The Ning family of Yanjing, though once a respectable middle-tier clan, had declined over the years. With the retirement of the old patriarch this year due to illness, the Ning family now appeared more unstable than ever.
At the moment, the atmosphere in the Ning household was heavy. Though it was a family meeting, there wasn't the slightest trace of warmth or festivity.
"She's still refusing?" After a long silence, a middle-aged man in his fifties tapped the table and asked coldly. He was Ning Zhongze, the current head of the Ning family and also the district mayor of Hebei District in Yanjing.
In a city like Yanjing, being a district mayor was a bureau-level position—more influential than a deputy provincial governor in some regions. But in a place where even a falling brick could hit a vice-minister, it wasn't a big deal. With the old patriarch retired and Ning Zhongze already in his fifties, this may well be his final post.
"Big Brother, we're out of time," another middle-aged man to Ning Zhongze's right said impatiently. "Third Brother currently manages Ning Pharmaceuticals, and I'm sure he knows the situation. Our largest supplier used to be the American Skar Corporation, but now it's been taken over by that woman from the Song family. This is a huge blow to us.
"After Father's retirement, our chances in the political sphere are slim. If we also suffer in the business world, the Ning family may collapse entirely. A marriage alliance with the Song family could save us. Song Shaowen may be a bit of a playboy, but the Song family is powerful. If we align with them, our business will rebound immediately—and when the next reshuffle comes, Big Brother might even rise another level."
Ning Zhongze sighed and waved his hand. "I understand, Zhongwei. A marriage alliance with the Song family would indeed benefit us. But Song Shaowen... let's discuss it with Third Brother. After all, Qingxue is his daughter."
"I agree with Fourth Brother," said another man to his left, Ning Zhongshou, the second eldest. "This is a life-or-death moment for the Ning family. Asking Qingxue to marry into the Song family isn't unreasonable. She should understand the bigger picture, and so should Third Brother. She's managed our Yanjing business before—she knows what's at stake."
"Dad, Uncle Zhongshou and Uncle Zhongwei are right," Ning Xi, Ning Zhongze's eldest son, chimed in. "Shaowen may be a bit wild, but what young man isn't these days? He'll change after marriage. He's also deeply in love with Qingxue and won't mistreat her. She'd be far better off with him than with that useless Ye family boy."
After a long silence, Ning Zhongze finally said, "Then it's settled. I'll speak to Zhongfei. Zhongshou, have Huili persuade Qingxue. October 1st is almost here. Let's settle this by then."
A young man sitting at the end of the table opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing after the family head had spoken. He was Ning Yang, Ning Zhongze's second son, and aside from Qingxue, the only family member opposed to her marrying Song Shaowen.
As soon as the meeting ended, Ning Yang went to see Ning Qingxue.
Despite rumors that she had been grounded after her public remarks, the truth was that she simply hadn't wanted to go out. Naturally cold and reserved, she had spent most of her time at home after being removed from her position at Ning Pharmaceuticals. Apart from her best friend Li Mumei, she had very few close relationships.
Li Mumei had been her assistant in the company, her cousin, and her confidante.
If anyone else in the family understood Qingxue, it was Ning Yang. Though often busy, he came to see her this time—an ominous sign.
"Yang-ge, long time no see," Li Mumei greeted him as he arrived. She had been talking to Qingxue just moments earlier.
Ning Yang, visibly upset, didn't bother asking Li Mumei to leave. He got straight to the point and told Qingxue about the family's decision.
"Qingxue, your happiness is in your hands. If you want to leave the country, I'll help you. The family's future shouldn't come at the cost of one woman's freedom." Ning Yang had come for one reason—to help Qingxue escape. He was one of the few who truly understood how dangerous Song Shaowen was.
Qingxue's face turned pale upon hearing him. Her elegant brows clouded with despair. No matter what she said in public, in the end, she still couldn't escape the fate of being sacrificed by her own family.
"Qingxue..." Li Mumei called softly, worried.
The room fell into suffocating silence. Ning Yang knew it wouldn't be easy to send Qingxue abroad—and even if she left, what then?
"Sis, don't worry. I'll go make arrangements right away before it's too late. Mumei, I'll leave her in your care." Ning Yang stood up and left hastily. If Qingxue wanted to leave, it had to be done quickly before their uncles caught wind of it.
Li Mumei's heart ached seeing Qingxue's lifeless expression. She was her closest friend, a beautiful woman who couldn't even enjoy basic freedom. Everyone in Yanjing knew what kind of man Song Shaowen was—a debauched playboy, constantly surrounded by women. Photos of his scandalous affairs had even leaked once, but were quickly suppressed due to the Song family's influence.
Worse still, he had a revolting habit of passing around women he tired of. Countless young girls had been ruined by him. One rising actress had been crippled for resisting him and eventually committed suicide after being forced into prostitution. In elite circles, he was known as a devil.
"I might have a solution," Li Mumei suddenly said, hesitating. "But... it might damage your reputation."
"What is it?" Qingxue looked at her intently. She was willing to consider anything that could help her escape Song Shaowen's clutches.
Li Mumei sighed. "We could use your... 'shield' again. You already told the public you belonged to Ye Mo. Most people assumed it was just a cover. But if you really got involved with him—say, got married and were seen living together—then even the Song family couldn't marry you, no matter what they suspected."
Seeing Qingxue's stunned expression, Li Mumei quickly clarified, "I don't mean that. I just mean—make it look convincing. If reporters caught you two in the same bed, even if nothing happened, your reputation would be 'ruined' in the eyes of the Songs."
Qingxue's eyes lit up briefly, then dimmed again.
Knowing what she was thinking, Li Mumei continued, "That Ye Mo guy is a complete good-for-nothing. He's proud and vain. After you broke off the engagement, he tried to ask a classmate to be his girlfriend just to save face. You know what she said? 'Can you sleep with me?' He fainted from rage.
"He probably still hasn't accepted that the Ye family kicked him out. Plus, he's broke. I had someone deliver 20,000 yuan to him, and he accepted it without hesitation. If you gave him a bit more, I'm sure he'd agree to play along—money and pride, it's a win-win for him."
Qingxue let out a long sigh. "I don't care about my reputation—I've lost it already. But... would this drag him into trouble with the Song family?"