The financial war between Jiang Group and Gu Group had almost caused a sensation in G City. The financial industry was even more bustling, with magazines and newspapers reporting long stories about it every day. Retail investors who held shares in the two groups were half frightened and half excited, taking a “wait and see” approach.

Du Xiaoxian went to the company every day. Although no one purposely said anything to her, she heard a little about what had happened. The ordinary employees in the company were not strong enough, and all of them looked as if they were facing a great enemy. Their faces were filled with fear. The higher-ups still appeared calm. But they were also cagey. The focus of the company had been shifted to the Finance Department. Gu Nianbin and Shao Boqing stayed there every day. When they entered the department, their faces were solemn. When they came out, their faces were still solemn. They didn’t show any changes. This made the employees even more uneasy.

Although Du Xiaoxian was in the company every day, she tried her best to make herself unnoticed. Everyone was busy. She did not dare to disturb them. She obediently stayed in the lounge, painting or reading. If she got tired, she would go to the bed to sleep. She was always silent. Sometimes, even Gu Nianbin almost forgot about her existence.

When she opened her eyes and looked around, the room was a little dark. The curtains were half-opened, and the light outside was still gray. Du Xiaoxian found her cellphone and looked at the time. It was 3:30 p.m. It turned out that she did not sleep for long.

She got out of bed and wore her shoes. When she went to the door and was about to turn the handle, she heard someone speaking outside. It was Shao Boqing’s voice. “Nianbin, I advise you to think twice. It’s not good for us to make the allotment of shares. First, we don’t have that much money. Secondly, it’s a burden. If something unexpected happens, the bank will instigate a short squeeze against us at any time. At that time, Gu Group will really be finished.”

For quite a long time, she didn’t hear Gu Nianbin saying anything. She was a little confused. She quietly opened the door. Gu Nianbin was smoking. The smoke wrapped around him. His figure looked lonely and desolate. After a while, he said, “I know what you said. If there was any other way, I wouldn’t use this bad method.” He smiled sarcastically. “At first, those banks promised me well. Later, when they saw that Jiang Group wanted to fight against me, they all found a reason to shirk their promise because they were afraid that they would be affected. Those who finally agreed to help us after we had a hard time persuading them also requested an increase in asset mortgage. I’m afraid that as the battle continues, we won’t be able to keep the company free from fundamental damage.”

Shao Boqing said, “There’s one thing I’m curious about. With Jiang Kaiwei’s style, he always fights a quick battle. Why does he waste time with you this time? It doesn’t do him any good, right?”

Gu Nianbin snorted. “He just wants to watch me lingering in pain.”

After a moment of silence, Shao Boqing hesitated for a while before finally saying, “I think you can consider Xia Nanze’s offer. He…”

Gu Nianbin cast two cold gazes at him. Shao Boqing looked like he had been stabbed in the chest by a sharp arrow and immediately shut his mouth. He smiled embarrassedly. “What are you anxious about? I just mention that but I don’t mean anything.”

Gu Nianbin said coldly, “I thought you understood me. Why did you start thinking about her as they did? Did my father tell you anything?”

“The Old Master has no other choice. He said that he can’t subdue you now. He hopes that I can persuade you. So I did what he wanted me to do. Whether you listen to it or not is your business.” Shao Boqing sighed. “I know it is no use to say that. But the current situation is a bit … I think you might as well use a trick and pretend to want to get married to Xia Xiaowan. After the Xia family resolves your predicament, you can break your promise. Even if you do get married to her, you can still get a divorce. When the time comes, you can go find Du Xiaoxian and live a happy life. In this way, the two problems are both solved. What do you think?”

When Du Xiaoxian heard what he said, her heart thumped. Her hand holding the handle of the door unconsciously used more strength, and her joints faintly turned green and white.

Even Shao Boqing was trying to persuade him. It appeared that Gu Group’s situation was really bad.

She held her breath and stood behind the door. She heard Gu Nianbin say, “Fuck off!”

“Alright, just pretend I didn’t say anything. I really said it for your own good. Now that the battle turned fierce, everyone is in danger…”

“Fuck off!” Gu Nianbin roared clearly.

“I’ll go away. I’ll go away.” Shao Boqing raised his hand and made a surrender gesture. He shook his head and stood up. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. We have an appointment with President Chen of Huatai Bank at 4:20 pm. It’s about time to leave.”

Gu Nianbin threw the cigarette butt in the ashtray. “Let’s go.” He took his coat, followed Shao Boqing a few steps, and suddenly remembered something. “You go down first, I’ll go in and take a look at her.”

Shao Boqing helplessly smiled, “You are really raising her like a child. Do it. If you don’t take a look, you won’t be able to leave peacefully.”

Du Xiaoxian quickly closed the door and quickly climbed onto the bed to pretend to be asleep. Gu Nianbin walked in gently and tucked her in. His warm hand gently caressed her face, and he seemed to have sighed inaudibly. Then he walked out quietly.

Hearing the door gently shut, Du Xiaoxian opened her eyes.

Ever since Fang Yaru came to see her, her heart had been struggling. She felt tormenting all the time. She knew that she should leave. As long as she left, all of the things that Gu Group faced would cease to exist. Gu Group would not collapse, the employees would not lose their jobs, and Gu Nianbin would not become a sinner through ages. But… Gu Nianbin treated her so well and looked at her with such gentle eyes. He thought that she was the most precious treasure in the world. What should she do…

When she closed her eyes, a row of clear tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes. It was like an ice-cold snake, crawling on her face. When she opened her eyes again, her painful tears instantly blurred them. As long as she turned around gently and left, all of this would change…

Du Xiaoxian sat up and wiped away her tears carelessly. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. As soon as she got through, she said, “I agree to talk to you.”

The person on the other end of the cellphone obviously took this as expected. She smiled proudly and said, “That’s right. If you did this any later, no one can save Gu Group. Appoint a place and let’s talk.”

Du Xiaoxian thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go to the place where we met last time.” When she heard the one at the other end saying “alright”, she quickly hung up, fearing that she would hesitate and change her mind.

Afraid that Gu Nianbin would know, Du Xiaoxian didn’t even tell Zhou Ting. She sneaked out and called a taxi to the cafe where she met Xia Xiaowan last time.

This time, she arrived earlier than Xia Xiaowan. She sat there, asked for a cup of hot water, and drank it slowly.

Only after she finished the cup of water did Xia Xiaowan arrived. She appeared before Du Xiaoxian with a pair of heels on her feet. “Sorry, I’m late.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said coolly. “I can wait.”

Xia Xiaowan raised her eyebrows and said to the waiter, “A cup of cappuccino.” She took off her scarf and sat down. She smiled at Du Xiaoxian and said, “I knew you would see me.”

Du Xiaoxian lowered her eyes and looked at the glass in her hand. She sighed softly, “I don’t know if I made the right decision or not, but…”

Xia Xiaowan saw her hesitation. “Xiaoxian, forget about the past. I think if you really love him, you should leave him. For a man who does great things, what really reflects the value of his life is his career. Women are just the minor pleasures they use to decorate their lives. A man like Gu Nianbin should have a wife who can keep up appearances in public, not a maid who doesn’t know anything like you. It’s like,” she smiled. “It’s like boiled water and coffee. You can’t get used to coffee while Brother Nianbin doesn’t like boiled water. You two are people from two different worlds. Although there’s a brief intersection and perhaps he’s infatuated with you, as time goes on, no matter how strong the feelings are, they will gradually fade away.”

“Men,” she sneered. “Men are actually animals that love the new and dislike the old. Back then, he liked me, stayed loyal to me, and waited for me to return. But when he met you, everything changed. Don’t think that you’re his only person because the person who will take your place hasn’t appeared yet. Once she appears, you’ll be mercilessly thrown aside by him like me.”

“Since that’s the case, why are you still…”

The waiter brought the coffee and quietly retreated. Xia Xiaowan picked up the spoon and gently stirred the brown liquid in the cup. A rich aroma immediately spread out.

“Because I like him.” Xia Xiaowan’s voice was very soft as if she was melancholy. “Born in a family like ours, it’s really difficult to find someone you like to get married to. Our family is fine. My father and brother treat me as a treasure. In their eyes, my happiness is more important than their interests. Therefore, they are willing to help Gu Group for me. They all know Brother Nianbin’s character and temperament. Moreover, Brother Nianbin and I have a relationship. Dad and brother will be at ease leaving me to him.”

Xia Xiaowan lowered her eyes as she spoke. There was no sign of her previous arrogance at all. She wore a string of pearls around her neck. The pearls were round. As the light shone, they showed hints of faint light that contrasted brightly with her white jade-like face. She held the spoon lightly when she pinched her thumb and middle finger together, making her elegant and graceful. At this moment, Du Xiaoxian’s heart was moved. Even in ten years, she would not become as noble and generous as Xia Xiaowan. Therefore, Xia Xiaowan was the one who was suitable to accompany Gu Nianbin.

Du Xiaoxian sighed softly, “I’ve thought about it. I can leave for the sake of Young Master. However, I’m afraid that he will look for me again just like he did the previous two times.”

“Didn’t Aunt Gu tell you?” Xia Xiaowan looked up at her and said, “This time, you must let Brother Nianbin give up.”

“But I don’t know what to do…”

“I do have a way.” Xia Xiaowan curved her lips. “But you may suffer a little. It depends on whether you like it or not.” As she spoke, she hooked her hands towards Du Xiaoxian, signaling for her to lean over and whisper a few words into her ear.

Du Xiaoxian’s expression immediately changed. She opened her eyes wide and slowly straightened her body. She looked at Xia Xiaowan in disbelief.

“If you think it’s a bad choice, let’s think of another way. However, based on my understanding of Brother Nianbin, this should be the most effective way.”

Du Xiaoxian’s hand that was holding the cup trembled slightly. Her throat seemed to get dry. She held the cup and drank a large mouthful of water. She swallowed it hard. The water had long since cooled down. The cold water flowed down her throat and reached her heart that had already been bone-chilling…