Xie Jinni shook her head, "Before, but not now."
"Oh?" Shang Ziqian raised an eyebrow, "Xie Liangzhe changed his mind?"
Xie Jinni still shook her head, "No, it's me who changed my mind."
Shang Ziqian: "?"
Shang Ziqian: "You don't like Yu Wenli anymore?"
"I never liked him," Xie Jinni said with finality.
Shang Ziqian was slightly taken aback.
Xie Jinni lowered her head and drank tea.
She used to think she liked Yu Wenli.
Because Xie Liangzhe had always hoped she would marry into the Yu family.
Therefore, she paid special attention to Yu Wenli.
So much so that it numbed her body and mind.
But not liking him was not liking him. That day at the dessert shop, she saw Yu Wenli's interaction with Wen Tingxue with her own eyes.
Her first reaction was a blessing, not sadness or jealousy.
From that moment on, she knew she didn't like Yu Wenli.
But...
The Xie family's business was closely linked to the Yu family.
Although Xie Liangzhe was not a good person, he was a master of business.
He was also quite self-aware.
He knew the Chi family was beyond his reach, and the fields involved with the Mu family had nothing to do with him.
Only the Yu family offered both excellent development prospects and considerable benefits.
Therefore, grooming her to be Mrs. Yu was the only way to ensure the Xie family's lasting prosperity.
The key was that he had high hopes for Yu Wenli.
He had said more than once that with Yu Wenli as his son-in-law, the Xie family would have nothing to worry about in the future.
It so happened that Yu Wen disdained Xie Liangzhe, deliberately avoiding him in business and even flatly refusing the marriage.
Xie Liangzhe had pride, and after being humiliated once, he naturally couldn't bring it up again.
But not bringing it up didn't mean he gave up.
Yu Wen was incorrigible, so what about Yu Wenli?
Yu Wenli was his only son; as long as he could win him over, he wouldn't have to worry about the Yu family?
So, to please his father and solidify Madam Xie's position, she had spent sleepless nights studying Yu Wenli's personality, only to find that he was not easy to seduce.
The only way was to wait for the right time.
She wasn't sure what she was waiting for.
She only knew she couldn't be rash, or it would backfire.
Fortunately, there were no women around him, so Xie Liangzhe didn't urge her too much.
It wasn't until Wen Tingxue appeared, disrupting the forum of the first high school and causing a major disaster for the Xie family.
Xie Liangzhe was so anxious he tore at his hair, and Madam Xie feared that if she couldn't seize the opportunity, it would drag her down and cause her to lose her position as Madam Xie.
Both urged her to quickly find a solution.
Only she knew that the time had come.
Yu Wenli was heavily guarded, and ordinary means were difficult to break through to him.
Therefore, in her plan, she would play the role of Wen Tingxue's best friend and try to get them together.
Then, when their love was at its peak, she would sow discord.
At that point, she would have the opportunity to get close to Yu Wenli.
Men hurt by love were the most vulnerable; no matter how strong their defenses were usually, they would be weakened at that moment.
However, the only thing she didn't anticipate was that she would develop genuine feelings for Wen Tingxue amidst all the schemes.
She actually wanted her as a friend and would even stain her hands with blood for it.
...
The scheme at the art festival was not her intention.
But Mi Shuier's belly was getting bigger and bigger. If she couldn't secure the marriage contract with the Yu family, her mother would eventually be divorced by Xie Liangzhe.
Therefore, she had no choice but to target Wen Tingxue. As long as Wen Tingxue made a fool of herself on stage, even if Yu Wenli didn't mind, their relationship would develop a rift.
And she would then naturally widen the rift until it was irreparable.
She didn't want to go this far, and indeed, the elder didn't let things reach that point.
Just before she was about to go on stage, Yu Jie intervened and ruined her entire plan.
Honestly, she was quite happy, but her mother was not, forcing her to act again.
She really didn't want to, so the only way was for Mi Shuier to miscarry.
...
In the silence, Shang Ziqian also thought of the unborn child, his expression unreadable as he said, "You are truly heartless."
Xie Jinni curved her lips, "Likewise."
They were all lunatics, so why should they mock each other?
"Why did you abandon me?"
As Xie Jinni pushed the door open to leave, Shang Ziqian suddenly spoke.
He stood behind the counter, his emotions veiled by the light, making him hard to discern.
Xie Jinni, holding the packaged gift in one hand and an umbrella in the other, was pushing the door open.
The strong wind and rain rushed in through the gap, wetting her clothes and pants.
Yet, not a drop touched the gift.
"Because I don't want to act anymore."
She smiled without turning back, her slender figure quickly disappearing through the doorway.
Even though he had known the answer, hearing it in person still made his heart ache.
How could his unbloomed first love have met Xie Jinni?
It must be retribution.
They had almost drowned in the river of love, yet she hadn't even wet her shoes or socks.
Shang Ziqian lit a cigarette and looked out through the glass door.
The long-haired girl stood at the intersection of the traffic lights, holding a transparent umbrella, but it was covering the gift.
Heh.
In fact, she was also considerate.
Just not very.
...
Wen Zhong'en and Yu Xiuxiu had always felt guilty about their absence over the years.
Therefore, they threw an exceptionally grand birthday party for Wen Tingxue.
Many people from Jiangcheng's gaming and legal circles were invited.
After a round of toasts, Wen Tingxue was completely exhausted.
Yu Wenli smiled and pulled her onto his lap, "Do you still have the strength?"
"What?"
The little girl looked beautiful today, her face slightly flushed from the fruit wine, making her look even more like a princess from a fairy tale.
Yu Wenli couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek, "Everyone has prepared gifts for you."
"Hmm?" Wen Tingxue was even more confused, "Haven't they all been given? Why are there still more?"
The room dedicated to gifts was already almost overflowing.
Xie Jinni said, "Those are small gifts. The real highlight is tonight."
"Tonight?"
Wen Tingxue's eyes widened slightly, and she asked curiously, "Fireworks?"
Chi Zerui: "..."
"Do you have to be so smart," Chi Zerui said dejectedly, "there's no mystery at all."
Mu Chen scoffed at him, "Anyone could have thought of that. What mystery?"
Chi Zerui: "..."
Hao Luoer smiled and helped him save face, "Not just fireworks, there's also a lot of fun."
"Then..."
Wen Tingxue's curiosity was piqued, and just as she was about to nod, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
"Happy birthday."
Everyone instinctively looked over.
It was Shang Ziqian.
Xie Jinni instantly tensed, "What are you doing here?"
Xing Jiahe narrowed his eyes, "You're not welcome here, get out!"
Although the others said nothing, their expressions were not friendly.
Shang Ziqian smiled and surveyed the room, finally his gaze resting on Wen Tingxue.
"I'm here, of course, to give a gift. I hope Miss Wen will like it."