From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Faced with my question, Su Qing gently shook her head:

"I don't know the specifics either. I just heard Shanshan mention it casually, saying that there was a problem with one of the company's self-developed drugs. I haven't asked about the details yet."

My heart skipped a beat, and I said, "No way? A pharmaceutical company's self-developed drug has a problem? This is no small matter! If this is confirmed, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Seeing my serious expression, Su Qing appeared remarkably calm, shrugging gently and saying, "It's just a rumor, there's no concrete evidence yet, don't be so nervous, it should be nothing serious."

She spoke casually, but I knew in my heart that there was no smoke without fire.

The pharmaceutical industry is inherently one with extremely low tolerance for error. Developing drugs in-house involves multiple stages, and any problem in any one of them can cause significant trouble.

At best, it could result in hefty compensation payments and business suspension; at worst, it could lead to criminal charges.

However, Su Qing didn't bring it up again, so I wisely didn't ask any further questions.

Su Qing sat back down at her computer and continued working. I tried to persuade her to stop and take a break, but she always shook her head and said she was fine, refusing to put down her work.

Looking at the faint dark circles under her eyes, I felt both heartache and helplessness.

I decided to go to the market, buy some fresh vegetables, and cook a meal myself to treat her well.

Not far from our little riverside courtyard, there is a convenient vegetable market.

It was the peak time for grocery shopping in the evening, and the whole market was bustling with noise. The shouts of vendors and the sounds of customers bargaining mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

I wandered among the rows of stalls, slowly picking out the crisp and tender green vegetables, and then walked to the seafood stall, carefully selecting a few fresh crucian carp.

After instructing the boss to scale and gut the fish thoroughly, I also cut a piece of soft tofu, thinking I could make a pot of crucian carp and tofu soup.

As I walked back carrying two large, heavy bags of groceries, the sunset slowly unfolded on the horizon, casting a gentle pinkish-purple glow.

Such a peaceful and fulfilling life was something I wouldn't have dared to dream of before.

In the past, when I lived alone, I would cook for myself, but that was just to fill my stomach; the taste and the mood were completely different.

But as I approached the courtyard, I immediately spotted a Maybach parked quietly by the roadside.

I recognized the car, and a bad feeling suddenly welled up inside me.

I quickened my pace, and before I even stepped into the yard, I could hear arguing coming from inside the house through the fence.

"Qingqing, what are you really thinking?"

Hearing that voice, my heart tightened suddenly.

She is Su Qing's mother.

No wonder this Maybach looked familiar.

Immediately afterward, Su Qing's voice rang out, carrying a hint of suppressed grievance:

"I've said it so many times, I'm doing great now. Didn't we agree to give him a month? Why did you find us so quickly? What's the meaning of this?"

Su's father's voice followed, deep and heavy, carrying a sense of oppression:

"The one-month period we initially agreed to was just a temporary measure. Your sister also advised us against it, saying we didn't want to put too much pressure on you all at once."

After a pause, Su's father continued, "We're doing this for your own good. You say you're happy with him, but let me ask you, honestly, are you really happy?"

"Of course I'm happy!" Su Qing replied without the slightest hesitation.

"You can't go back on your word! We agreed to give him a month to handle things. He's already dealt with all the online criticism. What makes you think it was just a delaying tactic?"

Su's mother continued, "One thing at a time. The public outcry has subsided, but he is still..."

"That's enough!"

Su Qing suddenly raised her voice, interrupting her mother directly, her voice trembling slightly:

"I'll say it one last time: you have no right to interfere with my choices. I haven't become a burden to you. If you simply feel that following Lin Ye has brought shame to the Su family, then I have nothing to explain."

"Please leave, I have a lot of work to do."

Standing outside the door, listening to these words, my heart ached.

I know that Su Qing has shouldered a lot of pressure being with me, the most prominent of which is the resistance from her parents.

I never expected that the agreed-upon one-month period was merely a stopgap measure to keep Su Qing in check.

These words, once they entered my ears, were like a cold, sharp knife, piercing my heart.

Ultimately, her parents still looked down on me, feeling that I was not good enough for Su Qing and that I had brought shame to the Su family.

I couldn't refute it; in terms of family background alone, there was indeed an insurmountable gap between me and Su Qing.

I stood frozen outside the iron gate of the courtyard, carrying a heavy plastic bag in my hand.

The plastic handle squeezed my palm tightly, leaving a red mark that throbbed slightly.

The crucian carp in the bag wasn't completely dead yet; it occasionally twitched slightly.

These are all the most ordinary ingredients, the kind that bring warmth and comfort, yet they weigh me down so much that my wrists ache and my chest feels tight, making it hard to breathe.

A stopgap measure.

Those four words are like a needle, pricking my nerves again and again.

I wasn't unprepared mentally.

From the moment I met Su Qing, I knew that the Su family was very wealthy.

I was just a penniless, struggling young man who had to fight my way up.

I had anticipated that her parents would have a hard time accepting me.

During the initial negotiations, they personally promised me a month to produce results.

I naively thought it was a fair assessment, an opportunity for me to get closer to Su Qing.

Only now do I realize that from beginning to end, it was just a delaying tactic to keep Su Qing calm.

The courtyard was quiet for a few seconds, then Su's mother let out a suppressed sigh.

"Qingqing, it's not that we think he's a bad person, we're just afraid. We're afraid that you'll ruin your future by acting impulsively. Love can't put food on the table."

Su's father's voice came again, his tone deliberately slowing as he suppressed his anger:

"Our Su family isn't so materialistic as to force you to marry into a wealthy family. At the very least, the other party's vision and financial situation must be on par with yours. Look at yourself now, buried in a fledgling small company, working yourself to the bone, your dark circles getting worse every day. You never used to have to suffer like this!"

"I am willing to suffer! I am the one who voluntarily works hard with him, not the other way around!" Su Qing's answer was still crisp and firm.

Su's mother's tone became more forceful: "But we can't bear to! We've raised you for over twenty years, how can we bear to watch you gamble on a future with no clear outcome? Even if Lin Ye temporarily suppresses the online criticism, what about afterwards?"

"Starting a business is no simple matter. What if you fail? And what about the feud with the Fang family? Can that thorn really be removed completely?"

Every word, every single syllable, fell into my ears.

I stood outside the door, caught in a dilemma, unsure whether I should push the door open and go in.

If I go in, how should I start the conversation?

Should I humble myself and plead with them to give me a chance?

I'll stand tall and argue with them. I'm sure I can give Su Qing a stable and happy life.

But no matter which one, they all seem particularly pale and powerless.

Arguing about one's origins will only bring shame upon oneself; talking about the future is just empty talk.