RGL – Chapter 190

Afterward, she led a few company executives to buy gifts and personally went to the hospital to offer their regards.

This series of swift and decisive arrangements made the supermarket’s management all look at this young woman in her early twenties with new eyes.

Previously, they only knew the boss had a precious daughter studying in City B. They’d heard the boss brag that his daughter had even started her own clothing company. At that time, they thought, What clothing company? Isn’t it just something her rich father bankrolled? They even sighed that rich people could really do whatever they wanted—open a company on a whim, just like that. Truly, nothing beats being born into the right family.

They also suspected that in the future, the supermarket would surely be handed over to the boss’s son-in-law.

But now it seemed this young lady was not someone to be underestimated. Something so serious had happened, yet instead of hiding somewhere crying, she was able to quickly come up with countermeasures.

In terms of mentality, even they—old-timers—couldn’t compare.

Some employees who had been worried about their jobs after learning that Su Changrong and Sun Qiufang were both in the ICU now started to feel reassured. The Rongfang Group quickly returned to its normal order.

The only ones who had not improved yet were Su Changrong and Sun Qiufang.

“Minzi.”

Sun Hai and Li Meng came running from the end of the hallway, panting heavily. Though it was only early spring, sweat was dripping from their foreheads, showing just how anxious they were.

“How could something this serious happen?” Sun Hai asked, glancing into the ward.

Knowing that Su Min was too upset to speak, Xue Mian explained the situation on her behalf.

Sun Hai said grimly, “That person is insane—this is attempted murder.”

“It is murder,” Li Meng said bitterly.

Su Min’s voice was hoarse. “You didn’t tell Grandma about this, did you?” In truth, ever since the incident, she hadn’t wanted to tell anyone. With her parents still lying unconscious in the ward, letting more people know would only add to the chaos and anxiety.

Sun Hai shook his head. “No, we just told her that you went with us to City B. Since Yanyan’s wedding was coming up, she was in good spirits after returning home, so I let her stay there a few more days. When the time comes, we’ll go pick her up.”

Su Min nodded. Grandma was old—if she found out about this, she might not be able to handle the shock.

Seeing Su Min’s haggard face, Li Meng knew she hadn’t rested at all. “Your uncle and I can stay here. You and Xue Mian should go home and get some rest. If anything happens, we’ll call right away.”

But Su Min refused. “I want to stay a little longer. I’m not tired.”

Li Meng looked at Xue Mian, signaling him to persuade her, but he only pressed his lips together and shook his head.

He knew that what Su Min needed right now wasn’t rest, but time to be with her parents.

That evening, Li Meng had to go home to take care of Dou Dou, so only Sun Hai stayed behind with Su Min. Before leaving, she had Sun Hai escort her back and bring food and supplies over for Su Min and Xue Mian.

After Sun Hai left, Su Min leaned against Xue Mian. “I wonder if the police have caught her yet.”

Xue Mian’s eyes darkened. “They will.” He asked, “If they do catch her, what do you hope will happen?”

“She probably won’t get the death penalty,” Su Min said with regret. “But right now, I really wish she would just die. I truly hate her. Before, when she targeted and framed me, I only felt disgust. But now—I just want her dead. If I’d known it would come to this, I would’ve finished her off back then.”

She didn’t hide her darkest thoughts from him.

Xue Mian, however, only pulled her into his arms, aching for her.

Though the police hadn’t caught Su Wenwen yet, they had already gathered enough evidence against her.

The southern police department and the provincial city bureau set up a special task force for the arson case. After sharing information and re-investigating Su Wenwen’s background, they had eyewitnesses confirm her identity. With the collected evidence, they concluded that Su Wenwen was the prime suspect in the arson. Once she was caught and interrogated, her conviction would be sealed.

When the police came to question Su Changgui, he learned that his rebellious daughter was even more ruthless than he had imagined. This was no longer simple immaturity—she was truly a danger to society. At that moment, he felt deeply relieved that he had chosen Shao Yun over that daughter back then. Otherwise, his later years would surely have been miserable.

Shao Yun, on the other hand, was terrified. “Officers, you can’t just leave us like this. I’m her stepmother. We argued not long ago, and she must hold a grudge against me. Now that she’s done something so terrible, she definitely won’t spare me. You must protect us.”

The officers glanced at Su Changgui. “Is what she said true?”

He nodded. Her words had reminded him, and he too began to feel fear.

The officers’ expressions grew complicated. They had been wondering how such a young girl could be so twisted. It turned out that her family situation had a lot to do with it. For her to harbor such deep resentment toward her own family—it showed just how unhealthy her upbringing must have been.

In the end, it was society that paid the price for irresponsible parents. If that was the case, perhaps it would’ve been better if they hadn’t had children at all.

One of the older officers sighed to himself. If one day the law held parents accountable when their children committed crimes, would it finally force parents to take education more seriously?

Although they looked down on Su Changgui and Shao Yun, the police decided to assign two plainclothes officers to watch over the Su household. On one hand, it was to ensure their safety; on the other, it might help them catch Su Wenwen.

Perhaps becoming a repeat offender didn’t just twist one’s character but sharpened one’s cunning. A week passed, yet not only had the police failed to find her, even Zheng Kai’s men came up empty-handed.

The school term had already begun, and the company was back in business, but Su Min still couldn’t return to City B.

She called Liao Zhaodi, asking her to request a leave of absence from school on her behalf, and also to handle some company matters.

Only then did Liao Zhaodi learn that something had happened in Su Min’s family.

Over the phone, she hadn’t had the heart to press Su Min for details. After hanging up, she quickly handled the matters Su Min had entrusted her with, then rushed back to the provincial capital.

She knew that Su Min couldn’t rely on her family at all, so she was deeply worried about her.

“Something like this happened, and you didn’t even tell me… I—” As she spoke, Liao Zhaodi couldn’t help but cry. Over the years, the reason she’d been able to get where she was today wasn’t just because of Su Min’s help, but also the care and concern from Su Changrong and his wife. Back when she lived with the Su family, she truly experienced what it was like to be looked after by elders. Because of this, she had deep feelings for the Su family.

“I knew you’d start crying like this—that’s why I didn’t dare tell you. Alright, stop crying now. Even I’m not crying.” Su Min forced a smile, but it looked uglier than if she had cried.

“If you can’t smile, then don’t force it.” Liao Zhaodi looked at her worriedly. She knew Su Min well enough to tell she was just holding herself up.

Su Min said, “Actually, I’m much better now. When it first happened, I felt like I was going insane, completely losing all reason. Afterwards, I felt like my strength had been drained away, like there was no tomorrow.” She really didn’t know what words could describe the fear and despair she had felt back then.

After saying this, she turned to glance at Xue Mian, who was leaning against the hospital room door. “It’s all thanks to him. If it weren’t for him, I really don’t know what I would’ve done.”

Trying to ease her heart, Liao Zhaodi said, “Since you know how good Xue Mian is, once Uncle and Auntie get better, you should treat him well too.”

Su Min was about to reply, but when she saw the people who had come up behind Liao Zhaodi, her expression instantly turned ugly.

Sensing something was wrong, Liao Zhaodi turned curiously—and saw two elderly people. They were dressed in shabby clothes, faces deeply lined with age, and their backs were stooped.

Just as she was about to ask if Su Min knew them, the old woman suddenly began crying and shouting, “Heavens above! Something so serious happened, and you didn’t even tell us? You’re just a little girl, how can you have such a big heart?”

The old man pulled at her sleeve, “Stop shouting, we’re in a hospital.”

“What do you mean stop? Something this big happened to Changrong, and his own daughter didn’t even tell us? We’re his parents!” the old woman wailed.

Only then did Liao Zhaodi realize—these were Su Min’s “grandparents.”

It had already been years since Su Min last saw these two elders.

If she had her way, she would have never seen them again in her life.

Yet here they were, right in front of her again—at this time, in this place.

She remembered how, in her previous life, when her father passed away, the house had been cold and desolate. Neither of her uncles came to visit. Even Grandpa Su came back only briefly, and didn’t even help with the funeral before leaving.

So now, she didn’t believe for a second that these two were here out of genuine concern for her parents.

Grandma Su’s legs weren’t very good—she limped heavily—but it didn’t stop her from moving. She cried while scolding Su Min, “Your father is my own son! Something this serious happened, and you didn’t even tell me. How could you be so heartless, not even letting me see him one last time!”

“My father isn’t dead yet, so stop cursing him!” Su Min snapped angrily.

She absolutely refused to let anyone utter ill-omened words about her parents.

Realizing his wife’s words were inappropriate, Grandpa Su quickly said, “Don’t make a scene, Changrong is still lying in there.”

Chastened, Grandma Su quieted down somewhat and sat on a bench in the corridor. “It’s exactly because I know he’s lying in there that I’m so anxious. She’s just a girl, something this serious happened and she didn’t even tell her family—what is she planning?”

Seeing Su Min’s expression turning sour, Grandpa Su tried to calm things down, “Don’t be angry at your grandma, she’s just worried about your father.”

Su Min snorted coldly. “I don’t have a grandma. Long ago, I had nothing to do with her. She never acknowledged my mom, so why should I acknowledge her?”

“You ungrateful brat!” Grandma Su cursed. “Girls are always unreliable. Haven’t even married yet, and you already don’t recognize the Su family!”

Su Min ignored her. Right now, she had no interest in stirring up more conflict with them. All she wanted was peace and quiet while she waited.

Xue Mian, who had never met Su Min’s grandparents before, walked over politely, “Grandpa, Grandma.”

Grandma Su squinted at him, her narrow eyes almost closing to slits. “And who are you?” Seeing that he was well-dressed, her tone softened.

“I’m Su Min’s boyfriend,” Xue Mian replied, then added for clarity, “her partner.”

The moment she heard this, Grandma Su’s face turned guarded. “What are you doing here? This is our family matter!”

Xue Mian hadn’t expected such a response and was momentarily taken aback.

Su Min impatiently pulled him aside. “Don’t mind them. I have nothing to do with them—why waste words?”

Grandma Su flared up, “What kind of attitude is that? Turning your back on your own family! Your parents aren’t even dead yet, and you’re already bringing a man here to divide the inheritance? Let me tell you, we already spoke with a lawyer—your parents’ estate, we have a share too.”

She was someone who couldn’t keep her mouth shut, and in her agitation, she blurted out her real intentions.

Not only did Grandpa Su’s face change drastically, but Su Min was so furious she nearly exploded. She stood up and pointed toward the stairs, “Get out! Leave this place! My parents are alive, and you won’t get a thing!”

But Grandma Su came prepared and wasn’t the least bit cowed. “Don’t think you can fool me. I’m staying right here to keep watch, in case you try anything shady.”

Grandpa Su wanted to explain a few words, but his own guilty conscience kept him silent.

Seeing Su Min glaring at them, even he felt ashamed. Not wanting to sit with Grandma Su anymore, he got up and went downstairs.

As soon as he reached the hospital yard, Su Changfu came up to him.

He had escorted the two elders here earlier and hadn’t left since, waiting around outside. Seeing his father come down, he hurried over, “Dad, what happened? Is big brother already at the end?” He’d already made inquiries and knew his brother was in the ICU, critically ill, possibly passing at any time.

Grandpa Su shook his head, “Not yet. But your mother couldn’t keep her mouth shut—she let slip our intentions to Minzi. Now things are tense between them.”

Su Changfu looked disappointed. “That’s fine, sooner or later it’ll come to light anyway. You and Mom just have to hold your ground. I already consulted a lawyer—we’ll definitely get a share of the inheritance.”

Hearing this, Grandpa Su felt uncomfortable. These past years, living with his second son hadn’t been easy. Especially after his grandson Su Can grew up, his temper turned violent—often beating and cursing them. Both he and his wife bore injuries, and it was because of this that her leg became crippled. In the end, they had no choice but to move back to their old mud-brick house in the village. His second son and daughter-in-law never cared for them. Only at New Year did his eldest son still give them some money for their living expenses.

And now, with his eldest and wife in trouble, here he was helping his second son fight for their property… He couldn’t shake the guilt, and it weighed heavy on him.

“All this belongs to Changrong and Qiufang. Passing it on to Minzi is only right. Your mother and I are old—what use do we have for it?”

His health was failing, and he doubted he had many years left. What good would money do him?

Hearing this, Su Changfu grew anxious. “Dad, you can’t think like that. Sure, it’s big brother’s, but it’s still under the Su family name. No matter what, Minzi is just a girl—she’ll marry out one day. If everything goes to her, it’ll end up in someone else’s hands. I know you and Mom are disappointed in Cancan these past two years, but he’s married now, and soon you’ll have a great-grandson. Right now he’s still in prison—don’t you want him released? With money, we can make it happen. Then your great-grandson can have a good life, good education. I promise he won’t turn out like Cancan.”

At the mention of a great-grandson, a trace of wavering crossed Grandpa Su’s face. Indeed, if his grandson was no good, there was still the great-grandson. The Su family line wasn’t broken after all.