Chapter 27: Complete Denial

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

Despite the morning’s ordeal, Su Rulan was not disheartened. Instead, she poured all her energy into perfecting the project proposal. Not sparing a moment for lunch, she worked tirelessly and finally, by three in the afternoon, completed the proposal for the Tangren Group.

Without hesitation, Su Rulan knocked and entered the office, respectfully placing the proposal on her grandfather’s desk. “Grandfather, the Tangren Group proposal is finished. Please review it personally before I submit it to them for approval.”

The old master picked up the document, seemingly scrutinizing it, but in truth, his eyes skimmed over the pages. Then, without a word, he tossed the proposal into the trash bin, uttering only two words, “Do it again.”

Su Rulan was utterly baffled. She had invested so much time in this proposal, crafting it to near perfection, yet her grandfather didn’t ask a single question before dismissing it entirely. But given her grandfather’s authority, no matter how aggrieved she felt, she could only respond meekly, “Grandfather, is there something wrong with my proposal?”

The old man snorted coldly. “You have the nerve to ask? You spent so many days, only to produce such rubbish. If the Tangren Group saw this, they’d die of laughter.”

At that moment, Su Yicai swaggered in, coffee cup in hand. Seeing the proposal in the trash, he instantly understood the situation and sneered, “If Grandfather says there’s a problem, then there is. When it comes to experience and discernment, how could you possibly compare to him?”

Su Rulan was no fool. She could easily guess this was deliberate suppression, a tactic to block her progress and ensure she wouldn’t succeed.

So, she retrieved the proposal, dusted it off, and said solemnly, “Grandfather, what exactly do you want from me to be satisfied? There’s nothing wrong with this proposal. If you insist on rejecting it, then I’ll have no choice but to present it directly to the Tangren Group myself!”

Su Yicai gloated, “Even if you do, and even if they accept it, it’s useless. Ultimately, you still depend on our company. If Grandfather doesn’t approve, a hundred contracts won’t help you. Unless, of course, you have the ability... to start your own company!”

Hearing this, Su Rulan’s expression froze.

Starting a company was truly beyond her abilities—especially an advertising firm, which required immense resources and couldn’t be built overnight.

“Grandfather, I am your granddaughter. Can you really be so heartless?” Su Rulan’s heart brimmed with grievances, pushed to the edge of despair.

But the old man remained unmoved, waving his hand dismissively. “Don’t try to play the family card with me. This is a company, and you must follow company rules. If I’m not satisfied with this proposal, you’ll redo it until I am. No negotiations!”

Seeing how smoothly things were going, Su Yicai adopted a sanctimonious tone. “Su Rulan, Grandfather isn’t making things difficult for you on purpose. After all, these projects are all under the directive of the heir of the Ye family. Grandfather is simply being strict to avoid any mistakes that could reflect poorly on the Su family.”

The old man nodded. “That’s right. I’m not targeting you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even give you a chance to write a proposal. I’m strict with you because I want you to bring some honor back to the Su family!”

“I’ll go back and make the revisions,” Su Rulan replied, having no other choice. She turned away, resigned to swallow her grievances and continue her work.

After much effort, she refined the details of the proposal to perfection and submitted it again—only to be rejected by her grandfather once more.

Over and over, throughout the afternoon, Su Rulan was either being dismissed or on her way to be dismissed. Yet every time, her grandfather justified it as being “for the good of the Su family,” making any rebuttal impossible.

By the time the workday ended, Su Rulan was on the verge of a breakdown, her mind battered by endless revisions. She collapsed, exhausted, into the back seat of Su Weimin’s car.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, Su Weimin glanced back in surprise and couldn’t help but ask what had happened.

Upon hearing the full story, Su Weimin slammed his fist on the steering wheel in anger. “The old man is doing this on purpose! All that talk about the Su family’s honor is just an excuse!”

“He’s obviously targeting her,” Gao Yulan fumed from the passenger seat. “Who knows what tricks he has up his sleeve. Don’t forget what they did this morning!”

At that moment, Su Yicai’s BMW 7 Series pulled up beside them. The window rolled down, and Su Yicai leaned out, his smile cold and mocking. “Su Rulan, remember to revise the proposal thoroughly when you get home. Make sure Grandfather approves it. After all, he’s placed high hopes on you this time.”

“Spare us your sarcasm,” Su Weimin shot back with a glare.

“How is that sarcasm? I’m only offering some friendly advice—and hoping that, in the future, no one will think the Su family is burdened with useless freeloaders,” Su Yicai replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Gao Yulan couldn’t hold back her anger. “Who are you calling a freeloader, you disrespectful brat?”

Su Yicai raised his brows, unabashedly mocking them. “Whoever in the Su family is the most incompetent is, naturally, the freeloader. Of course, if you’re not up to the task, you could always sign an agreement and hand the project over to me instead.”

With that, Su Yicai drove off in his BMW, leaving Su Rulan’s family seething with indignation at such brazen bullying.