After saying that, Zhuang Yan picked up his coffee, took a sip, stood up, paid the bill, and left.

Xia Wan was on the verge of breaking down. She was trembling all over. Suddenly, the whole world went black, and the air became sharp. With each breath, her chest ached terribly.

Anger surged through her body, nearly severing her nerves. Her whole body went limp, and she almost fell off the chair.

She thought she knew Zhuang Yan well enough, but she never expected him to be so cold and ruthless. He was like a completely different person, and there was no longer any tenderness in his eyes for her.

how so?

Was Zhuang Yan deliberately being coy? Was he playing hard to get, saying those things just to attract her attention?

She didn't believe Zhuang Yan really wanted to sever ties with her.

Xia Wan wanted to get up and catch up with him, but her legs suddenly felt weak, and she watched as Zhuang Yan walked away.

Xia Wan retorted, "Zhuang Yan, do you think I can't live without you? Without me, you're nothing. You'll regret it! One day you'll face reality."

Who is the one who hasn't recognized reality? Do you think he's so despicable? Things have come to this point; there's no turning back now.

Zhuang Yan didn't stop for her, nor did he turn back; he simply left.

People in the coffee shop looked over curiously. Xia Wan lowered her head and looked at the ring on the middle finger of her right hand.

It's been about ten minutes since she sat down, and her hand has been on the table the whole time. Zhuang Yan didn't even notice the obvious ring.

Perhaps she noticed it but ignored it; at this moment, Xia Wan felt like a clown.

She controlled herself to avoid breaking down and making a fool of herself in public.

Her eyes stung and her nose tingled; she wasn't saddened by Zhuang Yan's departure, but rather felt humiliated.

She swallowed her pride and took the initiative to save the relationship, so why did he have to make things difficult for her and say so many things to humiliate her?

Xia Wan forcefully took off the ring, intending to throw it away, but she froze when she looked at the trash can.

She bit her lip and looked at the ring in her hand. It felt like there were needles hidden in her blood, pricking her body one by one. It didn't hurt, but she just felt uncomfortable all over.

Everyone around her said that Zhuang Yan was her lapdog and that she couldn't do without him. Gradually, she also started to see Zhuang Yan as her lapdog and accepted the opinions of those around her.

After living with Zhuang Yan, she officially accepted her fiancé and treated him as her own.

Therefore, she never imagined that Zhuang Yan would leave her one day.

Just like the toys she collected when she was a child, she's the one who has to throw them away when she gets tired of playing with them. It can't be that the toys don't want her anymore.

Xia Wan couldn't figure out what her feelings at this moment represented. She remained skeptical and didn't believe that Zhuang Yan could really sever ties with the Zhuang family.

It's understandable that Zhuang Yan doesn't like her anymore, but he would never abandon his parents.

This time she had figured it out. She was prepared to ignore Zhuang Yan for a few days. Even if his parents forced him to kneel on the ground, she would not look at him or plead for him.

The more arrogant he is now, the more ridiculous he will become later.

Xia Wan adjusted herself and quickly transformed back into the aloof young lady she always was.

...

After drinking a cup of coffee, Zhuang Yan felt refreshed and energetic.

He was very busy today. Besides meeting with Xia Wan, he also had an appointment with his lawyer at noon.

The lawyer was a friend he met in college, named Lawyer Song.

He has a good relationship with Song Lu, and he was also at the engagement banquet yesterday.

Zhuang Yan booked a private room at a Sichuan restaurant, and the two agreed on a time to meet.

They talked about business over dinner, and he remained skeptical when he heard Zhuang Yan announce the annulment of the engagement in public yesterday.

So as soon as he sat down, Song Lu asked him, "Are you really going to break off your engagement with Xia Wan? Or are you just acting on impulse?"

"I've already explained the matter of annulling the engagement to Xia Wan." Nothing proves things faster than actions.

Song Lu sighed and said, "I feel like you really like Xia Wan. You got engaged and then broke off the engagement. The reversal was too fast. I can't process it right now."

Zhuang Yan met Xia Wan in college. He always abided by school rules and kept to his duty. The first time he skipped class by climbing over the wall and stayed out of the dormitory late at night... it was all because of Xia Wan.

After pursuing someone for three years and finally reaching an engagement, how can you just say you want to break it off? Feelings can be put aside for now, but how will the interests of both families be divided?

Zhuang Yan genuinely loves Xia Wan; he wouldn't have gone to such lengths if it were just for a marriage alliance.

Even the deepest affection will eventually run out. Remember, a cup of hot water doesn't suddenly cool down.

There wasn't a trace of disappointment on Zhuang Yan's face; perhaps the end of disappointment is the beginning of relief.

"She has someone she likes. If marriage is like a tomb, then a forced marriage is like a mass grave."

Lawyer Song asked, "Is what's going on online about her and that celebrity true?"

Zhuang Yan didn't say much, just hummed in agreement.

While you can't believe everything you read online, Zhuang Yan's personal admission makes all the difference, which explains why he was so angry yesterday that he wanted to call off the engagement.

She was already engaged, yet she ran away to be with another man. Is marrying such a rich girl just to add some color to her life?

Song Lu opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting, but he couldn't say anything at all.

"It's fine if the engagement is called off; we can't afford to mess with a woman like that. But do your parents agree?"

"This is what I need to entrust to you next. I plan to sever ties with the bookmakers. Please draft an agreement for me."

Last night, Zhuang Yan consulted other lawyers online and learned that it is not legally permissible to sever ties with one's biological parents.

But we can cut off all contact. At worst, we can give them some alimony when they turn 60. It's just a few hundred dollars, which they probably won't even care about.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!