---

Chapter 80: Starting Over

“I know, but you also know how difficult my career was back then,” Ji Xueli replied.

Thankfully, she had looked up the original character’s background before coming—those years had been a career low. Even if she came from a wealthy family, without the right skills, nothing worked.

“So you just threw out a breakup and flew to Germany for three years,” Ji Yanzhou let out a cold laugh. This was a knot in his heart he had never untied.

“You canceled your phone number and erased every trace of yourself. Ji Xueli, sometimes I wonder if your heart is made of stone.”

He’s angry…

Time to start acting.

Ji Xueli stayed silent, her eyes turning red. She lowered her head, looking like she knew she was wrong but had no other choice.

When Ji Yanzhou saw the redness in her eyes and the way she looked down as if trying to hide her pain, his usually calm eyes wavered slightly. Deep inside, he was struggling.

“I’m sorry…” Ji Xueli choked slightly, her voice trembling. “I understand how you felt, but I wasn’t any better. I canceled my number because it had been leaked. I had no choice. And I did come back to see you… only to find someone else by your side—Xie Yujun.”

Life is a drama, and it all depends on acting. Thankfully, Han Chen had prepped her with this script—he really had read every cliché novel out there.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yanzhou’s expression changed: “When did you come back?”

“When you took over the branch company,” Ji Xueli said. According to Han Chen, that was around the time Xie Yujun had become his assistant, and they were always together.

Two years ago…

“She’s just my assistant…” he said hoarsely.

His fists clenched tightly, trembling slightly from the effort. If there had been no misunderstanding back then, maybe they wouldn’t have missed out on all these years.

“It’s okay, we said we’d start over. Let’s look forward.” Ji Xueli sniffled and smiled.

Her smile looked a little forced.

“How was it for you abroad?” Ji Yanzhou asked as he looked at her.

“Just classes and more classes. When I had time, I traveled around. It was pretty relaxing,” Ji Xueli raised her brows playfully.

Ji Yanzhou’s eyelids twitched. But Han Chen had clearly told him she was doing terribly—alone in a foreign country, no friends, no family, just herself.

Unaware of the tragic image Han Chen had painted of her, Ji Xueli continued talking.

But to Ji Yanzhou, it just sounded like she was putting on a brave face. He closed his eyes and tried to suppress the emotions surging within him.

---

Outside, rain had begun to fall, and night had descended. The district of Shangjing was now shrouded in dark clouds, heavy with pressure.

In front of the restaurant, a group of people surrounded a tall, well-built man. His black suit jacket was draped over his left arm, broad shoulders and firm arms exuding strength and the intimidating presence of someone used to being in charge.

“Crown Prince, are you really not coming to the next event? I’ve prepared a surprise just for you,” someone fawned over him with a smile.

Duan Qingyu glanced at him coldly. “No need. Send me the files again tomorrow.”

“Yes, Crown Prince. We’re just thinking for the sake of the company. You can rest assured.”

“Mhm. I’ll cover the expenses for the rest of the night.” Duan Qingyu took the umbrella from Zhen Zhang’s hand, not wanting to deal with these old cronies any longer.

Relying on Duan Haohong, they had been pressuring him on all fronts. It had only been one project before, but now, he had to win it at all costs.

Once they heard he’d be paying, their smiles widened even more. “Great! Crown Prince, take care on your way.”

---