As Bai Yue tossed the newspaper into the trash bin, she carried her freshly bought coffee back to the company without knocking, directly walking into Qiao Wenxing's office. This company was established by Qiao Wenxing. At first, Qiao's mother intended to use money to send Bai Yue away, but Bai Yue firmly rejected her.
In her fury, Qiao's mother slapped Bai Yue and hurled insults at her. However, before the appointment, Bai Yue had called Qiao Wenxing. He rushed to her side just in time to witness that scene, and it caused a significant rift between him and the mother who had always favored him.
Even so, when he defied his parents and left home, leading to Qiao's father freezing all his accounts, Qiao's mother couldn't help but feel sorry for him and secretly gave him money. Thus, Qiao Wenxing started this company. His father not only froze all his assets but also stripped him of his position as the general manager at the branch, terminating all his privileges.
Qiao Wenxing had always had everything he wanted from a young age. He lived a smooth and carefree life. He had never truly acted out, earning him a reputation as a well-behaved boy in social circles, receiving praise from the elders. Though he was now twenty-four years old, he had never experienced a rebellious phase.
It could even be said that life had been too easy for him, leaving no room for rebellion. This time, however, his resistance against an arranged marriage and pursuit of love created an irreconcilable conflict between him and his pampering parents, marking the long-awaited arrival of his rebellious phase.
He wished to seize this opportunity to break free from his father's control and prove himself by achieving something on his own. He was aware that his father had brought the illegitimate son home. Yet, it didn’t bother him because that was merely his father's way of forcing his hand. If his father truly liked that illegitimate child, he could have brought him home long ago or given him a branch office to manage and gain experience, just as he had with Qiao Wenxing.
But his father had not done so. Deep down, he disdained this unexpected illegitimate child. The child's mother was of low status and had a terrible character, and his father had never forgiven her for having a child without his consent.
Qiao Wenxing didn't care about Qiao Chengyu at all. His current agitation arose from something else.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Frowning, Qiao Wenxing looked up, intending to scold the door crasher, but his expression softened upon seeing Bai Yue. “Where have you been?”
With a sweet smile, Bai Yue handed him the steaming coffee. “The kind you love the most.”
“... Thank you,” Qiao Wenxing replied as he took it.
In truth, he didn’t actually like this kind of coffee. The coffee he adored came from the high mountains of tropical islands, rich in flavor and aroma, a top-tier coffee that underwent twelve roasting processes and was imported via air at an exorbitant price. Most people couldn't afford it, and what was available in those chain coffee shops under the same name were mere imitations.
But he wouldn’t bring this up with Bai Yue. She didn’t care about such details; all she cared about was him.
“Why did you go out to buy it yourself? You could have just ordered delivery,” he chided her.
Bai Yue wrinkled her nose. “Delivery takes time and goes to several places. Sometimes it arrives cold. I just wanted you to have it hot.”
She tilted her head and laughed playfully, her eyes full of affection. She was the kind of girl who would tear up checks sent by others just to be with him, even if it represented money she would never earn in her lifetime, her gaze unwavering.
Her feelings for him were the purest and truest.
Unlike Han Yanyan. He had grown up with Han Yanyan, and they were too familiar. Whenever they were together, there was little warmth; their conversations mostly revolved around finances and projects. Although they were engaged, it was merely a result of following their families' wishes. Besides, Han Yanyan was far too assertive for him.
While he verbally scolded Bai Yue, deep inside, he truly enjoyed being the center of her world, her most important person. He held her hand, which felt chilly from the wind, and he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of concern. He pulled her into his embrace. “Your hands are freezing... next time, let someone else get it.”
Touched by his care, Bai Yue leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek, saying sweetly, “Next time, I’ll wear gloves. I don’t like you drinking coffee bought by someone else.”
Turning her head, she noticed the stack of documents spread across the desk and hesitated, cautiously asking, “How's it going?”
Qiao Wenxing’s eyes darkened slightly as he replied, “Not well. Everyone knows me, and no one dares to work with me. My dad wants to force me back. They’re all afraid of him.”
Gently smoothing the furrow between his brows, Bai Yue asked tentatively, “Wenxing, have you thought about leaving here and developing somewhere else?”
Qiao Wenxing froze for a moment before responding, “Where to?”
“How about where I’m from?” Bai Yue added, “I don’t mean my hometown; it’s just a small city. I mean the capital city of my province. Once we’re there, no one will know you. Even if your dad has power, he can’t reach that far, right?”
Qiao Wenxing hesitated. After all, the Qiao family’s roots were deeply planted here, and there was an old saying: a strong dragon does not suppress a local snake...
But Bai Yue wore a sweet smile, her eyes brimming with aspiration. “I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to leave this place, to free yourself from those who bind you, to feel the vastness of the sea and the sky—what a wonderful feeling that must be!”
Qiao Wenxing felt something in his heart stir; he longed for that feeling too, even more so to share it with Bai Yue.
“Then let’s go.” He firmly held her hand, saying resolutely.
At the Qiao family mansion, after nightfall, Qiao Chengyu, now wearing the title of the second young master, arrived. He had visited this grand home a few times recently, but he did not reside here, as this was not truly his home.
The housekeeper, who had served for over twenty years and was familiar with Qiao Wenxing since he was young, treated him with distant indifference, her eyes showing her discontent. Though she remained silent about his recognition as family, Qiao Chengyu could sense her rejection.
He disliked coming to this place.
Taking off his coat, Qiao Chengyu went straight to the study on the second floor. After receiving permission to enter, he walked in and approached the desk, slightly bowing his head. “Dad.”
Qiao’s father looked up, gazing at this son raised outside, the emotions within him complicated.
He acknowledged Qiao Chengyu primarily as a means to put pressure on Qiao Wenxing. He also allowed Qiao Chengyu to interact with Han Yanyan, who was born with a silver spoon, her family wealthy and her mother's powerful in politics. He had never imagined Han Yanyan would be interested in this boy born from an affair, even if... this son truly was outstanding, inheriting his genes impeccably.
The marriage proposal caught him off guard. After a long moment, he finally asked, “Have you discussed when the engagement ceremony with Yanyan will be held?”
“Not yet. We need to discuss it with the elders before making a decision; as the younger generation, we should follow their arrangements,” Qiao Chengyu answered calmly.
Qiao’s father nodded. “I’ll talk to old Han tomorrow. You don’t need to worry.”
Qiao Chengyu raised his gaze, staring into his father’s dark eyes, “I’ve never worried about your affairs.”
His greedy mother squandered his maintenance fees while his biological father turned those fees into actual provisions—paying for kindergarten and primary school upfront and preparing various necessities for him, everything from clothes to a car and driver.
His mother didn’t get a dime of that, which drove her to rage.
But the items his father provided were beyond exceptional. His mother sold them as second-hand goods when he wasn’t around, and when Qiao’s father found out, he sent him to boarding school, separating mother and son. He remained in boarding school from elementary up to middle school, initially seeing his mother every couple of months, but that gradually dwindled.
By the time he graduated middle school, his mother had vanished. He understood she likely saw no profit in him and had run off with another man. Soon after, he was sent abroad, receiving an elite education until he obtained his master’s degree before returning home.
Once back home, his father provided him with a property and a sum of money, ceasing contact henceforth.
He settled in, contemplating for a long time, ultimately choosing to join his biological father's company from various offers. No one recognized him; no one knew of his relationship with the chairman. He could work quietly, hoping one day to stand before him and have him acknowledge his existence.
Though he never considered acknowledging him from birth, he indeed received a luxurious life and an excellent education, ensuring his safety and rights.
The two of them, looking into each other’s eyes, shared a silence laden with unspoken words.
After a moment, the elder sighed softly, opening a drawer and extracting several folders, “Take these and study them carefully. Don’t waste your time below. There’s a meeting at the headquarters tomorrow at ten. You should attend and listen in…”
Finally, Qiao Chengyu had awaited this day; his father had finally recognized his presence and was willing to give him an opportunity.
Holding the folders, he left the study. Standing in the corridor, he felt his hand tremble slightly. Taking a deep breath, he descended the stairs. As he crossed the grand hall, he suddenly sensed something unusual.
Looking up, he spotted a noble-looking middle-aged woman leaning over the railing on the third floor, coldly overseeing him.
This was his father’s legitimate wife, a woman of high social standing.
Han Yanyan's mother was also of illustrious descent.
Qiao Chengyu longed for a mother like them, someone admired and praised wherever she went.
Yet his mother was just a woman who sold herself, continually bringing home different men or disappearing for days on end. She also abused drugs, and the last time he saw her was upon his return when his father sent word about her. She was in a rehabilitation center, looking emaciated, staring blankly at him.
Years of addiction had damaged her mind.
He was destined to never have an aristocratic mother, but he could have a noble wife. That was his dream, once an unreachable thought, laughably foolish. Now, it was about to be realized.
Driving his car, Qiao Chengyu felt a fire burning within him.
Han Yanyan had not gone out to play today. When she received Qiao Chengyu’s call, she was lazily lounging at home, watching a TV drama.
“I’m outside your main gate,” he said.
He wanted to see her. Han Yanyan didn’t find it strange; perhaps he had something important to tell her in person regarding the unfolding matters. Throwing on her coat, she stepped outside. As she walked through the courtyard and exited the gate, she spotted Qiao Chengyu’s car.
Upon seeing the iron gate swing open, Qiao Chengyu stepped out and strode toward her.
Just as she was about to speak, Qiao Chengyu suddenly stepped closer, cupping her face, then lowered his head to capture her lips.