At this moment, Shi Aoju suddenly stood up.

"Su Jiuyi."

His deeply magnetic voice echoed in the vast hall, swirling in the air before slowly dissipating.

"Hey, I’m here."

Su Jiuyi poked her head out in response, only to belatedly realize she had fallen into his trap; he had no idea where she was hiding, calling her out was merely to test her.

"Come here." Shi Aoju beckoned her, his profound eyes filled with indulgence, his seductive lips carrying a faint smile that seemed able to capture one’s mind.

Su Jiuyi steeled herself and descended the stairs, standing before Shi Aoju. Just as she contemplated how to speak, Shi Aoju suddenly reached out and clasped her wrist, pulling her to him.

"Did you miss me?" His coarse palm lifted her chin, making her look directly into his eyes.

Su Jiuyi nodded, ’Yes.’

She didn’t say anything against her will, because she truly missed him, just as she had texted him this morning, saying she missed him so much she couldn’t sleep, missing him the entire night.

She had never depended on someone so much, feeling that leaving him was akin to a fish leaving water, she might not survive.

"Good girl." Shi Aoju lowered his head to plant a kiss on her lips before releasing her chin, reaching out to ruffle her hair, whispering, "Come back with me in a while."

Upon hearing Shi Aoju’s words, Su Zhenxiong coughed lightly and said, "Young Master Jue, I’m afraid my daughter can’t go back with you. I’ve already arranged a position for her in my company, and she needs to report there tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuya immediately displayed a suspicious expression, intending to ask something, but wisely kept silent upon meeting Su Zhenxiong’s gaze, refraining from asking further questions.

"Oh? Is that so?" Shi Aoju turned and sat on the sofa, pulling Su Jiuyi to sit beside him, one arm around her waist while the other tapped rhythmically on the table beside them.

"I’ve heard about Jiuyi working at your house, and I didn’t plan to interfere, but given her status, working as a maid is indeed inappropriate. After all, she is the eldest daughter of the Su Family." Su Zhenxiong said with a smile, tentatively asking Shi Aoju, "Young Master Jue, might you do Mr. Su a favor and let Jiuyi come home?"

"I respect her decision." Shi Aoju passed the topic to Su Jiuyi, not to provoke discord between Su Jiuyi and Su Zhenxiong, but to know what Su Jiuyi really thought.

He doesn’t like forcing others, nor compelling them to do what they dislike; even if he reluctantly lets go, he will respect her opinion.

"I won’t work in your company, not before, not now, not ever." Su Jiuyi rejected Su Zhenxiong directly without a moment’s thought because she felt she didn’t need pity, nor this hypocritical charity.

Graduating so long ago, this so-called father never worried about her future, never considered her standpoint.

As a father, even knowing she has the capacity to find a better job, he should have paved a way for her, but he didn’t, failing the responsibilities a father should fulfill.

He neglected her, ignored her, withholding even the basic concern, and now has no right to keep her.