"We're here. Do you want me to carry you inside?"
Su Ci asked patiently and gently.
Lan Wanting felt a bit embarrassed and blinked her eyes. "Is that okay?"
Su Ci got out of the car first, leaned over, and proactively placed Lan Wanting's hand on her shoulder, supporting Lan Wanting's waist with one hand and wrapping the other behind her knees to carry her out.
With her high physical fitness of 8 points, Su Ci carried Lan Wanting effortlessly.
Turning around, a three-story detached villa came into view, spanning about two hundred square meters.
As Su Ci's temporary residence in Sea City, it wasn't exactly luxurious or overbearing, but it was a dream that many people would struggle their whole lives to achieve.
Besides Su Ci and Jiang Su, there were no other servants or housekeepers in the villa.
Now with Lan Wanting joining them, things should improve quite a bit.
Su Ci looked down and said to Lan Wanting, "From now on, you can consider this your new home."
Jiang Su pursed her lips, feeling that something was a bit off.
She closed the car door.
Jiang Su walked quickly ahead, opening the villa's main door, turning on the lights and air conditioning, and then taking off her jacket to sprawl unceremoniously on the sofa.
After a day's work, it was time for some proper relaxation.
Su Ci carried Lan Wanting into the villa and reached out to close the door.
The two of them took in the villa's decor; an exquisite crystal chandelier emitted a warm glow.
All the necessary facilities were present, and a few lush green plants in the corners added a touch of life to the quiet villa.
Su Ci placed Lan Wanting on a single-seater sofa.
Sitting on the sofa, Lan Wanting felt somewhat formal, looking at Jiang Su nearby.
To be honest, Jiang Su's gaze at the banquet had frightened her quite a bit.
She had witnessed Ye Chen's skills, yet the person before her could easily subdue him. Her skills were likely such that she could take Lan Wanting's life in the next second if she wanted.
As a career-driven woman, her observation skills were exceptionally sharp.
When Su Ci had carried her through the door just now, she had noticed something seriously off about Jiang Su.
Could it be that she liked Su Ci?
Or was it the displeasure of an outsider invading her territory?
Their eyes met, and neither knew what to say.
Su Ci took a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice and three glasses from the kitchen refrigerator.
Su Ci sat down next to Jiang Su, taking off her jacket and tie and setting them aside.
Pouring three glasses of orange juice, Su Ci introduced her to Lan Wanting, "This is Jiang Su, Sister Su. She's my bodyguard, personal assistant, and secretary. If you run into any problems, you can go to her."
"Hello, Sister Su."
Lan Wanting greeted her.
Jiang Su nodded in acknowledgment and picked up her orange juice, drinking it all in one go, lost in thought.
Su Ci picked up her orange juice and took a sip. "There are spare bedrooms on the second floor. You can choose any one you like. The one at the very end is mine, and the one next to it is Sister Su's."
Her gaze lingered for a moment on Lan Wanting's evening gown.
"By the way, you're about the same height and build as me. There are a few unworn clothes and shoes on the right side of the wardrobe. If you don't mind, just make do with those for now. I'll find time to take you shopping tomorrow."
Lan Wanting pursed her lips and smiled. "How could I mind!"
As if thinking of something, Su Ci's expression turned serious.
Noticing the change in Su Ci's expression, Jiang Su sat up straighter, her peripheral vision glancing at Lan Wanting. "Are there any instructions?"
Lan Wanting also realized that Su Ci was likely about to discuss something serious.
Thinking it might not be appropriate for her to listen, she said, "Maybe I should go to the second floor first and see which bedroom has better lighting."
Su Ci waved her hand. "No need. This matter concerns you."
Lan Wanting pointed to herself.
"After the scene at the banquet today, I'm afraid Changsheng Biotechnology will face retaliation from the Lan Family and the Tang Family. The Lan Family still has ongoing cooperation, so they should have some reservations. We should mainly keep a close eye on the Tang Family."
As soon as Su Ci spoke, Jiang Su took out her phone to make a call, intending to instruct the company staff to prepare.
But she was stopped by Su Ci. "Don't be in such a hurry; I haven't finished yet."
Jiang Su stopped and listened intently.
"Rather than passively accepting the Tang Family's retaliation, it's better if we strike first and annex them."
Cold light flickered in Su Ci's eyes.
In the original novel, the Tang Family and Changsheng Biotechnology had no interaction or conflict of interest.
In the early stages of the plot, the Tang Family's engagement banquet was disrupted by Ye Chen, leading them to hunt him down.
Not long after, they were shorted and annexed by a company Ye Chen founded.
However, because of the choice she had made, the Tang Family would certainly not be able to stomach this insult and would shift their resentment toward her and Changsheng Biotechnology.
But this didn't mean Su Ci was going to passively accept the Tang Family's pressure.
Making the Tang Family back down or even dealing them a heavy blow...
...was not within Su Ci's considerations. What she wanted to do was completely dismantle the Tang Family and seize their resources.
This was a form of revenge, and at the same time, a seizure of Ye Chen's opportunities.
A second-rate power in Sea City would have total assets worth trillions.
If she didn't annex them, she would just be leaving them for Ye Chen to consume, allowing his power to grow.
Lan Wanting and the other woman were stunned for a moment before they realized what Su Ci was saying.
Dismantle the Tang Family and annex a second-rate family in Sea City.
Without a second thought or a word, Jiang Su walked to the side and dialed another number to give the instructions.
Meanwhile, Lan Wanting was wondering if Su Ci was doing this to stand up for her.
Tears couldn't help but well up in her eyes as she lunged into Su Ci's arms.
"Wuwuwu~ We've only met once. Why... why are you being so good to me?"
"?"
A question mark slowly appeared in Su Ci's mind. Was this girl falling for her on her own?
Not necessarily. As someone who had read the original plot...
Su Ci knew that the Lan Wanting before her was not a fragile person.
This was likely just her showing a vulnerable side and reining in her sharp edges.
Like an animal exposing its soft belly to its owner to show it was harmless.
Su Ci didn't want to say anything to spoil the mood or miss a chance to gain favor, so her lips curled slightly. "For you, it's all worth it."
It sounded like the most beautiful sweet nothing, but Lan Wanting shook her head.
"As far as I know, although Changsheng Biotechnology is currently a leader among Sea City's pharmaceutical companies..."
"...and can stand on equal footing with Sea City's second-rate wealthy families, trying to bring down the Tang Family would be like 'killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of your own'."
Jiang Su hung up the phone and looked at the two of them embracing. "Who said Changsheng Biotechnology would be the one to strike?"
"Could it be that Miss Su is going to use the power behind her?"
Lan Wanting's answer left Jiang Su at a loss. "Do you know who is behind us?"
Lan Wanting shook her head. "I'm not sure, but based on Changsheng Biotechnology's performance, it should be a first-rate or top-tier family from another provincial capital.
"I'm not sure which provincial capital's power it is. After all, with that kind of status, changing a name is quite simple."
Su Ci nodded. "Do you want to know my true identity?"
Lan Wanting hesitated. "Is it really okay?"
Su Ci gave the answer directly: "The Su Family of The Capital."
"The Su Family of The Capital!!!"
Lan Wanting's eyes widened, filled with shock and disbelief, yet also a hint of realization.
Seeing Lan Wanting like this, Jiang Su felt quite satisfied.
Although she was just the Su Family's bodyguard, she couldn't help but lift her head proudly. "How is it? Are you surprised?"
The Su Family of The Capital—their patriarch, Su Zhenguo, was a founding veteran and a highly influential Ancient Martial Artist.
Now over eighty years old, he remained in robust health and still held a position in The Capital with great power. A single breath from him could make all of Eastern Brightness tremble.
Su Zhenguo's son, Su Wangtian, was the current head of the Su Family.
Su Wangtian hadn't relied on Su Zhenguo's connections to mingle in politics or step onto the path of an Ancient Martial Artist.
Instead, he entered the business world, where he flourished and became highly renowned.
More than half of the current Su Family's business was built by him alone.
The other half came from Su Ci's mother, Deng Wei, who was also a legendary figure from the Deng Family, one of the four major families in The Capital.
Although she lacked business talent, she was a top scientist in the field of new energy. She single-handedly shortened Eastern Brightness's development history in the entire new energy field by nearly five years and provided extensive technological support for Su Wangtian's business empire.
Beyond that, the Su Family's investment in charitable causes over the past few years exceeded ten billion, earning them a very high reputation among the people.
Lan Wanting nodded, her eyes full of shock.
"Indeed, the Su Family is the head of the four major families in The Capital.
"It has only been rumored that the current head, Su Wangtian, has a daughter as his heir.
"But not many people have seen her. I never expected her to be right by my side."