The Huo family owned a five-star hotel, a singular establishment found only in Shenzhen. It wasn't part of a chain; rather, the Huo family had invested heavily to create this one-of-a-kind, largest-scale hotel in the country. To call it luxurious would be an understatement; it was akin to a palace, perhaps even more opulent than a presidential residence.
The car pulled up slowly to the hotel's rear entrance. In stark contrast to the bustling main entrance, the back was deserted, occupied only by large trucks delivering supplies. Su Qi sat in the car for a moment, preparing to open the door.
"Be careful. I'll be monitoring everything inside."
"Mm."
Su Qi nodded faintly. Sheng Yuchen released his hand. Su Qi opened the car door, the click echoing as it swung open. Just as she began to exit, she paused, returning to her seat. "I have a question for you."
"Please, ask away?" Sheng Yuchen smiled slightly, raising an eyebrow.
"What is your relationship with the Huo family? Is Sheng Yuxue your mother?"
Su Qi almost blurted out the question.
But she held back, adjusting her evening gown. Instead, she asked, "What if I fail tonight?"
"You won't," Sheng Yuchen stated with absolute certainty, his smile widening.
"Why are you so sure?"
"I've been planning this for a long time."
"Why?"
Su Qi frowned, puzzled. Why was this man targeting the Xu family so intensely?
"Is Xu Linyun your ex?"
"Let's just say she was my ex. There are some things I can't tell you yet. You should go."
Sheng Yuchen clearly wished to avoid the question, his voice deepening to a husky tone.
Su Qi then pushed open the door and stepped out, Sheng Yuchen's words from a few days prior echoing in her mind.
"I will help you defeat the Xu family and get your revenge. Your enemies are my enemies."
"What do you want? Why are you helping me?"
"I want nothing. I just want to help you. It's that simple."
"I don't believe you. What is your true motive?"
"If I said I have none, would you believe me?"
Of course, she didn't believe him. Sheng Yuchen's appearance was no coincidence.
Sheng Yuxue...
She must have a connection to Sheng Yuchen.
Given Sheng Yuchen's relationship with Sheng Yuxue, and Sheng Yuxue's ambiguous connection with Huo Qingrang...
Sheng Yuchen had to be Sheng Yuxue's biological son, and Huo Qingrang's son as well!
No, he was likely an illegitimate son!
Su Qi wasn't exceptionally brilliant, but she wasn't foolish enough to miss this.
Sheng Yuchen's help in her revenge must have an ulterior motive, perhaps not directed at the Xu family, but at the Huo family.
She held no deep-seated hatred for the Huo family, but to contend with Huo Tingyun and escape his control, allying with Sheng Yuchen was her only option.
Su Qi walked into the hotel from the rear entrance, her mind racing with thoughts.
The Stine Hotel was unusually lively today. Su Qi had been here a few times before, but due to its vastness, it had always felt sparsely populated. Today, however, there were many guests and numerous media reporters. The expansive hotel ballroom was packed, and the number of security and service staff had also increased.
As Su Qi walked down the corridor, she encountered someone after only a few steps.
She hadn't expected Xu Ruyun to be present today.
She had heard that Xu Ruyun had been staying at the hospital, tirelessly caring for Xu Qingfeng.
Xu Qingfeng had been in a coma since the car accident and had not yet awakened.
He couldn't even attend his own daughter's engagement party.
Su Qi stopped, offering a gentle smile. "Madam Xu, good evening!"
Her greeting was far from friendly; in Xu Ruyun's eyes, it was a blatant provocation.
Xu Qingfeng was still lying in the hospital, unconscious, all because of this woman!
Xu Ruyun's teeth gnashed together. She strode forward and slapped Su Qi across her beautiful face.
"Slap—"
"How dare you show your face here?! You slut! Get out! Who invited you? What do you think you are? You're not even worthy to walk on this carpet!"
Su Qi had already moved to dodge, but Xu Ruyun's hand still grazed her cheek.
It stung, a burning sensation.
Yet, Su Qi seemed unfazed by the pain. She lifted her delicate face, her cheek slightly swollen, which did nothing to diminish her beauty.
"Madam Xu, do you know the saying, 'Heaven's wrath can be forgiven, but one's own misdeeds cannot be borne'!"
Xu Ruyun had tampered with the brakes. If not for that, how could Xu Qingfeng have been in a car accident?
"You can only blame yourself!"
Su Qi's lips curled into a cold smile.
Xu Ruyun's expression shifted from shock to panic.
She hadn't expected Su Qi to see through everything. She hadn't left any trace!
"I'll remember this slap. We'll settle old and new scores later!"
"You..."
As Xu Ruyun prepared to make another move, footsteps sounded from behind.
"Mom? Xiao Su? What are you doing?"
Xu Linchuan had come looking for Xu Ruyun and was surprised to see Su Qi there. He stopped, his brow furrowing as he looked at Su Qi's face. It wasn't because Su Qi wore light makeup today, making her even more stunning than usual, but because of her swollen cheek.
"Mom! What did you do to Su Qi this time!"
Xu Linchuan's anger flared. He grabbed Xu Ruyun's hand. If the woman before him weren't his mother, he feared he wouldn't be able to control his emotions. Even with his gentlemanly demeanor, it was difficult not to lash out at her.
If it weren't for his own mother's interference, he might have already married Su Qi.
"Linchuan, let me explain..."
"Mom, why do you always target Su Qi whenever you see her? What wrong has Su Qi committed? She's done nothing to the Xu family. Xu Linyun's situation is entirely due to Huo Tingyun refusing to divorce. Why can't you let her go!"
"It's not like that, listen to your mother, Su Qi actually..."
She actually harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Xu family!
Su Qi had harmed Xu Qingfeng, which was clear proof that she had known everything all along.
If Su Qi wasn't eliminated, the Xu family would suffer in the future!
Su Qi was no ordinary person; her methods and schemes were no less than her own in her youth...
"Mom, stop talking! Go talk to your daughter."
Xu Linchuan interrupted Xu Ruyun. Xu Ruyun hesitated, wanting to say more, but catching her son's gaze, she swallowed her words. Xu Ruyun cast one last look at Su Qi before turning to leave.
After Xu Ruyun walked away, Xu Linchuan frowned and stepped closer, looking down at Su Qi's cheek. "Does it hurt? Let me apply a cold compress. She didn't mean it. She just loves my sister too much, so she sees you as a thorn in her side."
"I'm fine."
Su Qi subtly turned her head, avoiding Xu Linchuan's outstretched hand.
The man's hand froze in mid-air, remaining there for a long time.