On the other end, the man said nothing. After a brief silence, he hung up the phone.
Wen Yongwei’s expression was complex. He stared at the screen where the call had ended, sighed softly, and looked thoughtful.
The winter in S state always arrives unusually early. Wei Shuqian stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the bustling snowscape outside, squinting indifferently, holding a phone that was heating up in his hand.
He understood the principle that circumstances could overpower a person and had always known that no one would stay unconditionally for another.
He chose to return to S state, so it was only a matter of time before Wen Jiao chose a new life.
Yet, amidst the sprawling snow, even in the warmth of his room, he still felt chills run through him.
In the dark, everything seemed so unreal.
Wei Shuqian seemed to see the 17-year-old Wen Jiao, standing far away, looking toward him, smiling, and telling him that this time she was truly leaving.
Behind him, his subordinates dragged a man who had just stopped breathing out of the dark room, the scent of blood permeating the air.
The subordinate approached him, asking how to deal with the body.
Wei Shuqian put away all traces of sadness from his face and returned to his usual indifferent demeanor, coldly saying, "As before, just dispose of it."
The subordinate agreed and added, "These people are really too arrogant, they have come to investigate several times, luckily our brothers were alert, and they didn’t succeed!"
"Find out who is behind this, everyone be more cautious during this period."
In the same night, Li Sihe received a call from Bai Xu, who spoke in a serious tone, informing him that an hour ago, Zhuang Jie Ning had committed suicide.
Li Sihe stood in front of the grand gates of Ling’an Temple, faced with the solemn and cold temple, behind him was endless darkness.
He paused then turned around and walked toward the dark.
In the seclusion room in the suburbs, Zhuang Jie Ning lay on the bed, her expression pale and weak.
Seeing Li Sihe appear, she wasn’t surprised; instead, she smiled and said, "I thought you were above the law, really planning to let me die here!"
"I hadn’t realized before that you were so reckless." Li Sihe walked up to Zhuang Jie Ning, his peach blossom eyes lowered, devoid of any warmth.
Zhuang Jie Ning watched Li Sihe’s eyes, feeling a sorrow spreading from her heart.
He is the coldest person in this world, ruthless and unscrupulous.
"What’s there to care about my life? Li Sihe, you keep me here because you’re afraid that Bian Yue and others find out you’re alive, right? I will not let you have your way; I’ll tell Bian Yue that you’re alive, I won’t make it easy for you!"
As she spoke, her voice was hoarse, on the verge of collapse.
Li Sihe looked at her indifferently, and after a long while, spoke even more calmly, "I remember, the person you were fond of initially was Shen Jinci, right?"
The anger on Zhuang Jie Ning’s face froze, she looked at Li Sihe warily, her hand clenched into a fist, "What does that have to do with you! Are you trying to mock me for not having Shen Jinci’s love?"
"Love itself is uncontrollable, what’s there to mock if you couldn’t obtain it?"
Li Sihe paused, looking at the fierce scars on Zhuang Jie Ning’s wrist, "You’re right, I can’t let you die here. If you die, it’s hard to explain, especially since your father holds a high position and is a person of significance."
"Heh..." Zhuang Jie Ning scoffed more intensely, "Li Sihe, you really haven’t changed at all. Cold and cruel, always weighing the pros and cons. I do indeed like Shen Jinci, who can do a lot of things for Bian Yue, but you, you always claim to love, yet with every single thing, you hesitate and consider. You really can’t compare to him, not even a little bit!"
Li Sihe’s previously undisturbed demeanor finally showed a ripple.
Zhuang Jie Ning’s words had evidently hurt him.
He looked at her coldly, and after a long while, he suddenly smiled and said, "Since you put it that way, not letting you go would indeed make me look dishonorable."
Zhuang Jie Ning looked uncertain and was full of wariness, "You’re willing to let me go?"
"Li Sihe, we were husband and wife; do you think I don’t know what kind of person you are?" Zhuang Jie Ning ignored the pain in her wrist and forcefully sat up. Her eyes fixed on Li Sihe, she hoarsely said, "Tell me, what are your conditions?"
"How is that possible?"
"I just want to discuss a collaboration with you." Li Sihe bent down and looked at the panic and wariness on Zhuang Jie Ning’s face, "This collaboration can give you a chance to get close to Shen Jinci."
"You’re willing to help me?" Zhuang Jie Ning scoffed, "Why should I trust you?"
"Because you have no choice. Right now, other than trusting me, you have no other path to take." Li Sihe said indifferently, "Or would you rather agree to your father’s demand, to go abroad and live under an assumed identity for the rest of your life? Zhuang Jie Ning, you’re not someone who’s content with a dull life."
The person who knows you best is always your enemy.
A surge of anger filled Zhuang Jie Ning. She glared at Li Sihe, wishing she could pierce through him with her gaze, but she had to admit, Li Sihe was correct.
Her hand clenched into a fist, and after a long time, she scoffed, "In your dreams! Even if I die here, I won’t agree to your terms!"
With a gentle smile, Li Sihe maintained his bent-over posture and quietly said, "Alright then, go ahead and die..."
The next day, at Bian Group.
Bian Yue had an exceptionally good night’s sleep, perhaps due to the Feng Shui of the temple.
She arrived at the office early. Bai Xu, already there with documents in hand, walked towards Bian Yue and said, "President Bian, I’ve organized the documents for the SK investment, you can take a look."
Bian Yue nodded and smilingly said, "Good, just leave them in my office. By the way, you’ve been working hard recently. Once the SK matter is settled, take a few days off."
Bai Xu looked at Bian Yue in surprise, then lowered his gaze, moderated his expression, and said softly, "Thank you, President Bian, I understand."
Bian Yue didn’t think much of it and walked towards the private elevator.
Bai Xu watched Bian Yue’s departing figure, frowning subconsciously.
Outside, Shen Shiniang was sneakily peering inside, watching Bian Yue go upstairs. He sneered viciously, "Shen Jinci, I’m going to make you realize what it costs to force me abroad!"
Bai Xu sensed something was off, but when he turned to look at the door, there was no one there.
For many years, Bai Xu had been working for the Li Family, which had become a habit. But now, seeing how genuinely Bian Yue trusted him, he began to waver, wondering if supporting Li Sihe was too heartless.
This thought flashed through his mind but left a clear imprint.
Bai Xu didn’t know whether he should continue to persist, while outside, a man in black confidently strolled in.