Chapter 26: Dismissed

Lady Liu’s words moved me deeply. To be acknowledged by her was an honor in itself. Many pursued Zhu Yin Liu, yet she turned them all away, even the scions of wealthy families. Unfortunately, the bond between Zhu Yin Liu and me was beyond repair by anyone’s hand. I could only decline her kindness, unable to repay her goodwill.

“Mother, I’m afraid I’ve disappointed you,” I confessed. “She and I... we can never reconcile.”

This was my firm decision, unchanging and resolute.

“You...” Lady Liu’s voice trembled with anger, yet she refrained from uttering words that might wound me. In the end, only a sigh escaped her lips.

“Blame her—she broke your heart. But you must remember, no matter what, the Liu family owes you. She owes you. I owe you.”

She spoke of the Liu Corporation, which I had staunchly supported through turmoil, helping it rise to its current stature. She felt indebted to me, though I never saw it as a debt. When I was most in need, she offered financial aid—albeit with conditions. Yet, as Zhu Yin Liu’s husband, I believed it was my duty to protect her wholly.

“Mother, you owe me nothing.”

“Nor does she owe me.”

“Enough about that. I already have ideas for the foreign investment project. Await good news.”

I ended the call before Lady Liu could reply, unwilling to hear any pleas for reconciliation between Zhu Yin Liu and me. After all, she was about to divorce me.

At this moment, Zhu Yin Liu was frantic, searching all night without finding Ning Yuanzhou.

“Still no sign of him?” she demanded.

“Are you all dead? Search! Send out more people!” she roared, silencing the Liu Corporation staff. Sun Tao had no choice but to dispatch more personnel, though his glance at Zhu Yin Liu betrayed his helplessness. Since last night, she had not closed her eyes nor eaten a bite, yet he could not help but try to console her.

“Miss, you... don’t have to worry. Mr. Ning will be fine.”

Everyone could see the truth except for the young lady herself.

“I know perfectly well he will be fine!” she snapped. “But he must be found quickly!”

She failed to detect the deeper meaning in Sun Tao’s words.

“I mean... Mr. Ning is...” Sun Tao hesitated, unwilling to break her heart yet wanting to awaken her.

“What are you trying to say? Do you have news of him?” Zhu Yin Liu, oblivious to Sun Tao’s unease, misunderstood him entirely.

Sun Tao faltered, fearing that even if he spoke plainly, she would not believe him.

“Say what you mean!” she demanded. “Don’t keep me in suspense! What’s wrong with Ah Zhou?”

Sun Tao sighed, knowing he might provoke her anger but resolved to speak.

“Miss, you’re intelligent—you should be able to see it. Mr. Ning is doing this on purpose—to make you worry, to show he cares...”

“So he definitely isn’t in danger! What he wants is to see you anxious for him!”

Zhu Yin Liu was stunned, unprepared for such words from Sun Tao.

“Nonsense!” she exploded, pointing at him. “How dare you speak of him this way! Who do you think you are? If you say that again, you’re fired!”

Sun Tao expected her outburst, yet he pressed on.

“Miss, I have served you for many years. You know I am devoted to you and the Liu family.”

“But now... I simply don’t understand you.”

“Do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to?”

“Mr. Ning is not a good man. Years ago, for foreign wealth and glory, he heartlessly abandoned you.”

“Now he slinks back, relying on your feelings to entangle you, dragging you into your marriage with Mr. Gu. You should know his intentions well!”

“And Mr. Gu? He loves you so much—he risked everything for you at the Liu Corporation.”

“But you... you just don’t see it!”

Sun Tao, as Zhu Yin Liu’s secretary, had never spoken with such passion. He had hoped that after all these years by her side, she would heed some of his words. Yet, unexpectedly...

“Enough!” she snapped. “Who told you this? Was it Gu Yichen? It must be him!”

Hearing these words, Zhu Yin Liu felt a strange familiarity. Recalling the call she made to me last night, enlightenment dawned.

“Sun Tao! Watch your tongue! You are my secretary, yet you’re siding with Gu Yichen. Do you wish to quit?”

Sun Tao was frustrated but still wished for her understanding.

“Miss, I have always been loyal to you. Can’t I distinguish who treats you well and who doesn’t?”

“I have no reason to defend Mr. Gu; you’ve surely noticed his actions.”

“Enough said: the crisis at Liu Corporation was a life-and-death struggle Mr. Gu endured!”

“The company has recovered and even advanced, yet Mr. Gu walks away with nothing and wants a divorce.”

“Have you ever wondered why?”

Though still angry, Zhu Yin Liu understood.

“I know the Liu family owes Gu Yichen.”

“I owe him too, and I will find a way to repay.”

“But that does not give him the right to humiliate Ah Zhou!”

Sun Tao was exasperated.

“You still don’t get it!”

“Ning Yuanzhou is scum!”

“He abandoned you once, but now that you’re married, he still clings on.”

“Even if you two grew up together, or were just friends, he should know to keep his distance and wish you well!”

“But what has he done? You...” Sun Tao’s words were cut off by Zhu Yin Liu’s furious interruption.

“Enough!” she snapped. “Sun Tao, you disappoint me deeply.”

“Forget it! You’re fired. I don’t need someone like you as my secretary.”

Unable to tolerate Sun Tao’s slander of Ning Yuanzhou, she drew a hard line.

“Fine! Fired, then fired!” Sun Tao’s words came from the heart. He never imagined she would take them so seriously and, worse, demand his dismissal.

Angered, he slammed the door behind him.

Zhu Yin Liu ground her teeth in fury.

“Gu Yichen, you’re truly formidable!”

“You’ve turned my mother, even the company staff—what great skill!”

She still failed to see her own faults, blaming everything on me. Yet, this matter reached my ears. Though unaware of the exact conversation between Sun Tao and Zhu Yin Liu, combined with last night’s events, I could guess the gist.

Sun Tao was sincere, capable, and tactful. Not wanting him to suffer unjustly, I called him.

“Mr. Gu, don’t blame yourself. I’m fine.”

“I’m just... saddened for you.”

“And hoping the young lady will see that scoundrel clearly!”

Though he said these things, I didn’t need him to speak for me.