts made when her parents pushed her to the brink.

The two elders of the Su family were not truly heartless and unwilling to abandon their daughter.

To put it bluntly, they've been in the business world for years and are used to putting profit first.

After being whispered in the Fang family's ear, she was filled with worry that her daughter would suffer and go astray, but she didn't know how to communicate gently and only knew how to express her concern through forceful coercion.

On one side are parents who are domineering and don't know how to show weakness.

On one side is a daughter who has been deprived of love for many years and is extremely rebellious.

Years of estrangement finally culminated in this fierce argument.

After a long while, Su's mother sighed deeply, her complicated gaze sweeping over me before finally settling on Su Qing.

She finally softened her tone and asked gently, "Qingqing, let me tell you something. Tell me honestly, are you really with him?"

The tense atmosphere finally eased a little.

Su Qing slowly released her grip on my arm and gently exhaled, "No."

Upon hearing this, Su's mother's tense brows instantly relaxed, and she quickly asked:

"Then why do you insist on sharing this small courtyard with him? Isn't this just causing misunderstandings?"

Su Qing spread her hands, her face full of helplessness, and said, "I also want a place to stay! But you've cut off all my credit cards and told all my friends that no one dares to help me or take me in. You've cut off all my escape routes, so I have to find a place to stay on my own."

Su's mother turned to look at Su's father, whose face was still gloomy beside her. Seeing that he did not express his opinion, she carefully spoke:

"Then we'll transfer you some money so you can rent a clean and comfortable place. It's really inappropriate for a girl like you to share an apartment with a strange guy."

"No need." Su Qing refused without hesitation. "We agreed that I wouldn't spend a single penny of your family's money for a year, and I mean it. Once I earn my own money, I'll move out."

She paused, deliberately softening her tone, and explained, "I'm only staying here temporarily. The rooms are spacious and we won't disturb each other. Lin Ye and I are just roommates."

"Easy for you to say!"

Suppressing his anger, Su's father couldn't help but retort coldly, "A young woman and a single young man living in the same courtyard, what will people say if word gets out? Don't you care about your reputation at all?"

Su Qing raised her head confidently and said frankly, "I have done nothing wrong. Even if people gossip, it is I who will lose face, and I will bear the consequences myself."

"You're really going to drive me crazy!" Su's father gritted his teeth, his face full of disappointment.

Mother Su quickly patted Father Su's shoulder to comfort him, then looked at Su Qing and earnestly advised her:

"Even if you don't care about gossip, girls should still take care of themselves. Aren't you afraid something might happen?"

After she finished speaking, her gaze fell on me again.

Her eyes were full of wariness, and her words were barbed: "Do you know his background and character? Can you guarantee there won't be any problems if we move in together so abruptly?"

I remained silent as I listened to their prejudiced questions.

I know very well that as parents, it's instinctive to protect our daughters.

Putting myself in her shoes, if I had a daughter, I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable letting her live with a complete stranger.

But after listening, Su Qing looked directly at her mother and said, word by word:

"I know his character well. If he really has bad intentions, I admit it. It was my own fault for misjudging him, and I don't blame anyone else."

These words instantly reignited Su's father's anger.

He raised his hand, pointing tremblingly at Su Qing, then turned to Su's mother, his face filled with heartache:

"Listen to this! Listen carefully to what she's saying! She's completely blinded by greed!"

Su's mother sighed heavily, unusually refraining from blaming Su Qing. Instead, she pulled aside the furious Su's father and whispered, "..."

"Forget it, Lao Su. The child has grown up and has her own thoughts and opinions. If we are too strict, it will only backfire. Let her be."

Su's father stared intently at Su Qing, the disappointment and helplessness in his eyes finally turning into a heavy sigh.

He stopped dwelling on Su Qing, turned to look directly at me, and gave me a blatant warning:

"Kid, this is your last warning! If you dare to have even the slightest improper thoughts towards Su Qing, or cause her the slightest grievance, or even lose a single hair, I will absolutely not let you off!"

I looked up and met his gaze calmly.

Su Qing immediately stepped forward to protect me, and said with dissatisfaction, "Dad! What right do you have to threaten him? I insisted on living here myself, it has nothing to do with him!"

Looking at his daughter who was protecting him at every turn, Su's father's disappointment deepened. He said coldly, "You'll regret your choice sooner or later. Don't blame me for not warning you beforehand."