Although he was paranoid and gloomy, he was not unreasonable, and discussing non-excessive matters with him would not be too difficult. But whenever principles were involved, if he said no, it was a firm no, especially when it came to threats.
A dark shadow crept over He Xing's face, and only icy turbulence remained in his narrow eyes as he rose to face Xia Cheng, "How much has the He Family supported the Xia Family over the years? Has Young Master Xia ever calculated it? From your decline to your current achievements in A City, hasn't it all been with the support of my He Family? You talk about a life-saving debt? Yes, I acknowledge it, but without the He Family, how long could the Xia Family have lasted?"
His cold face conveyed all this to Xia Cheng, who was usually gentle and became speechless under his imposing demeanor, frowning in silence.
"The debt I owed the Xia Family has been repaid over these many years, more than enough. I can continue to support you and maintain good relations, but if you insist on morally blackmailing me over this matter, don't blame me for severing cooperation with the Xia Family."
The gaze in He Xing's eyes was like that of the Grim Reaper, proclaiming the Xia Family's doom.
He could marry Xia Ning out of gratitude, but in doing so, he would reclaim all the support previously given to the Xia Family, and whether the Xia Family would still exist at that point was another matter.
Xia Cheng's lips tightened, and his previous confidence disappeared completely.
In the end, he was no match for the domineering aura radiating from He Xing, and his gaze began to dodge nervously.
It was only with the support of the He Family that the Xia Family could stand firm in A City. This was the reason for He Xing's confidence. If they left the protection of the He Family, could the Xia Family still survive in A City?
He was not sure, especially wary of making such a decision on behalf of the Xia Family.
Xia Cheng finally chose to leave, pushing open the office door, but unexpectedly made eye contact with Fu Han leaning against it. As their eyes met, Fu Han was the first to smile, "Don't doubt it. I heard everything you two were discussing."
"You!" Xia Cheng's brow furled with rage, accusing the woman of provocation, "Lady Fu, after all these years, your skin has gotten thicker, stooping to eavesdropping."
"Still not as thick as the Xia Family's skin when it comes to moral blackmail," she replied with a light smile, a clear, spirited look in her eyes, gracefully straightening up, "Have you finished, Young Master Xia? If so, could you step aside? I have business with He Xing."
She extended a hand in a classic gesture of invitation and turned her head with a light chuckle.
Xia Cheng's breathing grew rapid with frustration, his teeth clenched as he snarled, "Lady Fu, there's no need for such roundabout insults. You can't be too happy for long. He Xing didn't love you then, and he won't love you now."
Fu Han sighed with resignation, "It's for the best that he doesn't love me."
Why did everyone still think she was deeply in love with He Xing? It was quite a buzzkill.
Her seemingly carefree attitude only aggravated Xia Cheng further. Fu Han clearly still fancied him yet behaved coyly, making Xia Ning uncomfortable, right? Wasn't it just to draw attention?
"If you truly don't want his love, you would do well not to interfere with Xia Ning and He Xing's feelings, Lady Fu. Please, choose wisely."
"Choose wisely? Interfere?" Fu Han scoffed, "You're overthinking it. I have no interest in He Xing whatsoever. I'm here to break off the engagement, and as for why Xia Ning can't win He Xing, well, that simply shows her lack of capability."
She pushed past Xia Cheng and was about to walk inside when she nearly bumped into He Xing. Taking a step back, she looked up, "He Xing, have you been enjoying the show here all along?"
Seeing He Xing, Xia Cheng suppressed his anger and said, "I'll be leaving first."
Then he disappeared.
He Xing looked at her with a dark expression, the earlier words still echoing in his ears like needles pricking his heart, "No interest at all? Fu Han, after all this time, why are you still acting stubborn?"
"I'm not being stubborn," she replied, her arms folded and her gentle gaze fixed on him, "Grandfather asked me to remind you to come home for dinner tomorrow night. He wants to get together, so don't bury yourself in work and forget the time."
Fu Han hadn't wanted to come, but her grandfather was her only relative, and she couldn't refuse him.
He Xing silently nodded, "Alright, I know."
Having relayed the message, Fu Han turned to leave, but He Xing quickly grasped her arm and pulled her back, his eyes serious, "Fu Han, what exactly are you dissatisfied with about me?"
Why, no matter what he did, no matter how he tried to appease her, did she remain indifferent?
Fu Han kept her usual smile, "I am quite satisfied."
He Xing's grip on Fu Han's arm tightened.
That same phrase, that same expression, that same smile. He was increasingly unsure whether Fu Han was mocking him or truly didn't care anymore.
A wave of nameless irritation surfaced, He Xing's fingers trembling. He wanted to say something, but the moment his eyes met Fu Han's, his words were cut short.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now," she said.
Breaking free from He Xing's hold, she headed toward the elevator, casually stepping and pressing the down button.
At seven in the evening, the company's hallway lights were dazzling, illuminating every corner, and He Xing stood within that glow, his dark eyes concealed.
The moment he saw Fu Han at the company, he thought there could be a turning point, but unfortunately, there was none.
The next day, Fu Han resigned from her job at the Xia Family Newspaper Office, for no other reason than not wanting to work with someone she found irritating. Her carefree and whimsical nature only desired to bask in the wind, taking photos and editing pictures, a truly simple life.
After leaving her job, she did not stay home. In the morning, she took her camera out for photography and only returned for the dinner arranged with Grandpa He in the evening.
All the seats were filled when she entered, except for the one beside He Xing.
Fu Han glanced at the sumptuous spread on the table, smiling as she picked up a spare chair and sat next to Grandpa He, "Grandpa! I've missed you after just one trip outside!"
He Xing looked displeased.
The others kept their heads down awkwardly, not daring to look at He Xing's expression.
Lady Fu was clearly disrespecting He Xing, deliberately bypassing him to get close to Grandpa — wasn't she just asking for trouble?
Grandpa He coughed lightly, smiling kindly, "Good child, Grandpa has missed you too. Come, let's eat. You're back home so rarely, make sure you eat well to recover your strength. You've gotten thinner."
So be it. If she didn't want to sit next to He Xing, then she wouldn't.
Grandpa He played along with her act, hoping to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
At that moment, He Xing stood up, his face stern as he grabbed Fu Han's arm and pushed her down beside him, saying, "This is where you belong. It's hot weather, don't always cling to grandfather."