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Jin Chengyan had no idea that Liu Mingzhang and Ruan Shengyu would arrive at this moment. Ruan Shengyu was still wearing a hospital gown, her arm linked with Liu Mingzhang's as they came in.
At that moment, he felt an inexplicable aversion towards Ruan Shengyu, and he knew that Qiao Nuo's heart must be in turmoil right now.
Ruan Shengyu's sudden appearance was nothing but a source of annoyance for Jin Chengyan.
However, to everyone's surprise, amidst A Shan and two bodyguards waiting outside the ward, Ruan Shengyu suddenly knelt down in front of Qiao Nuo!
Qiao Nuo's face, which had been as cold as ice, suddenly displayed a look of disbelief. What was Ruan Shengyu trying to do?
“Qiao Nuo, I’m sorry. I know that my apology cannot make up for the harm I've caused you, but aside from saying sorry, I don’t know what else to say! I only have one family member, my brother, who never taught me how to navigate life. I thought that what belonged to me shouldn’t be taken away by others, so my actions were extreme.” As soon as Ruan Shengyu knelt down, she began to speak, her eyes reddening.
When she mentioned her childhood, Jin Chengyan seemed to furrow his brow slightly.
The reason he had indulged her more was that he felt she had suffered too much as a child. He believed that her current actions were merely a defense of her own happiness; he just didn’t realize that what she was defending conflicted with what he cherished.
Of course, he was greatly shocked to see the stubborn and proud Ruan Shengyu kneeling down.
This was not like her at all.
As for Qiao Nuo, aside from the initial surprise at Ruan Shengyu's sudden kneeling, she felt nothing else. If Ruan Shengyu wanted to kneel, then let her kneel. If kneeling could absolve her of the harm she caused...
Could Qiao Nuo then kill her and kneel at her grave?
Without hearing a word from Jin Chengyan or Qiao Nuo, Ruan Shengyu continued speaking. “I was petty; I was self-righteous. I thought some feelings could remain unwavering; I believed that vows wouldn’t change even in the face of catastrophe... But I was wrong. I apologize for my ignorance and recklessness. I will never go against you again. The guilt I feel makes me wish to die to make amends.”
But really? People commit suicide; who would have thought she wouldn’t actually die?
“Can you forgive me? I truly hope for your forgiveness; otherwise, I won’t find peace in this life. My godfather has already reprimanded me and ordered me never to step into the entertainment industry again, telling me to live quietly. So I just want your forgiveness, Qiao Nuo. Please be magnanimous and forgive me?” Ruan Shengyu ultimately broke down in tears.
How pitiful it is.
Such heartfelt sincerity is something anyone would want to forgive, right?
But they are not Qiao Nuo, and they do not understand the despair she feels when faced with life and death.
"What grievances do you have that you can discuss with the police or the judge? This matter has already entered the judicial process. You don’t need to pretend to be sick in the hospital. Do you have the guts to act but not to admit it?" Qiao Nuo said coldly, her words dripping with disdain.
After all, even when Jin Chengyan came to plead for her, she did not agree to forgive Ruan Shengyu. How could she accept such an insincere apology from Ruan Shengyu?
It was an instinct that came from being a woman.
Ruan Shengyu was completely petrified, probably not expecting Qiao Nuo to reject her so directly. Tears streamed down her face even more fiercely, but there were no sobs—just a steady flow of tears that she couldn’t hold back, making one’s heart ache.
Qiao Nuo noticed Jin Chengyan wanting to speak up for Ruan Shengyu.
However, someone beat him to it.
"Miss Qiao, my daughter has apologized to you like this. Don’t be too excessive! Do you want Ruan Shengyu to owe you for a lifetime? She is still so young; do you want her to never be able to hold her head high again?"
"If she wants to hold her head high, no one is stopping her! If she wants to blame someone, she should blame herself for doing things that make it impossible for her to lift her head!" Qiao Nuo stood her ground, undeterred by Liu Mingzhang's fierce demeanor.
She wasn’t afraid; after all, she was still Jin Chengyan’s wife, the Young Madam of the Jin Family. Even without feelings involved, could the Jin Family tolerate an outsider speaking ill of their own?
One Ruan Shengyu had already brought enough shame to the Jin Family; could they allow a second one to appear?
"What a big mouth you have! Is this how your Jin Family teaches you to behave?" Liu Mingzhang raised his voice.
Since this matter involved Liu Mingzhang, Jin Chengyan felt increasingly annoyed. What had started as a personal affair had escalated into a struggle between families. Couldn’t they just quietly date and get married?
“Qiao Nuo is my wife, and I am responsible for everything she says and does.” Jin Chengyan, a man nearly six feet tall, stood out even in casual attire, exuding a presence that overshadowed Liu Mingzhang, who was dressed in formal wear with a tie.
This was Jin Chengyan; he could criticize Qiao Nuo for her narrow-mindedness and question why she couldn't forgive Ruan Shengyu, but no one else was allowed to say a word against her!
Was Qiao Nuo only accountable to Jin Chengyan? Others truly had no right to comment!
Liu Mingzhang might not be taller than Jin Chengyan, but his years spent in the gray areas of society were not without merit. He cast a disdainful glance at Qiao Nuo before pulling Ruan Shengyu up from her kneeling position.
Ruan Shengyu hesitated; after all, Qiao Nuo had yet to say she forgave her. Would standing up like this put her at a disadvantage?
However, Liu Mingzhang didn’t care about that. Without hesitation, he lifted her up.
This action clearly indicated that Liu Mingzhang was not planning to seek peace with the Jin family.
“So you’ve made up your mind to confront Ruan Shengyu head-on?”
In truth, Jin Chengyan had no intention of taking Ruan Shengyu to court. After all, such matters rarely ended well for anyone involved!
Moreover, Liu Mingzhang’s methods were not necessarily clean; who knew what tricks he might pull behind the scenes? In the end, it would be Qiao Nuo and the Jin family who would suffer.
As Jin Chengyan hesitated, Qiao Nuo spoke up: “Ruan Shengyu, just because you have a powerful backing doesn’t mean you can cover up your illegal actions. This is a society governed by law!”
This statement was likely directed at Liu Mingzhang. Just because he operated in the gray areas didn’t mean he could throw his weight around; this was Qin Cheng, a region ruled by law!
“Haha!” Liu Mingzhang suddenly burst into laughter. “So you’re Qiao Nuo? Good, good! I’ll remember you; you’re quite an interesting woman!”
Liu Mingzhang's laughter and expression made Qiao Nuo feel a bit uneasy. After all, she didn't know this man's intentions; who could tell what he was planning to do?
Unexpectedly, Jin Chengyan had already shielded Qiao Nuo beside him, much like a hen protecting her chicks.
"I warn you, don't even think about Qiao Nuo! Otherwise, I'll make sure you come here alive but leave without your life!" Jin Chengyan pointed at Liu Mingzhang, his cold expression fixed intently on him.
Liu Mingzhang didn't seem angered by Jin Chengyan's impolite gesture; he merely said, "So this woman is your weakness!"
Weakness.
Jin Chengyan, Qiao Nuo, and Ruan Shengyu all had that word echoing in their minds.
Qiao Nuo was Jin Chengyan's weakness.
Qiao Nuo was actually Jin Chengyan's weakness.
How could Qiao Nuo possibly be Jin Chengyan's weakness?
That was the thought shared among the three of them at that moment.
"Now that the solid relationship between the Jin Family and the Yan Family has developed an irreparable crack, do you really think the Jin Family can still command respect in Qin Cheng like before? Though times have changed, interests remain interests," Liu Mingzhang said triumphantly. "Let me tell you, I've got Ruan Shengyu's matter under control. We'll see who ends up in jail—your Jin Family Young Mistress or my Goddaughter!"
Such a blatant provocation; if Jin Chengyan remained indifferent now, he wouldn't be Jin Chengyan!
"I've said it before: if you dare to touch Qiao Nuo, I'll make sure you come here alive but leave without your life!" In all of Jin Chengyan's words, there was only concern for Qiao Nuo's safety.
As for Ruan Shengyu, her face turned pale. Her A Yan was no longer the same A Yan from back then.
“A Shan, see them off,” Jin Chengyan said coldly. It was infuriating enough that they had barged into the place where Jin Zhongshu was recuperating.
A Shan and two bodyguards stepped forward, merely standing there, exuding an intimidating presence.
Liu Mingzhang didn’t seem to care much; he merely supported Ruan Shengyu and said, “Look at the kind of person you admire! All those years of sincerity wasted, just like that!”
As they were about to leave, Liu Mingzhang didn’t bother to say anything nice.
Once A Shan had escorted them out, Jin Chengyan furrowed his brow, revealing a hint of unease.
He had mentioned last night that it wasn’t a good time, with troubles both inside and outside. If Qiao Nuo truly intended to pursue the matter regarding Ruan Shengyu, it would undoubtedly put him in a precarious position.
Seeing Jin Chengyan like this, Qiao Nuo suddenly felt soft-hearted. Had she pushed him too hard?
“Qiao Nuo, I think it’s best to send you abroad for a while,” Jin Chengyan finally said after a long pause.
…
“Third Young Master, are we really going to war with the Jin Family?” In Yan Beiting’s office, assistant Ye Yun looked excited, filled with the thrill of finally turning the tables after years of suppression.
Yan Beiting didn’t lift his head as he stared at the K-line chart on his computer screen. “Although I don’t enjoy stabbing people in the back, I’ve endured for so many years. If I don’t show him a bit of color now, others might think Yan Beiting is easy to bully!”
“You’re absolutely right! Our Yan Fei is no worse than the Jin Family! Why should we bow to them?” After feeling stifled for so long, Ye Yun finally felt like he could breathe freely again.
Before the news of the end of cooperation between Jin and Yan Fei broke out, they had already received orders to indefinitely suspend all projects with Jin. At that time, Ye Yun thought it was just a strategic maneuver; he never expected that when the news came out, it would be confirmed!
Ye Yun was overjoyed; their boss wouldn’t have to endure Jin Chengyan’s pressure anymore!
Hearing Ye Yun's words, it truly dawned on him just how much Jin Chengyan had tolerated over the years, almost allowing him to walk all over him.
He shook his head bitterly.
The office door swung open, and the secretary couldn't stop what was coming.
It was Yan An City, his handsome face etched with anxiety.
"Ye Yun, you should step out for a moment."
Seeing Yan An City's troubled expression, Ye Yun couldn't help but wonder how this usually affable Liu Shaoye could be so angry.
Once the door closed, Yan An City spoke earnestly.
"Brother San, what are you doing? Can we just sever ties with the Jin Family like that? Grandpa is currently not receiving anyone at the Old House, not even me. Right now, you hold all the power with Yan Fei. If you refuse to cooperate with Jin, you must know the current situation in Qin Cheng. With just the Ye Family and the Xiao Family, and now there's also this newcomer Liu Mingzhang—it's a chaotic mess. If you cut ties with the Jin Family, aren’t you just inviting trouble?"
Although Yan An City hadn't been involved in family matters for years, he was still well aware of the dynamics at play.
"Who says we're isolated?" Yan Beiting seemed quite confident.
Yan An City suddenly slapped his forehead. "Damn it, Xiao Yuanshan!"
How could he have forgotten such an important person? Xiao Yuanshan had a strong connection with Yan Beiting. Although Xiao Jianguo had always maintained good relations with the Jin Family, this was now the era of the younger generation, and Xiao Yuanshan's influence was gradually surpassing that of his father.
Yan Beiting smiled slightly at being called out.
"Brother San, if we continue down this path and you really ally with the Xiao Family to strike at the Jin Family, that wouldn't be gentlemanly behavior. I would look down on you for that."
Yan An City's expression gradually calmed as he faced Yan Beiting, feeling a bit perplexed.
The Yan San he knew was mature and wise, steady and reliable—someone who would never resort to underhanded tactics. After years in business, his methods remained clean and straightforward, a quality many lacked.
But now, Yan Beiting was about to take action against his long-time brother Jin Chengyan, which left Yan An City feeling quite unsettled.
This was far more difficult than deciding whether to help Jin Chengyan protect Qiao Nuo or assist Yan Beiting in obtaining her!
“Liu Er, you are one of us from the Yan Family. Don’t you want to see the Yan Family dominate over the Qin Cheng family? In the future, you can do whatever you want! You won’t have to live in Jin Chengyan’s shadow; you are yourself, the Sixth Young Master of the Yan Family. Isn’t that good?”
Thinking about it, it did seem quite appealing. After all, compared to Jin Chengyan, Yan An City felt somewhat inferior. When they went out together, the attention naturally gravitated toward Jin Chengyan.
But…
“Brother San, this really can’t be approached this way. If you truly intend to sever ties with Yan Ge, then I…” How should he choose?
“Are you really going to give up your identity as a member of the Yan Family for someone like Jin Chengyan?” Yan Beiting had always known that Jin Chengyan and Yan An City shared a close bond, closer than that of brothers. So it was no surprise that he came to him at this moment.
However, how could Yan An City truly abandon his identity as part of the Yan Family because of this matter?
“If you really go through with this, I won’t have the face to see Yan Ge again. At worst, I’ll go abroad and never come back, so that even Grandpa won’t see me! If he asks why I didn’t return, I’ll just tell him Brother San won’t let me!” Yan An City was starting to play hardball!
Yan Beiting picked up a folder from the table and threw it toward Yan An City, who caught it deftly.
“Oh, are you trying to silence me?”
“That’s called prioritizing righteousness over kinship,” Yan Beiting replied. “I know how to handle this matter; it’s best if you don’t interfere!”
Was that… a warning?
Yan An City reluctantly nodded, feeling there was nothing more to say, and left just like that.
After Yan An City left, the office became noticeably quieter. Yan Beiting let out a heavy sigh; it had indeed come to this point.
He had never really considered what it would be like to sever ties with Jin Chengyan. Now that it was happening, it didn’t seem as terrible as he had imagined.
Why keep someone around who only added to his troubles? Life was short, and there was no time to enjoy it. It wasn’t worth sacrificing his own good mood for a friendship that could never be restored.
He looked again at the K-line charts of Jin and Yan Fei on his computer. Both groups had experienced a decline in the past few days. After all, without cooperation between the two major groups, there were fewer benefits to be had, and a drop in stock prices was inevitable.
He picked up the phone and called Ye Yun. “Buy up Jin’s stocks from retail investors; the more, the better!”
He knew that Jin Chengyan would surely do the same.
Before he could hang up, his desk phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Qiao Nuo, someone who hadn’t called him in a long time.
Yan Beiting’s heart raced at the thought that Qiao Nuo was calling him!
He didn’t hear what Ye Yun was saying on the other end of the line; he hung up abruptly, cleared his throat, and answered Qiao Nuo’s call.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t frustrated. The last time Qiao Nuo spoke to him in the car, her words had nearly stripped him of his dignity as a man. He had thought about giving up and not thinking about her anymore.
But if he could truly do that, he wouldn’t feel so agitated at seeing her name now.
“Qiao Nuo.” Yan Beiting felt his voice tremble slightly. He didn’t know why she was calling or what she was thinking. “Is there something you need?”
There was a moment of hesitation on the other end before she finally spoke up. “Yan Beiting, I heard about your situation with A Yan. Honestly, if you really fell out with him because of me, there’s no need for that.”
So she had called because of Jin Chengyan. Yan Beiting felt his heart sink to the depths of despair.
But what could he really ask for? From the very beginning, Qiao Nuo had never given him any hope. It was he who had been giving unilaterally, and even when there was no response from her, he accepted it willingly, as if he were born to support Qiao Nuo.
"I would advise A Yan not to go to war with Yan Fei at this time. It would be the most foolish act for both groups to harm innocents over something unnecessary. You two represent not just yourselves but also your respective groups, and you must be responsible for the futures of so many people. And from what I know of Yan Beiting, he is not someone who acts on impulse."
"Then how should I be perceived by you?" Now, Yan Beiting was no longer discussing Jin and Yan Fei with Qiao Nuo; instead, he was curious about how he truly existed in her heart.
If one were to speak of Yan Beiting, it should trace back to that blind date, which was the first time Qiao Nuo had truly met him.
"You are perfect, without flaws."
"But you prefer the imperfect Jin Chengyan."
Qiao Nuo: "..." Yes, Jin Chengyan was imperfect. He had a bad temper, was unpredictable, sometimes fierce, unreasonable, domineering... If one were to list his flaws, it could take all day.
But why did Qiao Nuo like him? Perhaps it was simply a matter of feeling. Qiao Nuo was someone who valued feelings greatly; as long as the feeling was right, she could love recklessly despite the other person's many shortcomings.
"Qiao Nuo, neither Jin Chengyan nor I are children anymore. We hold the futures of so many people in our hands. I am the head of Yan Fei; I know what is best for my employees, and Jin Chengyan surely knows too. The decisions we make now are not out of impulse. Not collaborating doesn’t mean everything will fall apart; perhaps we can find better partners for cooperation and achieve better development. Don’t take this matter so seriously."
"How can it not be serious? A Yan wants to fully acquire Yan Fei; if that really happens..."
"Are you worried about me? Hearing your concern in my lifetime is quite unexpected, but at the same time, I’m very happy."
Qiao Nuo felt her ears grow warm. She wanted to refute him but found no grounds for it.
Well, yes, she was indeed a bit worried.
If Jin Chengyan poured all his energy into acquiring Yan Fei, then what would happen to Liu Mingzhang? What about the Ye Family? So many undercurrents were surging!
Did she not understand Jin Chengyan's intention to send her abroad?
Without her here, he could act even more recklessly, and perhaps even have the opportunity to collaborate with Liu Mingzhang.
Thinking of this, Qiao Nuo's heart tightened. She would rather temporarily reconcile with Yan Beiting than witness the day when Jin Chengyan and Liu Mingzhang joined forces.
"But Qiao Nuo, my conflict with Jin Chengyan is irreparable. If you are willing to come to my side now, I will choose to show him mercy."
"Goodbye." Qiao Nuo hung up the phone.
That decisive hang-up sent Yan Beiting's heart plummeting into the abyss.
...
In the underground parking lot, Yan An City hesitated for a long time before finally dialing Jin Chengyan's number.
"Yan Ge, I just came out of Brother San's office. I saw the documents on his desk; he plans to take action against you. It should be related to the mine he won from Jin Uncle on the high seas. Beyond that, I can't help you anymore." After all, he bore the surname Yan!
"Liu Er, thank you." Yan An City's tip-off left Jin Chengyan with an indescribable feeling; in the end, all his words condensed into a simple thank you.
Little did he expect that this battle hadn't even begun when both sides experienced an "internal collapse."
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