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Not far away, the joyful laughter of children echoed, and tonight was destined to be a sleepless night. In Lakeside Park, a happy family of three, sweet couples, and elderly couples with white hair filled the square, illuminating the night as if it were daytime. On their faces, a shared expression of happiness radiated, except for Shen Qingyou. She weaved through the joyful crowd, appearing increasingly lonely and sorrowful. Gripping her phone tightly, she stood at the location displayed on the screen, beneath a tree as thick as a bowl called Suxin Lamei. A faint fragrance wafted towards her. Standing under this tree felt like pressing the button to open a time tunnel. Suddenly, on the giant LCD screen in the center of the square, an image appeared: a woman in a long dress with a slender figure and bright eyes, her smile unmistakable at the corners of her mouth. As Shen Qingyou looked at the woman on the screen, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave; her heart twisted painfully. Beside the image was handwritten calligraphy, strong and powerful, seemingly his promise: "To my beloved, may time be peaceful and love warm!" The image turned over like a book; after seeing the cover, the contents slowly revealed themselves. The first page showed a gentle woman sitting on a carousel, smiling with her eyes gazing upward at a forty-five-degree angle, exposing her elegantly curved neck reminiscent of a swan's. The longing in her gaze made one wonder what she was looking at. Shen Qingyou knew that at that moment, she was gazing at the happiness of others.
The second page depicted a woman with flowing black hair, her head bowed as she busily chopped potatoes in the kitchen. Her lowered gaze stirred feelings of affection and curiosity about what delicious dish she was preparing. Shen Qingyou knew that she had whimsically decided to make spicy fish intestines and had suffered from Qing Cang's fiery spices that left her lips blistered.
The third page, fourth page...
People around speculated whether this was yet another promotional show by some business for an upcoming love token. They merely enjoyed watching the beauty of the woman on screen without realizing that beneath the plum tree stood a woman who had already cried until she could barely breathe. Her wails were drowned out by bursts of fireworks in the distance.
"Wife, I love you!"
Suddenly lifting her head, tears in her eyes quickly searched for the source of the voice, landing on the large screen displaying Qing Cang's broad smile.
"Wife, I love you!"
Tears fell like leaves drifting gently to the ground with sadness. The crowd dispersed after enjoying the spectacle. Shen Qingyou stood foolishly in place; if the end of sorrow was an abyss of despair, then let her take her guilty soul down to hell!
"Cang!"
Shen Qingyou repeatedly called out Qing Cang's name in her heart; each call brought another pang of pain. Who forced us into this dead end?
It was Qingguo Cang; it was him. If it weren't for his past infidelities, there wouldn't be today's tragedy. If he hadn't cruelly abandoned her back then, perhaps she wouldn't have become Shen Qingyou. If only...
Time cannot be reversed; what has happened cannot be erased. Qingguo Cang, let you be the one to atone for this original sin of love!
Her tear-filled eyes suddenly turned icy cold as her nails dug deeply into the plum tree's trunk, leaving behind deep scratches.
Dawn broke, and the sky of Jiangcheng began to lighten. The sunlight tore through the dark clouds, casting brilliant rays that stung Shen Qingyou's eyes. Standing beneath the plum tree, Shen Qingyou tilted her head back to gaze at the rising sun. The radiant light chased away the darkness, and the earth gradually became glorious. All the bitter tears transformed into thin air, swallowed along with the pain. With a dark expression, Shen Qingyou stepped out from under the plum tree, startling the sanitation workers nearby who were busy cleaning up firecracker remnants; they thought she was a ghost.
"Hello, Uncle, I am Serene..."
Just after stepping out of the airport, Qingguo Cang hung up Shen Qingyou's call with a puzzled expression. His thick eyebrows furrowed slightly as he sensed something was off in her tone. Was it because he sent Qing Cang to Diaoyu Island without consulting her first?
He found this matter surprising as well. Qing Cang had asked him to go to Afghanistan, which he had refused. Unexpectedly, just a few days later, he was the first to apply to guard Diaoyu Island. Given his current military rank, there was no need for him to personally take such risks. Yet, he was stubborn and insisted on going. Could it be that there was a conflict between him and Serene?
The thought of this possibility did not bring Qingguo Cang any joy; instead, a deep sense of worry enveloped his heart. Shen Qingyou was a woman who had experienced a failed marriage. If Qing Cang hurt her again this time, could her heart withstand such repeated blows?
"Commander, are you being sent home?"
"No need, take me to Hyatt Hotel!"
Qingguo Cang said in an extremely weary voice. In recent days, the situation around Diaoyu Island had become increasingly tense. A modern war could very likely break out in the waters surrounding Diaoyu Island. His visits to various military powers were aimed at resolving this matter peacefully. He hadn’t even spent New Year's Eve at home. But for a family like his, what did it mean to reunite for New Year's Eve? Li Jiuyue had to stay at the company to celebrate with those workers who couldn’t go home for the holiday, while he also had to attend some events this year; there was even less reason for him to be home since his father was still in the hospital.
Although the Guard was surprised by Qingguo Cang's sudden decision to go to the hotel, as a bodyguard for such an important official, he knew what questions were appropriate and what were not.
From the airport to Hyatt Hotel, when their impressive black Audi stopped at the entrance of Hyatt Hotel, the doorman immediately greeted them with a broad smile but was sharply glared back by the Guard from the driver's seat. Opening the car door, Qingguo Cang stepped out wearing a brand new green military coat. Although his expression showed slight fatigue, his imposing demeanor created an invisible pressure that made the doorman instinctively step aside. Qingguo Cang's calm gaze swept over his surroundings; officials of his status typically did not frequent such places. However, Shen Qingyou had insisted on this location over the phone, leaving him no choice. The more adamant she was in her stance, the more doubts filled Qingguo Cang's mind.
In Hyatt Hotel's Western restaurant, due to it being New Year's Day, there were very few customers. Shen Qingyou chose a seat by the window and smiled coldly upon seeing Qingguo Cang step out of the car.
"Serene!"
Qingguo Cang settled into the seat next to him, while he walked over to the table where Shen Qingyou was sitting and gently called her name. Shen Qingyou lazily raised her eyebrows but did not get up. "Uncle, please sit!"
Her words carried a strong, unyielding indifference. Qingguo Cang sat down across from her, and the atmosphere surrounding the two was quite strange, as if a dangerous element was floating in the air.
"Serene, you urgently sought me out. What is it?"
Shen Qingyou casually stirred the coffee in front of her and did not answer Qingguo Cang's question. The brown liquid in the cup swirled into a vortex, mirroring her current mood as she tore away the hypocritical mask of the man before her, revealing his ugly side.
"Uncle, did you stay in Beiyuan City thirty years ago?"
Shen Qingyou paused her movements, looked up, and with her clear eyes captured every expression on Qingguo Cang's face. A look of surprise flashed across his sharply defined features as he asked, "How do you know?"
He then smiled faintly. "Did Qing Cang tell you? This kid even had to tell you this little thing. I'm just curious why you two are living together and bringing up this old man."
He referred to himself as an old man, but in Shen Qingyou's eyes, he was not old at all; he exuded a charm unique to middle-aged men. In his youth, he must have been a striking figure.
Two people?
Shen Qingyou's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Uncle, does this mean you have acknowledged my relationship with Qing Cang?"
"You two are already married; how could I disagree? Serene, are you blaming me for sending Qing Cang away right after your wedding?"
Qingguo Cang continued speaking without noticing Shen Qingyou's sudden change in expression. Had Qing Cang already told him about their marriage?
"Uncle, do you really think I like Qing Cang? What I’m interested in is just his wealth and good looks."
Shen Qingyou lazily looked at Qingguo Cang, a reckless smile playing on her lips.
Boom!
The smile on Qingguo Cang's face froze, and he suddenly stood up from his chair, staring incredulously at Shen Qingyou. Guard, who was sitting not far away, rushed over immediately: "Commander, are you okay?"
"No, I'm fine!"
Hiding the unusual expression on his face, Qingguo Cang waved his hand at Guard and sat back down. Guard returned to his position but did not dare to shift his gaze even slightly.
"Serene, what was that just now?"
"Uncle, I... I was just teasing Qing Cang. I don't like him at all, let alone love him. I was just being playful!"
Shen Qingyou forced out these words slowly through clenched teeth, thinking that saying such harsh things would lessen the pain. In reality, it did not; the pain deep inside her was like the Yellow River, endlessly surging. At this moment, she felt like an inflated balloon, constantly being pumped up, and at any second it could go pop...
Qingguo Cang sighed heavily: "Shen Qingyou, why do you have to do this?"
"Uncle, why do I have to do this? A person like me, with no support and no job, is just being driven by life’s circumstances. And Qing Cang, that fool, doesn’t even realize how wrong he is to be interested in a woman like me. Since he’s so persistent, how can I not take advantage of it?"
Her heart was bleeding, but she had become numb to the pain. Shen Qingyou didn’t even know what she was saying; she only knew that Qingguo Cang's expression was growing darker. His grip on the glass tightened, his knuckles turning pale as if he were enduring immense rage, almost crushing the cup into pieces.
"What do you want?"
"Money, I need a sum of money!"
Money?
When Qingguo Cang heard this word, the last shred of goodwill he had for Shen Qingyou vanished completely. This woman, her purpose in approaching Cang'er was actually for money. He truly regretted it; he shouldn't have been so soft-hearted back then, which led to such a grave mistake today.
"How much do you need?"
"One million!"
"Isn't that too much?"
Given Qingguo Cang's current salary, one million was indeed a staggering amount for him. He looked at Shen Qingyou with difficulty and asked, "Can you make it a little less?"
"Not even a cent less. Otherwise, just wait and see how your son will be hurt and covered in wounds!"
After saying that, Shen Qingyou stood up. "Uncle, if you've made up your mind, transfer the money to this account. Once I receive it, I will naturally disappear completely from Qing Cang's life!"
Shen Qingyou left, and Qingguo Cang sat alone, frowning deeply as he pondered where he could possibly get this one million.
As she walked out of the Hyatt Hotel, Shen Qingyou stumbled and leaned against an advertisement board. It was clearly the cold winter season, yet she was already drenched in sweat...
"Hello, may I ask if this is Sister Shen?"
"Who are you?"
On the other end of the line, a strange woman's voice came through. When she slowly revealed her name to Shen Qingyou, Shen Qingyou felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Fang Yuwei, Fang Yuwei?
"Sister Shen, I heard you've been asking around for me in Beiyuan City?"
The elegant voice carried a hint of charm. Although Shen Qingyou could not see her appearance, she was sketching an image of this woman in her mind. What would she look like? Would she bear some resemblance to herself? Did she have her own family now, or was she still alone?
"Sister Shen, I want to meet you. Are you available now?"
"Um!"
Shen Qingyou's trembling voice responded vaguely. A light laugh came from the other end of the phone: "Alright then, where are you now? I'll have the driver pick you up!"
A driver?
She has a dedicated driver?
Shen Qingyou's curiosity about this woman grew stronger. After providing her location, she sat quietly on a bench at the bus stop, waiting alone. Cars zoomed past her line of sight, and buses stopped in front of her only to drive away again. Half an hour later, a luxurious Mercedes-Benz pulled up in front of her. A young and beautiful woman stepped out from the driver's seat and walked up to Shen Qingyou: "Excuse me, are you Sister Shen?"
"I am Ms. Fang's secretary!"
The woman introduced herself while handing a business card to Shen Qingyou, the assistant to the chairman of Yahui Group. Yahui Group? That company that made waves throughout Jiangcheng. "May I ask, who is your chairman?"
"Our chairman is Ms. Fang, who just called you!"
Shen Qingyou was stunned; how could this be?
The chairman of Yahui Group is Fang Yuwei? "But?"
"Sister Shen, you need not be surprised. Ms. Fang is the mastermind behind Yahui Group; what you see on the surface is just an executive director. Ms. Fang is low-key and doesn't like to show her face in front of the media!"
"Lin Jie!"
"You can call me Liya!"
Liya flashed an official smile at Shen Qingyou and then led her to a luxurious Mercedes-Benz. The car started, and the wheels rolled slowly, carrying the anxious Shen Qingyou forward.
Leaning against the window and watching the fleeting scenery outside, Shen Qingyou began to feel uncertain about her future. How would it come to her?
The car stopped in front of a private villa. It felt like stepping into a world that didn't belong to her. Shen Qingyou nervously followed Liya into the solemn villa. Inside, the heavy atmosphere made her feel somewhat oppressed. After hearing footsteps coming from the second floor, she felt beads of sweat forming in her palms, wondering if this woman's appearance would match what she had imagined.
A middle-aged woman with slightly curled long hair descended the stairs slowly, wearing a light purple fitted wool sweater paired with a mid-length black wool skirt. She walked gracefully and calmly toward Shen Qingyou, exuding elegance and nobility with every step. Before she even reached her, Shen Qingyou could sense the strong aura of a powerful woman emanating from her, making her feel flustered and unsure of where to place her hands.
"Serene, is it? May I call you that?"
Fang Yuwei's eyebrows carried a hint of a smile, as if time had left no trace on this woman. She was smiling, yet there were no crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. If such a woman were her own mother, Shen Qingyou would truly feel a sense of shame.
She was like a noble swan; how could she give birth to such an ugly duckling as herself?
"Serene, I want to know why you are looking for me all over Beiyuan City?"
As expected of a businesswoman, she got straight to the point without any hesitation. Fang Yuwei looked at Shen Qingyou and smiled, "You don't need to be so nervous!"
"Me?"
Shen Qingyou opened her mouth but then stopped. What should she do? Should she tell her that she was her daughter? Would she believe it? Would she think that she was trying to climb up to her wealth?
Worrying too much, it had already been so many years since those events. What would finding them change? Given their current status, could they provide her with a complete family?
A faint smile tugged at her lips, merely a reflection of Fang Yetan...
"No, nothing!"
Suddenly wanting to escape, to flee from this suffocating place, "Ms. Fang, I'm sorry for the interruption; I have to go!"
Shen Qingyou abruptly turned and ran towards the door. Upon hearing the loud bang of the door closing behind her, Fang Yuwei's expression darkened suddenly. She took out her phone and spoke in a low voice, "The fish is already on the hook!"
After running out, Shen Qingyou sadly realized that there were no taxis in this affluent area. Wearing high heels, she struggled along the asphalt road, feeling as if she were in a dream—a very unreal sensation. A pearl lost in the vast sea? She self-deprecatingly smiled; she was more like a grain of sand in that sea—where would the pearl come from?
Jiangcheng Is it big or not? Clearly, they are two prominent figures, yet why can they ignore each other? Have they never asked each other where that child from back then went? Or do they only care about their own reputation and future, completely disregarding that it was merely "evidence" left behind from a moment of error? Or perhaps they simply want to destroy the evidence?
Shen Qingyou felt lost, as if her head was about to explode. She hated herself for stubbornly wanting to find her biological parents. What did that stubbornness bring her?
Pain beyond endurance? Heart-wrenching sorrow?
Whose fault is all this? Whose fault is it really? It’s Qingguo Cang. Yes, it’s his fault. As a man, he lacks even the basic courage to take responsibility, yet he expects her and Qing Cang to bear this unwarranted disaster. Shen Qingyou's heart felt twisted; the pain of not being able to be with Qing Cang had already made her lose all rationality. In her mind, there was only one thought: revenge, revenge, revenge...
Let them taste the pain they have inflicted. Why should only she and Qing Cang suffer? If they are going to hell, then let everyone go to hell together!
“Tick-tock, tick-tock!”
Her phone alerted her of a new message. Shen Qingyou took it out and saw it was from Qingguo Cang. He informed her via text that the money had been transferred to her account and asked her not to disturb Qing Cang. After reading it, a cold smile crept onto Shen Qingyou's lips. Qingguo Cang, since you dared to act back then, you should have the courage to take responsibility today!
This road is truly long, just like the journey in her heart. It feels exhausting yet seems endless. When will the sadness stop? When will her light return?
After finally reaching a place with taxis, Shen Qingyou quickly hailed one and headed towards the hotel where she was staying. Once back in her room and after dropping off her bag, she eagerly opened her computer and logged onto the official website of the Disciplinary Committee, sending an anonymous report to the designated email address...
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