The stake he presented was too heavy, too ruthless.
"Perhaps," he responded indifferently, as if the insult wasn't directed at him.
"One minute left," he reminded her, devoid of emotion.
That statement struck Wen Tingxue like a iron bar, hitting her head hard.
As she instantly regained her senses, she also began to feel a pang of fear.
But after a long moment of stunned silence, or perhaps only a few seconds,
She still persisted, shaking her head, "No..."
Her voice was initially soft, and Fu Yuchuan didn't quite hear her. "What?"
The small figure huddled in the chair finally looked up and met his gaze, repeating with resolute yet pitiable determination, "I said, no."
Fu Yuchuan straightened slightly and observed her.
He remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Wen Tingxue had no desire to confront him and her eyelids slowly drooped.
She felt she was quite unfilial.
But she also knew that her parents would definitely not accept the peace bought with her own sacrifice.
Yet, as those words left her lips, she felt as if she had ruined her parents' future.
After a long silence, Fu Yuchuan asked, "What did Han Xianyun say to you?"
"What?" Wen Tingxue looked up, bewildered, her reddened eyes full of confusion.
Fu Yuchuan scrutinized her coldly for a moment before speaking, "You can go."
Having known him for so long, Wen Tingxue had never truly understood him.
Only this time, she had a strange certainty that he wasn't angry.
"Then..." she asked, gathering her courage, "My parents..."
Fu Yuchuan simply said, "Get lost."
...
The moment she stepped out of the small courtyard, Wen Tingxue's legs went so weak she almost couldn't stand.
Lin Wanqing supported her, "Are you alright?"
As if escaping from a disaster, Wen Tingxue was so choked up she could only shake her head.
Lin Wanqing knew what she was afraid of and, after a few seconds of thought, said, "If he didn't give the order on the spot, then he won't trouble you further."
"Really?" a dry voice rasped from her throat, sounding unpleasant.
Lin Wanqing, who seemed to have an idea, nodded, "Really. I estimate, he probably didn't intend to truly trouble you."
Wen Tingxue gave a bitter smile. If this wasn't considered troubling, she couldn't imagine how ruthless true trouble would be.
Sensing her thoughts, Lin Wanqing didn't hide anything. "The last girl he treated like this ended up in a mental hospital, and it's said her parents were found dead on the street that very night."
Wen Tingxue looked at her in horror. Lin Wanqing shrugged, "No one knows why he acts like this. Regardless, those he targets rarely have good endings."
"Then, how can you still dare to marry him?"
Lin Wanqing was amused by her immediate reaction and chuckled, "I don't mind. It's all the same who I marry. Why not marry someone who is beneficial to me? As for everything else, I'll consider it later."
Wen Tingxue didn't know if the "beneficial" she spoke of was related to the Kang family.
She was already struggling to take care of herself and had no energy to worry about others.
Distractedly, she followed Lin Wanqing towards the back door. On the way, they encountered Han Xianyun, who was scolding Han Yan with a dark expression.
"How long are you going to throw a tantrum? Han Yan, you're not young anymore. Can't you understand everyone's situation?"
"I understand you, but who understands me? That old hag..."
Mid-sentence, Han Yan noticed someone approaching and turned away irritably.
Han Xianyun also gestured for the people restraining Han Yan to step back.
"I want to ask you a question, answer me seriously."
"Okay," Wen Tingxue nodded listlessly.
Han Yan took a deep breath. "Do you think there's a chance for me and her?"
"..." Wen Tingxue looked up at him. "Are you sure you want to hear the truth?"
Han Yan said impatiently, "Hurry up."
"No chance," Wen Tingxue stated bluntly. "If she had even a shred of interest in you, she would have fallen for you the moment you saved her. If not, then it's even less likely."
Not to mention, she had Mu Chen by her side.
Even though he had hurt her time and again, she would still fall for him.
Love is like that; it makes no sense.
Han Yan fell silent.
Wen Tingxue thought he had been quiet for too long and was about to offer some perfunctory words of comfort.
He suddenly looked up and said, "You shouldn't tell the truth anymore."
It's too damn hurtful.
Wen Tingxue: "..."
You were the one who wanted to hear it.
"Where do you live?" he asked casually as he unlocked his car.
"Ning'an..."
"I'll take her home," Song You suddenly appeared in front of them, looking as though he had been waiting for some time.
Han Yan was in a bad mood and wished to get rid of the trouble quickly.
But he still had a basic sense of responsibility.
"Message me when you get home."
Wen Tingxue nodded. She could tell that Song You was offering a ride incidentally; he actually had something to discuss.
As soon as she got into the car, he asked, "Did Fu Yuchuan force you to make a choice?"
Wen Tingxue was momentarily surprised, then remembered Lin Wanqing's words. Song You had been in the capital for a long time, so it was reasonable for him to guess something.
"Yes," she said calmly, fastening her seatbelt.
Song You didn't say any more and drove out of the Han family's territory.
However, the route was not towards Ning'an apartment.
It was in the direction of leaving the city.
Wen Tingxue turned her head, about to remind him, when he said, "I'm taking you somewhere."