I smiled politely and stepped forward. "Madam, I've been too busy lately. There are a lot of things to take care of at the end of the year, so I've been delayed."

Before I could finish speaking, Madam Su's expression changed slightly. "Why are you being so formal by calling me 'Madam'?"

My expression froze, and I subconsciously looked at Su Shenglin.

He came to my side in a few steps, took my hand, and we intertwined our fingers: "Call me Auntie."

His actions and the way he addressed me clearly indicated that my relationship with Su Shenglin was different now.

Mrs. Su accepted this attitude.

My heart was pounding, and I could hardly believe it.

If that's the case, then why didn't Madam Su mention me last night, even though she knew I was with her and her siblings?

Given Mrs. Su's past attitude towards me, she would definitely have Su Shenglin hand over the phone to me, even if it was just a token gesture of concern or a few words of inquiry.

I don't understand, I'm just overthinking things, I've misunderstood.

Madam Su was simply too shrewd and hid it well.

At this moment, I could only hide all my thoughts and change my address to Su Shenglin: "Auntie."

“That’s right.” Madam Su smiled gently and kindly, then beckoned again, “Please sit down.”

Su Shenglin tugged at my arm, silently signaling me to relax.

I smiled back and sat down on the sofa next to me.

"What happened last night must have scared you, right? To be honest, Miss Gu is really something. When I met her at my birthday party last time, I thought she was a very gentle and obedient girl. But she is actually so vicious. It looks like the Gu family is going to be ruined in this generation."

Mrs. Su brought up what happened last night again.

I replied, "I'm fine. Sheng Lin... I'm so grateful that Sheng Lin showed up in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable. But it was also very dangerous for him to help me, thankfully he's alright. And Xi Xi, her hand was burned a little, I feel really guilty."

In front of such a top-tier matriarch of a wealthy family, all clever tricks are futile, so I answered my true thoughts sincerely.

I am truly grateful to Su Shenglin, and I am also genuinely worried about Chen Muxi.

"Yes, it was quite a close call. I was terrified when I heard about it last night..." Madam Su's expression turned serious, clearly still feeling frightened when she thought about it.

I immediately replied, "This is my fault. I didn't handle it well and dragged Sheng Lin and Xi Xi into this mess."

Chen Muxi immediately interrupted: "It's none of your business. That woman is clearly acting crazy. She's an idiot."

"Xi'er." Perhaps because Chen Muxi spoke a little rudely, Madam Su glanced at her slightly and reminded her.

Chen Muxi pouted and muttered, "That's right, calling her a lunatic or a madwoman is too lenient."

Madam Su turned her gaze back to me and Su Shenglin, "So how should this matter be ultimately resolved?"

Before I could speak, Su Shenglin interrupted, "Hand it over to the police and handle it officially."

Mrs. Su said with slight worry, "But if we do that, we'll be at odds with the Gu family."

Su Shenglin asked, "Are you worried about the reputation of the Gu family elders?"

Gu Yanqing's grandparents are both alive. The reason why Li Qinglan brought Gu Yutian to Madam Su's birthday party was because she had the invitations from the elders.

The older generation originally had a good relationship, but the Gu family declined generation after generation, while the Su family became increasingly prosperous, so the younger generation naturally had little contact with each other.

Gu Yanqing even harbored some resentment towards Su Shenglin, always believing that the Gu family's business was struggling because Su Shenglin was suppressing them.

I couldn't join in the conversation, so I could only listen quietly.

Su Shenglin continued, "I talked to my grandfather about this last night, and he agreed to handle it officially. He felt that the reason the Gu family is in this situation is because the elders have neglected to discipline them. Since that's the case, let others teach them a lesson so that they won't cause more trouble in the future."

Mrs. Su's eyes revealed surprise. "Since the old man has expressed this opinion, then there is no problem."

When the topic turned to Mr. Su, I glanced at Su Shenglin and gave him a meaningful look.

He immediately understood and stood up, saying, "Mom, I'll take Jiang Wan to see Grandpa. We'll be back for dinner later."

"Okay, go ahead."

Chen Muxi jumped up happily, wanting to join us, but was stopped by Madam Su, "Didn't you go this morning? You've been making a ruckus all day, when will you be able to behave yourself?"

Chen Muxi pouted, unconvinced, but still sat back down.

Su Shenglin tried to take my hand, but I frowned at him, indicating that I shouldn't.

After we left the main house, he reached out and took my hand again, whispering, "Why are you hiding? You're being so coy about holding hands."

"No, don't do that in front of your mother."

"Why?"

I glanced at him sideways. "Why do you think that is? Since ancient times, mothers have had a special feeling for their sons. Which mother would feel comfortable seeing her son have a girlfriend and be all lovey-dovey in front of her?"

How many conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are caused by this? The mother-in-law sees her son, whom she has raised with all her might, being "snatched away" by a strange woman, and sees her son being closer to that strange woman than to his own mother. How jealous she must feel.

Su Shenglin smiled and said, "You're overthinking things."

"It's just a fact."

He gripped my hand tighter, his eyes growing even more tender and doting. "Don't worry, we Su family members aren't that petty."

Not far from the main house, there is a detached courtyard house with an antique style, carved beams and painted rafters.

As we approached the courtyard gate, Su Shenglin handed me the brocade box he was carrying: "This is a Southern Song Dynasty Longquan celadon sunflower-shaped plate. The old man is fond of antiques, so please give it to him later."

I stared in surprise, my eyes wide. "When did you prepare this? How much did it cost? I'll pay you."

This kind of gift should have been prepared by me.

But I've been so busy lately that I really didn't think of it.

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