Chapter 46: Turning Back

He stood in front of me, a smug smile playing on his lips.

I wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk about, but I still nodded.

“Mr. Ning, please speak.”

Ning Ze immediately began, “I heard you’re also working on that foreign investment project.”

“If we both go after the same project, wouldn’t we be hurting our own people?”

“Since you’re doing it for A-Yin, why don’t we join forces?”

I realized his intention right away.

On one hand, he wanted to use me to secure the project as a bargaining chip to gain favor.

On the other hand, if I refused, he’d have a reason to disgust me.

He even knew I didn’t want to reconcile with Liu Zhuyin and tried to force me to say it wasn’t for her.

What a cunning plan!

I scoffed at such petty schemes.

But today, in front of Liu Zhuyin, I was willing to indulge him.

“You’re overthinking. I’m not doing this project for Liu Zhuyin.”

“I’m doing it for the Liu family!”

“Also, for the Luo family, and the Bai family.”

“They are my friends.”

There was nothing to hide—I wanted Liu Zhuyin to hear this.

She suddenly looked up, her expression darkening, eyes filled with anger as she stared at me.

As if I had wronged her terribly.

Ning Yuanzhou couldn’t hold back a smirk but quickly masked it with righteous indignation.

“Mr. Gu, what are you saying? You’re not doing this project for A-Yin?”

“You two are married! Even if you’re divorcing, you still have five years of feelings—how can you be so heartless?”

After all his buildup, this was all he wanted to say.

I had already anticipated it.

“Don’t talk about doing this for the Liu family. I think you’re just doing it for the Luo family’s eldest daughter!”

“You even want to drag in the Liu Group to help them.”

“Do you think what you’re doing is fair to A-Yin?”

He yelled at me hoarsely, then turned to Liu Zhuyin with tender affection.

“A-Yin, don’t worry, I’ll definitely get this project!”

“When the time comes, you’ll get 80% of the shares, and I’ll take 20% to grease the wheels.”

Mrs. Liu was furious, gnashing her teeth, anxiously looking at me and signaling with her eyes.

Seeing I was unmoved, she quickly spoke up.

“Daughter, Xiao Chen is still upset right now. Don’t misunderstand.”

“How could he not be doing this for you?”

Mrs. Liu wanted to vouch for me, but Ning Yuanzhou sneered cynically.

“If it’s for A-Yin, why team up with the Luo family?”

“Our Ning family, plus the Liu family, can handle this ourselves!”

“Auntie, I know you like Mr. Gu, but… this is business!”

“He himself said it has nothing to do with A-Yin. Why do you have to speak for her?”

Just a moment ago, he spoke of feelings.

Now Mrs. Liu spoke of feelings, and he called it business.

One sentence, shutting down both sides.

“Shut up! You don’t know anything!” Mrs. Liu snapped, furious.

Ning Yuanzhou immediately looked aggrieved.

“Mrs. Liu, I didn’t know you hated me so much.”

“Yes, I abandoned A-Yin back then, it was my fault.”

“I regret it deeply now, so I’m trying to make amends.”

“Otherwise, why would I, with my broken body, be running around trying to make connections?”

“If you don’t appreciate my feelings, I won’t be angry. After all, the fault is mine…”

“But my heart is truly for A-Yin, no less than Gu Yichen’s!”

He coughed a few times, putting on a pitiful act.

“Forget it, maybe I’m just imagining things.”

“I’ll go now…”

Clutching his chest, he painfully walked toward the exit.

Liu Zhuyin hurriedly got up and followed.

“Your health is so bad, don’t tire yourself out.”

Her eyes still showed concern.

“No, for you, I’m not afraid of any hardship.”

Ning Yuanzhou smiled gently, casting a defiant glance at me.

I calmly watched it all, unaffected.

“I… I’ll see you off.”

She affectionately linked her arm with his and, before leaving, glanced back at me.

She said nothing, only sighed.

But that look was filled with disappointment.

That disappointment was exactly what I wanted!

At this pace, her agreeing to the divorce wouldn’t be far off.

After they left, Mrs. Liu frowned deeply.

“You child, why do you say such things?”

“That damn Ning Yuanzhou is deliberately trying to trap you. I don’t believe you can’t see through it.”

I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Precisely because I saw through his trap did I willingly fall into it.

He used me to soften Liu Zhuyin’s heart, to make her fall in love with him again.

Though I didn’t want to be part of their game, I didn’t mind if it led to the divorce.

“You… you silly boy!”

“I really don’t know what to say to you.”

Mrs. Liu knew my temperament; once I made up my mind, it was hard to change.

She had already said enough to persuade me.

Now… she really didn’t know what else to say.

“Mom, you focus on your work, I’ll be going now.”

I went downstairs and left Mrs. Liu’s office.

Outside, I saw Liu Zhuyin fastening Ning Yuanzhou’s seatbelt.

She did it with such careful tenderness, full of deep affection.

I guessed correctly: even if she didn’t want the divorce, her actions spoke otherwise.

I stood not far away, watching her start the car and drive off.

It was like a scene from the past.

Only now, it didn’t touch my heart.

Turning, I drove off to find Bai Beichuan, wanting to talk to him about Ning Yuanzhou.

His sudden appearance had indeed disrupted my plans.

Meanwhile, Liu Zhuyin drove on, her heart heavy with sadness.

“A-Yin, I’ll keep my word. I will get this project for you!”

“You have to trust me.”

“As for Gu Yichen—hmph! You’ll soon see his true colors.”

Ning Yuanzhou poured out his heart but couldn’t resist taking a jab at me.

Liu Zhuyin didn’t respond.

Her mind kept replaying my words.

I’m not doing this for her…

But for the Liu family, the Luo family, the Bai family…

Was she really less important than they were?

Suddenly, she slammed on the brakes.

“A-Yin?”

Ning Yuanzhou nearly slammed his head into the windshield.

Liu Zhuyin didn’t say a word, only furrowed her brow.

“What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”

“You were supposed to take me back.”

Ning Yuanzhou seemed to realize something.

Liu Zhuyin remained silent, hesitant.

Several minutes passed before her eyes grew resolute.

“A-Zhou, you go back first. I need to have a serious talk with Yichen.”

She lifted her head sharply.

“Talk? With him? About what?”

Ning Yuanzhou had a bad feeling.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Go to the hospital first. I’ll come see you later!”

Liu Zhuyin pushed Ning Yuanzhou out of the car, slammed the steering wheel sharply, the engine roaring harshly, and sped off without looking back.