Chapter 207: Engagement?

Chapter 207: Engagement?

"Engagement?"

The moment the word left his lips, he realized that his voice had turned hoarse, as if he had swallowed a mouthful of sand.

Upon hearing this news, He Mian felt a sudden chill run through his body. The anger and resentment he had been harboring seemed to have been doused by a bucket of ice water, leaving him entirely numb.

He took a step back, releasing his grip on Zhong Ling's collar.

He felt as if a massive boulder were crushing his chest, making it almost impossible to breathe. For a moment, he was utterly speechless, his mind a blank canvas, transitioning from a tangled mess to a hazy confusion.

An abundance of scathing rebukes had been swirling in He Mian's heart, but after hearing those words — "Yanyan has already agreed to marry him" — all those accusations seemed to be stuck in his throat, leaving him mute.

At this moment, no matter how much he regretted or denied it, or how much he tried to deceive himself, he should realize what he had truly lost. From the beginning, he had been indifferent, for he had received so much affection and praise throughout his life that such affection appeared ordinary to him. It had come too easily.

Easily obtained, it required no effort on his part to gain the other person's unwavering attention and admiration from the start.

But things that come too easily are often subconsciously taken for granted, their rarity and significance overlooked.

He had always assumed it was just a casual fling for him, but the truth was, he had genuinely cared for her from the very beginning. Even with his obtuse nature, he should have realized by now that he had harbored affection for her since day one.

Perhaps he had known all along, but his stubborn heart refused to acknowledge it. He had been vying for dominance, pretending not to care when, in reality, he did. If he hadn't cared, why would he have been with her from the start? He had pushed her away due to a misunderstanding, and now their distance was unbridgeable.

What he said that day was purely out of anger; he didn't look down on her or consider her insignificant. He was just too furious, lashing out without thinking, choosing the dumbest way to vent his frustration. He never imagined she would come looking for him.

As Hao Mian's face paled, so did the color of his lips. In his heart, he wondered if an apology would be enough. If he acknowledged his mistake, would she grant him a chance to start anew? He was willing to set aside any pride.

Beside him, Zhong Ling couldn't help but frown at his dispirited state. He didn't want to say more; some words needed only be spoken once or twice. Besides, they were already broken up, and Yan Yan had agreed to marry him.

He was determined to prevent any further interaction between He Mian and Yan Yan, for he knew that the incident was an accident, but he also sensed that Yan Yan still held some affection for the man.

If both of them were unbothered by this incident and, in fact, used it to clear up misunderstandings and emotional knots between them, leading their feelings to reignite, it would become a problem.

This possibility wasn't entirely out of the question; Yan Yan's personality was more stubborn than he had imagined. If she set her heart on being with He Mian, even he wouldn't be able to stop her.

The only silver lining was that he had, by chance, engaged in a sexual relationship with Yan Yan. While this might not be a big deal in today's world, it was indeed the most intimate act between lovers, a kind of closeness that could deepen their bond and affection.

Both men and women tended to have a profound impression of their first opposite-sex partner. Fortunately, he had handled the situation decently, and the current state of affairs wasn't unfavorable to him.

Zhong Ling suppressed the odd sensation in his heart and, with a raised hand, smoothed out the wrinkles on his chest that had been disrupted. Noticing Yan Yan was still inside, he glanced again at the now-silent figure across from him before turning around and leaving without further ado.

He needed to fetch her some breakfast; they had many tasks to attend to today. He didn't wish to waste any more time on insignificant people or matters.

After Zhong Ling left, He Mian finally regained his composure.

He wasn't sure what purpose he served by staying here now, but he refused to give up so easily. Clearly, all the misunderstandings between them could be explained away, and he could clarify the sources of her discomfort and embarrassment.

He understood that their current situation would only lead to more awkwardness and distress if they met again. Nonetheless, after realizing the depth of his feelings, which he couldn't do without, an unbearable regret and sorrow stirred within him.

He resolved that regardless of the outcome, he had to express his true feelings to her. He had never looked down on her; those words were merely a result of temporary impulse.

Meanwhile, Nan Yan, freshly bathed and changed, sat on the bed, idly browsing through Zhong Ling's phone album. To her surprise, she discovered that this man had a penchant for secretly collecting her photos.

He had saved all the pictures she had previously posted on her social media, mostly mundane snapshots of daily life, organized neatly in a separate folder.

Scrolling further down, she found more photos taken at unknown times. They were visually pleasing, exuding a serene and gentle vibe. However, there were also some unflattering angles, and one particularly surprising shot of her dozing off in his car when he drove her home. Nan Yan was genuinely astonished.

Wasn't this some form of obsessive behavior? She never expected the seemingly aloof and abstinent Boss Zhong to have such an extravagant hobby!

As she gazed silently at her phone,

there was an unexpected knock on the door.

Nan Yan turned her head, slightly surprised. But it didn't take her long to guess who it might be; Boss Zhong wouldn't knock, he would simply barge in. Considering their current relationship, he seemed to feel a sense of entitlement as if he were already a part of the family.

So, the person outside had to be He Mu.

This made Nan Yan even more astonished. Didn't he think their situation was awkward enough? She had assumed that with Boss Zhong's assertiveness, He Mu wouldn't come looking for her anymore, given that they had broken up and the events of last night had severed any remaining ties between them.

Yet, to her surprise, the person still came over. Thus, Nan Yan sat up on the bed and pretended to inquire formally,

"Who is it?"

As she spoke, she unlocked the door.

The moment she cracked it open, she caught sight of He Mu standing right outside. His towering figure, which used to exude an intimidating presence, now held an unfamiliar serenity and tranquility.

This version of He Mu was quite distinct from his usual flamboyant demeanor.

All expression had left his face, but his complexion remained pale, and his lips were disturbingly pale as well. The intensity in his eyes had significantly diminished compared to before.

Their gazes met, causing a momentary pause for both.

Nan Yan seemed unprepared to find him standing at the door. A hint of discomfort gradually appeared on her face. She pressed her lips together, lowered her head slightly, and averted her gaze. Unconsciously, her fingers gripping the doorknob tightened.

There was a brief silence in the air. Neither spoke initially, but eventually, it was Nan Yan who broke the silence, "Why are you here? Do you need something from me?"

This was the first time since their breakup that Yan had spoken to him so calmly. It was as if the once intimate couple had now become mere strangers.

In truth, he would have preferred it if she blamed him, hated him, lost her temper, or even slapped him. However, her calm demeanor stirred up the bitter emotions in He Mian's chest once more. He finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse.

"I rushed over the moment I received the call last night. I didn't waste any time. I searched for you for a long time... Were you injured yesterday?"

At the mention of last night, Nanyan's eyes drooped slightly. Her thick eyelashes concealed the shame and fear in her eyes, but a hint of it still showed on her face. When her emotions finally settled a little, she pursed her lips and shook her head.

"I couldn't find anyone to save me last night, so you were the first person who came to mind. But I forgot that we had already broken up. You don't need to feel guilty. Besides, Zhong Ling arrived in time. I wasn't really injured, just a bit shaken up."

Upon hearing her repeat that they had broken up, He Mian felt a heavy, aching sensation in his chest once again.

He nodded and acknowledged with a soft "Mm," "That's good to hear."

It seemed there was nothing else to say between the two. For some reason, an invisible barrier had formed between them, turning the once intimate couple into strangers. Even their conversation had dwindled to almost nothing.

Nan Yan clearly sensed this heavy discomfort. She fiddled with her fingers, contemplating leaving to find Zhong Ling. But as she took a step forward, he suddenly caught her wrist, not too tightly, and spoke,

"I'm sorry... I'm late."

Nan Yan's body stiffened. She lowered her head, remaining silent.

Hemian's grip on her wrist gradually tightened, his warm palms pressed against the skin of her wrist bone.

Nanyan could almost sense the distinct warmth from his palm. Before she could break free from his grasp, he continued speaking.

"Regarding what happened at the club last time, it was just a moment of frustration. I was upset that you wanted to break up, and frustrated with myself for being so busy all day that I didn't even get the chance to personally give you the ring."

He realized he disliked this strained and distant attitude. Acknowledging his mistake, he sought forgiveness, "I never looked down on you, nor did I despise you, Yanyan... Can you forgive me?"

As Hemian spoke these words, his voice was deliberately lowered.

South Yan froze at his words, turning to look at him. Their hands were entwined, and she fell into a moment of silence. After a gentle yet futile attempt to break free, her intention was clear.

She shook her head, her lips pressed together as she spoke, "I'm not blaming you. I have my own issues too. I shouldn't have placed such high expectations on you. Besides, the past is already..."

Her sentence was interrupted as he suddenly spoke up, "What if I told you I don't care? I don't care about anything anymore. As long as you're willing to forgive me, we can go back to how we were. I can take you away from this city."

He lifted his head abruptly, his tone revealing both tension and anxiety. Normally, he would have had plenty to say, but now, all his words condensed into one plea,

"Yan Yan, I don't care about anything else. As long as you're willing to give me another chance, let's start over, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan finally lifted her head. Her eyes held a mixture of emotions, but she eventually lowered them and softly replied, "But I've already promised someone else."

Hearing this, He Mian felt a sour ache spreading in his chest, almost overwhelming him. His eyes welled up with a stinging sensation, revealing an unprecedented expression. He gazed at Yan Yan, but she didn't meet his gaze.

He Mian's lips were pale, and his hand stubbornly refused to let go. After a tense moment, he couldn't resist asking, "Is there truly no chance at all?"

Nan Yan turned to look at him again. Her brows had unknowingly knitted together, then gradually relaxed. After a moment of silence, she shook her head gently and whispered,

"I've already agreed to marry Zhong Ling.

As soon as she finished speaking, she sensed the fingers that had been clasped around her wrist tremble violently, as if they were losing their grip, and weakly released her hand.

Heming lowered his head, his face devoid of much expression. But at the moment she spoke those words, he felt an inexplicable chill rush into his chest like a freezing gale. The coldness grew stronger, so much so that his fingers began to stiffen.

Especially when he saw Yan Yan's calm gaze, Heming felt as if he couldn't bear it anymore. He instinctively averted his eyes.

Yan Yan seemed to have truly moved on from him. Compared to their breakup due to a misunderstanding, he found it even harder to accept this: Yan Yan no longer liked him. The adoration that had once shone in her eyes was now gone.

Heming suddenly fumbled with his clothes rather hastily, eventually pulling a silver ring from his pocket. He took Yan Yan's palm and, without giving her a chance to object, slipped the ring into her hand. He spoke incoherently, "I've wanted to give this to you for a long time. I picked it out carefully. It might not fit anymore, but it's still yours. Whether you keep it or throw it away, it belongs to you..."

Upon finishing his statement, He Mian didn't give her the chance to refute or decline. He turned around and strode out with long strides, not even bothering to hear what Nanyan had said in response. His departure bore a resemblance to a hasty retreat, carrying a sense of vulnerability.

He genuinely felt that he could no longer stay there. At that moment, his mind was consumed by one thought: to keep his distance. As long as he was far away from this situation, the ache in his chest would subside.

After He Mian left, Nanyan composed herself, yawned, and then lowered her head to examine the ring in her hand. It was still the pair of couple's rings he had prepared before, the delicate and petite version for her. The male counterpart was likely in his possession.

She held the ring closely, examining it carefully. Indeed, she found her initials engraved on the inner side. He must have put considerable effort into it. Unfortunately, he failed to cherish it, leaving himself vulnerable to her leverage.

Hmm, she still hadn't figured out Boss Zhong's weakness yet?

As Nan Yan gazed at the ring in her palm, Zhong Ling happened to enter from outside, carrying a takeaway breakfast. The glint of the ring under the lamp caught his eye, its brilliance slightly dazzling.

Zhong Ling's eyes flickered, a hint of strangeness passing through his mind. He was certain that Yan hadn't worn any rings last night. Now that she had one, it was obvious that someone had delivered it while he was away.

This thought caused Zhong Ling's brows to furrow involuntarily, but he quickly relaxed them. Instead of approaching her immediately, he attentively arranged the breakfast items on the table.

Finished with his task, Zhong Ling made his way towards Nan Yan.

She seemed to be pretending to be calm, scrolling through her phone, with the ring still held tightly in her hand, likely to avoid his notice. Zhong Ling found it amusing. Did she really see him as such a petty person?

After all, it wasn't a significant matter.

Zhong Ling didn't genuinely feel anger in his heart. He might have been slightly bothered, but not to the point of being enraged. After all, it was something left behind by his predecessor. Accurately speaking, it might have even been connected to her first love.

Upon this realization, Boss Zhong's expression froze. Suddenly, the indifference he initially felt turned into a sense of care. A strange sourness welled up in his chest.

It was said that first loves were the most unforgettable. She had met Helin under such circumstances; it was indeed not an easy task for her to quickly forget someone like that.

However, Zhong Ling believed himself to be an adult who knew how to regulate and control his emotions. Moreover, his focus was now on the person standing before him.

He didn't weigh as much in her heart as her first love, though it might be somewhat self-deprecating to say so. Still, he was aware of his own position.

Zong Ling stepped closer and held out his hand in front of her. "Can I take a look? It caught my eye the moment I walked in."

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

Nan Yan's gaze instinctively shifted away.

Unable to contain himself, Zong Ling pinched her cheek, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "Are you really looking down on me that much? Do I seem that petty to you? You didn't have any jewelry on when I checked you last night. Didn't Rong Mian just give you that ring?"

Nanyan couldn't help shooting him a glare in response to his words.

A hint of irritation flickered in her eyes, and her cheeks tinged with a slight flush. After a moment of silence, she gradually revealed the ring in her hand.

A subtle smile involuntarily graced Zhong Ling's face. He held the ring in the palm of his hand, examining it carefully before returning it to her. Then, he bent down and kissed her forehead. "Keep it if you like it. The sentiment behind someone's gift is genuine."

Zhong Ling took a gentle breath and considered his words before continuing, "I don't mind other men giving you gifts, nor do I mind you accepting them. That's part of your allure and your own social circle."

"I'm not selfish enough to demand that your world revolves solely around me in the future," he assured her.

He looked at her with an unusually earnest gaze, making it clear to anyone that he wasn't just spouting empty compliments.

Zhong Ling's voice softened. "Yanyan, you have your own personal space, and I won't restrict who you choose to be friends with. In terms of emotions, we're equals, though not everything follows this rule."

"It's possible that the one who falls in love first might subconsciously put themselves in a more submissive position. But with me, you don't need to worry about such matters. I only hope that when you deal with me, you can be a bit more equitable."

Zhong Ling spoke deliberately, his body relaxing as he sat beside her, maintaining a comfortable, secure distance that naturally invited trust and vulnerability.

His words were genuine; when he liked someone, he also desired that they maintain their individuality and personal space, rather than one person entirely revolving around the other, with no thoughts or interests beyond that relationship. Such a situation would be too exhausting and selfish.

Perhaps his upbringing and ingrained habits had shaped his way of thinking, but he clearly sensed that his affection for Yan Yan had, at times, imposed considerable distress and inconvenience upon her.

There was a time when he had come dangerously close to losing control, committing numerous transgressions against her and entertaining atrocious thoughts. Human nature inherently has dark inclinations, which can be particularly challenging to restrain in moments of irrationality.

In truth, he wasn't willing to force her. He hoped she would take the initiative, that her affection and proximity toward him would be entirely voluntary.

At his core, he still possessed a semblance of moral integrity. Thus, he was now willing to put aside his past malicious intentions and start anew with her.

He exhaled softly, his voice calm. "Yanyan, it's true that people can lose control of their tempers when they're angry. I've actually mentioned the matter I want to discuss with you quite a few times before, and it might cause some distress. But in the future, I'll do my best to restrain myself."

Nanyan looked at him. "Huh?"

"I mean... the ring isn't that great-looking. If you like it, you can keep it as a collection. If you really want to wear it, I'll buy you a better one in the future, something more beautiful than this."

After Zhong Ling finished speaking, he coughed softly and averted his gaze, feeling a little uneasy. He thought that what he just said might sound insincere and pretentious.

Would she think that he was deliberately trying to coax her?

Suddenly, Nanyan found it amusing. It was rather interesting to see the serious Mr. Zhong being two-faced. She asked him, "Didn't you say you didn't mind?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end before a sincere reply came through, "Well... I won't mind if you don't wear it."

Zhong Lin nodded, appearing magnanimous, but in reality, he was still a man with a petty heart. He reached out and held her fingers, gently rubbing the spot on her ring finger with two of his own. That spot held a special significance; how could he not be at all bothered by it?

But for now, he was merely a boyfriend and fiancé-in-waiting, hence his confidence wasn't that strong.

Nan Yan: "..."

With all those fancy words and circumlocutions, it all boils down to speaking the truth in the end. It's evident that this person prefers to be indirect and circuitous rather than straightforward.

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As predicted by Zhong Ling, subsequent events unfolded smoothly. After a hospital checkup confirmed her well-being, Zhong Ling started assisting her with quitting her job and moving out. In the matter of relocation, Boss Zhong seemed even more eager than she was.

Since their communication severed, Nan Yan hadn't set foot in his house for months. However, nothing much had changed in Zhong Ling's place; she still resided in the same room she used to occupy.

On this matter, Zhong Ling didn't insist further. After all, they had just crossed a significant boundary in their relationship, becoming significantly closer. It would be too much for him to insist that she share the same room with him now.

He understood the principle of moderation; besides, they were inevitably heading towards an engagement, so he could certainly afford to wait for this brief period.

Things needed to be dealt with one at a time, gradually and patiently.

Thus, Nanyan spent her days in tranquility at Zhong Ling's home. She was undisturbed, and her work at the club was finally completed.

She could now focus entirely on her exam preparations. Add to that, Boss Zhong had been unusually considerate lately, not constantly seeking her attention. This lifestyle was practically idyllic!

Their intimate moments were actually quite scarce, limited to occasional days off when he couldn't resist the urge to kiss her.

He would lower his head and whisper her name, his breath caressing her neck with a hint of intimacy and desire. Nanyan could clearly see the lust in his eyes.

At times, when he persisted for too long, she would respond. Occasionally, she would turn around, wrap her arms around his neck, and give him a slow, lingering kiss that would only end when Zhong Ling was on the verge of losing control.

However, Boss Zhong was evidently not content with this. But he also knew that their current situation was already much better than before. People, after all, tend to crave more once they've tasted it once.

Recently, Zhong Ling had been busy with work, resulting in fewer opportunities to spend time with Nanyan. He could only send her messages on her phone as reminders to eat.

Given Nanyan's previous history of working alternating shifts, she often found herself awake at night and drowsy during the day. Strangely, after living together, they had missed each other on several occasions due to their mismatched schedules.

This situation gave Zhong Ling a headache. Previously, he would never have imagined that they would miss each other due to such an absurd reason. But now, he felt no different from having a night owl for a pet—except that his previous pet was a Ragdoll cat, whereas now, it was a fairy-like feline.

After sending the message, Zhong Ling put his phone aside. As he turned to sign some documents, he couldn't help but glance at his phone twice, expecting a reply. Assuming she might be catching up on sleep, he didn't take it to heart.

Zhong Ling found the situation amusing, almost able to visualize her sleeping. Nonetheless, he took advantage of the break and picked up a file on the desk to review its contents.

Assistant An had mentioned that the individuals from the club were all taken to the police station. Before their departure, Zhong Ling had made sure not to let them off easily. He had already interrogated them beforehand, extracting quite a bit of information before handing them over to the police. These people had a criminal record and frequently engaged in underground black market transactions; they were the type who did dirty work for money.

This incident indeed confirmed that Nanyan hadn't provoked anyone, but rather, someone was deliberately seeking revenge.

The ability to pay with money indicates a decent financial background. So, Zhong Ling instructed Assistant An to trace the transaction account and mobile number provided by the other party thoroughly. It wasn't until today that Assistant An delivered this document in its entirety.

Zhong Ling also caught sight of the phone number on the document. The other party had gone through three layers of connections to reach their target, and the third layer was the actual link. With each layer of calculation, there were fewer and fewer traces of evidence. Even if it were handed over to the police, it might not be enough to secure a conviction.

In the end, there was only one overseas private number left. That number had been disconnected, and all call records had been erased. Apart from a string of digits, there was no tangible evidence to be found. Yet, Zhong Lin still recognized the number; it was an infrequently used personal number that Ruoxiao had registered abroad in the past.

Satisfied that he hadn't misremembered, Zhong Ling's heart plummeted in an instant, his gaze turning icy and resolute.

He didn't expect that she would be behind this, for if she were, he would be inevitably implicated as well.

Zhong Ling's mood was evidently disturbed at this moment. A flicker of anger passed through his eyes, but he managed to suppress it before dialing the number on the other end.

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Meanwhile, this was the first time Zhong Ling had invited her out since Nuan Xiao Xiao had returned to the country. It made her feel that there might be a change in their relationship, for after the incident at the club, Zhong Ling had completely ignored her.

During this period, she was truly on the verge of emotional collapse.

Yan Xiaoxiao truly couldn't comprehend why, despite the misunderstandings between them being cleared, he still refused to reconcile with her. It wasn't until that day when she witnessed the princess being held in Zhong Ling's embrace, receiving his kiss, that she finally grasped the truth. Zhong Ling had fallen for a high-end hostess from a club - that very woman who often dressed provocatively and entertained numerous men with her smiles and alcohol sales!

Doesn't he feel disgusted? She couldn't believe she was inferior to a princess. She had investigated the identity of that hostess, and she truly was impoverished, relying on her looks to flirt with men in the club for money. For a price, anyone could do as they pleased with her.

Ruanyao despised such women, and she had encountered plenty of them. Apart from a moderately pretty face, they had nothing else. They graduated high school only to sell drinks and entertain male clients, without any self-respect or dignity. Why should such a woman be respected? Besides, she was already dating He Mian and had a relationship with him. Why was she still stringing along Zhong Ling?

After news of the incident at the club began circulating, her parents pressured the Zhong family for an explanation. After all, both parties were already discussing marriage. What was the meaning of this situation now, when the groom-to-be had acted in such a manner?

Initially, the Ruans wanted to sever all ties with the Zhongs, but she had stopped them. She didn't want to completely cut off ties with Zhong Ling. Instead, she tried to smooth things over, claiming that Zhong Ling had been drunk and mistaken her for someone else that night.

Yet, during this period, Zhong Ling hadn't returned to the Zhong Family, nor had he met her once. Even when she went to his company to find him, he turned her away with the excuse of being busy.

And now, Zhong Ling was actually taking the initiative to come and find her.

Unavoidable joy surged in Ruan Xiaoxiao's heart. She genuinely liked Zhong Ling – so much that she was willing to overlook everything. In those years they spent abroad, her life revolved around her boyfriend. She gave her all because she hoped he would do the same, but Zhong Ling was clearly different.

He seemed to have an endless stream of tasks; his busyness left her affection unanswered, leading to that misunderstanding at her birthday banquet.

But after going through these experiences, she truly believed she had matured. If they could reconcile this time, she vowed never to be as capricious as before.

After Ruanshaoxiao spent the entire afternoon meticulously selecting a charming dress and adorning herself with exquisite makeup for their date, instead of receiving the affectionate gaze she had anticipated, she was handed a cold, impersonal envelope.

Zhong Ling's dark eyes were serene, his face devoid of any emotion as he threw the letter in front of her with an unprecedentedly indifferent tone, "This is yours?"

Ruan Shaoxiao was momentarily stunned. She lowered her head to examine the document on the table. The series of account numbers and digits made her dizzy, but she still spotted the canceled number, causing her heart to tighten and her complexion to pale.

"I – I don't know what you're talking about?"

Her voice trembled with obvious nervousness and guilt, her words stumbling over one another.

Zhong Ling repeated himself, casting a cold glance. "I wouldn't have come to see you if I didn't have evidence. That night, what happened to Yan Yan—was it your doing?"

Perhaps it was the certainty in his tone, his icy demeanor, or the way he looked at her that made Ruanshao Xiao lose all composure.

She had never been confident in front of him.

Tears welled up uncontrollably; she felt wronged that he was blaming her for another woman. Clenching the document before her, she said through gritted teeth, "Yes! So what if I did have someone do it? She stole what belonged to me. Why can't I get someone to teach her a lesson?"

Her tears flowed more profusely, and soon, she was weeping bitterly, her makeup smudging.

"Are you implying that you want to seek justice for her now? Do you have any idea how I interpreted your call today? I thought you were reaching out to reconcile! But look at what you're doing - questioning and lecturing me over a High Princess. Are you planning to drag me down to the police station next?"

Upon hearing her weeping tale with no hint of remorse, Zhong Lin felt a growing surge of irritation and anger in his chest.

Especially upon hearing the plaintive, accusatory voice, he let out a cold sneer, as the fury that had been simmering inside him since this afternoon threatened to overflow.

He felt as if a fire were raging within him, and it was on the verge of erupting in its entirety.

Zhong Ling's gaze held a veiled sarcasm, his fingers clenched tightly.

He abruptly shot to his feet and, with fierce determination, hurled the glass cup from the table directly at her standing spot.

"Shut the hell up! Are you done crying yet?"

The tremendous crash echoed as the cup shattered into pieces, fragments carelessly slicing across Ru Xiao Xiao's ankle, causing a sudden stab of pain.

Startled by the sudden commotion and overwhelmed by Zhong Ling's intense aura, Ru Xiao Xiao was frozen in shock. Her sobs immediately ceased, tears welling up in her eyes as she stared blankly at him.

She had never seen this side of Zhong Ling before, nor had she heard him swear at anyone.

But his current demeanor clearly indicated genuine anger.

Zhong Ling approached from across the room, slamming the document into her chest. "How can you have the nerve to say such things?"

"The reason we broke up is something you're well aware of. It was because I found out about your dalliances with other men that led to our separation!"

"You're now shifting the blame onto others. So, after all those years of studying law, is it only to concoct excuses for your foolish actions?"