Lai Bao had had her realization quite early on that this man, possessing a massive fortune and an air of nobility that made countless women flock to him, would one day leave her side.
Time proved her intuition right.
Childhood sweethearts, innocent and naive, turned out to be merely youthful ignorance.
She just never expected that he would choose such a cold and heartless way to deal with their relationship.
He unilaterally declared the dissolution of their engagement, catching the Wen Family and her completely off guard.
Gu Chen let go of An Wei's hand, his tall figure approaching her in long strides, his handsome face devoid of expression. He was always a composed and restrained man. Even in such an awkward moment facing her, he still managed to maintain his composure.
She watched as he walked toward her, his 183 cm height clad in an Armani suit, the golden ratio delineating a perfect silhouette, his body exuding an air of nobility. With his features sharp and his deep eyes commanding, he was capable of driving women mad with desire.
Everything silently reminded her of the gap between them.
Gu Chen stopped in his tracks, looking at the woman with a face red from the cold, reached out to tighten her collar, and spoke in a low voice above her head, "It's so cold, why don't you go up?"
She still had the keys to his apartment.
His usual thoughtfulness and gentleness left Lai Bao somewhat dazed, unable to avert her gaze from that handsome face so familiar and dear to her.
"Baby!"
Gu Chen chuckled and pinched her chubby cheek as he noticed her dumbstruck expression.
A faint pain brought Lai Bao back to her senses, and she instinctively stepped back.
How could he?
After what had happened, how could he act as though it was nothing?
"Baby?"
Gu Chen's hand stiffened slightly, just for a moment, before he collectedly put it back in his pocket. The smile on his face gradually faded, "Are you blaming me?"
His only response was silence, as the other woman had already tactfully walked away.
"Lai Bao, ever since your grandpa passed away, the Wen Family has been on a downward slope with your father at the helm, who is not cut out for business. The Gu Family has no obligation to keep looking after the Wen Family."
Wen Laibao nodded, "I know."
During its heyday, the Wen Family held considerable prestige in City C and the entire province. Grandpa Wen and Grandpa Gu had a deep friendship, and during the year the Gu Family fell on hard times, Grandpa Wen had gone out of his way to help, both financially and physically, to save the Gu Family.
Over the years, the two families had grown close, and Wen Laibao had been engaged to Gu Chen from a young age.
However, no amount of gratitude could sustain one-sided demands.
Over the years, the Gu Family had done more than enough for the Wen Family.
Thus, when Gu Chen suddenly called off the engagement, the Wen Family did not make a fuss, and neither did Wen Laibao.
Lai Bao said, "I'm not here about family matters this time."
She looked up at Gu Chen, the man who had once driven her to madness.
She desperately suppressed the inner turmoil in her heart, met his dark eyes, and her voice, finally losing control, became hoarse, "If the Wen Family were still as it used to be, would you have married me?"
Gu Chen was silent for a long time before he shook his head.
A pang of pain stabbed through Wen Laibao's heart, but she forced a smile, "Did you ever love me?"
"Baby!"
She persisted, "Did you love me?"
At least before she turned eighteen, he was very good to her, a competent boyfriend, a fiancé.
"I liked you."
Gu Chen explained emotionlessly, "Lai Bao, in fact, I've always regarded you as a younger sister whom I dearly love."
To hell with your damn sister.
Wen Laibao cursed inwardly.
He was lying. He had definitely loved her.
Why wouldn't he admit it?
Was he afraid she'd cling to him and not let go?