Chen Dongyang returned home with Tiantian. As both had drunk a lot, they were in high spirits and made love almost all night, waking up at ten the next morning.
Chen Dongyang picked up his phone, preparing to ask Lu Huaijin for a day off, when he noticed that Zeng Hui had called him more than ten times the previous night.
Having not returned home for two consecutive days without explanation, Zeng Hui must have been anxious.
Since he planned not to go to the company today anyway, Chen Dongyang thought he might as well go back and explain things to her clearly.
It was bound to be revealed sooner or later. Although it was a bit early, there was no point in delaying it further.
Hearing that he was going back to confront Zeng Hui, Tiantian became a little nervous.
"What if she can't take it and does something impulsive?"
Chen Dongyang comforted her, "Zeng Hui is a reasonable person; she's not as exaggerated as you think. She's had time to adjust; it should be fine. Stay home and behave. Wait for my good news."
Chen Dongyang called Zeng Hui back and asked her to meet for lunch.
Zeng Hui immediately realized that something was not simple.
In the past, no matter how busy Chen Dongyang was with work, he would send a message to explain if he wasn't coming home, or have Douya relay the message.
For the past two days, he had simply not come home, not answered his phone, and not replied to WeChat messages, which clearly indicated something was going on.
In fact, after catching him with Jiang Jingtiantian once, Zeng Hui had developed a rift. Whenever Chen Dongyang did anything that felt off to her, she couldn't help but think of Jiang Jingtiantian.
Recently, the game Chen Dongyang designed had become a huge hit. She knew he was destined for greatness and would only improve, and that she was not good enough for him and couldn't keep him.
However, after years of daily companionship, understanding was one thing, but truly letting go was another.
At noon, they sat down at a restaurant near Zeng Hui's company. Seeing that he had changed into new clothes, the quality of which alone hinted at their high price, she couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly.
"I already guessed what you were going to say. In fact, I was prepared for this day to come."
"I tried so hard, and I had no dignity in front of you, only to still not be able to keep you..."
"I can't blame anyone else; I can only blame myself for being incompetent. I'm ready to hear the truth, Chen Dongyang. Just say what you want to say."
He thought she would get angry and make a scene. Chen Dongyang had prepared his speech, but her composure made him feel even more guilty.
But guilt was guilt, and the confrontation still had to happen.
After she finished speaking, Chen Dongyang paused for a moment, took out a card from his pocket, and pushed it towards her.
"There's ten million here, enough for you to buy a house in Nancheng, or to return to your hometown and buy a shop for investment. We're not suitable for each other, Zeng Hui. I'm very sorry for the hardship I've caused you over the years..."
"It's meaningless to say anything now. We should both look forward and give each other a chance to meet someone truly suited for us."
"I know I haven't given you much, but this is all I can give you right now."
"A lot of it will go to taxes, and the remaining money needs to pay off debts. I swear to you, I have less than 1 million left on myself. I've given you everything I could."
Ten million was a significant sum, Zeng Hui knew.
In fact, exchanging years of hardship for ten million was very worthwhile.
Otherwise, with her mediocre aptitude and appearance, she wouldn't earn ten million even if she worked until the next lifetime.
This should have been a cause for joy, but Zeng Hui couldn't be happy at all.
She was already 30 years old, had been with a man, and had lost a child, which was equivalent to being divorced, widowed, and childless.
Her heart was riddled with holes. She only wanted a stable harbor to rely on, not to live in a cold, big house as a wealthy woman isolated from the world.
Chen Dongyang was so good; he could give her everything she wanted, but he simply didn't want to.
This ten million represented his firm decision to get rid of her.
Such a resolute determination.
Zeng Hui's broken heart felt as cold as ice. She stared at the card for a while, then gently picked it up.
"So, with this, we're even, and we won't have any more contact in the future, right?"
Chen Dongyang, afraid she would be upset, quickly said no.
"If you stay in Nancheng, you can find me if you need anything. Even if you go back home, I'll visit Doubao often. We'll always be friends."
Such nice words, "always friends."
Before he had even married Miss Jiang, he stopped answering her calls. After he got married and had children, would he even remember who Zeng Hui was?
Zeng Hui didn't say anything more. She gave a faint smile, didn't eat, picked up the card, and left.
Back home, Tiantian asked how the conversation went. Chen Dongyang said it was okay.
"Zeng Hui had psychological expectations. She's become much more cheerful lately, so I think she'll gradually accept it."
Tiantian was very happy, finally able to be with Chen Dongyang openly.
She went to hug Chen Dongyang, but he dodged.
"Don't rush. I still owe you a debt; I don't like living off a woman. This account has 110 million. Take it as repayment. If I earn more in the future, I'll submit my salary to you."
Although Tiantian wasn't short of money, she was overjoyed that the person she loved was willing to submit his salary to her.
She felt she had excellent judgment, having spotted a promising prospect at first sight.
With Chen Dongyang's abilities and looks, her parents would have nothing to say if she brought him home.
However, it would be best to inform her siblings in advance, lest they scold her for being ungrateful for not telling them about her relationship.
Without delay, Tiantian, with Chen Dongyang's consent, immediately called her siblings.
Coincidentally, they were all free, and they arranged to have dinner together that evening.
At six in the afternoon, Tiantian, dressed in a black strapless cocktail dress and with exquisite makeup, linked arms with Chen Dongyang and went to a high-end restaurant.
Zhan Jingrui and He Yao, Jiang Jingyu and Tong An'an, all with their children, were already waiting with Zhan Jingge.
Because they had to dress appropriately for the dining occasion, everyone was dressed quite formally, looking like handsome men and beautiful women.
Even though Chen Dongyang was mentally prepared, when he pushed open the door and saw them at a glance, he still felt nervous.
Fortunately, everyone was very amiable, especially Zhan Jingge, who kept joking with Tiantian from the moment they sat down.
"I lived with you for over 20 years, eating and sleeping together every day, and you've only been apart for a few days, yet you're dating without telling me. You're so ungrateful."
"Jiang Jingtiantian, if you dare to do the first, I'll dare to do the fifteenth. One day, if I suddenly get married and slap the marriage certificate in front of you, don't be surprised."
Tiantian smiled and said, "I won't be surprised. You can marry whoever you want; it's your private matter. Just like those two back then, I won't get involved."
Ge'er said that deliberately because she was feeling guilty.
She had already obtained the marriage certificate a few months ago and hadn't found a suitable opportunity to confess to everyone.
Jiang Jingyu and Tong An'an, who knew everything about her, cleared their throats knowingly across from her, seeing through her thoughts completely.