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Chapter 11: Shocking Rumors!

Xie Yanli tossed his half-finished cigarette onto the ground and crushed it underfoot, then walked silently toward the parking lot.

Shen Huaichuan gazed at his slightly lonely figure and couldn’t help letting out a long sigh. Everyone said that Xie Yanli was the most enviable man in all of Beijing — with the Xie family’s vast fortune awaiting him, and he himself blessed with looks, physique, and status.

But only Shen Huaichuan knew just how much turmoil he carried inside.

Around him were countless scheming hypocrites watching him like hawks, trying to trip him up, waiting for him to make mistakes. He also had a heartless father and a manipulative stepmother.

Especially after the passing of his mother, which had left a deep scar — making his already reserved personality even more closed-off.

He knew very well how much Xie Yanli liked Song Qiao. He firmly believed that Song Qiao was the only person who could untie the knots in his heart. Since Chen Yang was such an unworthy person, rather than letting Song Qiao marry him and regret it later, it would be better if Xie Yanli could win her back before the wedding.

However, that was just his wishful thinking. With Xie Yanli’s proud and reserved nature, it wouldn’t be easy.

A thought suddenly struck him. He came up with an idea — though a bit underhanded, it didn’t matter. Pride wasn’t important; the result was. He pulled out his phone and called a familiar journalist from the media.

———

After Song Qiao got into a taxi, Xie Yanli silently followed the cab all the way until it safely stopped in front of her family’s villa and watched her enter the house.

He lit another cigarette. In the darkness, the flicker of crimson embers illuminated his cold, distant face.

When Song Qiao stepped inside, she saw the lights in the living room brightly lit, and Bai Shuyu sitting on the sofa waiting for her.

She frowned slightly and uneasily walked over, holding her mother’s arm as she softly said, “Mom, it’s so late — why aren’t you asleep yet? Didn’t I tell you before? If I’m out too late, you don’t have to wait up for me.”

Bai Shuyu caught the scent of alcohol on her breath and pinched her nose disapprovingly, her expression stern.
“Qiao Qiao, how can a young woman like you drink so much this late at night? How can I not worry about you when you act like this?”

Seeing her mother upset, Song Qiao leaned against her and coaxed, “Mom, I just happened to run into some friends for a gathering today, so I had a few extra drinks.”

Bai Shuyu frowned and asked, “Didn’t you say earlier that you were having dinner with Shen Yang and his mother tonight?”

Not wanting her mother to worry, Song Qiao pouted and explained, “Yes — but after dinner, I bumped into them at the restaurant, so I got dragged along to the gathering.”

Bai Shuyu knew her daughter all too well — Song Qiao couldn’t tell a convincing lie. Looking at her seriously, she asked, “Be honest with me — did Xu Qin give you trouble again?”

Song Qiao knew she was an open book in front of her mother and couldn’t hide a single thing. Embarrassed, she nodded slightly.

Bai Shuyu’s expression immediately grew grave. She fixed her gaze on Song Qiao and said earnestly, “Qiao Qiao, Chen Yang is a good man, but Xu Qin is his mother — they’ll be tied together for life. Marriage isn’t just about two people — it’s about two families. Since you’re not married yet, you should think carefully while you still can.”

Song Qiao’s eyes darkened. After a moment of silence, she lowered her head and replied, “Mom, I understand.”

Later, after washing up and returning to her room, she turned on her phone — but there were no missed calls or messages from Chen Yang. Her heart instantly sank with disappointment.

She couldn’t sleep that night. Her mind kept replaying the words Xu Qin had said at dinner and Bai Shuyu’s advice earlier. She quietly wondered if she had truly made the wrong choice.

The more she thought about it, the more overwhelmed she felt. Eventually, she gave up thinking, lying in bed restlessly with her eyes closed, tossing and turning.

It wasn’t until nearly dawn that she finally drifted off into a deep sleep — but it didn’t last long. A nightmare startled her awake. Incredibly, she had dreamt of marrying Xie Yanli and having children with him — something she considered terribly unlucky.

She glanced at the time — it was already 8 AM. She hurriedly got up and washed. As soon as she stepped out of her room, she heard Chen Yang’s voice downstairs.

Leaning over the second-floor railing, she saw Chen Yang quickly rise from the sofa with a beaming smile to greet her.

Thinking about how he had abandoned her at the restaurant last night and hadn’t even called afterward, yet now acted as if nothing had happened — she was furious.

Did he think a few sweet words would make everything okay? The more she thought about it, the more wronged and upset she felt. Shooting him a fierce glare, she returned to her room.

After getting dressed and putting on makeup, she headed downstairs again. Chen Yang was chatting with Bai Shuyu. Although they stopped talking as soon as she appeared, Song Qiao could easily guess they’d been discussing what happened last night.

Bai Shuyu smiled dotingly at her.
“Qiao Qiao, it’s getting late — hurry and have breakfast. Then let Chen Yang drive you to work.”

Song Qiao didn’t want to argue with Chen Yang in front of her mother, so she obediently went to the dining room to eat. After breakfast, Chen Yang exchanged a few pleasantries with Bai Shuyu before they left the villa together.

Once outside, Song Qiao shook off his hand and strode ahead briskly. Chen Yang jogged after her and courteously opened the front passenger door for her. Worried about being late, she reluctantly got into the back seat instead.

Seeing this, Chen Yang had no choice but to get into the driver’s seat. He took the bouquet of flowers from the passenger side and handed it to her.

Song Qiao pursed her lips and refused to take it.

Holding the flowers, Chen Yang explained, “Qiao Qiao, I know you’re upset because I didn’t come find you last night and didn’t call either. Please, let me explain. What happened yesterday was indeed my fault — but I truly had no choice.”

Song Qiao frowned. “How could you have no choice? Who could restrict your freedom?”

Chen Yang’s expression darkened slightly. He sighed and said, “Qiao Qiao, you know my mother’s temper — I’ve never hidden it from you. Last night, she caused a scene in the car the entire way. When we got to Shiyu’s house, she cried and made a fuss until late into the night. I simply couldn’t get away.”

“Chen Yang, since your mother dislikes me so much, why don’t we just break up? That way you won’t be caught in the middle anymore.”

Chen Yang’s eyes first showed disbelief, then as if all his strength had been drained from him, his expression turned stiff and miserable.

A moment later, his eyes reddened, and in a hoarse voice he asked, “Qiao Qiao, are you really going to leave me?”

Song Qiao could see he was struggling to control his emotions, and her heart softened a little.

But recalling Bai Shuyu’s warning from last night, she hardened her resolve again.
“Chen Yang, if your mother hates me this much, we wouldn’t be happy even if we got married. Better a clean break now than prolonged suffering later. Let’s end it.”

Unwilling to give up, Chen Yang pressed, “Qiao Qiao, have you really thought it through?”

Song Qiao, going against her true feelings, said firmly, “Yes — I have.”

Seeing her unwavering stance, Chen Yang’s shoulders slumped slightly. After a long silence, his eyes red-rimmed, he said, “Qiao Qiao, it’s all my fault. I couldn’t handle the situation between you and my mother and let you suffer. A girl as outstanding as you can easily find someone better. I don’t deserve you. I’m sorry.”

Song Qiao’s lips trembled. Though she said nothing, she felt awful inside.

Chen Yang pulled a bank card from his jacket pocket, his voice choked with emotion.
“Qiao Qiao, this is the money I earned from side jobs these past two years — there’s about 100,000 yuan in it. The password is your birthday. I originally intended to use it as your dowry. Since it won’t be needed now, I’ll leave it to you.”

Seeing his dejected, dispirited look, Song Qiao felt her heart waver.

Chen Yang wiped his tears and choked up, “Qiao Qiao, in all the years we’ve been together, I’ve never given you anything decent. Please accept this as my way of making it up to you.”

He solemnly placed the bank card in her hand.

Looking at his desolate state, Song Qiao’s heart instantly softened.

She pushed the bank card back into his hand and gently said, “Keep the money safe and give it to me when we discuss dowries later.”

Chen Yang’s dim eyes instantly lit up with joy. Suppressing his excitement, he timidly asked, “Qiao Qiao — you’re not breaking up with me anymore?”

Song Qiao pursed her lips and sternly said, “Then you have to promise me that whenever your mother causes trouble for me, you’ll stand on my side.”

A bright smile bloomed on Chen Yang’s face. He nodded eagerly.
“Qiao Qiao, as long as you don’t leave me, I’ll agree to anything.”

He finished speaking and gently kissed her forehead, then handed her the bouquet of flowers. Once Song Qiao accepted it, he started the car and drove her to her studio.

As soon as Song Qiao entered the studio holding the flowers, she received a call from Shen Yao. After hearing what Shen Yao said, her jaw practically dropped.

Glancing around and greeting her employees quickly, she rushed into her office, closed the door, placed the flowers on her desk, and whispered incredulously,
“Shen Yao, what did you just say? The news about Xie Yanli being impotent has spread all over Beijing already? Are you sure your source is reliable?”

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