Su Ermei had just finished speaking when Hu San’s delicate, sweet voice drifted over. "Sister-in-law, I’m here to discuss something important with Brother Su."

"You can tell me anything. Stop making excuses," Su Ermei said, her tone sharp.

Hu Meili didn’t get angry. She just continued, "It’s like this. There’s a gathering in town today, and my Mr. Zhang wants to invite Brother Su to attend."

Su Ermei gasped in surprise. "What did you say? Your Mr. Zhang is inviting my brother to town?"

"Yes. Mr. Zhang is very busy, so he specifically sent me back to the countryside to invite Brother Su. Don’t you think this is a wonderful opportunity, Sister-in-law?"

Hu Meili said smugly, a flash of displeasure crossing her eyes before she quickly concealed it.

Su Ermei only knew that the town leader held a high status in their eyes. For him to personally invite her brother to town...

...that was a tremendous honor. If her brother could seize this opportunity, his future would be boundless.

Not understanding her brother’s current standing, she agreed without a second thought. "In that case, come inside and tell my brother yourself."

Hu Meili saw that Su Ermei’s tone had become much warmer and that she had even nodded for her to come inside.

Her mood instantly brightened. A radiant smile bloomed on her face, and as she walked toward the door, she deliberately puffed out her chest.

Her high heels went CLICK-CLACK on the ground, her hips swaying with every step as she called into the house, "Brother Su, I’m here!"

The sight made Su Ermei grit her teeth. She grew especially irritated when she saw the smile on Hu Meili’s face.

’This shameless vixen is getting more and more brazen, trying to seduce my brother right in front of me.’

But Su Ermei knew very well that Hu Meili’s old man wasn’t just the town leader; he was from the wealthiest family in the entire town.

If her brother could get in with him, it would be a huge benefit for her. So, she endured it.

"Brother." Just as Su Ermei led Hu Meili into the main hall, her brother emerged from the kitchen.

Hu Meili saw Su Shuochi in a leather jacket and black plaid pants, looking all the more debonair and refined.

The sight made Hu Meili blush. An image suddenly flashed in her mind: ’if only this man could take her as his wife...’

Su Shuochi had already overheard their conversation and now noticed Hu Meili standing in the middle of the hall.

Seeing her staring at him with a dazed, infatuated gaze, Su Shuochi’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

Without giving her a second glance, he walked past her and headed out of the house.

Hu Yungeng, who came out behind him, saw his sister’s lovestruck eyes fixed on his brother-in-law.

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he cursed inwardly, ’This girl really has some nerve!’

He didn’t say anything more, simply lowering his head and following Su Shuochi out.

Seeing that Brother Su had ignored her, and even her own brother hadn’t acknowledged her, Hu Meili pouted, feeling wronged.

Then, her radiant smile returned, and she chased after Su Shuochi. "Brother Su, where are you going? I’ll go with you."

Su Shuochi stopped and glanced back at her. "Are you that bored? Who gave you the nerve to follow me?"

Hu Meili was stunned by his question. "I... My Mr. Zhang wants to invite you."

"Just because he invites me, I have to go? Who does he think he is?" Su Shuochi said flatly before striding away again.

Hu Meili stood rooted to the spot, her heart aching as tears welled up in her eyes.

She didn’t understand what she had done wrong. For him, she had even pulled out all the stops to please Mr. Zhang last night.

In the end, he hadn’t agreed to invite Brother Su to town for a meal. But this morning, after taking a phone call, he had suddenly and enthusiastically told her...

...that he was willing to help Su Shuochi smooth things over and that she should go back to the countryside to invite him to the town leader’s gathering.

’Why is it that not only is Brother Su ungrateful, but he’s also growing colder and colder toward me?’

’Doesn’t he know that I truly love him?!’

’I can’t accept this!’

Hu Meili bit her lip and hurried to catch up. "I don’t care! You’re going whether you want to or not."

Seeing her pestering him relentlessly, Su Shuochi finally stopped.

Seeing this, Hu Meili immediately beamed and trotted a few steps to stand before him, tilting her head up to look at him.

The crease between Su Shuochi’s brows deepened, his eyes betraying a faint sense of annoyance.

His tone was as cold as ice. "Mrs. Zhang, if you anger me, whether your Mr. Zhang can keep his position will be questionable. You should watch your step."

When Hu Meili heard his words, her heart ached as if it had been pricked by a needle.

She fought back the pain and indignation in her heart, looking utterly pitiful with tears shimmering in her eyes.

Hu Meili bit her lip to keep the tears from falling. "Brother Su, you’ve really changed so much."

’You’ve become a stranger!’

’It’s a pity Su Shuochi must have a problem with his eyes. How can he not see it?’

"No, I’ve always been like this. It was just your own wishful thinking," Su Shuochi sneered.

"You..." Hu Meili was furious, but she had to admit that Su Shuochi was right.

Her Brother Su had always been this cold; he had never changed.

"I have to go out. Do as you please," Su Shuochi said before striding away.

Hu Meili stared blankly as Su Shuochi’s back disappeared through the doorway, her expression instantly turning grim.

Her fists clenched tightly as she seethed with resentment. ’Brother Su, you just wait. One day, I will have you. When that time comes, you’ll know I’m so much better than that woman you married. Then, I’ll make you beg me for help.’

A vicious light glinted in Hu Meili’s eyes, and the resentment and jealousy within them were enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Su Ermei, however, didn’t notice. She was lost in her own fantasy. ’My brother isn’t even afraid of that Zhang fellow. How amazing is that!’

"Sister-in-law, has your brother really changed?" Hu Meili asked, looking at Su Ermei with a worried expression, her eyes red-rimmed.

Su Ermei snapped back to reality. Seeing Hu Meili’s worried look, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Her brother really had changed, becoming colder and more heartless.

She couldn’t help but agree. "My brother has been cold since he was a child. After he was crippled, he became even more cold-blooded."

Hearing Su Ermei’s words, the hatred in Hu Meili’s heart instantly vanished, replaced by intense jealousy and indignation.

"That’s what I thought. Brother Su has been cold and heartless since childhood. But why was he still able to get married after being disabled? And I heard it was to the adopted daughter of the wealthiest and most powerful family in Qing City."

Hearing this, Su Ermei cried out in disbelief, "Meili, who did you hear that from? No wonder my brother is so rich now! My parents never told me any of this!"

It wasn’t that her parents didn’t tell her; it was that she had always been selfish and never cared about her brother’s affairs.

She never asked, so naturally, her parents never said anything.

Hu Meili was taken aback, not expecting Su Ermei to be unaware of this. A flicker of smugness passed through her eyes.

This was all information her Mr. Zhang had dug up, but then she remembered she still needed Su Ermei’s help.

So she didn’t hide it. "We’re good sisters-in-law, so I won’t keep it from you. Let me tell you..."