She was naturally unwilling to give up, otherwise she wouldn't have chased after him all the way to Rongcheng...

But thinking about Xu Yanshu's terrible attitude towards her, Xie Huanyu couldn't help but feel discouraged. Even without Qin Shengyi, he might not have been willing to choose her.

As if suddenly realizing something, Xie Huanyu looked at the other person warily again.

Are you deliberately stirring up trouble?

"Do I need to do this? I simply think you are a better match for Xu Yanshu than Qin Shengyi!"

What's the use of being suitable? Xie Huanyu smiled helplessly. Right now, Xu Yanshu's heart and eyes were filled with that woman, Qin Shengyi.

"If you're really determined to compete, then perhaps I can give you some advice!"

After a moment of contemplation, Xie Huanyu said, "Then consider this a favor I owe you!"

...

It was better to arrive sooner rather than later. Xu Yanshu took his proposal to the Ouyang residence. Although he wasn't turned away, Qin Yao's expression was far from pleasant.

"This is my company's development plan for the next five years, Auntie, I..."

Qin Yao raised her hand to interrupt Xu Yanshu, "It seems that our two families have no areas for cooperation, so what do you mean by this?"

“Auntie, you’ve misunderstood. I just wanted you to give me a chance,” Xu Yanshu said awkwardly, rubbing his hands together. Then he stammered as he explained, “I truly love Shengyi, and I promise I will treat her with all my heart for the rest of my life.”

"Sincere? Xu Yanshu, I remember you're not young anymore, why do you still like to talk about such vague and ethereal things?"

"I think I've made myself clear enough, so why do you think I'll give in if you just say a few nice words?" Qin Yao asked sharply, her arms crossed, her furrowed brows filled with disgust.

Xu Yanshu was speechless. Facing Qin Yao's critical gaze, his face gradually turned pale, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

He thought that as long as he showed enough sincerity, he might be able to get some opportunities from Qin Yao, but only now did he realize that he had oversimplified things.

"Besides, Shengyi has already started a new relationship. She and Yichen are getting along very well, and they will most likely get engaged soon. If you continue to pester her, isn't it a bit inappropriate?"

got engaged?

Xu Yanshu suddenly raised his head, looking at the person in front of him in disbelief.

Even if she didn't know the inside story, Shengyi and Zhan Yichen had only known each other for less than a month. How could they be talking about marriage so quickly?

"But they haven't known each other for very long, so quickly..."

"So what if they haven't known each other for long? They are quite similar in many ways, and their education from childhood is about the same. So compared to you, Yichen is indeed a better match for Shengyi!"

She was initially hesitant about whether getting engaged so hastily was too hasty, but seeing that Xu Yanshu seemed determined to persist, she decided it was necessary to cut the Gordian knot.

This aggressive questioning made Xu Yanshu feel extremely embarrassed, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she retorted sarcastically, "So, it all boils down to her being better off than me, right?"

"So what if she is? Shengyi is my biological daughter. As her mother, I naturally have the right to decide who she will spend the rest of her life with!"

"Xu Yanshu, if you had any self-awareness, you shouldn't have come here," Qin Yao said, standing up abruptly and shouting angrily, "Get out of here right now."

She thought that Xu Yanshu, as a highly educated person, must have basic manners, but she never expected that he would dare to talk to her like that.

It seems my previous judgment was absolutely correct; Xu Yanshu is truly not good enough for my daughter.

Realizing belatedly that he had said the wrong thing, a hint of unease flashed across Xu Yanshu's eyes.

He subconsciously moved his lips as if to explain something, but when he looked up, he met Qin Yao's sharp gaze. He had no choice but to swallow back the words that were about to come out, and finally resigned himself to standing up and preparing to leave.

"Butler, tell the security guards that if they spot this person near the manor, they should immediately call the police!"

Xu Yanshu paused slightly, clenched her hands at her sides again, and then walked out without looking back.

Hopefully, he can give up now!

Watching the other person leave, Qin Yao narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. She really didn't want Sheng Yi to keep getting entangled with such a low-class person.

After regaining her senses, she turned to go upstairs, but then remembered something and said something to the people present.

"You are not allowed to mention what just happened in front of Miss."

"Understood, madam!"

Xu Yanshu had barely left the manor when he encountered Zhou Shengyu, who was rushing over.

Zhou Shengyu was about to ask how things were going when he noticed Xu Yanshu's solemn and embarrassed expression. He immediately came up with a plan and finally reached out and patted the other's shoulder to comfort him.

"Should I go in and talk to them?!"

Xu Yanshu gently shook his head, "No need!"

Forced relationships are never sweet. Now that things have already gone this far, if Zhou Shengyu were to go and talk to Qin Yao again, he would only be making things difficult for himself.

Zhou Shengyu didn't insist any further. Seeing his son's despondency, he felt a pang of guilt.

In retrospect, this was all his dereliction of duty. Huang Dongsheng had already brought it up that day, and he should have made plans for Yan Shu earlier.

He only remembered this matter again when he went to the studio to look for Xu Yanshu but found no one there.

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