Chapter 19: Destiny

She didn’t understand why he would think that way.

“I still wonder if what I said back then made you feel like you had to run away.”

Yi Chen’s voice wasn’t loud nor quiet, but every word he spoke weighed on her heart like a thousand pounds.

How could he say that? He actually said those words!

She could still clearly recall what happened that day. After hearing what Yi Mei said, she immediately went to him to find out the truth. Yi Chen wouldn’t lie to her. If he said it wasn’t true, then it wasn’t. She would have believed him without question. But what if he really did like Yi Mei—what would she do then?

On her way there, the worst outcome she imagined was Yi Chen confessing he loved Yi Mei. She never thought she’d be met with the disgust in his eyes and words as sharp as blades.

“Go away, I don’t want to see you!”

“Zhao Mosheng, I wish I had never met you!”

That firm tone and expression—even thinking about it now made her heart ache. And now, he was accusing her of betrayal?

“What do you mean?” Mo Sheng asked in a low and clear voice, staring at his shoes.

The two of them stood still while people around them moved, drawing attention from the crowd. Yi Chen pulled her to a quiet spot, let go of her, and lit a cigarette.

How was he supposed to tell her? Honestly?

No.

He said calmly, “Your father came to see me that day.”

Noticing her shocked face, a faint sneer appeared on his handsome face:

“Surprised? Ha! I didn’t expect my girlfriend to be the mayor’s daughter.”

Mo Sheng’s face turned pale. Mayor’s daughter. Mayor’s daughter. What a bitter, ironic title.

She and Yi Chen were from the same city—City Y. Back then, she had thought it was a wonderful coincidence, but now it felt like an unbearable humiliation.

If he knew she was Zhao Qingyuan’s daughter, then he must also know…Mo Sheng asked unsteadily:

“You know about my father’s affairs, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Yi Chen nodded.

Zhao Qingyuan had taken bribes and embezzled tens of millions. After being exposed, he committed suicide in prison—a case that shook the whole nation.

Mo Sheng closed her eyes. It didn’t matter anymore.“What did my father say to you?”

Yi Chen lowered his eyes. He could still hear Zhao Qingyuan’s voice clearly in his memory:

“You are a very good young man. Zhao Sheng likes you very much, and I don’t want to object. If you’re willing to go to the U.S. with Zhao Sheng, I’ll take care of everything. You won’t need to worry about the visa, the house, or the school…”

Such an appealing offer.