CHAPTER 455: CHAPTER 455: FARCE

"After indulging in rich food, occasionally one craves something simple," Zhong Boyu replied awkwardly.

"But what you’ve got here doesn’t seem like simple fare," Xu Ke didn’t let Zhong Boyu off the hook, his teasing gaze unrestrained. His woman had troubled them, and there was no reason to let it go easily. Failing to manage his own woman, today’s bit of embarrassment was warranted.

Zhong Boyu knew Xu Ke wasn’t truly annoyed but wanted to let off some steam due to the two women he brought along. Relieved, Zhong Boyu thought Xu Ke was indeed a rare friend. Losing such a good friend over a woman was something he could never forgive himself for.

Understanding clearly, Zhong Boyu quickly made up his mind, "It’s just a pet who doesn’t know its place. I initially found it interesting, so I spoiled it for a few days. I didn’t expect its attitude to change in just a few days. When I return this time, I’ll end this relationship. Since it can’t be tamed, I won’t keep it. Besides, I’m a bit fed up." He lazily glanced at the pale, delicate woman, speaking indifferently as if it didn’t matter.

Being called a pet in front of so many people was extremely humiliating for the delicate woman. She felt exposed, as if she had been stripped and thrown onto the street for public view. At that moment, she wished for a hole to crawl into so she could block out everyone.

The delicate woman’s crying grew louder, "How can you say such things? How can you utter such cruel words? Does everything beautiful we’ve experienced mean nothing? Is your heart made of stone? Don’t you feel any pain?" she questioned angrily.

"The relationship between you and me was always a financial transaction. What good comes from discussing with someone like you? You know better than anyone about our past. It was all a facade, and playing this act with me now is pointless," Zhong Boyu said mercilessly.

"How can you say that? When my daughter first got involved with you, she was a pure girl. Now you don’t want to take responsibility, and it’s not that easy anymore. You must give us an answer today," the woman cried as Zhong Boyu was about to leave. Lost in her thoughts, her underdeveloped mind realized Zhong Boyu no longer wanted her daughter. She couldn’t leave empty-handed; she had to gain something.

No one expected the woman to suddenly speak such words, catching everyone off guard. Even Zhong Boyu was startled by her sudden outcry. When he realized what she meant, his expression shifted dramatically, turning red and then blue, like a face-changing performance in Sichuan opera.

"Mom, what are you saying? Boyu was just speaking out of anger; how can you say such things?" Under the scrutinizing eyes, the delicate woman blushed like a boiled shrimp, "Come with me back to the room. We’ll discuss this there, not here."

The delicate woman dared not look back at Zhong Boyu’s expression; she only wanted to pull her mother away quickly. But the woman did not cooperate, "I’m not going with you. I’m your mom, and everything I do is for your good. You’re young, yet you’ve pinned your heart on this man. You see him as your partner, your support, but he doesn’t see it that way. Look at what he just said; is that even human?"

The woman’s finger jabbed firmly at the delicate woman’s forehead, leaving a light red mark, "You’ve given up everything for love, but I don’t agree. I have to think about your future. You’ve spent your best years on him, and he just dismisses you with a few words. I won’t stand for it. I must demand something for you; otherwise, what will you do in the future?"

The woman’s words softened the delicate woman’s grip, making her aware that her daughter was wavering, filling her with some satisfaction.

Zhong Boyu’s face and gaze grew colder. He crossed his arms, watching the two women struggle, a hint of sarcasm playing on his lips, "Are you sure you want to discuss this here?" He looked at the delicate woman as if seeing her for the first time, watching as her head slowly lowered and then rose again under his gaze.

"Do you think what your mother says is reasonable?" There was an indistinct smile in Zhong Boyu’s voice.

"My mom’s right. I’ve spent several years of my youth on you; I can’t leave empty-handed," the delicate woman finally said, as if gathering her courage, her hands clenching into fists as if wronged.

Her demeanor made Zhong Boyu laugh, "If you really want to calculate this, let’s settle the account properly. You say you’ve spent several years of your youth on me and can’t just leave? Did you forget that you came to me asking to be taken in? You said your father’s illness required a large sum of medical bills, and if I helped with his treatment, you’d willingly become my lover, no matter how I treated you. Have you forgotten this?" His tone was icy.

"You sold yourself to me for your father’s health. We had a transaction, and you were the product I bought. Now, I’ve used this product enough, and I don’t want it anymore, so I want to discard it. Is there a problem? When one buys a product from a store, do they have to pay compensation to throw it away? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Or is it because I healed your father and introduced you to some friends who gave you money to dress yourself up? You’ve gotten arrogant and forgotten your identity?"

Zhong Boyu’s words were like icy blades, cutting into her flesh, numbing the delicate woman, leaving her at a loss for words.

"Initially, I wouldn’t have minded giving you money after we part ways. After all, regardless of how we started, we spent some time together. But you’re too greedy. My indulgence made you forget your place, so I’ve decided to donate what I planned to give you to charity. You won’t get a penny from me, and you brought this upon yourself. It’s my way of punishing your greed," Zhong Boyu said.

"From now on, get out of my sight, or I’ll demand back everything you’ve taken from me. Go!" Zhong Boyu demanded unkindly.

He watched with satisfaction as disbelief and despair gripped the delicate woman and her mother, and saw them push through the crowd, running out. He knew what they intended to do — packing up, fearing he might take everything and feed it to the sharks.

But they’d forgotten they were on his yacht, where he made the rules. If he wanted, how could they escape?

Zhong Boyu chuckled dismissively.

"I really let you witness a spectacle," he said, drooping his eyes, seemingly disinterested.

The main players had left the scene in disgrace, and the crowd gradually dispersed, with the staff leading the four back to their original places.