Chapter 55: A Calculated Risk
After the heavy conversation ends, Qin Hui watches Xiang Yang walk back to the ward thoughtfully. She stands there, pondering for a while.
Then, steady, rhythmic footsteps sound.
Qin Hui's gaze falls on the pair of shiny men's leather shoes. Her eyes slowly move upwards. When she sees the handsome, indifferent face, she is lost in thought for a moment before speaking. “I have already told her everything you instructed, both what should and shouldn't be said.”
Fu Guanxian has his hands in his pockets. He doesn't answer. He only lifts his chin slightly, his eyes looking towards the ward. Then, he returns his gaze, indifferent.
Seeing that he doesn't speak, Qin Hui continues, “What if she changes her mind later? How will you explain it to her?”
Qin Hui knows Xiang Yang. She hates being deceived.
But Fu Guanxian doesn't care. “Later, later, she will only be grateful. She's just not thinking clearly now. I've only helped her out of the kindness of my heart.”
Qin Hui looks at Fu Guanxian. She swallows down what she wants to say.
She's not a significant person. She's not qualified to get involved. Even though she doesn't understand why Fu Guanxian asked her to use deceit to confuse Xiang Yang.
It's true that Xing Zhaoyan himself revealed that Xiang Yang has a boyfriend. But the photos of Xiang Yang getting into Fu Guanxian's car at the hospital entrance were taken by a paparazzi hiding in a corner.
So, as soon as someone posted on Weibo that Xiang Yang has a boyfriend, the paparazzi with the photos quickly fanned the flames, turning the situation into a love triangle that everyone loves to watch and talk about.
This kind of news of a character collapse is more stimulating and attractive than the female lead's love story.
Fu Guanxian and his people can find out these things. The company can also find out, but it just takes a little more time.
From Qin Hui's perspective, Xing Zhaoyan is not suitable for Xiang Yang. Besides the fact that he's not in the industry, she has seen Xing Zhaoyan twice. Having seen countless people, she can tell from his eyes alone that he's very cunning. Especially when she sees how he interacts with Xiang Yang. Although he seems to take good care of her, upon closer inspection, she realizes that he controls his attitude, tone, and actions with perfect precision.
It's precisely because there are no flaws that something is wrong.
Xing Zhaoyan isn't suitable.
Neither is Fu Guanxian.
Compared to Boss Fu Qingrui, Fu Guanxian is simply “better than the master.”
This kind of person naturally achieves success in his career and is very capable of planning and strategizing. But, this type of person is also incredibly difficult to deal with. And a man with a natural halo will definitely be surrounded by countless women who want to be with him.
It's better to marry an ordinary, simple man than to live with this kind of man. Over time, you'll inevitably become anxious and insecure.
Fu Guanxian sees that she's looking at him thoughtfully. Although he doesn't know what she's thinking, he understands that she's worried about Xiang Yang from her increasingly serious expression.
Fu Guanxian naturally won't be frank with her. So, he only says, “Take good care of her.” Then, he turns and walks towards the elevator.
The assistant has just stepped out of the elevator when he sees Fu Guanxian walking towards him. He quickly presses the elevator to pause and walks into the elevator with him.
Qin Hui watches the elevator doors close gradually. Then she looks at the time and sighs. She has no choice but to stand in the corridor and wait for Xiang Yang to finish.
In the ward, Xiang Yang looks at Xing Zhaoyan, but doesn't speak.
Xing Zhaoyan raises his head and looks back at her. After a while, he can't help but ask, “What's wrong? Do you not want to leave me?”
Xiang Yang takes a deep breath and says directly, “You know I like to get to the bottom of things when I have questions.”
Xing Zhaoyan's smile disappears immediately.
Xiang Yang examines his expression. She doesn't miss this subtle change. A sense of disappointment washes over her.
“Xing Zhaoyan, why did you do this!”
“Yangyang, what are you talking about?”
“You're still pretending! Did you personally tell the media that I have a boyfriend?”
“Isn't that a fact?”
“It was a fact, but maybe it isn't anymore.”
Xing Zhaoyan's face seems to be covered in frost. “What do you mean, Yangyang?”
“Even if you wanted to make it public, shouldn't you have discussed it with me first? You didn't ask me, and you didn't consider my situation before making this decision. Do you know that if Fu Guanxian hadn't had people take it down in time, I would've…”
“Fu Guanxian!” Xing Zhaoyan interrupts her, yelling, “You're still worried about him, aren't you?”
“I…”
“You don't have to explain to me! All these years, even though he wasn't by your side, even though I was thinking about you and doing everything for you, have you ever cared about me even a little bit?” Xing Zhaoyan says angrily. “Even if I'm your boyfriend, can you say that you like me? Xiang Yang, say it, say you like me!”
Xiang Yang moves her lips, but she can't say a word.
The light of hope in Xing Zhaoyan's eyes gradually fades, replaced by a sense of heartache and disappointment.
“You wouldn't even lie? Xiang Yang, you came to confront me this morning. You came to settle things with me. It's all because of Fu Guanxian, right? Because he's back, you regret it. You regret that you agreed to be with me because of that little bit of sympathy and guilt. Xiang Yang, you not only wronged me, you will always owe me.”
Xiang Yang's lips tremble. She has no words to refute him.
Yes, all these years, she has accepted his kindness without a second thought. Now, if she wants to repay it, she can't.
Xiang Yang gazes at him. In this moment, she comes to the realization that he appears remarkably unfamiliar, despite their acquaintance spanning over six or seven years.
“Do you know why I exposed the IP address?” Xing Zhaoyan asks with a smile.
Xiang Yang doesn't answer. She knows he will reveal the answer himself.
Xing Zhaoyan looks at her and continues, “I want to see if you like me at all. Even just a little bit. If you like me, then even if I make it public, you wouldn't be too angry. I also want to see who's more important to you, Fu Guanxian or me. Or, which is more important to Fu Guanxian, you or the Fu family?”
Xiang Yang is surprised. “You… what do you mean?”
“I know you don't want to be my girlfriend. And I know that in the end, you will definitely break up with me. If you want to break up, fine. Talk to Fu Guanxian about it. As long as he's nice and agrees to my terms, I will definitely set you free.” He pauses, then lowers his voice. “But, Xiang Yang, I loved you so much before. I love you so much now, but you're letting me down like this. You owe me.”
Xiang Yang looks at him and shakes her head. “No, don't tell me about love. I'm afraid I'm not worthy of your so-called love.”
Xing Zhaoyan looks at her. He finally laughs in self-deprecation. “Xiang Yang, who gave you this kind of courage? Fu Guanxian? Just because he's back, you're eager to get rid of me?”
“No, it's just that this incident has finally made me see things clearly. We're really not suitable.”
“Then you think you're suitable with Fu Guanxian.”
“No, he's the same.”
Xiang Yang finishes, then says, “What terms do you want? Just say it. I'll do my best to satisfy you. As for all those years you took care of me, if you consider that as a favor, then I will try my best to repay you with money. But after that, those years and you, even the memories, will be worthless to me.”
Xing Zhaoyan's brow furrows. He asks, “Are you forcing me?”
“No, it's entirely up to you.” Xiang Yang says forcefully. “Xing Zhaoyan, our relationship is over. We're breaking up.”
Xing Zhaoyan insists, “I'm not breaking up. Unless Fu Guanxian comes to talk to me himself.”
“I'm not going to contact him. Do whatever you want.” Before leaving, Xiang Yang, out of consideration for their past, advises him, “The Fu family, Fu Guanxian's power… even my dad said he doesn't know the full extent. You shouldn't go against him like this.”
The door closes.
Xing Zhaoyan's eyes close wearily.
He doesn't want to lose her. But he understands that he can't keep her. Her heart isn't with him. It's better to take what he wants before she wakes up and wants to leave.
A smile curls at the corner of Xing Zhaoyan's lips. “Xiang Yang, you don't know that once you've grasped someone's weakness, you can win? And you, you are Fu Guanxian's weakness.”
~~~~~
Author's Note:
And you, you are Fu Guanxian's weakness…
You…
You are all each other's weaknesses…
┭┮﹏┭┮
~~~~~
Translator's Note:
Hey everyone! We're nearing the end of “The Little Childhood Sweetheart's Counterattack”—only 10 chapters to go! To manage my time, updates will now be 1 chapter every Wednesday.
I hope you understand; I've always been generous with my translations by avoiding chapter splits. This schedule change is necessary, but I apologize for any inconvenience.
Thanks for your patience.
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