His tone was so firm that even Li Beiyin, who had always hoped for Bai Ningxi to be her sister - in - law, didn't say a word this time.
Li Nanchuan had a meal at home. This meal was unusually silent, like the calm before a storm. Everyone knew what breaking the engagement meant.
Even though the two families were evenly matched, in a public - opinion war, Li Nanchuan's status and position would surely be more severely affected.
When Li Nanchuan was leaving, Li Beiyin chased after him. She handed a gift bag to Li Nanchuan and looked at him somewhat coyly. "You can give this to Shen Youjin when you have a chance. I was rude to her before. Consider this as an apology."
Li Nanchuan looked at the logo. It was a Hetian jade bracelet that Li Beiyin had recently bought at a high price, costing more than a hundred thousand. She hadn't even had a chance to wear it herself.
Li Nanchuan felt somewhat gratified. Of course, he knew his sister's true nature, as he had raised her.
"I'll give it to her when I have a chance. Go back!"
Li Beiyin nodded. After walking a few steps, she turned around. "Brother, I still hope you can be with Sister Ningxi! No matter what, brother, please don't hurt Sister Ningxi, okay?"
She and Bai Ningxi had played together since childhood. Even after Bai Ningxi went to the south, they still met privately, so their bond was special.
"I'll try my best." Li Nanchuan's eyes were as deep as still water. "You should persuade her."
Li Beiyin paused, sighed, and then turned away.
It seemed that Bai Ningxi was destined not to marry her brother. Now she understood the weight of that saying.
The person who breaks the rules most thoroughly is also the one who once adhered to them most stubbornly.
Shen Youjin was her brother's weakness and also his reverse scale. No one could replace her.
When Li Beiyin returned to the villa, she saw only Mother Li sitting in the living room. Her face looked terrible.
Seeing her precious daughter coming back, Mother Li stood up. Her voice was hoarse. "Come to the study with me!"
Li Beiyin immediately had a bad feeling, but she still obediently followed.
After the door was closed, Mother Li looked at her. "Your birthday is coming soon. Invite Shen Youjin to our home then."
Li Beiyin was slightly stunned. "Ah? Why should I invite her? I don't want to see her."
She did feel a bit guilty about her previous attitude towards Shen Youjin, but it didn't mean she wanted to have contact with her!
Moreover, Bai Ningxi would surely come to her birthday party. Wouldn't this be deliberately making things difficult for Bai Ningxi?
Mother Li was insistent. Li Beiyin had no choice but to agree, but she never understood why her mother's attitude had suddenly changed.
Why the sudden shift? Didn't she used to say that she would never allow Shen Youjin to step into the Li family's door when her brother was away?
Even after she left the study, Li Beiyin still couldn't figure it out. But she still asked someone to prepare an invitation and send it to the Zhuguang Studio the next morning.
To be honest, just from looking at Bai Beichen's photos, she was quite interested in taking pictures there. But she was too proud to do so.
Well, forget it. She'd better not go...
The twilight gradually faded, and the night fell. The wind by the sea began to carry a chill.
Shen Youjin had been sitting there, only with a shawl on her. Her graceful back blended into the moonlight, making it hard to tell if it was a dream or reality.
After an unknown amount of time, the sound of a car braking echoed behind her. It was especially distinct on this beach with only a few scattered people.
She turned her head and saw a black sports car parked not far away. Gu Zhiyuan pushed open the car door and walked towards her under the moonlight.
She wasn't surprised. If one day she wanted to hide, Gu Zhiyuan would surely be the first one to find her.
"I knew you'd be here." Gu Zhiyuan was holding a coat in his hand, but he noticed that she already had a wool fringed shawl on. "Do you want to go for a drink? I can part with that bottle of red wine you used to like."
Shen Youjin shook her head. Her voice was very soft. "No. When the soul is sick, the body should be healthy."
"The old scars will always hurt a bit when they start to heal. You'll get better soon." Gu Zhiyuan lifted his lips, showing an angel - like charming smile on his gentle face. "But sitting here all night isn't a good option. Do you want me to find some other ways to treat you? Maybe it can cheer you up."
Shen Youjin raised her eyes, finally showing a bit of curiosity. "What?"
Gu Zhiyuan stood beside her. His well - maintained fingers gently stroked the top of her head and rubbed it softly.
"I'll give you two hundred million to buy back your mother's seaside villa. Will that make you happy?"
Shen Youjin felt the warmth of his palm, but it was like an electric current passing through her. She almost instinctively refused.
"No, I can figure it out myself."
Compared with Gu Zhiyuan, taking money from Fu Qingye was less stressful.
After all, if Fu Qingye spent money and didn't achieve his goal, he would probably just get angry once and then forget about it. He didn't really care.
But her teacher was different. As a businessman, he wouldn't spend a single cent without a purpose.
"You don't need to pay me back, and you don't need to come back to me." Gu Zhiyuan looked at her, with a flash of sadness in his eyes. "Just consider it as compensation for the grievances you suffered before."
Shen Youjin was slightly stunned. Two hundred million. Did the grievances she suffered really cost so much?
"Just keep it for now." She stood up and dodged Gu Zhiyuan's hand. "I'll borrow from you, Teacher Gu, if I really have to."
She said "borrow". Gu Zhiyuan pushed the silver - rimmed glasses on his nose.
"Xiaojin, I hope I can still be your reliance like before." His voice was gentle. Unlike Fu Qingye, his voice drifted into her heart with the sea breeze. "I know being with me will make you uneasy, but please forgive me for only realizing my feelings after you left. If I ever get married, I hope my wife will be you. I'm willing to spend a lifetime rebuilding your trust in me..."
Shen Youjin looked at his picturesque face. He was so sincere. Maybe another girl would agree in this atmosphere.
But she couldn't. She still couldn't get over that hurdle in her heart.
"If you had told me these things before I found out that you already knew the secrets of the Shen family, I might have given you a chance. But you were a step too late. You stabbed me in the heart again..."
The person who had been with her day and night had watched her endure so much but didn't even tell her the truth.
She didn't even expect him to stand up for her. She just hoped he could tell her the truth so that she wouldn't have to live so hard!
Gu Zhiyuan was stunned by her clear and determined eyes. How could he forget about that?
His fingers clenched together, and a look of regret flashed across his eyes.
"Xiaojin, listen to me..."
Before he could finish, a black luxury car stopped beside his. Li Nanchuan was here!