Chapter 50: Lose

Gu Yuan stood silently to the side and watched the two of them. Xiao Moyan’s steps remained unhurried as her gaze fell upon Xia Lingying’s tear-streaked face, and her brows furrowed unconsciously.

Xia Ran half-embraced Xia Lingying’s shoulder and gently wiped away her tears before finally lifting his head to look across.

“Xiao Moyan.”

The voice was devoid of any emotion yet sent chills to the core. Xiao Moyan slowly raised her head, first casting a cold glance at Xia Lingying’s eyes, then turning her expressionless face toward Xia Ran.

Xia Lingying was still softly sobbing as she looked up at Xiao Moyan. The confusion in her eyes had already overshadowed the joy of reuniting with her father.

Now, how could she still explain this? How could Xiao Moyan possibly believe her…

Regarding Xiao Moyan, at first, Xia Ran did not harbor any hatred toward her, nor did he involve her in the grievances of the previous generation; he even felt a hint of sympathy. He had heard about her mother’s passing while abroad—the woman who had always endured in silence, retreating from Xiao Nian’s reckless actions, had quietly left. Sharing a similar fate, Xia Ran silently grieved for a while.

When Xiao Moyan was young, Xia Ran had seen her before. Back then, she was still a child, and he did not have much impression of her. He had not expected to meet her again. She had shed her youthful innocence, and now, the woman before him, with her deep, sharp gaze, had clearly become a pillar of Tianhuang. Yet, the daughter he had tried so hard to protect had, because of her, still gotten entangled in these murky waters, drawn into this cycle of repeated turmoil.

Suddenly, Xiao Moyan shifted her gaze, fixing her eyes on Xia Lingying as a faint sorrow enveloped her. No matter how unwilling she was, no matter how much she tried to evade it, this day had still come. Feeling a bit stifled in her chest, Xiao Moyan looked at Xia Lingying’s equally sorrowful eyes and slowly reached out her right hand. Her lips moved slightly, but in the end, she did not voice what was in her heart.

Xiaxia, don’t leave me…

Xia Lingying pulled away from her father’s embrace and firmly grasped Xiao Moyan’s hand in return, her gaze intensely locked on her.

Seeing their every movement, Xia Ran’s face changed. He quietly looked at Xiao Moyan and murmured,  

“It’s over for you and Xiaxia. Whatever you have given her, I will repay you twice over.” 

“Dad—”

Xia Lingying turned back, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Xia Ran. Xia Ran continued to stare at Xiao Moyan, while Xiao Moyan did not let go of their tightly clasped hands. She looked at Xia Ran and sneered coldly.

“What I’ve given her—do you think that’s something you could ever repay?”

“It’s just a lead role in a film. Xiao Moyan, the things you’ve taken from her go far beyond that. My daughter’s pure body was taken by you like this. Sooner or later, I will settle this account.”

With that, Xia Ran pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and took a light drag. Gu Yuan, standing beside him, looked at Xia Lingying’s pained eyes, a hint of pity on his face, but he still held back from speaking.

“Well, that depends on whether you have the capability for it. Xia Lingying is still my woman now,” Xiao Moyan said coldly. She forcefully pulled Xia Lingying into her arms. Xia Lingying shook her head fiercely as tears stream down her face. She didn’t want this, didn’t want to see the two people she loved most turn against each other. She looked up at Xia Ran.

“Dad, please don’t do this…”

Xia Ran frowned at Xiao Moyan, then turned his head and gave Gu Yuan a meaningful glance. Gu Yuan nodded, then looked at Xia Lingying and spoke softly.

“Xiaxia, we’ve only just managed to avenge godfather and secure the controlling stake in Tianhuang. How can you waver at such a crucial moment?”

Gu Yuan’s words confirmed Xiao Moyan’s suspicions. Her body went rigid as she lowered her head and looked at Xia Lingying.

“What did you say?”

Xia Lingying looked at Gu Yuan, questioning him back. She wasn’t foolish; she certainly understood the intent behind his words. Just as the tension hung thick among them, a tall figure slowly appeared. With hands casually tucked in her pockets, Lan Chen approached the group with a warm smile, greeting them all cheerfully. She suddenly turned sharply, her expression shifting to a cold sneer as she looked at Xiao Moyan.

“Xiao Moyan, so you've finally met your match.”

“Is everything taken care of?”

Gu Yuan asked softly, and Lan Chen nodded, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

“I’ve already acquired all the scattered shares. With my 10%, your 20%, and godfather’s 20%, tomorrow’s board meeting—”

Xiao Moyan remained expressionless, watching the two of them. She sneered coldly, her arms that had been wrapped around Xia Lingying now loosening, taking a few steps back in a defensive manner.

The few words had pulled Xiao Moyan’s heart into an abyss. All the trust she had, vanished in an instant, and her mind went blank.

Lan Chen looked at Xiao Moyan with a light laugh, her voice dripping with mockery as she whispered.

“Xiao Moyan, do you think Xia Lingying and I are so weak that you can bully us? Everything was just a matter of enduring, waiting for the right moment. And you, in the end, are just too arrogant.”

“And so what? Do you think you can take the 40% of shares in my hands? You’re too naive!”

Xiao Moyan looked at them without expression, spitting out a few words from her mouth, her gaze icy and cold.

The sharp sound of screeching brakes echoed through the parking lot, followed by the sound of car doors slamming shut one after another. A'Sen rushed down with a group of people, quickly positioning himself to shield Xiao Moyan, while encircling Xia Ran and the others.

Xia Ran was not flustered. He raised his head and glanced at A'Sen.

A'Sen hurriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at Xia Ran. His eyes showed some evasion, but he quickly lifted his head and handed the documents in his arms to Xiao Moyan. Xiao Moyan gave Xia Ran a cold glance, slowly took the papers, and flipped through them quickly, page by page. Her face grew increasingly darker.

On the other side, Xia Ran appeared calm and confident. Lan Chen even leaned casually against the car. Gu Yuan looked at the fine beads of sweat on Xiao Moyan’s forehead, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. Xia Lingying stared at Xiao Moyan, her heart already hollowed out.

“Despicable!”

The documents in her hands were suddenly tossed out, crashing to the ground and stirring up a cloud of dust. Xia Ran continued smoking, letting out a cold laugh.

“Despicable. But can anything be more despicable than Xiao Nian?”

Xiao Moyan looked at Xia Ran, her face frighteningly pale. Xia Lingying took a step forward, trying to hold her hand, but Xiao Moyan flung her off harshly.

“Don’t touch me!”

Xiao Moyan’s face was flushed, her eyes filled with blood-red anger as she glared at Xia Lingying.

“Xiao—”

Xia Lingying called out timidly, her vision blurred by tears. She didn't know, really didn't know. She had no idea about everything her father had orchestrated, no idea that she would cause Xiao Moyan such pain. Xia Lingying knew Xiao Moyan had been enduring it for her sake, repeatedly compromising, turning a blind eye to many things. Xiao Moyan had skipped many important meetings just to spend more time with her, clashed with others, and had fallen out with the board. Now, it all made sense. The last time Director Lin invited her for drinks, it must have been prearranged—just to lure Xiao Moyan into a trap.

“The guarantee agreement for Nancheng was signed by you personally. Now that there’s an issue, of course you, Xiao Moyan, must bear full responsibility.”

Xia Ran spoke in a low voice, then looked up at Xiao Moyan.

"But can you really repay this two billion?"

Xiao Moyan remained silent, her breathing quickened as she stared intensely at Xia Ran.

Xia Ran shook his head and sighed.

"Don’t look at me like that. A father’s debt is repaid by his child. Since Xiao Nian has fled abroad to enjoy his peace, naturally, everything falls on you."

Xiao Moyan took a deep breath and asked, "What do you want?"

Xia Ran took a drag from his cigarette, flicked the stub to the ground, and stamped it out before raising his head to look at Xiao Moyan.

"I want all your shares."

****

When Xiao Moyan returned to the villa, Mrs. Xu was anxiously waiting at the entrance. The moment she saw her car, she quickly came forward. Xiao Moyan’s face was so pale it was nearly translucent. Upon seeing Mrs. Xu, the tears she had held back all night finally surged forth. Yet, she still clung tightly to Mrs. Xu, burying her face in her neck, not wanting anyone to see her vulnerability.

"Mrs. Xu..."

Mrs. Xu sighed and gently patted her back.

"Don’t cry, I know everything."

"I’m sorry..."

Xiao Moyan choked out, her voice trembling. Everything was gone. The Tianhuang she had poured her heart into for years and the love she had been so proud of had vanished in an instant.

"Did you give it all to him?"

Mrs. Xu asked softly, and Xiao Moyan nodded, saying nothing more.

Mrs. Xu gently pushed Xiao Moyan's shoulders back and wiped away her tears.

"If it's gone, then it's gone. This way, at least, you can be free, right?"

Xiao Moyan looked at Mrs. Xu with red eyes, gazing into her kind eyes. When her eyes fell on the strands of white hair at Mrs. Xu's temples, the tears that had stopped began to flow once more.

A'Sen slowly entered from outside. Seeing Xiao Moyan silently weeping, he lowered his head in quiet respect.

After a long time, Xiao Moyan took a deep breath, gathered her strength, and sat down on the sofa. She looked at A'Sen and Mrs. Xu.

"This house—they'll probably take it back too. A'Sen, I still have some money. Take it and distribute it among the others, so they can each go find their own paths."

A'Sen choked up and nodded. Xiao Moyan looked toward Mrs. Xu, her eyes misting over once again.

"Mrs. Xu, you—"

Mrs. Xu shook her head, stepped forward, and held Xiao Moyan’s hand, whispering softly.

"Miss, don’t worry. I already made preparations. There’s around fifty million dollars saved in the account. Just… please, don’t drive this old woman away in her last days."

At that moment, tears poured out uncontrollably. Xiao Moyan hugged Mrs. Xu tightly, biting into her collar, and sobbed softly. She felt hatred—hatred for herself for trusting the wrong people and letting all her efforts be destroyed in an instant. She felt pain—a deep, agonizing pain from knowing the person she loved most wasn’t there at her weakest moment.

Xia Lingying, Xia Lingying, Xia Lingying—

Even after learning the truth, Xiao Moyan’s mind and heart were still filled with her. This love that pierced her very bones—how could she possibly forget?

Xia Lingying, in the end, you finally got what you wanted. Everything I had at Tianhuang... I returned it all to you. But... but my love for you... how will you repay that? By tomorrow, will you have already forgotten me? Will you happily fall into Gu Yuan’s arms and become his bride?

The thought ripped her heart apart, and Xiao Moyan clutched Mrs. Xu tightly, her fingers digging into her clothes. She curled up, her breathing quickened, and the pain was unbearable—a pain unlike any she’d ever known, not even when she lost her mother... Xiaxia, have you left me? Are you really gone for good?

"Oh, what’s this? Putting on a prime-time family drama? How touching!"

Lan Chen’s voice drilled into her ears, and Xiao Moyan released her grip on Mrs. Xu, quickly looking up. She saw Lan Chen leading a group of black-clad bodyguards into the room. A'Sen’s face changed, and he rushed forward, trying to block them. But before he could say a word, a tall man to Lan Chen’s right raised his hand and struck him hard on the cheek. A'Sen clutched his face in pain, and soon, blood gushed from his brow, covering half his face. Mrs. Xu screamed and rushed forward, but two men behind the tall man grabbed her wrists, holding her in place.

"Mrs. Xu—"

Xiao Moyan screamed, watching Mrs. Xu as she charged forward. Lan Chen turned, lunging forward, grabbing her wrist, and yanking her harshly back onto the sofa.

"Xiao Moyan, do you have any idea how long I've waited for this day?"

Lan Chen sneered, looking at the woman on the sofa, crying as she looked at Mrs. Xu, and nodded in satisfaction.

Xiao Moyan, Mrs. Xu is your greatest weakness, isn’t she? Fine, today, I’ll take back every humiliation I ever suffered, all from you!

Author's Note:

Uh, the next chapter... let’s take it slow. Also, to those pirating this work, you should know when to stop.