Chapter 549: Chapter 549: An Unacceptable Reality
Chen Yuxin’s somewhat cold gaze left Ye Shikai at a loss for words. Finally finding the girl of his dreams, he now had a sinking feeling that something was amiss.
“Sorry, I got a bit too emotional today and lost my composure…” Chen Yuxin said, somewhat embarrassed as she lowered her head. Ye Shikai sighed in relief after hearing this and gently enclosed her in his arms, thinking that first love is indeed the experience a man finds hardest to forget—then, their love was pure, without the influence of strangers, objects, noise, or entanglements.
“It’s okay,” Ye Shikai said lightly.
“Do you really plan on marrying… Su Qingyu?” Chen Yuxin’s hands trembled uncontrollably—with anticipation, with probing, and with fear.
Ye Shikai was lost for words. He, of course, understood Chen Yuxin’s feelings; they had been childhood sweethearts who grew up together. Yet, faced with sudden misfortune, Chen Yuxin had endured eight years of guilt and anguish, longing for a reunion with Ye Shikai, only to not receive the answer she sought. Ye Shikai could empathize with her; if their positions were reversed, he would certainly be disappointed.
“Xin, it’s been eight years. Both you and I have changed, and some things are probably…” Ye Shikai’s heart was tormented. In Huaxia, the law upheld monogamy, which meant that besides Su Qingyu, his lawful wife, he couldn’t marry any other woman.
“Kai, I’ve waited for you for eight years.” Chen Yuxin grasped Ye Shikai’s hand firmly and placed it on her heart, hoping he could feel her fervor. Indeed, for a woman of Chen Yuxin’s age, eight years meant her prime, her waiting… only to be let down.
“Are you still angry at me for leaving without a goodbye? I know, I’m sorry.” Seeing Ye Shikai unmoved, Chen Yuxin became anxious. She loved the man before her with all her being, right down to the marrow.
“No, I’m not angry, really,” Ye Shikai explained, then hurriedly stabilized Chen Yuxin and poured her a glass of water. “Xin, please, don’t get agitated.”
“Then why?” Chen Yuxin asked urgently.
“Xin, I know your feelings, and I still love you, but time can’t be reversed. Qingyu is already my lawful wife. Some things… can only live in memory…”
“Can only live in memory…” Chen Yuxin murmured to herself. She had thought Ye Shikai would choose her, but now…
“Kai, can you… give me a chance?” Chen Yuxin asked word by word, an intense, fearful, and anxious tone beneath her serious expression, afraid that Ye Shikai would refuse.
“Xin, don’t be upset; let’s sit down and talk it through,” Ye Shikai implored. He couldn’t agree, yet he couldn’t refuse outright either; he wanted to buy some time, hoping to calm Chen Yuxin down.
“Kai, I know I owe you a lot, but I really want to be with you. Why can’t you give me a chance?” Chen Yuxin held Ye Shikai’s hands tightly, unwilling to let go, fearful that if she did, he would leave her.
Ye Shikai felt helpless. In some ways, Chen Yuxin and Ji Qian were similar, both incredibly important to him. Yet, this was an unsolvable knot; only one woman could walk down the aisle with him…
“Xin, let’s change the subject,” Ye Shikai suggested softly, patting Chen Yuxin’s back. She must be in tremendous pain, but there was nothing Ye Shikai could do. He couldn’t make a choice that wouldn’t hurt one woman or the other.
“Mhm.” After a long while, Chen Yuxin calmed down. Ye Shikai knew she had always been a sensitive girl with a “glass heart.” He truly didn’t want to hurt her anymore.
“Xin, when you’re free, let’s go out, maybe travel. You can choose the place,” Ye Shikai offered, trying to ease her mood and perhaps provide some comfort.
“Xin, how about we go out for dinner tonight? I know a restaurant that’s quite good.”
Suddenly, Chen Yuxin looked up sharply, her eyes coldly fixed on Ye Shikai.
“Kai, what do you think would happen to Su Qingyu if she lost Tianya Group?” Chen Yuxin asked softly, a meaningful smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
“What… what do you mean?”
“I want to acquire Tianya,” Chen Yuxin said with a calm smile.
“Xin, please don’t be . If you hate me, let me atone,” Ye Shikai immediately said. If these words were coming from an ordinary businessman, Ye Shikai wouldn’t plead , but the situation was different now. No matter whom Ye Shikai helped, it would hurt the other, and the only solution was reconciliation.
Chen Yuxin clenched her hands tightly. In his anxiety, Ye Shikai overlooked something—the more he groveled, the more jealous Chen Yuxin felt. In her eyes, Ye Shikai was a proud man, always had been, even when impoverished during their school days, he never acted weak. And now he was begging for the sake of a woman, which infuriated her.
“I won’t allow you to be so demeaning for her,” Chen Yuxin declared coldly. Ye Shikai’s head was noble, it could never bow to anyone.
“Xin, what are you talking about?” Ye Shikai asked, puzzled, scratching his head.
“If you insist on marrying her, then why come to me for help?” Chen Yuxin scoffed. “Acquiring a company is normal business conduct. If she cannot compete with me, it simply shows she’s less capable.”
“Xin, why have you become ?” After hearing her, Ye Shikai showed a shocked expression, instinctively stepping back. This feeling was so alien; the once-familiar figure seemed to fade away in his mind…
The old Chen Yuxin was like the girl next door, caring and kind-hearted, akin to a delicate flower in a greenhouse. But now, she had become so heartless. Ye Shikai hoped it was just her speaking in anger. Chen Yuxin turned away, refusing to speak.
“Do I need to kneel before you’ll agree?” Ye Shikai felt a chill. He never imagined it would come to this.
“I won’t allow you to kneel.” Suddenly, Chen Yuxin rushed forward, throwing herself into Ye Shikai’s arms.
“Why are you willing to sacrifice so much for her?”
“Because she is my wife; that’s the reason,” Ye Shikai stated flatly.
“Kai, if I were Su Qingyu today, and my company was in crisis, would you kneel for me?” Chen Yuxin asked, emphasizing each word.