CHAPTER 130: 123: I WILL TAKE OVER HER FUTURE (1 MORE UPDATE)

"I’ve heard some rumors recently," Quan Xiangru said, retracting his gaze from Ning Guiwan and casting it towards the traffic below as he casually brought up the topic. "You’ve been quite close with Second Uncle..."

Ning Guiwan’s gaze paused for a moment. She turned to him, a hint of languid disinterest in her smile. "Yes, so?"

"..." Quan Xiangru turned around, his gaze fixed on Ning Guiwan. Was she admitting it?

Pain crept into his eyes.

The image of an intimately embracing couple at the hospital emergency entrance slowly surfaced in his mind, their heads close together, their posture intimate.

"You shouldn’t get too close to him. He’s not who you think he is... He..."

Quan Xiangru hurriedly tried to recall the man’s various flaws. Indeed, that man was no saint. Since taking charge of Ruiyin Group, he had radically expanded his business empire, and many entrepreneurs had fallen victim to him. A few months ago, Sanleng Heavy Industries was acquired, and the Su Family collapsed overnight. Old Master Su, devastated by this, is still in the hospital recovering.

And Quan Yu, the chief culprit, enjoyed the applause and flattery from the outside world without any sense of guilt.

"What about him?" Ning Guiwan asked with a smile, her eyes devoid of curiosity.

Recognizing her dismissive air, Quan Xiangru furrowed his brows. "He’s not a good man; he’s capable of anything. Xiaowan, I’m not trying to control you. I just don’t want you to get hurt in the future."

He’s not a good man...

Quan Yu had once said the same to Ning Guiwan when she claimed she wasn’t a good woman and advised Quan Yu to be cautious about his reputation.

"That’s just perfect then." Recalling Quan Yu’s response from that day, she voiced it aloud, "I’m not a good person either."

The girl’s tone was remarkably flat, tinged with self-loathing.

A sharp pain stabbed at Quan Xiangru’s heart. "Xiaowan..."

His girl, the one he had once cherished in the palm of his hand, protecting her from any grievance—how had she become like this?

"Thank you for your concern."

Ning Guiwan removed her coat. A captivatingly beautiful smile spread across her lips, reaching all the way to her eyes. "But it seems I don’t really need it. Sorry."

As she turned around, she paused.

Quan Yu stood behind her, having appeared at some unknown moment, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

Quan Xiangru took the coat Ning Guiwan handed him. Seeing she was about to leave, he instinctively grabbed her wrist. "You know I’m not a true member of the Quan Family. So why is it that I still hold shares in Ruiyin Group? Do you know?"

After saying this, he also noticed Quan Yu’s presence, his expression startled.

"Second Uncle..."

Quan Yu’s gaze fell on the hand gripping Ning Guiwan’s wrist.

Though Quan Yu hadn’t said a word, it was as if Quan Xiangru had received a command; he abruptly released her hand.

Quan Yu indifferently shifted his gaze. His right hand picked up the dark grey coat draped over his left arm, shook it out, unfolded it, and draped it over Ning Guiwan’s shoulders.

"Coming out into this cold wind, are you intentionally trying to make my heart ache for you?" The man’s voice was low and slightly hoarse, gentle and affectionate.

Quan Xiangru clearly knew what Quan Yu’s gesture meant.

He wasn’t trying to stop Ning Guiwan from starting another relationship, but that person couldn’t be Quan Yu. Men like Quan Yu were complicated, their thoughts inscrutable; being with such a man would exhaust any woman.

Moreover, a man like Quan Yu would never devote himself entirely to one woman.

"Second Uncle..."

"Go inside first; don’t catch a cold," Quan Yu said, looking down only at Ning Guiwan. He adjusted her coat tighter, a gentle affection in the curve of his lips.

The man’s breath washed over her, carrying a faint scent of alcohol mingled with his masculine scent.

Ning Guiwan’s long eyelashes drooped slightly, her gaze falling on the red tie at the man’s neck. It complemented her red dress perfectly, appearing both deliberate and coincidental.

She hummed softly in agreement and turned around.

Quan Yu watched her silhouette disappear through the entrance of the banquet hall before turning back.

"Gossiping behind people’s backs... It seems Big Brother and Sister-in-law have been too busy lately to teach you properly." Quan Yu’s black suit was open, revealing the white shirt underneath. His hands were in his pockets, his gaze towards Quan Xiangru faintly cold, devoid of its earlier warmth.

"It’s Second Uncle who has forgotten his place!" Quan Xiangru clenched his fists.

In the presence of the strong, people naturally feel a sense of awe and reverence. Quan Xiangru was seven years younger than Quan Yu. Perhaps seven years later, he might be in a position to challenge the Quan Yu of today. But for now, whether in terms of experience, aura, or mental fortitude, he was far weaker in Quan Yu’s presence.

"What status do I have?" Quan Yu retorted coolly, perfectly composed.

"Xiaowan has always respected you, treating you as an elder. But aren’t your actions towards her far too disrespectful? If Grandmother knew how you’re treating Xiaowan, how would she view Xiaowan then? Have you considered that? You’re a man; at worst, people will call you a playboy. But Xiaowan will have to endure far more, something much heavier..."

Quan Xiangru spoke agitatedly, the veins on his neck bulging.

Despite this, Quan Yu remained serene. "When the time comes, I will face it with her. I will never abandon her when she’s criticized, much less join outsiders in condemning her."

Upon hearing this, Quan Xiangru’s hostility suddenly dissipated, and he was left dazed.

After Ning Guiwan was exposed by the media for supposedly having a private meeting with an unknown man at a club hotel, she had come to him.

The girl was already constantly in the public eye; the news exploded the moment it broke.

The paparazzi were skilled photographers. They captured every ounce of panic and helplessness in Ning Guiwan’s eyes, making it seem as if she truly had been caught in a shameful act. The ambiguous marks on her neck were circled and magnified, inviting all sorts of speculation.

That day, Ning Guiwan’s face was pale, streaked with tears. She tried to explain, but he refused to listen. He was furious, irritable, and even lashed out cruelly, "Ning Guiwan, what else is there to explain? How old are you? Have you no sense of shame?"

That day, Ning Guiwan had opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word. She just looked at him for a long, long time, tears streaming endlessly down her face.

"I once gave you a chance because she liked you, but your actions have truly disappointed me. Her future is mine to look after now; you have no say in it."

After saying that, Quan Yu gave Quan Xiangru a cold glance and turned away.

Quan Xiangru’s fists clenched with an audible crack. He was filled with regret from back then—regret for not standing firmly by the girl he loved, for not protecting her when she faced that tempestuous storm.

But by the time he realized his regret, it was already too late.

Ning Guiwan wanted to leave early. Having had a few drinks, she couldn’t drive, so Tan Xi asked Song Changfeng to take her.

"I purposely didn’t let him drink, so he’d be our dedicated driver once it’s over."

Hearing this, Song Changfeng smiled indulgently.

Ning Guiwan and he rode the elevator downstairs together. The elevator stopped on the ninth floor, and an acquaintance stepped in.

Zhang Ziyan.

Her collaboration with the department store under Tianchi Group had been confirmed, and they were set to sign the contract after the New Year. She had met Song Changfeng before and smiled as she greeted the two in the elevator.

Ning Guiwan remained somewhat aloof.

"You’re here for Ruiyin Group’s annual party, right? What a coincidence, the new drama I participated in is having its wrap party in this hotel..." Zhang Ziyan exchanged a few pleasantries with Song Changfeng and then tactfully quieted down.

Once outside the hotel, Ning Guiwan stood under the portico waiting for Song Changfeng to fetch the car. Zhang Ziyan also seemed to be waiting for someone to pick her up, standing not far from Ning Guiwan.

"Xiaowan." Her breath fogged in the cold air as she looked at Ning Guiwan, the joy of reuniting with a good friend in her eyes. "I really have you to thank for this collaboration with Tianchi Group."

Ning Guiwan’s face was expressionless. "That’s due to your own commercial value; it has nothing to do with me."

Her response made Zhang Ziyan’s smile deepen. "Regardless, I’m very happy to be able to work with you."

As she spoke, her eyes welled with moisture, making her look pitifully endearing, as if the shy, timid girl from four years ago had returned. Her voice was soft, with a timbre that sounded easy to bully. "Xiaowan, I’m really very happy."

Just then, Song Changfeng drove up.

Ning Guiwan said nothing and got straight into the car.

Zhang Ziyan waved, her eyes tearfully smiling, "See you next time."

Song Changfeng lowered the car window. Seeing Zhang Ziyan still waiting for her ride, and considering she was an artist collaborating with his company, he leaned out and asked, "Where are you headed? Can I give you a lift if it’s on the way?"

Zhang Ziyan looked at Ning Guiwan as if asking for permission.

Ning Guiwan didn’t look at her, her expression indifferent.

Zhang Ziyan then looked back at Song Changfeng. "Would it be an inconvenience for you?"

"I’ll drop off Director Ning first, then take you. If you’re in a hurry, feel free to make other arrangements. If not, then don’t bother waiting out here in the cold."

Song Changfeng was simply being kind.

Zhang Ziyan smiled brightly, said no more, and got into the car.

Knowing Ning Guiwan hadn’t accepted her yet, she tactfully sat in the front passenger seat.

On the way, Ning Guiwan rested with her eyes closed, while Zhang Ziyan and Song Changfeng chatted sporadically, mostly about business matters.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Quan Family mansion, the black sedan slowly stopped.

"Don’t drive too fast tonight," Ning Guiwan said lightly with a faint smile, then got out of the car.

Song Changfeng restarted the car and drove a short distance. Seeing Zhang Ziyan still looking in Ning Guiwan’s direction, he smiled. "Director Ning seems icy cold, but she’s actually very soft-hearted. You were high school classmates with her, so you should understand that, right?"

Zhang Ziyan smiled, and a sensuous aura slowly began to emanate from her, entirely different from her demeanor in front of Ning Guiwan moments before.

Especially her lips; they were full and luscious, the kind that would inspire wicked thoughts in a man with just one glance.

"No matter how well I understood her, after four years apart, we’ve grown distant." She chuckled, her fingers toying with a curl that fell to her shoulder. "I heard you, Supervisor Tan, and Xiaowan knew each other in Britain. You must all be quite close, right?"

While driving, Song Changfeng nodded. "She’s like our little sister."

After dropping Zhang Ziyan off at a high-end residential building, she got out and walked around to the front of the car.

The car’s headlights illuminated her, fully revealing her alluring figure under the bright light; her waist was slender and supple. Song Changfeng, who was usually undistracted, found himself momentarily stunned by her captivating silhouette.

The car window was knocked on.

Song Changfeng hesitantly rolled down the window. Outside, Zhang Ziyan was bending over, the enticing view below her collarbone on display as she handed in a business card. Her fingernails were a vivid red. "Thank you for tonight, Mr. Song. This is my private number. Let’s have dinner together sometime."

Her voice also seemed different. It caressed Song Changfeng’s eardrums, sending a shiver of weakness through him.

That business card eventually slipped into a compartment inside Song Changfeng’s wallet.