An hour later, everyone left the old man's sickroom.

Although they were unsatisfied with his decision, no one dared act out due to his imposing aura. This also laid the groundwork for troubles to come.

Su Chen and Lin Ruoxue returned to Belle Corporation. The company's stock had just been targeted, and Lin Ruoxue had many issues to handle.

After returning to the Belle Building, Lin Ruoxue went straight to her CEO office. However, Su Chen didn't immediately return to the public relations department but stepped outside and made a phone call:

"God of Wealth, there's something I need you to handle..."

"Sure, no problem."

The voice on the other end was crisp and clear.

Feeling refreshed, Su Chen believed that in the commercial battlefield, the God of Wealth would ensure success. He only had to wait for the result.

As he was about to walk back into the Belle Building, he encountered Xia Qiuru heading out.

"Minister Su, hello."

He had expected her to avoid him, but unexpectedly, she took the initiative to speak. Although she initiated the conversation, Su Chen felt uneasy. Her indifferent tone and the way she addressed him as "Minister Su" made it clear she wanted to keep a distance.

"Qiuru, Director Xia, where are you going?"

Su Chen stumbled over his words. He had planned to call her Qiuru but, considering her desire for distance, reluctantly changed it to Director Xia.

Hearing him address her as Director Xia, Xia Qiuru felt a slight sting in her heart, and a trace of desolation flashed in her eyes before she concealed it.

"Oh, I'm a bit tired. I'm going across to have a coffee and relax."

Xia Qiuru forced a small smile.

Across from Belle was Green Island Coffee, a café often frequented by people from nearby corporations who were tired or had business talks.

"May I join you for a coffee?"

Su Chen suddenly asked, wanting to find an opportunity to talk to her.

"Sure."

Xia Qiuru hesitated, then nodded.

The two walked in silence, which lasted until they sat face-to-face at a table in the café. They hardly exchanged a word the whole way. The atmosphere was awkward. Neither liked it, but neither knew what to say, so silence became their only choice.

"What would you like to drink?"

A waiter broke the silence.

"Macchiato," Xia Qiuru said casually, then looked at Su Chen: "What about you?"

"Mocha, I guess."

Su Chen didn't really care what he drank.

The waiter took note and left.

"I seem to remember that you used to love latte. Why the change today?"

Su Chen had had coffee with Xia Qiuru a few times and knew her preference.

"It's nice of you to remember, but I wanted a macchiato today."

Xia Qiuru showed a slightly bitter smile.

"Why?"

Su Chen found her response odd.

Xia Qiuru smiled faintly, softly opened her lips, and said: "Do you know that every type of coffee has a meaning?"

Su Chen shook his head, never having considered this.

"Macchiato means 'marked.'" Xia Qiuru looked at Su Chen, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. "I need to tuck my feelings for you away, to preserve this mark that belongs to me!"

Hearing her decisive words, Su Chen was at a loss for words.

"I... I..."

He seemed to want to say something, but didn't know what.

"You don't need to feel guilty. This is my own issue, just me being foolish," Xia Qiuru said with a self-deprecating smile.

"The coffee for both of you is ready." The waiter placed the coffees in front of them.

"Thank you!"

Xia Qiuru said, then fell silent again, quietly stirring her coffee.

Su Chen didn't drink his either, and after a long while, sighed softly: "Qiuru, I'm aware of your feelings for me, but I can't accept them because I'm already married."

Since he had brought it up, Su Chen decided not to hide anymore but explain things clearly.

However, his explanation only made things worse. Her pretty face instantly covered with frost, Xia Qiuru stood up abruptly.

"Su Chen, I don't blame you for not liking me, but do you find it amusing to make up such lies?"

"I, Xia Qiuru, am not shameless. I don't need you to push me away with such methods. I'm not that despicable!"

Her voice rose, attracting sidelong glances from others in the usually quiet coffee shop.

"Qiuru, what nonsense are you talking about? I'm telling the truth!" Su Chen was baffled by her sudden anger.

"Really?"

Realizing she had been too excited, Xia Qiuru deliberately lowered her voice, though the anger on her face was clear. She gritted her teeth and said: "Do you think I'm stupid, or do you think Lin Ruoxue is stupid? If you had a wife, would someone like Lin Ruoxue be with you? Don't tell me Lin Ruoxue has nothing to do with you!"

"Lin Ruoxue indeed has something to do with me."

"Good that you admit it!"

"Because Lin Ruoxue is my wife!" Su Chen said lightly.

Xia Qiuru was stunned, her beautiful eyes wide, staring fixedly at Su Chen.

"Because Lin Ruoxue is my wife!"

That sentence replayed in her mind over and over. All the anger, all the sadness, all the emotions turned into shock.

"You just, just said, Lin Ruoxue is... your wife?"

Xia Qiuru asked again, incredulously struggling for words.

"Yes, she is my wife," Su Chen nodded. "But Ruoxue doesn't want others to know about our relationship yet, which is why I didn't say anything before."

"So that's it, now I understand everything!"

Xia Qiuru sat down somewhat dejectedly, a self-mocking smile on her face.

"Qiuru, are you okay?" Su Chen asked with concern.

"I'm fine," Xia Qiuru lightly waved her hand. "Sorry, Su Chen, I misunderstood you before."

"It's okay, no problem," Su Chen said carelessly, not minding at all.

"Don't worry, I won't talk nonsense, and can we still be good friends in the future?"

Xia Qiuru bit her lip slightly and asked sincerely.

"Of course, I always like making friends with beautiful women."

Now that their misunderstanding was resolved, Su Chen felt relieved. In a good mood, he began to speak cheekily again.