Zhou Wan didn’t tell Lu Xixiao all the details of the past, only briefly mentioning it in passing, calmly telling him a story from when she used to work as a tutor.

But Lu Xixiao’s brows were still tightly knitted, his expression growing increasingly dark.

Though he hated her, he never wanted her to suffer.

He couldn’t stand seeing her being bullied.

Yet the girl he had once protected so fiercely had been bullied again and again after leaving.

Her resigned words “It’s not the first time this has happened anyway” made it difficult for Lu Xixiao to imagine what she had endured over these years.

“Maybe I just have particularly bad luck,” Zhou Wan said with downcast eyes, tugging at the corner of her mouth in a smile.

Though in her mind, she thought she deserved all of it.

“Zhou Wan.” His voice was hoarse, tinged with complex emotions that were hard to express.

She looked up.

“Remember this – from now on, whatever bullying you receive, you give it right back. Don’t hold back even if it’s the king of heaven himself.”

Zhou Wan could feel Lu Xixiao struggling to control his irritation and temper, trying to maintain his composure. “If you get injured, come to me for medical expenses.”

Zhou Wan was taken aback.

After a moment, she laughed softly, intentionally trying to lighten the current atmosphere, joking: “What if you’re the one bullying me?”

“Except me.” Lu Xixiao glanced at her. “When I bully you, you have to put up with it.”

Zhou Wan’s mood lifted considerably, and she held back her laughter: “Oh, okay.”

“Go to sleep.” Lu Xixiao reached out his arm and turned off the light.

Zhou Wan’s sleep quality has improved considerably lately. Although they shared a bed, Lu Xixiao never did anything disrespectful to her, and she fell asleep shortly after.

Sometime later, Zhou Wan was awakened by a muffled thunder.

She opened her eyes slightly and could see through the curtains that it was already dawn outside.

At this moment, Lu Xixiao turned over, and Zhou Wan instinctively looked up to see his eyes half-closed, bloodshot, tired, and weary, but still not fully closed, lost in thought about something unknown.

“Lu Xixiao,” Zhou Wan said softly, “What’s wrong?”

“Can’t sleep.”

Zhou Wan was startled: “Have you been awake all night?”

“Pretty much.”

“Try to close your eyes for a bit, it’s almost daylight.”

“Mm.” Lu Xixiao reached out his long arm and pulled Zhou Wan into his embrace, lowering his head to bury it in the crook of her neck.

*

The situation at Shengxing Group was getting increasingly serious.

Huang Hui’s sexual harassment sparked a public discussion about workplace environments, drawing fierce criticism from netizens. Soon after, when the specific investigation into Shengxing Group’s tax evasion was published, it only made matters worse.

Zhou Wan could see new updates every time she opened her phone.

In the afternoon, Zhou Wan created a Weibo account and posted all the evidence she had previously compiled in a compressed file.

She didn’t know where Lu Xixiao had found the evidence of Huang Hui’s sexual harassment, but her case wasn’t included in those materials, perhaps to protect her.

But she still hoped that speaking up would give some courage to other girls who had encountered similar situations.

Her Weibo post quickly generated heated responses, but Zhou Wan logged out of the account and didn’t check it again.

In the evening, she received a call from an unfamiliar number.

“Hello?” Zhou Wan answered.

“Is this Zhou Wan?”

The voice sounded familiar. After a moment’s pause, Zhou Wan realized it was Huang Hui’s wife, Sheng Yan. She frowned slightly: “Yes.”

“Are you free right now? I’d like to meet with you,” Sheng Yan said.

“Ms. Sheng, I don’t think that’s necessary anymore.”

As Zhou Wan was about to hang up, Sheng Yan hurriedly stopped her. Her previously maintained dignity vanished as she lowered her voice, speaking with a pleading tone that couldn’t hide her exhaustion from recent days: “Please, Zhou Wan. I know I was wrong about this matter. At least give me a chance to apologize to you.”

Eventually, Zhou Wan agreed.

She didn’t believe someone of Sheng Yan’s character would sincerely apologize to her, but she wanted to know what ulterior motives she might have.

*

Over these years, besides staying in Pingchuan City to manage that rundown supermarket, Huang Ping would occasionally participate in cycling activities. He had recently been motorcycle touring in the Southwest, getting quite tanned. Upon returning, he was thoroughly scolded by his father, so to avoid the nagging, he took a flight to City B.

Huang Ping sat leisurely in Lu Xixiao’s office, marveling at how the formerly unruly and wayward youth had transformed into his current self. He clicked his tongue in amazement – the world truly was full of surprises.

Lu Xixiao was thoroughly annoyed by him and looked up: “Keep fidgeting and you can get lost back home.”

“No respect for your elders.” Huang Ping laughed, “How come I don’t hear you calling me ‘brother’ anymore now that we’re face to face?”

Lu Xixiao couldn’t be bothered to respond.

“By the way, you mentioned running into Zhou Wan last time, what happened after that?” Huang Ping asked, “Have you seen her again?”

“She’s at my place.”

Huang Ping nearly choked on his tea, almost spitting it out: “What?”

Lu Xixiao glanced at him.

“Why is she at your place? Did you two reconcile?”

Lu Xixiao ground his teeth: “No, she’s just staying there. She’ll move out when I lose interest in her.”

“Will you ever lose interest in her?” Huang Ping thought that this kind of first love that had left such a deep impression during youth probably could never be easily forgotten.

Lu Xixiao flicked his cigarette ash, looking out the window, speaking indifferently: “Probably.”

“…And Zhou Wan is willing to accept this?” Huang Ping couldn’t help but say, “Her view of love is quite peculiar.”

Lu Xixiao gave a short laugh: “Otherwise she wouldn’t have done what she did back then.”

He had noticed this long ago.

Though her choices seemed normal in other matters, when it came to relationships, she was different. It was one thing that she had approached him to get revenge on Guo Xiangling, but later she had left without any regard for consequences. Even when life was difficult, she refused to lower her head, though he would have forgiven her if she had just done so.

She was too independent. She could be very kind to others but couldn’t accept others’ kindness toward her. No one could truly be relied upon by her; she never trusted anyone’s goodwill.

Just like if he had told her then that he still liked her and asked her to live with him, she definitely would have refused.

…

Lu Xixiao had finally dealt with the remaining matters of the Shengxing Group. While the outside world wondered how such a large corporation had suddenly fallen into crisis, those on the inside could quickly figure out who was behind it all.

After work, Lu Xixiao took Huang Ping out for dinner. In the car, he received a call from the elder Mr. Lu.

Before even answering, he knew what it was about.

He had rarely contacted the Lu family since leaving Pingchuan City.

Lu Xixiao answered.

“Ah Xiao.” His voice was still the same as before. “Are you busy?”

“No, what is it?”

“Nothing much, just that Chairman Sheng called me earlier, saying all their recent troubles were you’re doing?” The elder Mr. Lu and Shengxing Group’s old chairman were old acquaintances.

“Their problems are their own doing.” Lu Xixiao smiled nonchalantly, essentially admitting it.

The elder Mr. Lu didn’t beat around the bush. If he was making this call, he must have already figured everything out: “Is it because of Zhou Wan?”

Lu Xixiao raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.

“Ah Xiao, she’s not right for you. Have you forgotten how you spent over a month in the hospital because of her? She only brings you trouble,” the elder Mr. Lu said. “That knot between you two will always be there, becoming an obstacle every time you think about it. Why waste your energy on her again?”

“Old sir.” At a red light, Lu Xixiao stared ahead, speaking softly, “I’m not like my mother. I’ll walk my path, fall into my pitfalls, and hit my walls. You can’t manage me or control me.”

The light turned green, and the city’s congested traffic slowly moved forward.

“Besides, I became who I am today because of her.”

His pain came from Zhou Wan.

But his glory and brilliance were also bestowed by her.

…

Huang Ping said he wanted to eat at the most expensive place in Lu Xixiao, so he took him to a newly opened Cantonese restaurant. As soon as Huang Ping sat down, he regretted it, feeling constrained with several waiters serving just two people, the dishes so exquisitely made he dared not touch them, and the portions pitifully small.

“You know, I still prefer those days when we could drink several cases of beer at any random barbecue place or food stall,” Huang Ping said.

Lu Xixiao laughed slightly: “They have that here too. Weren’t you the one who wanted expensive food?”

“I’m trying to have a profound conversation about life with you, be serious.”

Lu Xixiao took a sip of wine, tugging at the corner of his mouth carelessly: “The past and present, they’re all about the same.”

Huang Ping looked at him.

True, Lu Xixiao’s childhood wasn’t worth reminiscing about; the present was better in comparison.

No wonder he couldn’t forget Zhou Wan.

In his 26 years, the time he spent with Zhou Wan was perhaps his happiest period, and maybe his only truly happy time.

Huang Ping’s gaze shifted to the side.

They were sitting on the second floor’s circular gallery, with dining tables below in the open atrium between the two floors.

His gaze suddenly halted on a vaguely familiar figure, or rather, someone with a familiar aura.

“Ah Xiao,” Huang Ping tilted his head to indicate, “Is that Zhou Wan?”

Lu Xixiao looked over, frowning slightly.

Why would Zhou Wan be here?

Her unique temperament set her apart from those flashy women. She possessed a gentle yet firm quality, with pure and clean features, carrying a hint of fragility, cold, and pride, transcending the ordinary.

In this refined and elegant environment, she became the most eye-catching presence.

Her beauty wasn’t achieved through makeup but rather emerged from within, shaped by her experiences.

A woman stood beside Zhou Wan.

Lu Xixiao narrowed his eyes, recognizing her as Sheng Yan.

Since the Sheng family now knew he was behind everything, they must have learned the whole story, and after falsely accusing Zhou Wan before, they were now seeking her forgiveness.

Sheng Yan gestured for Zhou Wan to sit and handed her the menu: “Zhou Wan, see what you’d like to eat.”

“I’m not hungry, just a glass of water is fine,” Zhou Wan said. “Ms. Sheng, since you called me out, please speak directly.”

“Zhou Wan, I’m here to apologize. I was wrong to misunderstand you without proper investigation. I can compensate you, and I can help explain everything to everyone at the company. You can return to the company anytime, and I’ll make it up to you.”

“From what I know, Shengxing can barely save itself now, so what’s the point of me going back?” Zhou Wan smiled slightly. “Moreover, you didn’t misunderstand me at all. Don’t you know exactly what I went through? You just didn’t care, and even falsely accused me to save face.”

Sheng Yan pressed her lips together, carefully choosing her words: “Zhou Wan, I’m truly sorry. I hope you can accept my apology.”

Zhou Wan didn’t want to continue the conversation.

Sheng Yan was too accustomed to her superior lifestyle to offer a sincere apology.

She stood up: “Forget it.”

Zhou Wan prepared to leave, walking a few steps before suddenly remembering what Lu Xixiao had told her, and recalling how Sheng Yan had falsely accused her that day.

She turned back, walking quickly toward Sheng Yan.

Sheng Yan had also stood up, intending to follow her. Zhou Wan walked straight up to her and raised her hand, delivering a forceful slap.

Sheng Yan’s face turned to the side, and she held her cheek, looking at Zhou Wan in disbelief.

Many diners around them heard the commotion and turned to look.

Zhou Wan stood straight amidst the many gazes. She looked calmly at Sheng Yan and said softly: “I won’t forgive you. This slap is what I owe you.”

…

Sitting upstairs, Lu Xixiao couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying, but when he saw Zhou Wan raise her hand to slap, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, his lips curving into a smile.

Huang Ping’s reaction wasn’t nearly as composed – he was completely dumbfounded.

This was his first time seeing Zhou Wan like this.

Although he knew how decisively she had left back then, he hadn’t witnessed it personally. Zhou Wan’s gentle image was so deeply ingrained – speaking softly, smiling faintly, never losing her temper, and always trying to think of ways to make Lu Xixiao happy.

Honestly, when he first learned she had left, Huang Ping’s initial reaction was that Lu Xixiao must have done something to drive her away.

“Damn,” he couldn’t help but curse. “Is this Zhou Wan’s style now? What has she been through these years?”

Lu Xixiao glanced at him sideways and laughed: “She was always like this. Did you think she was genuinely docile?”

Huang Ping looked at Zhou Wan, then at Lu Xixiao, feeling that something was off about both of them.

One had a fierce character beneath a gentle exterior, while the other grinned like a lovesick fool watching his first love show her claws.

Huang Ping’s mouth twitched: “You seem quite proud.”

Lu Xixiao ignored him and stood up to go downstairs.

Sheng Yan had never been slapped in her entire life. She couldn’t maintain her composure anymore, grabbing Zhou Wan’s clothes and refusing to let go, loudly threatening to call the police.

Zhou Wan frowned, but before she could say anything, she suddenly felt warmth against her back.

Lu Xixiao wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her behind him.

The man stood tall and graceful in his suit, carrying an inherent coldness that unconsciously silenced others.

“Why did you come here?” Lu Xixiao asked her softly, with a kind of familiar indulgence.

Zhou Wan was startled, blinking: “She called and asked to meet me here.”

Lu Xixiao looked at Sheng Yan, smiling impassively: “Ms. Sheng, Shengxing can barely manage itself now. Rather than wasting time here, you’d better think of other solutions. Don’t waste your attention on her.”

With that, he led Zhou Wan away with his arm around her shoulders.

Sheng Yan had never been so humiliated in her life. She glared hatefully at Zhou Wan’s retreating figure: “Acting so high and mighty, but in the end, you’re just sleeping your way up.”

Zhou Wan’s steps faltered.

Lu Xixiao raised his hand, ruffling her hair, then wordlessly turned back to face Sheng Yan.

He looked calmly at the red-faced Sheng Yan, looking down at her from his height, curving one corner of his mouth in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Ms. Sheng, you overestimate me. Everything I did was of my own will; she didn’t need to do anything.”

Lu Xixiao laughed lazily in front of everyone, saying carelessly: “After all, from beginning to end, it’s just that I like her.”