Inside the CEO’s office of Hengyao Group, Jiang Yi had just finished a call with the finance director, confirming that the 5 million transferred by Qin Feng had arrived, resolving the crisis facing the production line. He rubbed his aching temples, his gaze drifting to the dimming sky outside the window.
The office door was gently pushed open.
Qin Feng walked in carrying a paper bag, with the edges of two insulated containers peeking out from the top.
“I knew you hadn’t eaten yet.” Qin Feng placed the bag on the coffee table, taking out the still-steaming dishes. “Zhang Ji’s shrimp dumplings and pork rib soup… your favorites.”
Jiang Yi watched as his friend skillfully arranged the food, a warm feeling rising in his chest. He remembered how, during the early days of their startup, they often huddled together like this, eating boxed meals while discussing the company’s future. Now that Hengyao had become a leader in the industry, their bond remained unchanged.
“Thanks for today.” Jiang Yi sat down on the sofa and took the chopsticks Qin Feng handed him.
Qin Feng waved it off casually. “Why be polite with me? Money is a small matter. Brothers are forever your strongest support.”
Those words made Jiang Yi pause slightly, chopsticks in hand.
He recalled Shu Jin’s sharp voice on the phone just hours ago… “That money is mine! Fix your own company’s problems. Don’t even think about touching it!”
The same 5 million… one person had given it without hesitation, while another had stood by coldly, even lashing out with harsh words.
“What’s wrong? Still thinking about it?” Qin Feng noticed the change in his expression and handed him a glass of warm water.
Jiang Yi gave a faint, bitter smile and shook his head. “It just feels ridiculous. The person I once thought was closest to me… at a critical moment, couldn’t compare to a brother.”
Qin Feng fell silent for a moment, then walked to the cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey, pouring two glasses. The amber liquid swirled gently, releasing a rich aroma.
“Do you remember when we first started the company?” Qin Feng pushed a glass toward him. “We were on the brink of bankruptcy. You put in all your savings, and we couldn’t even afford rent. It was Shu Jin who took out all her savings and helped us get through it.”
Jiang Yi’s gaze darkened.
Of course he remembered. At that time, Shu Jin had just started working. The 20,000 she had saved was meant to buy herself a laptop. But when he was struggling with funds, she had handed him her passbook without hesitation.
The woman she was then… and the woman she was now… felt like two completely different people.
Qin Feng sighed softly. “People change. What matters is… some people never do.”
They clinked their glasses, and for a moment, the office fell into silence. Outside, neon lights flickered on one after another, casting shifting colors across the room.
“What are you planning to do about Ruike?” Qin Feng asked, smoothly shifting the topic.
“The legal department is already preparing the lawsuit.” Jiang Yi’s eyes turned cold. “Since they chose to breach the contract, they’ll have to bear the consequences.”
“Need me to do anything?”
“No.” Jiang Yi shook his head. “I can handle this. What about you? Moving that much money so suddenly… won’t it affect your operations?”
Qin Feng smiled. “Don’t worry. I just completed a project recently. Cash flow is more than enough.” He paused, his tone turning serious. “What about you… have you thought things through regarding the divorce?”
Jiang Yi didn’t answer immediately.
He stood up, walked to his desk, and picked up a document, handing it to Qin Feng.
“This is the draft divorce agreement Lawyer Li delivered this morning.”
The division of assets, allocation of shares, ownership of properties… every clause was written clearly. Under the section of fault, there was explicit evidence of Shu Jin cohabiting with another man.
“She’s no longer the Shu Jin she used to be.” Jiang Yi’s voice was low, yet resolute. “When she chose to stay with another man while my mother was in surgery… when she watched coldly while the company faced trouble… everything between us ended.”
Qin Feng flipped through the agreement, his brows furrowing deeper. “Does she even know what this agreement means?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Jiang Yi looked out the window. “I’ve given her too many chances.”
Shu Jin’s voice had been panicked. She said Gu Chen had been beaten and needed money for treatment, asking him to transfer another sum into her account. From beginning to end, she hadn’t asked a single question about whether his mother’s surgery had gone well… nor had she shown any concern about whether the company’s crisis had been resolved.
At that moment, Jiang Yi had finally understood.
In Shu Jin’s heart, that man was the most important.
As for him… he was nothing more than an ATM she could draw from whenever she wished.
“Since you’ve decided, I support you.” Qin Feng raised his glass. “No matter what happens, remember… you still have me as your brother.”
The two glasses met in midair with a crisp sound.
Jiang Yi looked at the friend who had stood by him since their university days, a wave of emotion surging through him. Over the years, they had weathered countless storms together, and every time, Qin Feng had stood firmly at his side. Yet the person he once thought would accompany him for life had chosen betrayal when he needed her most.
“Oh, right.” Qin Feng suddenly seemed to remember something. “Next weekend is my parents’ golden wedding anniversary. They specifically told me to bring you along. My mom said she hasn’t seen you in a long time and wants to cook your favorite braised pork.”
Warmth spread through Jiang Yi’s chest. Qin Feng’s parents had always treated him like their own son. Every time he visited, Qin’s mother would fuss over him, constantly placing food into his bowl.
“Please thank Uncle and Aunt for me. I’ll definitely be there.”
As the night deepened, Qin Feng eventually left.
Jiang Yi stood alone before the floor-to-ceiling window. His phone lit up… a message from Shu Jin, urging him anxiously to transfer money.
Jiang Yi calmly closed the chat and set his phone to silent.
Some choices, once made, could never be undone.
And some people… were destined to become nothing more than memories.
Outside, the city lights glittered like countless stars. Jiang Yi picked up the remaining half glass of whiskey and drained it in one go.
From today onward, he would not waste even the slightest bit of emotion on someone unworthy.