Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Lu Chenzhou was waiting for me outside the cafe.

I didn’t know how long he had been there.

The night wind was biting.

He stood by his car with a cigarette between his fingers, though it wasn’t lit.

I walked over to him.

“Did Song Mingzhu tell you?”

He saw the folder in my hand, and his expression darkened.

“What did she want with you?”

“To talk about a partnership.”

“Wen Qiao.”

His voice was low and heavy.

“Don’t get dragged into this.”

I laughed.

“I was dragged into this a long time ago.”

“The day your mother used my brother’s life to force me to leave, I was already in it.”

His pupils constricted sharply.

“What did you say?”

I looked at him.

The wind made my eyes sting.

“You didn’t know?”

He didn’t answer.

But his expression was answer enough.

So he really didn’t know.

It was so absurd I wanted to laugh.

And it made me hate him even more.

“Four years ago, your mother gave me two choices.”

“Either leave you and my brother’s surgery would proceed as planned.”

“Or stay, and Wen Ning’s spot on the schedule would be canceled.”

Lu Chenzhou’s face turned pale, inch by inch.

“That’s impossible.”

“You can check for yourself.”

I clutched the folder to my chest.

“The Lu family is so powerful; I’m sure you can find out.”

He took a step toward me.

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

I finally snapped.

“How could I have told you?”

“Lu Chenzhou, your father had just died that day, and the Lu Corporation was in total chaos. Your mother said that if I dared to make a scene, you would abandon the entire mess for my sake.”

“She said if I loved you, I shouldn’t ruin you.”

My voice trembled.

“She also said my brother only had one life.”

Lu Chenzhou’s eyes were bloodshot.

“So you bore it all alone?”

“What else was I supposed to do?”

“Wait for you to save me?”

I gave a bitter, ugly smile.

“Back then, you couldn’t even save yourself.”

As those words landed, he seemed pinned to the spot.

I knew it was harsh.

But it was the truth.

Four years ago, we were both too young.

So young we thought love was enough to win.

Only later did we learn that wealthy families aren’t fairy tales.

They are a web.

Everyone is dressed impeccably, but their hands are gripping someone else’s weakness.

Lu Chenzhou reached out as if to touch me.

I stepped back.

“Don’t.”

His hand froze mid-air.

After a long silence, he slowly lowered it.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Handle what?”

“Your brother’s consultation, the engagement, Song Qiming, and my mother.”

He spoke steadily.

It was as if he had finally regained the composure expected of Lu Chenzhou.

But I no longer wanted to rely on that composure to survive.

I said, “You handle your business.”

“And I’ll have my revenge.”

He looked at me.

“What are you going to do?”

I raised the folder in my hand.

“Don’t they want me to admit my mistakes at the press conference?”

“Then I’ll admit them.”

Lu Chenzhou frowned.

“Wen Qiao.”

“Don’t stop me.”

I looked him in the eye.

“This time, I don’t want to hide behind anyone.”