On the banks of the Lingjin River.

Two days after the snow, the branches of the weeping willows still held a dusting of white. Across the broad expanse of the river, a fishing boat would pass by from time to time. Dressed in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, an old fisherman, brimming with vigor, hauled his nets with all his might, his powerful voice occasionally bursting into a fishing shanty. The scene was truly enchanting.

A gentle breeze rustled the swaying willows, teasing the strands of Zhou Yufei's long hair. After lunch, the group had made their way to the banks of the Lingjin River for a stroll.

Chen Yang and Zhou Yufei walked ahead while Zhou Jingyuan, Zhou Yinghao, and Peng Ya intentionally hung back a few meters.

"That girl, Yufei, is so deeply in love," Peng Ya sighed. As a woman herself, she could empathize. "I'm afraid it will be a long time before she can move on."

"It's fate," Zhou Jingyuan said with a helpless expression. "All we can do now is hope her persistence and devotion will eventually touch Chen Yang's heart." He then declared with conviction, "From this day forward, the Zhou Family will no longer engage in arranged marriages."

"Father is wise!" Zhou Yinghao laughed.

"The younger generation will find its own fortune. It's best we interfere less."

「Elsewhere.」

Zhou Yufei gently brushed a stray bang from her forehead and slid her hands into her jacket pockets. Gazing at the sparkling river, she said softly, "I've already resigned from Qin Qiu's company. I'm planning to start my own business after the holidays."

"Still not willing to go back to Qingqiu Dao and be a pampered heiress?" Chen Yang asked, slightly surprised. He then teased, "Then again, with Fairy's abilities, you're sure to build a great career for yourself."

"You haven't called me that in a while," Zhou Yufei said, glancing at Chen Yang with a faint smile on her lips. "In the end, this 'fairy' still failed to devour you, her 'monk's flesh'. I guess that makes me a failure."

"That's because I'm not monk's flesh to begin with," Chen Yang laughed, changing the subject. "Are you starting the business here in Lingjin City, or are you going back to Qingqiu Dao?"

"I won't stay in Lingjin City, this place of heartbreak," Zhou Yufei said, her gaze turning wistful as she pouted slightly. "I'll probably go to Qiyun Dao. The city has more opportunities."

Chen Yang nodded. "If you run into any trouble, feel free to call me anytime."

"I will."

Zhou Yufei nodded, then waved her hand with a smile still playing on her lips. "You should go."

Without another word, Chen Yang bid farewell to Zhou Jingyuan and the others, left the banks of the Lingjin River, and drove home.

Only when Chen Yang's car had completely vanished from sight did Zhou Yufei slowly lower her gaze. She stood by the Lingjin River, letting the cold wind whip around her. Her eyes, staring unfocused into the distance, quickly began to mist over. Her deep, autumn-water eyes grew moist, then red. She didn't sob or choke, but two crystalline teardrops escaped the corners of her eyes, tracing silent paths down her cheeks and over her chin before falling to the earth below.

Is this goodbye... forever?

She didn't know. But at this moment, an aching hollowness filled her chest, as if the most important part of her life had been ripped away. The anguish and grief spread through every fiber of her being, a pain that was truly heart-rending. Her tear ducts gave way, and like a river bursting its dam, tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.

They say that tears are the source of sorrow itself; if you just let them all out, you'll feel better.

Yet, at this moment, Zhou Yufei's tears seemed endless. The sorrow only intensified, becoming a grief that pierced her to the bone.

Zhou Yufei raised her hand to her mouth and bit down—hard. She bit until she tasted blood, yet she had no intention of letting go. Instead, she bit down even harder.

It hurts! It hurts so much!

"Yufei..."

Seeing this, Peng Ya's heart ached. She was about to go and comfort her but was held back by Zhou Yinghao, who shook his head. "It's no use. Let her get it out of her system. This is something she has to overcome on her own."

"But..." Peng Ya's face was etched with worry, her own heart clenching in pain.

Zhou Yinghao shook his head again. "To love someone you cannot be with... truly one of the world's great sorrows."

Zhou Yufei squeezed her eyes shut, her entire body trembling.

Eventually, she couldn't hold it in any longer. A strangled sob escaped her lips, and she collapsed to the ground, burying her face in her arms as she wept uncontrollably.

*When love runs this deep, how could the tears ever stop?*

「Meanwhile.」

A commercial van crawled along the main road, its pace so slow that the drivers behind it laid on their horns relentlessly. But the driver of the van seemed oblivious, maintaining a snail's pace.

This person was, of course, Chen Yang, who had just left the banks of the Lingjin River.

How could he not have sensed the reluctance and pain hidden beneath Zhou Yufei's casual farewell? But some things were truly out of his hands. No matter how great his abilities or how powerful he was, his heart was small. It only had room for one woman.

Amid a chorus of curses from overtaking drivers, Chen Yang calmly lit a cigarette. He steered with one hand, his eyes narrowed as his mind flooded with thoughts.

To Zhou Yufei, it might seem cruel, but regardless of what the future held, this was what he had to do. It was a matter of taking responsibility—for himself, for Zhou Yufei, and for Qin Qiu.

If there was anything to blame, it was fate's cruel games.

It is said that of all the words in the world, none wounds a person more than 'love'.

The ancients were not lying!

Ash fell from his cigarette time and again. Only when the searing heat of the filter burned his fingers did Chen Yang snap back to his senses.

RING-A-LING.

His phone suddenly rang. It was Qin Qiu.

"Chen Yang, please don't take what my mother said to heart," Qin Qiu's gentle voice came through the phone. "No matter what she says or how she feels about you, my feelings for you will never change. You are my husband."

"Honey, I didn't take it to heart," Chen Yang said with a laugh.

Hmm?

Qin Qiu, who had just returned home with groceries, sensed the dejection in Chen Yang's voice and frowned. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"No, not at all. I'm just very touched," Chen Yang said, his voice warm. "Honey, I love you."

"Oh..." she feigned disdain, but her heart felt sweet as honey and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. "You're so cheesy. If that's all, then hurry home. I'll cook for you tonight."

"Oh? So, President Qin knows how to cook?" Chen Yang teased.

"Hmph!" Qin Qiu wrinkled her nose. "I'll have you know, you shouldn't underestimate people."

"Haha, that's my wife, so capable! I'm on my way home now!" Chen Yang laughed.

"Okay."

After hanging up, Chen Yang pressed down on the accelerator.

Life will always have its troubles, but happiness can often be found right beside you.

「The next day.」

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Qin Corporation's new pharmaceutical plant was scheduled for nine o'clock that morning.

This information hadn't been widely publicized. But to certain interested parties, and to those who kept a close watch on the affairs of Lingjin City, the news was explosive.

Everyone knew that several multinational pharmaceutical giants had descended upon Lingjin City with a clear target: the Qin Corporation. To be precise, they were after the formula. Things had been quiet for days, but perhaps today's ceremony would be the flashpoint.

As a result, many people were filled with anticipation.

What they didn't know was that the eight great local families of Lingjin City and the four super-clans, despite having received no invitation, had long since prepared to attend. A large contingent of top-tier Fist Masters from out of town was also converging on the ceremony's location.

Five thousand elites from the Martial Department's Lingjin City branch were mobilized and ready to act.

In truth, Lingjin City was already seething with undercurrents.

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.