Sun Tiezhu frowned, sensing the gravity of the situation.
Su Mei was still pacifying her son, telling Sun Wenrui not to be scared.
She turned to her daughter and said, "Yu Rou, could you explain to Director Zhou? Wen Rui's mistake was unintentional, he didn't mean to offend her."
"An unintentional mistake?"
Su Yu Rou acted as if she had heard the biggest joke.
"Mom, I'm just a small beauty salon owner. What is Zhou Yi's status? How many billions does she have? How can I explain to her?"
Su Yu Rou gave a self-deprecating smile. "Besides, Zhou Yi is a major client of mine. She specifically asked for me and my brother to visit her for the New Year. It's only natural that I agree, wouldn't you say?"
"This..."
Su Mei looked at her pale and frightened son and retorted, "Can Zhou Yi really have her way in Yun Qing City? Our family is innocent, why should we be afraid of her?"
"Yes, perhaps she can't have her way."
She looked at her younger brother. "However, you should tell little brother to try not to go out as much in the future, and be careful when he's alone."
"I..."
Sun Wen Rui's face turned even paler.
This was clearly a threat of retaliation!
With his small arms and legs, what if he got ambushed and beaten up one day!
"Mom, look at my sister, she's not helping me."
Sun Wen Rui had no choice but to beg his mother.
But Su Mei was helpless. Someone like Zhou Yi was beyond their reach.
The only one who could speak to Zhou Yi, their daughter, now claimed she could do nothing. What else could they do?
"Lin Fan, why don't you help us talk to Director Zhou and plead for us?"
Sun Tiezhu, who had been observing the calm Lin Fan, finally spoke up and asked for help.
"Ah?"
Lin Fan put down his teacup and smiled. "Alright, it's not a big deal. I can go over and apologize when I have time. You don't need to worry about it."
"Thank you then!"
Sun Tiezhu gave an awkward smile.
The one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. While the whole family was anxious, the solution was right in front of them.
Su Mei asked worriedly, "Does Wen Rui still need to visit Director Zhou for the New Year?"
"If he wants to go, he can. If not, he doesn't have to. I'll just tell her."
Lin Fan believed he had enough influence for that.
"Oh."
Su Mei finally felt relieved.
If her only precious son were to suffer any harm, how could she possibly live?
Su Yu Rou snorted. "Mom and Dad, weren't you discussing having Wen Rui take over the beauty salon? Why don't we have him get familiar with it in a few days? Zhou Yi is a regular customer of the salon, it's a good opportunity for little brother to apologize to her in person."
"I'm not going!"
Sun Wen Rui flatly refused.
"Why have you changed your mind?"
Su Yu Rou said sarcastically, "You've been nagging Mom and Dad for half a year, why don't you want to do it now?"
"You're always doing nothing anyway, it's good to have something proper to do."
Su Yu Rou linked arms with Lin Fan and continued, "Xiao Fan and I will start something new. Don't worry, we definitely won't poach any of the old clients. I believe in Xiao Fan's ability to attract a new batch of customers."
After much thought, Sun Wen Rui felt that he was not suitable to take over the beauty salon.
He had already offended the major clients. Even if he apologized, they might not come to spend money in the future.
This Lin Fan had such a good relationship with Zhou Yi, he must really have some skills.
As for himself, he lacked both skills and connections. If he messed up the beauty salon, his parents would never forgive him.
"Sister, I was just confused at the time."
Sun Wen Rui lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong.
Su Mei said with concern, "Yu Rou, why are you always picking on your brother? We're all family, it doesn't matter who runs it. If Wen Rui doesn't want to do it, then let it be as it was before."
"Mom, you say that so easily."
Su Yu Rou's heart was filled with bitterness.
"I worked hard for so many years, and as soon as my brother said he wanted it, he took it, and now he doesn't want it anymore."
Su Yu Rou shook her head, revealing a stiff smile. "In your eyes, what am I?"
"This child!"
Su Mei clearly didn't like hearing that, and her brows furrowed even tighter.
Sun Tiezhu reprimanded, "How dare you speak to your mother like that?"
"Heh."
Su Yu Rou let out a cold laugh. "Dad, Mom, I'm getting married to Xiao Fan this year. Just as there are laws for the country, there are rules for a family. The beauty salon was originally a business we both invested in, and it will be our joint property in the future."
She withdrew her smile, her face stern, and continued, "Also, from now on, unless Xiao Fan agrees, I won't bring anything home. If there's anything that dissatisfies you, I apologize in advance."
Upon hearing this, Sun Tiezhu immediately became agitated. "You're not even married yet, and you want to split from us and live separately?"
"It's bound to happen sooner or later. I'll be a daughter-in-law of the Lin family from now on."
Su Yu Rou bent down and bowed deeply. "Thank you for raising me."
"You..."
Su Mei trembled with anger. "You are my daughter, and you will always be..."
"When a woman marries a chicken, she follows the chicken; when she marries a dog, she follows the dog. It has always been this way. I'm sorry, Mom."
After speaking, Su Yu Rou grabbed Lin Fan and turned to leave.
"You come back here!"
Sun Tiezhu shouted at the top of his lungs.
But Su Yu Rou's mind was made up, and Lin Fan didn't want to stay there for another second.
What kind of family was this? They seemed to be living in the era of valuing sons over daughters.
Back in the car.
Su Yu Rou sat there blankly for a long time, her eyes unfocused as she gazed ahead.
Lin Fan remained silent.
Although he really wanted to say, "I didn't agree to marry you," he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Two lines of tears slid down Su Yu Rou's cheeks.
Besides heartache, there was also a sense of relief.
The ties that bound her were shattered, setting her free.
"Xiao Fan, am I very heartless?"
"Not at all."
Lin Fan took out a few tissues from the box and handed them to Su Yu Rou. "Wipe your tears."
He then comforted her, "Every family has its own difficulties. You're not the only one. There are many who have it worse than you."
"Mmm."
Su Yu Rou wiped her tears and took a deep breath.
"It's okay, this is good now."
Su Yu Rou smiled with relief. "We have a house, a car, and savings. Dad also has his retirement pension. They will live well."
She started the car. "It's time for me to live my own life."
The car drove out of Dongzhuang, roaring towards Shimenzhen.
Lin Fan remained in an awkward position.
Logically, this was a good opportunity for a man to take advantage of the situation.
But he wanted to avoid it at all costs, afraid that Su Yu Rou would say something he couldn't refuse.
"Xiao Fan, I am now a completely free person."
Su Yu Rou turned on the stereo and played a melodious piece of music.
She glanced at Lin Fan and asked, "Don't you have anything you want to say?"
Lin Fan gave a bitter smile. "I really can't marry you."
He lowered his head and whispered again, "You know who I want to marry."