We're Not That Close

"Little Shen, you're here. Please, have a seat," Old Master Su greeted warmly.

"Thank you, Grandfather Su," Huo Shen replied, taking a seat opposite Su Hua.

Throughout the exchange, Su Hua didn’t even glance up at him.

"Hua'er," Huo Shen said gently, "It’s been a while."

Su Hua frowned. "Since you’re managing Su Corporation’s overseas affairs, that makes you an employee—my subordinate. Just like everyone else in the company, you should address me as 'President Su.'"

"After all, we’re not that close."

She didn’t want Xuan to misunderstand her relationship with another man.

She had worked hard to earn Xuan’s affection, and she wouldn’t allow any rift to come between them.

Huo Shen realized Su Hua was deliberately distancing herself from him, his eyes darkening slightly.

He forced a casual smile. "President Su, it’s been over two years since we last met. I didn’t expect you to be so cold toward me."

Su Hua’s brows knitted tighter. "When were we ever close?"

Huo Shen stiffened.

Old Master Su intervened, trying to smooth things over. "Hua'er, he’s one of your most capable subordinates. At least treat him with some courtesy."

Su Hua replied coolly, "I treat all my subordinates the same. There’s no difference between him and anyone else."

Old Master Su was left speechless. He sighed and turned to Huo Shen. "Little Shen, Hua'er has always been like this. Even I, her grandfather, receive the same indifferent treatment."

"I know," Huo Shen said, maintaining his composed smile.

Old Master Su nodded.

Little Shen was a fine young man, but unfortunately, he and Hua'er simply weren’t meant to be.

Su Hua ignored Huo Shen completely, returning her attention to her phone.

She was scrolling through photos and messages exchanged with Lin Xuan, her lips occasionally curling into a faint smile.

To ease the tension, Old Master Su struck up a conversation with Huo Shen.

"Little Shen, you’ve been working tirelessly for Su Corporation all these years. You’ve done so much for us."

"Grandfather Su, it’s the least I could do. I’m not burdened by it. In fact, this is the only way I can repay Su Corporation for clearing my parents’ names and taking me in," Huo Shen replied.

"Your parents… what a tragedy," Old Master Su sighed.

Framed and imprisoned, their company, Huo Corporation, driven to bankruptcy.

Even Huo Shen himself had been beaten half to death.

Old Master Su had rescued him, letting him stay with the Su family for a time. In gratitude, Huo Shen began working for them.

Later, when Su Hua took over Su Corporation, he became one of her subordinates.

As they spoke, ten minutes later, Lin Xuan arrived at the Su residence.

"Master, Young Master Lin is here," a servant announced.

"Little Xuan is here already?" Old Master Su’s demeanor brightened noticeably. "Quick, bring him in."

"No need," Su Hua stood from the sofa. "I’ll go greet him myself."

"Very well," Old Master Su smiled approvingly.

The couple’s affection was undeniable. The only regret was that Hua'er hadn’t conceived yet—nor did she plan to.

At the thought, Old Master Su sighed deeply.

But as long as Hua'er was happy, that was all that mattered.

After Su Hua left, only Huo Shen and Old Master Su remained in the living room, aside from the servants.

"Little Shen," Old Master Su began, "I know you’ve always had feelings for Hua'er. All these years, you’ve stayed single, waiting for her."

Huo Shen’s fists clenched imperceptibly.

It was true—he had been waiting for Su Hua.

For years, she had never shown interest in any man, and he was the only one who could get close to her.

He had even saved her life once.

With Su Corporation’s vast legacy to inherit, even if Su Hua felt nothing for him, she would eventually have to marry.

And if she did, he would be the ideal choice.

He had long considered her his.

But no matter how carefully he had planned, he never anticipated Lin Xuan appearing out of nowhere.

"Little Shen," Old Master Su’s voice was tinged with regret, "I once hoped to bring you and Hua'er together. But unfortunately, she never saw you that way."

"Now that she’s found someone she loves, and you’re no longer young, it’s time to let go. Find a woman to marry and start a family."

Huo Shen’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Grandfather Su, I’ve loved only her my entire life. Letting go isn’t so simple. I’ll wait a little longer. If they break up, perhaps she’ll finally look my way."

His voice was heavy with resignation.

Old Master Su frowned. "You might wait forever."

Hua'er and Little Xuan were deeply in love.

Given his granddaughter’s temperament, even if Lin Xuan ever tried to leave her, she wouldn’t let him go.

Huo Shen’s waiting would likely be in vain.

"It’s fine," Huo Shen said. "No matter how long, I’ll wait."

"Then do as you wish," Old Master Su conceded helplessly.

Perhaps with time, he would finally give up.

Waiting alone wasn’t harmful—he just hoped Little Shen wouldn’t do anything reckless, like interfering in Hua'er and Little Xuan’s relationship.

"Good evening, Miss. Good evening, Young Master Lin," the servants greeted respectfully as Su Hua and Lin Xuan entered hand in hand.

Lin Xuan nodded in acknowledgment as they passed.

In his presence, Su Hua’s usual coldness melted away, her eyes brimming with adoration for him.

"The young miss and Young Master Lin truly are a perfect match," one servant murmured.

"I used to think Young Master Huo and the young miss would make a good pair, but now it’s clear—Young Master Lin suits her best."

"The young miss was never interested in Young Master Huo. If there were a chance, they’d have been together long ago. Her heart belongs only to Young Master Lin."

The servants whispered among themselves.

Meanwhile, Huo Shen watched the couple, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes shadowed with darkness.

He had heard rumors before—how Su Hua treated her boyfriend differently, how she seemed genuinely in love.

At the time, he dismissed it.

Someone like her, capable of loving a man?

But now, seeing it firsthand, he realized the rumors were true.

Su Hua had truly fallen for this man.

But let him have her for now. Sooner or later, she would be his.

So would Su Corporation.

Outwardly, Huo Shen remained composed, his smile unchanged.

Thanks to Song Wenwen from Qianyun City, Zhan Yongsha (username), Zhu Dong from Purple Cloud Valley, and other dear readers for your gifts.

This year’s exams are finally over—though they were more of a formality. With 270 candidates competing for a single position, what were the odds?

Juggling work, writing, and studying these past months has taken a toll on my health.

No more studying—time to embrace the slacker life.

Goodnight, everyone.

Uu.