Chapter 84

No one dared to speak in front of Shang Yuye, whose expression and demeanor were so forbidding.

Shang Mingbao swallowed nervously, unconsciously pressing her fingernail against the paper napkin under the utensils.

She had said the wrong thing; this was a matter between her and Xiang Feiran and was not supposed to be disclosed to Shang Yuye.

As the thick paper napkin was pierced by her nail, Shang Yuye spoke, his voice heavy and slow: “Anti-marriage.”

Shang Mingbao’s heart skipped a beat, and despite her trembling arms, she forced herself to remain calm. “Dad, he didn’t hide it from me; I knew from the beginning.”

Shang Yuye sneered, “Should I praise his high moral character, or do you think you’re being realistic?”

Her slender neck seemed unable to support the weight of her head, which hung low, like a flower on the verge of wilting.

“Five years, and he hasn’t changed a bit for you?”

Shang Mingbao stiffened at his question, stammering, “He said he would try… he is trying… Dad, you can’t force these things. Don’t interfere; I know what I’m doing.”

Shang Yuye squinted. “What do you know?”

“I’ve set a deadline; I gave him a deadline. I won’t wait forever,” Shang Mingbao said firmly, though her eyes were filled with anxiety, fear, and pleading.

Shang Yuye saw through her immediately. She eagerly offered a guarantee, hoping he would let them be at that moment.

“Dad… not everyone is as lucky as I am.” Desperate and grasping at a last resort, she blindly clung to a piece of driftwood: “Will you meet him? He’s right here.”

She was confident that once Shang Yuye met Xiang Feiran, he would surely like him.

This was the very thing Shang Yuye had been waiting for over the past two days—he wanted to personally evaluate Shang Mingbao’s boyfriend of five years. But now, it was too late.

Shang Yuye tapped the table with his fingertips, called the name of a servant, and instructed indifferently, “Get the car ready. We leave in ten minutes.”

In an instant, Shang Mingbao’s face drained of all color.

After speaking, Shang Yuye stood up, slowly and heavily wiped his hands, and tossed the white towel back onto the tray. “Dad is busy and doesn’t have time to waste on unnecessary people. Even though you’re young, you should understand this.”

As he hurried out of the restaurant, his youngest daughter grabbed him by the arm—Shang Yuye turned, and his suppressed anger turned into astonishment when he saw her eyes.

“Dad, after everything I’ve told you,” Shang Mingbao’s eyes were brimming with tears as she choked out, “you can’t use my trust in you to ruin us.”

Shang Yuye placed his broad hand over her ice-cold one, his words sounding like a death sentence: “Break up sooner.”

Three cars were parked in a circle in front of the hotel, with bodyguards standing by the doors, ready to depart. Shang Yuye got into the car and pressed the window shade down.

Shang Mingbao stood there, watching the convoy leave the circle, until it drove out of the hotel gate.

The meal ended earlier than anyone had anticipated. She returned to her room, lay down in a daze, and after a short sleep, got up to find Xiang Feiran.

Xiang Feiran was taking a flight the next morning. During his three days in Sri Lanka, except for that afternoon in the mining area, he hadn’t gone anywhere, spending all his time running data and revising his paper. When Shang Mingbao came to his room, he put aside his work to kiss her, chat, or simply hold her for a while.

Shang Mingbao had his room key. She stood at the door for a long time, took a deep breath, and forced a bright and cheerful expression.

After swiping the card to enter, she found Xiang Feiran standing by the floor-to-ceiling window on the phone. The courtyard outside was lush green, with the grass tips adorned with the golden glow of the setting sun.

He was so focused that he didn’t notice her approach until she hugged him from behind, her hands clasped around his waist, her face pressed against his back.

Xiang Feiran held the phone with one hand and placed his other hand on her back. After listening to the conversation, he suggested a few changes to the parameters. When he hung up, he turned around and pulled Shang Mingbao into his embrace. “Why did dinner end so early today?”

Shang Mingbao mumbled in response, her face buried in his chest.

Noticing something was off, Xiang Feiran tried to lift her face. But she shrank away, and he didn’t force her. He asked, “Did you cry?”

Shang Mingbao pressed her lips tightly together, “No.”

“If there’s something wrong, you can tell me.”

“It’s Dad. He doesn’t want me to stay here. He wants me to go back to Hong Kong soon, saying it’s too harsh and meaningless here.” Her tears flowed silently, and her lips quivered intensely.

Xiang Feiran embraced her tightly, speaking calmly, “I support you.”

Shang Mingbao’s tears surged at that moment, her eyes closed tightly, burning with pain. “But what if I also agree with him?”

Xiang Feiran thought carefully about her clear statement and finally said, “If you yourself also think that you can’t gain more or what you want here, that’s another matter.”

Shang Mingbao felt icy and tongue-tied. “What if I haven’t figured it out yet? How do I know that the decisions I make are correct? What if I make a huge mistake and lose a lot?”

Her gaze was panicked, inexplicably filled with fear—fear of stepping into the crossroads of fate alone. She didn’t know which path was right.

Xiang Feiran squeezed her fingertips, looking at her reddened eyes. “Shang Mingbao, you are much stronger than you think. Don’t be afraid of making decisions. You are always right.”

---

After returning to Hong Kong, Shang Yuye’s first action was to find Wen Youyi. He was certain Wen Youyi knew something he hadn’t discovered yet.

“Have you met him?” Wen Youyi, still unaware of the severity of the situation, clasped his hands under his chin. “He and babe seem to be a good match, don’t they?”

Shang Yuye’s forehead veins bulged. “It’s not about whether they match or not. Tell me who he is and why you’re so sure he’s someone you can trust.”

After five years of dating, Wen Youyi knew there was no need to hide anything anymore, and he truthfully explained, “He’s from the Xiang family, the grandson of Ambassador Xiang Lianqiao. His father is Xiang Weishan, the chairman of ‘Weishan Life.’”

This identity far exceeded Shang Yuye’s expectations, making him momentarily stunned before he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Given the political background, I was afraid you would object, but since babe likes him so much, I thought it was fine for them to date happily for a couple of years.”

Wen Youyi, who had often covered up romantic affairs for her children, coughed and skillfully deflected, “It’s because you are usually too rigid and unreasonable, so I kept it from you.”

Having been happily married for over thirty years, she was confident her demeanor and tone could pacify Shang Yuye—but her tactics seemed to fail, and Shang Yuye remained expressionless. “I don’t understand. If you knew his background was problematic, why let her date him for so long? Five years, and you don’t know what kind of person Mingbao is? Didn’t you consider the harm to her in letting her continue this fruitless relationship?”

Wen Youyi was momentarily at a loss for words from his questioning. After a pause, she said, “Don’t yell.”

She gathered her thoughts and continued, “How is it fruitless? Ambassador Xiang is a friend of your father’s. You wouldn’t doubt his judgment, would you? Although he has a political background, he has retired and is old. Xiang Weishan adopted him, and Xiang Feiran is even more innocent. He is a researcher and won’t enter politics, so there’s no political stance or affiliation involved. How could—”

Shang Yuye was silent, giving a cold, disdainful laugh as he slowly asked, word by word, “Very well, you’ve considered this much for them, so why don’t you care about this person himself?”

Wen Youyi was stunned, looking at him: “What? Of course I care; he’s quite good.”

“—Even if he is an anti-marriage advocate and from the beginning never intended to marry your daughter? Do you know that your daughter, knowing he is an anti-marriage advocate, still wanted to be with him for a few more years, hoping he would change?”

“Impossible.” Wen Youyi firmly refuted: “Babe has tested me many times, asking if someone with a political background would be acceptable, or someone with slightly less prestigious family background. She asked whether it was necessary to form a marriage alliance. If she never intended to marry from the start, why would she ask me these things?”

What followed the final word was a sudden, lengthy silence.

Wen Youyi furrowed her brows and murmured: “I initially told her it was not possible, which is why she began this relationship despite knowing he was an anti-marriage advocate, because she also believed it would not end well. Later, more than a year ago…” Her face gradually paled, eyes filled with disbelief: “More than a year ago, I called Babe and hinted that they could have a future.”

Shang Yuye’s expression was impassive: “She will have waited in vain until now; the man’s sweet words are partly to blame, and you are also partly responsible.”

Wen Youyi suddenly tightened her grip on the sofa armrest, lifting her pale face after a long while: “What did Babe say to you?”

Shang Yuye loosened his tie: “She said she was aware and would not wait indefinitely, asking me not to rush to break them up.”

After saying this, he was silent for a moment, then sat down beside Wen Youyi: “Find a time to tell her that the man’s identity has no future, and to let go of this hope and stop waiting.”

Throughout, he never referred to Xiang Feiran by name, only using indifferent terms like “this person” and “that person,” his tone as cold as discussing a worthless stock, with only a slight trace of disgust in the furrow of his brows.

Wen Youyi covered her face with her hands: “What if he might really change for her? Or is he already changing?”

She asked softly.

---

As the end of the year approached, the gem city nestled in the forest valley was bustling with tourists from around the world.

In a business as wealthy as gem trading, the influx of people and disorder was inevitable, and accidents were likely to occur. That night, Shang Mingbao was visiting the largest mine owner in the area. Since his villa was near the hotel, she hadn’t arranged for a driver. Exiting from the villa around eight o’clock, not too late, she had let her guard down and didn’t notice two people following her for a long time.

Was it a crime of passion? Were they trying to steal her money and jewelry? Were they planning to kidnap her, or did they hold a grudge against her for unintentionally offending someone while helping tourists identify scams?

Even next to the street market, the front of the five-star hotel remained a quiet refuge from the hustle. The faint glow of streetlights couldn’t pierce the darkness. When a hand covered her mouth and nose, Shang Mingbao widened her eyes in terror, her hand, which was about to reach for her self-defense spray, was brutally twisted behind her back.

The pain felt as if it was cutting through her bones, yet she couldn’t even scream. In her despair, she didn’t understand how things happened, who had knocked down the person holding her, and who had kicked the other one. Amidst the sound of the wind, a heavy thud of flesh hitting flesh was heard. Tears welled up in Shang Mingbao’s terrified eyes: “—Wu Baiyan!”

Wu Baiyan took another hit to the arm and growled, “Get away!”

Shang Mingbao fled, running as fast as she ever had, dialing the driver while running. After more than a hundred meters, she finally reached the hotel entrance and shouted desperately, “Help! Help!”

When a team of security guards arrived, the dark alley was already empty, with only Wu Baiyan leaning against a wall, his right hand clutching his other arm.

Shang Mingbao, trembling with fear, approached and saw his bloodied face in the dim light of a flashlight.

The situation was too dangerous to keep secret. Shang Yuye and Wen Youyi rushed over on a private jet, and senior officials from the local government, police, and the provincial capital arrived. The local tycoon accompanied them, hoping this incident would not affect their investment and cooperative prospects here.

Wu Baiyan had his head wrapped in several layers of bandages and his arm in a cast, listening to the conversations in the hospital corridor. He recognized the voices of Shang Mingbao and her housekeeper, while the rest were likely doctors and police.

After a while, the door opened, and Shang Mingbao sat down by his bed, unaware that he was already awake.

After regaining his composure, Wu Baiyan opened his eyes, turned his face, and asked, “Who are you?”

Shang Mingbao: “…”

“Stop pretending.” Her face was pale.

Wu Baiyan weakly chuckled, “Didn’t scare you.”

Shang Mingbao’s heart, which had been in a state of tension, finally relaxed. She didn’t know what to say and just sat quietly.

“Say thank you?”

“Thank you.”

“I said, emergency contacts should be useful people.”

“You just happened to be here.”

“If you want, I can stay here.”

“I don’t want you to.”

Wu Baiyan laughed softly again, a self-mocking tone.

Shang Mingbao, with reddened eyes, glared at him: “Are you doing this on purpose?”

Wu Baiyan knew she didn’t mean it. She was just trying to hurt him deliberately, finding faults. Why? Because this incident mattered to her, and she had softened—she had to, so she said some unflattering things.

Wu Baiyan smiled and shook his head, “Shang Mingbao, treat me like a person.”

Shang Mingbao nervously reminded him, “Don’t shake your head. The doctor said so.”

“Okay.”

“Your hand… the bones need to be rested.”

“No problem.”

Shang Mingbao pressed her lips together, “Will it affect your competitions?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Shang Mingbao pressed her lips harder, “Are you speaking so little because your head hurts?”

“Isn’t this what you like?”

Shang Mingbao lowered her eyelashes, “Don’t be like that.”

She got up and went outside, asking the nurse at this private clinic if there were any cigarettes. The nurse found some for her. She opened the door at the end of the corridor, went to a secluded corner of the balcony, and smoked. There was no need to worry Xiang Feiran about this, so she didn’t mention it.

The police station had promised to catch the culprit and handled other matters. The company plane from Shang Yuye took Shang Mingbao and Wu Baiyan away.

Because she was traumatized, Shang Mingbao was ordered to rest at home. A week later, she heard that Wu Baiyan’s parents had already come from New York and would host a dinner at their home that night.

Wen Youyi delivered the news and squeezed her hand, “If you really can’t summon the energy, it’s okay. Mom and Dad will help you express your thanks.”

Shang Mingbao nodded, “They’ll think I’m very rude.”

“You were traumatized; they will understand.”

Shang Mingbao had been struggling to sleep, relying on melatonin to fall asleep, only to be haunted by nightmares, waking up in cold sweats from dreams of a hand smelling of sweat and rust. She had lost weight quickly, making her eyes appear unusually hollow.

Seeing her like this, Wen Youyi’s heart ached, and she hugged her.

“Mommy, Alan has been pursuing me for almost a year.”

“Mommy knows.”

“But I have a boyfriend.”

“…Mommy knows too.” Wen Youyi closed her eyes, pretending to be unaware, “How is your boyfriend? Why hasn’t he been introduced to me yet?”

Shang Mingbao didn’t want to discuss it. She softly said, “Don’t arrange me with the Wu family because of this.”

Wen Youyi’s heart ached: “Babe, why would you think that? It’s two different things.”

“Promise me.”

“I swear.”

Shang Mingbao’s heart settled a little, and her rapid breathing calmed down. She realized that her ridiculous and absurd thoughts were due to lack of sleep.

She was unaware of the details of the dinner, only hearing that Shang Yuye told Wu Baiyan, “You are more mature than you were five years ago.” After the dinner, the Wu couple and Wu Baiyan visited her. The servant had informed her in advance, so Shang Mingbao changed into more appropriate clothes and met them in the living room.

Wu Baiyan’s bandage was thinner by two layers, and his arm was still in a sling. With his formal black suit, it looked somewhat amusing.

After the group offered their condolences, Wu Baiyan had a few words with her alone, telling her he would return to Manhattan by the end of the year and would come back to Singapore after his vacation, advising her to be careful.

“Let’s negotiate. Can you remove me from your blacklist?”

Shang Mingbao had blocked all his social media and contact information.

Shang Mingbao silently unlocked her phone and only removed him from the Instagram blacklist.

“Will you reply if I message you?”

“No.”

Wu Baiyan smiled, “See you in spring.”

“Alan,” Shang Mingbao called out to his departing figure.

“What?” He stopped.

“I owe you a favor, but could you stop pursuing me?” Her eyes were full of pain.

Wu Baiyan turned around: “I like you. You want me to be someone who silently guards and waits. Why should I? Competitions are all about being ahead. The education I’ve received from childhood hasn’t taught me restraint and forbearance.”

Wu Baiyan’s pursuit of her was so prolonged that it gradually spread from several family social circles to the investment circles.

After a small investment summit, Xiang Weishan heard this news and cleverly confirmed it.

He actually didn’t care about the Shang family. No matter how unattainable they were or how wealthy they were, the disparity would only damage his influence. Xiang Weishan had no interest in bowing down to others.

He didn’t care whether the girl named Shang Mingbao would end up with his son; he was only interested in his son.

Xiang Weishan went to the botanical institute, first catching up with a few of his fellow apprentices before heading to Xiang Feiran’s laboratory.

It was spring again. Xiang Weishan mentioned that he had just visited the tomb of the deceased in the morning. The laboratory was crowded, and Xiang Feiran interrupted him, asking him to move outside.

He appeared invincible, yet his weak spots were unprotected. Xiang Weishan looked at his face and thought silently, who does he resemble? So concerned with love, silently and stubbornly guarding love. He’s so smart, yet why does he allow himself to become defenseless?

“Since last year, it seems you’ve taken on many tasks that shouldn’t be yours.”

There were consultant jobs for biodiversity protection with the UN, public relations for high-end watches, documentary appearances, and a series of commercial programs.

Some of these were already underway, while others were signed long-term contracts, awaiting gradual implementation. Undoubtedly, these were all commercial activities involving his personal name and face—

They were activities Xiang Feiran would have never engaged with before or would have outright rejected. Although they quickly brought fame and profit, they would directly occupy his research time, something he would never have allowed before.

“This is your best twenty years. If you want fame and profit, you don’t have to wait until you’re twenty-nine to start.” Xiang Weishan said faintly, “When you won the gold medal at sixteen, there were agencies wanting to sign you. When you were a junior in college, if you had agreed to that dating observation show, you would be a star by now. If you had agreed to appear in a documentary when you returned from the U.S., you would have been famous long ago. Feiran, you know better than anyone what you gave up to pursue this path in research. Why are you now abandoning the essence for the periphery?”

Xiang Feiran calmly deflected, “You don’t need to worry about my matters.”

“For your girlfriend, right?” Xiang Weishan asked sarcastically. “For your unattainable girlfriend, you could buy a so-called high jewel, a high couture dress? You could live the same level of married life as before? You think you’ve exhausted your research on Gentianaceae, that you’ve done enough to honor your mother, so you can casually deal with your academic aspirations, leaving them to your junior researchers and settling for fame and reputation? Have you thought about how heartbroken your mother would be if she were watching from above?”

Xiang Feiran turned his face. In the chilly spring, he pressed his hand into his coat pocket, gripping his palm: “No need for such grandiosity, using Tang Shuoyue to pressure me. I know what I want, and I won’t let anyone down.”

“Why treat Dad as an enemy?” Xiang Weishan seemed genuinely puzzled. “It’s not wrong to want something, but are you sure the other side wants you too? If they are truly dedicated, then why is the entire investment circle talking about the marriage between the Wu family and the Shang family?”

“What are you saying?”

Even the most composed person’s eyes showed a shift in emotion upon hearing this. Xiang Feiran almost instinctively lifted his head, caught off guard, and his breath tightened.

“You don’t know?” Xiang Weishan seemed amused, his lips curving into a cruel smile. “You don’t know that your competitor is almost winning? No,” he squinted, more confused and amused, “Your name has never been mentioned. No one knows there’s a Xiang Feiran beside Shang Mingbao.”

He said with confusedly.

“Are you sure you are the Wu family’s competitor?” Xiang Weishan’s patience and waiting over the years had finally come to a point where he could show his hand. “Or are you, from the beginning, just an outsider in this competition?”

He dropped the sentence he had repeated a thousand times, this time adding a blade that would pierce his heart:

“The doors of ‘Weishan Life’ are always open to you—if you still want to compete.”