Feeling Down

"Little Xuan, could you step outside for a moment? I'd like to talk to Ling'er alone," Chen Hong asked.

"Alright."

Lin Xuan left the hospital room, giving Chen Hong and his daughter Chen Ling some privacy.

"Dad, what did you want to say?" Chen Ling held Chen Hong's hand.

Chen Hong spoke weakly, "Ling'er, I know you like Little Xuan."

Chen Ling pressed her lips together.

Of course she liked Lin Xuan. He was outstanding and handsome—it was only natural for her to have feelings for him.

Besides, they had grown up together. As children, they'd even promised to marry each other someday.

In this lifetime, she would marry no one but Lin Xuan.

Sure, another woman had gotten to him first, but that didn’t matter. Lin Xuan would eventually break up with her.

And then, he would be hers.

"But Ling'er," Chen Hong said weakly, "Lin Xuan and his girlfriend are deeply in love. They won’t separate, and there’s no future for you and him."

"Ling'er, listen to your father. Let go of Lin Xuan and live your own life."

"My daughter is so talented and beautiful—plenty of men will adore you. You don’t need to cling to Lin Xuan alone."

With Lin Xuan looking after her, as long as Ling'er didn’t cross his boundaries, she would live a very comfortable life.

"Dad," Chen Ling said, pressing her lips together, "I can agree to anything else, but not this."

"Ling'er, listen to me!" Chen Hong suddenly grew agitated.

"Dad!" Chen Ling’s emotions flared as well. "Why are you so against me being with Lin Xuan? He’s such a good, amazing person. If I marry him, I’ll be happy. Do you really not want to see me happy?"

"Chen Ling!" Chen Hong’s chest heaved violently. "He already has someone he loves! The two of you can never be together!"

An image of Su Hua flashed in Chen Ling’s mind.

That vixen!

A surge of intense jealousy burned in her eyes.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "So what if he has a girlfriend? They’ll break up eventually, and I’ll be the one to take her place!"

"If she refuses to leave, I’ll make sure Lin Xuan dumps her."

"You—you—!"

Chen Hong pointed a trembling finger at Chen Ling, his anger making him shake uncontrollably.

Then, with one last gasp, he stopped breathing.

His eyes remained wide open, as if he had died with unresolved regrets.

"Dad?" Chen Ling froze.

She stared at Chen Hong in disbelief for a long moment before hesitantly reaching out to check his breath.

Nothing.

Not a single trace of life.

Dad… was gone.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave. Panicked, she bolted out of the room.

Lin Xuan was waiting nearby.

Chen Ling rushed up to him, her eyes red and voice trembling.

"Lin Xuan… Dad, he…"

"What happened to Director Chen?" Lin Xuan asked urgently. "Take your time."

"Dad… he’s dead," Chen Ling sobbed.

Lin Xuan immediately ran into the room and saw Chen Hong’s lifeless body, his cloudy eyes still open.

Hands shaking, Lin Xuan checked his pulse.

His face paled.

He was really gone.

Gently, Lin Xuan closed Chen Hong’s eyes.

"Lin Xuan, what do I do now?" Chen Ling cried. "I don’t have a dad anymore."

Lin Xuan spoke solemnly, "Chen Ling, don’t torment yourself. Your father wouldn’t want to see you in so much pain. You need to grieve properly."

Tears continued to stream down Chen Ling’s face.

"Lin Xuan, I’m in so much pain right now… Can I just lean on your shoulder for a bit?" she pleaded between sobs.

Lin Xuan frowned and refused coldly, "No."

If Su Hua found out another woman had cried on his shoulder, he’d be locked in the "dark room" again.

He couldn’t afford even a hint of ambiguity with anyone else.

But seeing how devastated Chen Ling was, he softened his tone slightly.

"If you really need to cry, you can…"

Chen Ling’s eyes lit up.

Was Lin Xuan actually going to let her lean on him?

If so, that meant he still had some affection for her.

Maybe there was still hope for them after all.

Lin Xuan paused, scanning the room before finishing his sentence.

"You can cry at the table."

Chen Ling stiffened.

Lin Xuan added, "I’ll go take care of the arrangements for Director Chen. You should stay here and spend some time with him."

Chen Ling’s heart sank, and fresh tears spilled over.

She had thought Lin Xuan would comfort her—but no, he’d told her to cry alone at a table.

Did he really despise her that much?

Lin Xuan left the room and quickly sent a message to Su Hua.

Hua Bao, Director Chen has passed away. I need to stay and handle the funeral arrangements. I’ll be home late.

Once Lin Xuan was gone, Chen Ling stood frozen in the room, staring at her father’s cold body.

The memory of his wide, unseeing eyes sent a chill down her spine.

Too afraid to stay alone, she hurried out of the room.

---

Su Corporation

Su Hua read Lin Xuan’s message, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

Director Chen—the head of the orphanage.

She remembered him well. The last time she and Lin Xuan had visited, his daughter had shamelessly flirted with him.

She’d even confronted Su Hua, demanding she leave Lin Xuan.

And now, was Lin Xuan alone with that Chen Ling?

She wanted nothing more than to drag him back home.

Su Hua lowered her gaze.

But… she couldn’t.

The orphanage director had been important to Lin Xuan. If she forced him to return, it would only create a rift between them.

A dark, seething rage simmered in her eyes.

Another executive approached to report on his department’s monthly performance.

There had been a few minor slip-ups, but nothing major.

These past few days—today included—Lin Xuan had been by Su Hua’s side constantly, keeping her in a good mood.

With such trivial issues, surely she wouldn’t punish him.

"President Su," the executive said confidently, handing her the report. "Here’s this month’s summary. Please take a look."

Su Hua accepted the file and began flipping through it.

Her brows suddenly furrowed.

The executive remained unfazed.

President Su was in high spirits—she wouldn’t make a big deal out of this.

Then—

A cold, mocking laugh escaped her lips.

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