My Family Treated Me Like Trash—Then They Learned I Was Secretly Married to the CEO!

Ani Blue Ch

I only wanted a fake marriage to stop my family's constant pressure... but the registry told me I was already legally married.  The bigger shock? My wife was a cold, powerful CEO I'd never even met. While my family treated me like an unwanted son, they had no idea I was hiding a secret that would change everything. Sometimes the people who underestimate you are the ones who regret it the most.  💬 What would you do if you found out you were already married to a complete stranger?  #Manhwa #webtoon #manhua #Anime #comics

Transcript

00:00:00To get my family off my back about getting married, I found a girl online and arranged

00:00:04a fake marriage with her. But, at the marriage registry office, the clerk looked at me with

00:00:08undisguised contempt. You're already married and you want to register again? Are you aware

00:00:12that bigamy is a crime? Walking out of the registry office. I stare at the printed marriage

00:00:17certificate in a daze. The girl beside me sighs regretfully. Mr. Kang, if you're already married,

00:00:22why did you pay me to come here? The deposit is non-refundable. With that, she leaves. I stand

00:00:27there, still unable to process what just happened. I've never even held a girl's hand. How could I

00:00:31possibly be married? I look at the printout again. The man in the photo is undeniably me. The woman

00:00:36listed his name, Sue Ching-Wall. She's beautiful, but I have absolutely no idea who she is. I take

00:00:40a photo and send it to a contact with a black profile picture. Find out who she is. The reply

00:00:45comes instantly, on it. Only then do I push the confusion to the back of my mind. I get on

00:00:49my

00:00:49worn-out electric scooter and cruise slowly into a luxury villa district. The moment I park in a

00:00:54corner, I catch the murmur of servants behind me. Who is that? He's really handsome. Shh! Don't say

00:00:59that. He's the illegitimate son the master refuses to acknowledge. His mother was the other woman.

00:01:04She showed up heavily pregnant demanding a confrontation right when the mistress was about

00:01:08to give birth. It ended up with both women delivering on the same day. That woman has no

00:01:12shame. She spent years making excuses to stay in this house. He, at least, knew his place. He moved

00:01:17out in middle school and hasn't been back in years. No idea what brings him back today. I frown and

00:01:21pretend I heard nothing. Inside the living room, my mother, Lee Ruyin, is waiting at the door.

00:01:25The moment she sees me, she grabs me urgently and pulls me upstairs. Come with me to find your

00:01:29brother first. And you got the marriage certificate, right? I reply flatly. Got it. The bride wasn't who

00:01:34I planned, but technically yes. Good. Remember your place. Sufei Shu is your brother's fiancé. A top-tier

00:01:40family like that is completely beyond what an illegitimate child like you could ever hope for.

00:01:43Only your brother deserves someone like her. Those words bring a flash of contempt to my eyes.

00:01:47Sufei Shui is the legitimate granddaughter of the Su family, Haixing's top dynasty.

00:01:51She pursued me for four years in university. Then on graduation day, she ended up with my

00:01:55brother Kangboda. When Lee Ruyin found out, she demanded I immediately marry someone else

00:01:59to permanently cut off any possibility between me and Sufei Shui. It has always been this way.

00:02:03Whenever my interests and Kangboda's came into even the slightest conflict, Lee Ruyin would demand

00:02:07I back down without question. Because I am illegitimate. My very existence is the original sin.

00:02:12I was conditioned to believe all of this was simply what I deserved. But I woke up from that long

00:02:16ago.

00:02:17I look at Lee Ruyin with a sardonic smile. We agreed. This is the last time. The fault lies

00:02:21with Lee Ruyin. She clung to the Kang household just to see my father every day. She was the one

00:02:26who wanted to curry favor with Kangboda. I will not pay for her choices with my own life. This time,

00:02:30I'm settling the debt of being born to her and making a clean break. Lee Ruyin waves me off

00:02:34impatiently. Fine. Fine. While we're talking, we arrive at Kangboda's room. Kangboda looks up when he

00:02:39sees me. Nanju, what brings you here? I'm about to answer when Lee Ruyin cuts in.

00:02:43Boda? Nanju got married today. Kangboda looks surprised. That fast? Who is she? Better than

00:02:48Fakshu? Lee Ruyin snorts. Impossible. There's no one in all of Haicheng with a better pedigree than

00:02:53Miss Su. What kind of respectable family would take him? That girl is just some street nobody.

00:02:57He didn't even dare bring her here. Afraid her shabby appearance would offend you.

00:03:01Kangboda says with a tinge of jealousy. Come on. Nanju is good-looking enough. Otherwise,

00:03:05why would Fakshu have chased him for four years? What good is looks? With his background,

00:03:09the only women willing to marry him are the kind you'd find anywhere.

00:03:12Miss Su was just treating him as a toy, nothing more. Only you, Boda, are truly worthy of Miss Su.

00:03:17I frown. The woman in the photo looks nothing like what Lee Ruyin just described. But I can't

00:03:21be bothered to argue over something so tedious. Just then, Kangboda finishes fastening his watch.

00:03:26He reaches for his dress shoes but finds his shirt too tight to bend down comfortably.

00:03:29Kangboda gives a slight smile and looks at me. Lee Ruyin shoves me immediately. Useless,

00:03:34still so oblivious. Your brother can't bend down. Go put his shoes on for him. Again.

00:03:38Does Lee Ruyin still think I'm the same ignorant little boy who took every blow without fighting back?

00:03:41I keep my expression blank and let the impatience bleed into my voice.

00:03:44You can put them on for him yourself. Kang Nanju, what kind of attitude is that?

00:03:48Think getting married means you've grown too big for your boots? That wife of yours is just a gold

00:03:52digger. You'll be crawling back to the Kang family sooner or later. If you don't stay on good terms

00:03:56with your brother now, the day will come when you and your wife are begging at his feet.

00:03:59The Kang family raised you. The least you can do is work yourself to the bone for them.

00:04:03Before I can respond, my father Kang Wenjong appears in the doorway. He frowns.

00:04:07We have an important guest arriving soon. What is all this noise? Kang Boda says nothing.

00:04:11Lee Ruyin breaks into dramatic weeping. It's this wretched boy. He got his marriage certificate

00:04:16today and now he has no respect for his own mother. At that, Kang Wenjong's gaze shifts

00:04:20to me. Getting married without letting the family arrange anything. Do you have the certificate?

00:04:24Let me see it. Faced with the stranger's version of fatherly concern, I pause, then pull out the

00:04:29printed copy from my bag. But Lee Ruyin snatches it before he can take it. Let me see the name

00:04:33of

00:04:33this nobody you married. Kang Boda asks curiously, Dad, who's coming? You seem unusually nervous.

00:04:38Kang Wenjong thinks of the arriving guest and immediately straightens with a sense of deep

00:04:42honor. He says the name with barely contained excitement, Su Ching-wol. The moment I hear

00:04:46that name, I freeze. Kang Wenjong sees our blank looks and says proudly, It's normal if you don't

00:04:50know her. Even I have never met her in person. She's quite mysterious. She is Su Feshu's aunt,

00:04:55only 28 years old, and already the true power behind the Su family. Lee Ruyin gasps.

00:05:00Then isn't she an even better match for Boda? The head of the family outranks any granddaughter.

00:05:05Kang Wenjong snaps. What nonsense are you talking about? Su Ching-wol is already married. I narrow

00:05:09my eyes. If the woman on that certificate really is her, then Su Ching-wol must know something.

00:05:14Lee Ruyin looks slightly deflated. Who is her husband? Luckier than Boda, apparently.

00:05:18I look at Kang Wenjong. He shakes his head. No one knows. Apparently neither she nor her husband

00:05:23are the social type. Kang Wenjong frowns. I honestly don't know what brought her here today on such

00:05:27short notice. The Su family is Haicheng's most powerful dynasty, and the head of the family

00:05:31holds extraordinary standing. The Kang family is upper middle at best. This marriage is already

00:05:36Kang Boda marrying well above his station. Having the head of the Su family attend Su

00:05:39Feshu's wedding at all would already be remarkable. For a simple betrothal ceremony, why would she come

00:05:44in person? Lee Ruyin declares with certainty. It must be because Boda is so exceptional that the

00:05:48Su family has taken notice. She shoves the unread printout back into my hands and grabs Kang Boda's

00:05:54hand with barely contained excitement. I allow myself a sardonic smile. She acts more invested

00:05:58than his own mother. The butler appears at the top of the stairs. Sir, the Su family will be

00:06:02arriving shortly. Kang Wenjong immediately turns and heads downstairs. As he passes me, he says

00:06:06casually, you haven't been back in a long time. Stay for a drink before you go. I nod. I want

00:06:11to

00:06:11stay and see exactly who Su Ching-Wol is. In the room, Lee Ruyin watches Kang Boda preparing to receive

00:06:17his wealthy bride. With a joy she can barely contain. More than twenty years ago, if Nanjing

00:06:21Su hadn't appeared, she would have been the one to marry Kang Wenjong. She has never forgiven

00:06:25Nanjing Su for that. So she deliberately caused a scene, arranged to give birth the same day

00:06:29as Nanjing Su, and swapped the two babies in the hospital. Now her son is finally marrying

00:06:33well, and Nanjing Su will even be expected to prepare a generous wedding gift for him,

00:06:37while Kang Nanju, labeled as the illegitimate child, goes off penniless to marry some nobody.

00:06:42Downstairs, I lean lazily against the shadowed wall beside the staircase, eyes fixed on the entrance,

00:06:47waiting for the Su family to arrive. After some time, Mrs. Kang makes her way down the stairs,

00:06:52supported by a servant. She wears a purple chipow, her frame slightly thin, her entire bearing one of

00:06:57quiet, scholarly grace. The servant whispers, Madam, your health isn't well. Perhaps you should rest

00:07:02upstairs. Mrs. Kang shakes her head through a cough. No, I can't miss such an important day for Boda.

00:07:08I watch her figure descend the stairs, my eyes filled with a warmth that runs deep. It's almost absurd.

00:07:13The person who had every right to hate me most was the only warmth I ever knew in this house.

00:07:17When I was small, Li Rian would often forget to feed me. I'd barely learned to walk before I was

00:07:21digging through rubbish bins because I was hungry. One day, Mrs. Kang found me doing this. After that,

00:07:26she quietly left food for me in the garden every single day. She did this for 12 years. Without her

00:07:30kindness, I would likely have starved. Watching her disappear down the corridor, hearing that cough

00:07:34echo back, I frown with worry. Then a commotion stirs at the entrance. The Su family has arrived.

00:07:39Kang Wenjong and Mrs. Kang go to receive them. After a brief exchange of

00:07:43pleasantries, a whole procession moves inside. I spot Su Ching-wal the moment she enters.

00:07:47She is even more striking, in person than in the photo. As if sensing my gaze,

00:07:51she suddenly looks in my direction. For a moment, our eyes meet. The sharpness in her gaze sends

00:07:55something through me. I want to search her expression for more, but Su Ching-wal pulls her

00:07:58gaze away. That leaves me uncertain. Does she know who I am, or doesn't she? Kang Wenjong smiles warmly.

00:08:04Miss Su, where is your husband? Didn't he come with you? At those words, I sense Su Ching-wal glance

00:08:08at me

00:08:08again. She replies calmly, he wasn't able to make it. The group moves toward the reception room,

00:08:13chatting as they go. Su Fei-shu, who chased me for four years, follows behind the elders. In her formal

00:08:18dress, she carries more poise than she did in university. She hasn't noticed me, distracted and

00:08:22murmuring quietly with Kang Boda. Everyone settles in. Su Ching-wal takes the seat of honor, and the

00:08:27discussion of the engagement begins. I finally step out from where I've been standing, and watch the

00:08:31gathering in the reception room in silence. Then someone yanks my arm. Li Ru-yin hisses at me.

00:08:36Kang Nanju, what are you still doing here? Don't tell me you still have feelings for Su Fei-shu-we.

00:08:40Let me be clear, she is going to be your sister-in-law. Relax. I have no interest in being

00:08:44the other man. Kang Wenjong asked me to stay for a drink. From the time I was old enough to

00:08:48understand,

00:08:49I have always called him Kang Wenjong, never father. Li Ru-yin grits her teeth. That was just

00:08:53politeness. You actually took it seriously? You really don't know your place. Even I can't attend

00:08:58something like this without embarrassing the family. And you think an illegitimate child belongs at

00:09:02that table? Get out of here, now! I frown with impatience and am about to respond,

00:09:06when the corner of my eye catches Su Ching-wal rising from her seat. She gestures at her phone

00:09:10and heads toward the balcony. Must be a call. My eyes sharpen. I throw Li Ru-yin a vague acknowledgement,

00:09:15and slip out of the reception room, turning toward the balcony. The moment I get close,

00:09:19she ends the call and turns her cold eyes on me. I stop. Meeting that dangerous look,

00:09:22I feel the corner of my mouth pull up and on impulse call out,

00:09:25Honey, I watch Su Ching-wal closely for any reaction. The cold around her only deepens.

00:09:29She stares at me without the faintest flicker of emotion. Then she turns to leave. I step forward

00:09:33quickly and block her path. Su Ching-wal's brow tightens slightly. Move. You don't recognize me?

00:09:38She looks at me with a detached authority. Should I? Since entering the Kang house,

00:09:42she had sensed an unusual gaze following her. Unlike the fawning, nauseating stare she was used to,

00:09:46this one was open and unashamed. That was why she had looked at me more than once. When she caught

00:09:51me

00:09:51looking, I didn't look away. I just kept watching her, completely unbothered. She had thought perhaps I

00:09:55was different from the men who looked at her with naked greed, but it turned out I was bolder than

00:09:58all of

00:09:59them, walking up and calling her Honey right off the bat. Su Ching-wal's expression adds a layer of

00:10:03impatience. Sir, I am married. Please conduct yourself accordingly. I'm thrown. She clearly

00:10:08doesn't know me. Could the registry have made an error? May I ask who your husband is? None of your

00:10:12business. Cold as ever. I take out the printed certificate and hold it in front of her. Miss

00:10:16Su, that name there should be yours. Su Ching-wal looks at the printout. Her eyes move to the groom's

00:10:21name, Kang Nanju. When she looks up again, her tone is dry. Mr. Kang, if you're going to forge documents,

00:10:27at least do it properly. With that, Su Ching-wal bypasses the reception room entirely and strides

00:10:31through the garden toward the car park. I go after her to explain. Two bodyguards in black step out

00:10:36and block me. I stop and call after her. Miss Su, the certificate is real. If you don't believe

00:10:40me, check with the registry office. Su Ching-wal doesn't slow down. She gets in the car and leaves

00:10:44without looking back. Kang Boda happens to see me approaching Su Ching-wal, though he can't hear what

00:10:48was said. Seeing Su Ching-wal leave, I get on my scooter and head out after her. Kang Boda immediately

00:10:52asks,

00:10:53Why did Miss Su leave? Did someone offend her? Su Ching-wal's personal assistant smiles.

00:10:58Miss Su had something urgent to attend to. She sends her apologies. Please do pass the word to

00:11:02your elders. Kang Boda nods politely and sees the assistant out. Kang Wenjong asks worriedly,

00:11:07Why did Miss Su leave? Was the hospitality lacking somewhere? Kang Boda thinks of how distracted Su

00:11:12Feishu had looked today, glancing around as if searching for someone. Then he thinks of my face

00:11:16and his fist tightens. Something shifts in his eyes. I saw Nanju bothering Miss Su. She left quite

00:11:21angry and left a message. What message? Miss Su said you should keep your household in order.

00:11:25After what Nanju did, she wonders whether the Su family will question our upbringing. Kang

00:11:30Wenjong's face goes iron gray. Meanwhile, I lose Su Ching-wal's car the moment I clear the villa district.

00:11:35While I'm still irritated about it, my phone rings. A woman's voice comes through. Boss, I've got the

00:11:40information on Su Ching-wal. Su Ching-wal is the second daughter of the Su patriarch, rumored to be

00:11:44ruthless and cold-blooded. She was sent abroad as a child because of it. Everyone assumed the family

00:11:48would pass to the eldest son, Su Feishu's father. No one expected Su Ching-wal to suddenly return last

00:11:54week. Somehow she forced the patriarch to step down and took direct control of Su group. I frown.

00:11:59Find her contact details and schedule. I'll go to her. I hang up and rub my temples. This is going

00:12:03to be complicated. Su Ching-wal travels with bodyguards. She won't be easy to reach. I shouldn't

00:12:08have let my mouth run and called her honey. I drove her off. I sigh, start the scooter, and head

00:12:12home at a

00:12:12leisurely pace. Leaving the busy city center behind, I make my way to the urban village on the

00:12:17outskirts. When I left the Kang house in middle school, I had almost nothing, so I rented one of

00:12:21the old units here. I got used to the place and never left. I'm just around the corner from home

00:12:25when an old woman in her 80s or 90s darts out from the roadside. I break hard. Nearly hit her.

00:12:30I think

00:12:30at first it might be a scam but something quickly tells me it isn't. The old woman is small and

00:12:34thin

00:12:34but well-dressed. She clearly doesn't come from an ordinary background. Around her neck hangs a tag with

00:12:39a phone number and the words, If this elderly person is found wandering, please call this number.

00:12:43Dementia. Clearly. I wonder whose grandmother this is. I take out my phone and dial the number

00:12:48on the tag. Before it rings, the old woman suddenly grabs my wrist with a firm grip.

00:12:52Clarity flashes in her cloudy eyes. My granddaughter's husband. You're my granddaughter's

00:12:56husband. I twitch involuntarily. I've been single for 22 years. And how do I end up with two wives?

00:13:01The registry office must be running a wholesale operation today. I find it amusing enough to play

00:13:05along. Grandma, who is your granddaughter? The old woman furrows her brow and thought,

00:13:09My granddaughter, what was her name again? Right, it starts with Sue. Sue something.

00:13:13The name rises to the surface and vanishes before she can say it. She grows agitated,

00:13:17mouth opening and closing, unable to produce the words. Take your time, grandma. It's all right

00:13:21if you can't remember. I give her a reassuring word and dial the number. Not far away, on a nearby

00:13:26street, Sue Ching-wol is sitting in a luxury car. Her expression is dark. Her assistant Liu Hua beside

00:13:31her doesn't dare breathe. Liu Hua says carefully, It was my failure to watch over her properly.

00:13:35I let the old madam wander off. Sue Ching-wol says nothing. She radiates cold. Grandma Sue is usually

00:13:40unresponsive most of the time. But today she had a sudden moment of clarity, sent everyone away,

00:13:45and slipped out on her own. Security footage showed she had taken a public bus all the way

00:13:49to the outskirts of the city. The area is run down, with many streets lacking cameras.

00:13:53They've been conducting a street-by-street search. Then Sue Ching-wol's phone rings.

00:13:57She answers immediately. A calm male voice comes through.

00:14:00Hello, your elderly family member is with me. The atmosphere in the car freezes. Everyone moves

00:14:04instantly. One person reaches for a phone to call the police. Another starts tracing the signal.

00:14:08Sue Ching-wol's eyes go sharp. Her voice drops to ice. How much do you want? The voice on the

00:14:12other

00:14:13end is easy and unhurried. I'm not a kidnapper. I just wanted to let you know the old lady is

00:14:17safe,

00:14:17and that someone should keep a better eye on her. I give the address and hang up.

00:14:21Sue Ching-wol's eyes lift slightly. That unhurried voice sounds oddly familiar.

00:14:25Five minutes later, they reach the location. But the boy who called is nowhere to be seen.

00:14:29Only a police officer stands there with the old woman. Sue Ching-wol asks Grandma Sue,

00:14:32How did you end up here? The old woman says with a conspiratorial air.

00:14:36I came to find my granddaughter's husband. He lives nearby.

00:14:39Sue Ching-wol pauses. She sighs. Grandma, there is no husband.

00:14:42Impossible. I saw him. Heartless boy. Handed me over to the police and left.

00:14:46Now give me your phone. Sue Ching-wol hands it over. The old woman copies the recent incoming

00:14:50number from the contacts into her little notebook. Now she has her granddaughter's husband's number.

00:14:54Early the next morning, I get a call from my university supervisor. The moment I walk into

00:14:58Professor Liang's office, I find Kang Boda and Li Ruyin already there. I narrow my eyes.

00:15:03Kang Boda and I both attend Haicheng University, the best in the city. Kang Boda got in with

00:15:07excellent grades. I deliberately scored below my ability, so as not to overshadow him, and chose

00:15:12the least popular department, energy and power engineering. But two years ago, new energy suddenly

00:15:17became the hottest field in the country. Kang Boda immediately transferred departments,

00:15:21and we ended up in the same classes again. Kang Boda being here is one thing, but why is Li

00:15:25Ruyin

00:15:25here? Before I can think further, Professor Liang speaks in a grave tone.

00:15:29Kang Nanju, your guaranteed postgraduate placement has been revoked. While I'm still processing that,

00:15:34the professor continues, your mother says your conduct and background are not in keeping with

00:15:37the requirements for postgraduate selection. Is there some misunderstanding between you two?

00:15:42You should apologize to her. You have real potential ahead of you. Don't let a moment of

00:15:45temper cost you your future. Kang Boda sighs first, then says, Professor Liang, Nanju's mother only

00:15:51wants what's best for him. He looks at me. You offended Miss Su. She's made it known she wants you

00:15:55gone from Haicheng. It takes me a moment to realize the Miss Su he means is Su Ching-wol,

00:15:59but I only exchanged a few words with her, and she didn't seem angry when she left.

00:16:03While I'm still thinking, Kang Boda steps up to me. Kang Nanju, this is a plane ticket our father

00:16:07bought for you. He wants you to go abroad and let this blow over. Otherwise, even the Kang family

00:16:11can't protect you. A flicker of contempt crosses my eyes. They just don't want me dragging the Kang

00:16:16name into it. Kang Boda sees me making no move to take the ticket. He produces a bank card and

00:16:20affects sincerity. Are you worried you won't be able to manage abroad? There's 50,000 here. Think of it

00:16:25as my personal contribution to your living expenses. Start with this. If it's not enough,

00:16:29I can give you more from my allowance later. The eldest son of the Kang family and all he can

00:16:33offer is 50,000? I find that almost funny. Lee Ruyin snatches the card from him. Boda,

00:16:38what are you doing? The Kang family buying him a plane ticket is already more than enough.

00:16:41She turns to me and commands, Pack your things and leave the country. I've already processed your

00:16:45withdrawal from the university. I look at her with cold eyes. By what right do you make decisions for me?

00:16:50By the fact that I'm your mother, and with grades like yours, graduating will be a struggle anyway.

00:16:54Better to go earn money sooner. Professor Liang immediately speaks up. Madame Li, you're

00:16:58mistaken. During his time at this university, student Kang, Li Ruyin cuts him off before he

00:17:02can finish. Professor, you don't need to speak for him. I know exactly what he's like. The only reason

00:17:07he wanted postgraduate study was because Boda wanted it. He should take a good hard look at

00:17:11himself before daring to compare himself to Boda. Professor Liang turns to Kang Boda with surprise.

00:17:16As I recall, you didn't qualify for postgraduate selection, and you didn't sit the entrance exam.

00:17:20Kang Boda smiles modestly. I'm going through special direct recruitment. A distinguished

00:17:25professor who values a particular student is permitted to directly recruit them. The prerequisite

00:17:29is that the professor be of notable standing. When Professor Liang asks, which professor?

00:17:34Kang Boda assumes a humble expression. Dr. Nan. His clean hydrogen fuel research succeeded,

00:17:40was patented, and earned him the title of doctor. I look at him with quiet surprise.

00:17:44Dr. Nan? I don't recall planning to recruit Kang Boda. Professor Liang's eyes go wide.

00:17:48You know Dr. Nan? Kang Boda smiles gently. It came about by chance. My mother once funded

00:17:53Dr. Nan's education. After Dr. Nan achieved success, he sought out our family. My mother

00:17:57was the person who made his education possible. He's been providing technical support for our

00:18:01family company ever since. I don't think he'd refuse any request I made. I raise an eyebrow.

00:18:05As a child, I survived in the Kang household entirely because of Mrs. Kang's care. Once I had

00:18:10the means, I reached out to Mrs. Kang, using the identity of Dr. Nan. To give myself a reason

00:18:14to repay her for raising me, I fabricated the story that she had once sponsored my education.

00:18:19Over the years, whenever her company ran into technical issues, I helped without charge.

00:18:23But I never agreed to grant Kang Boda's every request. He has significantly overstated things.

00:18:28Professor Liang takes it at face value. Which university does Dr. Nan teach at currently?

00:18:32Kang Boda replies, I've promised the dean I'll invite Dr. Nan to join the faculty here.

00:18:36Professor Liang brightens. He turns to me. Nan Ju, your research area aligns with Dr. Nan's.

00:18:41I'll introduce you to him when the time comes. If Dr. Nan is willing to speak for you,

00:18:45the postgraduate placement may still be within reach. Kang Boda puts on a look of concern.

00:18:49Professor Liang, the Su family is Haicheng's wealthiest. They provide substantial research

00:18:53funding to the university every year. Professor Liang waves this off.

00:18:56Dr. Nan is in extraordinary demand right now. I've heard overseas universities are competing to

00:19:01bring him in. Many companies are lining up to invest in him as well. If Dr. Nan is willing

00:19:05to step in, the university will certainly prioritize his word. Kang Boda heaves a theatrical sigh.

00:19:10The thing is, Dr. Nan defers to my mother. If it were me asking, he would spare no effort to

00:19:14help.

00:19:14But Nan Ju is my father's illegitimate son, which puts him in direct opposition to my mother's

00:19:19interests. Nan Ju, how about I go ask Dr. Nan on your behalf? I refuse coldly and without hesitation.

00:19:24At this moment, Kang Boda is nothing but a clown putting on a show. I let a faint smile form

00:19:28and

00:19:28turn directly to Professor Liang. Professor, you know I never really wanted to pursue postgraduate

00:19:32study. Professor Liang's expression falls. His face is full of regret. He was the one who

00:19:36recognized my ability and pushed hard for the placement. He never expected

00:19:40it would come to this. His eyes reddened slightly. Then I'll write you a letter of

00:19:43recommendation for employment. Li Ruin curls her lip. Don't waste your effort. He offended

00:19:47Miss Su. Finding work in Haicheng. He's dreaming, Professor Liang says hotly. I refuse to believe

00:19:52anyone can hold absolute dominion over an entire city. If Nan Ju truly can't find work, he can

00:19:57come back and be my teaching assistant. Those words send warmth through me. I say, Professor,

00:20:02there's just a misunderstanding between Miss Su and me. Once it's cleared up, everything will be

00:20:06fine. Please don't worry. Kang Boda's fist tightens. He cannot understand why, when he is the model

00:20:10student, Professor Liang only has eyes for the seemingly unremarkable Kang Nan Ju. Burning with

00:20:15resentment, Kang Boda glances at Li Ruin and speaks. Is Nan Ju really going to keep bothering Miss Su?

00:20:20She's married. This kind of behavior reflects very badly on you. Li Ruin ignites exactly as expected

00:20:25and slaps me across the face right then and there. I stare at her in disbelief. I didn't think she

00:20:29would actually strike me in front of Professor Liang. Li Ruin shows not a trace of shame.

00:20:33She jabs a finger at me. A few years apart and you've forgotten how this household works.

00:20:37Apologize to your brother right now and promise you will never approach the Sioux family again.

00:20:41The warmth drains from my eyes, leaving only cold. She clearly didn't take anything I said

00:20:45the other day to heart. Does she still think I'm that same ignorant boy who took everything lying

00:20:49down and deferred to Kang Boda in all things? If reason won't work then don't blame me for not

00:20:53holding back. A swell of satisfaction rises in Kang Boda. He thinks, you used to bow and scrape in front

00:20:57of me when we were children. Even after you moved out and we crossed paths again in university,

00:21:01same shabby appearance but suddenly all that confidence. Today let her put you back in your

00:21:05place. Kang Boda is still thinking this when I walk slowly toward him, just as a smile begins to form

00:21:09at the corner of his mouth, expecting an apology. I snap my head up and drive my fist hard into

00:21:13his

00:21:14face. Kang Boda's head rings. He's stunned completely. Li Ruin screams and rushes forward.

00:21:18Kang Nanju, how dare you hit him? I turn sharply and something dangerous radiates from me.

00:21:23Li Ruin freezes where she stands. What are you doing? I'm your mother. You wouldn't actually lay a

00:21:26hand on me. My voice is ice. You were never a mother to me so don't expect filial piety from

00:21:31me.

00:21:31Stay out of my life from now on, and whatever you do to me I will return it twofold on

00:21:35Kang Boda.

00:21:36I bow to Professor Liang, thank him for four years of guidance and tell him I'll be back once things

00:21:40are resolved. I turn and walk out without hesitation. Li Ruin only comes back to herself

00:21:44after I've disappeared from view. I've just stepped out of the campus gate. When Ji Woy calls,

00:21:48boss, got it all figured out. I understand now why Su Ching Woy tells people she's married but

00:21:53doesn't recognize you. The Su family looks impressive from the outside, but the internal

00:21:56power struggle has been intense. The Su Patriarch favored the eldest branch and intended to pass

00:22:01the family to them. As the younger daughter, Su Ching Woy was constantly pushed down. A few years

00:22:05back, the Patriarch arranged several unsuitable matches for her. It caused a huge uproar. It only

00:22:10stopped when Su Ching Woy claimed she had already registered a marriage with someone from an ordinary

00:22:14background. And this husband of hers is an interesting figure. He's never appeared in public or attended

00:22:18any Su family gathering. So putting it all together, there's only one conclusion.

00:22:22Ji Woy draws it out, clearly enjoying the suspense. But before she can finish,

00:22:26I've already understood. Did you find her schedule and contact details? Ji Woy sounds

00:22:30slightly sheepish. I'll send you her schedule for the next few days shortly. Her personal

00:22:33number wasn't findable. That's fine. I'll go to her directly. Someone of Su Ching Woy's standing

00:22:37would keep her personal number classified. That's expected. Ji Woy immediately adds,

00:22:41she has bodyguards around her at all times. Getting close won't be easy. Are you going in hard or

00:22:46keeping it subtle? A lopsided grin forms on my face. Outside Su Group's building,

00:22:50I straighten my delivery worker uniform. I walk in carrying a parcel. This is a delivery

00:22:54for Miss Su, requires her personal signature. The receptionist calls the secretariat before

00:22:58allowing me upstairs. I take the dedicated elevator to the 88th floor. The elevator opens onto a

00:23:03sweeping open space. An entire secretariat of over a hundred people works here, all in service of one

00:23:08person. I follow the secretary assigned to receive me to the executive office, thinking I'm almost

00:23:12there, when a figure steps in front of me. Liu Hua frowns, looking me over. Mr. Kang? What are you

00:23:17doing

00:23:17here? Liu Hua's expression is anything but welcoming. He still remembers me approaching

00:23:21Su Ching Woy at the Kang house. Su Ching Woy hadn't made an issue of it, and now I've come

00:23:25back disguised

00:23:26as a delivery worker. He waves over two bodyguards. What's going on here? You brought someone to the

00:23:30top floor without verifying identity. Get him out of here immediately. I keep my expression perfectly

00:23:35neutral. What exactly do you mean by that? Does Su Group look down on delivery workers? Liu Hua gives

00:23:39a cold laugh. You're quite the one to turn things around. We respect every profession. But are you a

00:23:44delivery worker? Do you have a worker's identification? The words are barely out of his

00:23:48mouth before I produce a work ID. My expression sits somewhere between a smile and not. He didn't

00:23:52expect that. His face stiffens. You didn't just register today, did you? The ID is opened. The

00:23:57registration date is right there. Liu Hua stares. It wasn't registered today. He is actually a delivery

00:24:02worker. I call toward the closed office door in an unhurried voice. Miss Su, are you ready to sign

00:24:06for your delivery? A clear voice comes from inside. Let him in. I cast a sideways glance at Liu Hua

00:24:11entirely

00:24:11unhurried. Seeing his expression tighten, I step past him and go in. Su Chingwal's office is minimal

00:24:16luxury. Black and white and gray. Not a trace of warmth in it. She finishes signing a document before

00:24:21she looks up. Her bright eyes reveal nothing. I point to the delivery form. Sign here, Miss Su.

00:24:26Her gaze rests on me for a moment. Then she picks up the pen and signs. Then I say, Miss

00:24:30Su, you're not

00:24:31actually married, are you? Her pen stops. She snaps her head up. Her cold eyes lock onto me. I know

00:24:36I've

00:24:36guessed right. The registry requires handwritten personal information. Errors like that don't happen.

00:24:41Su Chingwal claims publicly to be married, yet she has no idea who I am. After Jiwal's

00:24:46investigation the answer is clear. Su Chingwal invented a fictional husband to silence her

00:24:50family. She never actually went to the registry office. That's why she doesn't know I'm her

00:24:53husband. Miss Su, I know this sounds difficult to believe, but we really are married. Su Chingwal

00:24:58sits up slowly and composedly. A trace of something amused appearing on her face. Mr. Kang, save your

00:25:03effort. Even if I were unmarried, I would never marry you just to upset Su Feishu. I pause. She knows

00:25:09about my history with Su Feishu and has concluded I'm here out of spite. That's why she refuses to

00:25:13believe anything I say. My coming here has nothing to do with Su Feishu. Su Chingwal cuts me off. I

00:25:18have no interest in your romantic entanglements. She quickly finishes signing. Then she hands the

00:25:22delivery form back to me. Don't come here again to bother me. Don't say I didn't warn you. That

00:25:26stirs some irritation in me. Haven't you already been more than a little uncivil? You made it known you

00:25:31want me gone from Haicheng. Su Chingwal frowns. What? When did I ever? Before she can finish,

00:25:35a distinct ringtone sounds. It's the one assigned to her grandmother. She answers immediately.

00:25:40The caretaker's voice comes through. Miss Su, the old madam has gone missing again.

00:25:44Su Chingwal immediately heads for the door. I want to follow and finish the conversation,

00:25:48but Liu Hua steps in front of me. Mr. Kang, I'd advise you to leave it here. I sigh.

00:25:52I'm escorted out of Su group. Then I make my way home at a leisurely pace. I'm just at my

00:25:56front door

00:25:57when I turn around. The old woman from before is tiptoeing along behind me. I look at her helplessly,

00:26:02and I'm about to speak when she grabs my wrist. Grandson-in-law, don't you dare leave me behind

00:26:06again. Inside my rented place Grandma Su sits at the dining table and drinks three glasses of water

00:26:11in a row. I say seriously, I really am not your grandson-in-law. But the old woman is immovable.

00:26:16She wraps both hands around her glass and takes another long drink. Knowing I can't reason with

00:26:20her, I take out my phone and dial the number from before. It's answered on the first ring.

00:26:24Hello? The woman's voice tugs at something familiar. I'm about to speak when the old woman snatches

00:26:28the phone out of my hand. A short distance away, Su Ching-wal is leading a search of the

00:26:32surrounding streets. Her face is composed. Inside, she is quietly anxious. This grandma

00:26:37is 87 years old with dementia. Her body has been deteriorating for some time. The danger

00:26:42is constant. The moment her phone rings, she answers, and hears her grandmother's voice

00:26:46surprisingly strong and clear. Don't come to get me. I'm with my grandson-in-law. Grandson-in-law?

00:26:52The number is the same one from before. So she's with that boy again. Su Ching-wal asks

00:26:56with a dark expression, Where are you? The old woman says, Not telling you.

00:27:00Su Ching-wal says, You think I can't find you if you don't tell me? The old woman

00:27:04fires back, Don't you come looking and don't send anyone to track me.

00:27:07Su Ching-wal scratches her head impatiently. She covers the phone and asks the attending

00:27:11doctor quietly, Can she be brought back by force? The doctor shakes his head. She cannot

00:27:15be agitated in her current state. It's best to go with her wishes. The boy from before

00:27:19didn't seem dangerous. Su Ching-wal accepts the situation with visible reluctance and turns

00:27:23back to the phone in a coaxing tone. Grandma, I still need to bring you your medicine. The

00:27:27old woman replies, I have my medicine with me. Stop worrying. Be a good girl and wait for

00:27:31me to bring your husband home. With that, she hangs up and hands the phone back to me. She

00:27:35looks deeply pleased with herself. Grandson-in-law, handled, I'm bewildered. What kind of family

00:27:39just leaves an elderly person in a stranger's care like this? I'm about to call back when a

00:27:43notification sounds. A contact request has come in through the number, with the note, Granddaughter,

00:27:48I accept the request. A message arrives almost immediately, Please take care of my grandmother

00:27:52for a while. Her health hasn't been good. She can't have any upsets. I almost laugh.

00:27:56I'm typing back a cold reply, I'm not available. This isn't a charity. But before I finish,

00:28:01I hear something from the kitchen and go to check. Grandma Sue is boiling eggs. You can't

00:28:05just eat eggs if you're hungry. The tiny old woman turns around. Her wrinkled face breaks

00:28:09into the warmest smile. Grandson-in-law, press a warm egg to your face, it'll help the swelling

00:28:13go down. I go still. Perhaps I hadn't noticed it myself. I'd acted as if the slap meant nothing.

00:28:18But something cold had been wrapped around me since it happened, keeping me at a distance

00:28:21from everything. The old woman's words peel that away. Warmth fills the room. I look back

00:28:26at my phone. The chat window has lit up with an orange notification. You have received a

00:28:29transfer of $300,000. Note, one week's living expenses. Tell me if it's not enough. I look

00:28:35at the unsent message still in the input box. Good. It wasn't sent. I retype my response.

00:28:39Fine. I can't quite explain why I agreed. I decide it must simply be that she paid too generously.

00:28:45At the Kang house Kangboda's cheek is swollen prominently, the knuckle mark plainly visible.

00:28:49Li Ruyin says furiously, that wretch Kang Nanju must be jealous that you're marrying Miss Su

00:28:54Faeshu. When your father gets back, have him deal with him severely. Mrs. Kang comes down the stairs

00:28:58slowly, her frail body evident, her voice quiet but firm. Nanju is not that kind of person. You

00:29:04must have done something to provoke him. The certainty in her voice is clear. Kangboda sees

00:29:08this and swallows his resentment. He changes the subject. Mom, could you invite Dr. Nan to take a

00:29:12position at Haicheng University? Mrs. Kang refuses firmly. Boda, you cannot leverage someone's gratitude

00:29:17against them. Dr. Nan has already done more than enough for this family over the years.

00:29:21Kangboda isn't surprised. He says, Haicheng University is the best in the city. Perhaps

00:29:25Dr. Nan would actually want to join. We could simply help make the connection with the university.

00:29:30Think of it as reciprocating what Dr. Nan has done for us over the years. Mrs. Kang finds this

00:29:34reasonably persuasive. She takes out her phone. Then I'll ask him. Kangboda settles beside her and says,

00:29:40Dr. Nan has done so much for us. The debt has long been repaid. Shouldn't we invite him to a

00:29:44proper

00:29:45dinner? Wouldn't it be better to ask in person? Kangboda thinks, Dr. Nan never refuses Mrs. Kang

00:29:49anything. If he comes, I'll raise the idea of becoming his postgraduate student in person.

00:29:54Dr. Nan won't be able to say no. Mrs. Kang is persuaded. She sends a message to Dr. Nan.

00:29:59Dr. Nan, would you have time to come by the house? When I see the message, concern rises immediately.

00:30:03Why does Mrs. Kang suddenly want to meet? Is her health getting worse? Thinking of her cough,

00:30:07I feel a sharp urgency. I reply, available. But just as I'm about to head out, another message

00:30:11arrives. Would Saturday work? I'd like to have you for a simple meal. I realize I overreacted.

00:30:16But eat at the Kang house? A wry smile forms. Ten years ago, the first weekend after I moved out,

00:30:21I went back. I stood in the garden and looked through the window at Mrs. Kang, Kangboda and

00:30:25Kangwenzhong. Mrs. Kang was smiling brightly. Li Ruyin said, You see? That is a real family.

00:30:30Don't come back and disturb her again. I left quietly, placing the birthday gift I'd brought for her on

00:30:34the doorstep. Every year after that I would leave a gift. After so many years, it was probably time to

00:30:39actually see her. I reply, I should be the one hosting. Saturday evening, 6 o'clock. I'll see

00:30:44you there. I send her the restaurant location. Mrs. Kang accepts with evident pleasure. Going to

00:30:48the Kang house would only mean unnecessary conflict. Better to meet somewhere quiet where I can also

00:30:52check on her health. I exit the conversation and find several messages from the granddaughter.

00:30:56Instructions for caring for Grandma Sue. I quietly go to the second bedroom and send her a short video.

00:31:01A short distance away on the street, two fully equipped vehicles are parked without drawing attention.

00:31:05Su Ching-Wol is working inside one of them. A notification sounds. Su Ching-Wol picks up her

00:31:09phone and looks. Her permanently frozen expression shows a trace of something close to surprise.

00:31:14The family doctor immediately asks, Has something happened to the old madam?

00:31:17Su Ching-Wol presses her lips together and hands him the phone. The video shows Grandma Sue lying

00:31:21spread-eagled on a bed with small floral prints, sleeping deeply and snoring. It's only 9 in the evening.

00:31:27Getting Grandma Sue to sleep before 1 in the morning is usually considered early.

00:31:30The doctor's expression is one of pure astonishment. The old madam truly responds to this young

00:31:34man differently from anyone else. If he could stay with her consistently, I genuinely believe her

00:31:39condition would improve. Su Ching-Wol's eyes deepens slightly. She seems to be turning something over

00:31:43in her mind. The next morning, I receive a message from Su Ching-Wol. May I come to see my

00:31:47grandmother

00:31:47tonight? I reply, Of course. Anytime. I send her the exact address. Su Ching-Wol notes the address and

00:31:53replies, Sorry to impose, she needs to bring the family doctor tonight to check on her grandmother.

00:31:57The worry won't leave her otherwise. Seeing no further reply, Su Ching-Wol senses I am not particularly

00:32:02fond of overly formal exchanges. Outside my door, I'm waiting with nothing to do when a familiar

00:32:07voice reaches me. I turn. A familiar face. It's Su Fei-Shu. The face I remember as warm and considerate

00:32:13is now looking at me with dark displeasure. In university, I was always alone, a solitary figure.

00:32:18Su Fei-Shu was warm and outgoing, always gravitating toward me. She was the only real friend I had.

00:32:23Now the situation between us is awkward. I hesitate, then ask, Is something wrong? Su Fei-Shui gives a cold

00:32:29laugh. Kang Boda told me about your background. Why did you hide it? I despise the other woman

00:32:33and illegitimate children more than anything. And here I was, chasing someone like you for four

00:32:37years like a fool. Did you find that amusing? Something clenches hard in my chest. Her own

00:32:41parents' marriage was troubled. There was reportedly an illegitimate daughter involved, and yet Kang Boda

00:32:45needed only to say about my background to shatter four years of friendship. I step back and create

00:32:50distance between us. Su Fei-Shu steps forward. Don't you have anything to say to me? Explain what?

00:32:55Explain why I'm illegitimate? Or why I chose to be born from Li Ru-Yin's body? I give a short,

00:33:00humorless laugh and turn to leave. If she can't see past my birth, there's no point in the friendship.

00:33:04My decisiveness unsettles something in Su Fei-Shui. She watches me pull away and something

00:33:08panics inside her. Without thinking, she reaches out and grabs my wrist. You can't leave. I look back.

00:33:13What is it? Su Fei-Shui's expression tightens. She doesn't like this distant and different version

00:33:17of me. She feels something defensive rising in her. She thinks, I was the one who let go first.

00:33:22How did it end up feeling like I'm the one being left behind? With that thought in her chest,

00:33:26she says with a mocking air. Still doing odd jobs? Haven't found a proper position yet?

00:33:30Why not come work as my personal assistant? I free my wrist and refuse coldly. I don't think I'd be

00:33:35a

00:33:35good fit. Su Fei-Shui continues. It wouldn't involve much. I have an apartment near the office.

00:33:39You'd just live there and attend to my daily needs. Fifty thousand a month. Is that enough?

00:33:43My eyes go cold. You want me as a kept man? Su Fei-Shui scoffs. That you'd definitely be qualified

00:33:48for.

00:33:49Your mother was the other woman after all. Raised in that environment, it practically

00:33:52runs in the family. I'm sure you'd be very professional. I push her away. My voice goes

00:33:57to ice. Don't push it. But she doesn't get angry. She smiles. Something obsessive and unsettling in

00:34:02her eyes. Kang Nanju. Believe me, sooner or later you'll end up as someone's plaything.

00:34:06So why not choose me? At least I'd be gentle with you for old time's sake. I'll give you time

00:34:10to think.

00:34:11When you change your mind, come find me. With that she turns and leaves. I laugh at myself.

00:34:15I turn and find Su Ching-Wol standing at the entrance to the private room. Her eyes are

00:34:19unreadable. Liu Hua addresses me. I always wondered why you didn't find stable employment after

00:34:24graduation, working all those side jobs. So it was Su Fei-Shui pressuring you that caused it.

00:34:28I look at him confused. Liu Hua sighs. So you approaching our boss wasn't really by choice.

00:34:33After all, almost no one in Haicheng would dare go up against the Su family. I narrow my eyes,

00:34:38but don't correct him. After two days, this is actually the first time any of us has had a calm

00:34:41exchange. Liu Hua says quietly to Su Ching-Wol. Should we help him? He seems

00:34:45quite pitiful. I think yes. By all means help me. Take me to the registry office and get this

00:34:50marriage annulled. My company is waiting to go public. But before I get there, I hear Su Ching-Wol

00:34:55say coldly, why would I do anything for someone who has nothing to do with me? She strides past

00:34:59me and leaves. Pitiful? She could see it herself. What was in my eyes wasn't pity. It was sharp

00:35:03amusement that wouldn't stay hidden. And getting hold of her personal schedule in the first place

00:35:07demonstrated real resourcefulness. The corridor falls quiet. I stand there. Cold, I think. She is just

00:35:12cold. That evening, Su Ching-Wol leaves the office on time. She arrives at the old residential area

00:35:16in the outskirts carrying a bag of fruit. Following the address from the message, she finds the unit

00:35:20and knocks. A familiar voice comes from inside quickly. Coming, coming. The door opens. Su Ching-Wol

00:35:25looks at Grandma Su. She looks well. She takes in the surroundings. It's a small two-bedroom unit of

00:35:30about 60 square meters. But it's clean and unexpectedly warm. The sound of running water is coming from the

00:35:35bathroom. Is he in the shower? Su Ching-Wol pulls her eyes away as though startled and feels

00:35:39unexpectedly self-conscious. The family doctor is about to follow her in when she holds out a hand.

00:35:44Give me the equipment. Wait in the car. Su Ching-Wol quickly and efficiently takes the old woman's blood

00:35:48pressure, blood sugar and heart rate. Perhaps because of how soundly she slept last night, every reading

00:35:52comes back remarkably healthy. The old woman says proudly, My grandson-in-law takes such good care of

00:35:57me. Su Ching-Wol finally lets the tension go. Her eyes drift once more toward the bathroom, then she begins

00:36:02packing up the equipment to leave. The old woman blinks. You're not staying for dinner? My grandson-in-law

00:36:07cooks wonderfully. It wouldn't be appropriate. She sets the equipment down. Leave this here for

00:36:11checking your health. The old woman's eyes shift. Take it back. It's useless here. My grandson-in-law

00:36:16doesn't know how to use it. And I don't want the doctor here. You come every day and check me

00:36:20yourself.

00:36:21She thinks, If my granddaughter comes every day she'll see her husband. They can build something

00:36:25between them and end this business of living apart. The old woman feels a chubby great-grandchild

00:36:30beckoning to her in the distance. Su Ching-Wol is about to respond when the water sound stops.

00:36:34She immediately stands, grabs the medical bag and moves toward the door.

00:36:37I'll be going then. I'll come see you again tomorrow. The door closes just as I walk out

00:36:41of the bathroom dressed. Where's your granddaughter? She left, said it wasn't appropriate. She's too

00:36:45proper, that one. Always with that cold face. Is that why you don't like her, grandson-in-law?

00:36:49She can change, you know? I say, I'm not your grandson-in-law. She says, Yes, you are.

00:36:53After these two days together, I've found the old woman to be gentle and accommodating about

00:36:57everything, except this one point. A few days later, Grandma Su suddenly says she wants to

00:37:01go home to collect some clothes. I message the granddaughter and ask for the address,

00:37:04but when I open the location, I go still. Estate number one. That's the Su family estate.

00:37:09The entire estate spans 3,000 acres. The Su family's historic residence alone takes up over

00:37:142,000 of them. It's Hai Cheng's most famous wealthy enclave. I assume the old woman lived in

00:37:18one of the smaller villas. It never occurred to me she was a Su. But when we arrive, I look

00:37:23up at the

00:37:23grand, elaborately carved black gate with its classical beauty and stately presence.

00:37:27And I say haltingly, Grandma, is this really your home? The old woman blinks sleepily,

00:37:32her gaze vague. Grandson-in-law, I can't quite remember. I have no choice but to message the

00:37:37granddaughter. The reply comes immediately. Stay where you are. I'll be right there. I notice the

00:37:42nearest neighboring property is at least a five-minute drive away. This is not a place to

00:37:46wander. I help Grandma Su settle onto a nearby stone bench. A luxury car pulls up in front of us.

00:37:51Kang Boda and Liruyan step out of the back seat and come straight toward us. Liruyan's brows are

00:37:56tightly knit. Kang Nanju, I knew it. What are you doing here? She came today as Kang Boda's

00:38:00attendant for a visit to the Su estate and spotted a young man lingering outside the gate from a

00:38:04distance. She didn't expect it to actually be me. Kang Boda looks at the closed gate.

00:38:09Nanju, are you here to bother Miss Su Ching-wal again? At that, Liruyan erupts.

00:38:13You shameless wretch. Do you know what today is? Get out of here right now. If you ruin Boda's family

00:38:17introduction, I will not let this go. As thoroughly sick of them as I am, Grandma Su is here.

00:38:22I don't want a scene. I push down my irritation and say plainly, I'm returning the old woman home.

00:38:27We took a wrong turn. Kang Boda says before thinking, isn't this your wife's grandmother?

00:38:31How could she possibly live here? I shoot back, why not? Is this estate yours? Liruyan tears into

00:38:36me. Who do you think you're fooling? Your destitute wife's grandmother living here?

00:38:40She turns directly to the old woman. Old woman, if you live here, tell me which villa is yours.

00:38:44I frown and am about to speak, when the old woman suddenly stands. I remember now,

00:38:48this is my home. Grandson-in-law, take me inside. She takes my hand and pulls me toward the gate.

00:38:53We're still about a hundred meters from the entrance. Kang Boda says,

00:38:56Nanju, all those excuses, and it still comes down to using this old woman as your way into the Su

00:39:01estate. I pause and look toward the gate. A suspicion has been forming since I first saw it,

00:39:05but I can't bring myself to connect the polite, considerate granddaughter from those messages with

00:39:09the cold and formidable Su Ching-wal. Maybe the old woman has the wrong address. I'm about to check

00:39:13again, when Liruyan lunges forward and reaches for Grandma Su. Showing up with lies like this?

00:39:19Shameless. Don't you dare cause trouble at the Su estate. I'm startled. One arm wraps around Grandma

00:39:24Su, the other catches Liruyan. I push her back hard. The old woman is this age. She cannot take

00:39:29even a slight knock. Liruyan stumbles backward several steps. When she regains her footing,

00:39:33she screams, You actually hit your own mother for this old hag? I ignore her and check Grandma Su

00:39:38immediately. The old woman has never been spoken to like that in her life. She is shaking all over.

00:39:42Her body trembling beyond her control. I hold her steady. I reach for the fast-acting heart

00:39:47medication from her pocket. I open the bottle. It's empty. My pupils contract. Her condition is

00:39:52fragile. Chest compression should only be a last resort. She needs medicine. I snap my gaze to the

00:39:57gate. The Su family will have medication. Even if she isn't a Su, she's a neighbor. They wouldn't let

00:40:01someone die on their doorstep. I lift her into my arms. Don't be scared, Grandma. I'm taking you for

00:40:06your medicine. But Kang Boda suddenly moves to block me. He grabs my arm hard. Nanju, stop this.

00:40:11The Su family won't let you in. He looks at the old woman. Something dark passing through his eyes.

00:40:16He thinks, She doesn't look good. She might not make it. And if she dies here, Kang Nanju's wife

00:40:21will hate him for it. In this moment, I feel a rage building in me that I can barely contain.

00:40:25I kick him to the ground. The next moment, something locks around my leg. Liruyan is on the

00:40:29ground, both arms wrapped around it with everything she has. She screams, I'm going to die. My own son is

00:40:34killing me. I'll die before I let this old woman pull a con on the Su family. I'm shaking with

00:40:38rage,

00:40:38but with Grandma Su in my arms, I can't free myself. Then a black luxury car rolls to a stop

00:40:43nearby. Su Ching Wall steps out. What is going on here? Kang Boda says, Miss Su, Nanju is trying to

00:40:49use this dying old woman to force his way into the Su estate. I tried to stop him, but I

00:40:53couldn't.

00:40:53I slowly turn around. When Su Ching Wall sees who I'm holding, her pupils contract sharply.

00:40:58Her face stays still. Inside, she is terrified. Grandma Su is the person she is closest to in this

00:41:03world. Her health has been declining steadily over recent years. The doctor has already hinted that

00:41:07she may not make it through the year. Su Ching Wall cannot lose her. I see her coming and have

00:41:11already pieced it together. The old madam's heart. Her medication is empty. Get her medicine quickly

00:41:16and she'll be fine. Su Ching Wall presses her lips together and reaches out to take her grandmother

00:41:20from my arms. Then she runs into the estate without looking back. I don't follow. Because

00:41:24Li Ruyin was still clinging to my leg. Kang Boda stares after Su Ching Wall's retreating figure

00:41:28in bewilderment. A sharp, sickening unease rises in him. She couldn't be Grandma Su herself,

00:41:33could she? Li Ruyin says, Miss Su is only panicking because she's afraid someone will

00:41:38die on her doorstep. That would make the Su family look like they stood by and did nothing.

00:41:42Bad for the reputation. Kang Boda frowns and turns it over. Right. There's no way Kang Nanju's wife

00:41:47is Su Ching Wall. He really is overthinking. Just then, the Su estate gate opens and Su Feixu steps out.

00:41:53Kang Boda's face lights up. Feixu, you could have waited in the car park. Why did you come all the

00:41:58way

00:41:58to the gate? Su Feixu's expression carries a trace of displeasure. Kang Boda had messaged saying he was

00:42:03almost here, but said the gifts were too many to carry and asked her to come help. She waited in

00:42:06the car park for a long time with no sign of him, so she came out to look. And the

00:42:10first person she

00:42:10sees is me. Her steps falter. In an instant, the displeasure on her face vanishes. She forces a soft

00:42:16expression and turns to Kang Boda. It's your first time here. I was worried you'd have trouble finding

00:42:20your way. Kang Boda hurries up to her, all smiles. Feixu, you're so thoughtful, he asked tentatively.

00:42:25Is the old madam at home? Her health isn't well. She's been resting at home. Grandma Su lives

00:42:29separately, in her own courtyard, and doesn't allow visitors, so in truth Su Feixu has no idea

00:42:34whether she's actually there. Kang Boda takes it at face value and visibly relaxes. Su Feixu looks at

00:42:39me, searching for jealousy, envy, or resentment, but my face holds only a cold, brooding darkness.

00:42:44My thoughts are entirely on Grandma Su. I have no attention to spare for their little performance.

00:42:48At this point, I'm nearly certain the granddaughter is Su Chinguol. I stare at the gate and think about

00:42:53whether I'd be stopped if I tried to walk in. Then a shadow falls in front of me. Su Feixu

00:42:57is

00:42:57standing right in front of me. Kang Nanju, does coming here mean you've come around?

00:43:01I say nothing, expression dark. Su Feixu gives a cold laugh. If you have, just call me. Who gave

00:43:06you permission to come to the Su estate? Do you think a gate like this is open to an illegitimate

00:43:10child? But if you really want to see inside there is a way. All you have to do is, before

00:43:14she can

00:43:15finish, Kang Boda cuts in. Feixu, you've got the wrong idea. Nanju is waiting for his wife's

00:43:20grandmother. The old woman had a sudden heart episode. Miss Su Chinguol carried her inside for

00:43:24emergency treatment. Su Feixu blinks. What? His wife? Kang Boda says lightly. Right, I kept meaning

00:43:30to tell you. Nanju got married. Su Feixu's eyes go red immediately, she says through gritted teeth.

00:43:35Kang Nanju, who is she? Contempt shows clearly in my eyes. Su Feixu, who my wife is has nothing to

00:43:41do

00:43:41with you. Su Feixu's voice jumps up sharply. How is it nothing to do with me? I'd like to see

00:43:45who would

00:43:46dare marry you without my approval. Kang Boda quickly supplies. From what Nanju's mother said,

00:43:50she's just some girl from the streets. Su Feixu clenches her fists. Is this how low you think

00:43:54of yourself? An illegitimate son and a nobody. What a perfect match. Kang Boda continues. Nanju

00:44:00must be resentful too. That's probably why he keeps bothering Miss Su Chinguol. I give a cold,

00:44:04contemptuous laugh. Kang Boda, you call yourself the eldest son of the Kang family, yet your mind is

00:44:09a sewer. Kang Boda's expression stiffens. He tightens his fist and sighs with theatrical concern.

00:44:13I know you're doing this to get back at Feixu and me, but Miss Su Chinguol is already married.

00:44:17You shouldn't try to destroy someone else's marriage. Su Feixu is incensed. She'd been

00:44:21waiting for my call for days. If I came around, she would have let it go. But I went and

00:44:25got married.

00:44:25The realization floods in and she snaps. That explains why your wife's grandmother

00:44:29happened to collapse at my door. You came here for my aunt, didn't you? Kang Nanju,

00:44:33have you no shame? She points at me furiously and turns to the gate security. Look at him carefully.

00:44:38Remember this face. He is never to set foot in the Su estate again. Kang Boda lowers his head to

00:44:42hide the satisfaction forming at the corner of his mouth. Su Feixu still has some say over this gate,

00:44:46but the next moment, the Su estate's butler steps out from inside. His gaze sweeps across the group

00:44:51and comes to rest on me. Mr. Kang Nanju, Miss Chinguol invites you inside.

00:44:55Kang Boda freezes. Su Feixu stares in complete disbelief. I look up at the gate security with an

00:45:00expression somewhere between a smile and not. So, can I go in now? The guard steals a careful glance

00:45:04at Su Feixu, then opens the gate without hesitation. He knows perfectly well who holds the real authority

00:45:09in this household. I go through. Su Feixu and the others follow behind. Lee Ruyin glares at me.

00:45:14Miss Su Chinguol probably called you in to collect your grandmother. Once you have her,

00:45:18the two of you should be quick about leaving. And don't you dare dirty the Su family's carpets,

00:45:22you wretch. With that, they all enter the living room. And there, seated upright in the center seat

00:45:27of the main sofa, is Grandma Su. The old woman stares at them with sharp eyes. You wicked woman,

00:45:32just who are you calling a wretch? She's changed into elegant formal clothes, but her color is still

00:45:36poor. Su Chinguol sits beside her, cold and composed. Lee Ruyin goes rigid. Kang Boda's legs nearly

00:45:41give out beneath him. Su Feixu grabs his arm just in time. Su Feixu looks puzzled.

00:45:46What's wrong with you? Kang Boda's hands are shaking. He is already marrying well above his

00:45:50station. Every elder in this house is someone he needs to carefully win over. And he's already

00:45:54offended the old madam before he even got through the door. He forces a rueful smile.

00:45:57Nanju. Why did you let us believe the old madam was your wife's grandmother? Because of you,

00:46:01we were disrespectful to her. I immediately feel several suspicious eyes turn in my direction.

00:46:05Lee Ruyin catches up quickly. You knew the old madam has dementia and you used that to deceive her?

00:46:09What kind of place do you think the Su Estate is? Get on your knees and apologize right now.

00:46:13My eyes go flat. So they're going to pin everything on me and conveniently clear Kang Boda's name in

00:46:18the process. Clever. A teacup flies across the room with a sharp crack. Scalding tea soaks into

00:46:23Lee Ruyin's clothing. She doesn't dare make a sound. The old madam's voice rises with fury.

00:46:28You insolent woman. He is my granddaughter's husband. Lee Ruyin bears the burning pain and says,

00:46:33Old madam, you've been deceived by him. I am absolutely certain his wife is nobody.

00:46:36There's no need to argue. Why not simply ask the person in question?

00:46:39Su Feshu's mother speaks up from the side. Ching Wal, is he really your husband?

00:46:43I look at Su Ching Wal quietly and hear the answer I expected. No. What a thankless,

00:46:48ungrateful woman. Kang Boda's face brightens with visible relief. Lee Ruyin curls her lip.

00:46:53I knew it. This is all Kang Nanju's doing. I give a short, cold laugh and am about to respond.

00:46:57When Su Ching Wal continues, my grandmother mistook him for someone she knew,

00:47:01so I asked Mr. Kang to help look after her for a while. Everyone goes quiet. Nobody expected that.

00:47:06After a moment, Kang Boda lowers his head and says, I see. Nanju, why didn't you just tell us that?

00:47:11If you had, none of this misunderstanding would have happened. Su Ching Wal reclines against the

00:47:15sofa, her posture casual, but her presence commanding when she speaks. Mr. Kang Boda,

00:47:20hiding behind others when trouble comes, deflecting blame onto someone else. Is that what the Kang

00:47:24family teaches its children? Grandma Su immediately follows with sharp indignation.

00:47:28So you think a few loose screws in my head means I can't see through your little games?

00:47:32You made a mistake, you show no remorse, and then you try to drag someone else down with you.

00:47:36The two of you have no shame. Grandma Su looks directly at Su Feisue.

00:47:39Call off the engagement. I will not accept this man as my great-granddaughter's husband.

00:47:43Kang Boda goes rigid all over. He worked so long and so hard for this engagement.

00:47:47It cannot just disappear like this. He looks at Su Feisue, but her eyes are still on me.

00:47:51She clearly hasn't recovered from the shock and fury of finding out I'm married.

00:47:54Kang Boda tightens his fist, walks to Su Feisue, and says, Feisue, this is my fault.

00:47:58Don't worry. Even if the engagement is called off, the introduction I promised you will still happen.

00:48:03Su Feisue comes back to herself. Kang Boda is still going to introduce her to Dr. Nan.

00:48:07In the current landscape of new energy projects, Dr. Nan is among the very top names.

00:48:10She quickly turns to Grandma Su.

00:48:12Great-grandma, Kang Boda didn't know any better. Please forgive him.

00:48:15Besides, the betrothal gifts have already been exchanged.

00:48:17Calling off the engagement now would be awkward for everyone.

00:48:20Grandma Su looks at her for a long moment.

00:48:22Do as you like. Great-granddaughter's affairs are for her parents to decide.

00:48:25She doesn't intend to interfere further.

00:48:27But Su Feisue's mother smiles and says,

00:48:29Grandma, didn't you forget the meeting gift?

00:48:31Grandma Su's eyelids droop immediately at that.

00:48:33I'll have someone transfer $180,000 to Feisue.

00:48:35Su Feisue's mother's face stiffens.

00:48:37But you said before that you were worried about them being tight on money as newlyweds.

00:48:41Weren't you going to give them 2% of the shares?

00:48:43The wealthiest person in the Su family is Grandma Su.

00:48:46She came from a powerful family herself, with a substantial personal dowry,

00:48:49and she controls 20% of Su Group's shares.

00:48:52Su Feisue's mother has long been scheming to extract a significant portion of those shares

00:48:56through this marriage.

00:48:57It was all arranged, but the old madam has changed her mind at the last moment.

00:49:00Grandma Su looks at her with a smile that isn't quite a smile.

00:49:03I'm not satisfied with this great-grandson-in-law, so I've changed what I'm giving.

00:49:06Kang Boda goes white.

00:49:08The humiliation is crushing.

00:49:09There are plenty of servants in this household.

00:49:11This will get around.

00:49:12Eventually all of Haicheng will hear about it.

00:49:14But Grandma Su doesn't care about any of that.

00:49:16She simply takes me and Su Ching-Wol to her private courtyard.

00:49:19Then she finds a reason to step away, leaving Su Ching-Wol to entertain her grandson-in-law

00:49:23properly.

00:49:24Now the courtyard holds only the two of us.

00:49:26The night is ink-dark.

00:49:27I stand side by side with Su Ching-Wol.

00:49:29I'm still deciding how to begin when Su Ching-Wol suddenly turns to look at me, brow tightly

00:49:33drawn, undisguised distaste in her eyes.

00:49:35I refuse to be outdone and turn to look at her just as directly.

00:49:38Su Ching-Wol's expression goes dark.

00:49:40She thinks, he actually maneuvered Grandmother into saying all that.

00:49:43His motives are clearly not innocent.

00:49:44Grandmother attaching herself to him might have been coincidence.

00:49:47There is no visible sign of manipulation there.

00:49:49But this man's willingness to take Grandmother in might be because she accidentally revealed

00:49:53her identity.

00:49:53Then I remember the actual point of this.

00:49:55I recall you said in your messages that you'd do me a favor.

00:49:58Could we go to the registry office together and check on our marital status?

00:50:01Su Ching-Wol says with a dark expression, fine.

00:50:03But if it turns out to be false, I expect you to stop using my grandmother to get close

00:50:06to me.

00:50:07Grandma Su's head pops out from a window.

00:50:09Are you bullying my grandson-in-law?

00:50:11Su Ching-Wol's expression locks up, no, dinner is simple.

00:50:14Four dishes in a soup, just enough for three.

00:50:15But Grandma Su has little appetite, picking at a few bites before setting down her chopsticks.

00:50:20Grandson-in-law, I'm tired.

00:50:21Let's go home.

00:50:22Please don't push yourself.

00:50:23Rest here at home tonight.

00:50:24The small courtyard is equipped like a private care facility, every kind of medical device

00:50:28present.

00:50:29But the old woman grips my hand anxiously.

00:50:31Then can you stay and keep me company?

00:50:32I frown and glance at Su Ching-Wol.

00:50:34Honestly, I'm also worried about the old woman.

00:50:36But this woman has made her distaste for me quite clear.

00:50:39She thinks I'm using the old woman to get close to her.

00:50:42She'll never agree.

00:50:42Su Ching-Wol pauses then says, alright, then she gives me a meaningful look.

00:50:46The meaning is clear, this is entirely for her grandmother's sake.

00:50:49I should harbor no other ideas.

00:50:51Grandma Su is delighted.

00:50:52She says happily, wherever my grandson-in-law is, that's where I am.

00:50:56After dinner I take Grandma Su back to her room.

00:50:58She must be genuinely exhausted after the episode today.

00:51:00The moment she lies down she drifts off.

00:51:02Her sleep is very restless.

00:51:04I have no choice but to sit at the bedside and stay with her.

00:51:06Outside the window, Su Ching-Wol's expression is severe.

00:51:09What is happening with grandmother?

00:51:10The family doctor who has a background in psychology says,

00:51:13I can't say why the old madam has become so attached to this young man.

00:51:16But I can guess at why she's so unsettled.

00:51:18I believe the old madam senses she may not make it through the year.

00:51:21She's afraid that when she goes you'll have nothing tying you down.

00:51:24This grandson-in-law is the only person she can leave behind to be with you.

00:51:27Su Ching-Wol goes still.

00:51:29Something stirs in her dark eyes, impossible to fully suppress.

00:51:32Only after a long time does the stillness return.

00:51:34She stands in the moonlight, as if she might simply turn and surrender herself to the darkness behind her.

00:51:38After some time, she suddenly turns and strides back toward the main residence.

00:51:42Kang Boda's dinner is a miserable ordeal, owing to the loss of the 2% shares.

00:51:47Su Fai-Shue's mother Lu Me-Hu is very displeased and makes no effort to be polite.

00:51:50Isn't Kang Nan-Ju your family's illegitimate child?

00:51:53How is it that he can win the old madam over and you can't?

00:51:56Kang Boda can only bow his head.

00:51:57Aunt Lu, I don't have Nan-Ju's way with words.

00:52:00I'm not as good at winning people over, Lu Me-Hu snorts.

00:52:03I don't care how you do it.

00:52:04Get me those 2% shares back.

00:52:06Otherwise don't think about stepping foot in this house again.

00:52:08Kang Boda swallows his grievances.

00:52:10He endures the meal and finally manages to excuse himself.

00:52:13But before he can leave, Su Ching-Wol returns.

00:52:15The moment she walks in, her presence fills the room with pressure.

00:52:18She takes one look at the leftovers on the table and her expression darkens further.

00:52:22Her grandmother ate nothing tonight.

00:52:24And these people were here enjoying a full spread.

00:52:26Lu Me-Hu catches that expression and wisely says nothing.

00:52:29It is Su Fai-Shue's father, Su Yu-Jin, who furrows his brow and asks,

00:52:33Ching-Wol, why are you back?

00:52:34Su Ching-Wol ignores this man who is only technically her elder brother.

00:52:37She simply looks at Kang Boda.

00:52:39Since the engagement stands, you are now effectively part of the Su family, correct?

00:52:42Then as a member of this family, you follow its rules.

00:52:44You defied your elders today.

00:52:46You will kneel in front of the ancestral hall for the night.

00:52:48Su Ching-Wol beckons behind her without giving anyone a chance to argue.

00:52:52Two bodyguards step up to Kang Boda.

00:52:53Young Master Kang, if you would.

00:52:55Kang Boda is completely thrown.

00:52:56Kneel through the entire night.

00:52:58He has been pampered his whole life.

00:52:59How is he supposed to manage that?

00:53:00He looks desperately to Su Fai-Shue, but she clearly doesn't dare stand against the authority

00:53:04of the family head.

00:53:05He takes a deep breath and follows the bodyguards.

00:53:07Just before he passes through the door, he hears Su Fai-Shue ask,

00:53:11Aunt Ching-Wol, what about Kang Nan-Ju?

00:53:12Has he left?

00:53:13Then he hears Su Ching-Wol's reply, carrying a note of warning.

00:53:16He is my guest.

00:53:17He's staying at the estate tonight.

00:53:18Kang Boda arrives at the ancestral hall with the bodyguards.

00:53:21One of the bodyguards says,

00:53:23Miss said since you aren't married yet you can't enter the Su ancestral hall.

00:53:26Kneel outside.

00:53:27The ground outside is hard blue brick.

00:53:28Kang Boda tries to say something but the two bodyguards stand with hands clasped behind

00:53:32their backs, staring at him without expression.

00:53:34It's October.

00:53:35The nights are already cold.

00:53:37Kang Boda shivers continuously, the biting chill working from his knees into his bones.

00:53:41He thinks about cheating but those two bodyguards watch him like stone guardians.

00:53:45They say nothing, but the effect is thoroughly chilling.

00:53:47And then he thinks of me, presumably lying in a warm and comfortable bed inside,

00:53:51and his teeth grind together, but he tells himself,

00:53:53He can only stay one night.

00:53:55I'll be living here for the rest of my life.

00:53:56And the meeting with Dr. Nan is coming soon.

00:53:58He absolutely must play that card right.

00:54:00The next morning after washing up, I join Grandma Su and Su Ching-wal for breakfast.

00:54:04There is a plate of fried sugar cakes on the table.

00:54:07Grandma Su reaches for one immediately.

00:54:09Su Ching-wal frowns.

00:54:10Grandma, your blood sugar is high.

00:54:11You shouldn't be having anything this oily and sweet.

00:54:13While she's still thinking of how to stop her, I say simply,

00:54:16Grandma, that's not good for you.

00:54:18And that stubborn old woman's hand makes a little arc in the air and deposits the sugar cake

00:54:22in my bowl.

00:54:22She gives me a winning smile.

00:54:24I picked that for you, grandson-in-law.

00:54:26Su Ching-wal is momentarily thrown.

00:54:28She looks at me with searching eyes, unable to understand why her grandmother listens to

00:54:31me so readily.

00:54:32I eat the sugar cake without hesitation.

00:54:34Then I look at Su Ching-wal.

00:54:35By the way, when we go to the registry office, you'll need to bring your ID and household

00:54:39registration.

00:54:40Grandma Su asks with curiosity,

00:54:42Why are you going to the registry office?

00:54:43The marriage certificate got lost.

00:54:45We're going to get a replacement.

00:54:47And actually, this isn't just a line.

00:54:48You need the certificate for a divorce.

00:54:50But the old woman says, it isn't lost.

00:54:52She hurries into the bedroom and comes back with two red marriage certificates.

00:54:55I stare at the certificate in my hands, speechless.

00:54:58I suddenly realize why she called me grandson-in-law the very first time she saw me.

00:55:02She already knew we were married.

00:55:03Grandma, why do you have these?

00:55:05The old woman blinks, her expression going a little vague.

00:55:07I can't quite remember.

00:55:08Then how did Miss Su and I get married?

00:55:10She shakes her head again.

00:55:11I don't remember.

00:55:13Grandma, please try to think a little harder.

00:55:14That's enough.

00:55:15Su Ching-wal gives a quiet, dismissive sound.

00:55:17She steps directly between me and the old woman and looks at me with a cold expression.

00:55:21She's thinking, using the registry office's legitimate cover to establish a foundation,

00:55:25then coaxing grandmother into producing this forged certificate so she believes it herself.

00:55:29If she hadn't just watched how completely grandmother defers to me, she might almost

00:55:33believe it.

00:55:33I can feel a faint killing intent in her tone and find it completely baffling.

00:55:37We don't have to go today.

00:55:38After all, divorce isn't something you sort out with one visit to the registry.

00:55:41We've been legally married for two years.

00:55:43There are significant asset division questions.

00:55:45We need to draft a divorce agreement first.

00:55:47No.

00:55:48Su Ching-wal says it then watches me carefully.

00:55:50She sees me hesitate slightly, then say, as you like.

00:55:53She thinks, is he that good at acting, or is the certificate real?

00:55:56Su Ching-wal finds herself suddenly uncertain.

00:55:58She takes the certificate, goes ahead, and says, I'll wait for you in the car park.

00:56:01I give Grandma Su a reassuring smile.

00:56:03We've barely reached the car park.

00:56:05When we find Li Ruian there, looking pained as she supports Kang Boda, who is pale, sneezing

00:56:09and shaking in both legs.

00:56:11When Li Ruian sees me, her eyes light up.

00:56:13She comes over quickly, carefully going around Su Ching-wal to reach me.

00:56:16You have to help your brother.

00:56:17Her tone is entirely self-righteous.

00:56:19I raise an eyebrow.

00:56:20I can't figure out how they're here this early, unless they never left last night.

00:56:23I say nothing.

00:56:24Li Ruian launches into it immediately.

00:56:26Nanju, you're illegitimate.

00:56:27But the Kang family raised you regardless of your birth.

00:56:29You owe them something.

00:56:30Your brother was even better to you.

00:56:32He let you go to school with him.

00:56:33He shared his clothes with you.

00:56:34And when you were born, you were so weak, they didn't think you'd survive.

00:56:38I didn't produce enough milk, so you only made it because you took what belonged to

00:56:41your brother.

00:56:41The Kang family hadn't planned on taking us in at all.

00:56:44It was only because you and your brother were born on the same day that Mrs. Kang and your

00:56:47father let us stay.

00:56:48So you owe your brother.

00:56:49You should spend your entire life being good to him.

00:56:51These are words I haven't heard in ten years, yet they're completely familiar.

00:56:54I think of the child I was, who believed every word, who swallowed it all and let Kang Boda

00:56:58do whatever he wanted.

00:56:59Now I only find it absurd.

00:57:01Yes, the Kang family raised me.

00:57:02But parents are legally required to provide for their children.

00:57:05If they hadn't, they would have committed the crime of abandonment.

00:57:08Yes, I went to school alongside Kang Boda.

00:57:10But I carried his school bag to and from school and served as his personal errand boy on campus.

00:57:14If Kang Boda so much as coughed, it was considered my failure to look after him, and Lee Ruyen

00:57:19would beat me for it.

00:57:20At school, I was only permitted to score near the bottom, because I was not allowed to outshine

00:57:24Kang Boda.

00:57:24I had no clothes of my own because my parents never provided any.

00:57:27I wore only what Kang Boda discarded, so my clothes were always a size too small.

00:57:31Mrs. Kang did once buy me new clothes, but the moment I put them on, Lee Ruyen tore them

00:57:35off me and gave them to Kang Boda, saying I wasn't worthy of them.

00:57:38I was not allowed to look better than Kang Boda.

00:57:40As for being a weak infant, what baby wouldn't be weak after going four or five days without

00:57:44being properly fed?

00:57:45The contempt in my eyes deepens.

00:57:47Lee Ruyen notices nothing.

00:57:48She continues.

00:57:49Now that you've grown up, you finally have a chance to repay the Kang family.

00:57:52Nanju, the old madam listens to you, doesn't she?

00:57:54Go tell her to give those 2% shares to your brother.

00:57:57I suddenly smile.

00:57:58You're right.

00:57:58At that, Lee Ruyen's face lifts, thinking she's gotten through to me.

00:58:01But the next moment I say lightly, I'm just a lowly illegitimate child.

00:58:05Why would the old madam listen to anything I say?

00:58:07Lee Ruyen freezes, about to try again, but I've already walked past her and gotten into

00:58:11Su Ching-Wal's car.

00:58:12Seeing Lee Ruyen, looking like she might follow, Su Ching-Wal gets into the driver's seat and

00:58:16shuts the door cleanly.

00:58:17She takes her time fastening her seatbelt, then drives away without a word.

00:58:20The black luxury car moves smoothly along the road.

00:58:23Through the rearview mirror, Su Ching-Wal can see me looking out the window, my expression

00:58:27calm and distant on a face she has to admit is striking.

00:58:30She pulls her gaze back to the road.

00:58:31The warning she had been preparing to give stays unspoken.

00:58:34The car reaches the registry office quickly.

00:58:36The moment it stops, a voice comes through the window.

00:58:38Boss, the driver said you took the car yourself.

00:58:40I panicked and tracked the GPS.

00:58:41Is something wrong?

00:58:42Su Ching-Wal, as always, offers nothing in response.

00:58:45Lu Hua looks at the registry office.

00:58:47Why are you here?

00:58:48Don't tell me Kang Nanju is still harassing you.

00:58:50Don't worry.

00:58:50I said he'd never get near you again.

00:58:52If he does, I'll livestream myself eating garbage.

00:58:55Before Lu Hua finishes, a lazy male voice comes from nearby.

00:58:58He goes rigid.

00:58:59What's your livestream channel?

00:59:00Lu Hua is at a complete loss.

00:59:01The three of them then go inside to the service window.

00:59:04Lu Hua speaks first.

00:59:05Hello, can a certificate be obtained without both parties present?

00:59:08The clerk frowns.

00:59:09Of course not.

00:59:09You heard that.

00:59:10Lu Hua looks at me with a smug smile.

00:59:12Then he spots the marriage certificate in my hand and scoffs.

00:59:14You even came prepared with a forged document.

00:59:17I'm calling the police right now and reporting you for forgery and harassment.

00:59:19But Su Ching-Wal hands the certificate to the clerk.

00:59:22Please check whether this certificate is genuine.

00:59:23The clerk gives her a strange look, then takes the certificate and inputs the information into

00:59:27the computer.

00:59:28Su Ching-Wal presses her lips together.

00:59:29She suddenly finds her own behavior almost absurd.

00:59:32She is completely certain she has never been married.

00:59:34And yet here she is.

00:59:35She even canceled an important meeting for this.

00:59:37The clerk looks up.

00:59:38This certificate is genuine.

00:59:40Su Ching-Wal goes very still.

00:59:41Lu Hua reacts without thinking.

00:59:43That can't be right.

00:59:44Is there an error in your records?

00:59:45The clerk gives him a sharp look.

00:59:47What are you talking about?

00:59:48Marriage is a serious matter.

00:59:49Both parties are carefully verified and required to sign a declaration.

00:59:52At the word, declaration, I immediately say, may we see our declaration?

00:59:56At the same moment, Su Ching-Wal says, please bring out the declaration.

01:00:00They look at each other and immediately look away.

01:00:02The clerk says with a helpless sigh, you two are certainly in sync for a married couple.

01:00:06Fine, I'll go find it.

01:00:07He returns quickly with the registration file and pulls out the declaration for us to examine.

01:00:11The handwriting is unmistakably mine.

01:00:13Lu Hua stares beside her.

01:00:14Boss, this really is your handwriting.

01:00:16I think for a moment, then look around the room and spot a security camera.

01:00:19Hello, would it be possible to view the security footage from the day we registered?

01:00:22I'm sorry, we only retained footage for six months.

01:00:24The clerk then assures us that a marriage certificate absolutely cannot be issued

01:00:28unless both parties are physically present.

01:00:30Their procedures do not allow for errors.

01:00:32The three of us leave the registry office with nothing resolved.

01:00:35Standing outside, Lu Hua says blankly,

01:00:38Boss, what now?

01:00:39Su Ching-Wal's eyes darken.

01:00:40I raise an eyebrow.

01:00:41Then both of us say, at exactly the same time, divorce.

01:00:45Lu Hua blinks.

01:00:46So, if you're divorcing now, should you discuss the terms?

01:00:48Again, in perfect unison, Su Ching-Wal and I both say,

01:00:51I'll have my lawyer contact you.

01:00:53Talk to my lawyer.

01:00:53After saying it, both of us can't help looking at each other.

01:00:56I give a short laugh.

01:00:57How about we each have our lawyers draft a proposal first,

01:01:00and if there are issues, then the lawyers can negotiate.

01:01:03Lu Hua scoffs, as if you could afford a lawyer.

01:01:05But Su Ching-Wal nods in agreement.

01:01:07I ignore Lu Hua and take out my phone.

01:01:09Miss Su, let's connect on WeChat.

01:01:11Easier to stay in touch.

01:01:12Su Ching-Wal pauses, then takes out her phone and opens her WeChat QR code with a meaningful look.

01:01:17I scan it.

01:01:18A chat window opens on my phone.

01:01:19The saved name reads, Silly Granddaughter.

01:01:21Her expression darkens immediately.

01:01:23I momentarily lost, too.

01:01:25I forgot we were already connected.

01:01:26Looking at her expression, I cough.

01:01:28The name was just something I typed without thinking at the time.

01:01:31I quickly shield the phone and change the name from Silly Granddaughter to Silly Girl.

01:01:34Then I leave a simple message, see you around.

01:01:36And I flag down a taxi and go.

01:01:38Watching me leave.

01:01:39Lu Hua turns to Su Ching-Wal.

01:01:41Boss, you two really are married, aren't you?

01:01:43You were way too in sync just now.

01:01:44Su Ching-Wal glances at him.

01:01:45Find the best divorce attorney.

01:01:47Draft an agreement.

01:01:48Protect the external assets.

01:01:49Lu Hua agrees immediately, then something clicks.

01:01:51I understand now.

01:01:52That man must have engineered the whole marriage.

01:01:54Since he couldn't win your heart, he's going after your money.

01:01:57That's why he can afford a lawyer to fight you in a divorce.

01:01:59Lu Hua is furious.

01:02:00Don't worry.

01:02:01I won't let him take a single cent from you.

01:02:03In the taxi on the other side of the city I'm calling G-Wal.

01:02:06Find the best divorce attorney.

01:02:07She is not taking a single cent from me.

01:02:09G-Wal says, no problem.

01:02:10But boss, how did you even end up married?

01:02:12Neither of you remembers.

01:02:14It's not like you both got amnesia.

01:02:15You think we're in a drama?

01:02:16I'm just curious.

01:02:17It's ridiculous and exciting at the same time.

01:02:19Maybe one day the registry office will just assign me a husband too.

01:02:22I let out a quiet sigh.

01:02:24After a pause, I say, there is someone who definitely knows what happened.

01:02:28G-Wal says, Grandma Su?

01:02:30But she can't remember.

01:02:31I frown.

01:02:31The clinical trial for the Alzheimer's treatment needs to be accelerated.

01:02:35Otherwise, we'll run out of time.

01:02:36Soon, I'm back home.

01:02:37I open the door and step into the familiar room.

01:02:40And notice that the 60 square meter apartment feels a little empty.

01:02:43Just then, Grandma Su comes in from the hallway pulling a suitcase.

01:02:46Grandson-in-law, you're back.

01:02:48I've been waiting for you.

01:02:49I brought lots of clothes this time.

01:02:50I pause.

01:02:51Then I smile.

01:02:52That day, Haicheng's most renowned divorce law firm receives two separate requests to

01:02:56draft divorce agreements.

01:02:57Both parties are anonymous.

01:02:58Both have the same requirement.

01:03:00The other party may not take any of their money.

01:03:02The terms are extremely demanding.

01:03:04The junior attorney beside the partner mutters,

01:03:06In all the divorces I've handled, I've never seen anything this cold-blooded.

01:03:09One's a man.

01:03:10One's a woman.

01:03:11Turns out ruthlessness doesn't discriminate.

01:03:13The senior attorney has seen plenty of loving couples turn into bitter enemies.

01:03:16He's seen worse than this.

01:03:18He laughs.

01:03:18Easy double fee.

01:03:20Get them ready and send them to our clients.

01:03:22At the top floor of Su Group,

01:03:23Su Ching-Wol has been working nonstop since returning from the registry office.

01:03:27It's almost the end of the workday when she gets a call from home,

01:03:29saying grandmother has gone off to find her grandson-in-law again.

01:03:32Grandmother needs daily health checks to monitor her readings.

01:03:35Su Ching-Wol's brow creases slightly.

01:03:37She opens WeChat instinctively, finds my contact, and wants to say something, but doesn't know

01:03:42how to put it.

01:03:43Ever since realizing I'm the person she'd been messaging, something has felt awkward.

01:03:47She scrolls casually through their conversation history.

01:03:49Their earlier exchanges were easy and casual, like old friends, especially when he helped

01:03:54her vent about someone.

01:03:55Wait, the person she was venting about that day in the restaurant?

01:03:57Wasn't that him?

01:03:58Su Ching-Wol's expression goes dark again immediately.

01:04:00Then her phone vibrates.

01:04:02I've sent a divorce agreement.

01:04:03Miss Su, the asset division terms in this agreement are my absolute minimum.

01:04:07Please review and let me know if they're acceptable.

01:04:09Asset division?

01:04:10Could this man really have engineered the marriage for money?

01:04:12Then Lu Hua walks in.

01:04:14Boss, any results from the investigation into your marriage?

01:04:17As Lu Hua speaks, Su Ching-Wol pulls up the divorce agreement on her computer.

01:04:21She reads through it quickly.

01:04:22Her eyes land on the asset division clause.

01:04:24When she sees what it says, she pauses with faint surprise.

01:04:27Lu Hua cranes his neck and looks too.

01:04:29He lets out a contemptuous laugh.

01:04:30That man is actually funny.

01:04:32He's worried about you taking his assets?

01:04:34What assets?

01:04:35His debts?

01:04:36Su Ching-Wol asks, eyes lowered.

01:04:38What did the investigation find?

01:04:39Boss, we found that Kang Nanju discovered you were already married a few days ago,

01:04:43when he went to register a marriage with someone else.

01:04:46Based on this divorce agreement, he also seems to be pushing for a quick divorce.

01:04:49He genuinely seems to have had no idea.

01:04:52Lu Hua continues, then pivots.

01:04:54But honestly, that almost feels too convenient.

01:04:56We looked into him and found that his life after leaving the Kang household has major gaps

01:05:00we can't fill.

01:05:01Boss, doesn't that strike you as odd?

01:05:02Why would an ordinary person hide so much about themselves?

01:05:05Su Ching-Wol half narrows her eyes, thoughtful.

01:05:07So you think he's connected to this?

01:05:09Lu Hua scratches his head.

01:05:10But it's been two years already, and we genuinely have no leads.

01:05:14Maybe we just have to wait until the old madam remembers something.

01:05:17Su Ching-Wol gives him a flat look.

01:05:18Lu Hua quickly drops his head.

01:05:20It's our failure.

01:05:21We'll keep looking.

01:05:21Su Ching-Wol prints out two copies of the divorce agreement.

01:05:24She stands and heads out, asking,

01:05:26Have you made contact with the NOVA researcher yet?

01:05:28Apparently they're close to producing a clinical treatment for Alzheimer's.

01:05:31Su Ching-Wol wants to get that medicine to her grandmother the moment it's available.

01:05:34At that, Lu Hua's head drops even lower.

01:05:37The NOVA researcher is almost impossible to locate.

01:05:39With all the major biotech companies hunting for them, they've become even more careful.

01:05:43Feeling the chill from Su Ching-Wol, he says,

01:05:45Boss, I promise I'll track them down.

01:05:47Meanwhile, I've just finished dinner with Grandma Su when a WeChat message comes in from

01:05:50Su Ching-Wol.

01:05:51I'm downstairs, come down.

01:05:52I make an excuse about taking out the rubbish and go downstairs.

01:05:55The familiar black luxury car is right there.

01:05:57In the car, Su Ching-Wol hands me the divorce agreement.

01:05:59I have no objection, sign it.

01:06:01Her dark eyes fix on me.

01:06:02She expects me to find a reason to stall.

01:06:04Instead, without a moment's hesitation, I sign both copies.

01:06:07I look up.

01:06:07Are we doing it tomorrow?

01:06:08Su Ching-Wol's eyes deepens slightly.

01:06:10That eager?

01:06:11I think of course I'm eager.

01:06:12My company is waiting to go public.

01:06:14After studying me for a moment, she says,

01:06:16Fine, I add.

01:06:17Tomorrow morning then, bring your ID, household registration,

01:06:20and the marriage certificate.

01:06:21I'll see you at the registry office.

01:06:23Su Ching-Wol nods.

01:06:24Then her expression abruptly changes.

01:06:26Grandma Su has come downstairs at some point without anyone noticing.

01:06:29She is staring at us, her face drained of color.

01:06:31She presses a hand to her chest, her voice trembling.

01:06:33You're getting a divorce?

01:06:34Then her eyes close and she collapses toward the ground.

01:06:36Outside the very important person ward at the first hospital, the doctor says,

01:06:40The patient's condition has stabilized for now.

01:06:42She cannot be subjected to any more emotional stress.

01:06:44I hear this and think of the emergency measures applied to her just now.

01:06:47I still feel the lingering fear.

01:06:49I look at Su Ching-Wol standing nearby.

01:06:51Her face is expressionless.

01:06:53She looks perfectly composed.

01:06:54But when the doctor says Grandma Su is no longer in immediate danger,

01:06:57she reaches up and loosens her collar slightly.

01:06:59Then she sinks slowly onto the hallway bench,

01:07:01a faint trembling going through her that she cannot hold back.

01:07:03Then the nurse's voice comes from inside.

01:07:05The old madam is awake.

01:07:06Su Ching-Wol goes in immediately.

01:07:08By the time I follow, the old woman has her eyes open.

01:07:11She looks at me, her voice rough.

01:07:12Grandson-in-law, I dreamed you and my granddaughter were getting a divorce.

01:07:15That isn't real, is it?

01:07:16I don't speak.

01:07:18But Su Ching-Wol speaks.

01:07:19It wasn't real.

01:07:20We're not getting a divorce.

01:07:21The old woman says,

01:07:22Then give me the household registration and the marriage certificate.

01:07:25All right.

01:07:26Su Ching-Wol gives the old woman whatever she asks for.

01:07:28The old woman looks at me.

01:07:29Grandson-in-law, is what she said true?

01:07:32I think of the doctor's warning, pause for a moment, then say,

01:07:35Yes, it's true.

01:07:36Grandma Su is satisfied.

01:07:38Though her episode was brought on by a sudden emotional surge,

01:07:40she will be kept in for observation tonight.

01:07:42Su Ching-Wol and I stay in the ward together.

01:07:44Evening falls.

01:07:45I'm sitting relaxed on the sofa working on a document on my phone.

01:07:48It's research on the clinical Alzheimer's treatment.

01:07:50But the final stage contains a technical problem I can't crack.

01:07:53I need to look through some biomedical literature.

01:07:55While I'm thinking, a message pops up from silly girl.

01:07:58Mr. Kang, we'll proceed with the divorce once grandmother's condition is stable.

01:08:01I can't refuse that.

01:08:02The agreement is already signed.

01:08:04Our assets are independent from this point on.

01:08:06I'm still technically married, but it doesn't affect the company going public.

01:08:09The timing of the actual divorce doesn't really matter.

01:08:11I reply, fine.

01:08:12Su Ching-Wol stares at my reply and narrows her eyes slightly.

01:08:15She asks,

01:08:16Any other conditions?

01:08:17When grandmother has recovered, just proceed with the divorce as soon as possible.

01:08:20Su Ching-Wol frowns.

01:08:21She suddenly finds this man genuinely difficult to read.

01:08:24In the bed, the little old woman looks at me, then at Su Ching-Wol.

01:08:27The two of them are barely exchanging a word.

01:08:29That won't do.

01:08:30The old woman says suddenly,

01:08:31Granddaughter, I want to arrange a job for your husband at Su Group.

01:08:34If they go to work together and come home together every day, feelings will naturally develop.

01:08:39Su Ching-Wol pauses slightly, then says,

01:08:41All right.

01:08:41She is unusually agreeable tonight.

01:08:43But the old woman has to think about what job to arrange.

01:08:45Then an idea strikes her.

01:08:47Grandson-in-law, I'll sort it out.

01:08:48Follow your wife to work tomorrow.

01:08:50I blink.

01:08:50All right.

01:08:51Because it just occurred to me that Su Group must have an extensive archive.

01:08:54There may be documents there I need.

01:08:56Su Ching-Wol has a meeting.

01:08:57She says goodbye to grandmother and leaves with Liu Hua.

01:09:00But barely in the corridor, Liu Hua says,

01:09:02So that's why that man signed the divorce agreement so readily.

01:09:05He had the old madam come downstairs.

01:09:07There's no way to divorce with her around.

01:09:08He looks at Su Ching-Wol.

01:09:10And now he's charmed the old madam into getting him a job at Su Group.

01:09:13He's definitely scheming something.

01:09:14Why did you agree?

01:09:15Su Ching-Wol says,

01:09:16If I don't keep him where I can see him, how will his flaws surface?

01:09:19A sharp glint passes through her eyes.

01:09:21For grandmother's sake, divorce is impossible right now.

01:09:24As for whether the man is genuinely innocent, she'll see what he's actually after once he's

01:09:27in the company.

01:09:28In the ward, I'm lying on the sofa.

01:09:30Then the old woman's voice comes to me.

01:09:31Grandson-in-law, I have a secret to tell you.

01:09:33I sit up immediately.

01:09:35Has she remembered something important?

01:09:36Like how she knows me?

01:09:37Or how I came to marry Su Ching-Wol?

01:09:39I ask with barely contained anticipation,

01:09:41What secret?

01:09:42The old woman says with great secrecy,

01:09:44My granddaughter has a weakness almost nobody knows about.

01:09:46I'm telling you now.

01:09:47If she ever mistreats you, use it.

01:09:49I'm thrown.

01:09:50Honestly, this isn't what I was hoping to hear.

01:09:52But the old woman continues,

01:09:54Don't let that fierce exterior fool you.

01:09:55She's afraid of cats.

01:09:56I go still.

01:09:57I suddenly think of a girl I knew when I was small who was also afraid of cats.

01:10:00I wouldn't have imagined Su Ching-Wol, with that cold composure of hers,

01:10:04being afraid of cats.

01:10:05The old woman asks,

01:10:06Do you prefer cats or dogs?

01:10:08Dogs.

01:10:08I used to like cats, but a girl I knew didn't like them,

01:10:11so I stopped liking them too.

01:10:12On the third day, at the top floor of Su group,

01:10:14a small fluffy Shiba Inu is wagging its tail and circling around me.

01:10:18Liu Hua is exasperated.

01:10:19Why did the old madam arrange the job of looking after a puppy for Mr. Kang?

01:10:23Su Ching-Wol doesn't quite understand it either.

01:10:25They say elderly people sometimes revert to childlike thinking,

01:10:28acting on pure whim.

01:10:29But a job looking after a dog is going too far.

01:10:31She says firmly,

01:10:33Take him to the new energy research division, Team 1.

01:10:35She had already prepared for this.

01:10:37The new energy division doesn't touch the company's core operations,

01:10:40but it does relate to its future direction.

01:10:42She wants to put me there and see what I reveal.

01:10:44I have no strong feelings about any of this.

01:10:46I pick up the puppy and follow Liu Hua.

01:10:48Does it have a name?

01:10:49The old madam said to let you name it.

01:10:51I glance at Su Ching-Wol and feel a smile form.

01:10:53Then let's call it Little Cat.

01:10:54You want to name a dog Little Cat?

01:10:56Is that a problem?

01:10:56The new energy research division is on the 38th floor.

01:10:59In the elevator, Liu Hua says,

01:11:01Mr. Kang, most of the staff in our research division hold doctoral degrees.

01:11:04The minimum is a master's from a top university.

01:11:07You'd be the first undergraduate.

01:11:08Learning from senior colleagues here would do you a great deal of good in the future.

01:11:11This is a special arrangement from our boss.

01:11:13Of course you don't need to be overly grateful.

01:11:15Think of it as the boss rewarding you for keeping the old madam happy.

01:11:18I twitched slightly.

01:11:19Actually, it really isn't necessary.

01:11:21Also, the boss would prefer to keep your relationship with her private,

01:11:24to avoid complications when the divorce happens.

01:11:27I look at him.

01:11:27That happens to suit me as well.

01:11:29Liu Hua is thrown.

01:11:30This man is actually the one expressing reluctance?

01:11:33He's about to say more but the elevator arrives.

01:11:35My first day at work.

01:11:36I find it genuinely interesting.

01:11:38Nobody assigns me anything to do which suits me fine.

01:11:40I spend a while in the private office playing with a puppy.

01:11:43After a while, the puppy curls up in a sunny corner and falls asleep.

01:11:46I get up quietly, close the office door, and head for the research division's archive.

01:11:50Only if the Alzheimer's treatment is developed and Grandma Sue improves will she be able to

01:11:53remember what happened.

01:11:54And then I'll finally understand how this inexplicable marriage with Sue Ching-Wall came

01:11:58about.

01:11:58I find a colleague and ask for directions to the archive.

01:12:00Then I head straight there.

01:12:02Sue Group's archive is on the 60th floor.

01:12:03It turns out to be an enormous private library, accessible only to company employees.

01:12:08The materials here cover industry knowledge that simply cannot be found anywhere outside.

01:12:12I feel a quiet excitement.

01:12:13My instincts say what I'm looking for is in here.

01:12:15On the top floor, Sue Ching-Wall is working through a backlog of documents.

01:12:19Her phone chimes.

01:12:20A message from a contact named Prosperity in Full Bloom which is Grandma Sue, granddaughter,

01:12:24have lunch with your husband today.

01:12:25And take a photo of you two together at the table.

01:12:28I want to see it.

01:12:28Sue Ching-Wall frowns and is about to invent a meeting as an excuse.

01:12:32When the name in the chat window changes before her eyes.

01:12:34From Prosperity in Full Bloom to Fragile Grandmother Who Cannot Be Upset.

01:12:38Sue Ching-Wall goes quiet.

01:12:40She stares at the new name for a long time.

01:12:42Then she lets out a helpless sigh and presses the call button on her desk.

01:12:45Lu Hua appears promptly.

01:12:46Boss, what do you need?

01:12:48Arrange two lunches to be sent up.

01:12:49Then Sue Ching-Wall messages me asking me to come to the top floor for lunch.

01:12:53But the food is set out on the side table and I still haven't responded.

01:12:56Sue Ching-Wall stands up.

01:12:57Where is he?

01:12:58Lu Hua says,

01:12:59Mr. Kong?

01:12:59He's in the archive.

01:13:00Sue Ching-Wall goes to the 60th floor.

01:13:02She quickly spots me and also Sue Feishui who is staring at me.

01:13:06I'm absorbed in looking through the books, completely missing my phone vibrating.

01:13:09This archive holds the most advanced technical materials available today.

01:13:12I could lose myself here entirely.

01:13:14I step back and bump into someone.

01:13:16Sue Feishui is staring at me with a complicated expression.

01:13:18Kong Nanju, don't tell me all the effort you put into winning over my great-grandmother

01:13:22was really about getting close to my aunt.

01:13:24My expression goes flat immediately.

01:13:25Nothing to do with you.

01:13:26Sue Feishui continues anyway.

01:13:28My aunt has kept her distance from men her entire life.

01:13:31Don't imagine that face of yours will get you anywhere with her.

01:13:33She's not that shallow.

01:13:34And right now she's just given you some throwaway position to get you out of the way.

01:13:38I give a short, humorless laugh.

01:13:39So when you chased me for all those years, that was because you were the shallow one?

01:13:43I look at her.

01:13:44She was the only real friend I had in university.

01:13:46I did genuinely consider her.

01:13:47When she said she had a surprise for me at the graduation ceremony,

01:13:50I had actually been thinking about whether to accept her.

01:13:52I sigh.

01:13:53Sue Feishui, can't we just part on decent terms?

01:13:56Sue Feishui's eyes go red immediately.

01:13:58No.

01:13:59I know you hate me for choosing Kangboda, but I had no choice.

01:14:02Marriages between powerful families involve so many considerations.

01:14:05I did try for you.

01:14:06Even my mother had agreed I could be with someone ordinary.

01:14:09But your background made me pull back.

01:14:11I could never marry someone illegitimate, no matter what.

01:14:13How would I hold my place in the Sue family?

01:14:15I'd become a laughingstock in all of Haicheng.

01:14:17I look at her.

01:14:18When I was a child, questions of background used to make me feel I could never hold my

01:14:21head up.

01:14:21But when I left the Kang house, I understood.

01:14:24Self-respect is everything.

01:14:25I look away.

01:14:26Thank you for the favor of not marrying me.

01:14:28I turn to go.

01:14:29Sue Feishui blocks me again.

01:14:30I can arrange for you to work in my team.

01:14:32I'll find someone senior to mentor you.

01:14:33I know how capable you are.

01:14:35You're so sharp you'd pick things up fast.

01:14:36You'd never have to do odd jobs again.

01:14:38I cut through the rambling.

01:14:39What's the condition?

01:14:40Get divorced.

01:14:41Come with me.

01:14:42Sue Feishui cannot tolerate the idea of another woman sharing me with her.

01:14:45The very thought drives her close to the edge.

01:14:47I respond coldly, you don't deserve that.

01:14:49Why do you love that nobody wife of yours so much?

01:14:52You think I couldn't pay her off or have someone scare her into leaving you?

01:14:55How could she possibly compare to me?

01:14:56I slap her without hesitation.

01:14:58After doing it, I still feel unsatisfied.

01:15:00I look at Sue Feishui with cold detachment.

01:15:02I didn't intend to be cruel.

01:15:03But since you insist on pushing for an answer, my wife is more beautiful than you.

01:15:07And her figure is better too.

01:15:08I turn to leave.

01:15:09And there at the corner ahead is Sue Ching-wal.

01:15:11I go still.

01:15:12So does she.

01:15:13Sue Feishui's eyes go dark.

01:15:14Her fists clench.

01:15:15She thinks.

01:15:16One day he will come to me in tears.

01:15:18She takes a long breath.

01:15:19When the pain in her face fades a little, she calls Kang Boda.

01:15:22Tomorrow afternoon you have that lunch with Dr. Nan.

01:15:25Take me along.

01:15:25Meanwhile, Sue Ching-wal uses lunch as a pretext to bring me up to the top floor.

01:15:29Inside her office, she points to the side table.

01:15:32You start.

01:15:32I feel a little guilty.

01:15:33She doesn't seem to have heard what I said based on how she's acting.

01:15:36While I'm thinking, I hear the sound of a photo being taken.

01:15:39Sue Ching-wal takes the photo calmly and sends it to grandmother.

01:15:42Then she comes over and sits down to eat.

01:15:43I understand why she took the photo and don't ask.

01:15:46I look at the table and make conversation.

01:15:47Quite a spread.

01:15:48She sits across from me.

01:15:49She picks up her chopsticks with unhurried elegance.

01:15:52Good nutrition is essential for maintaining one's figure.

01:15:54I freeze.

01:15:55My face feels warm.

01:15:56My gaze drifts briefly over the pale skin visible at her collar.

01:15:59Then I pack up one of the portions to go.

01:16:01I just remembered the puppy hasn't been fed.

01:16:03I'll head out.

01:16:03I pick up the packed meal.

01:16:05Thanks for lunch.

01:16:05The afternoon comes quickly.

01:16:07I pick up the dog and leave the top floor.

01:16:09After finishing her work for the day, Sue Ching-wal stands to leave.

01:16:12Liu Hua asks,

01:16:12Boss, which home?

01:16:13Sue Ching-wal pauses.

01:16:15She just realized she hasn't asked where grandmother is.

01:16:17She calls Grandma Sue.

01:16:18Whose home are you at?

01:16:19The answer is unexpected.

01:16:20I'm at the hospital.

01:16:21Sue Ching-wal frowns.

01:16:22Didn't the doctor say you were cleared to leave?

01:16:24But this afternoon my chest started hurting again so I'd like to stay a few more days.

01:16:28Are you coming to sit with me tonight?

01:16:29You don't have to.

01:16:30I'm just a frail old woman with no one to look after her.

01:16:33Leave me here alone in my misery.

01:16:34Waking up at midnight wanting a sip of water with no one there.

01:16:37Oh it's so hard.

01:16:38I'm coming now.

01:16:39That's better.

01:16:40And I've already told your husband.

01:16:41He's coming to stay with me too.

01:16:43Come together.

01:16:43She hangs up and presses her fingers to her temple.

01:16:46She understands her grandmother's scheming perfectly.

01:16:48Whether she goes back to the Sue estate or goes to my apartment,

01:16:51she and I will be separate at night but if both of them keep vigil at the hospital,

01:16:54we'll inevitably spend more time together.

01:16:56But she knows I was with someone.

01:16:57Sue Ching-wal presses her lips together.

01:16:59She wants to maintain distance.

01:17:00But then she thinks of grandmother's health and she swallows her reluctance.

01:17:03She messages me,

01:17:04I'll pick you up after work and take you to the hospital.

01:17:07This time I respond quickly, no need.

01:17:09I'm already in a taxi on the way.

01:17:10Sue Ching-wal thinks he knows how to maintain propriety.

01:17:13He hasn't taken advantage of grandmother's favoritism to push his way in.

01:17:16She should feel relieved.

01:17:18Somehow the unease in her chest only grows a little.

01:17:20I haven't been thinking much about any of this.

01:17:22I simply don't want too much entanglement with Sue Ching-wal

01:17:24until I understand the truth behind this marriage.

01:17:26This inexplicable marriage was almost certainly caused by something on her side.

01:17:30After all, someone as small and unremarkable as me who would be paying attention.

01:17:33I carry the dog into the hospital ward building

01:17:35and head toward the very important person rooms.

01:17:37Not far away, Mrs. Kang Nanjingsu has just finished a follow-up appointment.

01:17:41Kang Boda has her by the arm.

01:17:43Mrs. Kang says hesitantly,

01:17:44Isn't that Nanjou?

01:17:45What is he doing at the hospital?

01:17:47Is he unwell?

01:17:47A flash of irritation moves through Kang Boda.

01:17:50The news of Grandma Sue's hospitalization couldn't be kept from the Sue family.

01:17:53But the old woman is stubborn and refused all visitors.

01:17:55He went to the ward today and was turned away at the door without even catching a glimpse of her.

01:17:59So Kang Nanjou must be here to be with her.

01:18:01His eyes shift.

01:18:01Probably visiting Grandma Sue, Nanjou really is devoted.

01:18:04The longtime caretaker Aunt Nan, who has come along, says with displeasure,

01:18:09devoted, I've never once seen him come to visit our madam.

01:18:12Aunt Nan is in her mid-fifties, about ten years older than Nanjingsu.

01:18:15She has been Mrs. Kang's personal caretaker her whole life.

01:18:17Never married.

01:18:18Mrs. Kang treats her like an elder sister, so Aunt Nan holds a high place in the Kang household.

01:18:22Even Kang Boda treats her with considerable respect.

01:18:25At Aunt Nanjou's words, a shadow passes across Mrs. Kang's face.

01:18:28Back then in the Kang house, Nanjou had such a hard life.

01:18:31Aunt Nanjou immediately says,

01:18:32Madam, you're still defending him?

01:18:33I can't stand Lee Ruyin's behavior either, but she has one thing right,

01:18:37young Master Nanjou has no gratitude in him.

01:18:39You think about him all the time, worry about him, and he's probably long forgotten you exist.

01:18:44Kang Boda says,

01:18:45I hear Miss Sue arranged a position for him at Sue Group.

01:18:47That's probably why he's being attentive to Grandma Sue.

01:18:49Aunt Nan scoffs,

01:18:51Madam, you even raised him.

01:18:52When Lee Ruyin neglected him as an infant, it was you who fed him.

01:18:55It was you who sent him to school.

01:18:57The debt of being raised is the greatest of all, and there's no sign of him repaying you.

01:19:01Mrs. Kang says immediately,

01:19:02That's enough, please stop, Kang Boda says.

01:19:05Mom acted out of kindness, she never expected anything in return back then.

01:19:08But some people do repay every small kindness in full.

01:19:11Like Dr. Nan, Mom only gave him a little money for school,

01:19:14and look at how much he's done for our family over the years.

01:19:16Three years ago when the company was nearly bankrupt,

01:19:18Dr. Nan gave us a technical patent that turned everything around.

01:19:21Aunt Nan nods immediately.

01:19:22Put it that way, Dr. Nan is so much better than Kang Nanjou.

01:19:25Kang Boda affects curiosity.

01:19:27I've always wanted to know what Dr. Nan is actually like.

01:19:29Mom, take me with you tomorrow.

01:19:30Mrs. Kang smiles and ruffles his hair.

01:19:32All right, I'll take you.

01:19:33They chat as they make their way downstairs to the car park.

01:19:36This whole scene happens to be visible from where I'm sitting on the sofa in the very important person

01:19:40ward nearby.

01:19:41My eyes follow Mrs. Kang.

01:19:42Her complexion is an unhealthy white.

01:19:44Her figure is very thin.

01:19:45Kang Boda is talking beside her.

01:19:47Mrs. Kang nods with a resigned smile.

01:19:49The two of them move with a comfortable closeness.

01:19:51I watch until the car is gone, reluctant to look away.

01:19:53I turn around and find Grandma Sue-

01:19:55I turn around and find Grandma Sue-

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