Murong Qian nestled in Jiang Feng's arms and cried for quite a while before lifting her tear-streaked face to gaze deeply at Jiang Feng.
Compared to thirteen years ago, Jiang Feng had indeed matured and become more manly. His face was angular, well-defined, and full of masculine vigor.
"Xiao Feng, what have you gone through in these thirteen years? Why do I feel like you've changed so drastically compared to before, to the point that your many inexplicable traits make me hesitant to recognize you?" Murong Qian asked curiously.
The Jiang Feng of those days, though a troublemaking Demon Lord of Mayhem in the Capital City who dragged the elder sister figure, two years his senior, into mischief, back then, he was merely a mischievous brat, what people now call a reckless child. He was far from attaining the terrifying level of combat power and medical skills he possesses today.
That's what made Jiang Feng seem so unfamiliar to her!
"It's a long story; let's not talk about me for now. What about you? You left the good life in the Capital City to follow me to this remote place in Binhai, how have you been living these years?" Jiang Feng diverted the topic.
"When you were expelled from the Jiang Family and the Capital City, I broke off with my family in a fit of anger, found out where you were, and also came here without hesitation—of course, my parents outwardly agreed with my grandfather, forbidding me from stepping into the Murong Family's doors again, but secretly they sent Uncle Fu to look after me."
Murong Qian slowly said, "With Uncle Fu's capabilities, even without the Murong Family's help, he quickly established the Murong Group in Binhai. He did it to provide me with a better living environment and because a businessman's information network is extensive; he wanted to help me find you better."
At this point, Murong Qian self-mockingly smiled again, "Unexpectedly, after searching for so many years without a trace of you, we instead met by chance on a train, as fate would have it."
Hearing this, Jiang Feng felt even more guilty.
To think that his mischievous behavior back then had made Murong Qian hold on to unrequited love for thirteen years.
Unfortunately, now he could not but feel guilty for Murong Qian's affection.
"By the way, another thing, the first time we met, you must have recognized me, right? Why didn't you dare to acknowledge me?" Murong Qian, recalling their encounter on the train, asked with some grievance.
"Sister Qian, I have a fiancée." Jiang Feng calmly said to Murong Qian.
"Wha... what?" Upon hearing this, Murong Qian was taken aback, and the joyful expression on her face at their reunion slowly stiffened.
Although Murong Qian had initially investigated Jiang Feng and Nangong Qingcheng's relationship after the events of the noon, due to time constraints, she had only found some clues and made subjective guesses without confirming anything. Now, with Jiang Feng openly admitting it, she was utterly shocked: "Is it Nangong Qingcheng?"
"Yes!" Jiang Feng nodded.
"Aren't you one of her company's employees? How come you and she...?"
"It's merely to mislead others. I didn't tell anyone to not affect her normal studies. But I have had an engagement with her for six years and am considered a live-in son-in-law into the Nangong Family," Jiang Feng said calmly.
He knew this would hurt Murong Qian, but he had no choice, for a long pain is worse than a short one; Murong Qian would have to know sooner or later.
However, Murong Qian still found it deeply unbelievable!
If Jiang Feng hadn't personally told her, who could have imagined that the only one in the Capital City who could challenge Ying Tianzheng was now willing to be a son-in-law?
Did the blow from that incident back then hit Jiang Feng that hard? Even a self-destructive path shouldn't have led to this, right?
"Back then, I wandered to Binhai alone, with no one to care if I lived or died!" Jiang Feng slowly began, recounting those gray days: "I was filled with resentment yet lost all hope, languishing through the days, nearly to the point of begging on the streets for food."
Murong Qian listened, her heart wrenching!
"At that time, Old Sir Nangong found me, saw me lying in a small alley during the harsh winter, with no one to rely on, nearly lifeless, and took me home to give me a meal to eat."
"Then, seeing how I was still living passively, he betrothed his precious granddaughter to me, hoping to ignite my fighting spirit."
"I didn't understand his good intentions then, and instead thought he was bringing shame upon me. Now, I understand, so I cherish this kindness all the more."
Hearing Jiang Feng conclude, Murong Qian felt deeply disappointed and distressed; she hadn't expected that after searching for Jiang Feng for thirteen years, this would be the outcome she awaited.
"Sister Qian, I hope you can keep this matter a secret for now, especially not letting Bai Zhiqing know," Jiang Feng calmly said to Murong Qian.
Murong Qian self-mockingly smiled, awkwardly left Jiang Feng's embrace, and returned despondently to her seat, "I thought I had defeated that woman from the Capital City with time, but unexpectedly, I am now losing to Nangong Qingcheng from Binhai."
"Indeed, you two are well-matched; talented man and beautiful woman, age-wise compatible..."
Hearing Murong Qian say this, Jiang Feng felt even more uneasy.
He truly hadn't known that Murong Qian had left the Capital City angrily for him; otherwise, things would not have come to this.
"Xiao Feng, take your sister to have some drinks, white wine." Murong Qian smiled at Jiang Feng with a sense of desolation, her eyes red-rimmed.
Jiang Feng sighed lightly, silently started the car.
Murong Qian turned her face to look at the fleeting lights of the myriad homes outside, a bitter smile on her face.
Why does fate always like to toy with her?
And Old Master Jiang, along with that woman renowned throughout the Capital City, it's been thirteen years; Jiang Feng has transformed from a wealthy family's discarded youth to a principled man. Do you regret it?
...
In the speeding Aston Martin Lagonda, Yan Chen drove with boiling hatred; the car sped through countless red lights, frightening numerous pedestrians.
Beside him, Yu Liuxia, frightened all the way, finally dared to speak when she saw Yan Chen entering an upscale private residential area in East City. She cautiously asked, "Young Master Yan, are you feeling better now?"
"Squeal!" He stomped on the brake with a sound, not waiting to park in the underground garage, halting the car sharply by the roadside.
He squinted his eyes, not sure what he was contemplating, exuding a fierce aura that sent shivers down the spine.
Then, disregarding Yu Liuxia still beside him, he took out a phone, dialed an overseas number, and spoke coldly, "Get me Tarsen, the chairman!"
The call was transferred several times, quickly connecting Yan Chen with Tarsen, the chairman of Heigu Group.
"Young Master Yan, have you finally come around? Willing to accept our cooperation?" The shrewd Tarsen asked with a smile.
"Tarsen, I agree to cooperate with you, with only one request—by any means necessary, tear that Jiang man to pieces, I don't want him to see another day of Binhai's sun!" Yan Chen said coldly.
"No problem, after all, he's my enemy too! You're as wise as your grandfather; visit Myanmar sometime, and I'll happily buy you a drink to celebrate our successful cooperation," Tarsen said from the other end, all under control.