Volume 1, Chapter 43: Front-Row Gossiping

What Susan found even more curious was why Jiang Ming, who was entirely devoted to training and considered managing traffic a waste of time, had gotten involved with Gu Yilin.

Could it be that he was cut from the same cloth as Lin Tingyuan, fond of taking shortcuts to land a wealthy woman? Was it just that their methods differed in subtlety?

Judging by its size, the large flat in "Bright Moon Bay" where Jiang Ming lived had a market value of no less than ten million. Even as a national champion, without any endorsement deals and relying solely on his salary and prize money, that was simply out of reach. But for the CEO of the Gu Corporation, such a sum meant nothing.

Of course, Susan was reluctant to believe Jiang Ming was that kind of person, yet Gu Yilin was standing right there, looking cautious, with a subtle allure, making it all deeply suspicious. If there truly was something between the two of them, judging by the current situation, Jiang Ming was unquestionably in the dominant position in this dynamic; he was the real master.

Susan gasped inwardly, her heart growing colder. For the first time, she cared nothing for the news scoop, wishing only to play the part of a lowly, petty eavesdropper.

Unfortunately, Jiang Ming focused entirely on applying the ointment and barely spoke at all, though he answered every question put to him. Gu Yilin, noble and reserved at first, acted as though she understood him completely, her words—regardless of length—imbued with the utmost gentleness. Their intermittent dialogue was agonizing to listen to, and the content was unremarkable, yet it exuded an undeniable familiarity and intimacy.

"Ming, does it hurt?"

"No."

"You've already done wonderfully. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"Mn."

"Sometimes I really don't understand you. Why push yourself so hard? If it's for your dream, you've been striving for it for many years—you've done right by yourself. If it's for fame and fortune, how much is a gold medal really worth? Have you considered retiring yet?"

"No, I can still swim."

"Even though you're only twenty-four and indeed in your prime, as you grow older and injuries accumulate, the pressure from training will only increase. I really don't want to watch you suffer like this."

As Gu Yilin spoke, her hand, adorned with an exquisite manicure, reached out toward Jiang Ming unannounced.

"I'm fine."

Whether intentional or accidental, right as Jiang Ming responded, he happened to bend down to put the medicine back into his sports bag, narrowly avoiding her touch.

A fleeting flash of reluctance and disappointment crossed Gu Yilin's eyes.

"The day after tomorrow... do you remember?"

***

"Mn. However..."

This time, however, Gu Yilin did not yield to Jiang Ming, instead interrupting him forcefully.

"I know, there's also the National Championship, but that's next month, and the World Championships are three months away. Tomorrow's competition ends, and you'll have a seven-day adjustment period. Even if you're used to extra training, you should at least leave yourself three days to rest. You promised me you'd come back with me, and you never break your word! If you fail to do it, don't blame me for coming to the team and dragging you away myself."

While speaking, Gu Yilin took a slight step to stand slightly behind and to the side of Jiang Ming, using her hand to fan him. From Susan's perspective, it looked as though she were gently embracing him.

At this sight, Susan instinctively drew back her hand and covered her mouth.

She had no idea what kind of luck she had run into today; one after another, these intimate backstage dramas all fell into her lap, complete with the trope of a handsome male athlete paired with a wealthy female entrepreneur—the living embodiment of a short drama where a domineering wealthy woman falls hopelessly in love with a strong, athletic younger man.

The Gu Yilin right now had completely changed her tune. Unlike the rational and restrained tone she had used earlier, her recent words carried both coquettishness and threats. Balancing firmness with gentleness, she was a master of manipulation. In short, if she were not facing someone extremely close and familiar, the CEO of the Gu Corporation would never have revealed this side of herself.

Because she was blocked by Gu Yilin's figure, Susan could not see the frown on Jiang Ming's face, hearing only that he paused for a few seconds before uttering a single word: "Fine."

Susan held her breath and quietly retreated. This was her second instance of eavesdropping, peeping, and sneaking away tonight.

If the first time had left her feeling disgusted and made her view Su Na as pathetic, this time her heart had been thoroughly stung, leaving her feeling utterly ridiculous.

Susan thought to herself that, as far as Jiang Ming was concerned, she was by no means special. It had merely been a coincidence—certain events had occurred that led her to harbor illusions. She actually knew nothing of Jiang Ming's world, his background, his preferences, or anything about him. In fact, because Jiang Ming kept such a low profile publicly, her understanding of him was even less than her understanding of Lin Tingyuan.

Yet Gu Yilin's familiarity and understanding of Jiang Ming were frighteningly deep. How could someone as cautious and airtight as Jiang Ming allow Gu Yilin to understand him so thoroughly? What on earth was their relationship?

The emotional blow was too overwhelming. Susan could only think of escaping quickly before she was discovered, failing entirely to notice that the moment she left, Gu Yilin withdrew her gaze from the crack in the door and let slip a rising corner of her lips, beaming with the subtle smile of someone who had achieved her goal.

...

Standing in the elevator lobby, Susan did not hesitate for long before pressing the B2 button and heading straight for the parking garage.

The mystery surrounding Jiang Ming was still puzzling, and since she had no standing to question him, that matter could be temporarily put aside. But the Su family, having stepped into the trap that was Lin Tingyuan, was already in imminent peril.

In the VIP parking garage of the stadium, almost all the vehicles had left. Susan spotted the Su family car at a glance, pulled her baseball cap down low, and walked straight over, crossing her arms as she leaned against the vehicle.

After waiting only a short while, she saw Su Na walking over alone. Her brows and eyes were brimming with smiles, the corners of her eyes flushed red—the unmistakable look of someone who had just been deeply satisfied.

***

Although they were not blood-related sisters and their relationship was toxic, Susan could have simply left Su Na to her own devices and let her be ruined by that scumbag. But they both shared the surname Su, and Su Na was now a group vice president holding real power; the Su family's fortunes were bound together—when one prospered, all prospered, and when one fell, all suffered. It seemed Su Na had completely lost her head over this romance, and it was impossible to imagine just how badly she would be swindled in the future. In the end, Susan could not bring herself to be completely indifferent. Both publicly and privately, she ought to warn Su Na, helping her see Lin Tingyuan's true face and cut her losses in time.

"Su Na, can we talk?" Susan raised her head, staring coldly at Su Na with an undeniable chill in her voice.

Ever since she started university, the number of times Susan had returned to the old family estate could be counted on one hand. Coupled with the fact that she completely avoided group affairs and never showed her face at the company, Su Na had very few opportunities to see Susan in recent years. She certainly hadn't expected to run into her in the stadium parking garage, and it looked like Susan had specifically waited here for her.

At this, Su Na was momentarily startled, but she quickly recovered the sharp, barbed tone she habitually used when speaking with Susan.

"Oh my, Second Sister, long time no see! You've finally decided to show your face and deign to open your golden mouth to speak with me?"

"Do you even know what you're doing?"

Too lazy for pleasantries, Susan went straight to the questioning. Su Na merely felt it was utterly inexplicable, letting out a disdainful, cold snort as she stared at Susan like one would look at a clown.

"Naturally, I'm doing what a group vice president is supposed to do. Tonight, I was an award presenter. As for you... let me see..."

With that, Su Na picked up the press badge hanging on Susan's chest, swept a contemptuous glance over it, and scoffed, "A reporter... Hmph, a media dog. Oh, I suppose I should congratulate you on finally achieving your wish and doing the very thing your dead mother failed to accomplish."

"You have no right to mention my mother," Susan said coldly, her voice carrying an unforced authority.

Perhaps from spending a lot of time around Jiang Ming recently, Susan's ability to put on a cold face and put people in their place had increased dramatically, leaving Su Na feeling somewhat guilty.

"Is that any way to talk to your elder sister? So lacking in manners! Just as expected of someone without a—"

Seeing that Su Na was dodging the point, Susan had no desire to beat around the bush. She interrupted her outright and dropped the name.

"Lin... Ting... Yuan!"