Su Shenglin remained calm and showed no sign of guilt as he explained, "She has nothing to do with me; it's her grandfather who has a relationship with my old man."

Seeing my puzzled expression, Su Shenglin continued to explain, "Mr. Xu was my grandfather's subordinate and highly regarded by him. He was promoted all the way up to the position of military region commander. Remember when I told you I had an older brother? He's the orphan of my father's comrade-in-arms and has been in the army all his life. My brother has served under Commander Xu for many years and has also been promoted by Commander Xu. Of course, my brother is very capable; he has been awarded the First-Class Merit Citation twice and almost lost his life. Two months ago, Commander Xu retired and has been coming over often to play chess with my grandfather and reminisce about the glorious past."

I listened attentively, and as I learned about the elder brother's deeds from Su Shenglin for the second time, I couldn't help but feel curious.

At the same time, learning about Xu Qianning's family background made me feel inexplicably threatened.

It turns out that her grandfather was actually a military region commander, and had such a deep connection with Grandpa Su.

"As for Xu Qianning, I actually met her many years ago in the military compound. I served in the military with my grandfather for a few years, and we lived in the military compound. Xu Qianning would visit my grandparents during summer vacation. We lived in the same compound, so we naturally got to know each other. Later, as I grew older and became more stable, coupled with the pressure of my studies, I visited my grandfather's military base less often, and I didn't have much contact with that Miss Xu anymore."

After listening, I roughly understood, but I was still curious and puzzled. "Then why is she so affectionate with you? Did she like you when you were little? She also went to the University of Washington for her undergraduate degree, and then went abroad for further studies. She only recently returned to China and attended the university anniversary celebration with us last time."

Su Shenglin turned to look at me again, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I recently learned that she applied to Huada University back then... actually because I was at Huada University."

I frowned deeply, then suddenly remembered something and exclaimed in surprise, "Could she be your girlfriend from that short time ago?!"

"How could that be?" Su Shenglin laughed and quickly denied it. "It's not her. I really have no connection with her. The girlfriend I was talking about, whom I had a brief relationship with, I heard has already settled down abroad. We have no contact at all."

All right……

The weight that had been hanging over my heart was lifted again.

“At the last school anniversary celebration, Xu Qianning greeted you the moment she saw you, but you ignored her.”

Su Shenglin said calmly, "I haven't paid much attention. There are quite a few people who know me, but I don't know them all, especially the girls, I haven't paid any attention to them."

A half-smile played on my lips as I asked suspiciously, "Really... With your looks, no one's ever come to you all these years?"

Su Shenglin said in a serious tone, "The bodyguards will stop them; strangers won't be able to get close to me."

"Really?" I remembered something and deliberately picked a fight. "That day after we left the courthouse, why did my stepmother throw herself at your feet?"

Su Shenglin said, "After I got together with you, the bodyguards stopped following me so closely, which is why your stepmother was able to take advantage of the situation that day."

Hmm, thinking about it, it seems that's true.

However, the bodyguards arrived just in time that day and quickly pulled Tang Xiu'e away and subdued her.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Su Shenglin took the initiative to ask, "Ask us if you have any other doubts, so as to avoid any misunderstandings."

I pursed my lips and glanced at him, saying sourly, "Xu Qianning clearly likes you, and has liked you for many years, and now there's the added connection of your ancestors..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but he definitely understood.

"No, my family knows I have a girlfriend."

I smiled and said, "She's just my girlfriend."

Xu Qianning once said that even married couples can get divorced, let alone just a girlfriend.

She also said that Grandpa Su would never agree to Su Shenglin being with me—I don't know if she heard something.

Seeing me muttering like this, Su Shenglin immediately said seriously, "I've said it before, I never treat relationships lightly."

After saying that, he looked at me with an even deeper gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Actually, if you're willing, we can get married right now."

What?

I was stunned and stared at him, then shook my hand and smiled awkwardly: "Don't joke around, this is a life-changing event, how can you be so hasty?"

I said that, but I was secretly delighted. Although I knew very well that the obstacles to our union were great and the possibility was very low.

But at least at this moment, his sincerity and attitude deeply moved me.

Seeing that I was avoiding the topic, Su Shenglin looked at me and asked, "Don't you still believe me?"

"No, of course I believe you." I shook my head and decided to tell the truth. "But I met Xu Qianning before, around New Year's Day. She told me that Grandpa Su would never agree to me being with you."

Su Shenglin's face darkened. "That's what she told you?"

"Hmm. I shouldn't have said these things, talking about it behind someone's back makes it seem like I'm slandering them, but seeing her attitude towards you today—"

“Of course we should tell the truth, otherwise keeping it to ourselves will only lead to misunderstandings,” Su Shenglin comforted me, then frowned and asked, “Is this why you’ve been refusing to visit the old man?”

I smiled hesitantly, "Not entirely, but I am indeed afraid that I won't be able to satisfy him."

"No, you can rest assured about that."

Su Shenglin gave a very confident assurance, but I was still uneasy.

The Su family has strict family rules and a harmonious family atmosphere. If I were to cause a rift in the relationship between the grandparents and grandchildren, then I would undoubtedly be a sinner.

But nothing has happened yet, so I shouldn't say too much, lest I upset Su Shenglin.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!