145: Su's father, heartbroken

In the afternoon, Shen Qian returned to his dormitory, reminiscing about what Tao Yan had said.

"I can't give you the answer you want in the short term. Even if you pressure me now, it's useless."

The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up; after using all his schemes and methods, this woman was finally wavering. Now, he just had to wait for that Boyfriend to provide an assist.

Shen Qian was in a good mood and turned on his computer to play a song.

"During that time, our relationship had some problems..."

"Old Third, why are you still listening to such an old song?"

"Old songs are more interesting."

"What's so interesting?"

"Old songs understand the human heart better."

In a cafe outside the campus, Tao Yan sat alone. At that moment, the door was pushed open, and Su Hang rushed inside.

"What's wrong? You were so urgent to see me."

"Su Hang, do you love me?"

"Of course."

"Then can you prove it to me?"

"How do you want me to prove it?"

"Buy me a steinway."

"Sure, but what is a steinway?"

"It's the piano from the day you came to the school, the one that costs 1.2 million."

Su Hang's expression changed slightly.

"Xiao Yan, did something happen? Why so sudden?"

"I really like that piano. Can you buy it for me?"

"Okay, it's just that I don't have that much on hand. I need to go back and talk to my parents."

"Mm, thank you, Su Hang."

Tao Yan didn't continue looking at Su Hang's face, but the expression on the man's face shifted repeatedly.

That same day, Su Hang went home.

"Dad, I want to buy a piano."

"Then buy it. Why even mention such a small thing to me?"

"The piano is a bit expensive, and I don't have enough money on me."

"How much are you short?"

"Over 700,000."

Father Su finally shifted his gaze from his phone to Su Hang.

"A-Hang, tell me the truth. Do you want to buy this piano for yourself, or does Tao Yan want it?"

"I want to buy it. Xiao Yan took a liking to a piano, but it's too expensive, so I want to buy it for her as a surprise."

"Su Hang, I don't want to ask this question for a third time. Do you want to buy it, or does she?"

"If you want to spend a fortune to give your woman a surprise, I won't say anything, but don't lie to your family!"

"Or perhaps you're afraid that saying Tao Yan wants it will lower my opinion of her. Rest assured, your father isn't that petty."

"Yes, she wants it. But she didn't ask for it herself; I asked her repeatedly before she finally said she wanted it. She even told me not to buy it because it's too expensive."

"What a fool!" Seeing his carefully raised son defending Tao Yan, even though he was his own flesh and blood, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

He had started from scratch, fighting his way up from the bottom. He had kept mistresses and changed wives; he knew exactly what women were like.

"Is this karma? It didn't hit me, but it hit my son instead."

"Dad, I don't usually ask you for much. Big Brother and Second Brother always have more money than me. Just this once, I'm begging you, okay?"

At the mention of his other two sons, Father Su only felt heart-weary.

Regarding his eldest son, he had thought early on that foreign education was better and that there was no point in struggling to survive in the domestic competition, so he sent him abroad right after junior high graduation.

And the result?

He sent out a son and got back a girl, who even brought back a Boyfriend. If he had known, he might as well have just sent him straight to Chengdu.

He simply gave him a sum of money and let his eldest son fend for himself abroad, sending money occasionally just to prevent him from starving.

With the second son, learning from past mistakes, he kept him in the country and guided him carefully, thinking he had instilled correct values. However, he later discovered it was all for show; in reality, the boy had indulged in everything he should and shouldn't have behind his back. Out of desperation, he could only send him abroad as well—if he wanted to play, let him, as long as he didn't corrupt Old Third.

Now, there was Old Third. Under his careful education and protection, he had gotten into a good university with a good major. He was in his third year now, and by his fourth year, the plan was to have him gain experience in the company and then take over directly.

Only now did he realize that under his high-pressure education, this child had actually lost his backbone and was being manipulated by a mere woman.

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Son, I can afford that 700,000, but I don't want you to buy that piano."

"Why?"

"Does Tao Yan want that piano really just because she likes it?"

"If she truly liked pianos, couldn't she settle for one that costs tens or hundreds of thousands?"

"When it comes down to it, what she likes is status. She plays the piano, and her classmates play the piano, but if she plays one worth over a million, she gains status in the eyes of those female classmates."

"Since it's for status, if a piano works, wouldn't other things work too?"

"What do you mean?"

"Go buy a luxury car worth over a million and register it under your own name, but leave it at her school for her to drive daily."

"The status a million-dollar piano brings can be better provided by a million-dollar car."

"Under my name?"

"Silly boy, if you give her everything at once now, she'll only want more later. Once you can no longer satisfy her, she might leave you. We need to cultivate her lifestyle habits so that she will love you more for the sake of a better life."

"But this is too calculating. Our love..."

"Fool! Does love not require calculation? Your romance is built on the calculations I've made out there. To put it bluntly, the only reason Tao Yan even glances at you is because you have me as your father, and she knows everything of mine will be yours."

"Otherwise, why do you think a girl as beautiful as her would take an interest in you? Because you're pure and kind?"

Father Su's tone became a bit stern, but realizing he was being a bit harsh, he softened it slightly.

"Silly boy, what's there to fear about a little calculation now? Once you're married, will there be any distinction between you and her?"

"What we're doing now is just to make her more dependent on you. You like this girl so much; don't tell me you're just playing around with her."

"No, I really do love her."

"Then you need to use your head, understand? Do as I say. An audi would be good. Buy a red one. When you give her the car, she'll be just as happy."

Subconsciously, Su Hang felt his father might not be right. If his father were truly that capable, how could his parents have gotten divorced?

However, when his father mentioned that Tao Yan would leave once her appetite grew too large, his possessiveness won out.

He nodded.

"Okay, Dad, let's do as you say."

Father Su was very gratified.

"Good, you're not beyond saving yet. There's hope. I'll just slowly pull you back later."