After leaving the office where the Dingyuan Marquis's fleet was located, Wang Lianyi and Cheng Hexuan walked side by side on the street, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows.
Wang Lianyi turned her head slightly to look at Cheng Hexuan and said, "Your Highness's arrangements today are truly thoughtful. Our Chamber of Commerce is full of expectations for this cooperation."
Cheng Hexuan smiled and replied, "You're too kind, Chairman. It's an honor for my Cheng family to be able to support the Qiyang Chamber of Commerce."
The two were having a great conversation when suddenly someone blocked their way.
"I wondered who it was, but it's you, Wang Lianyi. What brings you to Qingcheng? Are you trying to rekindle our past romance?" The man grinned as he looked at Chairman Wang.
When Wang Lianyi saw who it was, her face instantly turned cold. "So it's you, Yang Ming. What nonsense are you spouting? Aren't you afraid your wife will be jealous?"
Cheng Hexuan frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the man, a strange hostility rising within him.
Yang Ming ignored Cheng Hexuan and stared intently at Wang Lianyi. "Lianyi, I was confused back then. Can't you give me another chance?"
As he spoke, he reached out to pull on Wang Lianyi's sleeve.
Cheng Hexuan stepped aside to block Wang Lianyi, separating Su Lin's hand, and said in a cold tone, "Brother, please have some self-respect. Chairman Wang has already made his stance clear, and it is inappropriate for you to continue this entanglement."
The man snorted coldly, "And who are you? How dare you meddle in my business."
Cheng Hexuan replied calmly, "I advise you to leave immediately."
Yang Ming disagreed and continued to plead with Chairman Wang, "Lianyi, I was really wrong. I'll do anything you ask if you can come back!"
President Wang was tired of hearing this, and said impatiently, "Alright, alright, enough nonsense. Do you think I'm still the naive girl I used to be?"
It's simply because he values her current status and strength. Yang Ming is no longer what he used to be; his canal transport business has plummeted, so he naturally can't compare to Wang Lianyi now.
Hearing Wang Lianyi's blunt refusal, Yang Ming became enraged, "Wang Lianyi, don't be so stubborn! If I hadn't brought you into the business world back then, you wouldn't be where you are today!"
Cheng Hexuan sneered, "There are shameless people like you in this world. Chairman Wang has achieved what he has today through his own efforts."
Yang Ming was so angry that his face turned red. He pointed at Cheng Hexuan and cursed, "Kid, this is none of your business. Shut your mouth."
Cheng Hexuan took a step forward, his aura suddenly becoming stronger. "If you know what's good for you, get out of here right now, or don't blame me for being impolite."
Yang Ming was startled by his imposing manner, but still defiantly said, "Hmph, you wait and see, this matter won't just end like this." After saying that, he slunk away.
Wang Lianyi spat disdainfully and turned to thank Cheng Hexuan: "Thank you for helping me out, Young Master Cheng. If I see him again, I will just leave and ignore him."
Cheng Hexuan smiled and agreed, "But this person is so shameless, he might cause trouble in the future."
"He can't cause any trouble; he's just a clown." Wang Lianyi waved her hand dismissively, her tone contemptuous.
She'd seen far too many people like that, and she didn't take them seriously at all.
Prince Cheng frowned slightly, remained silent for a moment, and then said seriously, "That's true, but we can't let our guard down. As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."
If possible, then he...
After much contemplation, he finally mustered the courage to reveal his deepest thoughts: "I wonder if the chairman has ever considered starting a family? That way, the covetousness of those with ill intentions can be completely shattered..."
Getting married? Wang Lianyi had never even considered such a thing.
Although she is only twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, she has been living a carefree life all these years alone.
"I never imagined that marriage would be nothing short of a losing proposition for me." She gently shook her head.
Moreover, in this day and age, who could accept a wife who cannot have children? And she, in particular, is unwilling to share a husband with another person.
Therefore, in her eyes, the current state is the most ideal.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Hexuan remained silent for a moment. He sighed softly and said slowly, "What the president says is absolutely right. Marriage is indeed a matter that needs to be handled with caution. However, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."
Wang Lianyi raised her eyebrows slightly, indicating that he could speak freely.
Cheng Hexuan considered his words carefully before continuing, "Although the president is unwilling to start a family, there is always someone in this world for whom you would be willing to break all your principles and bottom lines. Perhaps you haven't met that person yet, but one day you will meet that person who makes your heart flutter."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lianyi smiled faintly, but a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes.
She gently shook her head and said, "Young Master Cheng is right, but most people in this world are selfish and self-serving. How many can truly understand and stay together? I, Wang Lianyi, would rather live out my days alone than settle for less."
Cheng Hexuan looked at her, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
He understood that Wang Lianyi's inner turmoil couldn't be resolved overnight, so he could only silently stay by her side, hoping that one day she would lower her guard and accept him...
But he didn't expect the opportunity to come so quickly.
The two sat in the carriage, each lost in their own thoughts as they looked at the scenery outside.
"Master, there's someone lying in the middle of the road ahead. I'll go check it out." The speaker was Ma Da, Wang Lianyi's guard and coachman.
Wang Lianyi lifted the carriage curtain and said, "Go and take a look, be careful."
There was indeed a person lying not far ahead, dressed in rags and with his face covered in filth.
As Ma Da approached, something unexpected happened—the person who had seemed unconscious suddenly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.
Immediately afterward, before Ma Da could react, the man grabbed the large knife he was carrying and slashed at him.
Ma Da reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side and narrowly avoiding the sudden attack. He was greatly alarmed, having almost been caught off guard.
"Master, be careful!" Ma Da shouted a warning to Wang Lianyi while quickly drawing his sword from his waist and engaging the man in fierce combat.
Wang Lianyi sat inside the carriage, watching this scene with a solemn expression.
Although she knew no martial arts, her eyesight was extremely sharp, and she could tell that the man's moves were quite ruthless, each strike potentially fatal. Although Ma Da was brave, he was unable to gain the upper hand for the time being.
It happened in the blink of an eye!
In an instant, more than a dozen men dressed like bandits appeared from all around, charging menacingly towards the carriage.
The sudden change made the situation instantly precarious.
Wang Lianyi, who was in the car, witnessed this scene and was extremely anxious, but she knew that she must not lose her composure at this moment.
The coachman, Ma Da, swiftly and easily dispatched the person who approached him, then galloped towards the carriage without hesitation, firmly blocking the path of the bandits.
However, the surrounding bandits did not back down; instead, they pressed forward step by step.
The various weapons they gripped tightly gleamed with a chilling light under the dazzling sunlight.
At this critical moment, Cheng Hexuan, who had been inside the carriage, also jumped off.
He nimbly drew a sharp longsword he had prepared beforehand and fearlessly faced the oncoming bandits.
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