All around grew quiet. Only the rushing river under the bridge roared, its splashing sounds like a stirring battle song.
The tense atmosphere permeated every corner, oppressing everyone so much that it was hard to breathe.
Moments later, Li Nanchuan parted his thin lips slightly. His voice was steady and unhurried, full of calmness and determination.
"If Mr. Bai has the ability, I, Li Nanchuan, will accompany you to the end!"
Because of Bai Ningxi, he always had to take many things into account.
Every time he watched Shen Youjin from afar and met her frosty gaze, his heart felt as if being cut by a knife.
Since things had come to this point, he had nothing to hesitate about.
He didn't need to wait until before her birthday. He would make a clean break right now.
In an instant, Bai Yueheng's eyes were filled with disbelief. Even the muscles on his face twitched slightly due to anger. It took him a while to squeeze out a hoarse voice from his throat, "What did you say? You're actually willing to give up everything for a woman with nothing?"
"She's worth it." Li Nanchuan's eyes were like a deep, cold pool. He stared firmly ahead as if he could penetrate all obstacles, exuding an irresistible force. "She doesn't have nothing. I'll always stand in front of her."
Like Gu Zhiyuan, Bai Yueheng was a successful businessman.
Even when it came to his wife, he only showed a little bit of his true feelings. At this moment, seeing Li Nanchuan's all - out attitude, he only thought it was unreasonable.
"Li Nanchuan, you're really crazy!"
Li Nanchuan remained calm and was unmoved by his words.
The only person he cared about was Shen Youjin. Even if she didn't love him, how could he bear to let her carry the stigma forever?
"The wind is strong on the bridge. Farewell, Mr. Bai."
He turned around. His figure was straight, like a towering mountain, exuding a powerful aura. Everything around him seemed to shrink in comparison.
Bai Yueheng had never met someone like Li Nanchuan. People from their wealthy families were tied to various interests from birth. How could someone make such a reckless decision?
Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Bai Ningxi.
He composed himself and asked with a smile, "What's up, Xiaoxi?"
Hearing the noise on his end, Bai Ningxi vaguely heard the sound of an engine. "Brother, who are you with?"
Bai Yueheng looked at the departing black luxury car, a cold glint in his eyes. "A friend."
"The meal will be ready soon." Bai Ningxi paused. "Brother, come back early. Don't stay out for too many business dinners."
Bai Yueheng responded and hung up the phone. He walked slowly to his car and showed a terrifying smile.
Since Li Nanchuan said he would accompany him to the end, don't blame him for being ruthless!
It wouldn't be so easy to dissolve this engagement. He would make the Li family pay a heavy price!
Forty minutes later, Bai Yueheng returned to the Bai family mansion with his wife and child.
As soon as he entered and before he could say a few words, Bai Ningxi called him aside.
"Brother, are you hiding something from me?"
Seeing his gentle sister looking worried, he knew what she was thinking and felt even more indignant for her.
"No." Bai Yueheng smiled, but his smile lacked sincerity. "But you, are you really going to be with Li Nanchuan? He almost lost his life to save another girl before!"
This had always been a knot in his heart. As an older brother, he could have someone else in his heart, but his future brother - in - law couldn't!
"I haven't decided yet. If there's no progress before my birthday, I'll give up." Bai Ningxi smiled helplessly. "I know you feel sorry for me, brother, but who can control feelings?"
Bai Yueheng didn't answer. He just reached out and ruffled her hair, just like when they were kids.
"Xiaoxi, brother won't let you be wronged."
Bai Ningxi looked blank. It wasn't until after dinner, when she received the call she had anticipated countless times, that she finally understood what her brother meant.
"Miss Bai, let's cancel our engagement ahead of time." Li Nanchuan's magnetic voice came through the phone, filled with the formality and aloofness of a business deal. "I'll explain it to my family tomorrow. As compensation, I'll transfer the performance venue of Yingxue to Miss Bai's name for free. Consider it an apology!"
Bai Ningxi felt a sharp pain in her heart. She barely managed to maintain her usual elegance. "Why? Because of Miss Shen?"
"Miss Bai." Li Nanchuan was silent for two seconds. "Even if we had another year, I couldn't fall in love with you or any other woman. Anyway, it's our Li family's fault first. Miss Bai can make any request and the Li family will agree."
Except to be with you, right? Bai Ningxi added silently in her heart.
"No need." She took a deep breath. "Forced love won't be sweet. Let's just end it like this!"
She couldn't say any words of blessing and hung up the phone directly.
She looked at the moon outside the window. It seemed as if all the river water was rising in her eyes, making her feel completely soaked.
As the beloved daughter of the Bai family who had been favored since childhood, this was the first time she was so envious of a woman.
It turned out that some things were out of reach no matter how hard she tried, not even for her...
This night, it wasn't just the Bai siblings who couldn't sleep. Shen Youjin couldn't either.
She was organizing the information she had collected over the years. Even after all this time, Xu Jiale still lacked confidence.
As the younger sister of the victim, although she was very young at that time, she was the only eyewitness.
As long as she was willing to come forward and cooperate with the physical evidence, there was hope for Shen Youjin to clear her mother's name even without the recording pen.
It was a pity that after finding Xu Jiale once and being turned away by her family, the Xu family had moved again. Until now, Shen Youjin still hadn't been able to find her.
Witnessing her only sister's tragic death, Xu Jiale had suffered serious psychological trauma. It was said that she never wanted to speak again.
She sighed and looked at the message from the private detective, praying that this time she could confirm Xu Jiale's real address.
The next morning, as the dawn broke and the soft light filtered through the thin clouds into the window, Shen Youjin went to the studio.
It was the day for Shen Qilin to try on clothes. Such an important occasion, of course, she couldn't be late again.
Before coming, she specifically gave Ling Qiuqiu a day off. She didn't want to involve her.
At nine o'clock, Shen Qilin appeared alone at the studio door.
Looking at his red hair that was particularly eye - catching in the sun, Shen Youjin rubbed the 24 - hour miniature monitor with her slender fingers, feeling both excited and nervous.
She hoped God could hear her prayer and let her get lucky just this once!