A Favor Done, A Husband Won

Chapter 374 - 368: Turning Around and Carrying Her Inside

"It’s just a basic major, just to get a diploma." Shi Su responded succinctly, without even glancing at the person, clearly not intending to engage any further.Mr. Lao Lai didn’t find it awkward and turned back to discuss with Mr. Shi about their company planning to upgrade the equipment in over five thousand chain convenience stores next year and will be open for public bidding.

This matter piqued Mr. Shi’s great interest, as the Shi Family indeed held a strong position in the electronic equipment sector of many domestic supermarkets.

Shi Dongyang received a few pointers from Mr. Shi and started chatting with Mr. Lao Lai. Throughout, Shi Su sat there with a lukewarm demeanor, listening. She could tell Mr. Shi intended for her to understand the current situation of the Shi Family, yet she remained unfazed and did not engage in any topic.

Until Mr. Lao Lai proactively asked if she had any interest in business.

Shi Su candidly replied, "Not interested."

Mr. Lao Lai clearly recognized Shi Dongyang as a useless second-generation heir. Despite wanting to cooperate with the Shi Family, his presence made him hesitate, thus shifting his focus to Shi Su. The conversation turned to his bidding plan, making Shi Su realize that Mr. Shi had not completely given up on the idea of bringing her back to the Shi Family.

"I heard that Miss Shi is usually very busy with work. Young ladies should remember to balance work and rest." Mr. Lao Lai smiled at her, seemingly out of line with conventional politeness.

"Since you’ve used the words ’I heard’, it seems you already know a bit about me." Only then did Shi Su turn to look at him, without a trace of a smile in her eyes: "You should know I’m already married, have a child, and the term ’young lady’ is not quite suitable for me."

"The Chinese language is broad and profound. I haven’t fully mastered all its vocabulary. If there’s anything inappropriate, I ask your forgiveness. I do hope to have the opportunity to learn Chinese from Miss Shi in the future."

"Your Chinese is excellent, some of your choice of words and phrases might even surpass mine. I’m not worthy of such praise." Shi Su drank more than half a glass of water and hadn’t eaten a bite of food until now.

There was ice in the lemon water. She was just thirsty, but after drinking it, she felt her stomach ache as if a knife was twisting inside, even more painful than in the morning.

The Waiter watched as dishes were brought in and taken away, almost untouched by anyone, while everyone was engaged in meaningless chatter.

Shi Su listened with disinterest. Though occasionally drawn into the conversation, she brushed it off coldly. Finally, they wisely stopped speaking to her, fearing her disinterested demeanor might lead to an awkward silence, making everyone uncomfortable.

The last course served was Mont Blanc, with the aroma of chestnut cream delightful and sweet. But the rich sweetness only worsened Shi Su’s stomach pain. She had no interest in their conversation, so she picked up a fork to appear as if she was about to eat, but didn’t take a bite.

Her seat was always under the restaurant’s romantically styled colored lighting. No one noticed her changing complexion, nor the faint paleness of her face.

Until she could no longer endure it and put down the fork, she sent a WeChat message to Chu Jiu, asking her to call, and excused herself from the restaurant under the guise of taking the call.

Once outside, it was pouring rain. She hadn’t brought an umbrella. The restaurant staff, seeing she was heading to the hotel across the street, quickly handed her an umbrella. Shi Su took it, but the wind and rain were so fierce that even with an umbrella, she got quite wet by the time she reached the hotel, which wasn’t far.

As she handed the umbrella to the hotel attendant at the entrance, he noticed her complexion and asked with concern, "Miss, are you alright? Do you need a doctor?"

Shi Su had no idea how pale she was to prompt such concern about needing a doctor.

She shook her head and entered the elevator, her clothes half-soaked. Her stomach ached so badly she just wanted to lie in a bathtub full of hot water in her room to ease the pain, desiring nothing else and avoiding everyone.

The 22nd floor wasn’t particularly high nor low; the elevator ride barely lasted a minute.

Yet that minute felt agonizingly slow due to the pain. Inside the elevator, Shi Su leaned back against the mirrored wall, pressing her abdomen tightly, her lip color paling in mere moments. The pain brought beads of sweat to her brow.

When the elevator finally reached the 22nd floor, she stepped out. Every step seemed to make her stomach feel like knives were slicing her muscles.

It was a struggle to move out of the elevator. A hotel staff member on the floor saw her and quickly approached: "Miss, do you need help?"

Shi Su shook her head, holding her stomach, she slowly moved in the direction of her room, quietly saying, "No, I can manage myself."

The staff noticed her complexion and wanted to assist, but seeing her frowning, seemingly in a bad mood, decided not to intrude and stayed put.

Shi Su walked along the wall back to her room. As she was about to pass room 2210, she heard the sound of a door opening. She paused, pressing herself against the wall, clutching her abdomen with her free hand, only to see Jing Jihan appear from behind the door.

Jing Jihan noticed her complexion, his gaze landing directly on her hand pressing hard against her stomach.

Instinctively, Shi Su removed her hand, as if trying to stand straight, pretending nothing happened. But the painful intake of breath betrayed her situation. Just straightening up caused such a rush of pain and cold sweat that she quickly pressed her hand back to her abdomen, biting her lip in silence, wanting to move away from him and towards another wall.

However, just as she turned, biting her lip hard from the pain, the man’s arm blocked her path. His voice sounded above her head, "What’s wrong?"

"...Nothing."

Shi Su closed her eyes, hoping to avoid him, but as she turned away, he had already placed his hand on her shoulder, gently turning her back to face him. Before she could ask him to let go, she was unexpectedly lifted off the ground in his firm embrace.

Shi Su inhaled sharply, too afraid to struggle due to the pain, gritting her teeth as she looked at him, "What are you doing?"

"Calling a doctor." He looked at the floor staff, who had been waiting for some time. His expression was impassive, his tone indifferent as if discussing an unrelated topic. Still, his grip gently prevented her subtle resistance and carried her inside without further ado.