Volume One, Chapter 15: Xie Yanchen and Su Wanning Are Getting Married

Xu Jiang’s words instantly transported Su Wanqing back to the days when they both worked under Xu Qiuyun, tackling problems together. Xu Qiuyun was strict, especially when it came to algorithms—her dedication went beyond ordinary seriousness. To master algorithms, a solid foundation in mathematics was essential.

Though computers in their time could solve many mathematical problems, Xu Qiuyun demanded that every algorithm specialist be stronger than a computer. Her philosophy was that computers run on human-written programs, and programs are prone to errors. It was the algorithm expert’s duty to identify and fix problems when they arose.

As Xu Qiuyun’s own son, Xu Jiang could never be allowed to live a life of idle privilege. As a determined career woman, Xu Qiuyun spent every day working and pushing both Su Wanqing and Xu Jiang to study together. Su Wanqing, gifted and quick to learn, found it easier, but Xu Jiang struggled. He couldn’t keep up with her pace, often scolded by Xu Qiuyun and one year younger than Su Wanqing, shy and reserved, he would often hide away to cry.

Su Wanqing would take her favorite lollipop to him and say softly, “Life may be hard, but don’t let your mouth be bitter.” Now, looking at Xu Jiang’s smiling face, a weight seemed to lift from her heart. She popped the lollipop into her mouth, the sweet and sour flavor spreading instantly, bringing a comforting warmth to her spirit.

The past had indeed been difficult, but thankfully, she had chosen to move forward. From now on, her love would belong only to herself and Xie Kexin. She would no longer be held captive by anyone or anything.

That evening, under the guidance of two teachers, Xie Kexin no longer needed her company. Since Xu Jiang had no pressing matters, Su Wanqing asked him to stay home and keep an eye on things. Su Guoxing was an extremely petty and scheming man. When Xie Kexin was young, before her autism was diagnosed, he had shown no ill will toward her. In fact, to curry favor with Xie Yancheng, Su Guoxing would put on the guise of a kindly grandfather, holding Xie Kexin tightly.

But once her autism was confirmed, he always regarded the child coldly whenever they met. Though Xie Kexin could not perceive this, as a mother, Su Wanqing’s heart ached to watch her child be ignored. So this time, she simply did not bring the child along.

The moment Su Wanqing drove into the Su family estate, she immediately sensed a lively, cheerful atmosphere. Trees along the street and grass piles were festooned with colorful ribbons and lights, as if celebrating something.

After parking, Liu Aunt, who was watering flowers, hurried over to guide her. Curious, Su Wanqing asked, “Is there a special occasion today?”

Liu Aunt, covering her mouth with excitement, replied, “Oh, today Mr. Xie is accompanying Miss Anning home—it looks like they’re discussing marriage.”

Su Wanqing paused, recalling her agreement with Xie Yancheng to file for divorce tomorrow. She forced a faint smile and said bitterly, “Is that so.”

She suddenly understood—even if she did not take the initiative to mention divorce, he would bring it up himself. She had thought she finally seized control, but in truth, everything remained firmly in Xie Yancheng’s hands.

Seeing her downcast expression, Liu Aunt seemed to realize something and hurried to console her, “Oh, Miss Wanqing, don’t be sad. Miss Anning and Mr. Xie have been childhood sweethearts. Among all the noble ladies in Haicheng, Mr. Xie never looked at anyone else but our Miss Anning. He wanted to marry her long ago, but she was headstrong and insisted on studying abroad, which caused them to miss their chance.”

“But even though you were delayed for five years, look on the bright side—if it weren’t for Miss Anning, when would you have had the chance to get close to the Xie family’s elite? Besides, Mr. Xie hasn’t treated you well all these years. He’s never brought you home, and you don’t even know how he really feels about you. You should see this as an early release.”

Each of Liu Aunt’s words felt like a knife twisting in Su Wanqing’s heart, causing a sharp pain. “I’ll walk the rest of the way on my own,” Su Wanqing said firmly.

Liu Aunt tried to persuade her to lighten her heart, but Su Wanqing politely declined, causing the smile on Liu Aunt’s face to stiffen. A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes, but she nodded awkwardly. “Well, alright then.”

However, as Su Wanqing turned away, she heard Liu Aunt muttering incessantly, “Trying to help her, but she won’t appreciate it. No wonder she grew up in the countryside and knows nothing of social graces. No wonder the master, madam, and Mr. Xie don’t favor her…”

Su Wanqing pressed her lips together but did not engage. Instead, she continued walking forward. More than arguing with Liu Aunt, she wanted to understand why Su Guoxing insisted she come today. Now that Xie Yancheng and Su Wannning were about to marry, she no longer held any value to him. Given his petty nature, he should have cut off contact with her entirely.

Arriving at the Su family’s back garden, Su Wanqing saw a vast lawn surrounded by stone paths for strolling. On the lawn, a long table was set with a tablecloth running its length, dividing the massive table into two halves. Fresh flowers and candles adorned the cloth, while wine glasses, cutlery, and napkins were arranged neatly on both sides.

The entire lawn was encircled with string lights, creating the ambiance of an intimate banquet. Su Wanqing roughly counted the seats—it could accommodate nearly twenty people. Besides the Su family, some from the Xie family would surely attend to fill the seats.

She couldn’t help but recall how she once hosted a banquet to please the Xie family, setting places for over a dozen guests, only to have no one show up—not a single person. No one even offered an explanation. After all her painstaking preparations, she had to ask the servants to eat the food to avoid waste.

At the time, she blamed herself for not preparing well enough to please them. But today, she realized it had nothing to do with preparation—it was about people. They never liked her, so no matter how much she went out of her way, they would never give her a second glance. Su Wannning had been their chosen bride from the start. Even though she escaped the marriage five years ago, their affection for her endured.

“Wanqing,” a soft, delicate voice called from nearby.

Snapping back to reality, Su Wanqing saw Su Wannning standing not far off, dressed in a strapless silver-white sequin princess gown that made her already fair skin look even more flawless. Her smooth black hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders.

Though it was still daylight, she shone brilliantly, like a true princess, proclaiming herself the undisputed star of the evening.

Beside her, Su Guoxing and Luo Qian, the husband and wife, looked on with satisfied, loving expressions, full of tenderness and indulgence.