Chapter 75: Longing for Reconciliation Is Enough

Yan Feng deeply disliked this feeling.

He turned and left the dining room, retreating to his own room. When Yan Feng came down again, he had already showered, changed into fresh clothes, and tidied himself up meticulously. Yet the gloom and deep exhaustion still lingered in his eyes and between his brows.

The housekeeper had already prepared a place for him at the table. But the seat where Yan Feng usually sat was now occupied by Bo Jin Xiu. He had no choice but to take a seat at the very edge, a complicated feeling rising in his heart.

Ever since Yan Feng’s return, the once relaxed and cheerful atmosphere had vanished in an instant. Yan Yin had already left the table early, cradling her phone as she retreated to her room to chat with Si Yufeng.

The old patriarch was the first to speak. “A Feng, I’m sure you’re aware that the Paradise Resort project has been awarded to Haifeng Construction by Mr. Bo. For the Yan family, who has been running at a loss on projects for years, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a chance to weather the storm, perhaps even to turn the tide. Tonight’s family dinner was arranged to invite Mr. Bo here, so we could properly thank him.”

Bo Jin Xiu spoke from the side, “You’re too kind, sir. Bo Group chose Haifeng Construction because of its capabilities and commitment to quality. This is a win-win partnership.”

Though he spoke so, everyone at the table understood that there were many firms more capable than Haifeng Construction. Bo Jin Xiu’s choice was not without its own considerations. Most likely, it was because of Jiang Ciyou.

Yan Feng was well aware of this too. Previously, Bo Group hadn’t even sent an invitation to Haifeng Construction for bidding. The very day Jiang Ciyou went to see Bo Jin Xiu, the Yan family received the documents. He had thought it was his own sincerity that had moved Bo Jin Xiu. Now, it was clear—it was Jiang Ciyou.

Could it have been then, that the two of them became entangled in some ambiguous relationship?

Bitterness and anger welled up in Yan Feng’s heart. Unable to contain himself, he suddenly blurted out, “The Yan family’s situation is difficult now, but it hasn’t come to the point where we need to barter our women for advantage.”

The atmosphere froze in an instant.

Everyone knew what Yan Feng meant. He was implying that the family had used Jiang Ciyou’s beauty to secure this project.

The old patriarch’s face darkened with rage, his palm slamming onto the table. “Nonsense! What rubbish are you spouting?”

Yan Feng remembered the harmonious scene from just moments before, and his anger only grew.

They all knew perfectly well that Jiang Ciyou was his wife, even if only in the past. Yet now, for the sake of the Yan family’s interests, they could smile and offer her up without a care. Did any of them ever pause to consider his thoughts and feelings?

In a fit of desperation, Yan Feng pressed on, “Am I wrong? Jiang Ciyou was my wife, but now she’s currying favor with this man. If the Yan family’s future depends on me trading a woman for it, then I would rather not have it.”

Everyone was left stunned by Yan Feng’s outburst. Even Feng Yuping had a look of shame on her face. How could he say such things?

Before anyone else could speak, Jiang Ciyou intervened first.

“Yan Feng, have you no shame?”

Yan Feng met her gaze.

Today, Jiang Ciyou was dressed casually, in a pale yellow floral dress, her hair loose around her shoulders. Her natural curls lent her an air of effortless grace. Her makeup was subtle—perhaps only a touch of rouge and lipstick. Yet her eyes and brows were inherently alluring, captivating with every glance.

Yan Feng’s heart ached sharply.

“I am not your wife, nor am I your woman, nor am I some commodity you can exchange for gain.”

“Xiao You, that’s not what I meant—”

Jiang Ciyou sneered, “And are you blind, too? Can’t even tell the difference between genuine affection and forced flattery?”

Yan Feng was left speechless by her words. Yet he still could not believe that Jiang Ciyou could have fallen for Bo Jin Xiu in just a single month.

Even Feng Yuping could not stand it any longer. She spoke angrily, “A Feng, you are my son, but I can’t take your side in this. Since you have already chosen Xia Ling, do you expect Xiao You to wait for you forever, in loneliness and misery?”

“I know everything that happened yesterday. You were there, yet you stood by as the Jiang family and Xia Ling bullied Xiao You. What right do you have to claim her as your wife now?”

“If Mr. Bo had not protected Xiao You, who knows how much worse she would have been humiliated. Since you didn’t cherish her, there will be someone better in this world who will treat her as a treasure. I said this to everyone yesterday, but you weren’t present, so I’ll say it again now.”

“From this day on, Xiao You is our daughter, not our daughter-in-law. I can’t control you anymore, so feel free to go your own way with Xia Ling. But don’t get in the way of Xiao You’s pursuit of happiness, or don’t blame me for disowning you as my son.”

Feng Yuping’s heart ached for her son, but she was also angry at his lack of resolve. In her heart, Yan Feng was her child, but so was Jiang Ciyou. In fact, because Jiang Ciyou was a girl, she had always doted on her more. Once, the two had been childhood sweethearts, inseparable. Now, they stood as enemies.

This pained her most of all. But after everything that had happened this past month, she was now completely sober to the truth—these two could never be reconciled. She could not allow Yan Feng to hold Xiao You back any longer.

After hearing all this, Yan Feng’s bitterness only deepened. These were his family, yet from his childhood, no matter what happened, they always—without hesitation—stood by Jiang Ciyou. Sometimes, he even wondered if he had been adopted. Perhaps it was for this very reason that, though he had always liked Jiang Ciyou, a seed of jealousy was planted deep in his heart from an early age. This was the original sin that would later erupt into misunderstandings. Yet he could never voice any of this.

Yan Feng lowered his head. “Mom, I’ve already broken up with Xia Ling.”

That single sentence plunged the dining room into silence once more. It seemed directed at Feng Yuping, but the moment he finished, Yan Feng stole a glance at Jiang Ciyou from the corner of his eye. What disappointed him was that her face showed no reaction at all—no surprise, no shock, not even the faintest crease of her brow. She didn’t even look at him.

Feng Yuping, on the other hand, was clearly astonished. Clearly, last night’s events—Xia Ling framing Ciyou—had finally awakened him.

“You really broke up with Xia Ling?”

Yan Feng nodded. “I finally saw her true face.”

In reality, they had not formally broken up. But by now, Yan Feng knew it was inevitable.

“What about the child? What will happen to the baby in Xia Ling’s womb?”

Yan Feng hesitated. “The child... the child... will need to be discussed further.”

He hadn’t even considered the child yet.

Bo Jin Xiu suddenly chuckled. “It seems Young Master Yan hasn’t resolved things at all. Yet here you are, unable to wait to announce your breakup to your ex, to show where you stand. Could it be you’re still harboring hopes of putting the pieces back together and rekindling the old flame?”