Li Zhengmao was clearly not a normal man.

To go from a penniless nobody to a man of great wealth—his past alone showed his intelligence and vision were far beyond the ordinary.

And Ye Rong? She was trying to go up against someone like that?

She had no idea… her current situation had already been laid out by Li Zhengmao before his death.

Even Hualei Company was part of it.

When Liu Changqing said this, Ye Rong froze.

In her eyes, all she could see was the look of disgust on Liu Changqing’s face.

After hesitating for a while, she tried to struggle in vain.

“Didn’t you used to love Wanran the most? And besides, she’s the mother of Zhiyue and Xiazhi…”

“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous to bring that up now?”

Liu Changqing cut her off before she could finish.

“What’s the point of saying all this now? Back when you were doing all that behind our backs, did you ever think about the kids?”

“……”

“I thought you at least had conviction in your actions. I didn’t expect you to flip sides this quickly.”

He sounded disappointed.

Seeing Ye Rong try to cozy up to him, Liu Changqing had thought he’d feel a sense of satisfaction, like in those novels he’d read in a past life—where the protagonist shows off and basks in the glory of revenge.

But now he realized…

He didn’t feel that at all.

Why had he hated Ye Rong for so long?

Maybe it was the resentment that the original Liu Changqing left behind.

If Ye Rong had at least stood firm in her past beliefs, Liu Changqing might have respected her for having a backbone.

But the moment she brought up Li Wanran…

Just like that, Liu Changqing no longer felt the need to keep mocking her.

In fact, he suddenly felt… all those years of disgust and hatred seemed kind of pointless.

Why waste so much energy on someone like this?

Not worth it.

He turned around, ready to leave.

From the start, the only reason he came… was to see Ye Rong’s face when she realized the person she wanted to work with was him—someone she’d once looked down on.

What a shame…

Ye Rong was a disappointment.

Liu Changqing’s words rang in her ears, and her chest heaved.

Ye Rong stared at his back.

She had tried to make peace and was met with this. She couldn’t accept it.

That same Liu Changqing who used to act small and silent around her… how dare he talk to her like this!

“Liu Changqing!”

She screamed.

Ye Rong could no longer maintain the expression on her face. Her no-longer-young features twisted with rage. What she said next sounded more like the furious howling of the powerless.

“You’re nothing without the An family! Without them, you’re just a nobody!!”

“……”

Liu Changqing paused at the door.

After a moment, he slowly turned back to look at Ye Rong.

His face was expressionless.

“You’re wrong. I didn’t rely on the An family. Don’t assume everyone’s like you. The reason I was able to bounce back so fast is partly because of myself—and partly… because of your husband.”

“……”

“I’ve never admired anyone in my life. But now I do—and that person is Li Zhengmao.”

“He…”

“Take care of yourself.”

With those last four words, Liu Changqing walked out.

Leaving Ye Rong standing there alone.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

All her life, Ye Rong had been trying to prove one thing—that she was better than her husband, Li Zhengmao.

He once told her she didn’t look good in bright clothes—so she wore them just to spite him.

He said she wasn’t cut out for business—so she tried to outdo him in business.

He said she…

That had become a nightmare rooted deep in Ye Rong’s heart.

She desperately wanted to break free from the web he had woven for her.

She wanted to escape from the shadow of that man.

She wanted… to beat him just once.

“There must still be a way. I can’t give up…”

Ye Rong began talking to herself.

She kept muttering that same sentence over and over.

Then suddenly, she thought of her daughter.

Liu Changqing used to love her so much…

Yes. That’s right.

There’s still a chance. That look he gave earlier—it had to be fake.

As long as Wanran goes to him…

He’ll definitely…

With that thought planted, it began to spiral uncontrollably in her mind.

Ye Rong snapped back to herself.

She rushed to her desk, grabbed her bag, picked up her phone, and after making sure she had everything, strode out of the office.

She couldn’t lose here.

She wouldn’t lose to Li Zhengmao.

She… wouldn’t lose!

Downstairs.

Liu Changqing got into the car, pulling open the back door and sitting down.

The moment he got in, the driver, Li Quanzhang, asked without turning around,

“How’d she react?”

“Pretty much what you expected.”

Liu Changqing replied, then rubbed his temples with a tired expression.

“She’s lost it. Not even acting like a normal person anymore.”

“Expected. She’s always lived under the old master’s shadow.”

After saying that, Li Quanzhang paused.

“Wanna hear about their younger days?”

“Not interested. I hate hearing about other people’s stories.”

Liu Changqing declined, then added,

“Take me to the hospital.”

“Alright.”

Li Quanzhang responded flatly.

Before he started the car, he glanced at Liu Changqing’s face in the rearview mirror.

He couldn’t help but feel surprised.

What a transformation.

Li Quanzhang still remembered the first time Liu Wanran brought Liu Changqing home. Back then, he’d been this simple, honest-looking young man…

Who could’ve thought he’d become like this? The change was so drastic that at first, Li Quanzhang hadn’t believed it was the same person.

That’s why, back then, he had asked Liu Changqing that question—

“Who the hell are you, really?”

This completely different demeanor made the now fifty-something Li Quanzhang reflect on many things.

In the end, he found the question he asked back then kind of ridiculous.

Who else could he be…

He was Liu Changqing.

Li Quanzhang started the engine and drove Liu Changqing toward the hospital where An Yuanyao was staying.

As he drove, a thought drifted through his mind.

This must be why you had so much faith in him… Zhengmao.

———

An Yuanyao’s due date was getting close.

She had already been in the hospital for nearly two weeks. Since she was carrying fraternal twins, just to be safe, she had been admitted in early June.

Her mother had come from the hometown to take care of her.

Her father came along at first too, but had to return home this week due to some matters.

He’d be back in a few days.

Propped up by pillows, An Yuanyao leaned against the headboard.

Her belly was enormous now. Moving around was extremely difficult. Without help, it was a real struggle.

Sitting in the chair by the bed,

Su Yan was peeling an apple with a fruit knife, muttering as she worked.

“When you go into labor, don’t be scared. People always say childbirth is painful, but when I gave birth to you and your brother, it didn’t hurt much at all. So don’t worry.”

“Really…”

“Would your mom lie to you? Have I ever lied to you since you were little?”

“……”

Lying against the bed, hearing her mom say that, An Yuanyao suddenly felt a bit panicked.

Because she clearly remembered—her mom lied to her all the time…