Xu Lize's smile was as gentle as the spring breeze, but his voice made people feel as if they were in the cold winter. Even Su Qian, who was standing outside the restaurant, subconsciously stopped in her tracks.
But soon, Su Qian sneered, picked up her bag, and turned around to go upstairs.
So what if they got married and got the marriage certificate? How long had Xu Lize known Su Yang? The young master of the prestigious Mingkai Group would never fall for a hick like Su Yang.
She knew all too well about men's casual flings. In the end, it was all about face. Did he really think Xu Lize would fall out with the Su family for a woman?
But Su Quansheng in the living room didn't have such a good mentality as Su Qian.
Although Su Quansheng hadn't dealt with Xu Lize all that much, he knew very well what kind of temper this young master had.
Xu Lize was mostly serious and seldom smiled, but when he was really angry, his voice would turn ice - cold, just like now.
"Yangyang..." Su Quansheng had no choice but to turn to his daughter for help. "Yangyang, look, you're the older sister. Don't be so..."
"I don't have a sister like this." But Su Yang suddenly interrupted Su Quansheng. "I can still call you Dad today only because of Mom. But a sister... sorry, I'm not that lucky."
After saying that, she turned around and walked out over the broken glass on the floor.
Su Yang was never a pushover. Before, she had to be submissive because of He Juan's medical expenses, but now that the money problem was solved, she didn't think she needed to grovel in front of the Su family anymore.
"Hey... Yang... Yangyang..."
Su Quansheng clearly didn't expect that the usually good - tempered Su Yang would actually lose her temper on the spot. He was so anxious that he stuttered.
Xu Lize also didn't expect that Su Yang would leave him to deal with the aftermath. But despite his surprise, he still very "dutifully" stepped forward and blocked Su Quansheng.
"Mr. Su, I really don't have many good qualities. The only thing I can say I'm good at is probably protecting those I care about."
Xu Lize put his hands in his trouser pockets and said with a slow smile, "I already called you before and told you that Yangyang and I got the marriage certificate. Nominally, I should call you Dad. So could you please keep Su Qian in check and make sure she doesn't bother Yangyang anymore? It shouldn't be too hard, right?"
"Not hard, not hard at all. Mr. Xu, you can rest assured. I'll definitely keep a good eye on Qianqian. After all, we're all... family..."
Su Quansheng was still feeling quite pleased with his new identity as "father - in - law", but he didn't expect that when he actually heard Xu Lize call him "Dad" in person, it was actually quite terrifying.
Outside the Su family's gate, Su Yang was standing under the streetlight, staring blankly at the empty road.
Xu Lize stared at the back of the little woman for a few seconds, then took big strides over and asked, "Did you have enough to eat tonight?"
Su Yang looked up, nodded without blushing or breathing heavily, and lied, "I'm full."
"Then tell me what you ate at the Su family just now?" Xu Lize resisted the urge to knock on her forehead and let a nameless anger rage in his chest.
Su Yang opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.
In fact, Su Yang didn't expect Xu Lize to come so early. And the scene at the Su family just now was really embarrassing. Su Qian didn't care about her reputation, but she did. She would feel ashamed if Xu Lize saw the scene of them scuffling.
Under the bright streetlight, the little woman's embarrassment was clearly visible.
She was still dressed simply and casually today. She wore a beige T - shirt on top and a pair of straight - leg jeans on the bottom. She was so ordinary that she would probably disappear into the crowd in a blink of an eye.
But Xu Lize didn't know what had gotten into him. From the moment he received Su Quansheng's call, he had been distracted.
He was actually quite interested in the gathering Chen Qichuan had organized, but he just couldn't focus his mind. Even when several big shots in the industry came over to chat with him, he answered off - topic.
Thinking of this, Xu Lize's gaze turned even colder.
"Coincidentally, I haven't eaten either."
Hearing this, Su Yang was stunned. Just as she was about to speak, her hand was already grabbed by Xu Lize, and he walked towards the car parked across the road.
Xu Lize took big steps, and Su Yang had to take three steps for every one of his just to keep up. She stumbled along.
"You... haven't eaten either?"
Xu Lize didn't say a word. He just opened the car door and stuffed her inside, then walked around to the driver's seat, started the car, stepped on the accelerator, and drove off like a flash.
As July approached, the city of Hai got hotter day by day. Even at night, there was no hint of coolness.
Su Yang had been standing outside for a while and was already sweating. Now, sitting in the car with the air - conditioner on, a cold feeling crept up from the soles of her feet.
She subconsciously glanced at the man beside her.
The dim light outside the car window outlined his well - defined side face. His high nose bridge and tense jawline made the gloom on his face even more obvious.
The excessive silence in the car magnified the mixed feelings in Su Yang's heart and also magnified Xu Lize's presence.
Strangely enough, although the man was clearly driving straight ahead without looking sideways, Su Yang always felt that his eyes would glance at her from time to time.
Thinking about what had just happened, after all, she had interrupted his dinner. Su Yang hesitated for a few seconds and took the initiative to apologize.
"Sorry, I... didn't expect to run into Su Qian..."
Suddenly, the car swerved sharply to the side of the road and then came to a sudden stop with a screech.
Su Yang was jolted back and forth by the sudden impact. Before she could sit up straight, a pair of cold, bony hands had firmly grasped her chin.
Su Yang was forced to look up and directly met a pair of slightly angry eyes.
"Sorry for what?" Xu Lize's breath was right in front of her face. "Sorry for interrupting my dinner, or sorry for making me come to the Su family?"
Su Yang winced in pain and reached out to push him away. "Xu Lize, let go of me!"
But Xu Lize remained unmoved. "Do you know what I was thinking when I first stepped into the Su family and saw you being grabbed by your hair by Su Qian?"
"Embarrassed?" Since she couldn't break free, Su Yang simply gave up. She tilted her head back and stared into his dark, unfathomable eyes, trying to see things from his perspective. "You don't have to tell me. I felt really embarrassed at that time too!"
Looking at Su Yang's gritted - teeth expression, Xu Lize was so angry that he laughed. "You're quite sharp - tongued now. Why were you so timid at the Su family just now?"
"Who says I was timid? If you hadn't come, I would definitely have fought with her!" Su Yang absolutely refused to admit to being accused like this by Xu Lize.
She had never been afraid of Su Qian. The reason she didn't choose to fight with Su Qian directly just now was simply that she thought she shouldn't sink to the level of a rude shrew like Su Qian.
"So it's my fault then. Did I get in your way?" Xu Lize thought he must be crazy to stop the car and haggle with a little woman like this.
But seeing Su Yang's face turn bright red, the nameless anger in his heart seemed to be extinguished all of a sudden.
"Fine. Count it as my meddling today." After saying that, Xu Lize let go of his hand and turned around.
Just then, Su Yang let out a startled cry of "Ouch!"
"What now!"
Xu Lize was really getting impatient and didn't even notice anything wrong at first.
Who would have thought that when he turned his head again, Su Yang also leaned forward towards him.
In the narrow space, he felt a tremor from deep within his heart. Although it only lasted for a few short seconds, it instantly ignited his whole being...