While the Su family was still lost in fantasies, Mrs. Su was already contemplating the perfect wedding date for her daughter.
Butler: "Madam, Lawyer Ma is here."
Mrs. Su: "Send him to my room."
Butler: "Yes, madam."
A moment later, the butler led Lawyer Ma to Mrs. Su's room.
Lawyer Ma's complexion was terrible. It was no surprise, considering the exhausting days he'd spent handling the ATL matters, which surely must have affected his sleep and appetite.
Mrs. Su: "You need to take better care of yourself and get some rest."
Lawyer Ma: "Mrs. Su, I have something important to tell you."
Mrs. Su: "Go on."
Lawyer Ma: "ATL's current situation is dire. All accounts have been frozen."
"They are demanding that Ou Yunchen personally provide an explanation, but I cannot reach him. His secretary's calls have all gone unanswered."
Mrs. Su: "Why hasn't this been resolved yet? Didn't I tell you to do everything you could?"
Lawyer Ma: "I've done everything within my power. Their superiors are refusing to even meet with me..."
Mrs. Su: "Then find Ou Yunchen immediately!"
Lawyer Ma remained silent. He had tried, but Ou Yunchen was unwilling to give them any opportunity. He wouldn't even pick up the phone, let alone listen to any pleas.
Lawyer Ma: "There's another matter. To keep ATL operational, we need to raise a significant amount of capital."
Mrs. Su: "Then do it. Do I need to be notified about this?"
Lawyer Ma: "Chen, the accountant, and I have discussed it. We've decided to sell off non-core businesses."
Mrs. Su: "Non-core? What businesses?"
Lawyer Ma: "It's... Datong, which Ou Yunchen acquired back then."
Mrs. Su: "But that business is profitable!"
Lawyer Ma: "Chen estimates it will break even at best, and that's before accounting for the amortization of acquisition costs."
Mrs. Su sighed. She was also worried about ATL's sudden crisis. No one had anticipated that ATL would be crippled without Ou Yunchen.
So, was it Lawyer Ma's fault, or was their initial decision flawed from the start?
After much thought, Mrs. Su reluctantly agreed to sell Datong. However, she was unaware that Lawyer Ma had received a call from Xu Shuming days earlier, and Xu Shuming had already offered a favorable price.
Mrs. Su: "Then sell it. You can handle the rest."
Lawyer Ma: "What about Ou Yunchen?"
Mrs. Su: "I'll think of a way."
Just then, the butler knocked on Mrs. Su's door again.
Butler: "Madam, the master has returned."
Mrs. Su: "Understood."
Lawyer Ma: "Xu Shuming has been behaving well towards you recently..."
Mrs. Su: "Much better. e/
Su Ruiyi: "So many people?"
Mrs. Su: "Just a gathering."
Su Ruiyi found it quite incomprehensible but didn't dwell on it. She changed into a formal gown as her mother wished.
As they got into the car, Su Ruiyi didn't see Emmanuel and asked Mrs. Su and Xu Shuming about his whereabouts.
Xu Shuming: "He had a last-minute appointment and will meet us directly on the cruise ship."
Su Ruiyi: "Is that so? What kind of event is it tonight?"
Xu Shuming: "No particular event, just a chance to introduce Emmanuel to everyone."
Mrs. Su patted Xu Shuming's arm, signaling him not to say too much. After all, her daughter was still in the dark, and it wouldn't be as fun if she sensed anything beforehand.
Xu Shuming and Mrs. Su shared one car, while Su Ruiyi had her own.
She wasn't a fool; she could tell her parents were concealing the night's itinerary. Seeing their formal attire, she knew it must be a significant occasion.
By the time the cars reached the port, the number of guests was indeed staggering. The Su family's influence was evident, with connections spanning across various industries.
Even upon boarding the cruise ship, Su Ruiyi hadn't spotted Emmanuel. As she watched her parents mingle with guests, a familiar voice called out from behind her.
Wang Ziran: "Congratulations, Miss Su."
Su Ruiyi turned around to see Wang Ziran, dressed in a bowtie. After so long, he had matured considerably, shedding his youthful demeanor and appearing like a true man.
Su Ruiyi: "Congratulations? Why do you say that?"
Wang Ziran nodded to the woman beside him, who quickly departed, leaving them alone.
Wang Ziran chuckled dismissively. He had also received an invitation, albeit one addressed to the Wang family.
He could have chosen not to attend, but he felt compelled to come, wanting to see the man the Su family held in such high esteem as a son-in-law.
Wang Ziran: "It seems you're still unaware that tonight's banquet is being held for you."
Su Ruiyi: "For me? You know what kind of banquet it is?"
Wang Ziran retrieved two glasses of champagne from a waiter and offered one to Su Ruiyi.
Wang Ziran: "Care for a walk?"
He extended his arm, and as Su Ruiyi linked hers, it felt as if they had returned to their past, a time when Wang Ziran's world revolved only around Su Ruiyi.
Su Ruiyi: "You still haven't told me what's going on tonight."
Wang Ziran: "No need to rush. The entire night is yours."
Su Ruiyi: "Have you been doing well lately?"
Wang Ziran: "Quite well."
Su Ruiyi: "Really? You seem different from before."
Wang Ziran: "How so?"
Su Ruiyi: "More mature."
Wang Ziran smiled, taking a sip of his wine. The frustration in his heart seemed to lessen, at least for this moment. He was beside Su Ruiyi now, but in the next, she would be someone else's bride.
Wang Ziran: "I thought it would be that fellow named Ou."
Su Ruiyi: "What? Ou Yunchen? What happened to him?"
Wang Ziran was slightly inebriated, but this time, he felt a sense of willing surrender. If not for Ou Yunchen, this son of a banking family would have been far superior to himself.
Gazing into Su Ruiyi's eyes, perhaps emboldened by the moonlight and the sea breeze, Wang Ziran yearned to kiss the girl he had loved and hated so fiercely.
Ultimately, it could only be an embrace—careful not to hold too tight, not to tremble, barely daring to breathe...
Wang Ziran: "If he doesn't treat you well, I'll kill him for you."
Su Ruiyi: "What did you say..."
Wang Ziran: "Shh..."
Suddenly, the ship's horn blared, signaling its departure.
The deafening blast drowned out Wang Ziran's final words.
Su Ruiyi: "What did you say!!!"
Wang Ziran gently touched Su Ruiyi's face, smiled, downed his champagne, and returned to his companion.
The butler rushed to Su Ruiyi's side, urging her to go inside quickly, as Xu Shuming was looking for her.
By the time Su Ruiyi reached the main deck, all the lights were out, save for a massive screen displaying a video.
Su Ruiyi had a bad feeling. The screen showed clips of her dancing with Emmanuel at a society ball, along with numerous photos of her recent outings with him.
It seemed a team had secretly documented their every moment without her knowledge.
The heartfelt confessions, however, failed to move Su Ruiyi, who was merely going through the motions. Her chest felt like it was being hammered by countless iron fists, and she desperately wanted to escape.
With a loud clap, a spotlight illuminated Su Ruiyi, as if unseen hands were pushing her forward.
The cheers and applause were so overwhelming that Su Ruiyi struggled to breathe. She scanned the faces of the smiling crowd but found no familiar figure, no prince to rescue her.
In a daze, a man in a sharp suit walked towards her from the front, holding a beautiful bouquet. He slowly approached Su Ruiyi.
Emmanuel: "Did I startle you?"
Su Ruiyi: "What are you doing? Don't kneel. Don't propose. I beg you..."
Emmanuel: "Your parents have already agreed. You are my last wish."
Su Ruiyi quickly looked towards Xu Shuming and Mrs. Su. They wore expressions of joy, seemingly witnessing their daughter's happiness.
Su Ruiyi shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Mrs. Su smiled and nodded. Su Ruiyi knew there was no escape. Everyone on the cruise ship would bless this couple.
They would anticipate the Su family's grand wedding banquet and envision how the son of this banking dynasty would orchestrate a globally renowned ceremony.
But who would care about Su Ruiyi's willingness to marry? She wondered if she had gone too far. She had offered her kindness to help Emmanuel fulfill his dying wishes, and she never thought he would go this far!