“So, six years of dating was too long, and Young Master He has grown tired of me?”
Hearing the woman’s interrogation, He Fan swirled the wine glass in his hand, showing little reaction.
“Yan Yan, for these past six years, I’ve shown you the world, sent you abroad to study, and given you the best life possible. Can’t we just part ways amicably now? It would be more dignified for both of us.”
The woman sitting opposite He Fan was aggressively beautiful. With her raven hair and crimson lips, she was an undisputed classical Chinese beauty.
Especially now, with her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly and filled with a chilling frost, she seemed even more cold and elegant. She was Yu Yan, the girlfriend who had been with He Fan for six years.
Yu Yan’s voice carried a hint of sarcasm. “He Fan, you were the one who said you wouldn’t marry anyone but me. You were the one who proposed publicly at the graduation ceremony. Now you’re talking about parting ways amicably—what were those promises even for?”
He Fan’s expression stiffened, and he actually showed a flicker of pain. “A family like the He family requires a marriage between social equals. My father would never allow someone with your background to enter our doors.”
Background. When he was pursuing her, he said their backgrounds wouldn’t be an obstacle. Now, it had become the reason for their breakup.
“Yan Yan, our feelings in the past were real. Let’s just leave them in the past, alright? I’ll transfer the river-view apartment I have in the West District to your name and give you another five million. Take this money and live your life well. If you have any difficulties, contact me anytime, okay?”
Yu Yan leaned back against the chair, listening to his cold words while her heart ached with a million tiny fractures.
Six years. She had been with him from the age of nineteen to twenty-five.
She thought she could at least earn a shred of true sincerity, but the truth was, she had lost her bet.
“It’s not because of your father. It’s because Su Wanqing is back, isn’t it? He Fan, you said you would never lie to me, yet you’re lying even about the reason for our breakup.”
He Fan’s expression shifted several times before he finally admitted it.
“I’m sorry, Yan Yan. Qing left back then because she had no choice. Now that she’s back, I can’t let her down.”
Yu Yan wanted to laugh—laugh at her own naivety and at He Fan’s hypocrisy—but at this moment, the heartache outweighed everything else.
“I don’t want the apartment. Cash it out. A five-million-dollar breakup fee plus the market price of the apartment… what’s that, tens of millions? I want twenty million. By noon tomorrow, transfer twenty-five million to me. If it’s past twelve, I’ll package six years of our chat records and send them to the entertainment weeklies.”
He Fan grabbed Yu Yan’s wrist. “Yan Yan, we don’t have to go this far. If you wanted money, you could have just said so; I would have given it to you regardless.”
Yu Yan pulled her wrist away and put on her coat. “Using twenty-five million to buy your reputation as the deeply devoted Young Master He who remained loyal to his first love is a bargain. You’re not losing out.”
He Fan stood there, watching Yu Yan’s retreating figure. A certain part of his heart suddenly felt empty.
But he quickly shook off that slight discomfort. She was just a canary he had kept for six years; if she flew away, so be it.
Qing was back, and the misunderstanding was cleared. He had waited so many years and couldn’t afford to lose her again.
As for Yu Yan, she had been with him for six years. The money he gave her would be enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
He had done more than enough.
Yu Yan walked out of the hotel and strolled slowly along the riverbank. She was an extremely strong-willed person; the tears she had been holding back only now surged from her eyes.
Six years wasn’t six days; it was her entire youth. How could she not be devastated by such a sudden, “cliff-style” breakup?
A bank notification arrived quickly. Twenty-five million, not a cent missing. She put away her phone, wiped her tears, and looked up at the skyscrapers across the river.
The night view of Lingcheng was beautiful and the lights were dazzling. This was the place she had fought so hard to put down roots in.
Six years ago, when she was admitted to the top-tier Lingcheng University from a small county, her parents’ exact words were: “What’s the point of a girl getting so much education? Getting married early is the only proper path. Your brother is about to start his senior year of high school and needs cram school. Money is tight at home, so figure it out yourself.”
She didn’t cry or make a scene. She left home, took out a student loan, and worked three jobs.
A few months after school started, she met He Fan at a debate competition.
He was a second-generation rich kid, wealthy and handsome. After meeting her only once, he began a passionate pursuit—flowers, gifts, luxury cars, and meticulous care that made everyone else envious.
At first, she was overwhelmed, but she quickly figured it out. She wanted to climb up. She wanted money, power, and a foothold in this city.
He Fan had money, influence, good looks, and treated her well.
Why should she refuse?
Over the past six years, she followed He Fan and saw the view from the mountaintop.
But she also knew that all of this was built on the identity of being “He Fan’s girlfriend.”
Once that identity was gone, she was nothing.
So she studied like crazy, won scholarships, became a content creator, and after graduation, fought her way into the best architectural design firm, often working until dawn.
Just as she tucked her phone into her pocket, Yu Yan received another message.
“Yan Yan, it’s Mom. Your brother found a girlfriend and is getting married. The girl’s family wants an 800,000-yuan bride price and a house in Lingcheng. We really can’t come up with that much money. Can you see if you can help your brother? Mom knows you’re successful and must know many rich people in Lingcheng.”
Already exhausted both mentally and physically, Yu Yan expressionlessly blocked the number, deleted the message, and continued walking, turning into a quiet street.
This was the old garden house district of Lingcheng, shaded by plane trees and lit by dim yellow streetlamps.
Using the money she saved as a blogger combined with a portion sponsored by He Fan, she had bought a small apartment here.
Two people, a man and a woman, were standing downstairs, peering around anxiously.
Yu Yan’s heart sank. Those two were the parents she had been out of contact with for six years.
Bad news really did come in waves.
“Yan Yan!” Mother Yu was sharp-eyed and spotted her instantly, rushing over to grab her arm. “You’re finally back! I called you so many times, why didn’t you answer?”
Father Yu also walked over, rubbing his hands together with a sycophantic smile. “Yan Yan, Dad knows we mistreated you in the past, but we’re family; there’s no such thing as a lasting grudge. Your brother’s wedding really can’t be delayed anymore. The girl is pregnant. If they don’t get married soon, they’re going to sue…”
Yu Yan shook off Mother Yu’s hand, took a step back, and looked at them coldly. “Back then, you were the ones who said to act as if you never gave birth to me. What right do you have to ask me for money now?”
“Oh, those were just words said in anger!” Mother Yu wiped her tears. “You’re flesh of my flesh, how could I act like I never had you? Yan Yan, Mom knows you’re successful now and doing well in Lingcheng. Just help your brother, Mom is begging you…”
“I don’t have money,” Yu Yan interrupted her. “I’m just an employee. My monthly salary isn’t even enough for rent and food.”
“Who are you lying to?” Father Yu suddenly raised his voice in a reprimand. “I’ve checked! That boyfriend you’re dating is a young master from the He family. The He family is the richest in Lingcheng! A little scrap from between your fingers would be enough for your brother to buy a house!”
Yu Yan laughed from pure anger. “You ignored me for six whole years, but the moment you heard I climbed high, you couldn’t wait to come and demand money. You really have it all planned out.”
“How can you talk like that?” Father Yu’s face turned red. “We raised you! You ungrateful wretch, you have money but won’t help your family and only think of your own comfort. Do you have a conscience at all?”
Mother Yu also started crying. “Yan Yan, just have some pity for your brother. If he can’t get married, Mom won’t want to live anymore either…”
“I have no money to give, and you can take my life if you want.” Yu Yan pushed past them and walked inside.