Chen Dongyang returned home with Tiantian. Since both had drunk quite a bit, they were in high spirits and hardly slept, only waking up at ten the next morning.
Chen Dongyang picked up his phone, intending to ask Lu Huaijin for a day off. That's when he noticed that Zeng Hui had called him more than a dozen times the previous night.
Having not been home for two consecutive days without any explanation, Zeng Hui must have been worried.
Since he wasn't planning to go to the company today anyway, Chen Dongyang decided he might as well go back and sort things out with her.
It was going to come out eventually. Although it was a bit sooner than expected, there was little point in delaying it further.
Upon hearing that he was going to confront Zeng Hui, Tiantian became a little nervous.
"What if she can't handle it and does something impulsive?"
Chen Dongyang comforted her, "Zeng Hui is a reasonable person. She's not as dramatic as you think. She's had this much time to adjust, so it should be okay. Stay home and wait for my good news."
Chen Dongyang called Zeng Hui back and asked her to meet for lunch.
Zeng Hui immediately sensed that something was amiss.
In the past, no matter how busy Chen Dongyang was with work, he would send a message to explain if he wasn't coming home, or have Dou Ya convey it.
For the past two days, he hadn't come home, hadn't answered his calls, and hadn't replied to his messages, which clearly indicated something was up.
In fact, ever since she caught him with Jiang Jingting that one time, Zeng Hui had developed a lingering doubt. Every time Chen Dongyang did something that felt off to her, she couldn't help but think of Jiang Jingting.
Recently, the game Chen Dongyang designed had become a massive hit. She knew he was destined for great things and would only get better, and that she didn't deserve him and couldn't keep him.
However, after years of daily companionship, understanding was one thing, but truly letting go was another.
At noon, they sat down at a restaurant near Zeng Hui's company. Seeing that he had changed into new clothes, the material alone hinted at their considerable price, and she couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"I already guessed what you were going to say. In fact, I've been prepared for this day to come."
"I worked so hard, practically without any dignity in front of you, and in the end, I still couldn't keep you..."
"There's no one else to blame but myself for being incapable. I'm ready to hear the truth, Chen Dongyang. Just say what you need to say."
He had expected her to get angry and make a scene. Chen Dongyang had prepared his speech, but her calmness made him feel even more guilty.
But guilt aside, the confrontation still needed to happen.
After she finished speaking, Chen Dongyang paused for a moment, then took out a card from his pocket and pushed it towards her.
"There's ten million yuan in here. It's enough for you to buy a house in Nancheng, or to go back to your hometown and invest in a shop. We're not compatible, Zeng Hui. I'm very sorry for the suffering I've caused you over the years..."
"It's pointless to dwell on that now. We should both look forward and give each other a chance to meet the right person."
"I know I haven't given you much, but this is all I can give you at the moment."
"There will be a lot of taxes, and I still have debts to pay. I swear to you, I have less than a million yuan left on myself. I've given you everything I could."
Ten million yuan. Zeng Hui knew that was a substantial amount.
In fact, exchanging a few years of her hardship for ten million yuan was quite worthwhile.
Otherwise, with her mediocre qualifications and plain appearance, she wouldn't have earned ten million yuan even if she worked until the next lifetime.
This was a sum that should have brought her joy, but Zeng Hui couldn't muster any happiness.
She was already 30 years old. She had been with a man and lost a child, equivalent to being divorced, widowed, and losing a child.
Her heart was full of holes. All she wanted was a stable harbor to rely on, not to live in a cold, big house as a lonely rich woman.
Chen Dongyang was so good. He could give her everything she wanted, but he simply didn't want to.
This ten million yuan represented his firm resolve to break free from her.
Such a decisive resolve.
Zeng Hui's broken heart felt utterly cold. She stared at the card for a long time, then gently picked it up.
"So, with this, we're square, right? We won't have any more contact from now on?"
Chen Dongyang, fearing she would be upset, quickly denied it.
"If you stay in Nancheng, you can find me if you need anything. Even if you go back home, I'll still visit Dou Bao often. We'll always be friends."
Such nice words, "always be friends."
He hadn't even married Miss Jiang yet, and he wasn't answering her calls. Once he got married and had children, would he even remember who Zeng Hui was?
Zeng Hui said no more. She gave a faint smile, didn't eat, picked up the card, and left.
Upon returning home, Tiantian asked how the conversation went. Chen Dongyang said it was alright.
"Zeng Hui had expected it. She's been much more cheerful lately. I think she'll come to accept it slowly."
Tiantian was very happy. She could finally be openly with Chen Dongyang.
She reached out to hug him, but Chen Dongyang dodged.
"Don't rush. I still owe you. I don't like being a kept man. There's 110 million in this account. Take it as repayment of the debt. If I earn more later, I'll hand over my salary again."
Although Tiantian wasn't short of money, she was delighted to have the person she loved willingly hand over his salary to her.
She felt her judgment was excellent; she had spotted a promising prospect at a glance.
Given Chen Dongyang's capabilities and looks, her parents would surely have nothing to say if she brought him home.
However, it would be best to inform her siblings in advance, lest they call her heartless for not telling them about her relationship.
With that decision made, Tiantian, with Chen Dongyang's consent, immediately called her siblings.
Coincidentally, everyone was free, and they arranged to have dinner together that evening.
At six in the afternoon, Tiantian, wearing a black strapless cocktail dress and with her makeup perfectly done, linked arms with Chen Dongyang and went to a high-end restaurant.
Zhan Jingrui and He Yao, Jiang Jingyu and Tong An'an were already waiting with their children, as was Zhan Jingge.
As their attire needed to match the dining occasion, everyone was dressed quite formally; they were all handsome men and beautiful women.
Even though Chen Dongyang had prepared himself mentally, when he pushed the door open and looked inside, he still felt nervous.
Fortunately, everyone was very easygoing. Zhan Jingge, in particular, was teasing Tiantian from the moment they sat down.
"I lived with you for over 20 years, eating and sleeping together every day, and now that we've only been apart for a few days, you start dating and don't even tell me? You're heartless."
"Jiang Jingting, if you do the deed, I'll follow through. One day, if I suddenly get married and throw the marriage certificate in your face, don't be surprised."
Tiantian chuckled, "I won't be surprised. Marry whoever you want, it's your private business. Just like the two of them back then, I won't interfere."
Ge'er said that intentionally because she felt guilty.
She had already received her marriage certificate a few months ago and hadn't found a suitable opportunity to confess to everyone.
Hearing Tiantian say that, Jiang Jingyu and Tong An'an, who knew everything about her, coughed knowingly across from her, completely seeing through her intentions.