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Yun Xiao stood there, at a loss for words in her excitement.

But Ai Xiang grasped her hand, too excited to let go.

"I went back to find you later, searched the entire mountain, and even the whole of Liangshan, but couldn’t find you."

Yun Xiao bit her lip, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears. She silently bowed her head, feeling an indescribable flutter in her heart.

If back then, she hadn’t been adopted first by his uncle, could she have followed him and, after growing up, married him?

There wouldn’t have been so many hardships in between.

But she didn’t regret it, for if it had been so, she wouldn’t have met Gu Xiaoxi, nor would she have achieved what she had today.

"Look at me, tell me. Are you willing to be my bride?" Ai Xiang held her face in his hands, forcing her to look up at him.

Yun Xiao bit her lip, her gaze fell on Ai Xiang’s face, that fair complexion, those dark eyes; he was the person she loved most in her life.

She had never dared to hope that he would love her, or that they could have a beautiful future together.

Yet when such a moment finally arrived, she found herself somewhat afraid.

"Yun Xiao! I was wrong before, from now on, I will love you well." Ai Xiang, as if making a vow, instantly shattered the lingering hesitation in her heart.

Yun Xiao clasped his hands in return and then lifted her head to nod silently at him.

She was a quiet girl who didn’t want anything dramatic, content with simplicity.

Ai Xiang immediately wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly to himself.

In such a joyous setting, the two embraced each other tightly.

Indeed, they had both given their hearts to the other long ago; it was just that they had missed their destined time, until this moment when they unraveled the hidden secret.

What reason did they have not to be together now?

The wedding venue was bustling with excitement.

The toasting process was met with a flood of well-wishes.

Quan Shaoqing and Gu Xiaoxi gradually became a little tipsy.

Afterward, Gu Xiaoxi excused herself to freshen up in the restroom, intending to sober up.

The truth was, after drinking so much, she really felt a bit drunk.

Especially with former comrades-in-arms, her friends, her friends from the International Alliance.

They insisted on her drinking, and to drink the same as everyone else.

In the restroom, Gu Xiaoxi washed her face, without Inner Strength, there was no way to expel the alcohol.

Now facing these friends who wanted to get her drunk.

She would avoid them for as long as she could.

After a while, Gu Xiaoxi felt a bit better and walked out of the restroom.

She was thankful that over the years, her capacity for alcohol had improved.

As she passed through the corridor, she saw from the window two people arguing in the garden, clearly both parties were unhappy.

Weren’t those people Jing Rui and Fu Qiuyi?

In Gu Xiaoxi’s memory, they should be unrelated.

If they were arguing, especially at such an important event, there must be some misunderstanding.

Moreover, one was her biological father, and the other her best friend and mentor for life.

Gu Xiaoxi strode over.

As she drew closer, she just wanted to hear what they were saying.

Jing Rui’s voice wasn’t loud, but couldn’t hide his anger, "Fu Qiuyi, even if our affection is gone. You now have a family, a child, happiness. What right do you have to keep me from seeing my daughter? Who gave you such a right?"

The questioning voice was almost emotional.

"You left without a word back then, and now you come back and say these things to me. What right do you have to be a mother?" Fu Qiuyi was naturally no pushover. Regarding Jing Rui, he indeed once loved and despised her.

Now, all he wanted was to sever ties, to each go their separate ways.

Jing Rui clenched her teeth, who in life doesn’t have their sufferings! But even if she spoke of hers, no one would understand.

"No words left to say? I’ve heard you’ve done quite well in the International Alliance these years. With your looks, surely many have pursued you. If you love children, you can have more. Xiao Xi, she’s only my daughter. You have no relation to her whatsoever!" Fu Qiuyi declared resolutely.

Jing Rui’s fists tightened, his words like a bayonet, brutally piercing through her heart.

Even if someone else said such things, he couldn’t talk like this...

Both were speaking fiercely, and the atmosphere became extremely oppressive.

Gu Xiaoxi stood there listening, listening, listening...

Slap!

The sudden slap shocked everyone back to reality.

Jing Rui too was startled and looked up, only to see Jing Mingcheng standing beside Fu Qiuyi.

That slap was clearly delivered by him.

At that moment, Jing Mingcheng glared at Fu Qiuyi, and said with an icy tone, "You ungrateful thing. Back then, if it hadn’t been for Jinger sacrificing everything to ensure the safety of you and your father.

If she hadn’t fought desperately for glory in front of our father, helping you establish your career, how would you be any different from a beggar on the street? "

"Brother, don’t say any more..." Jing Rui grabbed Jing Mingcheng. She would never admit that she once loved such a heartless man.

She had just left, and he immediately sought marriage with a noble lady, soaring to success and completely forgetting her.

"What are you saying? All my success, I achieved through my own efforts, what does it have to do with the Jing Family! Jing Mingcheng, don’t think that just because you’re of high status I’ll be afraid of you. Speak with evidence!" Fu Qiuyi said angrily.

"You want evidence?" Jing Mingcheng suddenly chuckled, "The second largest shareholder of your company, holding twenty-one percent of the shares, just five percent less than you.

For years, that person has never shown their face, nor interfered in company affairs.

Let me tell you, that shareholder is Jing Rui. "

"What?" Even Jing Rui herself couldn’t believe it. How could she possibly have become the second-largest shareholder in Fu Qiuyi’s company?

Fu Qiuyi was even less willing to believe it. "Are you trying to deceive me? Even though the second-largest shareholder never shows up, I also know his name is Liu Dong."

But Jing Mingcheng smiled calmly, "Liu Dong was my late father’s best friend.

My father was worried that you might become too ambitious in the future and harm the Jing Family.

While helping you, he also set aside money for my sister.

This year alone, the income she received was enough to buy all your shares. This is the evidence!"

At the mention of her father, Jing Rui’s face turned ashen.

Back then, she didn’t disdain Fu Qiuyi’s poverty and chose to be with him after graduating.

She did not need a wedding, a diamond ring, or even her relatives; being with him was all she wanted.

She thought she would spend her life with Fu Qiuyi, but her father forcibly took her back.

Her father wanted her to join the International Alliance.

His expectations for her extended beyond just marrying and raising children, supporting her husband and teaching her children.

She disagreed, but then he threatened her with her child and her lover.

At that time, her father was a man of great power and influence, who operated in both the legal and the illegal, and was not a good man by any standard. He was decisive and followed through on his words.

She and Fu Qiuyi were no match for him, so she chose to compromise.

More than leaving, she hoped that her lover and child could live happily.

Even if it meant that he hated her, it didn’t matter.

But what was the result?

Time is the best proof – the man she loved did not love her as much as he claimed!

After she left, he married another woman.

Perhaps her father had already seen through his true nature; hence, even when he remarried, he just let it be.

"Jing Rui, even if the whole world doesn’t understand, your brother understands your pain.

A woman like you, fighting and struggling in such an important place.

What you sacrificed was not just personal glory, but the honor of our entire Liuli Country and our people," Jing Mingcheng said as he stepped forward to grasp Jing Rui’s hand.

Biting her lip, Jing Rui’s eyes were already brimming with tears.

"In fact, our father loved you very much. It was just that in the face of great power, family, honor, and emotion, he chose to sacrifice you," Jing Mingcheng said solemnly, looking at Jing Rui.

Then, he continued, "Back then, our family was involved in so many areas and our position was precarious.

After our success, we could finally establish a firm foothold among the noble families.

If we had failed, not just you and I, but our father, mother, and all our relatives would have died.

The Jing Family has too many enemies, as you should know.

You understand how severe the consequences of failure would be.

.. Father indeed went too far because he chose to sacrifice you. "

Jing Rui bit her lip as tears suddenly streaked down her cheeks.

She had never known about these things.

Over the years, indeed many things happened within the Jing Family.

Her second uncle and third uncle died under mysterious circumstances.

For several years the Jing Family was in chaos, and her father was often deeply troubled.

But at that time, she had just graduated from college and was blinded by love, paying no attention to these matters.

Now, reflecting on Jing Mingcheng’s words, she realized that she too was to blame for what happened back then.

If she hadn’t blindly chosen love, none of these things would have happened.

"Impossible! You’re the second-largest shareholder?" Fu Qiuyi found it to be a complete joke.