BELONGING TO YOU

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In the quiet hospital ward, Old Man Su's voice trembled as he continued, "He said he wanted me to—"

But a violent coughing fit suddenly wracked his frail body.

Su Zhenghao instantly stood up, alarmed, grabbing a cup and helping his father drink some warm water.

"Drink slowly."

Old man Su took a few sips, grimacing as his breath steadied.

"Father, that's enough," he said, patting his back gently. "You've just woken up. Don't push yourself. You can continue later."

Old Man Su gave a weak nod, his eyes watery, and allowed his son to help him lie back down on the bed.

The lines on his face looked deeper, as though the very act of remembering weighed on him.

Su Zhenghao was just about to ask something else when his phone vibrated.

Glancing at the screen, he sighed.

It was his assistant.

"Yes?"

"Sir, something's come up at the company. The finance team says—"

"I'll be there."

He hung up and turned back to the bed. "Something happened at work. I'll come back soon. Li Yan should be here any moment."

Old man Su gave a small wave. "Go on. I'll nap a bit."

As Su Zhenghao opened the door, he bumped right into Li Yan, who was walking in with a small basket of neatly arranged fruits.

She blinked. "What happened? Is everything okay?"

"He's fine. Just got tired. I'm heading to the company. Keep him company?"

"Of course."

She stepped inside the room and placed the basket on the table quietly.

Glancing at the bed, she noticed her father-in-law was already asleep.

She sat quietly beside him, her brows furrowed in thought.

Her husband had looked distracted, heavy-hearted.

What had his father been saying to him?

---

At Liang Conglomerate's design department, fingers danced across keyboards.

The atmosphere was focused but light—weekend's fatigue had already begun to settle in.

Suddenly, Zhang Qian stepped out of her office. "Alright, team! That's it for today."

Heads popped up eagerly.

Excited murmurs filled the room. People leaned back in their chairs, stretched, exchanged smiles.

"You've all worked really hard," Zhang Qian continued. "The company has decided to host a small banquet in your honor after the bid. Just a token of appreciation."

The room erupted into cheers.

Zhang Qian laughed lightly, then added, "And I heard you are going to Lin Yue's place for a get-together?"

Lin Yue looked up, startled, as some of her colleagues grinned.

"Yeah!" Ma Zhen said teasingly. "We want to see if an artist can cook!"

Laughter rippled across the room.

"Can you join us, Team Leader Zhang?" someone asked.

She sighed. "I'd love to, but my son's not feeling well. I have to head home early."

"Oh no, sorry to hear that."

"Hope he gets better soon, Team Leader."

"Thanks, everyone. You're dismissed. Go enjoy yourselves." She returned to her office.

Chairs scraped as everyone gathered their bags.

"Let's gooo! I want to see how an artist cooks!"

"Hope there's chicken. Or dumplings."

Song Ziyan stood too, smiling sweetly. "Let's go to Lin Yue's palace."

A strange silence followed her words.

Everyone knew Lin Yue didn't live with her husband.

Palace?

Her outfit was elegant yet simple. It didn't scream luxury, but it also didn't look cheap.

They were curious—but cautious.

What if she can't afford to host us? some wondered.

Lin Yue met their uncertain gazes and smiled brightly. "Let's go."

She picked up her phone and bag casually.

More laughter followed as her colleagues gathered their things, still teasing.

Ma Zhen gave her a thumbs up. "We trust you, Chef Lin."

They laughed.

—

Song Ziyan trailed behind, her steps light but her thoughts racing.

Why do I hate her so much?

Maybe it was how she'd been voted the department's most beautiful woman after only a week.

Maybe it was how the men gushed over her even after learning she was pregnant—joking that it was a 'buy one, get one free' deal.

That used to be her spotlight.

Now it was Lin Yue who received bubble tea, chocolate, flowers… even though she always declined politely, but that just made them more persistent. Like they were chasing a prize.

And the worst part?

Even Ma Zhen.

The most handsome man in their department. The golden bachelor.

Every girl's secret crush—including hers.

He was smart, calm, charming, and he barely spoke to anyone unless it was work-related.

But Lin Yue? He smiled at her. He defended her. He even called her by name so casually.

When he mostly called her 'Miss Song'.

And that stung.

Song Ziyan wanted her humiliated. Wanted her crushed beneath their judgment.

She hoped Lin Yue was dirt poor, and the men would finally stop idealizing her.

As the group teased Lin Yue about what she'd cooked, she laughed along.

Her profile glowed in the evening sun filtering through the windows—smooth, delicate, almost doll-like.

Song Ziyan scowled inwardly.

A vixen. She looks like a vixen.

—

Downstairs, the group walked to the entrance of the building, still chatting.

Lin Yue paused. "We'll have to take a bus. It's not far, but walking would be too much."

"Bus is fine," Du Liyao said, linking arms with another colleague. "Let's go!"

They headed to the nearby station.

An old woman sitting at the stop looked up at the chattering group. "It's good to be young," she murmured with a smile.

A few locals stared at the stylish, laughing young office workers.

"Where are these people going, looking so happy like that?" someone whispered.

After a few minutes, an empty bus pulled up.

The group of over twenty people piled in, startling the driver.

Passengers glanced up curiously at the large, cheerful group.

A few people asked each other where they were going.

Song Ziyan rolled her eyes and turned to Lin Yue.

"You take the bus to work? Every day?"

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow, her tone even. "Yes. Why?"

"Nothing," Song Ziyan muttered, lips twitching in annoyance.

A few colleagues exchanged glances.

"I heard she has a chauffeur," someone whispered sarcastically.

"She just doesn't like mingling with us commoners," another replied with a chuckle.

But they let it go.

The bus stopped after two stations. At the third, Lin Yue stood.

"We're here."

They followed her out.

And then—

They froze.

"This is…" Ma Zhen blinked. "You live here?"

"Lin Yue… do you live here?" someone whispered.

The silence was thick with disbelief.

All eyes turned to her.

Was this… where she lived?

Even Song Ziyan felt her throat tighten.

No… she thought. It can't be.

---