Another Episode of Illness

"Secretary Jiang, if anything happens with Hua, remember to call me immediately," Lin Xuan instructed anxiously.

"Understood," Jiang Qing nodded in response.

Jiang Qing arrived early at the hotel entrance to wait for Su Hua.

As soon as Su Hua stepped out of the car, Jiang Qing approached her and said respectfully, "President Su, the business partners are already inside the hotel."

"Mmm," Su Hua replied indifferently.

Su Hua and Jiang Qing walked side by side, surrounded by six bodyguards, moving in a grand procession toward the hotel entrance.

Nearby, a young couple in their early twenties passed by.

The man walked briskly ahead, while the woman, wearing small heels, struggled to keep up.

"Wang Peng!" the woman finally caught up to him, grabbing his arm as she pleaded desperately, "I’m begging you, don’t leave me. I don’t want to break up."

"We used to be so in love—why have you suddenly changed?"

Tears streamed down her face, her eyes red and swollen with grief.

Jiang Qing shook her head and muttered under her breath, "Another hopeless romantic. Just look at the way that man treats her—utterly dismissive. And yet she still chases after him. Isn’t that just degrading herself?"

Su Hua had initially paid no attention to the couple, but at Jiang Qing’s words, her steps faltered. A sharp, icy glare shot toward Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling a chill. When she looked up, she met Su Hua’s freezing stare.

!!!!

Jiang Qing nearly slapped herself.

How could she forget?

President Su was exactly the kind of person she had just criticized.

When they first met, Young Master Lin had treated Su Hua quite well—until she witnessed him showering Qin Ruoyao with affection multiple times. Unable to contain her emotions, Su Hua erupted.

She took Lin Xuan straight to Night Garden and locked him inside.

From then on, Lin Xuan never gave her a kind look, acting out constantly. Yet Su Hua still went out of her way to please him, never scolding him.

She even had chefs prepare elaborate meals for him.

Who would have guessed that such a submissive woman was the CEO of Su Corporation, the largest conglomerate in Daxia?

"President Su," Jiang Qing coughed awkwardly, "My earlier comment wasn’t about you. You and Young Master Lin are meant to be—destined for a happy ending. Their situation is completely different."

Su Hua’s aura remained frigid, sending shivers down Jiang Qing’s spine.

That death glare was unbearable.

"President Su, it’s almost time. Let’s head inside. Besides, Young Master Lin is waiting for you at Night Garden. He must be bored, locked up there alone," Jiang Qing said nervously.

Finally, Su Hua looked away.

Jiang Qing exhaled deeply.

Crisis averted.

Meanwhile, the couple was still arguing. The man harshly shook off the woman’s hand. "Get away from me! The sight of you disgusts me!"

Jiang Qing froze.

That line… sounded eerily familiar.

She glanced at Su Hua and, sure enough, the woman’s expression darkened again.

Her fists clenched at her sides.

Clearly, Su Hua was remembering the cruel words Lin Xuan had once thrown at her.

"Wang Peng," the woman sobbed, "You used to care about me. Was all that affection just a lie?"

Su Hua’s fingers turned white from how tightly she gripped them.

Jiang Qing watched her with growing concern.

This was bad.

President Su’s reaction was escalating.

"President Su, we really should go in now. We’re running late," Jiang Qing urged again.

But Su Hua stood motionless.

"That’s right!" the man sneered. "It was all fake! I only pretended to care because my family was in trouble."

"You’re spoiled and selfish—did you really think I’d love someone like you? Pathetic!"

"You don’t deserve my sincerity. Now that I’ve gotten what I needed, the act is over."

"Wang Peng…" the woman whimpered.

The man’s expression remained cold. "If you have any self-respect, stay away. No matter what you do, I’ll never love you."

……

Those words dragged up painful memories for Su Hua.

She stood before her A-Xuan, heart shattered by his merciless words.

"Su Hua, how laughable! Why would I ever love a murderous demon who tried to kill me the moment we met?"

"When I took care of you during your fever, it was only because I feared stronger enemies. I saved you so you could protect me."

"You’re a heartless killer, Su Hua. If not for survival, I’d never have gotten involved with you."

"You saved me, and I protected you. We’re even now. Stay out of my life."

Each sentence from Lin Xuan had carved deeper into her soul.

On that deserted island where they had relied on each other, A-Xuan had been tender and protective.

They were each other’s only solace.

It was there that Su Hua had felt warmth for the first time.

She had believed he was her light.

But it was all a lie. He had never truly cared.

She was alone again.

A dark fury simmered in Su Hua’s eyes.

Now, A-Xuan treated her well—but only because he didn’t remember.

What if he regained his memories?

Would he despise her again?

Would he try to escape her once more?

A suffocating dread wrapped around her.

The rage inside her grew.

Jiang Qing answered a call, speaking fluent English. "We’ve arrived at the hotel entrance and will be there shortly. Please wait."

Hanging up, she checked the time again. "President Su, we must go in now. They’re getting impatient."

Su Hua gave no response. Her entire presence was glacial.

"Presi—"

Jiang Qing’s words died in her throat.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Then she noticed the crimson tint in Su Hua’s eyes.

Was President Su… having an episode?!

It had been so long since her last one that Jiang Qing had almost forgotten.

This couldn’t be random. Those couple’s words—so similar to Lin Xuan’s—must have triggered it.

But why such an extreme reaction?

No time to analyze.

"President Su," Jiang Qing said urgently, "Let’s return to Night Garden."

"Alright." Su Hua also realized her current state wasn't right. Suppressing the hostility in her heart, she took a seat in the back of the car.