You Wen stared at the property transfer documents brought by Assistant Chen. It took him a full hour to transition from disbelief to understanding and acceptance.
“Is this really Fu Mingchuan’s decision?” You Wen asked for the eleventh time, his eyes red.
When Chen An arrived, You Wen had already been crying. Unlike his usual lively, chatty self, today he cried quietly and looked pitiful.
After Chen An explained his purpose, You Wen broke down even more than at his father’s funeral the day before.
Chen An confirmed once again, “Yes, this is Mr. Fu’s decision. His signature is on the last page.” He flipped to the last page and showed it to You Wen.
You Wen still couldn’t comprehend why Fu Mingchuan wanted to break off their engagement, nor why he chose to do it just days after his father’s funeral.
Yesterday, he thought that, even after losing his father, at least he still had his fiancé. But now, it seemed like he had nothing left.
He stared at Fu Mingchuan’s signature one more time, tears falling onto the inked page. The bold, powerful handwriting was unmistakably Fu Mingchuan’s.
Still unwilling to accept it, You Wen pleaded, “I want to see him. Call him and make him tell me in person that the engagement is over.”
Chen An didn’t refuse but looked troubled. “Please don’t make things difficult for me.”
Over the past few days, You Wen had grown accustomed to the sudden coldness of familiar faces and had endured many harsh dismissals. He had already tried every possible way to contact Fu Mingchuan since Chen An’s arrival, all without success.
His last attempt at calling Fu Mingchuan was redirected to another assistant.
After two more minutes of silence, You Wen seemed to reach a conclusion. He stopped crying, though his eyes remained swollen and red.
Carefully, he packed away the property transfer documents, placing the pen neatly on top. “If it’s over, then it’s over. I don’t need these things. Tell him not to worry—I won’t bother him again.”
After the sudden death of Taiji’s CEO in a car accident, the company fell into chaos. Those who came forward were only there to collect debts. Anything of value in the house had been taken, and the roses in the garden were trampled beyond recognition. The once lively and cheerful You Wen now withered along with the dilapidated estate, reduced to ruin.
Fu Mingchuan was simply the last straw that broke him.
Throughout the past week, You Wen had tried contacting Fu Mingchuan. At first, Fu still answered his calls, saying he was too busy to meet.
When You Wen asked what he was busy with, Fu would hand the call off to his assistant, who would relay the same excuses: Mr. Fu is in a meeting, entertaining guests, or attending an economic forum. Fu Mingchuan was always busy.
On WeChat, You Wen asked when Fu Mingchuan would return home. He received only three replies:
- “I currently have no plans to return to Shanshui Residence,”
- “I’m already home,” (meaning his own home, not the one they shared), and
- “My assistant will contact you.”
Now, Chen An had brought Fu Mingchuan’s final message in person.
Chen An felt a pang of guilt. You Wen was such a charming person, with eyes that seemed to smile even before his lips did. He always greeted people warmly, asking what they had for lunch, complimenting their tie clips, or commenting on how healthy they looked. He would excitedly recommend new restaurants he had found, urging them to try them.
He always had something to say and never ran out of cheerful energy. Being around him lifted the spirits of everyone, including the normally reticent Fu Mingchuan’s staff, who all liked You Wen.
Their relationship was an arranged engagement between a chatterbox and a man of few words—a seemingly mismatched pair that, in truth, complemented each other perfectly.
Fu Mingchuan even adjusted his schedule to include You Wen, remembered every significant date in his life, knew his favorite foods and clothing brands, and even the games he enjoyed.
To those around them, the engagement had evolved into what seemed like genuine love. When You Wen’s father passed, Fu Mingchuan even resolved the urgent bond crisis at Taiji.
And yet, out of nowhere, Fu Mingchuan decided to break off the engagement. No one, not even Fu Mingchuan’s closest aides, understood why.
Clearly, neither did You Wen.
But after seeing so many people leave him recently, he was forced to accept it.
Still, You Wen’s sorrowful appearance was heartbreaking. Chen An couldn’t fathom how Fu Mingchuan could be so heartless.
Before leaving, Chen An gave You Wen one last piece of advice. “Mr. Fu suggests you sell your shares in Taiji as soon as possible.”
You Wen didn’t agree or disagree. He simply said, “Please thank him for resolving the bond issue.”
Had Fu Mingchuan already planned to end the engagement when he helped with the bonds? To give away 270 million yuan so easily… The absurdity of it made You Wen feel oddly valuable.
As Chen An left, he noticed two unfamiliar men entering the garden. Feeling uneasy, he doubled back and saw the three of them standing under the veranda, talking quietly. Satisfied that nothing seemed amiss, he finally left.
Back at the office, Chen An had barely sat down when he was asked to deliver documents for the renewal of the MC-1 project to Fu Mingchuan’s office.
After delivering the files, Chen An hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to report on MC-1 or You Wen first.
As usual, Fu Mingchuan looked calm and collected, his thoughts impossible to read.
After briefly updating him on the project, Chen An finally mentioned, “I delivered the property transfer documents to Mr. You, but he didn’t sign them.”
Fu Mingchuan’s expression tightened slightly. “He can sign them whenever he’s ready. My offer stands.”
Chen An understood and nodded. “I’ll let him know.”
Fu Mingchuan’s slender fingers tapped lightly on the folder. He didn’t ask for more details, but since he didn’t dismiss Chen An, the assistant hesitated and added, “Mr. You seemed quite upset. He was crying when I arrived.”
This time, Fu Mingchuan’s expression changed slightly. His brow furrowed. “He was crying?”
It was hard for Fu Mingchuan to imagine You Wen crying. He was always so cheerful, always chattering away. Fu Mingchuan often wished for some peace and quiet, yet couldn’t quite picture a silent You Wen.
“He cried quietly?” Fu Mingchuan asked.
Chen An found his boss’s line of questioning strange. Fu Mingchuan was always disciplined and cold, almost inhuman in his personal life. His words now sounded more like criticism than concern.
“Yes,” Chen An replied. “He cried quietly.”
It was true. You Wen’s crying had been silent, devoid of his usual liveliness.
Satisfied, Fu Mingchuan said, “I see.”
As Chen An prepared to leave, he turned back to deliver You Wen’s final message: “Mr. You said you don’t need to worry. He won’t bother you again.”
Fu Mingchuan’s hand, which had been flipping through the documents, paused briefly. After a moment, he replied, “Good.”
Chen An hesitated but eventually left the room. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Fu Mingchuan was being heartless. But it was clear that Fu Mingchuan didn’t see it that way.
Three months later, Fu Mingchuan received notification of the property transfer. You Wen had accepted everything he had offered. Fu Mingchuan felt satisfied—this was what You Wen deserved.
Even though they had broken up, Fu Mingchuan still wanted You Wen to live well.
In the past three months, You Wen had little time to grieve. He spent most of it confirming what he already knew—he wasn’t fit to run Taiji. He lacked both the skill and the patience.
He tried every possible way to save the company, pleading with countless people, but nothing worked.
Eventually, he sought help from his only friend, Zhou Hui, who managed to convince his father to introduce You Wen to Chen Runhai from Xianghai Capital.
At their first meeting, Chen Runhai expressed interest in Taiji’s troubled assets and scheduled a follow-up.
But during the second meeting, Chen Runhai invited You Wen to a private club instead of his office. Over dinner, Chen Runhai discussed business briefly before grabbing You Wen’s hand.
“You can’t save Taiji,” He said with a gentle smile. “You’d be better off thinking of other ways. Sell it off, and I’ll help you cash out. At least you’ll protect yourself. There’s no point in being stubborn.”
Shocked and frightened, You Wen pulled his hand away and stood up without saying a word, intending to leave.
Chen Runhai remained seated, as calm as a puppeteer holding all the strings. “No one in Zhongzhou can help you except Fu Mingchuan. Think about it.”
Standing by the door, You Wen turned back, forcing himself to stay composed. “There’s nothing to think about. I’ll sell Taiji.”
The moment he stepped out, his expression crumbled. Too scared to go down the spiral staircase, he kept walking forward—until he saw Fu Mingchuan talking with another man on the stairs.
The two seemed close, the other man casually draping an arm over Fu Mingchuan’s shoulder. Fu Mingchuan glanced at him but continued their conversation as they ascended the stairs.
