In the president’s office at Chenzhou Technology Jiang Yanqin set his phone down softly on the desk. He leaned back in his chair a storm gathering in his gaze.
Just then the internal line rang Assistant Li on the line. Sir Zhang from Dingxin is calling on behalf of Fu Changhui He is asking for ten minutes of your time He is waiting downstairs right now Li Yang’s voice carried clear unease.
Jiang Yanqin’s look turned cold a sharp humorless smile touching his lips. I will not see him. His tone remained calm yet edged with biting frost. Tell him if he cannot guide his son properly the consequences will extend far beyond losing one project. He paused each word falling heavy and sharp. If he cannot teach his son I will show the entire Fu family what it means to learn a lesson.
Understood Sir Li Yang replied immediately.
Downstairs in the reception area Zhang relayed the message with obvious apprehension Old Fu whatever your son has done he does not leave doors open for anyone You must discipline him properly. He ended the call quickly anxious not to be caught up in the fallout. Fu Changhui stood pale and trembling. The Fu family had established itself here only recently and however promising they were beside Chenzhou Technology they were nothing. He shuddered to think how close they had come to vanishing entirely without even a warning. He called his son at once. Fu Yichen What have you done How have you offended Jiang Yanqin Do you want to ruin us all.
On the other end of the line Fu Yichen stared in shock. Jiang Yanqin… He had expected a warning never imagined he would move to crush his family completely. Speak His father roared I do not care where you are or what you are doing Fix this immediately Go and beg for forgiveness Show him you know your mistake If you cannot do that do not call me father. The call ended leaving Fu Yichen reeling beneath the sudden crushing weight of his family’s future. There was only one reason one person he could think of. Ji Xia.
How could he fix this Go and beg Jiang Yanqin Promise to stay away from her as he had done that night two years ago Be the coward once more. He leaned against the wall a bitter self mocking smile touching his lips He had tried so hard to build a future to stand on equal ground and now it all amounted to nothing. His father’s words rang in his ears and with his family’s fate hanging by a thread one clear painful choice took shape in his mind the surest way to make his position known however much it would hurt.
That evening in the private dining room at Wenji Xuan in International Trade Plaza Ji Xia arrived early chatting happily with Zheng Wen Zhou Kai and the others. She listened to their stories yet her eyes drifted often to the door. She felt awkward and unsure yet she wanted to see him. She still hoped he would explain everything. One last chance she told herself If he keeps me at a distance this time I will walk away for good.
The door opened again and her heart leaped warmth rising instantly as she looked up. Then her smile froze. Fu Yichen stood there as gentle and poised as she remembered but beside him was another girl beautifully dressed looking at him with unmistakable affection.
I apologize for being late Fu Yichen said his voice calm as always. His eyes met hers briefly flickered and moved away as if touching something too hot to hold.
A quiet awkwardness settled over the room. Everyone knew Ji Xia had come here for him everyone had seen how he looked at her. Someone spoke up breaking the silence Senior won’t you introduce your friend.
This is Lin Wei a fellow researcher from my lab Fu Yichen said evenly making no effort to clarify further.
Lin Wei smiled warmly It is such a pleasure to meet you I have heard so much about all of you. Her gaze lingered on Ji Xia curious and assessing.
The room filled with good natured teasing Wow Senior Fu you have kept this very quiet. Just a colleague indeed Come sit down.
Fu Yichen took a seat beside her. Ji Xia lowered her head her smile fading. So this was how it was. He was not too busy not held back by some hidden reason He simply did not care for her. Everything had been her own wishful thinking. She fell silent pushing food around her plate unable to taste anything.
Then her phone lit up with a new message. From Uncle Jiang. Send me your location Let me know when you are nearly finished so the driver can meet you outside it is getting cold.
In that moment of deep hurt and embarrassment those few simple caring words felt like a lifeline. Ji Xia stared at the screen her eyes stinging. She was not one to cry her parents had always loved and encouraged her and she faced everything with hope yet right now she could barely hold back her tears.