---
Old Master Liang chuckled heartily, his voice echoing warmly in the vast living room, as he read another article on his tablet.
The headlines were explosive: "Su Meilin Confirmed as CEO of Elva Allure—The Power Couple Emerges!" His wrinkled face lit up with pride, his fingers tapping the screen as if Su Meilin were his own granddaughter.
"She's got grace, wisdom, and the kind of poise you rarely see in young women these days. The girl knows when to speak and when to hold her silence. That's rare. I couldn't have chosen a better future granddaughter-in-law if I tried."
Just then, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the hallway. The conversation paused.
Click.
The door opened smoothly, and in walked Su Meilin.
Dressed in her perfectly tailored maroon suit that hugged her figure modestly yet fashionably, she looked every bit the poised and graceful lady the old man had been describing.
Her hair was swept into a simple yet elegant chignon, and a soft smile played on her lips.
Liang Qianyu sprang up from her seat, her eyes lighting up as she ran toward her. "Sister-in-law!"
Su Meilin's cheeks tinged a delicate pink at the title. "Qianyu," she greeted warmly.
She then turned toward the old man, bowing politely. "Grandpa Liang."
The old man's face lit up even more, his eyes crinkling with joy. "Ah, Meilin! You're truly my chosen granddaughter-in-law. Look at you, so refined and accomplished! I've seen the news. You're amazing?!!"
Su Meilin smiled, lowering her head humbly. "I'm just doing my best to be worthy of Yexuan."
Old Master Liang laughed heartily, his chest puffed up with pride. "Worthy? Child, you're more than worthy! In fact, I think it's high time I talk to your grandfather. Let's push forward the engagement. Or better yet—let's go straight to the wedding! You two have been engaged since childhood anyway!"
Su Meilin's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise before she lowered them with a soft smile. "Grandpa's arrangements are my arrangements."
"Good! Good girl!" the old man beamed.
At the side, Liang Qianyu's smile began to falter.
Her fingers clenched the hem of her dress as she lowered her head, masking the ugly twist in her expression.
Marriage? We'll see about that...
—
From the kitchen, Madam Liang emerged, wiping her hands with a silk napkin.
Her eyes swept over the lively scene and paused slightly on Su Meilin before forming a small smile.
"Meilin, you're here. What's the occasion that has everyone so excited this morning?"
Before Su Meilin could speak, Old Master Liang waved the tablet in the air. "She just went public as the CEO of Elva Allure. Have you seen the news? It's everywhere!"
"Oh?" Madam Liang's eyes flicked to the tablet, then back at Su Meilin. "That's… impressive."
Liang Qianyu seized the moment and ran to her mother's side. "Mama, look! Look at this video! She's trending!"
She shoved her phone forward, showing the clips of Su Meilin walking confidently alongside Yiren, the flashbulbs capturing every second.
The older woman nodded as she viewed the clips of Su Meilin's graceful launch speech and glowing coverage, though her eyes lacked genuine sparkle. "It's quite the achievement."
Su Meilin caught the subtle reserve in Madam Liang's tone but said nothing.
She simply smiled with practiced elegance.
Old Master Liang leaned back in his seat, satisfied. "I was just saying… it's time for Yexuan to settle down. Why delay the wedding when the whole world already sees them as a pair?"
Madam Liang's smile stiffened. "That's a good idea, Father. But… perhaps we should ask Yexuan himself. You know how temperamental he can be. If we rush this, it might backfire."
The old man sighed thoughtfully. "Yes, that's true. He's still a bit too cold. I'll talk to him myself. He respects me."
Relief briefly flashed in Madam Liang's eyes.
She turned back to Su Meilin. "Will you stay for lunch, Meilin?"
Su Meilin smiled politely. "Thank you, Aunty Liang, but I was actually going out with Qianyu. We're going to meet Yexuan for lunch instead."
Old Man Liang clapped his hands together. "Excellent idea! Go, go! Youth is fleeting—enjoy it while you can!"
Su Meilin blushed and let Qianyu pull her away, unaware of the way Madam Liang's smile dimmed the moment their backs were turned.
As the front door closed behind them, silence fell over the dining room again.
Old Man Liang leaned back in his chair, letting out a contented sigh.
"That girl… she's the very definition of a proper wife. Quiet but smart. Soft-spoken but firm. You can't fake that kind of upbringing. Elva Allure's launch was just the cherry on top. I'd say Yexuan is lucky, but truth be told, we're the lucky ones."
He then glanced at the screen again. "What a match. Su Meilin is like a rose that blooms even in winter. Dignified, elegant, and smart. She'll help Yexuan break through that cold shell of his. Their children would be brilliant."
"They'll be the most envied couple in the country," he added with a knowing chuckle.
But Madam Liang didn't respond.
"I'll call Old Su later today," he added. "We can start making arrangements."
Madam Liang excused herself to the kitchen again.
---
Meanwhile, at the towering Liang Corporation headquarters, the air was crisp and still inside the CEO's office.
Liang Yexuan sat behind his sleek black desk, typing rapidly on his laptop.
The sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the matte floor tiles.
His tailored black shirt stretched across his shoulders as he leaned forward, eyes focused, expression unreadable.
A quiet knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Jin Shu stepped in, a stack of documents in his arms and a slightly hesitant expression on his face.
"Put them down," Liang Yexuan said without looking up.
Jin Shu obeyed, placing the documents neatly on the desk.
But he didn't leave.
Liang Yexuan glanced up. "Something else?"
Jin Shu drew a slow breath and handed over a MacBook.
Raising a brow, Liang Yexuan took it and looked at the screen.
It was a video—one of the many trending ones showing Su Meilin stepping out beside Yiren.
Liang Yexuan stared at the screen for a moment, his expression neutral but distant.
Then he looked at Jin Shu, eyes narrowing.
"Why are you showing me this?"
Jin Shu cleared his throat. "Sir… Su Meilin is the CEO of Elva Allure."
Liang Yexuan's brow rose higher. "So?"
Jin Shu hesitated again. "Due to your engagement being public knowledge… her influence has affected Liang Conglomerate's stocks. They've risen since the announcement. The media is abuzz with questions. People are starting to speculate about the wedding. Social media's asking for an announcement."
There was a pause.
Liang Yexuan leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "Don't comment. Don't confirm or deny. Let them speculate."
Jin Shu nodded. "Understood."
"Let's focus on that tumor now," Liang Yexuan said, his tone shifting coldly. "Do we have everything we need?"
"Yes. All the evidence is compiled. We've tracked the connections, the dummy accounts, the fund redirections—everything."
Liang Yexuan's eyes glinted. "Good. Proceed as planned. Don't let them catch wind of it until it's too late."
Jin Shu gave a firm nod and left.
The moment the door clicked shut, Liang Yexuan turned his chair to face the window, gazing out at the distant city skyline.
---