These words pierced Gu Zhiyuan's heart like a thousand arrows, deeply hurting him.
He always thought he had a heart of stone, but under Shen Youjin's gaze, he was completely defeated. This time, it was his turn to be speechless.
Just then, two figures passing by outside the door slowed down. Shen Guoliang stared at the ajar door with a dark face. He, too, was stabbed in the heart by Shen Youjin's words.
Shen Tianzhen beside him affectionately wrapped her arm around Shen Guoliang's. Her expression was also unpleasant.
If she hadn't misheard, the person talking to Shen Youjin was Gu Zhiyuan?
No wonder he had declined her invitation today, saying he was very busy with work. It turned out he had been seduced by that fox, Shen Youjin?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but say to Shen Guoliang angrily, "Dad, is that Shen Youjin inside? You're still here in good health. How can she say she has no father? Isn't she cursing you?"
Shen Guoliang didn't say a word. There were some things only he and Shen Youjin's mother knew. Now that Shen Youjin's mother was dead, he actually felt deeply guilty towards this daughter of his.
But his situation didn't allow him to take care of this daughter. His current wife's family had a high status, and his company often needed their help. He had no choice but to not be good to Shen Youjin.
Even so, when he heard Shen Youjin's words "I have no father", he wished he could stuff her back into her mother's womb. What an unfilial daughter!
"Dad, should we send her abroad?" Shen Tianzhen walked while frowning. "It's all because of her that Mr. Gu is ignoring me."
Hearing this, Shen Guoliang finally came to his senses. He turned his head and seriously looked at Shen Tianzhen. "What did you say? You still haven't made any progress with Gu Zhiyuan?"
"Yes!" Maybe his gaze was too sharp. Shen Tianzhen shrank her neck and quickly shifted the blame. "It's all Shen Youjin's fault. Relying on her looks, she's almost running amok in the capital. Dad, send her abroad! Give her a sum of money. It can also silence some people."
After Shen Youjin's identity was exposed, the Shen family had suffered a lot of criticism. Now that she had grown up, many men in the capital were interested in her. But everyone knew she was his illegitimate daughter, which indeed had a bad influence.
Previously, because of his guilt, he had never thought of sending her away. He thought he could always secretly help her when something happened.
But after hearing Shen Youjin's words just now, he was completely unmoved.
"Okay." Shen Guoliang said with a cold face. "Because of her, the capital has become a muddy mess. She should have been sent away long ago."
Hearing her father say this, Shen Tianzhen could hardly suppress the smile on her lips.
Shen Youjin, your good days are coming to an end. Once you're abroad, I'll see how I deal with you!
At this moment, fireworks bloomed in the night sky, gorgeous like the echo of a prosperous era.
Shen Youjin didn't know what was happening outside the door. She just quietly watched the fireworks. She knew it was arranged by Gu Zhiyuan.
He knew very well what she liked. In just five minutes, every frame was like the smell of RMB.
"If we had a daughter, I would definitely protect her well." After an unknown amount of time, Gu Zhiyuan spoke again. His voice somehow became a bit hoarse. "Not only our daughter, Youjin, as long as you're willing, I can spend my whole life making it up to you."
Shen Youjin looked at him. This was the first time she saw him making such a solemn promise.
It was a pity that it was already too late. Once suspicion arose, it was not so easy to disappear.
She didn't want to wonder every time she woke up from a nightmare whether this man was going to use her again.
She would be very tired, and so would he.
"I can't believe you'll be a good husband, let alone a good father." She smiled self - deprecatingly. "Moreover, even if I were willing, could your family accept me?"
For so long, this realistic problem had been there. It was not something she could change.
If it weren't for this identity, she and Li Nanchuan would have achieved a happy ending long ago. How could there have been all these things later?
"Of course I can." Compared to Bai Beichen's hesitation, Gu Zhiyuan showed great confidence. "As long as it's the person I choose, my parents will like her."
"If you don't believe me, I'll take you home to have a look in a while?"
Shen Youjin couldn't believe what she heard. Was this man possessed by a ghost?
When their relationship was at its best, she wanted to settle down with him, but he never gave a positive answer and even avoided the topic. At that time, she should have known that they were impossible.
But now, he actually brought it up on his own initiative?
A hint of bitterness flashed across her eyes but disappeared in an instant.
"No need. I just want my earrings now."
Gu Zhiyuan was rejected again. His expression became extremely complicated. "Are you short of money recently?"
Shen Youjin nodded. "I really am. Don't you always know that?"
Thinking of the five - million - yuan villa, Gu Zhiyuan took off his glasses and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He said helplessly, "Marry me. I'll give you that villa as a betrothal gift. How about it?"
If he hadn't said this, it would have been fine. But as soon as he said it, Shen Youjin didn't want to talk to him even more.
"What do you think?" She asked with a half - smile.
"I'm just joking." Gu Zhiyuan looked up at her. "But you, your temper is getting more and more stubborn."
"I've always been like this." Shen Youjin took a sip of juice. "I was just being love - struck before, blind and stupid. Don't mind."
Now it was okay. She didn't want to be in love anymore. She just wanted to make money.
Gu Zhiyuan shook his head. He knew it was meaningless to continue the conversation. He took out a gift box from his pocket and pushed it in front of Shen Youjin.
Shen Youjin opened it and took a look. It was indeed the earring she had lost.
"Thank you." She closed the lid and said. Finally, a sincere smile appeared on her lips.
Gu Zhiyuan avoided her smile. He put on his glasses again and instantly became that shrewd businessman.
"This was originally yours. I'm just returning it to its rightful owner. No need to thank me."
Looking at his appearance, Shen Youjin could guess what he was thinking.
"Are you going to participate in the mountain - road race next week?" Her voice was soft. "If you win, I'll forget about the previous things. How about it?"
Hearing this, Gu Zhiyuan paused. A glimmer of hope that he didn't even notice crept into his eyes. "Really?"
"Of course." Shen Youjin looked at him. "How could I lie to you?"
Gu Zhiyuan was silent for two seconds and then readily agreed.
"Okay, I promise you."
He didn't ask why. He only cared whether the chips the other party offered were what he wanted. Since Shen Youjin had given him what he wanted, the purpose she wanted to achieve was not important to him.