At Wong Qifu's side, a pretty-faced woman in an office suit was holding an umbrella over her. Behind her, two men in Armani suits chased after Wong Qifu with documents in hand, calling out, "Director Wang, this..."

The employees who saw Wong Qifu emerge either stopped to stare in admiration, called out "Director Wang," or even bowed deeply. Wong Qifu ignored them all and walked straight out.

The woman holding the umbrella frowned. "Director Wang is resting for lunch. Please address any issues this afternoon." Then she turned to Wong Qifu and said, "Director Wang, the car is pulling out of the parking lot now. Please wait just a moment."

"It's fine," Wong Qifu said, waving her hand dismissively.

Seeing this, Xu Ke was stunned.

In her red dress, Wong Qifu stood out in the crowd without any extra effort—she was the most eye-catching person there. She was like a dazzling pearl, a beauty beyond compare.

Xu Ke smiled bitterly. I'm not even as wealthy as the people crowding around her, let alone able to reach Wong Qifu, the most brilliant pearl in all of Tianhai City. At this moment, no man could help but feel inferior. She shines like a pearl, while I'm as dim as dust.

At that moment, Wong Qifu's gaze seemed to sweep lightly in his direction.

Xu Ke's heart tightened. Even though he knew it was impossible, he instinctively held onto a sliver of hope, wishing Wong Qifu would meet his gaze in acknowledgment.

But her gaze swept past him as if he were nothing before she looked away.

Xu Ke felt a sharp pang in his heart. The sun was scorching, but his heart felt somewhat icy. He knew there was an insurmountable gulf between them. The dinner they shared last night seemed to have planted fantasies in his heart, but at this moment, those fantasies were shattered.

Xu Ke mocked himself. Isn't this what I wished for?

Wong Qifu disappeared from sight.

He overheard sighs of admiration from nearby. "It's true. They all say the Chairman of the Wang Family Corporation is incredibly beautiful, and seeing her in person, she really lives up to her reputation."

"She's so much more beautiful in person than in photos."

"I wonder which lucky bastard will end up with Wong Qifu."

It was just the idle chatter of other delivery drivers. Xu Ke no longer had the heart to listen, feeling disheartened and lost.

At that moment, his phone vibrated. He suddenly perked up. Could it be Wong Qifu?

His hope was baseless, but he was like a drowning man grasping at the last straw. He opened the message, and his expression dimmed once more. It was from an unknown number, but he could tell who it was.

"Mister Xu, please go to the corner at your eleven o'clock position and give me the item you have for the young lady."

It was Wang Wu.

Xu Ke sighed. What was I even expecting?

He carried the lunch box and headed in the eleven o'clock direction.

In an unnoticed corner, Xu Ke handed over the lunch box. "Uncle Wu, sorry to trouble you."

"Alright," Wang Wu replied with a faint smile.

"By the way, Uncle Wu," Xu Ke asked, "about what happened in the parking lot just now, were you the one who called?"

If Wong Qifu hadn't called, then Xu Ke could only assume it was Wang Wu. After all, in the entire Wang Family Corporation, the only people who knew him were Wong Qifu and Wang Wu.

Hearing this, Wang Wu smiled. "Yes, it was me. The young lady happened to ask me to go downstairs with Huang Qi."

The explanation clicked for Xu Ke. That's the only way it could have happened. Even if Wong Qifu had eyes everywhere, she couldn't have known what Huang Qi was doing to me the very instant it started.

"Alright, Uncle Wu, I'll be heading back. Thanks for your trouble." Having gotten his answer, Xu Ke said his goodbyes. His spirits seemed low; that moment earlier had left him with an indescribable discomfort.

Wang Wu seemed to sense something but didn't press the issue. Instead, he simply nodded. "Okay, see you next time."

"Alright."

Xu Ke turned and left.

Watching Xu Ke's retreating figure, Wang Wu took out his phone, a slight smile on his face.

Xu Ke was in a daze on his way back. He couldn't get Wong Qifu's look out of his mind—the way she had glanced right past him, treating him like thin air. There was no emotion in it, as if he didn't even exist in her eyes.

Thinking of this, Xu Ke sighed.

He shook his head. Don't overthink it. Isn't this what I wanted? If I don't exist in Wong Qifu's eyes, then I can get away from her later. I naturally won't have to consider the engagement.

But his heart still couldn't avoid feeling restless.

Just then, his phone vibrated again with a new message. He picked it up and opened it to read: "Xu Ke, I'm waiting for you at Fengjiang Building. If you dare not to come, I'll show up at your apartment and cause trouble every single day."

It was an unfamiliar number, but Xu Ke recognized the tone immediately. It was Siao Fan. After being blocked, Siao Fan had resorted to using a new number to message him.

Xu Ke's expression darkened. His already troubled mood instantly flared into anger.

Fengjiang Building was a dim sum tea house, not far from the urban village.

This is probably why Siao Fan, after asking Siao Jia where I live, specifically picked this place, he thought. After a moment, he dismissed the idea. It's not likely Siao Fan would choose a tea house close to the urban village just for my convenience. He must have staked out the urban village first. After failing to find me, he simply went to the tea house to wait.

DING. The subway arrived. Xu Ke stood up and exited the station. Not far from the station exit was Fengjiang Building.

Fengjiang Building was slow, almost deserted. As soon as he entered, Xu Ke spotted Siao Fan and Chang Xiujuan in a corner.

He walked over and, without even sitting down, said coldly, "What is this about?"

Seeing Xu Ke approach, both Siao Fan and Chang Xiujuan's faces turned gloomy. Chang Xiujuan, particularly incensed by his attitude, exploded, "What's with that look? I'm your elder! Don't you know how to greet people?"

"You want me to chase you out with a broom again?" Xu Ke glared.

Chang Xiujuan instinctively flinched.

Siao Fan, however, sneered, "This is Fengjiang Building, not your home. Don't you fucking try to act tough with me."

"Heh." Xu Ke let out a cold laugh. "Siao Fan, spit it out. I don't have time to waste on you."

"Fine." Siao Fan glared back. "I won't beat around the bush. Give me back my sixty thousand."

"Sixty thousand?" Xu Ke immediately remembered the sixty thousand yuan Siao Jia had transferred to him.

So this is about getting Siao Jia's money back.

"If you want the money, tell Siao Jia to drag herself over here and get it herself," Xu Ke sneered.

Never mind that the money was his to begin with, so he had no intention of returning it. Even if he did, Siao Jia should be the one to ask for it. What did it have to do with Siao Fan?

In a way, Xu Ke despised Siao Fan even more than he did the betrayer, Siao Jia.

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