Volume One, Chapter 25: Offense

Early in the morning—

Xie Liuzheng excitedly yanked Song Qingyu out of bed.
“Baby, I have earth-shattering news! Oceanic Entertainment contacted my agent—they want to sign me!”

Oceanic Entertainment was the largest agency in Beijing, a property of the wealthy Fu family. Many Best Actor and Best Actress winners had been launched from there, but the threshold was so high that without real talent or connections, one could hardly set foot inside.

Song Qingyu had worried the whole night over Xie Liuzheng’s troubles, and upon hearing this wonderful news, she, too, was elated. “Haven’t you always dreamed of joining Oceanic? Your wish has come true!”

“I still can’t believe it’s real. Pinch me—see if I’m dreaming.”

Xie Liuzheng placed Song Qingyu’s hand on her own cheek. Song Qingyu gave her a pinch.

“Ouch! That hurts—it’s real!”

The two embraced, overwhelmed with joy. Xie Liuzheng, not daring to linger, said, “Baby, I have to go. If you need anything, call me. Remember, I’ll always have your back.”

“All right.”

Once Xie Liuzheng left, the apartment was quiet again, with only Song Qingyu and Pei Jingmo remaining.

In her good mood, Song Qingyu began to hum a tune.

Pei Jingmo noticed and smiled, “You seem happy.”

“Mm, I’m happy for Liuzheng. Being signed by Oceanic is such a big deal.”

In that moment, Pei Jingmo was glad he’d called Fu Linhan. Yet, recalling Fu Linhan’s remark that Xie Liuzheng’s lack of roles was all because of Chu Xingzhi, his expression turned cold and dark.

Chu Group—

Chu Xingzhi, in a fit of rage, swept all the documents off his desk onto the floor.

“What on earth is Gu Yuandong up to?”

The amusement park project at Jinxi Lake had been snatched once again by Tianqi Group.

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but ever since Gu Yuandong’s return, Tianqi Group seemed to be interfering in every project, big or small, that Chu Group touched.

Logically, a mere amusement park project should be beneath Tianqi’s notice.

Even Meng Yucheng wondered aloud if Chu Xingzhi had somehow offended Gu Yuandong.

But Chu Xingzhi had never even met the man—how could he have offended him?

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was his grandmother, asking him to come to the hospital.

At the hospital entrance, Chu Xingzhi composed himself before entering the ward.

He never expected to see Lin Tiange there.

What was she doing here?

Had she been gossiping with his grandmother, causing her to summon him?

His gaze turned cold and menacing, his face dark with anger as he glared at Lin Tiange. “Why are you here?”

Lin Tiange was visibly startled to see him, as if she hadn’t expected this encounter.

“President Chu, I…”

Before she could finish, Chu Xingzhi grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the ward to a corner of the hallway.

He pinned her harshly against the wall; pain shot up her back and her pale, makeup-free face turned ghastly.

“What did you tell my grandmother?”

“Nothing… I didn’t say anything. You’re hurting me, President Chu!”

“Then why are you here? What are you after?”

Of all the people involved in his breakup with Song Qingyu, Chu Xingzhi hated Lin Tiange the most.

If Lin Tiange hadn’t seduced him while he was drunk, he’d never have betrayed Qingyu.

Qingyu wouldn’t have left him, wouldn’t have married some penniless laborer.

“I didn’t know Nurse Wu was your grandmother. I’m working here as a caregiver. I was assigned to look after her.”

Hearing that his grandmother knew nothing, Chu Xingzhi’s expression softened a little.

“You work at this hospital?”

Lin Tiange nodded. “For now, it’s the only job I can find.”

Though Lin Tiange was well-educated, she was the culprit who’d destroyed Chu Xingzhi and Song Qingyu’s relationship. If even the victim, Song Qingyu, had suffered so much, how could Lin Tiange expect a better fate?

Chu Xingzhi understood this, and snorted coldly, “You brought this on yourself.”

Lin Tiange bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, I did.”

“Don’t ever appear before my grandmother again.”

Chu Xingzhi turned to head back to the ward, but Lin Tiange hurriedly blocked his path. “President Chu, it wasn’t easy for me to get this job. Please, have mercy—let me keep it.”

“No!”

Lin Tiange was a ticking time bomb. If she ever lost control and told his grandmother what happened between him and Qingyu, it would be a disaster.

“I promise, I won’t breathe a word to Nurse Wu. Besides, you just dragged me away so abruptly—she’ll definitely want an explanation. Let me help you explain things to her.”

Chu Xingzhi frowned, silent for a long moment before replying coldly, “Be smart.”

“Yes.”

When they entered the ward together, his grandmother looked worried. “What’s going on?”

Before Chu Xingzhi could answer, Lin Tiange gave her a gentle smile. “Nurse Wu, it’s nothing. President Chu just had a misunderstanding about me.”

Chu Xingzhi’s expression remained grim.

“Oh? What kind of misunderstanding?”

“I used to work for Chu Group, but I left after making some mistakes. President Chu saw me here and thought I was up to no good.”

His grandmother laughed. “Oh, so that’s all? Xingzhi, Tiange is a very attentive caregiver. Since she’s been with me, I feel much better. You’ve wronged her—shouldn’t you apologize?”

Lin Tiange glanced cautiously at Chu Xingzhi, and seeing his continued displeasure, quickly waved her hands. “No, no, it’s my fault for wronging President Chu in the first place.”

“I don’t know much about your company’s affairs, but everyone makes mistakes. Xingzhi…”

Under his grandmother’s stern gaze, Chu Xingzhi grudgingly apologized.

Lin Tiange gave a faint smile. “It’s all right.”

Knowing the two had things to discuss, Lin Tiange tactfully excused herself. “Grandmother, I’ll come back to keep you company later.”

She closed the door gently behind her, and his grandmother smiled. “She’s a good girl. Be kind to her in the future.”

Chu Xingzhi didn’t want to talk about Lin Tiange anymore. “Grandmother, why did you call me here?”

She tapped his arm, clearly displeased. “If I didn’t call, would you ever visit?”

“Sorry, I’ve been busy lately.”

“And is Qingyu busy too? She hasn’t come either.”

Remembering how he’d sent Song Qingyu to the hospital not long ago, Chu Xingzhi felt a pang of guilt. “Yes, she’s busy too.”

“In a week, your wedding with Qingyu is coming. But you both don’t seem the least bit anxious.”

Her expression became grave. “Xingzhi, be honest—are you and Qingyu having problems?”

Chu Xingzhi’s heart clenched.

If it were only a quarrel, that would be fine—at least he could coax her back.

But now, no amount of coaxing would help.

“No, Grandmother, Qingyu and I are doing well. Don’t worry about us. Just focus on getting better. On our wedding day, you’ll be our witness!”

Hearing this, the old lady finally relaxed. She took two invitations from the bedside table. “The second son of the Gu family has returned, and they’re throwing a banquet in his honor. Take Qingyu with you—it’s a good opportunity to expand your network and strengthen ties with the Gu family.”

Chu Xingzhi looked incredulous. “Grandmother, you…”

She patted his head. “Go on. I know it’s not easy for you to shoulder the family alone. You’ve worked hard.”

A flood of emotions surged through him. Like a child, Chu Xingzhi leaned against his grandmother’s belly and couldn’t hold back his tears…