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Zhou Tangyan felt a sudden shock in his heart, and then he lowered his gaze to meet her eyes, filled with expectation and longing. He couldn't help but imagine what their child would look like.
Perhaps it would be a daughter, with eyes as bright as Wan Xia's, a small mouth, and a nose that would crinkle when she got angry. Such thoughts filled him with beauty and warmth, and the divorce papers he held in his hand sparked an uncontrollable urge to tear them up, his fingers tightening unconsciously.
But then he recalled the deal he made with Fang Xiulan during the day; she only needed to be his wife for a year, and in return, she would help him acquire Zhou Family Rice Shop. With that, he could avenge his mother. He wanted to see the Zhou family reduced to nothing, humiliated and destitute, to repay the years of obedience and restraint he had endured. His gaze turned resolute and cold.
This intense thought solidified his previously wavering heart. He leaned down and kissed her deeply, passionately. He would fulfill her wishes because they were also his own. He held her tightly in his arms.
Almost everyone believed that marrying her was a step too high for him.
But he wanted everyone to see that he, Zhou Tangyan, was not a man without capability. A glimmer of determination shone in his eyes.
Just one year—if he could endure that long—he would regain his freedom and bring her back to his side, regardless of whether she loved him or not. He vowed silently that they would never be separated again.
*
Five months later, the entrance of the Zhou family courtyard was packed with rice farmers, blocking the entire gate. The rice shop hadn't paid them for half a year, and with the New Year approaching, desperation and anger were etched on their faces as they shouted loudly.
Mr. Zhou would probably never expect that his seemingly weak eldest son would take such ruthless action. Two years ago, he secretly opened his own business with Fang Xiulan's help.
Over the years, he had been expanding his network using the connections he built at Zhou Family Rice Shop. On paper, the rice business appeared profitable, but in reality, it was drowning in debt. Zhou Tangyan was quietly orchestrating everything behind the scenes, his eyes reflecting a mix of coldness and wisdom.
Thus began the downfall of the Zhou family; their grand estate fell into disrepair. Zhou Tangyan bought this place solely to honor her mother. Once upon a time, she had dreamed of living here and becoming Mr. Zhou's second wife. Yet she never lived to see that day. Standing in the empty estate, Zhou Tangyan's eyes were filled with nostalgia and pain.
After the Zhou family's business collapsed, the Jiang family's fortunes also declined significantly. Zhou Tangyan took the opportunity to swallow up Jiang's rice shop, which left Mr. Jiang deeply affected, leading to a prolonged illness that left him bedridden. Madam Jiang, accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, quickly depleted their income and savings. As a result, Wan Xia had no choice but to become the pillar of the family, teaching at a nearby private school to earn money for her father's treatment. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and determination.
Despite achieving his goal, Zhou Tangyan did not feel any joy. He began to spend his days navigating between business and social engagements, often drinking himself into a stupor. He didn't want to give himself the chance to think about her and would often sit alone in a corner, staring blankly into space with a glass in hand.
He knew she was pregnant with his child; he knew she still harbored resentment towards him, and his heart was filled with turmoil and pain.
He longed to find her and tell her how much he missed her, but with the year-long deadline still unfulfilled, he couldn't. His fists clenched tightly before he helplessly released them.
About six months later, he learned that she had safely given birth to a baby girl named Ke'er. During this time, he often hid under the eaves of the private school to listen to her teach. She seemed much happier than before, and he feared that his presence might disrupt her newfound joy. Even when the year was up, he struggled to suppress his urge to see her, silently watching her with eyes full of tenderness and reluctance.
However, she unexpectedly came looking for him.
“Zhou Tangyan, where is Ke'er? Did you take her away?” Her question caught him off guard; surprise froze his expression, and his body trembled slightly as the smile vanished from his face.
He had secretly seen Ke'er before; usually, when she went to the private school, she would leave the child in the care of Aunt Liu next door. However, he had not taken her away, and his eyes reflected innocence and urgency.
“Don't worry; I'll send someone to help you look for her.”
“Stop pretending, Zhou Tangyan! Aunt Liu said a group of men in black came this afternoon and forcibly took Ke'er away. You did it, didn't you?” He tried hard to calm her agitated emotions, but she accused him without appreciation, her eyes filled with anger and suspicion.
“I am Ke'er's father; I would never harm her. If I were to take her away, it would always be with your consent.” He felt her misunderstanding drive him nearly mad but restrained himself from exploding; his hands clenched tightly as veins bulged on the back of them.
“Ke'er is mine alone.” She declared this possessively before turning away without considering his feelings, hurrying off.
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