The next afternoon, as it was nearing the end of the workday, Susu saw Xu Shishi standing at her office door, waving at her.
"Sister Susu, just finished a call with your husband? You look so happy," Xu Shishi said with a smile as she walked into the office.
Susu nodded and replied, "We're an old married couple, what's there to be happy about?"
"You and your husband are still so young, how can you call yourselves an old married couple? You're so affectionate, it makes me long for love and marriage too."
"I'm not as young as you," Susu smiled and asked, "By the way, what's up?"
"A new batch of ready-to-wear clothes has arrived. I've already sorted and hung them. Would you like to see them yourself?"
"Okay." Susu got up, ready to personally re-inspect them. She also had something to tell Xu Shishi. "Little Xu, I have some things to attend to tonight and need to leave early. If it's convenient for you, could you go to that boutique store after work and process the sales figures for the past two days?"
Xu Shishi agreed, "No problem, leave it to me. You can rest assured."
"I'll consider this overtime for you, as it encroaches on your personal time."
"No need, I'm just idle by myself after work anyway."
"That won't do. One thing at a time. It's settled then." Susu was not the kind of boss who would exploit her employees.
...
A little past six in the evening, Susu and Qin Tianyi changed into formal attire and arrived at the Shu Group's centennial celebration banquet.
As they entered the brightly lit venue, Susu realized it was her first time attending such a banquet as Mrs. Qin.
She straightened her back, not daring to be negligent. Since they were here, she couldn't let Tianyi lose face.
The celebrities and wealthy individuals in the venue made Susu's head spin; she couldn't recognize any of RJ's top executives.
Qin Tianyi noticed her searching gaze and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, I'll ask for you later what RJ's executives look like. It would be best if we could find someone to introduce us."
"It's okay. It's great if I can meet them tonight, but it doesn't matter if I don't."
"I understand. You rely on your own strength."
Susu smiled sweetly at him, "Mr. Qin flatters me."
This time, Susu didn't hide in a corner avoiding interaction. Instead, she confidently accompanied Qin Tianyi as they mingled.
Shu Yan, who was with Jia Nanfang, saw Susu and Qin Tianyi interacting with guests with ease, and her gaze grew increasingly gloomy.
Qin Tianyi received an invitation from their Shu family? Not only did he come, but he also brought that damned Gu Susu.
Had her father already reconciled with Qin Tianyi?
She seized the opportunity when Jia Nanfang was free and asked, "Mom, why did Qin Tianyi bring that woman tonight? Isn't Dad planning to take over Aoxiang?"
Jia Nanfang also saw Qin Tianyi and Gu Susu and said dismissively, "In the business world, there are no eternal enemies or friends. Your father wants to cooperate with him on a major project again."
"But Dad knows how much he bullied me, his daughter, yet he can still cooperate with him. Does he even care about me?" Shu Yan said with extreme dissatisfaction.
Jia Nanfang advised her, "Don't act like a spoiled child. Your father has forgiven you after much effort, so be content. Besides, the group's affairs are not for you to comment on. Don't cause any more trouble."
Shu Yan reluctantly replied, "Oh."
Although Shu Zhongze had acknowledged her mother's status and seemed to favor them, he still hadn't arranged for her to work at the Shu Group.
Instead, her half-siblings, whose mothers were unknown, all held positions within the Shu Group.
What kind of logic was this? She felt indignant.
Susu had also seen Shu Yan long ago, but she didn't provoke Shu Yan this time, following Kang Xi's advice to stay away from such people.
Once she had concrete evidence, Shu Yan would have no choice but to admit her guilt.
Before long, the lights on the stage in front lit up, while the lights elsewhere dimmed.
The large screen on the stage began playing a promotional video about the Shu Group's hundred-year history, showcasing precious photos from its founding by the Shu ancestors.
Susu, curious about the Shu Group's century-long history, couldn't help but look at the big screen.
When a photo of Shu Zhongze's mother in her youth appeared on the screen, Susu was inexplicably drawn to this beautiful woman, feeling a sense of inexplicable familiarity.
"She looks a lot like you," Qin Tianyi exclaimed softly beside her.
He felt there was no need to investigate further about Susu's biological father. All they needed to do was find a way to obtain Shu Zhongze's DNA and compare it with Susu's, and the truth would be revealed.
Susu asked, "I look like Shu Yan's grandmother?"
"Beautiful women all look alike," Qin Tianyi said jokingly. "Except for you, I'm face-blind to all other women."
"Oh, you don't need to explain. I won't be jealous if you praise Shu Yan's grandmother." Susu smiled at him. "She has long passed away, so why would I be jealous?"
"I knew Mrs. Qin was the most beautiful and generous."
"You're being glib." Susu, too lazy to argue with him, continued to look at the big screen, observing the Shu Group's century of history. It truly was a journey through trials and tribulations that led to the establishment of such a large group today.
The successive generations of the Shu family had held onto the bottom line and principles of an enterprise and a businessman during major eras and turning points, which was the foundation of their century-long legacy. She couldn't help but admire the older generation of the Shu family.
However, how could descendants like Shu Yan have emerged in this generation? It was truly a disgrace to the Shu family!
Qin Tianyi couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth about her background. If she were to learn that Shu Yan might be her half-sister, and yet they were planning to bring Shu Yan to justice, she would feel distressed.
Before confirming her father-daughter relationship with Shu Zhongze, he decided it was best not to tell her about it yet.
Moreover, given Shu Zhongze's character, even if it were proven that Susu was his biological daughter, he might not acknowledge her, which would only cause Susu further heartache.
As solemn music began to play, the Shu Group's centennial celebration officially commenced.
The Shu family had prepared various performances, promotions, and commemorative content, leaving the audience dazzled.
The final segment was Shu Zhongze and his wife taking the stage to deliver their address. Shu Yan was stopped at the bottom of the stage.
Although Shu Zhongze had not kept her under house arrest, he had not allowed her on stage either. There had been too much negative news about her recently, and he couldn't afford any mishaps at the meticulously planned celebration.
In fact, he was thoroughly disappointed in Shu Yan. He had always felt she was not a suitable candidate to inherit the Shu Group, believing she should simply be a well-behaved daughter at home and filial to him.
But he never expected her to fail even at that, acting so foolishly for a man that she disregarded her own reputation and that of the Shu family.
He had already decided that if Shu Yan couldn't get married, he would send her abroad and never allow her to return to Lancheng, no matter what.
Seeing that she couldn't go on stage and that her mother couldn't help her, Shu Yan felt extremely distressed. It seemed her father was completely disappointed in her and would no longer dote on her.