Cen Zhi frowned when she heard those words, about to say something, but He Ji pulled her back.
“Don’t bother.”
But Cen Zhi still looked at the others and said loudly, “I think Song Tang is pretty good.”
No one directly responded, but He Ji’s temper flared up and he shouted,
“Cen Zhi!”
Cen Zhi was startled and turned back. “What is it?”
He Ji, as if he had been holding it in for a long time, finally said everything on his mind.
“Are you stupid?”
“Have you forgotten how Song Tang treated you before?”
“She called you whenever she needed you and pushed you away when she didn’t. When she wanted to hang out, she’d look for you for a couple of days, and when she didn’t, she wouldn’t even reply to your messages.”
“How many times did she use you? And now you still treat her as a friend?”
Qin Yuwei, who had just returned from outside, felt delighted seeing Cen Zhi defending Song Tang and getting shouted at by He Ji.
She added with a smile, “Cen Zhi, did Song Tang save your life or something? Why are you defending her so much?”
“That’s right,” Cen Zhi said seriously. “She did save my life.”
“When we first met, we went swimming together. I accidentally went into the deep-water area, and Song Tang saved me.”
“She had just learned how to swim at the time, only knew the dog paddle.”
“She was slower than a turtle, but she still managed to drag me out of the water.”
“So no matter what kind of person Song Tang is, no matter how others see her, she is my friend.”
Qin Yuwei’s smile froze on her face.
What had sounded like sarcasm turned out to be a real life-saving incident.
But He Ji was unmoved.
“Cen Zhi, you can’t be this foolish.”
“Maybe Song Tang just saved you casually, like saving a kitten or a puppy.”
“Everything you’ve done for her over the years has already been paid back.”
“He Ji!” Cen Zhi’s face darkened. “Why are you so cold-hearted?”
“I’m cold-hearted?” He Ji sneered. “Fine, then go be with Song Tang.”
With that, he stood up and walked out, pushing the door open without looking back.
Cen Zhi didn’t say anything or chase after him. She just sat there with a slightly tense expression, her face not looking good.
The others who witnessed the argument exchanged awkward looks, unsure what to say.
In short, it was hard to judge.
Even though Song Tang had behaved well today and didn’t cause trouble, she hadn’t been great in the past.
Maybe she was just acting today to impress Lin Yanchen.
He Ji’s words were also for Cen Zhi’s sake, and his intention wasn’t wrong.
But Cen Zhi, remembering the life-saving favor, couldn’t let go of Song Tang either, which was understandable.
Meanwhile, in the corridor outside the private room.
The lighting was dim, the floor covered in soft carpet, and not a single sound of footsteps could be heard.
If Lin Yanchen hadn’t been so tall and outstanding in presence, Song Tang might have lost him.
She jogged a few steps and caught up.
Stretching out her arms, she blocked his way.
Her body, unused to exercise, was already slightly out of breath after running a bit.
“Stop…”
Lin Yanchen halted and looked down at her.
“Something wrong?”
There was indeed something, but before speaking, Song Tang glanced around.
Since this was a private matter, it was best not to let others hear.
Fortunately, there was no one in the corridor at the moment.
Only then did she lift her head and look at his indifferent face.
“Lin Yanchen, why don’t you want to break up? What do I have to do for you to agree to it?”
Lin Yanchen looked at her.
“You really want to break up?”
“Yes.” Song Tang nodded. “Very much.”
Lin Yanchen didn’t respond immediately.
After a few seconds, he finally said, “Soon. Just wait a bit longer.”
Song Tang felt something stuck in her chest.
Of course she knew it was “soon.”
Thirteen days left. She was counting them.
But she was anxious. She needed that breakup fee.
Yet she couldn’t say it. She couldn’t reveal that she knew about the money.
Song Tang opened her mouth, about to say something.
But Lin Yanchen had already walked around her and continued forward.
“Lin Yanchen!”
She turned and chased after him. “I’m not done talking yet.”
Lin Yanchen didn’t bother responding. Without even turning back, he stepped into the elevator and pressed the button.
The doors closed between them.
Song Tang had never met such an unreasonable man before and felt a surge of anger. She raised her hand and gave him the middle finger.
Scumbag.
Not liking her but refusing to break up, typical scumbag behavior.
The elevator doors weren’t fully closed.
Lin Yanchen clearly saw her gesture, and his expression instantly turned cold.
This woman really was…
He took a deep breath and decided to be generous and not argue with her.
There was an urgent matter at the company he had to handle.
Song Tang had changed. She had become sharp-tongued.
Before, it was nonstop calling, now it was direct personal attacks.
But no matter what, after thirteen days, he would finally be free of this woman.
The elevator doors closed and descended.
Song Tang lowered her hand, slightly surprised.
Lin Yanchen’s expression had clearly turned cold. He must have understood what she meant.
Yet he still didn’t come out of the elevator, just left like that?
Fine. Even though she couldn’t break up today, she now confirmed one thing.
Lin Yanchen would not break up early.
She would have to think of another way.
Fifty million… What was she supposed to do?
Song Tang pushed open the door to the private room.
Inside was still the same scene, dim lighting, noisy music. But the atmosphere felt slightly different.
Cen Zhi saw her return and immediately stood up.
“Tangtang, let’s go home.”
Song Tang paused and looked to the side.
“Where’s your boyfriend?”
Before Cen Zhi could speak, Qin Yuwei suddenly interjected.
“Cen Zhi’s boyfriend argued with her because of you and left early.”
Her tone was full of satisfaction.
Song Tang’s gaze shifted toward her.
Qin Yuwei leaned back on the sofa with crossed arms, clearly enjoying the show.
Cen Zhi’s expression changed. “Qin Yuwei, if you have so much to say, why don’t you sing ‘Qinghai-Tibet Plateau’ again?”
“Pfft…” Pei Qian couldn’t hold back and laughed.
Qin Yuwei’s face darkened. “I’m just telling the truth. Why are you so defensive?”
Cen Zhi ignored her and pulled Song Tang toward the door.
“Let’s go.” The door closed behind them.
The corridor fell quiet. They walked side by side.
Song Tang glanced at Cen Zhi. “Sorry.”
Cen Zhi shook her head. “It’s not your fault.”
“My relationship with He Ji hasn’t been good recently anyway. We’ve been arguing a lot. Maybe we’re just not compatible.”
They walked out of the club entrance, the night wind brushing past them with the coolness of early summer.
Cen Zhi stopped and turned to look at Song Tang.
“Song Tang.”
“Hmm?”
“You were really good today.”
Cen Zhi’s eyes were bright in the night.
“Stay like this in the future. People will like you.”
Song Tang looked at her and suddenly smiled.
“Whether others like me or not doesn’t matter.”
“As long as you’re willing to stay my friend.”
Cen Zhi froze. It was the first time she had heard something like this from Song Tang, and she was overwhelmed.
Her eyes grew slightly red.
“Song Tang, you’re really good today.”
Seeing Cen Zhi’s eyes turn red, Song Tang felt a little heartache.
This poor girl, just how badly had the previous Song Tang treated her?
She patted Cen Zhi’s shoulder. “I’ll always be this good.”
That foolish original owner, having such a good friend and not cherishing her.
It was fortunate she had arrived.
She would cherish Cen Zhi.
From now on, Cen Zhi would be her best friend.