It was so cold that Du Xiaoxian felt that she even had difficulty breathing. However, her mind was abnormally clear. Fang Yaru’s words entered her ears. “If Nianbin is willing to get married to Xia Xiaowan, we won’t say anything if you will stay by his side. As for Xiaowan, I will need to ask for mercy from her. She is a sensible person. Although she feels wronged, she will surely give me a face. However, Nianbin loves you so much and he would rather suffer himself than let you suffer the slightest bit of grievance. So, his father and I really have no other choice but to beg you. Of course, if you have any requests, just say them. Although the company is in trouble, we still can make you comfortable for the rest of your life.”

The moment she saw Fang Yaru, Du Xiaoxian already had a premonition. But she didn’t expect that Fang Yaru was here to beg her to leave Gu Nianbin. Moreover, Gu Group’s safety depended on her!

She was even willing to give her life for Gu Nianbin if someone wanted it. However… she stared blankly at the steaming teacup. Gu Nianbin treated her with deep affection. How could she bear it if she left him again?

Fang Yaru picked up her cup and took a sip of tea. Her voice was still gentle. “Xiaoxian, do you understand what I mean?”

Du Xiaoxian opened her mouth and said bitterly, “Madam, I understand.”

Fang Yaru took out a cheque from her handbag and put it in front of her. “I know you don’t want the money. But you deserve it because you saved Nianbin, Gu Group, and our family. If you refuse it, we will feel sorry. It’s not too much. But it’s enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

She had left and had come back again and again. Gu Nianbin used his deep love to impose the heaviest shackles on her, making her finally resolved not to escape anymore. However, after a short while, the cruel fact gave her a blow. Suddenly, she was caught off guard. If she refused this offer, Gu Nianbin would collapse. If she accepted it, she herself would collapse. No matter how she chose, it would be wrong. It would be wrong…

She was an extremely simple person. But when such a dilemma was placed in front of her, she only felt a splitting headache and her chest heaved violently as if she was trying her best to suppress something. She did not know what to do. No, she clearly knew that the answer was there. There was only one possibility: leave or stay.

She moved her lips as if she was too weak to speak. Her voice was soft and weak. “If I leave, he’ll look for me.” This was the only straw that could save her life. She could leave or perhaps endure Gu Nianbin’s anger and pain again. However, he would still look for her. He would definitely look for her.

“I know.” Fang Yaru sighed. “So this time, I need to ask you to find a way to let him give up. Only after he gives up will he stop looking for you and agree to marry Xia Xiaowan. Xiaoxian, only you can do this. I beg you. For Nianbin and Gu Group’s sake, please…”

Before she could finish speaking, the door was pushed open forcefully. With a bang, the door bumped into the doorstop and bounced back. Gu Nianbin didn’t even change his shoes. He strode in with a serious face. “Mom, what do you want to do?”

When she saw his son being so aggressive, Fang Yaru’s last trace of guilt disappeared. She coldly glared at him. “Is that how you talk to me?”

Gu Nianbin was preparing the battle in the Finance Department to fight against Jiang Kaiwei. When he received the phone call, he was so angry that the veins on his forehead protruded. He didn’t know what his parents were thinking. In such an urgent situation, they still caused trouble for him. The battle was right at the critical moment. Both sides were in a stalemate. Once he left, if his men didn’t figure out Jiang Kaiwei’s intentions, they would probably be defeated.

However, in the end, he still stamped his foot and rushed back. His heart burned with rage. As soon as he entered the room, he naturally had no good expression on his face.

At this moment, he finally calmed down after being scolded by Fang Yaru. He said in a slow voice, “Mom, if you have anything to say, just talk to me. She doesn’t know anything. So it’s useless to talk to her.”

“Since you know that she doesn’t know anything, why did you propose to her? Can our Gu family accept a wife who doesn’t know anything?” Fang Yaru questioned him.

“I don’t need her to know anything. I only know that I love her. I want to marry her.”

“How dare you!” Fang Yaru was so angry that her face turned pale. “Gu Nianbin, I’ll tell you the truth. Neither your father nor I will agree to your marriage with her, nor will the board of directors unless you don’t want to be the president anymore!”

“I am going to marry her even if I am forced to quit!” Gu Nianbin looked at Fang Yaru fearlessly.

“You!” Fang Yaru pointed at him and suddenly fell on the back of the sofa. Her hand touched her forehead as if she was feeling extremely uncomfortable.

What an unfilial son. How could he even say such unfilial words? Back then, in order to inherit the power, the family fell out with each other, causing each of them to be injured. It was not easy for him to get to the current situation. He actually said that he would quit in such a light tone. He really pissed her off!

Du Xiaoxian hurriedly ran over to support her and said, “Madam, what’s wrong with you? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“I’m fine,” Fang Yaru slowly adjusted her breathing. “My blood pressure is a little high. It’s all because of this unfilial son.”

Gu Nianbin stood there and didn’t move. He said to Du Xiaoxian, “Xian’er, go back to your room. I have something to say to Madam.”

Du Xiaoxian looked at Fang Yaru and responded in a low voice. Just as she was about to get up, Fang Yaru grabbed her and said, “You don’t have to leave. There’s nothing you can’t hear.” She looked at Gu Nianbin with a cold gaze. “Just say what you want to say.”

Gu Nianbin slowly walked over and sighed helplessly, “Mom, why do you force me like this? Why can’t you think about my happiness?”

“It is exactly for your own good that I refused your marriage with her,” Fang Yaru sighed. “Nianbin, unhappy marriages because of unsuitable family backgrounds can be found both in ancient times and today. Why do you follow in their footsteps? I know you like Du Xiaoxian. Your father and I gave you the greatest freedom. As long as you two don’t get married, everything will be fine. However, you’re still not satisfied. What do you want us to do? Do you want me and your father to be the jokes of others? Do you want Gu Group to suffer a crushing defeat?”

She paused for a moment and then said, “If Gu Group wasn’t in such a dangerous situation this time, we wouldn’t interfere in this. Xia Deren has called your father personally. As long as you agree to marry Xiaowan, Xia Group will help us get through this difficult time. You and Xiaowan already have a good relationship, and marrying her won’t hurt you.”

Gu Nianbin sneered, “How will Xia Group help me? Using money? Can Xia Group have more money than Jiang Group? You all believe what they say. Why don’t you believe your own son?”

“Although Xia Group is not as rich as Jiang Group, don’t forget that Xia Deren is the second largest shareholder of Jiang Group. He said that as long as you agree to get married to Xiaowan, he can send his shares in Jiang Group to us as Xia Xiaowan’s dowry. At that time, what can Jiang Kaiwei do to you?”

“To force me to submit, the Xia family is really willing to go all out!”

“That is because the Xia family thinks highly of you. Moreover, they think that our two families have been friends for many years. When we become related, it does not matter who owns these things.”

“What if I don’t agree?” Gu Nianbin pulled Du Xiaoxian over and let her sit down beside him, holding her hand tightly.

Fang Yaru could only hold back her anger when she saw it. “You can’t disagree with that. Xiaoxian is a sensible child. She knows what is more important.”

Gu Nianbin immediately turned to look at Du Xiaoxian. “What did you agree to?”

The man’s gaze was so frightening that Du Xiaoxian couldn’t help but tremble and shook her head.

Gu Nianbin still had a fierce look on his face and whispered, “Don’t think nonsense. Do you hear me?”

The little girl immediately nodded.

Only then did Gu Nianbin’s face appeared relaxed. He said to Fang Yaru, “Mom, I’m sorry. But I’m afraid you’ve made a trip for nothing this time. I won’t marry Xia Xiaowan, and I won’t let Xiaoxian leave me. Besides, I’ll take care of Gu Group to the end. As long as you don’t disturb me from behind, I’m confident that Gu Group will be safe and sound.”

Fang Yaru tried to make a final attempt at persuasion. “Nianbin, as long as you agree to propose to Xiaowan, I can also agree to let Xiaoxian stay by your side. Just like what I said last time. She even could give birth to a child for you. That’s fine. In this way, you can save Gu Group on the one hand. On the other, Xiaoxian can stay by your side as well. She will just not have a status. I don’t think Xiaoxian will care about that.”

“I don’t care about that. If I can stay by Young Master’s side, I won’t care about anything.” Du Xiaoxian hurriedly expressed her stance. She also felt that this was the best way. She could stay and Gu Group could get through the crisis.

But Gu Nianbin’s eyebrows twisted, and his fierce gaze seemed to pierce through her thin body. “What did you say?”

The little girl was so frightened that she shrunk into a ball and lowered her head, not daring to say a word again. But Fang Yaru couldn’t stand the sight of it and said, “You scared her.”

“Mom, you also know that Xiaoxian is timid and can’t handle things. Therefore, I hope that you won’t come looking for her again in the future. Even if she yields to you, as long as I don’t agree, this matter won’t work.”

Gu Nianbin’s eyebrows showed an oppressive aura. Fang Yaru suddenly felt powerless. She could no longer control her son. His eyes were sharp and his expression was aggressive. She was no match for him.

“Well.” Fang Yaru sighed, “I hope you think about it again. After all, it’s important. If the Gu family’s hundred-year-old heritage is destroyed, I’m afraid your father won’t be able to withstand it.” She rubbed her eyebrows and slowly stood up. She smiled bitterly, “I have to go back and report to your father. I failed the task.”

Gu Nianbin and Du Xiaoxian also stood up and watched her slowly walk towards the door.

“Mom,” Gu Nianbin stopped her, going over to put the cheque in her hand. “I’m sorry. And tell Dad I’m sorry.”

Fang Yaru shook her head as if she was tired. “Forget it, you should take care of yourself. Right now, the most important thing is the safety of Gu Group. You need to put in more effort.”

“I will. Don’t worry, Mom. Tell Dad not to worry.” Gu Nianbin said firmly, “I won’t let anything happen to Gu Group.”

Fang Yaru glanced at him and then at Du Xiaoxian. Without saying anything, she turned around and slowly walked out.

It wasn’t until the door was shut that Du Xiaoxian remembered, “Why don’t you send Madam back?”

“The driver took her here. I saw her car downstairs.” Gu Nianbin heaved a sigh of relief. “Xian’er, come with me to the company. I’m really worried that you’re home alone.”

Du Xiaoxian walked to him and hugged his waist. She put her face in his embrace. After a while, she asked, “Brother, which is more important to you, me or Gu Group?” She shouldn’t have asked such a silly question. But at this moment, she really wanted to know the answer.

Gu Nianbin gently hugged her as if he was thinking about it. After a while, he replied, “Both you and Gu Group are very important to me.”

Du Xiaoxian hugged him for a while before letting go of him. She smiled at him. “I’ll accompany you to the company.”