[Host, have you been… a little too cold to Zang Ling lately?] The system couldn’t help but speak up, and even Zang Ling’s favorability had dropped a little because of it.

Yan Wenshu walked expressionlessly down the street. [I don’t think so.]

[Distance creates beauty, haven’t you heard of that?]

[But your distance is way overboard. Other than work handovers, you don’t take the initiative to talk to Zang Ling at all. What if she misunderstands?]

[She’s come looking for you several times, but your attitude has been so indifferent. If this keeps up, you’ll only push her further and further away. Host… have you forgotten our original goal?]

The system reminded him, “[Your chances of running into the female lead at the company have gotten higher. It used to be lucky if you saw her once every three days. Now, it’s basically once a day.]”

Yan Wenshu didn’t even know what he was doing anymore. His goal was supposed to be winning Zang Ling over, yet now, he was the one distancing himself from her…?

Deep down, he vaguely knew why, but instinctively didn’t want to think too hard about it.

Rationally, he knew the system was right. But emotionally, he hesitated, he just wanted some space, for some reason.

Just then, a bodyguard in a black suit suddenly blocked Yan Wenshu’s path. The man clearly didn’t come with good intentions as he said, “Mr. Yan, my master would like to meet you. Please come with us.”

Yan Wenshu glanced at the row of burly men standing behind him. This wasn’t exactly how you invite someone.

The system said worriedly, [Could this be someone sent by the male lead? After all, you not only embarrassed him a few days ago, you also bullied the female lead. This is definitely his revenge!]

[Host, don’t go with them.]

But outnumbered like this, it wasn’t really up to him.

Yan Wenshu could shake them off, but he was also curious to see who wanted to meet him. Besides, in such a public setting, whoever it was would have some scruples.

Yan Wenshu followed the bodyguard into a secluded restaurant. The interior was lavish, the kind of place only the wealthy frequented. There weren’t many people inside, so Yan Wenshu quickly spotted his target.

His gaze locked onto an elderly man in gray seated in the corner. Ever since he entered, the old man had been watching him closely, his eyes sharp and scrutinizing.

Sure enough, the bodyguard led Yan Wenshu straight over and stopped in front of the old man.

The old man spoke calmly, “Have a seat.”

Yan Wenshu didn’t move. “Who are you?”

“I’m Zang Ling’s grandfather. Former chairman of Tianhai.”

Zang Chenggong said, “Take a guess, why do you think I called you here today?”

Unfazed, Yan Wenshu smiled lightly. “To meet your future grandson-in-law?”

Zang Chenggong narrowed his eyes slightly. “Young man, at this point, there’s no need to play dumb with me. Tell me. How much will it take for you to leave Zang Ling? Will fifty million be enough?”

Yan Wenshu stared at the check on the table, pulled out a chair, sat down, and looked straight at him. “I don’t want money. If you want me to break up with her, fine. Let Zang Ling tell me that herself.”

Zang Chenggong looked at him for a long time before suddenly letting out a laugh. “If you came from a good family, I would’ve agreed to let you marry Zang Ling. But unfortunately, you don’t. You have nothing. There’s nothing you can do to help Zang Ling. I don’t know if you have some ulterior motive, dreaming of soaring to the top by clinging to her, but that’s impossible.”

“Tianhai is something I entrusted to Zang Ling. I have the right to control her marriage. If I say you’re not good enough, then she cannot marry you.”

[This old man is so overbearing. He’s already retired, and he still wants to meddle in his granddaughter’s business? I bet his relationship with Zang Ling isn’t that good. He keeps calling her by her full name like he looks down on her.]

The system chimed in disdainfully, [He looks like the type who favors sons over daughters.]

For her to become the CEO of Tianhai, she must’ve suffered quite a bit along the way.

This thought drifted across Yan Wenshu’s mind, but on the surface, he stayed calm. “Zang Ling is an independent person now. No one can force her to do anything.”

“The so-called ‘right’ you speak of means nothing in the eyes of the law.”

Zang Chenggong slammed down his teacup heavily, his gaze vicious. “Are you deliberately trying to go against me? Fifty million is enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. You might not ever see that much money in your entire lifetime. Be smart. Take the money and disappear.”

“Sorry, I’ll have to decline.”

Yan Wenshu stood up to leave.

Zang Chenggong was furious, but then he seemed to remember something. He forced a smile, composed himself, and said calmly, “If you think doing this means you’re protecting your relationship, you’re being naive. Time will tell you the answer. I don’t even need to mention your family situation, do I?”

“You owed someone money. It was Zang Ling who secretly helped you pay it off. As a man, don’t you feel ashamed? You’re dirt poor and have a bunch of troublesome relatives. Someone like you — do you really think you deserve Zang Ling?”

Yan Wenshu stopped walking but didn’t turn around.

“What do you mean… you said Zang Ling paid off my debt?”

Zang Chenggong sneered. “You really didn’t know? That aunt of yours came to you for money, but my good granddaughter happened to see it and quietly paid it off for you, and even told her never to bother you again.”

“What a foolish girl, isn’t she? Did a good deed and didn’t even tell anyone. Yan Wenshu, if you really care about Zang Ling, you should let her go. You’re a burden. Because of you, Tianhai is clashing with Yuan Family Corporation. Do you know how many people Zang Ling has offended for your sake?”

“I won’t let her go.”

Yan Wenshu turned around and shot him a cold glance. “Zang Ling gave me her black card. I’m really not interested in your fifty million.”

Without looking back, he left.

Zang Chenggong was so enraged he smashed his teacup to pieces.

Where did this wild brat come from! He was absolutely going to tear them apart!

Yan Wenshu walked out of the restaurant and wandered aimlessly along the street, Zang Chenggong’s words replaying over and over in his mind.

[Host, where are you going next?]

[I don’t know.]

Yan Wenshu replied wearily. His mood was complicated, and he stared blankly ahead. Suddenly, his gaze froze, and he stopped in his tracks.

—The person he had been trying so hard to avoid was standing right in front of him.

Zang Ling had run all the way over, finally stopping in front of Yan Wenshu, anxiously asking, “My grandpa didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Yan Wenshu shook his head. Seeing her drenched in sweat, he took out a tissue and handed it to her.

Zang Ling happily thanked him, then asked again, “Did he say anything to you? Like telling you to break up with me?”

“He did.”

Looking at Zang Ling’s nervous expression, Yan Wenshu continued, “But I didn’t agree.”

Zang Ling let out a long sigh of relief. “Don’t believe anything my grandpa says. He’s got bad intentions. He’s always thinking about marrying me off to Yuan Haolang. Sometimes I wonder if Yuan Haolang’s actually his real grandkid.”

But Yan Wenshu said, “You paid off my debt for me?”

Zang Ling was a little surprised, but didn’t deny it.

“Why would you do that?”

Zang Ling didn’t catch the shift in his tone and grinned foolishly. “What’s our relationship? Me paying it off for you is the same thing.”

“…It’s not the same.”

Yan Wenshu’s voice suddenly rose. Zang Ling’s heart skipped a beat, and she asked timidly, “How is it not the same…?”