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Before Su Ran could even speak, He Ju had already grabbed her wrist and dragged her away.
Tian Zhen and He Yu were even more puzzled, while Si Hua hurriedly stepped forward to comfort them, feeling a sudden sense of panic herself.
It was always the same thought—if it were any other woman seeking He Ju, Si Hua wouldn't worry. After all, with her fair skin, beautiful face, and long legs, she couldn't believe He Ju would leave such a gorgeous wife for someone else. But Su Ran…
Su Ran was different.
No matter how undesirable Su Ran might be, she was the one He Ju had liked for so many years.
Could He Ju really just let go that easily?
Si Hua's thoughts were suddenly in disarray.
But it was Tian Zhen who ended up comforting Si Hua. Seeing Si Hua's anxiety and unease, she softly reassured her: "Hua Hua, don't worry. Although He Ju once liked Su Ran for many years, once he's with you, he won't dwell on the past. Trust is the most important thing between husband and wife. If you have any doubts, why not wait for him to come back and ask him then? What do you think?"
Tian Zhen's words gave Si Hua a great deal of confidence, so she could only smile and nod in agreement.
Meanwhile, He Ju had taken Su Ran to another area.
He Ju was truly angry. Su Ran actually resorted to this tactic?
But just now, Su Ran had the chance to explain everything. If she had spoken up, his parents, remembering their old affection, would have spoken up for her.
He Ju released Su Ran's wrist, calmed himself down, and said, "Go back. I've already discussed this with your father, and he has his own judgment. There's no need for you to degrade yourself like this."
After speaking, He Ju turned to leave, but Su Ran suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand. "Brother He Ju, I really don't want to leave City A. You don't understand, our family business has been struggling lately, and after what happened at the auction, the Fang family has terminated their partnership with us, and our stock prices are unstable. I'm truly out of options…"
Su Ran began to cry. "Brother He Ju, must you be so ruthless?"
He Ju looked at Su Ran, her sobs failing to evoke the same sternness he once had.
Su Ran, the former Miss Su, was once like a radiant little princess in his eyes. He never imagined she would fall on such hard times.
Especially that kneel earlier, it really angered him.
But now, thinking about it, it seemed Su Ran was indeed driven into a corner.
He Ju pushed Su Ran's hands away. "Leave City A, and I won't pursue your family any further. With Uncle Su's capabilities, I'm sure you'll bounce back soon. You can go your own way, whether it's to study for postgraduate exams or to study abroad. You can return to being the carefree little princess you once were, but… I don't want to see you in City A again."
This was his final act of kindness towards Su Ran.
Tears streamed down Su Ran's face, her pale complexion marked with a grief He Ju had never seen before. "My parents… can leave, but I… I don't want to leave…"
He Ju didn't ask why Su Ran didn't want to leave.
People are always like this.
When they love you, you don't cherish them. When they don't, you desperately chase after them.
Su Ran and he were a prime example.
Having said his piece, He Ju intended to leave.
But Su Ran reached out again, clutching his palm tightly, crying so heartbreakingly, her eyes red as a rabbit's: "I was wrong before… I shouldn't have been so willful, He Ju…"
Su Ran looked up at He Ju. "I know I can't be your wife, this is my retribution, I accept it. But… selfishly, I still want to ask you… for a chance to stay by your side, even if it's just as a lover…"
Su Ran's words truly shocked He Ju.
Such a proud person, how could she say such a thing?
He Ju turned back incredulously. "What did you say?"
Su Ran's hands still clung to He Ju's fingers like a lifeline, her body leaning towards him: "Let me be your lover, can I?"
He Ju immediately sobered up, quickly withdrawing his hand, and then spoke amidst Su Ran's desolate gaze: "You have two choices: leave City A, or never show up in front of me again. Whichever you choose, I will spare the Su family."
He Ju looked at Su Ran in the distance. He and Su Ran were once childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree. But when did they start to drift apart?
If Su Ran hadn't been so haughty back then, perhaps they would be married by now?
Maybe Su Ran would be carrying his child.
Thinking about it…
He Ju laughed.
Such is the irony of fate.
He Ju: "Su Ran, go back. Don't show up again."
Su Ran choked up: "Brother He Ju, can't we really start over? I don't mind that you were with Si Hua, I can learn to be a good girlfriend… a good wife… I will…"
Before Su Ran could finish, He Ju cut her off: "It's too late…"
What? Su Ran stared at him, stunned.
He Ju's expression was unchanged: "I'm not talking about time."
Some things must be lost to prove their worth.
After speaking, He Ju strode away, this time without looking back.
Su Ran watched He Ju's retreating figure grow distant, the streetlights elongating his shadow. Tears flowed like fountains as she suddenly called out loudly, "Brother He Ju, if… I mean, if I had accepted your confession back then, would you have married me?"
He Ju didn't answer, for an answer was meaningless.
Enough said, those who lose me lose me forever.
But Su Ran seemed to cling to that answer, saying, "As long as you're willing to answer, I'm willing to leave City A…"
So…
He Ju stopped in his tracks.
Though far away, his voice carried clearly to Su Ran with the evening breeze.
He said, "I would."
The ring was already prepared, how could he not?
He once sincerely wanted to marry Su Ran.
The ring was carefully chosen by him and his brothers. He knew the gap between him and Su Ran, but he was willing to work hard, to give Su Ran a good life.
But Su Ran never gave him that chance.
Now, as time has passed, he has no regrets, no sorrow, no pity for Su Ran, only endless irritation and impatience.
Su Ran still didn't understand why, after just one refusal, He Ju chose not to want her.
Su Ran never realized that the sun doesn't set suddenly, nor does hot water turn cold all at once.
If it weren't for Su Ran's kneel earlier, and his concern that it would affect He Yu and Tian Zhen's mood, he wouldn't have been so amenable.
Now, He Ju had a family to protect, a wife to care for, and a career to fight for.
As for everything about Su Ran, he just wanted to turn over a new leaf, completely and utterly, wishing that no one from the Su family would ever appear before him again.