Xie Youzhou realized that having a lover is a beautiful thing!
As they went out for dinner, their demeanor was reserved, yet their eyes were glued to each other, a mix of shyness and excitement coursing between them. The couple’s meal that Xie Youzhou had planned felt entirely justified at that moment, as they exchanged glances filled with affection.
Xie Youzhou tried multiple times to take Lin Zhiyu’s hand, but each attempt was met with Lin Zhiyu’s bashful avoidance, making him feel a mix of disappointment and determination. Lin Zhiyu’s flushed ears and soft coughs spoke volumes, and when he finally suggested, “Let’s go home,” it was evident that the atmosphere was thick with unspoken feelings.
While waiting for a traffic light, Lin Zhiyu suddenly blushed, his boldness taking over as he reached for Xie Youzhou’s hand. Surprise washed over Xie Youzhou, who quickly clasped Lin Zhiyu’s hand in his, the warmth radiating between them igniting a thrill.
The car felt smaller, the air thicker, filled with an electric tension as they stole glances at each other. Lin Zhiyu kept his eyes focused ahead, a serious expression masking the rapid beating of his heart, while the sounds of the outside world faded into a harmonious backdrop to their silent connection. They both wished the red light would last just a moment longer.
But as the light turned green, Lin Zhiyu reluctantly withdrew his hand, and Xie Youzhou let out a small sigh, returning his focus to the road. “Gege, my birthday is the day after tomorrow. I’ll be nineteen soon,” Xie Youzhou announced, breaking the momentary silence.
“Yeah,” Lin Zhiyu replied, still feeling the warmth of their earlier contact in his fingertips. “What do you want to do?”
“I didn’t want to go anywhere special. I just wanted to spend the night at my secret cabin. Gege, can you stay with me?” The hopeful tone in Xie Youzhou’s voice was unmistakable.
Lin Zhiyu’s heart softened. “Okay,” he agreed, unaware that Xie Youzhou had additional plans to make the night unforgettable.
When they returned to the community, Lin Zhiyu’s father called just as they were about to linger in the car. The call disrupted the moment, and Lin Zhiyu hurried inside, leaving Xie Youzhou trailing behind, reluctant to part.
As soon as Lin Zhiyu stepped into the house, he was immediately pounced on by his sister, Lin Zhaoqiu, erasing the warmth on his cheeks. “Ahem, what’s wrong, Qiuqiu? Dad didn’t explain clearly what happened over the phone,” Lin Zhiyu asked, trying to regain his composure.
“Brother, Dad, and I had a great day today! We wanted to share the joy with you,” Lin Zhaoqiu beamed.
Lin Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “Is that all?”
“Dad bought a bunch of expensive fruits today! He said if you came home too late, they’d spoil, so I had to call you home early.” Lin Zhaoqiu gestured to the coffee table, which overflowed with organic fruits.
She leaned in closer, whispering, “Actually, brother, I think Dad is acting a bit strange tonight.”
“Strange?” Lin Zhiyu inquired, curiosity piqued.
“Yeah, he stood on the balcony for a while, sighing. When I asked him what was wrong, he didn’t say anything before he called you back.”
Furrowing his brow, Lin Zhiyu headed to the kitchen, where his father was peeling pears by the sink. “Dad, what was that thing you didn’t talk about on the phone?” he asked softly.
“It’s nothing major. I just saw some news tonight about a girl in her twenties who passed away suddenly. Such a wonderful girl, gone too soon. I just worry about you, Zhiyu. You come home late every night and leave early in the morning,” Father Lin replied, handing Lin Zhiyu the freshly peeled pear.
“Please, go home earlier in the future. I’ll make you healthy soup and buy you more fruit. You need to take care of yourself,” he added, concern etched on his face.
Lin Zhiyu felt a wave of relief wash over him, touched by his father’s love. It was a reminder of the bonds that anchored him to his family. “I’m fine, Dad. Even though I come home late, I have enough energy, and my sleep isn’t too short,” he reassured him.
“But I promise I’ll listen and try to come back early to enjoy your healthy soup,” he said, taking a bite of the pear. He smiled, placing a comforting hand on Father Lin’s shoulder. “Dad, you should relax more. Don’t worry so much.”
“Okay, I’ll try to take care of your health,” Father Lin replied with a warm smile.
Just then, Lin Zhaoqiu interrupted, feigning outrage. “Ah, Dad, you’re biased! Why did you peel pears for him but not for me?” she whined playfully.
Father Lin chuckled, giving her a gentle pat on the back. “Who drank the big pot of bird’s nest porridge at noon? Did you feed it to the puppy?”
“Ahem… I suddenly feel sleepy,” Lin Zhaoqiu said, looking at the ceiling. “I think I’ll go to bed now.” With that, she scampered away, leaving Lin Zhiyu and their father shaking their heads, both unable to suppress their smiles.
As Lin Zhiyu glanced out the window at the night sky, he spotted a small but bright star shining against the darkness. Its light broke through the shadows, much like the joy and warmth he was discovering in his new life.
In this moment, he realized he had emerged from a place of darkness, slowly gathering the best things the world had to offer—love, family, and a future filled with hope.
Lin Zhiyu seemed to have opened a new chapter in his life, full of fulfillment, happiness, and warmth. But across the ocean, the Ruan family in Country M faced a starkly different reality.
Following the Hortez Group’s incident, the Ruan family found itself engulfed in crisis once more. The ambitious project they had partnered with Hortez on, which had initially been a lifeline for the Ruan Group, now threatened to drag them into ruin. With the Ruan Group’s reputation in shambles, their stock prices plummeted, and the capital chain snapped, leaving the once-mighty conglomerate in tatters. Employees scurried in fear, fully aware that the Ruan Group was no longer the formidable entity it had once been.
In a desperate attempt to salvage what remained, Ruan Yanshun and Mr. Ruan made the difficult decision to liquidate numerous assets and branches. Yet, despite these efforts, the Ruan Group’s standing had diminished dramatically—no longer appearing in the top 50 of the nation’s wealth rankings, let alone the global list. Once valued at a staggering $200 billion, their assets now barely scraped together a mere $300 million.
Analysts and commentators flooded the internet, speculating about the impending bankruptcy of the Ruan Group, even holding votes to gauge public sentiment on its fate. This public scrutiny infuriated the Ruan family, yet they found themselves powerless to retaliate. Once capable of eliminating opposition with a mere flick of their fingers, they now resembled a vulnerable mud bodhisattva, unable to protect themselves from the harsh winds of their crumbling empire. Every misstep could lead to a swift and ruthless exposure online, making the risk of resorting to old habits unthinkable.
The atmosphere in the Ruan family grew increasingly oppressive, with shadows looming over every member. The only one seemingly unaffected was Ruan Jiaojiao, whose life continued with a semblance of normalcy thanks to the protective presence of Wright and Marceau. Their competition for her attention provided a distraction from the family turmoil, yet Ruan Jiaojiao couldn’t shake the weight of her family’s plight.
Despite her relatively stable circumstances, Ruan Jiaojiao felt a pang of guilt. She had tried to persuade Wright and Marceau to support the Ruan Group, hoping for some semblance of assistance. Though they offered to help and were willing to transfer some of their interests, the real control of their companies lay with their elders. Their support, although well-meaning, amounted to little more than a drop in the bucket against the Ruan family’s impending collapse.
Deep down, Ruan Jiaojiao wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and frustration. She couldn’t tolerate the apparent disregard shown by Wright and Marceau’s families, who failed to value or respect her. But breaking off her relationship with them seemed like a step backward when they were her best hope in a desperate situation.
Each time she felt a wave of indignation wash over her, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Hortez. He had once been her protector, the leader of the Hortez Group, showering her with genuine affection and providing the Ruan family with real benefits. Now, with Hoggs on the run, she was left with little more than nostalgia and a sense of loss.
The tears began to fall as she pondered her situation, the weight of the world resting heavily on her shoulders. “What did I do wrong?” she thought, anguish tightening around her heart. “Why is God punishing me like this?” The stark contrast between Lin Zhiyu and Xie Youzhou’s peaceful lives only deepened her despair. They had rejected her, yet here they were, basking in the warmth of happiness, while she was left grappling with the crumbling remnants of her once-promising life.
