Guan Wenru had collected evidence of all of Su Qing's actions since she joined the company, whether it was the deliberately spread rumors, the staged encounters, or the farce of pretending to be crazy while drunk. She calmly observed it all.
Although Su Qing is capable, her heart is not upright and her actions have gone astray, so she cannot be allowed to stay.
That day, He Yanzhi and Guan Wenru invited Su Qing to the main room of their home.
The atmosphere was unlike any previous meeting, carrying an almost solemn seriousness.
He Yanzhi, dressed in a crisp military uniform, with a stern face, placed a simple record on the table, listing Su Qing's recent words and actions, including the time, place, and witnesses, all clearly and concisely.
Su Qing pursed her lips, looking at He Yanzhi with a complicated expression, as if trying to figure out what he was up to.
He Yanzhi ignored her gaze, his voice steady and devoid of any personal emotion, displaying only the authority and decisiveness of a soldier:
"Comrade Su Qing, I offered you a job when you were going through a difficult time, out of consideration for our past friendship and the goodwill you showed me. However, your words and actions since you started working here have repeatedly crossed the line, causing trouble and negative impact on my family and my personal reputation."
He stared directly at Su Qing, whose face was gradually turning pale, and said, "I am formally informing you today that, from this day forward, all private dealings between our two families end here. Please have some self-respect, and I hope that you will not bother me and my family for any reason in the future."
This is the final ultimatum, drawing an absolute line.
Guan Wenru sat to the side, her expression calm.
She spoke after He Yanzhi finished speaking, her tone still gentle, "Su Qing, for the sake of the two children, this is the last bit of kindness I can do for you."
She pushed over a company introduction and employment letter from a coastal city in southern China.
“My company in the south needs a liaison manager who is familiar with local affairs and capable. The salary is one-third higher than your current salary, and the company provides dormitory accommodation to solve your and your child’s accommodation problem. Leaving the capital and changing to a completely new environment where no one knows you is probably a better choice for you and your child’s growth.”
This move is an open strategy.
Going there meant leaving the capital, the core of power and relationships, and He Yanzhi, and accepting Guan Wenru's dismissive arrangements.
Not going would be tantamount to admitting guilt, confessing all his scheming, and completely severing any legitimate reason to stay in Guan Wenru's group or even in the capital region.
Su Qing's fingers trembled as she looked at the letter of appointment.
She was naturally unwilling to give up her Beijing residency and start over in an unfamiliar place.
Her face was ashen, and she finally shook her head with difficulty, "I'm not going."
Guan Wenru seemed to have expected this, and nodded lightly, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Since that's the case, we've done our best to repay your kindness. This is the end of our gratitude. From now on, please take care of yourself. I've already had your resignation procedures processed. From now on, you are not allowed to go to work at the group anymore."
Su Qing, thank you for taking care of my child for those five years, even if it was only a few times. My husband and I are truly grateful to you from the bottom of our hearts. It's just a pity that you seem to be stuck in a rut, and there's nothing we can do to help you. But I sincerely hope that your future will be smooth sailing.
After saying that, she stood up, and seeing no disgust in Su Qing's eyes, she handed her the 10,000 yuan she had prepared beforehand, saying, "This is our last token of our appreciation."
Looking at her, Su Qing felt increasingly inferior to Guan Wenru, who was so generous and kind-hearted, and felt a tightness in her chest.
She refused the money, then stood up dejectedly and gave He Yanzhi a deep look.
Unfortunately, He Yanzhi's gaze never fell on her. Despair filled her eyes as she staggered toward the door.
Her hand rested on the door frame, the intense resentment and years of obsession gnawing at her heart like a venomous snake.
Suddenly, as if struck by a sudden thought, he turned around abruptly, his eyes fixed intently on He Yanzhi, as if using his last ounce of strength, his voice hoarse:
"He Yanzhi! Now that things have come to this, can I ask you one last question?! If Guan Wenru hadn't existed! If she had never appeared at all! Was there even the slightest possibility between us?! After all, we grew up together, we know each other inside and out... I... I'm not bad looking, am I?"
Her words carried a humble plea and a final affirmation of her own worth.
He Yanzhi answered almost without hesitation, his eyes unwavering, his reply clear and resolute, like a bullet fired from a gun:
"No way, never! There are no 'ifs' in this world! There is no assumption of 'no Wenru'. I can tell you clearly that if my wife Guan Wenru didn't exist, I, He Yanzhi, would never exist either!"
His answer shattered all her illusions and revealed his feelings for Guan Wenru that transcended life and death.
The light in Su Qing's eyes went out completely, and two lines of clear tears silently slid down her cheeks.
She glanced one last time at the couple standing side by side, then turned away, as if her soul had been ripped from her body, and staggered away, disappearing outside the courtyard gate.
Watching that disheveled figure disappear into the twilight, Guan Wenru sighed softly, "Some knots in her heart can only be untied by her own efforts; no one can help her resolve them."
He Yanzhi reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice filled with apology and heartache:
“I’m sorry, Wenru, for causing you so much trouble and suffering during this time.”
Guan Wenru lifted her head from his embrace, suddenly reaching out to cup his still handsome and resolute face, her eyes narrowed, a hint of reproach mixed with pride in her smile:
"You're over forty and still so charming, attracting so many admirers! Commander He, do you think I should hide you away and not let anyone see you?"
He Yanzhi was amused by her sudden jealousy and coquettishness. His chest heaved, and he tightened his arms, pulling her even closer into his embrace. "Fine, I'll let you hide!"
I will always belong to you, only to you!
No matter which lifetime!
The certainty and deep affection in his words stirred Guan Wenru's heart, making her utterly weak-willed.
She tiptoed and kissed his lips.
After a passionate kiss, their foreheads touched and their breaths mingled.
Guan Wenru's voice was filled with relief, "He Yanzhi, in both my lives... I'm so glad I had you!"
He Yanzhi looked at her deeply, his eyes filled with an intense, unwavering love. He kissed her lips again, his voice solemn as if making a vow, "I love you."
So, no matter which life I live, no matter how many times I start over, I only want to have you, only you.
Even if the road ahead is fraught with danger, as long as you are there, I will walk towards you without hesitation.
As dusk enveloped the courtyard, the warm light in the main room illuminated their embracing figures, making them appear one after the other.
All the turmoil and scheming vanished at this moment, leaving only the deep affection that had become even more unbreakable after the test of time and life and death.
(End of text)
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