Chapter 6: Betting, Chess Pieces

Arriving at the Fujisue Club, Wen Nuan touched up her makeup in the car, letting her long hair down and adding a pair of sparkling earrings. These occasions typically didn't require her presence, as the public relations department had a team of stunning women who handled Zhan Nanxian's public engagements. But since he specifically requested her appearance, she knew she had to give it her all.

She checked herself in the rearview mirror, satisfied with the result. If she swapped her buttoned-up lace blouse for an evening gown, the look would be even more perfect. She quickly reviewed the guest details on her electronic notebook and noted that it was the same person who visited Japan last time. After committing the information to memory, she reported Zhan Nanxian's name at the door, and the waiter escorted her to a private room.

"Bring in four ladies who are familiar with Boss Zhan," she instructed the waiter, who nodded and left.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and greeted the two men inside with a smile. "Mr. Long Ben, Mr. Zhan."

Long Ben, a handsome man in his thirties, couldn’t help but be captivated by her entrance. Her silky black hair fluttered gently as she walked, and her graceful demeanor was striking. Although she was dressed in an impeccably tailored Givenchy suit, her elegance and poise shone through, making her seem like she belonged in a rose garden rather than a business meeting. Her composed expression showed no trace of arrogance, only a serene calmness. Her fitted clothes accentuated her delicate figure, leaving a lasting impression.

Long Ben extended his hand without hesitation. "And this lady is...?"

Zhan Nanxian, lounging on an expensive green leather sofa, glanced at her lazily, his suit jacket draped beside him, shirt collar unbuttoned, and tie loosened. He exuded a relaxed charm that made him all the more appealing. Without looking away from her, he replied, "My personal secretary, Wen Nuan."

Just then, the door opened again, and four beautiful women with beaming smiles entered the room. "Hello, bosses. I’m Yingying, and these are Yanyan, Huanhuan, and Xixi."

The room instantly became lively with their sweet voices. Wen Nuan, avoiding Zhan Nanxian's gaze, lowered her eyes to hide her amusement. He wanted her to be here, so how could she not oblige? But it was too dull to have just her accompany him in such a large room.

The women quickly made themselves comfortable with the two men, with Yingying excitedly noting the aged Chateau Beatrice red wine on the table. 

"Then why don’t you toast the two bosses properly?" Wen Nuan suggested.

Yanyan responded playfully, "Why toast when we can feed them?" She then turned to Huanhuan for agreement.

Huanhuan, with a flirtatious smile, leaned into Zhan Nanxian's arms. "Since Yanyan thinks feeding them is better, why don’t we try it, Xixi?"

Zhan Nanxian, his lazy smile returning, didn’t refuse. He wrapped his arms around Huanhuan and Xixi, sipping wine from the glass Xixi held to his lips. Yingying clapped in approval as Yanyan followed suit, feeding Long Ben a glass.

"Come on, let’s keep going," Wen Nuan encouraged, adding to the lively atmosphere. "If you’re beautiful, give both bosses three cups."

Huanhuan pouted playfully. "I’m afraid the bosses won’t give me a chance."

Wen Nuan waved dismissively. "If they don’t, you make the chance."

The room filled with laughter and clinking glasses. After several rounds, the women started to move around. Yanyan lit a cigarette for Long Ben, Huanhuan got up to sing, and Xixi ordered more wine. Wen Nuan, noticing the contract Zhan Nanxian had tossed aside, poured another drink and turned to Long Ben with a soft, alluring smile. "Mr. Long Ben, may I toast you?"

Long Ben, intrigued, let go of Yingying and smiled charmingly. "Just one cup? I thought Miss Wen would toast me at least three."

"Since you requested it, how could I refuse?" She smiled, drinking three cups in quick succession.

The women cheered, and Yingying quickly refilled Long Ben’s glass. He drank the three cups as well, clearly enjoying himself. 

As the evening continued, Zhan Nanxian remained indifferent to the festivities, focusing instead on the playful interactions with Xixi. The others paid no mind to this, accustomed to such scenes. When Yingying went to sing with Huanhuan, Wen Nuan stood to pour Long Ben another drink. As she leaned over, her hair cascading like water, he suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his arms.

"Why don’t I feed Miss Wen too?" Long Ben suggested, lifting his glass.

Wen Nuan lay still in his arms, looking at him quietly. Despite the indulgent surroundings, her heart felt unexpectedly calm, as if she were a tranquil sea. Everything seemed distant, her desires extinguished long ago.

Long Ben hesitated, perplexed by the deep sadness in her eyes. She had been trying to get close to him moments ago, but now her gaze held a sorrow that seemed to span lifetimes, making it hard for him to continue looking at her. He glanced away, only to meet Zhan Nanxian’s dark, amused eyes.

A sense of unease flickered in Long Ben’s mind, but before he could react, Wen Nuan had already slipped from his grasp, taking the glass and drinking it herself.

Zhan Nanxian’s cold gaze lingered on her before he returned his attention to the woman in his arms. 

Ignoring his silent warning, Wen Nuan returned to her seat with a smile. "Mr. Long Ben, how about a drinking game?"

Long Ben, still wary but intrigued, asked, "What’s the prize?"

Wen Nuan smiled slightly. "If I lose, I’ll feed you a drink."

Though she hadn’t kissed many men in her 25 years, a kiss didn’t mean much to her. She appreciated good-looking men, and he wasn’t unpleasant to look at.

"And if I lose?" Long Ben asked. "Do I have to sign the contract Mr. Zhan brought tonight?" He knew Zhan Nanxian had only brought the contract for review, intending to discuss it tomorrow. Tonight was just for fun, and he wasn’t fully aware of Qianyu’s terms yet.

"Yes," Wen Nuan replied. "You and I have an equal chance of winning or losing—50-50. It’s only fair. So, do you want to bet?"

Long Ben laughed heartily, "Miss Wen Nuan, are you trying to provoke me?"

"No, no, no." Wen Nuan shook her head, her expression serious. "I'm using a beauty trap."

Long Ben laughed again, clearly entertained. "What a beauty trap! Alright, I'll bet with you on this one."

"Mr. Long Ben is truly bold!" Wen Nuan praised him, though she sighed inwardly. Was this the nature of men? Even when they knew they were being provoked, they couldn’t resist the urge to play the hero.

In fact, men and women weren't all that different. The more beautiful someone was, the more prideful they became, and the more they liked to show off, like a peacock displaying its feathers. Even though Long Ben might later realize that impressing her wasn’t necessary, the atmosphere of the moment, combined with his desire to be seen as a hero, made him eager to win her admiration.

The two revealed their dice simultaneously. Long Ben’s roll was 335, while Wen Nuan’s was 462.

Just a slight difference, but she won. Wen Nuan smiled softly, feeling lucky.

Without hesitation, Long Ben signed the contract for a large sum, and her goal was finally achieved.

But the increasingly suggestive look in his eyes signaled that this was just the beginning of the night, far from its end. Wen Nuan knew that if she didn’t find a way to gracefully deflect his advances, he would soon make his move. If she waited until he voiced his desires, there might be no turning back.

After all, she had initiated this game, and refusing him later might jeopardize the deal, no matter how it was signed.

Wen Nuan smiled warmly, raising a toast to Long Ben a few more times before calling Yingying and Yanyan back to keep him company. As the suggestive atmosphere faded, she noticed that Xixi, who had been clinging to Zhan Nanxian, finally got up to sing. Seizing the moment, Wen Nuan lazily moved to Zhan Nanxian’s side, resting her head comfortably on his arm, which was draped over the back of the sofa. She pretended not to notice the fleeting surprise on Long Ben’s face.

Zhan Nanxian turned his head, his eyes finally meeting hers since she had entered the luxurious room. His gaze was dark and deep, so intense that it made her feel slightly timid.

Wen Nuan knew she had used unconventional means to complete her work tonight as quickly as possible. It might not have been what Zhan Nanxian expected, and she wasn’t sure whether it would satisfy him. He hadn’t asked her to do this, and she didn’t have to, but she had done it anyway because she felt an unusual motivation to keep smiling tonight.

She had been somewhat bored before coming here, and it felt better to resolve the situation quickly so she could leave. With this in mind, she reached for a tissue from the table and wiped the rouge from his lips, her movements natural and intimate, as if she had done it countless times before. The other women exchanged glances quietly, and none of them attempted to sit next to Zhan Nanxian again. Instead, they focused on coaxing Long Ben to drink more.

Throughout all of this, Zhan Nanxian didn’t move or change his expression. He just looked at her indifferently, his eyes unreadable under the neon lights. He said nothing.

Wen Nuan’s heart began to sink, then seemed to float, hanging in her throat. She knew that Long Ben, who seemed nonchalant as he sat across from her, was actually waiting, just like she was. He was waiting for Zhan Nanxian to either acknowledge her as his or push her away to fulfill Long Ben’s wish.

Before she had made her bet with Long Ben, Wen Nuan had already placed a different bet. She bet that no matter how far she pushed things, Zhan Nanxian wouldn’t give her to another man.

But now, she wasn’t so sure.

His cold, ruthless eyes seemed to convey that he had no interest in cleaning up her mess. If she liked to play with fire, then she could wait to get burned.

Wen Nuan silently counted down in her mind. Three, two—just as she was about to get up, Zhan Nanxian grabbed her shoulders, holding her in place. He finally spoke, but not to her.

"Yingying, order a song."

"What song?" Yingying asked.

"Nothing Compares 2 U." His eyes never left Wen Nuan as he added, "Sing for me."

For a moment, Wen Nuan felt so suffocated that she couldn’t breathe.

This was his condition. If she wanted him to salvage the situation, she had to comply with his request. At this moment, she had no choice. Unless she left his side completely, she couldn’t just walk away without consequence. She wasn’t in the mood to play this game, but she knew better than anyone how cruel Zhan Nanxian could become once provoked. He wouldn’t hesitate to destroy anything to achieve his goal.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled, though only she knew the helplessness behind it. In life, what was truly worth insisting on? She surrendered, willing to do whatever he asked. If he wanted her to sing, she would sing.

"I don’t have my glasses; I can’t see the screen," she said, attempting to get up.

But Zhan Nanxian, imprisoning her in his arms, looked down at her lace collar. "Didn’t you hear me? I said sing to me."

Nothing was revealed, yet he was so close. Zhan Nanxian’s attitude toward her made Long Ben, who was seated nearby, even more cautious and suspicious. He couldn’t discern whether this beautiful woman was just another plaything for Zhan Nanxian or if she was different. He couldn’t be sure if Zhan Nanxian had summoned her to entertain him or to accompany him personally.

As a result, Long Ben dared not act rashly. The contract’s execution was less important than avoiding a mistake that might offend Zhan Nanxian. Just as Zhan Nanxian had opened an expensive bottle of Chateau Beatrice wine to give him enough face, Long Ben didn’t want to risk doing anything that could cause offense.

Wen Nuan had returned to safety from Long Ben’s advances. Ironically, the person she thought was her safest bet was now her greatest threat. The so-called world as a chess game, where fortunes could be reversed in an instant, had never felt more real.

The familiar melody of "Nothing Compares 2 U" filled the room. Zhan Nanxian spoke just one word.

"Sing."

If she didn’t, he would rip her shirt to pieces and throw her to Long Ben. His eyes made it clear that he would follow through on his threat if she disobeyed.

That afternoon, he had used her as bait in a cryptic performance in front of Bo Yixin. She had distanced herself from him with the help of four young women, and her interactions with another man had successfully provoked his temper. She had gotten what she wanted, but she felt even sadder than when she had arrived. What was she really doing? Did this back-and-forth game have any purpose other than highlighting her own immaturity?

Wen Nuan closed her eyes, recalling the pure, green eyes of Sinead O’Connor. She couldn’t understand what kind of emotion had driven the singer to shave her head.

Without a microphone, she began to sing softly into Zhan Nanxian’s shoulder:

"It's been fifteen days and seven hours  

Since you took your love away.  

I wander through the night in a daze,  

And there’s no daylight in my sleep.  

It’s been fifteen days and seven hours  

Since you left.  

I’ve fiddled with everything I could do,  

But from the moment you left,  

I realized who I truly liked.

At the banquet in the fancy restaurant,

I was speechless, utterly speechless.

Nothing, nothing can take away my sadness,

because nothing can compare to you.

You are incomparable.”

She hadn’t sung for many years, but she knew the lyrics to this song as if she had recited them every day. It was so engraved in her mind that she might never forget it. After singing, she lowered her head, hoping that her long hair could cover the emotions on her face that were not suitable to reveal at this time.

"I want to go to the dressing room," she whispered.

After a long time, he finally let go of her hand.

She walked out of the door, exited the club without pausing, got into the car, and drove away at lightning speed.

The days passed quietly, and everyone went about their own business.

Wen Nuan looked at the contracts and plans in her hands and couldn't understand why several of them had been problematic for many consecutive days. She finally had time at noon, so she went to Gao Fang and asked directly, "Why is Qianyu arguing with Dai Zhong over the case?"

She could understand one or two coincidences, but this was the fifth case in recent days.

"Last time, Dai Zhong took Yizhong, which we had already secured. The sales department worked hard for a month, but Zhu Linghong took advantage of it. Everyone was very angry, so they started to snatch Dai Zhong's orders, and Dai Zhong fought back, and the conflict continued like this."

Wen Nuan frowned. This was not a childish fight. A lot of manpower and resources were invested in each business. If they continued to fight and pry at all costs, both sides would end up losing.

"Does the president know?" she asked.

Gao Fang smiled. "Do you think he doesn't know?"

Wen Nuan fell silent. It turned out that it had nothing to do with the sales department. The war was initiated by Zhan Nanxian. It wasn’t clear whether it was aimed at Zhu Linghong or Zhu Linlu, but the end result was the same. He wanted to hit the entire Dai Zhong company with his strong influence.

"Wen Nuan, can I ask you a question?"

"Please go ahead."

Gao Fang said casually, "You’ve been on the 66th floor for such a short time. How did you reach such an amazing understanding with Nanxian in your work? You should know that every secretary of his had to stay for at least half a year before they could be considered barely familiar with his temperament."

Wen Nuan was stunned. How should she answer this question? Should she say she is extremely smart or considerate?

Gao Fang smiled. "It doesn’t matter if you don’t answer. I’m just curious."

After thinking for a while, she said, "I knew him before. I’ll take this contract to the legal department first, and then we can talk later." Not wanting to go into details, she needed an excuse to leave.

Gao Fang smiled and watched her leave.

It was still ten minutes before the end of work after leaving the legal department. Wen Nuan didn’t go upstairs but went directly to the restaurant. On the way, she passed the corridor bridge on the fourth floor. She turned into the sky garden outside the bridge, found a secluded spot, sat down on an iron lounge chair, and looked at the clusters of flowers nearby.

Wen Nuan knew what Gao Fang was thinking without him saying it. He was curious why Zhan Nanxian knew her relationship with Zhu Linlu but still employed her without any precautions and why he never doubted her, no matter what happened in the repeated business events.

There is a reason for that. Everything that happens to people is actually destined.

For example, fate arranged for someone to know A, perhaps so that they could meet B through A, and by knowing B, perhaps they could get a job or help with something, or fulfill a wish, and then meet C, which could lead to D, who could be their lover in this life.

Or, someone knew both A and B, and through them, A and B met, changing their fate from then on—just like her, Zhan Nanxian, and Bo Yixin.

She first met Zhan Nanxian through Wenrou, and then Zhan Nanxian met Bo Yixin through her. Maybe God let her meet Zhan Nanxian and Bo Yixin in different times and circles, just to complete their relationship through her?

Relationships are created this way, one link after another, forming a web that no one can escape.

Her thoughts drifted away until she suddenly heard a low voice nearby.

"I really didn’t mean it. I didn’t know it would be like this." The crying voice, filled with regret and panic, seemed to come from someone she knew.

She looked around and confirmed that the voice came from behind her, amidst clusters of flowers like a continuous green hill.

"Don’t worry, everything will be fine if you explain it clearly." The pleasant male voice responding seemed familiar.

"Miss Bo just wanted to have tea and chat with me. I thought she was Boss Zhan’s girlfriend and I couldn’t offend her. Additionally, I thought she might want to know who in the company likes Boss Zhan, and she seemed to be just asking casually, so I told her about Du Xintong. I also deliberately avoided mentioning Sister Wen. It’s true, I didn’t mean to tattle!"

"Don’t worry, Wen Nuan is not a narrow-minded person. It will be fine as long as you are honest with her."

"But… she doesn’t want to pay attention to me. I wanted to tell her several times, but when I saw her polite look, I felt scared and didn’t dare to say anything… I was really sad, so I… I came to you…"

Wen Nuan quietly got up, walked away silently, and returned to the sky bridge.

Through the aqua-blue glass ceiling, the clear sky and bright sunshine broke the gloom of the past few days. She had thought that being betrayed by everyone around her was a fate destined since birth, but it turned out that there were exceptions.

It was late for lunch, and only a few people were in the quiet and elegant restaurant for senior employees. She chose a seat by the window. The waiter immediately brought the meal tray. She had just sat down when she saw Du Xintong coming from an unnoticed corner, as if she had been waiting for her for a long time.

"Can I talk to you?" Du Xintong asked.

The times shape and hurt people. At this moment, Du Xintong’s face was haggard, and her arrogance had long disappeared. The pleading in her tone was almost humble.

Wen Nuan said warmly and calmly, "You’ve found the wrong person. You should have approached Bo Yixin."

Du Xintong sat opposite her without invitation.

"Bo Yixin had promised me that she would take full responsibility if anything happened, but I haven’t been able to reach her phone these past few days. Today is the deadline for Ruqian and I to leave, and I had no choice but to come to you… Mr. Zhan wants to fire me, and I have no complaints. I was foolish enough to be used by others, and I admit it, but Ruqian was implicated by me, and he knew nothing at all. I ask you to forgive him."

"You’re too kind. Whether you believe it or not, I don’t hold it against you."

It doesn’t matter whether she forgives them or not. She has no strong feelings for Du Xintong or Guo Ruqian. They were colleagues before, and they are still colleagues now. That’s all. It takes too much energy to hate someone, and why should she do something that is not worth the effort?

"Then can you help plead with Mr. Zhan to let Ruqian continue to stay in the company? He has always been a backbone of the technical department. Even if he has no significant merits, he has worked hard. Even if he is demoted or transferred to a remote location, it’s okay—just don’t fire him."

Qianyu has never fired any employees in the past ten years. Even if Guan Ti requested their resignation, it would be difficult for them to justify themselves when applying for jobs at other companies in the future. Especially for Guo Ruqian, who is a technician, leaving Qianyu under these circumstances would make it nearly impossible for him to find a place in the industry again.

"Even if I beg you!" Du Xintong's expression was so determined that she seemed willing to do anything, even if it meant kowtowing repeatedly, without hesitation.

Wen Nuan exhaled softly. Why hadn’t they considered the impact on their own futures before taking such actions? It’s often too late to fix things once they’ve gone wrong. She said calmly, "It's not that I don't want to help you, but someone has to take responsibility now."

Besides this, there's no other way to appease Pan Weian of Yizhong.

Even if Qianyu’s loss wasn’t directly caused by their actions, Zhan Nanxian is a businessman. He would act decisively to protect the company's reputation, even if it meant firing everyone in the technical department if necessary. It’s surprising that Du Xintong didn’t foresee such consequences. Yet, she still chose to break the rules.

Du Xintong’s face went pale. The facts were clear: neither she nor Guo Ruqian could remain at Qianyu. Desperation and helplessness filled her as she clasped her hands tightly. After a moment, she stood up, bowed slightly to Wen Nuan, and said, "I'm sorry."

With just those words, she turned and left.

Wen Nuan continued to eat slowly, seemingly lost in thought. After finishing, she set down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth and fingers with a napkin, and picked up her phone.

"Linlu? I need to discuss something with you."

As expected, Du Xintong and Guo Ruqian departed from Qianyu under unfortunate circumstances.

Ding Xiaodai wasn’t transferred in the end, but the atmosphere on the 66th floor had changed. Although Wen Nuan remained polite and pleasant, Ding Xiaodai couldn’t help but be cautious around her.

Whether it’s love, friendship, or family, all relationships are fragile. Once cracks appear, they are hard to repair.

No matter who is at fault, the cracks act as a double-edged sword, hurting others while also causing self-inflicted damage.

Life went on as usual, except that Du Xintong sent Wen Nuan a thank-you card from another place.

And Wen Rou had not been seen for a long time.

Wen Nuan called her, "Are you still busy?"

Wen Rou complained, "The stock market is setting new highs every day. Such a good market is rare in a thousand years. I work day and night, and now I feel like I've only got half of my life left. Do you think I’m busy?"

"At least you still have half of your life to watch your funds rise every day. Will you come to dinner this weekend?"

Wen Rou suddenly asked, "Why don’t you ever come to my place?"

Wen Nuan was slightly surprised and answered, "Because you never cook. Should I come over just to eat nothing?"

Wen Rou fell silent for a moment before changing the subject, "On the night of the Dragon Boat Festival, Zhan Nanxian was downstairs from you."

"He is 28 years old this year," Wen Nuan replied. "Not 18."

"Believe it or not, it’s up to you. I didn’t bring him back. By the time I arrived, his car was already parked there."

"Let’s not talk about him. I just found a few recipes. Do you want vanilla lemon mussels or rib-eye steak?"

Wen Rou abruptly lost her temper. "Since you still don’t want to discuss it, let’s leave it at that." She hung up the phone.

Wen Nuan was stunned for a long time before placing the receiver back.

Over the past three years, since returning to study and work, Wen Rou had dedicated her whole heart to her. Perhaps because the time seemed endless and she never received the response she longed for, Wen Rou, who had done her best, finally felt tired and disheartened. She no longer wished to maintain the relationship and would show her displeasure at the slightest disagreement.

On Saturday, Wen Nuan got up early and went into the study, where she stayed all day.

She had learned Chinese painting since childhood and was proficient in various styles, from flowers and birds to fine brushwork and freehand techniques.

She spread out the rice paper, poured out the ink, prepared the paint and a little water, took the soft brush from the pen holder, and retrieved a stack of newspapers from the drawer. She rarely created original works, often copying from picture albums or patterns like now. It was a simple task that didn’t require much time. This small pleasure was one of the few she enjoyed. After finishing the painting, she set down her brush and took out a Tianhuang stone seal. The smooth surface of the stone indicated it had been used for many years. Engraved with four characters, she stared at the impression for half an hour.

Once the painting was partially dry, she turned the paper over, added water to the thick paste to make it lightly sticky, and applied it evenly to the back of the painting. The wet seals on the rice paper resembled thoughts immersed in a sea of contemplation.

After applying it, she allowed it to air dry. Then, she meticulously attached a scroll with ornate patterns on both ends to the back of the soaked paper, ensuring the middle part remained white. She used a large dry brush to gently smooth the surface from top to bottom to avoid small bubbles after drying.

By noon, the painting was naturally dry.

She carefully rolled it up from one end of the scroll, wrapped it with wax paper, sealed it, and placed it in a half-person-high blue and white plum vase next to the desk. There were two identical large painting bottles beside it, filled with hundreds of scrolls she had never opened.

After lunch, she returned to Qianyu as usual, arriving ten minutes early. She didn’t wait for Zhan Nanxian and took the employee elevator to the office first.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhan Nanxian arrived, talking on the phone as he walked toward his office. His expression was unusually gentle, and he was so focused that he didn’t notice her presence as he passed by her desk. It wasn’t until he pushed open the office door that he realized something, turned back, and knocked on her desk. Wen Nuan followed him quietly, hearing him say with slight irritation, "Yesterday I heard you scraped your elbow. How could you be so careless?" After hearing a response from the other end, he frowned, "Let the stuntman handle such dangerous actions in the future; don’t make me worry."

His tone of reproach and concern carried a hint of affection.

Wen Nuan slowed her pace and watched him sit behind the desk. She lowered her eyes before he turned around.

He sat in the leather chair, smiling in a very good mood after what was said on the other end of the phone. "Okay, be good. I’ll pick you up in Rome in two days."

After a moment of tenderness, he finally ended the call.

Wen Nuan then walked to the table, her gaze fixed on the opposite edge of the two-meter-wide wooden table.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Ah?" She raised her head in confusion and suddenly met his eyes, which were still smiling. His expression seemed to convey concern but also a sense of emotional distance. She lowered her eyes and turned away.

With a slight curl of his lips, he asked, "Are you okay? Why do you look so absent-minded?"

"Did you call me for something?" she asked in return.

He was silent for a moment before abruptly asking, "How many times have you cried?"

"Why do you want to know?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

"Just answer me."

She hesitated before replying, "Once or twice. I don’t remember clearly."

"When did this happen?"

Her expression tightened, and her voice grew hoarse. "I’d rather not discuss it."

"Wen Rou mentioned that night was the first time she ever saw you cry."

At that moment, a deep, long-buried emotion stirred within her that had remained untouched for ten years.

She regarded him with a detached gaze, as if the two-meter gap between them was an impenetrable divide. Her eyes, filled with irritation, betrayed a sneer that seemed at odds with her usual composed demeanor. "Do you think I’m crying for you?"

He smiled, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Is it not?"

"Believe me, even if it were the Milky Way, it still wouldn’t be your turn." Her tone was colder than ever.

Zhan Nanxian’s smile remained, but it did not reach his eyes. "I truly believe that. Zhu Linlu will always hold the first place in your heart, won’t he? So, you’ll never ask me for anything? No matter what, you’d always go to him first?"

She faltered, her voice tinged with confusion. "I don’t understand what you’re implying."

"You don’t understand?" He sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Didn’t you ask Zhu Linlu to take in Guo Ruqian? Wen Nuan, you’re becoming increasingly remarkable."

She turned away, visibly uncomfortable. "Guo Ruqian was involved in that case, and Dai Zhong will need additional manpower for its implementation. What does it have to do with me if they’re asking each other for favors?"

"Still evasive? You sympathize with them and refuse to see them destroyed, fine! But why didn’t you just tell me? Did you assume I wouldn’t agree even before you spoke? Or are you so determined to avoid any connection with me that you’d rather oppose me?"

She bit her lip, remaining silent.

A surge of anger flared within him, spreading through his chest. He clenched his jaw and turned away. The room was thick with tension. After a moment, he stood abruptly, swept up the stack of documents from the table, and hurled them against the glass wall with a loud crash. Without another word, he snatched up his car keys and left.

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