In comparison, it was Ji Yanchuan who truly made her tread cautiously.
She couldn’t defy even a single thought of his.
But having been tad by the system through suffering, Qiao Chuchu considered Ji Yanchuan and the script re child’s play. Right now, she had more pressing matters to attend to.
After hanging up the phone and arranging for a few female bodyguards to accompany Qi Xiaojia, she leaned back wearily in the car seat. "What’s on the schedule for today?"
Shen Zhuoyan glanced at the itinerary. "An elderly lady nad Yun Sui has invited you to a tea gathering in an hour."
Qiao Chuchu took a mont to recall.
Ah, right.
During the last charity gala, she had publicly confronted Wang Ru Tang. While everyone else had been watching cautiously, only one lady—Yun Sui—had joined her in rebuking Wang Ru Tang.
Wang Ru Tang had been chased by a swarm of reporters, her frantic escape immortalized across the internet. Once hailed as a paragon of the art world, her reputation had collapsed beyond redemption.
Yun Sui, already a highly esteed figure, had effortlessly stepped into Wang Ru Tang’s vacated position, seizing most of her resources.
Truthfully, Qiao Chuchu had coveted that spot herself.
But she was too young—despite her fa and talent, she lacked the seniority to claim it.
Still, during her recent illness, Yun Sui had called her, hinting at grooming her as a successor and expressing a desire to build a closer relationship.
She believed it.
Yun Sui had no children of her own, only a businessman husband and a sickly grandson.
Apart from her, no one else in the family pursued painting.
Rumors said the grandson’s condition was severe—mysterious, undiagnosable, with episodes leaving him unconscious for days.
Qiao Chuchu sucked in a breath, muttering, "This frail grandson… why does he sound so familiar?"
Shen Zhuoyan frowned. "Familiar how?"
She shook her head. "It’s nothing."
**[Could it be Shi Yu? But probably not, right?]**
Shen Zhuoyan: "…"
Shi Yu? Who was Shi Yu?
---
Yun Sui sat at Shi Yu’s bedside, her gaze tender as she studied his gaunt fra.
Since returning from the auction, he had been unconscious for three days and four nights.
Countless hospital visits yielded no diagnosis, yet his organs continued to fail.
With no treatnt proving effective and Shi Yu disliking pointless hospital stays, he had been brought ho.
The doctors had quietly suggested preparing for the worst.
Tears welled as Yun Sui adjusted his blanket. "Shi Yu, you’re only twenty-five. You can’t leave us. Your grandparents already lost your parents—I can’t lose you too."
A soft knock interrupted her. The butler announced, "Madam, Miss Qiao is here."
Wiping her tears, Yun Sui straightened her shawl. "Show her in."
Qiao Chuchu stepped inside, her eyes lighting up at the room’s décor.
While Ji Yanchuan’s ho dripped with opulence, Yun Sui’s residence exuded classical Chinese elegance.
A cabinet displayed an array of instrunts—pipa, guzheng, guqin—each immaculately polished. The faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, every detail a testant to the owner’s refined taste.
Spotting the figure on the bed, she averted her gaze politely. "Madam Yun."
Yun Sui turned with a smile. "You’ve arrived."
Dabbing her eyes, she gestured to a seat nearby. "Co, sit here."
Qiao Chuchu complied, presenting a box of premium tea leaves. "I wasn’t sure of your preferences, so I brought these. I hope they suit your taste."
Her eyes flicked toward the bed. "And this is…?"
"My grandson." Yun Sui sighed. "Around your age, though you likely wouldn’t know him. He was hoschooled. His na is Shi Yu."
Qiao Chuchu blinked. "Shi Yu?"
So this ailing grandson *was* the Shi Yu she knew?
Surprised, she said, "Just days ago, he bought one of my paintings and spoke with . What happened to him?"
Yun Sui’s eyes reddened as she pressed a hand to her temple. "He won’t wake. The doctors say this ti… it may be permanent. That’s why I asked you here—to discuss business."
She cut to the chase. "I know you toppled Wang Ru Tang to take her place. But you’re too young, too inexperienced for that role. While I’ve assud her position, I’m not your enemy. We could be allies. After all, Wang Ru Tang and I have our own history. And as you see, my only heir is Shi Yu—a skilled businessman, but no threat to you."
Unfazed, Qiao Chuchu nodded. "I understand. I ca hoping to beco your protégée."
Her attention drifted back to Shi Yu. "May I see him?"
Yun Sui gave a weary nod.
Rising, Qiao Chuchu stepped softly to the bedside, her heels silent against the floor.
Shi Yu lay still, his closed eyes enhancing his ethereal beauty—like a fragile sleeping prince, breathing faintly.
She frowned. **[Last ti, he ntioned his susceptibility to comas. I didn’t realize it was this severe. He added on WeChat—did he collapse right after?]**
From the doorway, Shen Zhuoyan’s gaze sharpened on Shi Yu, his brow furrowing.
Qiao Chuchu eyed the instrunt cabinet. "Does Shi Yu play the guqin?"
Yun Sui nodded wistfully. "The guqin, the guzheng… he mastered both. He adored classical arts—calligraphy, ink painting."
Her voice broke. "He used to fill this house with music. Now… he may never wake."
Qiao Chuchu studied Shi Yu, her frown deepening.
**[Had I known it was this dire, I would’ve spoken to him properly.]**
Shen Zhuoyan: "…"
Baffled, he tilted his head.
A string of beads on the floor caught Qiao Chuchu’s eye. "Whose are these?"
Yun Sui stood. "A protective bracelet I had made for him. It must’ve slipped off. Let —"
Qiao Chuchu intercepted her. "Allow ."
No elder should bend down in her presence.
She picked up the wooden bracelet and gently slid it onto Shi Yu’s wrist.
A surge of energy shot through him, forcing his eyes open.
The first thing he saw was Qiao Chuchu fastening the bracelet.
Thinking it a delusion, his hand snapped shut around hers!
Qiao Chuchu: "!"
Yun Sui: "?!"
Shen Zhuoyan: "?"
Shi Yu, still lying weak, burned with intensity as he felt her warmth. "I’ve dread of this mont. You’ve finally co, Qiao Chu."
Qiao Chuchu froze in confusion.
With effort, he propped himself up, offering a frail smile. "You’re here to choose , aren’t you?"
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