Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“You know I never give up.” I managed a small smile, trying to mask my unease, but the shadow in the depths of my heart followed me like a ghost.

Cheng Xubai simply watched me, seemingly unwilling to let the subject drop. “Are you still thinking about that text message?”

I nodded instinctively, a sense of tension spreading through my chest. “I don’t know where it came from, or who is pulling the strings behind all this.”

“That’s not what’s important.” His tone was grave, his gaze burning with intensity. “What matters is that we must plan ahead. We can’t let ourselves be led by the nose anymore.”

I caught the sharp determination in his eyes, and my heart skipped a beat. His talk of being proactive both put me at ease and ignited a fighting spirit within me.

“We can start by analyzing the situation and deciding on a course of action,” I suggested, trying to make my voice sound confident. “I can mobilize some resources; perhaps we can find a lead.”

“That’s a good idea.” Cheng Xubai relaxed slightly, reaching out to give my shoulder a supportive pat. I silently encouraged myself as well, determined to stop running from those shadows.

Just then, my phone vibrated again. To my surprise, it was a news notification about Lu Jingchuan and me. The headline blared: “No Prenuptial Agreement: A Three-Million-Yuan Marriage Turns Out to Be Fraud?” My heart tightened. With trembling hands, I handed the phone to Cheng Xubai. As he read it, his expression darkened instantly, becoming even more somber.

“Who published this? To make an issue out of my business with the Lu Family… they have no bottom line.”

It felt as though a hidden wound in my heart had been poked. My eyes instinctively drifted, fearing I would betray my true emotions. “It’s possible they’re trying to strike back, trying to corner me.”

“I’ll get to the bottom of this.” The corners of his mouth turned down slightly, his eyes flashing with a ruthless resolve. “Little tricks like this aren’t worth mentioning. I trust you’ll handle it well.”

I began drafting a plan in my head. Even if that message was meant to pierce through me like a nail, I couldn’t compromise. I was no longer that cowering girl; I was a woman gradually learning to take control of her own destiny.

“What do you think we should do next?” I gathered my courage to ask.

He took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eye. “If it were me, I would launch a legal counterattack and expose the dark secrets they’re hiding.”

I was shaken, realizing there might be even greater power behind his words. Cheng Xubai’s intentions aligned perfectly with mine; he was already planning a counterstrike. But at that moment, another message arrived from the unknown number: “The more you resist, the more I want to see how you’ll end up in this game.”

I clenched my teeth, desperately suppressing the panic inside. “It’s fine. It’s just a challenge to me,” I said. Although trepidation surged like a tide in my heart, I didn’t want to show any vulnerability in front of him.

“I don’t want you to carry too much.” Cheng Xubai’s voice was as deep as the sea. He reached out and took my hand, a warm current flowing from his palm. In that instant, I felt supported, and the fear in my heart began to fade.

“I’m ready.” I nodded firmly, decided that I would never hide again. We would face this mystery together; I couldn’t let the shadows swallow my future.

Just then, my phone rang again. It was a new notification-a message from my mother: “Is everything okay at home? You need to pay more attention to your image. Don’t let people notice you.”

My heart sank, feeling as if a blade were being drawn across my back. My image? She was still thinking about that. I wanted to scream the truth at her, to demand why she wasn’t on my side, but the more I thought about it, the harder it became to maintain my composure.

“Nianhe?” Cheng Xubai called my name near my ear, making me realize I had drifted off into thought. His concern brought me a sense of relief. In a daze, I realized that it was this man who was helping me step out of the gloom of my past.

“I’m fine.” I worked to steady my tone, trying to appear more composed. “It’s just a message.”

His gaze was searching, but he didn’t seem intent on prying. I felt fortunate to be able to share this moment of tranquility by his side.

However, a voice in my heart still ached. I knew the future would be far more complicated than I imagined. I had to learn how to seize the initiative in this game to secure a future where I wouldn’t be hurt. But where would this path lead? My mind was restless, unable to find peace.

Then, Cheng Xubai’s voice broke through my thoughts again. “Tomorrow, let’s go check out the new project site together. I’ll have you participate in the negotiations. Are you ready to make your voice heard?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I bit my lower lip, the determination in my heart becoming clearer.

As time passed, our relationship grew increasingly complex without us even realizing it. In this challenging moment, my heart and Cheng Xubai’s heart began to converge, moving toward an unknown future.

I knew this path was destined to be difficult, but with him by my side, I was willing to pursue it. In that moment, I felt the dawn of the future slowly approaching, and the warmth it finally radiated meant I was no longer afraid.