As soon as the call connected, Tang Xiu'e's panicked pleas came through the phone.

I was on guard, but asked casually, "Where are you? Wasn't he taken away by the police again to investigate the Gu family's case?"

"He was very ill, and the police let him go home after questioning him."

"If you were in the hospital, how could you suddenly fall into a coma?"

"Oh..." Tang Xiu'e cried out, "It's all because of Jiang Hao, that bastard Gu Yanqing! He framed Jiang Hao and ruined him terribly..."

I understand now.

Jiang Hao's arrest, and on charges of espionage, is no small matter.

Jiang Haiyang only has this one son, so of course he has to find a way to pull some strings.

But the Jiang family has already fallen into decline and gone bankrupt, so who would give him face?

It's estimated that he encountered setbacks and became extremely anxious, which led to the worsening of his condition.

“I told you, if you want me to pay for his medical treatment, then show some sincerity and go to the cemetery to kowtow and beg for forgiveness from my mother, otherwise I…”

"Jiang Wan! Are you even human?! Your father is about to die, and you're still making things difficult for him like this! Do you really want to watch him die?" Before I could finish speaking, Tang Xiu'e started cursing hysterically.

Even so, I remained calm.

I've been having a terrible time myself lately, so I don't have the energy to care about them.

If it weren't for these despicable "relatives," I wouldn't have been dragged down by them, unable to even protect the man I love.

They've ruined my life, and now they want me to save them?

"Tang Xiu'e, let me tell you, you haven't fulfilled your responsibilities as parents all these years, and I've already done more than enough for you! Don't bother me anymore. Jiang Haiyang's illness has nothing to do with me. If you have money, treat him; if you don't, then let him die! This kind of scum is a waste of resources to be alive!"

As soon as I finished speaking, I didn't care about the other person's reaction. I hung up the phone and blocked Tang Xiue's number.

With the silence around me, I felt an unprecedented sense of ease.

So this is what it feels like to "sever ties with family".

It's like being tightly bound by vines and weeds, constantly being pulled down to the bottom of the water, feeling trapped and desperate, when suddenly all the bindings are cut off with a single cut, and you feel instantly relaxed and reborn!

Instantly, even breathing became easy and deep.

Losing Su Shenglin has gradually made me more accepting of many things.

Whether it's gratitude or hatred.

Keeping something in mind is a form of self-imposed confinement.

From this moment on, I will neither love nor hate anyone.

————

I started getting busy with domestic fashion weeks.

I fill my brain with work every day.

At 7 p.m., I was still at the company discussing work with Yang Qianmu.

After I finished my work, I got up to leave. When I finished packing my things and went outside, I saw him waiting for me.

"Is there anything else?" I glanced at my phone, then looked up at him and asked.

"It's nothing, it's just that everyone's gone, and I was worried you might be scared by yourself." Yang Qianmu stared at me, his words hesitant, but I instantly understood what he meant from his eyes.

These days, ever since the news of my breakup with Su Shenglin spread, he has been showing me significantly more concern and care than before.

Little Cherry had said long ago that he had feelings for me.

He hadn't shown his true colors before, clearly because of Su Shenglin.

Now that I'm single again, he must feel like his chance has come.

Thinking of this, I smiled politely and said, "No need, I'm used to being alone."

He smiled but said nothing, and followed me toward the elevator.

As I watched the number keys slowly slide down, I silently considered a few words.

"Mr. Yang, I don't know if I've misunderstood, but your concern and care for me seems to go beyond the level of friendship between colleagues." I looked at him, polite and courteous.

"..." Yang Qianmu was taken aback, his expression slightly stunned.

Then he raised his hand and rubbed his nose.

This is clearly a sign of guilt.

After a moment, he replied, "I admire you. You know I've lived abroad for many years and am not bound by those traditional ideas. I don't mind if you've been married before, nor do I mind if you've had boyfriends."

My heart trembled.

I didn't expect him to be so direct.

"Thank you for your appreciation, but after going through all this, I really have no expectations for relationships anymore." I smiled bitterly, trying to make things clear so he wouldn't get the wrong idea.

“Jiang Wan, I’m different from them. My parents are both abroad. They’ve been divorced for many years and are living their own lives. They never interfere in anything I do. I also have a Western mindset. I don’t care about what others think and I only pursue what I love. Maybe you can try to accept me. It might help you get out of this slump sooner.”

I was both amused and exasperated.

I can see it now; men with Western mindsets are indeed different.

Even after I clearly rejected him, he still bravely continued to confess his feelings.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Yang, I have no desire to try anything. I just want to focus on my work right now. If you insist on pursuing me, then I'm sorry, I may need to find a manager who won't cause me any trouble."

I looked at him intently and spoke even more clearly.

The elevator made a sound and the doors opened.

We left one after the other.

Yang Qianmu seemed to have been hit hard and remained silent for a long time.

As I was about to leave the lobby, my phone rang. I looked down and saw it was Chen Wanzhen, whom I hadn't contacted for some time.

"Sorry, I need to take this call, I have to go now." I took the opportunity to say goodbye to Yang Qianmu who was beside me, and quickened my pace to leave.

"Hey, Zhenzhen..."

"What are you busy with? Have you eaten yet?" Chen Wanzhen asked from the other end of the line.

I sighed, "I just got off work, I just left the company."

I got into the car, relaxed, and leaned back, not in a hurry to leave.

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