Mu Ziyan pursed her lips and glanced at the Mercedes-Benz by the roadside. This million-dollar luxury car, which she had always been so proud of, now looked completely unpleasant to her.
"What's so great about it?" Li Dechao raised an eyebrow, a sour feeling in his heart. He turned and vented his frustration on Chen Yang. "Mr. Chen, where's your car? Hurry up and show us, will you?"
If Mu Ziyan and Chen Xiaoyi hadn't been so captivated by the Ferrari, they would have certainly unleashed another round of mockery.
A guy who lives off his wife is looking down on someone in a million-dollar Mercedes? What a complete joke.
Qin Qiu averted her gaze and silently walked toward her van.
At the same time, a middle-aged man stepped out of the Ferrari. His eyes scanned the surroundings, and when they landed on Chen Yang, a broad smile bloomed on his face as he hurried over.
"Mr. Chen!" the middle-aged man called out with a chuckle as he ran.
Chen Yang frowned. Qin Qiu, who had been about to leave, instinctively turned her head.
Standing before Chen Yang, the middle-aged man got straight to the point. "Mr. Chen, Elder Jin asked me to deliver this car to you. I went to the hospital earlier, but you had already left, so I had to drive dozens of extra kilometers. But you can rest assured, this car is brand new."
Before Chen Yang could reply, the middle-aged man handed him a document folder and a key. "Mr. Chen, everything is here."
What?!
The man's words stunned everyone. He wasn't the owner? He was delivering the car for someone else?
Chen Yang smiled helplessly.
That Jin Zongquan is a cunning old fox. He must have guessed my identity and was quick to curry favor.
Seeing Chen Yang's silence, the middle-aged man gave an awkward smile. "Mr. Chen, so..."
"I'll take these. Tell him I'll drop by for tea when I have time," Chen Yang said as he accepted the items. He happened to need a ride, so there was no reason to refuse.
"Of course, of course! I'll be sure to pass on your message!" The middle-aged man nodded profusely before turning to leave.
Mu Ziyan and Li Dechao stared at each other, completely baffled.
How is this possible?!
"You're Mr. Li, right? What do you think of this car?" Chen Yang gestured to the Ferrari LaFerrari and casually tossed the key to him.
"This..."
Li Dechao scrambled forward two steps and fumbled to catch the key. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he forced a laugh. "You're joking, Mr. Chen. This car... it's incredible, of course. It's dozens of times better than mine."
"Want to take it for a spin?" Chen Yang asked, hands in his pockets, a grin spreading across his face.
Li Dechao was speechless.
It would be a lie to say I don't want to take it for a spin, but what if I scratch or dent it? I couldn't afford to pay for the damages even if I sold myself.
At this thought, Li Dechao waved his hands frantically and offered the key back to Chen Yang. "No, no, I couldn't. Here's your key."
"Honey, why won't you? Take me for a spin! I've been dreaming of riding in a top-tier luxury car like this," Mu Ziyan cried, running over and snatching the key. She giggled, "Chen Yang isn't a stranger, what's there to be embarrassed about? Right, Chen Yang?"
At that moment, her smile was radiant, as if the earlier taunts and jeers had never happened.
Chen Yang said nothing, merely watching her quietly.
"Nonsense! Do you have any idea how expensive this car is? Could you afford it if something happened?" Li Dechao snapped. "Hurry up and give the key back!"
"I won't!" Mu Ziyan clutched the key tightly. "Besides, given our relationship, Chen Yang wouldn't make us pay even if we did scratch it."
"You..." Li Dechao's face darkened. How can this woman be so shameless? The problem is, you may not care about your reputation, but I care about mine!
"Come on, let's go for a spin." Not waiting for Chen Yang's answer, Mu Ziyan grabbed Li Dechao's arm to pull him away.
SMACK.
Li Dechao slapped her across the face, roaring, "Have you no shame at all? Give me the key!"
Mu Ziyan stared in stunned disbelief, her hand covering her reddening cheek. "You... you hit me?"
"I'll say it one more time. Give me the key!"
Li Dechao was absolutely livid. He had heard clearly that the car was a gift from Elder Jin. In Lingjin City, besides Jin Zongquan of the martial Jin Family, who else would dare to call themself Elder Jin? Mu Ziyan's behavior is downright suicidal!
"Make me!" The slap ignited her temper. With reddened eyes, Mu Ziyan turned and stalked toward the Ferrari.
"If you're determined to get yourself killed, don't drag me down with you!" Li Dechao lunged forward, grabbed Mu Ziyan by the hair, and threw her to the ground. Her head hit the pavement with a sickening thud.
Without giving her a second glance, Li Dechao snatched the key from her hand. He walked back to Chen Yang, his face a mask of obsequious apology. "Mr. Chen, here is your key! From this day forward, I have nothing to do with this wretched woman."
"Farewell!"
Li Dechao, who had always acted so superior, now scurried away, utterly defeated and humiliated.
Mu Ziyan, who had just struggled to her feet, stood frozen in place. He... he dumped me? Just like that, I have nothing? This...
Witnessing the entire spectacle, Chen Xiaoyi shrank back, not daring to make a sound.
"How boring," Chen Yang muttered, shaking his head. He walked over to Qin Qiu and pressed the key into her hand. "Qin Qiu, you can get a new car. This van is mine now."
Qin Qiu was speechless.
By the time she came to her senses, Chen Yang was already walking toward the van parked nearby.
***
In the Ferrari, Qin Qiu held the steering wheel with one hand and propped her head up with the other. A cool breeze whipped through the open window, lifting strands of her hair.
Jin Zongquan's opinion of Chen Yang had exceeded her expectations. However, now that he'd gifted the car, their connection was effectively severed. He must still look down on Chen Yang, afraid that he might try to pester him, so he used this gesture to cut ties once and for all.
She shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips.
If Chen Yang had even a little bit of ambition, perhaps Jin Zongquan would have offered his support instead of cutting things off so cleanly. Is life really predestined? My father died in an inexplicable car accident, and my sister, who was in the car with him, was severely injured and left in a vegetative state. I can't believe for a second there wasn't a story behind it, that it was just an accident. That car crash was too bizarre. On top of that, my grandfather is gravely ill. If Jin Zongquan hadn't intervened when he did, he wouldn't have lasted a week. Our relatives and friends have either cut us off completely or are circling with ill intentions. And I, a single woman, am expected to shoulder all of it! This time, with the company's affairs, if someone hadn't been secretly helping, the Qin Corporation would have long been devoured by someone else. And now Chen Yang has beaten up my second uncle and aunt. They will definitely not let this go.
Qin Qiu heaved a deep sigh, her beautiful eyes welling up with tears once again.
So many times, she'd wanted to just walk away from it all. This life was just too, too exhausting. It's not the hardship or the fatigue that's the problem; it's the utter lack of hope. How can anyone keep going like this? If only he could share a fraction of my burdens... If only he were ambitious and tried to improve himself... If only...