Chapter 55 – Retreat as a Strategy

Ye Nan walked up to Su Wanwan and extended his hand toward her. Su Wanwan, without a trace of emotion, subtly sidestepped."It's nothing. I suppose my sister didn't mean it."

Watching Su Wanwan's affected and pretentious demeanor, Su Nian trembled with fury, her clenched teeth nearly chattering with rage. Her sharp nails dug mercilessly into her palm, her eyebrows twisted so tightly they seemed knotted."Su Wanwan, you—"

Fearing that Su Nian might lose control and say something reckless, Father Su quickly cut in."That's enough!""No more arguing!""Nian Nian, hurry and pour a cup of tea for Ye Nan."

Reluctantly, Su Nian stomped her foot, her red lips pouting. With grievance clouding her expression, she glanced toward Ye Nan.Seeing her tear-streaked, swollen eyes and her utterly disheveled appearance, Ye Nan inexplicably felt a wave of irritation rise within him. He averted his gaze and turned to Su Wanwan."You didn't get hurt, did you?"

Su Nian ground her teeth. Under repeated glances from her father, she begrudgingly walked toward the kitchen.

Su Wanwan shook her head, her tone calm and distant."No. Since you're here, I'll be taking my leave."

Ye Nan was momentarily stunned."Wanwan, don't go just yet. There's something I wanted to talk to you about."He hadn't traveled all this way to return empty-handed.

Father Su, long eager to send off this troublesome deity, took these words as a godsend. He hastily grasped Ye Nan's arm."Ye Nan, just let Wanwan go.""She already said she wouldn't stay long. Young Master Fu is still waiting for her to return for dinner."

He deliberately emphasized the words "Young Master Fu," subtly reminding Ye Nan that Su Wanwan was now a married woman.

As expected, Ye Nan's expression dimmed. His fingers clenched into fists, and veins bulged along his neck.

Only after Su Wanwan had left did Father Su, now composed, speak to Ye Nan."I assume you've seen the online rumors.""So, how do you plan to handle this?"

Ye Nan opened his mouth, his face marked with hesitation."Uncle…"

But Father Su interrupted with a sigh, as though already knowing what Ye Nan intended to say."Nian Nian… that girl was foolish.""To be with you, she didn't even mind becoming the shameful third party.""Ye Nan, she's the daughter I treasure most in this world.""Our Su family may not rival the might of the Ye family.""But from the moment she was born, I've never let her suffer even the slightest grievance.""And now she's being vilified like this—do you know how it breaks my heart?"

He shook his head with a sorrowful air, the grief deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. His brow was laced with tenderness.

"If it weren't for love, why would a cherished heiress like her stoop so low and exhaust herself in vain?""I know why you came today—you intend to break up with her, don't you?"

Panic briefly flashed through Ye Nan's eyes.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Father Su's lips. He shut his eyes, and when he opened them again, his expression was filled with acceptance and forgiveness."If you truly no longer love her, then let her go.""I understand the impact this matter has had on you.""Releasing a statement now would minimize the damage.""All I ask is…""For the sake of the grievances Nian Nian has endured over the past year, try not to break her heart too harshly."

In that moment, Ye Nan found himself at a loss for words.

Had the Su family chosen to make a scene, to cling to the past, or use emotional manipulation, he might have broken things off without hesitation.But Father Su's magnanimity, his willingness to consider things from Ye Nan's perspective, made Ye Nan question—Had he been too heartless?

"I've always liked you, Ye Nan. Even if we can't become family, there's something I feel compelled to remind you of.""Regardless of how you feel about Su Wanwan now, she is married.""And her husband is the eldest son of the Fu family.""Even if you wished to rekindle your past, do you truly believe Fu Liangmu would let you go unscathed?"

With those words, silence fell between them.

Su Nian returned from the kitchen and placed a cup of tea before Ye Nan.

Understanding her signal, Father Su rose."You two talk. I've got something to do upstairs."He cast a meaningful glance at Su Nian before leaving. She gave him a barely perceptible nod.

All the servants had tactfully departed the living room, leaving only Su Nian and Ye Nan seated opposite each other.

The room was quiet, the only sound their breathing.

"Nian Nian…"

Ye Nan spoke first, but as the words reached his lips, he faltered.

As if terrified of what he might say next, Su Nian hurriedly interrupted him, lifting the cup."Have some tea. It should be just the right temperature now—ah!"

Her hand trembled, spilling the tea, the scalding liquid turning her skin red.

Ye Nan's pupils contracted as he hurriedly seized her hand."Are you alright?"

Su Nian gently shook her head and slowly pulled her fingers from his grasp, inch by inch.

Her head hung low, concealing her expression, though teardrops fell silently like pearls, betraying her sorrow.

Her voice was strained with stifled sobs, trembling with anguish."Nan-ge, please… don't be so kind to me anymore.""I heard everything you said to my father.""If you truly love my sister and wish to pursue her again, then I will give you my blessing.""After all… it was I who fell for you first, which ultimately drove a wedge between you and my sister."

Each word pierced Ye Nan's heart with a dull ache.Su Nian's tone cast him as the irredeemable villain.

"Nian Nian, don't say that…"

She lifted her swollen, tear-filled eyes, revealing a gentle smile."Nan-ge, let's break up."

…

That night, Su Nian posted a video.

Her face was bare, streaked with tears, her expression utterly sorrowful.

She took full responsibility for everything—no excuses, no evasions.

With grace and humility, she apologized to Su Wanwan and announced her amicable breakup with Ye Nan.

The tide of vitriolic comments below the video began to shift:

[It's good she's willing to admit her mistakes. Just don't be a mistress again.][She's a pretty girl. Why not love openly and honestly? Why steal someone else's man?][At least she apologized. I forgive her.][How can a simple apology erase everything? Don't be so easily swayed.][It takes two to cheat. Why's everyone blaming the woman alone? That scumbag Ye Nan deserves the heat too.]

After posting the video, Su Nian casually tossed her phone aside, wiped her tears, and sat before the mirror, leisurely applying a face mask.

It was as if the woman who had wept so pitifully on camera a moment ago… had never existed.