MPH - 9

Chapter 9: The End of a Dynasty’s Transition

When I saw Jiazhuo again in this house two days later, his demeanor was calm and composed. My mood, on the other hand, was subdued. We didn’t mention the argument from that night, and I even accompanied him to the Lao family mansion over the weekend for a meal.  

According to the patriarch’s decree, all current efforts were to focus on preparing for Laotong Bank’s 80th anniversary celebration. Jiazhuo’s transfer to Hong Kong had been temporarily postponed. Preparations for the event were already underway, and the headquarters building buzzed with an atmosphere of excitement and urgency. Even the pace of ordinary employees seemed quicker than usual.  

In the central garden of Jinxi Garden, within the Lao family mansion, the patriarch had summoned the two brothers more frequently than ever before. Grandmother Lao, who had always doted on me, gave me a set of jewelry as a belated birthday gift.  

Receiving such favor from the Lao family, I felt a trembling unease deep in my heart as I walked away, arm in arm with Jiazhuo.  

During this time, Jiazhuo naturally became busier than ever. He usually came home late at night, exhausted, and fell asleep immediately, leaving no room to attend to my trivial emotions. Of course, I didn’t dare trouble him with petty concerns.  

The days flew by, and the repeated rainy weather of April finally came to an end.  

May 15th: Laotong Bank released its commemorative anniversary gold cards. Each branch issued them according to strict quotas and tiers. To reward their VIP clients, one of the sets included an exclusive luxury platinum card featuring Laotong’s chief financial advisory services. It was in high demand, and the scene was unprecedented. People even queued outside the headquarters’ counters a day in advance.  

As for the invitations to the gala event, they had been sent out two weeks prior.  

May 18th: The 80th anniversary of Laotong Bank.  

That morning, I woke up to bright but not harsh sunlight streaming through the window. The temperature was perfectly pleasant. Early in the morning, traffic control was already in full effect along Shijing Avenue. Only vehicles carrying invited guests and media crews were allowed to enter. In front of the Laotong Building, everything was refreshed and adorned with flowers. Red and white balloons formed the company’s logo, encircling the square entirely.  

At exactly 8 a.m., elegantly dressed hostesses and hosts stood neatly on the steps.  

At 9 a.m., Jiazhuo presided over the first part of the celebration—the unveiling ceremony for Laotong Group’s commemorative exhibition. The exhibition hall was located at the top of the Laotong Building, a grand space filled with artistic flair and corporate prestige.  

Jiazhuo wore a black suit with a pristine white shirt. His attire for formal occasions was always impeccably conventional, without any flamboyance. Yet, his scholarly demeanor always lent an air of refined elegance to his suits. His tie, specially chosen to reflect Laotong’s corporate image and cultural significance, featured dark red-and-white stripes—solemn yet graceful.  

Guided by a ceremonial hostess, he smiled warmly and pressed a glowing crystal ball.  

Amidst the fluttering confetti from celebratory cannons, a crimson silk curtain unfurled, revealing four elegant characters: “Golden Flow Laotong.”  

The clicking of camera shutters and thunderous applause continued uninterrupted.  

This was a corridor steeped in the imprints of time.  

From black-and-white to color.  

From Shanghai to coastal mainland cities.  

From the small Western-style villa on Changqing Road to the listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.  

From the great-grandfather who returned from studying abroad and worked at an East Asian trading firm, to today’s descendants graduating from prestigious universities with degrees in finance and management.  

The man standing beneath the white walls and black tiles, clad in a silk robe, was the radiant founder and architect of an illustrious dynasty.  

Today, this dynasty would carry forward.  

In that dazzling moment, Jiazhuo slightly lowered his head, his expression obscured by shadows.  

No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.  

Guests streamed in endlessly. Accompanied by several senior executives, Jiazhuo shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with visitors.  

Around 10 a.m., Qin Junhao, chairman of Yinjiang Group, appeared at the entrance of the Laotong Building. This enigmatic figure, who had caused a stir in the city due to a high-profile IPO, was a strikingly handsome man with an air of mischief. The media swarmed around him like vultures, bombarding him with questions.  

Qin Junhao was flanked by tall, burly men in black suits. He moved hurriedly, offering only a curt response: “I’m here to support Second Master Lao’s event.”  

Reporters scrambled to send the latest footage back to their stations—it was yet another hot topic grabbing headlines.  

Qi Xuan accompanied Jiajun in entertaining guests throughout the venue. I was seated in the front row of the VIP section, arranged there by Lin Baorong. On either side of me were business tycoons and political figures, none of whom I recognized. Bored, I sat idly.  

After a while, Zhang Peter approached. He was so busy he barely touched the ground, greeting people along the way. Spotting me from afar, he waved. “Little Yingying, come over.”  

I stood up and walked toward him. Zhang Peter said, “Go up to the 32nd floor. I’ve arranged a rest room for you through the secretary’s office. You can wait there for a bit before coming back down. You’re not here to do business, so why sit downstairs and bake in the sun?”  

It was rare for him to take such care of me. I nodded and followed him upstairs.  

I sat upstairs, watching the live broadcast on TV for a while. Then a secretary knocked on the door. “Miss Jiang, it’s about time. You should go downstairs now.”  

When I took the elevator down to the banquet hall on the first floor, a famous female host from a TV station and a senior commentator from the financial channel arrived together, causing another stir among the crowd.  

In the first few rows of the VIP seats sat business magnates, political elites, renowned entrepreneurs, Laotong Group’s partner organizations, and presidents of the headquarters and various branches. Behind them sat over a thousand representatives of Laotong’s outstanding employees. The venue was packed with distinguished guests, filled with laughter and joy.  

The celebration officially began at noon.  

The ceremony was grand and elaborate, with endless praise echoing throughout. Finally, the patriarch delivered his congratulatory speech.  

After the patriarch finished speaking, applause erupted and lasted for a long time. Then all the guests raised their glasses in celebration.  

The host enthusiastically invited Jiajun and Jiazhuo onto the stage.  

These two heirs of Laotong Group were both prominent figures in the financial world, known far and wide. Now, rarely seen together, the two handsome men on stage smiled broadly, raising their glasses to the entire audience.  

Photographers snapped away furiously.  

Jiajun set down his glass and stepped forward, extending his hand toward Jiazhuo.  

Jiazhuo, smiling warmly, embraced his elder brother tightly.  

The venue erupted in thunderous applause.  

Amidst this excited and jubilant crowd, my mood couldn’t help but be swept along. But no matter how exhilarated I felt, there was always a moment when my heart sank heavily.  

Why was I here?  

What did this place have to do with me?  

Lin Baorong was one of the four hosts of the celebration. She wore a red dress adorned with millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds, exuding elegance and charm. When Jiajun and Jiazhuo walked to the edge of the stage, she signaled briefly to the other hosts and then gracefully approached the microphone.  

She smiled gently at the audience, and the applause gradually subsided.  

Lin Baorong’s voice was crisp yet carried a hint of softness: “Dear guests and beloved colleagues of Laotong, I have been entrusted by Mr. Lao Jinyi, chairman of Laotong Group, to share with all esteemed guests an important and exciting announcement. Laotong Group is deeply honored to invite all of you to witness the beginning of a new era for Laotong Bank.”  

Lin Baorong paused briefly, then announced loudly: “On this occasion of Laotong’s 80th anniversary celebration, the current leader of Laotong Bank, Mr. Lao Jinyi, will announce the next Global CEO of Laotong Bank.”  

The venue suddenly erupted in murmurs.  

My heart began to pound violently.  

The reporters at the front were thrown into chaos, with photographers crowding forward.  

Lin Baorong turned slightly and extended her hand toward the patriarch.  

The patriarch, radiant and healthy, walked onto the stage, lightly shaking Lin Baorong’s hand before stepping up to the podium.  

The venue, after the initial burst of commotion, fell into an eerie silence.  

I paid no attention to my surroundings, focusing solely on the patriarch’s every move.  

His voice rang out like a bell, his face smiling as he joked humbly: “All of you are my old friends. I am an old man on the verge of exiting the stage of history. But Laotong still has immense room for growth in this ever-changing financial market. This era belongs to ambitious and creative young people. As you all know, Laotong Group has two exceptional young men. Regardless of who takes over my position today, Laotong cannot be managed by one person alone. Both of them are my proudest and most gratifying descendants—”  

“The decision I am announcing today is not mine alone. It was reached after consultations with the board of directors and gathering opinions from over a hundred branches worldwide. We must choose the most suitable leader and helmsman for Laotong. Here, I formally announce—”  

Jiajun stood behind the patriarch, smiling faintly.  

The patriarch paused, hesitating for a second. In that moment, Jiazhuo, standing nearby, casually stepped forward, placing a document he held in his hand nonchalantly on the podium.  

He then leaned slightly and whispered something into the patriarch’s ear with a smile.  

Sitting below, I watched his lips move. He likely said: “Grandpa, won’t you reconsider?”  

Jiazhuo then subtly stepped back, his back perfectly blocking a camera behind the patriarch.  

All of this happened within seconds.  

No one in the audience noticed anything unusual.  

The patriarch glanced down, his face suddenly changing. He flipped a page, his features twitching uncontrollably. His hand pressed firmly on the podium, and he quickly rolled up the document.  

I stared, wide-eyed, at the scene unfolding before me.  

I remembered the investigative materials I had handed to Qi Xuan.  

I remembered Jiazhuo’s repeated forbearance during this time.  

I remembered his business trip to Beijing.  

I remembered Zhu Bichan’s resignation.  

He had merely used me as bait.  

To make Jiajun let his guard down, striking at his weakest point, the fatal spot.  

And in doing so, he also purged all opposition within Laotong Group.  

Standing gracefully behind the patriarch under the gaze of thousands, this was practically a coup.  

At this moment, the patriarch’s dignified face betrayed no sign of abnormality, though his voice carried a trace of hoarseness: “The successor to Laotong Bank’s next president and CEO, who will also serve as president of Laotong Holdings, is the current administrative president of Laotong Asia—Lao Jiazhuo.”  

The venue fell silent for a few seconds, then someone began clapping, and the applause surged like a tide.  

Jiazhuo’s precise and effortless strike left his opponent utterly defeated.  

My wildly pounding heart suddenly stopped. Everything around me lost sound. I couldn’t hear the roar of the crowd; I could only see the patriarch slowly rise, patting Jiazhuo on the shoulder.  

Jiajun was initially stunned, then filled with indignation. He strode forward, but the patriarch shot him a furious glare, yanking him back forcefully. His face was dark with rage: “Come with me.”

The patriarch turned back and nodded toward Jiazhuo, then dragged Jiajun off the stage.  

Jiazhuo smiled politely yet arrogantly at the audience. Before he could speak, Qin Junhao strode onto the stage and enthusiastically embraced him.  

The situation was now unmistakably clear.  

As Jiajun glanced back one last time, he collapsed in an instant.  

To those watching from afar, it appeared to be a perfect scene of prosperity and legacy.  

At this moment, Lin Baorong stepped forward, still smiling gracefully. Her voice carried an air of excitement and encouragement: “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Laotong Bank’s new CEO, Mr. Lao Jiazhuo!”  

Applause erupted once again, even more fervently.  

Jiazhuo patted Qin Junhao on the shoulder and returned to the center of the stage.  

Su Jian handed him a prepared speech.  

Lao Jiazhuo, Global CEO of Laotong Group, Chief Executive Officer, President of Laotong Holdings—before hundreds of distinguished guests seated in the hall and 390,000 Laotong employees watching via live broadcast worldwide—he delivered his inaugural address.  

I could no longer hear what he was saying, but I clearly saw his confident smile. He exuded such elegance, as if he had been in this position for ten years, calm and composed. At one point, when he lowered his gaze, a faint trace of weariness flickered across his face.  

Jiazhuo’s speech was brief, lasting only a few minutes. Afterward, the four hosts returned to the stage, and he was escorted down by several assistants.  

The performances began, filling the venue with music and celebration.  

In the blink of an eye, the transition of a dynasty had come to an end.  

The patriarch left his seat to rest.  

After Jiazhuo descended from the stage, a waiter brought him a glass of champagne. People continuously approached to shake his hand.  

Jiazhuo smiled warmly, greeting each VIP in the front row. Those who had previously worn expressions of doubt or uncertainty now adjusted their faces to show genuine joy and congratulations. Whether sincere or not, none of it mattered anymore. For a king who had achieved absolute victory, all that remained was to savor the sweet wine of triumph.  

After the employee recognition ceremony concluded, the honored guests gradually began to leave for a banquet reserved for senior management and special guests at the hotel later that evening.  

However, Laotong’s internal staff and a large number of reporters lingered in the venue. Invited celebrities and artists continued to take the stage, and the atmosphere grew even livelier and more relaxed.  

I sat among them, feeling as though I had witnessed an absurd farce.  

Quietly, I stood up and went upstairs.  

The 32nd floor office was silent. The vast space muffled the noise of music and festivities below, with only faint strains drifting in occasionally.  

When the secretary saw me enter, she whispered, “Miss Jiang, Vice President... uh...”  

She quickly corrected herself. “Mr. Lao has a guest.”  

“Who?” I asked.  

The secretary didn’t elaborate, simply smiling and walking away.  

I walked down the opulent corridor to the spacious office at the end. The door wasn’t fully closed.  

From inside came the sound of a woman softly sobbing.  

Standing just outside the hallway, I caught sight of the scene within.  

Jiazhuo sat on the sofa, his coat already removed. He frowned slightly as a striking woman in a blue dress leaned against his shoulder, crying bitterly.  

There was only one woman wearing a Jonathan Saunders blue floral dress in the entire venue.  

That dress was a custom piece Qi Xuan had ordered a month in advance from Maria Luisa in Paris.  

What a poetic and tender scene: the newly ascended emperor, having conquered the world, showed no joy in the glittering realm behind him but instead gently embraced a beautiful woman weeping in sorrow.  

I silently turned around and went home alone.  

When I arrived, I changed out of my clothes. Feeling tired after the long day, I lay down on the bed and fell asleep. When I woke up, it was already past eight in the evening.  

Lately, I’ve been inexplicably sleepy. In the past, I rarely felt drowsy until late at night, but recently, I’ve found myself dozing off at any time.  

I got up and went downstairs. The first-floor hall had been cleaned, and there was hot soup left in the kitchen—likely prepared by the housekeeper.  

My phone, left in the living room, flashed with two missed calls from Jiazhuo.  

I called him back. After several rings, he finally answered.  

“Yingying,” Jiazhuo’s voice lacked the vibrancy of earlier in the day, sounding low and weary. “Are you awake?”  

“Mm,” I murmured sleepily. “Did you come home? How did you know I was asleep?”  

“No, I haven’t had a moment to spare. Seeing you didn’t answer, I had Guo Shi’an send someone over to check,” his voice remained gentle. “Were you very tired today?”  

“A little,” I blurted out, “Jiazhuo, are you coming home?”  

He was silent for a few seconds on the other end, then chuckled softly. “Where else would I go?”  

Since seeing him standing amidst the adoration of thousands, his smile as polished as a finely crafted mask, I couldn’t help but question whether this man was the same person who had once rested peacefully beside me.  

After a long pause, Jiazhuo finally said, “Yingying, we need to talk.”  

“About what?” A sudden unease gripped my heart.  

“The future,” he replied.  

“What future?” I pressed.  

Perhaps distracted by socializing, or perhaps deliberately avoiding the topic, he hastily said, “Rest well for now.”  

Seeing the call ended on the screen, I put down the phone and slowly climbed the stairs.  

With styling gel still in my hair, how could I have fallen asleep? It was utterly unforgivable sloppiness. I went into the bathroom, immersed myself in hot water to wash away the grime, and then came downstairs to drink some soup. Afterwards, I aimlessly wandered around the house.  

In the living room, I tidied up the scattered cushions and knick-knacks, organized my clothes in the walk-in closet, hung up Jiazhuo’s freshly dry-cleaned shirts and trousers, changed the bedsheet in the bedroom, placed the used ones in the laundry basket downstairs, and then pushed open the study connected to the living room.  

Jiazhuo’s desk was always meticulously organized, with documents and correspondence neatly sorted. I sat in the chair where he usually sat.  

Suddenly, I noticed the doll I had bought placed right in the center of his desk.  

Underneath it lay a small white piece of paper.  

Curious, I stood up, pulled out the paper, and flipped it over—it was an old photograph.  

I glanced at it. Hmm, this was a photo of Mom and an elegant-looking woman. Of course, I’d seen this woman before; Mom had several pictures with her.  

Why was Mom’s photo in Jiazhuo’s study?  

Perhaps I had accidentally left it behind, and he had tidied it up for me. I picked up the photo, pondering as I returned to my room to look through the photo album Mom had left me.  

Before opening the album, I suddenly realized something.  

I didn’t have this photo in my possession.  

It wasn’t mine.  

More precisely, it wasn’t one of the photos Mom had left me.  

If it wasn’t mine, then the only possibility in this house was that it belonged to Jiazhuo.  

If it were like mine, then the identity of the woman in the photo should be… If so… Why had Jiazhuo never mentioned it to me? He had seen their group photos in my album but deliberately avoided bringing it up. If my mother and his mother were acquaintances… What exactly was going on?  

I racked my brain trying to recall past details when the phone in the living room suddenly rang loudly.  

I set down the album and rushed to answer. On the other end, Sister Guo anxiously called out, “Miss Yingying, please hurry over!”  

Her urgency startled me. “What happened?”  

“Second Master is at home. First Master and Miss Qi Xuan… oh, the master is furious! Everything’s turned upside down!” Sister Guo spoke incoherently, her words rushed and frantic. “Grandmother wants you to come and mediate…”  

I didn’t have time to ask further questions and simply said, “I’ll be there soon…”  

Sister Guo immediately replied, “Alright, alright. I’ll have Old Guo send a driver to pick you up.”  

“No need, I’ll take a taxi. It’ll be faster,” I instructed briefly.  

Anxiously urging the taxi driver to speed up, twenty minutes later, the car entered Jinxi Garden. From afar, I could see the bright lights illuminating the grand house of the Lao family.  

As the car drove through the gate, I saw the servants standing on the porch.  

I got out of the car, and Sister Guo rushed over. “Miss Yingying, thank goodness you’re here…”  

I quickly paid the driver while asking Sister Guo, “What happened?”  

“The two brothers and the patriarch got into a fierce argument over something,” Sister Guo shook her head. “All the servants were sent out. How could a family fall into such chaos…”  

The Lao family mansion was in turmoil.  

I passed through the corridor, entered the foyer, and stepped into the luxurious main hall.  

Sister Guo stood respectfully by the door and softly announced, “Miss Yingying has arrived.”  

Upon hearing this, Grandmother looked up, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, and motioned for me to come closer. “Yingying, come sit with Grandma.”  

I glanced at Jiazhuo. He sat expressionless on one side of the sofa.  

Hesitating for a moment, I finally went to sit beside Grandmother.  

Jiajun knelt on the carpet in front of the sofa. The patriarch sat in his chair, his face pale with anger. Little Ha had been taken away by the servants, and Qi Xuan cried with red, swollen eyes. “Grandpa, don’t try to persuade me. I want a divorce—”  

Jiajun’s tie was loosened halfway, his clothes disheveled, his eyes filled with anger and panic. “Qi Xuan, it was just a fling. Can’t you believe me?”  

Qi Xuan shouted at him, “The photos are out there! Was that just a fling? Do you need to go that far for a fling?”  

I sighed. I had deliberately deleted all those disgraceful photos, but somehow they had still ended up in her hands.  

Jiajun screamed wildly, “You’re my wife! We even have a son! What’s the use of you making a fuss? This is all Second Brother’s scheme! He hired escorts, arranged for paparazzi to take those photos! He plotted everything to destroy me!”  

The patriarch slapped him across the face. “How dare you talk back! Look at your behavior! You’ve disgraced the Lao family name!”  

Jiajun fell to the ground.  

Qi Xuan shrieked and rushed to embrace him. “Grandpa, please don’t—”  

The patriarch trembled as he pointed at Jiajun. “Unworthy descendant!”  

Uncle Guo stood behind the sofa, quietly advising, “Master, be mindful of your blood pressure.”  

Jiazhuo sat calmly on the sofa, his elbow resting on the armrest. His black shirt and silver-gray bow tie were perfectly in place, his hair immaculately styled. His expression was unreadable as he watched the scene unfold before him.  

Jiajun pushed Qi Xuan away and stood up, his lip swollen. He staggered forward a few steps, glaring fiercely at Jiazhuo sitting on the sofa. His eyes burned with urgency and rage. “Grandpa, wake up and see clearly! This is all Second Brother’s plan! He leaked those photos to the public! He stopped at nothing to seize the CEO position!”  

“It’s all Second Brother! He’s the real despicable coward!” Jiajun roared, his eyes bloodshot.

The patriarch’s eyes widened in fury. “You wretch! Why don’t I see your younger brother gambling recklessly? Why don’t I see him frequenting prostitutes! Look at the two of you! What have you become! Jiazhuo and Yingying are younger, yet they conduct themselves far more responsibly than you. They support each other and live harmoniously as a couple. But you—what nonsense have you been up to? Today, Qi Xuan insists on a divorce, and I have nothing to say about it. It’s our misfortune as a family to have a disgraceful descendant like you!”  

Grandmother grabbed the patriarch’s hand. “Enough, don’t break our family’s heart!”  

The patriarch took a deep breath and heavily sat back down.  

“Are they really so harmonious? Is he truly the model husband?” Jiajun let out a cold laugh and suddenly pointed at me with a mocking tone. “Why don’t you ask my poor, oblivious sister-in-law whether Second Brother treats her with respect and devotion?”  

“Stop spouting nonsense! Your sharp tongue is what’s causing all this trouble,” the patriarch fumed again. “And don’t blame me for handing Laotong’s reins to your younger brother. How can you compare to him?”  

Jiajun glared fiercely at Jiazhuo, then turned to look at me, his lips curling into a sneer. “Of course I can’t compare to Second Brother. Not only can’t I compare, I’m not even worth a fraction of him. At least when I married, I did so sincerely and with genuine affection. But him—how much has he suffered for today’s success? He even married the daughter of the man who betrayed and indirectly caused his mother’s death. What wouldn’t he do?”  

A deafening explosion rang through my mind.  

Jiazhuo’s expression instantly changed, hardening like marble.  

Grandmother gasped. “Jiajun—”  

Jiajun smirked triumphantly as everyone’s faces paled. He taunted Jiazhuo with a challenging grin. “Second Brother, how could you bring yourself to harm such an innocent lamb?”  

Jiazhuo’s lips pressed tightly together, his face now a cold, sharpened blade.  

My face turned pale in waves.  

Having gained the upper hand, Jiajun raised his voice smugly. “Ask Second Brother yourself: did he marry the eldest daughter of the Jiang family out of love and commitment, or was it part of a calculated plan to avenge his unjustly deceased mother?”  

The world spun endlessly before my eyes.  

The grand hall fell into a suffocating silence.  

I stared wide-eyed at Jiajun, feeling as though an invisible hand had clamped around my throat, choking me into a silent scream. My entire body began to tremble uncontrollably. Grandmother quickly steadied my shoulders and pulled my head into her embrace, softly consoling me. “Yingying, it’s not true, Yingying…”  

Jiajun staggered a few steps and collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted.  

In the opulent hall, only Qi Xuan’s faint sobs remained.  

Nausea rose in my chest, and I struggled to suppress waves of dizziness.  

Grandmother turned and whispered softly, “Call Sister Guo to take Miss Yingying upstairs to rest.”  

She looked at me, her voice aged and weary. “Don’t listen to your older brother. He’s talking nonsense. You look terrible; go upstairs and rest.”  

All sensation seemed drained from my body. I could only shake my head frantically, unable to speak.  

“My marriage doesn’t need my older brother’s concern,” Jiazhuo glanced at me and finally spoke calmly. “Brother, perhaps you should focus more on your own affairs.”  

Jiajun, meanwhile, clung to Qi Xuan, kissing her hand repeatedly and muttering nervously, “Wife, I love you. Wife, I’ll take you and our son back to America…”  

I looked at the patriarch, then at Grandmother, my gaze lingering stubbornly.  

Grandmother held my hand and sighed sorrowfully, glancing at the patriarch.  

“Second Son, tell me honestly,” the patriarch leaned on the armrest of his chair and finally asked, “Do you still blame this family for past grievances?”  

“If I hadn’t gone this far today, would Grandfather have entrusted Laotong to me?” Jiazhuo asked coolly.  

“What do you mean?” The patriarch frowned.  

“After Father passed away, when did you ever look at me with kindness?” Jiazhuo’s tone remained calm and composed. “Am I not also one of the unworthy descendants you were eager to sweep under the rug in the name of family honor?”  

“How can you think that way?” The patriarch interrupted irritably. “I appointed you as Laotong’s successor, not to come home and spout nonsense.”  

“Wasn’t my mother a precedent?” Jiazhuo’s lips curled slightly into a smile, but his face was chillingly cruel.  

“Jiazhuo…” Grandmother interjected. “Your mother’s passing was an accident. Her health had always been…”  

“To cover up my younger brother’s scandalous affairs, you locked her in a hospital with psychiatric nurses watching her day and night. The Lao family—” He sneered. “You refused to accept a weak woman’s plea for divorce after being betrayed by both her husband and best friend, even if it meant confining her to preserve the family’s reputation.”  

Jiazhuo’s face was like ice. His voice trembled as he asked coldly, “Where were you all when she swallowed poison alone in the hospital?”  

His tone gradually steadied, carrying a despair so profound it felt eerily calm. “You forbade me from seeing her. In this mansion, I watched as the family celebrated the wedding of the eldest grandson.”  

Jiajun abruptly lifted his head and shouted, “That’s exactly what I’m saying, Grandfather! He hates you! Haven’t you noticed how painful it is for him to come home? Second Brother despises this family! He killed his own father, and now it’s our turn. Once all the Laos are dead, no one will be able to control him anymore!”  

Jiajun’s piercing cry echoed in my ears.  

I hated myself for remaining lucid at this moment.  

“I once thought the daughter of the Jiang family might bring you some solace,” Grandmother covered her face and sighed deeply. “I never imagined you harbored such deep hatred for this matter…”  

“Marrying into the Jiang family was a brilliant idea,” Jiazhuo said with a faint sneer. “You wanted to preserve the Lao family’s reputation while easing your guilt. Why shouldn’t I oblige?”  

Jiazhuo lowered his head and pressed his brow, his voice tinged with sorrow. “I never intended for things to turn out this way. Now, how can you blame me?”  

The entire mansion fell silent, like a magnificent tomb.  

After the storm, only ruins remained.  

I knew the fate I couldn’t escape had arrived tonight.  

“What do you plan to do with Yingying?” Grandmother suddenly asked.  

Jiazhuo’s expression hardened. Instinctively, he looked up to find me, but upon meeting my gaze, he immediately turned away.  

My mind was blank, like a vast snowy field.  

The patriarch slumped into his chair, appearing ten years older overnight. “Karmic debt…”  

Jiazhuo elegantly stood up, smoothing a wrinkle on his coat. “Grandfather, take care of your health. If you have the energy, we can discuss the transition at next week’s board meeting.”  

He turned to me and extended his hand. “Let’s go.”  

I stared at him in terror.  

Pain flickered in Jiazhuo’s eyes, but his face remained expressionless. “Get up.”  

“Grandmother…” I sobbed, hesitating. “What is going on?”  

“Jiang Yiyin!” Jiazhuo barked softly. “Go home.”  

I placed my hand in his palm absentmindedly, feeling his trembling hands. Both our hands were clammy and icy, as if we’d just recovered from a severe illness.  

My body felt limp, completely devoid of strength. Jiazhuo forcefully dragged me out of the house, opened the car door, and pushed me inside.  

I collapsed onto the seat.  

Jiazhuo slammed the car door shut and walked around to the other side.  

At that moment, Uncle Guo rushed out of the house and blocked Jiazhuo’s path. “Second Master—”  

“Move aside!” Jiazhuo snapped harshly.  

Uncle Guo caught his breath but remained humble and respectful. “Grandmother has a message for Second Master.”  

Jiazhuo paused, standing still by the car door.  

Uncle Guo stepped forward respectfully. “Grandmother says that Miss Yingying is the Lao family’s lawfully wedded daughter-in-law. Second Master has always cherished Miss Yingying. She hopes Second Master will reflect on his feelings and consider Miss Yingying’s happiness. Please don’t act impulsively.”  

Upon hearing this, Jiazhuo’s face grew increasingly pale. After a long silence, he finally murmured, “I understand. Go back.”  

Uncle Guo bowed and retreated.  

Jiazhuo stood outside the car. Shadows of trees swayed in the garden, and the gentle May breeze rustled the lilac branches.  

It was the best season of the year.  

How could fate push us from the clouds in such a beautiful moment, shattering us into irreparable pieces?  

Jiazhuo stood there for a moment but didn’t get into the car. Instead, he leaned against the door and pulled a cigarette pack from his trouser pocket.  

I rarely saw him smoke. Though he sometimes couldn’t avoid it at social events, Jiazhuo had always been disciplined about smoking and drinking. I had never seen him smoke at home.  

Through the car window, I gazed at the velvety dark blue sky. His desolate figure stood in the night breeze, casting a lonely, boundless shadow.  

His gaze fixed on the skies above the Lao mansion as he silently finished a cigarette.  

After the ember faded, Jiazhuo returned to the car, opened the door, glanced at me, and silently pushed the tissue box toward me. Only then did I realize I had been crying without noticing, tears streaming down my face.  

I covered my face and sobbed quietly. He remained silent, saying nothing.  

I replayed the events of the past two years in my mind over and over again. So that’s how it was. That’s how it was.  

His erratic behavior, his ambiguous actions—all finally made sense.  

The lights of the streets shifted along the route, and the dashboard emitted a faint glow.  

The silence between us at this moment was oddly peaceful.  

I had been tormented by an inexplicable anxiety, waiting for the final verdict to arrive. But now, with an empty heart, I felt strangely calm. Slowly, I stopped crying.  

We got out of the car, went upstairs, opened the door, closed it behind us, and walked together to the second floor.  

Silently side by side, we entered the living room. Jiazhuo instinctively paused, and I stood beside him.  

Facing him, I gently reached out to untie his tie.  

Jiazhuo took a step back, as if resisting, but ultimately just stood still in front of me.  

My fingers lightly grasped the soft silk of his shirt collar.  

Jiazhuo tilted his head slightly to accommodate my movements, his expression filled with suppressed anguish.  

Everything felt like a perfectly orchestrated torment.  

I couldn’t see his face, focusing only on his collar and the sharp line of his jaw.  

I softly asked, “Did you know from the beginning whose daughter I am?”  

He was speechless.  

I continued, “If you knew who my mother was, why did you still marry me?”  

His breath lightly brushed my forehead. “Grandfather believes in fate, and Grandmother adores you. I had no choice.”  

I whispered, “Second Master hasn’t thanked me yet for my small contribution to this perfect campaign.”  

His brows twitched. “When did you find out?”

“When the senior assistant from the Laotong president’s office sent me to meet Qi Xuan, wasn’t it you who deliberately had me hand over the documents to her?” I smiled gently. “The taxi driver’s wallet contained a bank ID card. If I’m not mistaken, his name was—Liang Fengnian?”  

Jiazhuo nodded. “If you know, then that’s good.”  

My voice remained soft and gentle. “Second Master has worked so hard. Congratulations on finally achieving your goal.”  

It was as if he’d been stung; his face twitched slightly, and he clenched his lips tightly in silence.  

I said, “It must have been exhausting for you to keep spoiling me like this.”  

He replied, “It’s finally over.”  

Our conversation felt like adding weight upon weight, layer upon layer of exhaustion.  

“Facing me every day, having to speak sweetly and treat me tenderly—it must have been difficult, right?” I asked bitterly.  

“Fortunately, it was worth it,” he forced out a sarcastic remark, his voice numb.  

With all my strength, I slapped him across the face. He seemed fully prepared to accept it, not moving an inch, not even turning his head.  

My fingers throbbed with pain, and I collapsed into tears. “If you wanted to use me, then why didn’t you use me completely? Why did you have to be so kind to me? Why did you make me think you loved me?”  

“I had to invest a little. The eldest daughter of the Jiang family is valuable. I couldn’t afford to be too careless,” Jiazhuo said coldly. “You should see clearly now—someone like me doesn’t deserve to talk about love.”  

“How much do you hate my mother? She was disgraced, divorced, and exiled to a foreign country. She paid her price! If anyone’s to blame, it’s your father for being such a womanizer!”  

Jiazhuo shoved me away, gritting his teeth to suppress his towering rage. “So she was a perfect match for your promiscuous mother.”  

All my pent-up resentment and anger erupted into sharp words: “She was just a little stronger. Because she’s still alive, does that mean you have to pin all the blame on her?”  

Lao Jiazhuo sneered coldly. “Is that so? Is she a strong, carefree modern woman who’s already left the past behind and is about to remarry? Do you think she’ll consider her only daughter’s current situation a gift?”  

I screamed at him at the top of my lungs: “You devil!”  

Jiazhuo sank wearily into the sofa.  

I repeated despairingly, over and over again: “It can’t be true, Jiazhuo… No, I can’t be this foolish. You love me, don’t you?”  

His voice was flat and emotionless as he stated: “Have we ever said this was anything more than a transaction? All that’s extra is a bit of emotion, and emotions hold no value.”  

Each word pierced my heart like a needle.  

“Let it all end! I’ve had enough! I’ve had enough!” I clutched my pounding head. “I admit defeat. I give up. I can’t take it anymore! I’m the biggest fool in the world!”  

I stumbled into the bedroom, slammed the door shut, and burst into uncontrollable sobs.  

I cried until my voice was hoarse, my tears soaking the icy bed sheets. Eventually, I lost consciousness.  

The night was filled with nightmares, but I couldn’t wake up. It wasn’t until the alarm rang in the morning that I finally stirred.  

I staggered to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. In the mirror, my eyes were red and swollen, my face gaunt and haggard.  

I pushed open the bedroom door. The blackout curtains were drawn tightly, leaving the living room shrouded in darkness.  

Jiazhuo sat in the living room, still in the same position as last night.  

He stirred slightly at the sound, lifting his head to look at me.  

In the dim light, his profile glowed faintly, porcelain-like, his expression restrained and indifferent, his gaze calm yet heart-wrenching—as if we had never loved at all.  

After a long while, I heard his hoarse, low voice: “Yingying, let’s get a divorce.”  

My mind moved sluggishly.  

I couldn’t utter a single word.  

He started to rise, but his body swayed violently. He quickly braced himself against the wall, turning his back to me and standing there for a moment before slowly straightening up.  

I took a step forward but didn’t go any further.  

Jiazhuo glanced at me one last time, picked up his coat from the table, and walked directly downstairs.