Chapter 83. He was determined to pursue Xie Tang…
The car stopped in front of the familiar Chu family old house.
Under the porch, the light flowed over many familiar faces.
Mingwei's smile was the brightest; she had broken free from her old cage and was reborn.
Her philanthropic work and her experiences traveling the world have given her a radiant glow.
As for Chu Zhi... this former rebel of the Chu family, carrying his romanticism and debts, disappeared without a trace, like a pebble thrown into the sea, along with You Ning.
Rumor has it that he ended his dissolute life on a private yacht in international waters.
Little Chu Xin, who is two and a half years old, timidly peeks out from a short distance away.
The boy's features were increasingly clearly imprinted with Chu Zhi's image.
Xie Tang hadn't seen him for a long time.
During the time Xie Tang was abroad, Aunt Yu would often video chat with Xiao Xin whenever Xie Tang had free time.
Her gaze softened suddenly, and she gently waved to him.
Chu Xin hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Chu Song. After receiving a tacit approval, she took small steps closer, looked up at her, and called out, "Mommy."
Xie Tang felt a pang in her heart, as if an invisible hand had tugged at it. Her fingertips, with a lingering tenderness, gently stroked the boy's soft hair and responded to him in a low voice.
That tender "Mom" weighed heavily on her heart, carrying the weight of her long absence and unfulfilled responsibilities.
She understood that someone else would eventually fill that position.
In the end, the unspoken correction faded away on his lips.
Qin Wu sat quietly on the sofa, her pregnant belly protruding, a serene smile on her face.
She completed her master's and doctoral studies and is now a university teacher.
Although Qin Ruhai is paralyzed, his condition is relatively stable and he is receiving meticulous care.
Mentioning her mother, Ji Yan, a barely perceptible shadow crossed Qin Wu's eyes. That night, Ji Yan, in a daze, nearly caused a disaster; if Qin Wu hadn't discovered her in time, Qin Ruhai might have been pushed down the stairs.
The next day, the psychologist's diagnosis, with the words "mental disorder" weighing heavily on Qin Wu's shoulders like a verdict.
The sky seemed to collapse in an instant.
Left with no other choice, she discussed it with her younger brother and sister and sent their mother to a nursing home.
Old Master Chu appeared slowly, pushed in a wheelchair by Chu Yi, looking even older.
Xie Tang greeted him respectfully.
A smile appeared on the old man's face, and he said gently, "Tang girl, come and sit with me for a while."
The tranquility of the study instantly enveloped them.
Chu Song silently poured tea for the two of them, and in a daze, he seemed to return to the days when they had just gotten their marriage certificate.
Mr. Chu inquired about her studies abroad and also asked about Cisco's recent situation.
Xie Tang's answer was concise and clear.
For a moment, only the aroma of tea and the faint sound of the wind outside the window filled the air.
After a long silence, Old Master Chu's deep voice rang out again, slowly recounting her grandfather and those little moments sealed away in the old days.
Xie Tang lowered his head and listened attentively.
Only here, in the air that still holds the shared memories of Grandpa and Master Chu, does Grandpa's presence feel so real and tangible.
Death is not the end; forgetting is.
She and Master Chu are the guardians of this world who still vividly preserve the image and words of that old man in their hearts.
Chu Song's gaze remained fixed on Xie Tang from beginning to end.
Her profile as she listened made him feel as if he had been transported back to his distant childhood.
The heavy sense of loss and regret in his heart almost crushed him.
He can't blame anyone; he himself let go of the light that once illuminated his life.
-----------------
The second-instance judgment was issued quickly.
Xie Tang and Chu Song's amicable divorce thus came to an end.
She couldn't quite describe her feelings; disappointment, reluctance... all of them.
Chu Song was filled with reluctance and regret, but their marriage was full of deception and scheming from the beginning, so ending it like this was a kind of relief.
He was determined to pursue Xie Tang, with no more scheming or deception, only pure sincerity.
No matter how much time or cost, he will not give up.
-----------------
As night deepened, the lights in Cisco's top-floor offices remained on.
Xie Tang stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city's dazzling lights, his brows furrowed with a heavy expression.
She had just finished a multinational video conference, and a notification from a key European equipment supplier weighed heavily on her mind.
The product, originally scheduled for delivery next month, has been indefinitely delayed due to force majeure. This project is a crucial part of Cisco's return to the international high-end market, and if the supply is cut off, the entire strategic chain will be disrupted.
After several rounds of internal communication and attempts through other channels failed, Luo Nian looked at Xie Tang, whose brows were furrowed, and hesitated before speaking: "Actually, there is someone who might be able to solve this predicament."
"Who?" Xie Tang looked up from the document.
"Chu Song." Luo Nian's gaze fell on her face. "He has extensive connections in Europe. Would you consider asking him for help?"
Xie Tang remained silent for a long time without answering. Instead, he gathered up the scattered documents, trying to use this action to clear his chaotic thoughts.
Finally, she changed the subject, her voice weary: "My stomach's a little empty, wanna grab a late-night snack?"
Luo Nian nodded immediately: "What do you want to eat?"
Xie Tang glanced at his watch: "It's still early, let's go get some skewers."
"A street food stall?" Luo Nian raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a friendly reminder, "President Xie, your status is different now than before."
The lawyer who once casually sat at a street stall is now the controlling shareholder of Cisco Systems.
"Let's go to my friend's shop," Xie Tang said simply.
“Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Luo Nian readily agreed.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xie Tang closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
Luo Nian started the car, his eyes occasionally glancing at her weary profile, his thoughts silently stirred.
Her transformation over the past two years has been nothing short of astonishing.
He witnessed firsthand how she poured her grandfather's entire inheritance into the bottomless pit of saving Cisco, a desperate act that moved him deeply.
Today's Cisco was pulled back from the brink of despair by her and Chu Song.
Luo Nian had to admit the ruthlessness of Chu Song's methods—in just a year and a half, he reversed Cisco's years of decline and unexpectedly returned the controlling stake to its rightful owner.
Initially, Chu Song's ambition was obvious: to acquire Cisco, and even that marriage was merely a cheaper stepping stone to gain control of the group.
What happened next?
Luo Nian looked at Xie Tang, who was resting with his eyes closed, beside him.
Perhaps it was because of her that Chu Song ultimately abandoned his plan to swallow the whole beast.
In the rearview mirror, a familiar car silhouette had been following me ever since the company building.
It's that Phantom.
Without needing to identify the license plate, Luo Nian knew who it was.
Can they get back together?
Luo Nian tightened his grip on the steering wheel slightly—it's best not to.
-----------------
At the barbecue restaurant.
After ordering dozens of dishes, Xie Tang also ordered four bottles of beer.
Luo Nian laughed and said, "You can't hold your liquor, so don't force yourself."
"We have to practice." Xie Tang remained unmoved, deftly opened a bottle, and poured the clear liquor into their glasses.
The table was soon piled high with skewers, and the aroma of charcoal filled the air.
Luo Nian handed her a skewer of golden-brown, glistening chicken wings, his gaze lingering for a moment on her slightly tired profile. "You... really don't want to consider going back to him?"
Xie Tang's hand holding the chicken wings trembled slightly, her voice devoid of emotion, "Is there anyone else we can contact?"
"Yes," Luo Nian replied truthfully.
"That's fine then." Xie Tang took a bite of the chicken wing, her tone returning to calm.
She didn't necessarily need Chu Song's help, but if she really reached a dead end, she would never hesitate to ask him for help—after all, Cisco's interests came first.
Outside the barbecue restaurant.
The elegantly designed Phantom stood out prominently under the streetlights at night.
Chu Song sat in the back seat, his fingertips casually resting on an unopened document.
His gaze, however, pierced through the car window and landed heavily on the door that emitted warm light and the sound of people.
Xie Tang had brought him to this barbecue restaurant once before.
The scene at that time seems like yesterday, yet also like a lifetime ago.
The occasional laughter and the clinking of glasses drifted from inside the shop, each indistinct syllable like a tiny hook, tugging at his taut nerves.
What are they talking about?
What is Luo Nian saying?
What was Xie Tang's expression?
A strong impulse surged in my chest, almost overwhelming my reason.
He wanted to push open the door and take away the figure that captivated his entire being.
This thought had gnawed at him more than once during countless sleepless nights.
He even considered more drastic and forceful methods.
However, each time, a deeper sense of reason would pull him back to reality.
He knew it all too well.
Any form of coercion will only push Xie Tang further away.
All he could do was wait.
Wait with immense patience and composure, almost exhausting a lifetime's worth of effort.
Waiting for Xie Tang to speak, waiting for her gaze to linger, waiting for that heart he had once broken to be willing to stir a ripple for him again, waiting for the moment when she willingly and proactively walked towards him.
The shop door was pushed open, and Xie Tang and Luo Nian walked out side by side.
The night breeze was slightly cool, and Xie Tang subconsciously pulled her arms closer.
Luo Nian took a step closer, almost naturally, even with a hint of protectiveness, with Xie Tang's fine trench coat draped over his arm, ready to put it on her.
This scene was clearly witnessed by Chu Song.
His hand suddenly tightened, his knuckles turning white.
It felt like my chest had been struck hard by an invisible hammer, and a sharp, aching pain spread instantly.
He closed his eyes, desperately suppressing the almost overflowing pain and surging jealousy in the deep darkness.
Xie Tang gazed at the Phantom from afar.
You don't even need to look to know that Chu Song is sitting inside.
During the time I was studying abroad, he always did the same thing: he didn't get close, but just stayed by my side from a distance.
A complex sense of helplessness welled up inside her.
This guy even said he liked her...
If you like her, why did you deceive her like that in the first place?
In his eyes, she was ultimately far less important than his "imperial ambitions."
Therefore, these belated attempts to make amends cannot ultimately undo the damage done in the past.
Xie Tang looked away and said to Luo Nian, "Let's go."
"Hmm." Luo Nian responded, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the familiar Phantom parked by the roadside.
Just then, the driver's side window rolled down silently.
Two gazes suddenly met in mid-air.
Chu Song's gaze was calm as ice, carrying an unmistakable scrutiny and warning.
Luo Nian's expression remained unchanged; he maintained his usual composure and politely nodded in greeting.
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