Chapter 34: I Truly Regret Not Tying Her to Wang Ming for Good

“People aren’t commodities, Su Yan,” Li Xiangyang said coldly. “Even if you want to sell yourself, I wouldn’t take you.”

There was a hint of weariness in his voice. “You’re always like this—treating everyone as your stepping stones. You never consider others’ feelings. As long as you achieve your goal, you’re willing to sacrifice anything.”

Su Yan’s face turned pale. “What do you mean by that? Are you insulting me?”

“Is it necessary? You’ve already sold yourself like merchandise. And you even pick your buyers. The key is, whoever you get involved with, you’ll cling to them for life. You’re someone I dare not provoke.”

Li Xiangyang waved his hand, signaling her to be silent.

“To be honest, I could never forgive someone like you, but it’s time to say goodbye to the past.”

He paused, staring straight into Su Yan’s eyes. “Tell me the truth. Is this really just to return to the city? After you go back, will there be nothing between us?”

“Yes.” Su Yan answered without hesitation. “As long as I can return to the city, I promise I’ll never appear before you again.”

Li Xiangyang nodded. “Good. Remember what you said today. No regrets later. There will be no possibility between us. Don’t come looking for me again, and don’t interfere with my search for a partner.”

His tone grew particularly stern. “I’m being blunt enough, aren’t I? I’m helping you not because I want you, but because I want to end everything once and for all.”

Under the moonlight, Su Yan’s face shifted between pale and sallow.

She opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.

“Wait and see.” Li Xiangyang turned his back. “I’ll find a way to help you, but this is the last time. From now on, we’re strangers.”

He closed the door and found himself facing the eyes of everyone in the room.

Wang Ying and Li Xiaohua both had their hands over their ears.

But obviously, it didn’t help much. The two children had heard everything.

Everyone’s expressions turned awkward.

For a moment, the room was so quiet that the crackling of the firewood in the stove was audible.

“*Ahem,*” Wang Jingyun cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. “We really didn’t want to listen, but your voices were just too loud.”

Li Xiangyang felt his face flush.

Having such a private matter overheard by so many was indeed embarrassing.

“Xiangyang,” Wang Jingyun said thoughtfully after a pause, “do you think this can be shaken off? Letting her return to the city is a good thing, but I feel that if she faces difficulties in the future, she’ll still cling to you.”

“Uncle, no need to guess. Not a single word of her promises can be trusted.”

Li Xiangyang smiled bitterly as he sat down. “Honestly, I really regret not locking her down with Wang Ming back then. Now look at this. If I don’t agree, what else can I do?”

He turned to Wang Jingyun, his voice pleading. “Uncle, can you help get her back to the city? Even if it means I can’t see her for three or five years, I beg you to help. Otherwise, if she keeps pestering me, I’m afraid I’ll be a bachelor for life.”

Wang Jingyun said nothing, only looking at him with sympathy.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m scared,” Li Xiangyang continued. “Please, just this once. Since you’ve already overheard our conversation, you can see for yourself how ruthless she is. Once she’s in the city with such a big stage to show off, will she still think of me, a kid from a mountain village?”

“Dad,” Wang Ying suddenly spoke up, seeing Li Xiangyang almost in tears, “why don’t you just help Brother Li?”

Wang Jingyun glanced at his daughter, then at Li Xiangyang, and finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll try. I’ll do it as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Li Xiangyang felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

“It’s getting late,” Li Xiangyang looked out the window. “Uncle, why don’t you and Ying just stay at our place tonight? It’s late, and the mountain road isn’t safe to travel.”

Wang Jingyun looked at the sky and then at the yawning Wang Ying before nodding. “Alright, then we’ll trouble you.”

Li Xiangyang began tidying the bedding on the kang stove. “Uncle, you go with me to the side room.”

They walked to the side room, and Li Xiangyang started to stoke the fire, hesitating to speak.

“Don’t worry,” Wang Jingyun said knowingly, “I definitely won’t place that girl in my own network.”

Li Xiangyang nodded, somewhat relieved.

He truly felt ashamed.

Su Yan’s nature was such that anyone associated with her would be doomed.

And to get her away, besides Wang Jingyun, he didn’t know anyone capable.

The night deepened, with only the sound of burning firewood in the stove and the faint purring of the black panther cat.

Early the next morning, Wang Jingyun left with the still-yawning Wang Ying.

“Uncle, be careful on the road,” Li Xiangyang saw them off at the gate.

“No need.” Wang Jingyun patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to get that girl back to the city soon. But I’ll tell you, hurry up and find a partner and get married. You never know when she might come back to bother you.”

Watching the father and daughter disappear into the morning mist, Li Xiangyang sighed deeply.

This turbulent New Year’s Eve had finally passed.

But Wang Jingyun’s parting words echoed in his ears: “Hurry up and find a partner and get married. You never know when she might come back to bother you.”

A chill ran down Li Xiangyang’s spine.

Indeed, he increasingly regretted not letting Su Yan and Wang Ming be locked in together back then.

If that had happened, at least it would have severed her lingering thoughts.

But now, although Wang Jingyun promised to help get her back to the city, who could guarantee she wouldn’t return?

“Son,” came his mother’s voice from behind, “Uncle Wang is right. You’re at the age now—you should start a family.”

Li Xiangyang turned to see his mother looking at him with concern.

He knew she must have heard Wang Jingyun’s words.

“Mom, don’t worry.” Li Xiangyang tried to reassure her. “This has to be taken slowly.”

“Slowly?” His mother sighed. “Look at Su Yan. For what she wants, she forced you to help even when you didn’t want to. If you don’t find a good girl soon, I’m afraid you’ll end up with her for life...”

“Mom!” Li Xiangyang hurriedly interrupted. “Rest assured, I will find a good girl.”

“Lin Qiaomei from the supply and marketing cooperative isn’t bad,” his mother’s eyes brightened. “She’s pretty and has a respectable job...”

Li Xiangyang laughed wryly. “Mom, it’s just the first day of the New Year, and you’re already matchmaking for me?”

“Well, don’t waste any time!” His mother’s face grew serious. “Look at you now—good at hunting, capable of managing a household. While you’re young, settle down quickly. Do you really want to spend your life with Su Yan? It’s not that I’m worried, but she’s too calculating. Sooner or later, she’ll fall flat...”

Li Xiangyang understood his mother’s worries.

He felt the same way.

Now all he could do was pray that Su Yan wouldn’t return to the city too quickly and stumble.

Thinking this way, the matter of marriage truly couldn’t be delayed.

“All right, you’re right,” Li Xiangyang reluctantly agreed. “After the New Year, I’ll seriously start looking.”

Only then did his mother smile and turn back to her room.