Lan Lan was speechless. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way, but Liang Yufeng wouldn't lie to Jiang Wan, nor was he making excuses for his ambition. After all, he genuinely had no interest in these matters.
"Now, because of you, he's given up everything he's worked so hard for over the years..." Jiang Wan's eyes reddened with concern for her son.
Lan Lan's eyelids suddenly twitched. What did Jiang Wan's words mean? What did she mean by giving up everything he'd worked for over the years because of her?
She could understand the first part; Liang Yufeng might have used her as an excuse to avoid worrying Jiang Wan. But this second part, she had to get to the bottom of it. Lan Lan looked at Xu Zhengxi beside her, a gut feeling telling her that Xu Zhengxi was definitely involved in this.
"What did he give up for me?" Lan Lan asked, looking at Xu Zhengxi.
However, it was Jiang Wan who answered her question. "Because he refused to break up with you, he left the company. Lan Lan, please let him go."
Lan Lan had already guessed that Liang Yufeng's departure from Hetao might have something to do with her, but she hadn't expected it to be like this. Liang Yufeng hadn't told her earlier, likely not wanting to burden her psychologically.
Although Liang Yufeng had told her about the company's situation and she knew Xu Zhengxi's threats wouldn't have serious consequences for him, now was not the time to discuss such things. Besides, this matter was separate from Jiang Wan's opposition.
As Lan Lan remained silent, Jiang Wan asked her, "Do you love Fengfeng?"
Lan Lan didn't know how to answer. She wasn't incapable of saying mushy words, but the current situation wasn't appropriate.
Xu Zhengxi let out a sarcastic laugh at Lan Lan's silence. "Why not ask directly: if he wasn't the CEO of Hetao, if he had no power or money, would you still stay by his side?"
Xu Zhengxi had always seen her as a gold digger who seduced Liang Yufeng for money. Lan Lan had nothing to explain, and she was too lazy to argue with Xu Zhengxi. She hadn't taken advantage of Liang Yufeng over the years. But with Jiang Wan present, and judging by her expression, she seemed to believe Xu Zhengxi completely.
Lan Lan finally explained to them, "When Liang Yufeng and I started dating back then, he was still a student."
"And then?" Jiang Wan asked. "What was your reason for being with him later?"
The questions were too sharp, so Lan Lan had to tell Jiang Wan the truth. "Later, we weren't exactly dating. We were just spending time together. I never dreamed of marrying into a wealthy family."
Jiang Wan was stunned again. "What do you mean?"
Lan Lan said, "It was a relationship without any responsibility for each other."
Jiang Wan understood, but her expression grew even more displeased. From what she knew of Liang Yufeng, he was inherently a very traditional person. How could he act so recklessly?
Stimulated by Lan Lan's words, Jiang Wan's breathing became rapid, and she finally fainted.
Lan Lan, aware of Jiang Wan's health condition, became grave. She suddenly stood up and walked towards Jiang Wan, but Xu Zhengxi pushed her aside.
Xu Zhengxi, along with two nannies, took Jiang Wan upstairs. Lan Lan stood in the living room, looking up worriedly, her mood inevitably becoming heavy. Just then, her WeChat notification chimed. It was a message from Liang Yufeng: "Are you working overtime?"
She then remembered that it was Friday, and she had originally planned to go to Liang Yufeng's place. She had accumulated many things she wanted to tell him... In her current situation, she didn't know how to talk to him.
Before she could reply to the message, Xu Zhengxi came down from upstairs. He stopped in front of Lan Lan and looked down at her. "Leave Liang Yufeng."
"You should know the importance of his mother in his heart," Xu Zhengxi asked her. "Do you want to see him have a falling out with his mother because of you? Even if he's turned his back on his mother for you now, do you think everything will be fine?"
"Can you guarantee that he will always prioritize you? If he falls out with Jiang Wan for you, what if, someday in the future, Jiang Wan passes away, do you think he will regret it?"
Xu Zhengxi's words were unpleasant, clearly intending to sow discord, but Lan Lan couldn't afford to ignore them.
He was right. Emotions were the most volatile things in the world. They might love each other fiercely today and be fickle tomorrow. Lan Lan was already aware of how important Jiang Wan was to Liang Yufeng. In the past, when Jiang Wan didn't know the truth and supported their relationship, she didn't need to consider anything else. But now, Jiang Wan was asking her to leave Liang Yufeng...
Did Liang Yufeng know about this?
As Lan Lan was wondering, Xu Zhengxi answered her question. "They've already had an unpleasant argument because of you."
Lan Lan frowned subconsciously. She could disregard other things, but not this. Xu Zhengxi also noticed. "Their negotiations broke down, which is why Jiang Wan asked me to come over. What she wants is someone who wholeheartedly cares for Liang Yufeng, and clearly, you are not that person."
"You have great ambitions. I've investigated you. The boyfriends you've had are all wealthy and influential, successful in their careers. If he were still the poor student from university, you wouldn't have even glanced at him," Xu Zhengxi said. "And Jiang Wan hopes he finds someone who will stay by his side, regardless of wealth or poverty."
"I don't need to tell you how their mother-son relationship is, do I? Are you sure you want to see them turn against each other because of you?"
Lan Lan didn't reply. She bypassed Xu Zhengxi and left. As she waited for a car by the roadside, Xu Zhengxi's questions kept echoing in her mind.
She knew very well that Xu Zhengxi was an old fox. His words were merely an attempt to morally blackmail her. Logically, she shouldn't care, but... if Liang Yufeng truly had an unpleasant falling out with Jiang Wan because of her, she would feel a heavy burden. This relationship couldn't bear such weight.
The mother and son had relied on each other for years. Jiang Wan must be very disappointed now.
Lan Lan got into the car. She didn't know what attitude to adopt towards Liang Yufeng, so she sent him a message in the car: "I have to work overtime tonight, so I won't be coming over."
Liang Yufeng replied quickly: "Okay, remember to eat."
Lan Lan: "Okay."
In reality, she had no appetite. Even after returning to her apartment, her mind was still preoccupied with this matter. Unable to make a decision, she went to the WeChat group to chat with Lin Mei and Feng Feng.
Lan Lan recounted the events to the two of them, sighing as she spoke. Such a cliché plot of parental opposition had finally unfolded in her life.
When she watched TV dramas, she always criticized such plots, especially when one of the protagonists voluntarily gave up to avoid causing trouble for the other. She would think the protagonist was too weak.
Now that the same situation had befallen her, she even considered giving up.
You never know how much it hurts until the knife is in you.