Breaking up over a disagreement?

Xu Jing couldn’t help but laugh: “Xiang Li, is this what you’ve been telling people?”

Zhang Wei’s logic was also quite absurd.

Even if they had broken up over a “disagreement,” it meant they had irreconcilable differences at the time. Xiang Li hadn’t supported his research and development, believing no one would invest in the electronic dictionary he and Ma Hai were developing. During their most difficult times, he and Ma Hai barely managed to survive until they finally found an investor in Xia Xiaolan.

What contribution had Xiang Li made to any of this?

She had provided neither material nor emotional support, hadn’t “wasted” any more time on him, and immediately started dating Li Yong after their breakup—now that Li Yong had fallen on hard times, while he and Ma Hai had built their current success through Xia Xiaolan’s investment and their own hard work after returning to China, he was somehow obligated to forgive Xiang Li?

On what grounds?

Sensing Xu Jing’s anger, Xiang Li cast a pleading look at Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei immediately found the courage to protect the seemingly weaker party: “Xu Jing, what do you mean by pressuring Xiang Li like this? Even though you’re successful now, you shouldn’t be so excessive. If it weren’t for Xiang Li encouraging you to go abroad, where would you have learned your skills? You wouldn’t be where you are today. I’m truly disappointed in you—”

Nearby, Zhuo Weiping cleared her ears. She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop on ‘Director Xu’s’ personal affairs, but they were speaking so loudly it was impossible not to hear.

Hearing only one side might make this seem like a story of a successful man abandoning his former partner, but was that the case?

Zhuo Weiping didn’t immediately intervene in this private matter.

While she didn’t know ‘Director Xu’, she trusted Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t employ a man of poor character.

Xu Jing took two deep breaths and interrupted Zhang Wei’s accusations:

“I went to America because Xiang Li wanted to stay there, and she threatened to break up with me if I didn’t go! Zhang Wei, you can say this was Xiang Li’s way of motivating me to pursue a better life, but I funded my entire trip myself, even selling my state-returned ancestral home… I never used any financial support from Xiang Li in America. Xiang Li, can you admit this?”

Xiang Li wanted to deny it, but Xu Jing was stating facts.

Although she had gone to America first on a government scholarship, she hadn’t had any ancestral home to sell, and her stipend had barely covered her expenses, let alone supporting Xu Jing!

After arriving in America, Xu Jing hadn’t been her burden; instead, he had supported her considerably.

Since Xiang Li wanted to reconcile with Xu Jing, she couldn’t discredit him in front of Zhang Wei, so she had to admit:

“Yes, that’s true. I couldn’t support you financially even if I wanted to. I was just a poor student too. Xu Jing, you can’t forgive me because I left when you and Ma Hai’s ‘project’ was struggling, right? I’ve realized how shortsighted I was. If you just give me a chance, I’ll stay with you through thick and thin from now on!”

Good, as long as Xiang Li admitted this much. Though Zhang Wei might be an overly enthusiastic meddler, at least he wouldn’t lie. Today’s conversation would surely spread throughout their shared circle of friends!

Xiang Li’s persistent pursuit was based on her belief that he would soften, factoring in a man’s concern for face—that he wouldn’t tell their former friends what had happened in America.

But she had misjudged him!

Xu Jing suddenly turned to Zhang Wei with a bitter smile:

“I can’t reconcile with Xiang Li, not just because she broke up with me when I was at my lowest… Sigh, I’ve never told anyone this, but I can tell you. Not only did she break up with me, but she immediately started dating a senior student named Li Yong, even driving away in the car I bought her. Zhang Wei, we’re both men—could you tolerate this, could you forgive this?”

Xiang Li was stunned.

How could Xu Jing reveal this?

Didn’t he care about his dignity as a man?

Zhang Wei was also dumbfounded.

“You… you mean…”

“Yes, exactly what you’re thinking. Xiang Li was already involved with another student before breaking up with me. This was unfaithfulness to our relationship, and I can’t get past it. I still can’t come to terms with it. I can neither reconcile with Xiang Li nor remain friends with her. Zhang Wei, I hope you can understand and respect my choice!”

He had always tried to preserve Xiang Li’s dignity, but who had ever cared about his dignity and feelings?

Xu Jing hadn’t wanted to speak ill of his ex, but if he didn’t speak up, Xiang Li would keep sending old friends to mediate, which was endlessly frustrating!

When women are cheated on, they want the whole world to know, instinctively seeking sympathy and wanting everyone to condemn the unfaithful man.

When men are cheated on, they want to bury their heads in the sand—every man dreads the label of “cuckold”!

Some men won’t even mention such things because it’s too damaging to their pride!

No man would joke about such matters, and when Xu Jing spoke so plainly, Zhang Wei, as a fellow man, instinctively believed him.

Xiang Li grew desperate, “Xu Jing, how can you say such things? Yes, I dated Li Yong after breaking up with you, but that was a normal relationship! Didn’t I gradually repay you for the car? You misunderstand me, slandering me like this, it really hurts… Fine, if saying these things makes you happy, I won’t defend myself. Zhang Wei, I’m sorry for making you come to Shangdu for this matter between Xu Jing and me.”

Xiang Li’s eyes reddened.

Zhang Wei had always had a good impression of Xiang Li—beautiful and ambitious, earning a government scholarship despite her ordinary background.

Back when they were all at the same school, he had also been attracted to her, but Xu Jing had been more academically accomplished and stayed on at the university after graduation, ending up with Xiang Li before they both went abroad. Zhang Wei’s small crush had naturally faded away!

They had once been an enviable couple—how had a trip abroad led to this?

Zhang Wei felt sorry for Xiang Li but knew Xu Jing wouldn’t joke about such matters. He couldn’t help but try to mediate:

“Xu Jing, I know you wouldn’t lie, but could there be some misunderstanding? It’s too cold out here. Why don’t we find somewhere to sit down, and you and Xiang Li can talk it through slowly, with me as a witness? What do you say? Neither Xiang Li nor I know anyone else in Shangdu. Xiang Li came straight here to wait for you as soon as she got off the train, hasn’t even found a place to stay yet. It’s late—are you telling us to spend the night on the street—”

This Zhang Wei really couldn’t read the situation.

Xu Jing had completely lost interest in engaging with these two. He had been too naive; Xiang Li had chosen Zhang Wei as a mediator for a reason, given his clingy personality… As Xu Jing turned to leave, someone suddenly appeared beside them.

It was a woman who looked somewhat familiar.

Zhuo Weiping walked past Xu Jing and approached Zhang Wei and Xiang Li, pulling out her work ID:

“I overheard what you two were saying. You’re from out of town and haven’t found accommodation yet? Since I’ve encountered this situation, I can’t ignore it. Come with me, I’ll help you find a guesthouse!”

Zhang Wei: “…”

Why had a female police officer from the Shangdu Public Security Bureau suddenly appeared?

Sure, she was being helpful in what appeared to be a lovers’ quarrel, but… but being too helpful might make things worse!

Zhang Wei awkwardly said, “Officer, could we have a word in private?”