Chapter 317 The Unfortunate Lovers Torn Apart by Interests

Chapter 317: Star-Crossed Lovers Torn Apart by Greed

Gang Zi ran like a madman to the entrance of Jia Xiaoyu’s pastry shop.

Inside the shop, Jia Xiaoyu was busy working alongside Tang Guojun. They worked together seamlessly, just like a married couple.

Gang Zi’s eyes instantly reddened.

He recognized Tang Guojun—the man lived next door to the Jia family. Tang had no family left, had only gone to literacy classes, and spoke with a slight stutter. He was honest and kind-hearted, already 30 years old but still single because he was too poor.

"Brother Guojun, go check if the osmanthus cakes are ready. We’re almost sold out here. Bring them out if they’re done," Jia Xiaoyu said, using tongs to stack osmanthus cakes as she looked up to instruct Tang Guojun.

As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Zhao Gang standing outside the door.

Jia Xiaoyu's faint smile vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

Zhao Gang’s face flushed with anger as his heart twisted, glaring at Tang Guojun with hostility.

On instinct, Tang Guojun moved in front of Jia Xiaoyu, shielding her as he eyed Zhao Gang warily.

Seeing Zhao Gang’s clenched fists trembling, Jia Xiaoyu grabbed Tang Guojun's sleeve. "Brother Guojun, go inside. I’ll talk to him."

Tang Guojun gave her a worried look but obediently nodded. "O...okay... Xia... Xiaoyu, if... if anything... happens... you... you... you just... yell... loud."

Jia Xiaoyu smiled gently. "Don’t worry, it’s fine. Go check on my dad in the back."

Tang Guojun nodded and turned to head into the back room.

Choking back his anger, Zhao Gang asked cautiously, "Xiaoyu, what is this? Why is he in the shop?"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Jia Xiaoyu’s arm.

Her heart ached, but she composed herself and wrenched her arm free.

"Zhao Gang, we settled this with your parents last time. Tang Guojun is my partner now. We’re getting married next month. Stop coming around—I don’t want Brother Guojun to feel upset. I hope you find your own happiness soon too."

Zhao Gang managed a painful smile. "Xiaoyu, are you messing with me? Before I left, we agreed that once I came back, we’d get married..."

Jia Xiaoyu met his gaze seriously. "Do I look like I’m joking? Everyone in town knows Brother Guojun and I are getting married."

"You know your family understands this. You saw it yourself."

Zhao Gang’s face paled. "Why? Why? Things were perfect between us. Now you keep calling him ‘Brother Guojun’—what about me?"

"We’ve been together for over two years. My parents were just telling me at home, and I didn’t believe it. You..."

Jia Xiaoyu cut him off. "Yes, just like what the town says—I’m a flirt, my family forced us apart, my parents think we're too good for you. Happy now?!"

Zhao Gang stared at her in disbelief.

But Jia Xiaoyu didn’t want to drag it out any longer. Cutting ties clean was best for everyone. Even if she still had feelings for Gang Zi, there was no future for them.

Her father had nearly been driven to his death by the Zhao family. If not for Brother Guojun, she wouldn’t even have a father now. She loved Gang Zi, and he loved her, but marriage wasn’t just about two people.

What did love matter? If she married into the Zhao family, even the strongest affection would erode under endless conflicts.

Even if she was willing to suffer, she wouldn’t let her parents suffer.

She knew exactly what the Zhao elders were scheming—they were after her family's money.

If Gangzi was willing to cut off his family for her sake, if she were the only one in her family, she would stand by him. But she didn’t dare—nor could she—risk their future over this.

Watching Jia Xiaoyu’s cold expression, the defeat on Gangzi’s face was gradually replaced by fury.

“Gangzi, Gangzi, calm down! You need to calm down!” Zuo Zuying rushed in from outside and grabbed Zhao Gang.

“Talk things through properly. Once words are spoken, it’s hard to take them back. You’re not thinking straight right now—let’s step outside and cool off first.”

Zuo Zuying forced a smile and said to Jia Xiaoyu, “Sis Xiaoyu, Gangzi just got back and came straight to see you without stopping. He was thrilled the whole time, saying he could finally marry you properly. He doesn’t understand what’s going on yet. I’ll take him away first—don’t be angry. Once he’s calmed down, you two can talk things through later.”

Jia Xiaoyu shook her head. “No point. We’ve said all there is to say. Don’t come looking for me again—I already have a fiancé. It’s not fair to anyone. Also, next month is mine and Guojun’s wedding. If you’re free, you’re welcome to stop by for a drink.”

Zuo Zuying’s heart sank, but he didn’t dare linger. Grabbing Gangzi with one hand and clamping the other over his mouth, he dragged him outside.

The moment they stepped out of the shop, Tang Guojun emerged. He had stayed in the back room the whole time—not to eavesdrop, but to protect Xiaoyu in case Zhao Gang caused trouble.

“X-Xiaoyu, y-you... you okay?”

Jia Xiaoyu blinked away the tears in her eyes. “I’m fine. What’s there to worry about? Sooner or later, this had to be faced. By the way, are the osmanthus cakes ready?”

Tang Guojun nodded. “I-I-I’ll... bring them out.”

On the sweltering street, Gangzi wrenched free from Zuo Zuying’s grip around his throat and turned to rush back toward the Jia family’s rice cake shop.

“Gangzi, what are you doing? You’re not seriously gonna trash their shop, are you? Uncle Jia and his wife don’t owe you anything!”

Zhao Gang roared in rage, “I’m going to kill Tang Guojun! That bastard! Xiaoyu was mine—he must’ve done something! Otherwise, why would she dump me?”

“I won’t take this! I need to ask her! I need to know! I can’t accept this! We had it all planned—we were supposed to get married this year! We agreed—when I came back, I’d propose! She promised me! Liar! Liar!!!”

Every memory of Jia Xiaoyu flashed through Zhao Gang’s mind—her gentle smile as she wiped his sweat, her sweet voice calling him “Gangzi,” her shy laughter, the way she cutely stomped her feet...

The mere thought of Xiaoyu acting the same way toward Tang Guojun in the future sent Zhao Gang over the edge. He completely lost control.

“Calm down! You—calm down!” Zuo Zuying bellowed with all his might.

The thunderous shout finally stopped Zhao Gang in his tracks.

The next second, his eyes reddened. “Wahh... Xiaoyu doesn’t want me anymore... Wahh... Xiaoyu doesn’t want me... What do I do? How could she go back on her word? She said she liked me the most! I was only gone for two months, and now she’s marrying someone else!”