Chapter 184 He's long gone and won't change his mind.
Grandpa Chen's face was flushed, and he held a wine glass in his hand, his eyes full of satisfaction and anticipation.
He had already considered this marriage a done deal, and was just waiting for the two of them to return so that they could officially establish their relationship and become even closer.
Sheng Tingzhou smiled faintly: "Sure."
He leaned against the window, holding an untouched glass of champagne in his hand. Although the corners of his mouth were turned up, his eyes were cold and distant.
The light fell on his face, outlining his handsome yet aloof features.
His tone was indifferent, as if he were not agreeing to his own marriage, but to some trivial matter.
In truth, he was already completely unmoved by this so-called "engagement."
It's better to settle things early with the child; at least there will be less trouble. As for who the partner is...
He didn't think much of it.
He had been hoping to settle down with the child soon, so bringing it up now is perfect.
Over the years, family pressure has been ever-present, and marriage has been a frequent topic of conversation among elders.
The longer it drags on, the more complicated things will become. It's better to settle it sooner rather than later, which would be a way to give everyone an explanation.
Although he had no particular feelings for Chen Yun, he was not incapable of accepting it if it was what his family needed.
But behind this compromise lies his unspeakable weariness and indifference.
Qiao Yuru quietly tugged at his sleeve and said in a low voice, "Tingzhou hasn't agreed to this at all. If you insist on this, be careful he might turn against you."
She frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
As a mother, she knew her son's temperament better than anyone else—obedient on the surface, but stubborn at heart.
Once the bottom line is crossed, they will resist without hesitation.
She didn't want a rift to develop between her father and son over marriage, and she was even less willing to see her son forced down a path he didn't want to take.
Sheng Zhengfeng frowned: "I'm his father! Marriage is a major life event, is it his place to be picky? Does he dare to disobey?"
His voice was low, but it carried an undeniable authority.
In his view, his children's marriage is never just a personal choice, but a major event concerning the interests of the family.
He has built the Sheng family into what it is today; how could he allow a young man's emotional actions to shake the foundation?
He spoke with a sharp gaze and a firm tone, as if he had already decided the outcome.
Seeing that he was completely unyielding, Qiao Yuru simply shut up, too lazy to waste any more words.
She sighed softly, turned to look at the guests dancing gracefully on the dance floor, her heart heavy.
She knew she couldn't persuade her husband, and she didn't want to make a fool of herself any further.
But she knew all too well how many undercurrents were hidden behind this seemingly perfect marriage.
Hopefully, Tingzhou won't do anything too outrageous, otherwise, he won't be the only one who gets hurt.
-
At the hospital.
The night was deep, the lights at the end of the corridor were dim, and the ward was silent.
The IV dripped slowly, as if time had stood still.
Outside the window, the shadows of trees swayed, and moonlight streamed through the glass onto the floor, casting a lonely shadow.
Zhou Yuce sat quietly by the hospital bed, staring blankly out the window.
He was wearing a loose hospital gown, his back was straight, and his face was stern.
His gaze was blankly fixed on the distance, as if piercing through layers of darkness to see all that had happened in the past.
The car accident not only robbed him of his mobility, but also shattered everything he had once believed in.
He once thought that as long as he gave everything, he could keep her heart, but reality slapped him hard in the face.
The door was kicked open with a bang, and Chen Yun rushed in like a gust of wind in her high heels.
The metal door frame trembled violently, emitting a piercing crashing sound.
Chen Yun was wearing a bright red dress and had exquisite makeup, but her face was full of anger.
Her high heels clicked sharply on the floor, each step feeling like a blow to the heart.
"Zhou Yuze, you're a complete coward! You can't even keep a woman by your side! Song Zhiwei is probably sleeping with Sheng Tingzhou right now!"
She stood in front of the bed, glaring down at him, her voice sharp, filled with undisguised sarcasm and anger.
She was so angry that she trembled all over, her hands clenching and unclenching as if she wanted to tear his face apart.
She couldn't accept Song Zhiwei's choice, and she couldn't bear the thought of the person she cared about being easily taken away by another man.
Zhou Yuze raised his eyes, his gaze as cold as a knife: "What are you doing here?"
His voice was eerily calm, like a stagnant pool of water, without a ripple.
But those eyes were as sharp as ice, piercing straight at Chen Yun.
He didn't move, not even his posture changed, but the oppressive feeling was suffocating.
Chen Yun took a few steps forward, a smirk playing on her lips: "Of course I'm here to see you make a fool of yourself."
She let out a cold laugh, her eyes full of smugness and provocation.
She had thought he would become despondent, break down, or even kneel down and beg her to come back.
But the man in front of her still stood tall and remained calm, which made her uneasy.
As soon as she finished speaking, her neck tightened—a hand like an iron clamp gripped her tightly.
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a tremendous force strike her, followed by a suffocating pressure in her throat.
She stared in horror, reaching out to grab the hand, only to find that the arm's muscles were taut and incredibly strong, making it impossible to break free.
Her pupils contracted, and when she looked up, Zhou Yuze had actually stood up!
At that moment, her world seemed to collapse instantly.
The man who had been lying in the hospital bed for more than half a year, whom the doctors had predicted would never be able to walk again, was now standing steadily in front of her, his body upright and his eyes sharp as blades!
"You...you're not paralyzed?!"
She uttered those words with difficulty, her voice trembling and filled with disbelief.
Her face flushed red, her breathing became increasingly difficult, and her eyes were filled with horror and fear.
His voice, as if pulled from an ice cellar, was filled with biting sarcasm: "You really think I'm as stupid as you? Trying to scheme against others and getting yourself caught in the crossfire?"
He spoke very slowly, each word like a needle piercing her heart.
The voice was deep and cold, devoid of any warmth, as if it came from a judgment in hell.
He looked down at her, his eyes devoid of love, filled only with mockery and disgust.
He had originally thought that the car accident would make her change her mind.
But only today did he realize—she had long since gone.
He naively believed that his pain could awaken her conscience and remind her of the past.
But her repeated indifference, sarcasm, and betrayal finally brought him to his senses.
That car accident was his final sacrifice for love, but it was also a deception he set up for himself.
Between her and Sheng Tingzhou, the latter had long been her whole world.
He understood; the light in her eyes never lingered for him.
Whenever Sheng Tingzhou's name was mentioned, her eyes would light up, and even if she pretended to be disdainful, she couldn't hide the burning passion in her heart.
He was nothing more than a dispensable alternative, a past she could discard at any time.
Chen Yun's face turned purple, and she gasped for breath, "Let...let go!"
She pounded his arm in vain with her hands, her legs trembled slightly, and her vision began to blur.
She finally realized that Zhou Yuze in front of her was no longer the man she could manipulate.
In the end, everything she did backfired on her.
Zhou Yuze remained unmoved, his gaze icy, and he increased the force in his hand inch by inch, as if he wanted to crush her throat completely.
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