Li Ya's background was tragic. Her mother died early, and she grew up lonely.
Later, her father remarried, and her stepmother treated her with all kinds of abuse. Out of necessity, Li Ya's father sent her abroad.
On the surface, it was for her studies, but in reality, it was to escape the family disputes and reduce trouble. Li Ya understood this deeply and rarely returned during the years abroad.
Unexpectedly, three years ago, Li Ya received news of her father's death and had no choice but to return home.
Upon returning home, Li Ya became entangled in endless family property disputes because her father's will inexplicably left the Butterfly Garment Factory to Li Ya's charge.
This naturally aroused all sorts of dissatisfaction from her stepmother and cold stares from other relatives, along with suspicion and hatred.
During Li Ya's most difficult time, it was Qin Chuan who brought her the most life-saving ray of hope, bringing the nearly bankrupt garment factory back from the brink of collapse.
Li Ya then had some energy to deal with all the ungrateful relatives.
In Li Ya's heart, Qin Chuan was not just someone she liked the most; he was also her greatest benefactor. Her heart was already entirely devoted to Qin Chuan, leaving no room for anyone else.
Every move Qin Chuan made had a strong impact on Li Ya.
This time, a woman named Yang Zimo suddenly appeared, announcing that she was also Qin Chuan's girlfriend. This sudden development was an absolute thunderclap.
Especially when Li Ya witnessed Qin Chuan and Yang Zimo walking out of the Meitehao supermarket together, it delivered the most crushing blow.
This was because the Meitehao supermarket was where Qin Chuan's parents worked. The elderly couple was there, which represented an implication she could barely dare to think about.
Qin Chuan's parents already knew about Yang Zimo's existence but had simply not told her.
At that moment, Li Ya felt an unprecedented despair; her last shred of hope was shattered.
It was one thing for Qin Chuan to have lied to her, but Qin Shuren and Jiang Cuihua had also lied to her.
The entire Qin family didn't treat her as a daughter-in-law at all; instead, they treated her like a monkey to be played with, with false affection.
"Li Ya! Li Ya, don't rush, calm down."
"Qin Chuan called just now, which proves he is looking for you and definitely cares about you."
Seeing Li Ya cry so heart-wrenchingly, Ye Meiyun and Ge Lan panicked and quickly tried to comfort her.
A long time later, Li Ya stopped crying. Her expression was a mix of tears and smiles, filled with endless self-mockery.
"No, there is nothing between him and me anymore!"
"Thinking back on everything that has happened, I feel like a joke, a fool, an idiot, a brainless imbecile."
"Everything was my own wishful thinking, lost in my own beautiful dream."
"Others played me for a fool, and I didn't even realize it, my heart completely hung on that scumbag."
"After this pain, everything between him and me is settled!"
Li Ya said softly, wiping away tears from her face.
At first, her words were hesitant, but then her thoughts became clearer, and she gradually regained her composure.
After all, Li Ya was not a girl in her early twenties, ignorant of the world and full of romantic notions.
As the head of a factory, she dealt with all sorts of people daily, which had honed her mature disposition and resilient thinking.
"Li Ya, what are you going to do?"
Ye Meiyun, with her keen perception, sensed something unusual.
Ge Lan also frowned.
Li Ya looked at her two good friends earnestly.
"Sister Meiyun, Lanlan, please keep tonight's events a secret for me. Do not reveal them to anyone."
"I have regained my composure now and will handle everything."
"Thank you for accompanying me and listening to me."
"It's getting late, you should go back to sleep too..."
Ge Lan anxiously said, "Li Ya, how can we go back and rest easy in your state? Why don't you come stay with me?"
Ye Meiyun was about to say the same thing but suddenly remembered that her rented place was right next door to Qin Chuan's. She added, "Right, let's all go stay at Lanlan's tonight!"
"I'm fine, don't worry!"
Li Ya stood up, unexpectedly stumbling and nearly falling, unsure if it was from drinking too much or something else.
Ye Meiyun and Ge Lan, frightened, rushed to support her. After much persuasion, they finally convinced Li Ya to go with them, promising to discuss anything further after she sobered up tomorrow.
This night was destined to be a sleepless one.
Many people lost sleep.
Qin Chuan had mobilized many people, but not only couldn't he find Li Ya, but he couldn't even find Teacher Yang.
He sat alone in his room, the floor littered with cigarette butts, his eyes bloodshot and filled with veins, his throat hoarse, and his hair a mess.
If this image were to get out, it would surely shock many people. Was this still the spirited and handsome Boss Qin?
The ringing of his phone startled him from his daze, but upon seeing the caller ID, he felt completely dejected.
The call was from his father. Qin Chuan answered reluctantly.
"Xiaochuan, have you found Li Ya?"
His parents' anxious voices came through the phone. Their voices were also hoarse, indicating they had not slept either and had a torturous night.
"Not yet!"
Listening to his parents' hoarse voices, Qin Chuan felt immense guilt. This was all because of him.
"Then... what about Teacher Yang?"
His parents asked again.
"Not found either!"
"Qin Chuan, I command you, no matter what method you use, find Li Ya first, or else don't come to see us. We will pretend we never gave birth to you!"
Qin Shuren was truly furious. He launched into a tirade, even saying he would disown his son, showing his genuine anger.
"Mom and Dad, don't worry, I will definitely find Li Ya."
"Please don't worry too much. Take care of yourselves."
Qin Chuan didn't want to say anything more and quickly hung up the phone.
Footsteps were heard in the corridor, and then the door was pushed open.
"Boss, Qin Yang, Qin Gang, Xiaoguang, and Jinyu are back."
Zheng Chengdao said as he entered.
"Xiaochuan!"
"Third Brother!"
Concerned voices came from behind. Qin Chuan turned and saw his eldest brother Qin Yang, second brother Qin Gang, Bai Xiaoguang, Chen Jinyu, and even Hong Jinlong.
He frowned and asked his second brother, "Why are you back?"
Second Brother Qin had already been introduced to Huang Qi and should be busy familiarizing himself with the Longcheng market, finding suitable stores, and regrouping.
Qin Gang, having just gone through the incident in Jinling City, felt a bit guilty towards his younger brother and remained silent.
"Third Brother, Mom and Dad told us everything."
Qin Yang spoke when he saw the situation.
When Qin Chuan saw all these people appear together, he knew his parents must have told them; others wouldn't be so loose-lipped.
He was too lazy to say anything more and instead said, "Since you're back, go and see Mom and Dad. They are quite emotional right now, and it's not appropriate for me to go over."
"We will."
Qin Gang quickly replied, "As for you, what's the situation with your two potential daughters-in-law?"
The others quietly pricked up their ears. Only someone of Qin Gang's status was suitable to ask such a question; others were afraid of bringing bad luck.
Qin Chuan feigned nonchalance, shrugged, and grinned self-mockingly, "As you can see, I'm alone now. Both women have left me. I've become a bachelor!"
"Haha!!"
"You all looked up to me as an idol. Are you very disappointed now..."
The atmosphere in the room was silent and oppressive.