Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 34

“You and Su Yu?”

Huo Shu let out a mocking laugh and clapped her hands. “Even after breaking up, you can still frame harassment so righteously—Jin Licheng, this kind of skill is something others could hardly learn.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jin Licheng’s expression darkened instantly.

“Stop arguing, will you just listen to me for a second?”

Su Qi came jogging over, wiping the sweat from his forehead, wearing a bitter expression as he tried to mediate. “If this blows up and brings my dad and the others over, it’s really not worth it.”

Huo Shu lifted her eyelids. “Scram!”

Jin Licheng said nothing, but the cold glint in his shadowed eyes made his meaning clear.

Su Qi’s body trembled slightly, and he suddenly felt half a head shorter.

Though he was also a young master of one of Xiangjiang’s four major families, he had always feared these two growing up—how could he dare offend them?

Gritting his teeth, he caught a glimpse of Su Yu out of the corner of his eye and quickly added, “Today’s banquet is for Yu Yu. You both don’t want to upset her, right?”

Upon hearing that, Huo Shu’s expression softened a bit. She raised an eyebrow and looked toward Jin Licheng. “I won’t hold it against you this time. But if it happens again, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

“The Jin family may be powerful, but Xiangjiang isn’t a place where you, Jin Licheng, can do whatever you want!”

With that, she pulled the girl and walked away.

They reached the balcony. Huo Shu chuckled as she shooed away a group of second-generation heirs who had been watching the drama, then turned around.

The girl was half leaning over the railing, her graceful figure stretched out, curves fully outlined. Her slightly curled long hair cascaded down, and in the night, she looked like a mermaid rising from the sea.

“Su Yu…”

Huo Shu leaned beside her, resting her back against the railing, smiling casually. “What’s your relationship with Jiang Shengzhou?”

The girl slowly raised her head, her limpid peach blossom eyes carrying a hint of confusion and innocence. “Nothing special.”

“He likes you. I heard it just now.”

Huo Shu straightened her clothes, seemingly indifferent. “What about you? How do you feel about him?”

Su Yu answered truthfully, “Not close.”

That answer made Huo Shu’s lips curl slightly. She reached out and stroked her face. “Good girl. That Jiang Shengzhou kid is no good. Stay away from him.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve heard people say that guy is a real flirt, no telling how many naive girls he’s tricked. Don’t be foolish enough to fall for it.”

Su Yu: ……

If she didn’t already know the plot, she might’ve been fooled by the serious look on the girl’s face.

Still, seeing the expectation in Huo Shu’s eyes, she tilted her head and replied, “I’ll listen to you.”

That reply made Huo Shu burst into laughter, eyes crinkling with delight.

The banquet ended at ten that evening.

Su Yu helped see the guests off and was just about to head upstairs when she was called by Su Yudong.

“Yu Yu, wait a moment.”

Su Yu paused, rolled her eyes, then turned around with a confused expression. “Dad, what is it?”

“Come, have a seat.”

Su Yudong sat on the sofa, holding a newspaper. He patted the spot beside him. “What do you think of Ah Zhou?”

“Jiang Shengzhou?”

“Mm.”

Su Yu wasn’t sure where he was going with this. She pursed her lips. “He’s… alright, I guess. Just average.”

“Feelings can grow. That’s not a big deal.”

Su Yudong pondered for a moment before continuing, “After the banquet tonight, he came to me and said he wants to marry you. What do you think?”

Su Yu was a bit surprised. “You agreed?”

“Not yet.”

Su Yudong smiled and folded up the newspaper. “You’re my daughter. For something this important… of course I have to consider your opinion.”

Su Yu’s eyes reddened slightly. She said softly, “Thank you, Dad.”

Su Yudong shook his head with a smile and patted her head affectionately. “Silly girl, if I don’t care for you, who would I care for?”

Su Yu lowered her head, the corners of her lips curling into a cold sneer.

Fatherly affection?

Ha!

Su Yudong never truly saw her as a daughter. More accurately, he only saw her value.

He hadn’t agreed to Jiang Shengzhou yet probably because he was waiting for a better offer.

After all, compared to Jiang Shengzhou, what he really wanted to reel in was Jin Licheng.

Using a newly acknowledged daughter to bind the Jin family’s heir—now that would be a real deal.

But he truly overestimated her position in Jin Licheng’s heart.

Jin Licheng’s behavior now was driven only by unwillingness and jealousy. He was inherently cold and suspicious, incapable of truly loving anyone.

What he couldn’t stand was being dumped by the original Su Yu. What he couldn’t accept was someone once in his grasp becoming suddenly unattainable.

Su Yudong was silent for a moment, then casually asked, “Yu Yu, you and… Licheng, what’s going on there?”

“I mean… you two seem to know each other?”

Su Yu’s face went pale. After a pause, she clenched her fists and answered quietly, “Ex-boyfriend.”

That one word carried a lot of weight, instantly making Su Yudong’s eyes light up.

Jin Licheng was nearly thirty with not a single woman around him and no rumors either—yet who would’ve thought this conveniently returned daughter was his ex?

Judging by Jin Licheng’s expression earlier, he likely still had feelings. In that case, Jiang Shengzhou wasn’t even worth considering.

“Then you two…”

Su Yudong tentatively asked, “I know Licheng—he’s not someone who’d go too far. Maybe there’s just some misunderstanding between you?”

“No…”

Su Yu shook her head. “I just felt he wasn’t right for me, so I broke it off.”

Su Yudong’s face changed slightly. He silently cursed her for being a fool but forced a smile. “I think he still has genuine feelings for you. If you could marry someone who truly loves you, I’d feel I’ve done right by your mother.”

Su Yu bit her lip and said nothing. After a long while, she stood up. “Dad, I’m going to sleep.”

Su Yudong’s expression darkened. Just as he was about to say something, he seemed to think of something else and smiled. “Alright. You’ve had a long day—get some rest.”

“But keep what I said in mind. It’s not easy to find someone who really loves you.”

“Licheng is a good guy, just a bit cold on the outside. Think it over. If it really won’t work, then consider Ah Zhou. He’s alright too.”

Su Yu responded with a simple “Mm” and, catching something from the corner of her eye, suddenly asked, “Dad, what about Xia Xia?”

Xia Xia?

Su Yudong was taken aback, then snorted. “Even if she wants to, it depends on whether someone would want her.”

“I’ve spoiled her too much all these years. Forget Jin Licheng and Jiang Shengzhou—even if someone else would take her, I’d be satisfied.”

“Dad, Xia Xia’s not as bad as you say.”

Su Yu shook her head, clearly disagreeing. “I think Xia Xia’s pretty good. Maybe you should consider her too.”

“If she were half as worry-free as you, I’d be thrilled. That ungrateful thing!”

At the mention of her, Su Yudong’s face turned cold. “Just talking about that unfilial girl makes me angry. Go on, go to sleep.”

Su Yu nodded and headed upstairs, the corners of her lips slowly curling upward.

Su Xia was not someone who knew how to endure.

She was a white-eyed wolf—only remembering the slaps, never the kindness. With Su Yudong saying things like that, could she possibly tolerate it?

Looks like things were about to get interesting.