Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

  Shangguan Ning said in annoyance, “Everyone around you has kept you in the dark. They know everything but they have chosen to not tell you about it. Just look at Shangguan Rouxue’s expression and you will know what I mean.”


  Shangguan Rouxue panicked but recovered in a few seconds. She held on tight to Xie Zhuojun’s arm. “Zhuojun, I really don’t know anything about all this. Daddy never talks about work problems, in my presence. Sister, you must have misunderstood him, Daddy isn’t like that. He has always loved you so much!”


  Xie Zhuojun caught the change in Xue’s expressions, but he still believed what Xue said – Shangguan Ning must have misunderstood Deputy Mayor Shangguan.

  “Ning, it was my fault all those years ago, because of which you’ve had to suffer. Please don’t blame uncle for my mistake. Uncle Shangguan is your father, and he will never hurt you. Xue has always felt guilty and so she keeps blaming herself for whatever happens to you.”


  Earlier, Shangguan Ning had thought that Xie Zhuojun was naive and soft-hearted as he was easily influenced by others’ opinions. Now she realised that he was simply stupid.

  She felt that she was lucky that Shangguan Rouxue caused her engagement with Xie Zhuojun to break off, otherwise, she would have to live in pain for the rest of her life.

  The last bit of unhappiness in her heart, of being robbed of her fiance, was gone. She was now free of all bitterness

  “Please tell me if you had a sister, would you want her to marry a man who was a vegetable? If you had a brother, would you fall in love with his wife and have sex with her, in front of your brother?”– she asked Xie Zhoujun, earnestly.

  Xie Zhuojun was furious. He bellowed, “What nonsense are you talking about ?”


  Shangguan Ning wasn’t annoyed. Instead, she said in a very calm tone. “See, that is what my dear father and my kind-hearted sister did to me. You agree that all this is impossible to accept, right? But I have had to accept all of this.You still think I owe them something?”


  Xie Zhuojun felt ashamed, as did Shangguan Rouxue. Her face was pale and tears rolled down her cheeks. “Sister, it was all my fault. I was too young and naïve. The moment I met Zhuojun, I fell in love with him. I did not have the sense to differentiate between right and wrong. He became my one and only. What I did to you was a terrible thing. I felt so guilty about it that I even thought of taking my own life. If you don’t forgive me, I have no reason to live……”


  Saying these words, Shangguan Rouxue ran towards the sea nearby.

  “Xue, come back! Don’t do anything stupid!” Xie Zhuojun shouted. He ran after her to stop her but not before chiding Shangguan Ning. “I am so disappointed with your behaviour.”


  No sooner had Xie Zhuojun left, than Jing Yichen came to her.

  He stared at the two disappearing silhouettes with a cold expression. He went up to his wife, held her by her waist and asked, “What happened? Who is worrying you?”


  Shangguan Ning, hugged him. She sighed and explained, “No one. It is I, who has caused all this. I have made my sister want to take her own life, while I just chose to stand by and watch. Your wife is such a ruthless woman. Is she not ? Don’t you wish you had chosen someone else to get married to? Someone more considerate. Someone with long black hair.”


  Jing Yichen thought that if Shangguan Ning went on with her snide references to Tang Yun, he would have to stay away from all women who sported long black hair.

  He held her soft little hands with his large hands and pulled her into her white Audi car.

  He held her hands in his, and said,”I don’t care who jumps into the sea, as long as it isn’t you. You are not ruthless. You are just standing up for yourself. I am happy about that. It’s about time too. Remember one thing, if anyone bothers you, just let me know. I will ensure that they definitely jump into the sea. You don’t have to waste an ounce of your energy convincing them to do so.”


  Shangguan Ning chuckled. She felt warm and secure when Jing Yichen was around her.

  “President, I am such a hard worker. Look, I was in office, even at this hour. Don’t I deserve a bonus?”


  Jing Yichen leaned forward and gave her a kiss. He asked mischievously, “Does this count?”


  Shangguan Ning blushed. She turned around and was about to scold him for taking advantage of her, when their lips touched because of the close proximity between them.

  Jing Yichen instantly took her into his arms, and he said with a smile, “Looks like you approve.”


  Then with hands roving all over her body, he kissed her passionately.

  In the meanwhile, Xie Zhuojun was drenched, carrying an equally soaked Shangguan Rouxue, whom he had rescued from the sea. She was unconscious. At a distance, he saw Shangguan Ning get into a white Audi, hug a man and drive away into the sunset.

  Seeing the car drive away, he felt as if all energy was sucked out of him. All of a sudden, Shangguan Rouxue felt so heavy in his arms.

  He stood there, oblivious to the fact that Shangguan Rouxue was twitching.

  When Xie Zhuojun brought Shangguan Rouxue back to Family Shangguan house, Shangguan Zheng and Yang Wenshun were shocked. They asked him so many questions about what happened to their daughter.

  Shangguan Zheng was so livid with both of them. As soon as Shangguan Rouxue regained consciousness, he said, “You and Zhuojun are old enough now. You two should get engaged. You can invite your sister too, if you wish.”


  Yang Wenshu was annoyed with her husband. Instead of comforting Shangguan Rouxue and asking her how she felt, Shangguan Zheng had brought up the topic of their engagement. This wasn’t the time or place to talk about marriage.

  She had a nagging doubt, in the back of her mind, that her husband wished to get Shangguan Rouxue engaged only so that he could use it as an excuse to invite Shangguan Ning, back to the house.

  She chose not to say anything to her husband, because she didn’t want to annoy him any further.

  Besides, it was a good thing if her daughter did get engaged, after all. What was the use of Shangguan Rouxue following Xie Zhuojun like a puppy, if nothing came out of it.

  She stole a glance at Xie Zhuojun. He seemed distracted. He didn’t look happy, like one would, if they were to get engaged to the person they loved.

  On the other hand, Shangguan Rouxue’s pale face broke into a smile. She tugged onto Xie Zhuojun’s sleeves and said, “Are you happy, Zhuojun? We are getting engaged!”


  Xie Zhuojun,who was lost, came back to reality. He pushed away all his doubts and insecurities for now. He forced a smile and said, “I am so happy. Don’t worry, Uncle and Aunt, I will treat Xue well. She will definitely be the happiest woman in the entire world.”


  It was so easy for him to fake it. It just came to him naturally now. It was easy for him to fool the rest of them but he knew in his heart, that he did not mean any of the things he had just said.