Chapter 59: Severing the Ties of Affection with a Swing of the Sword

Clumsy, far too clumsy. Luo Man inwardly rolled her eyes; the excuse was so feeble and uninspired. If Zhang Long’s house contained even a single cat hair, she would have lost the bet. Introverted men really were hopeless.

After leaving the Ferris wheel, they tried a few more attractions. Evening came, and they headed for hotpot. Affordable, hearty, and delicious—it warmed them up.

...

“Honey, dinner’s ready.”

In an apartment in Magic City, Zhan Yi called to Zhang Lizhen, having finished cooking. “Less than half a month left before the baby arrives. I’ll stop playing the stock market for now.”

“Let it rise or fall as it will.” Zhang Lizhen nodded in response to her husband’s gentle reassurance. “I’m just browsing. All my spare funds have been withdrawn for childbirth and buying formula. Even if I wanted to play, I don’t have the money. Don’t worry, dear, I know my limits.”

“Alright, have some soup.” Zhan Yi ladled soup for her. “The lawsuit with Tengda won’t end anytime soon. Even if we win, they won’t hand over the money easily.”

“These past few days, I’ve contacted others in the same situation as us. We’re planning to join forces.”

“Mm, whatever you decide.” Zhang Lizhen took the bowl, sipping a small spoonful, and smiled softly. “The money from the stock market is enough for us and the baby to get by for a while. Go ahead and do what you must. You handle everything for the company.”

“I’ll give you the house deed soon.” Zhan Yi paused mid-bite, then said nothing more and ate quietly. He’d only needed to start the conversation—his wife understood what had to be done. That was enough.

Daily expenses, company growth, everything required money. They had no choice but to mortgage the house.

They’d already sold one of their two properties; if they mortgaged this one, they’d be completely bankrupt. But there was no other way. If they fought, there might still be a future; if not, it was over.

“It’s alright, don’t be so gloomy.” Seeing her husband’s eyes reddening, Zhang Lizhen rolled her eyes. “The rich live their way, the poor theirs. Eat up.”

“Believe me, this time will be different. Just keep your eyes open and don’t let yourself be duped again. Good luck.”

...

“Uncle, what’s all this about?”

In a private restaurant, Lin Yuan pushed open the door, grumbling unhappily. He’d been having a good time, interrupted midway—his party canceled, the girls wasted. So sad.

“How old are you, still not doing anything worthwhile?” Chen Youwei looked up with a cold snort. “If you weren’t my nephew, I wouldn’t bother with you.”

“Pour yourself a drink, punish yourself with three cups.”

Seeing his uncle actually seemed angry, Lin Yuan shrank back obediently, poured three shots, and downed them. No choice; the authority was overwhelming.

“Alright, let’s get to business.”

...

There were three people in the private room: Chen Youwei, Lin Yuan, and a middle-aged woman—Lin Yuan’s mother.

Watching her son get scolded, Chen Qinglian, his mother, was already used to it. Once Lin Yuan finished his self-punishment and sat down, she spoke: “Your uncle has arranged a job for you. You’ll be a supervisor at Tengda Home Renovations.”

“Eventually, you’ll take over for General Manager Zhao.”

Hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately stiffened, then his face fell. “I studied art. Working at a renovation company doesn’t suit me—it’s not right.”

“You studied nothing worth mentioning.” Chen Youwei chastised him bluntly. “Who learns art just to pick up girls? Art’s been ruined by people like you. Once you get your license, I’ll buy you a car. From now on, work honestly, stay on the straight path. If you have no artistic talent, just work steadily—no more drifting.”

“I’ve paved the road for you. You’ll have money, and you’ll be able to run a company. That’s what it means to be young and capable, successful. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.” Lin Yuan shrank back again, knowing his uncle’s company was embroiled in a lawsuit and his mood was sour. Best not to provoke him. After all, his mother usually listened to her brother, and the Lin family lacked strength.

Managing a company? Not the life I wanted. Art, girls, and fun were what I truly desired.

Farewell, nightlife.

...

“Nu, eat more meat.”

At the hotpot restaurant, Zhang Long kept dipping beef and lamb for Luo Man, urging her to eat more and build up her strength.

“Seriously, I can’t eat any more.” The corners of Luo Man’s mouth twitched; she hadn’t finished what he’d already put on her plate and now more was cooking. Besides, girls usually preferred vegetables—too much meat made you fat.

“I like a bit of flesh on you.” Zhang Long kept dipping meat, glancing at Luo Man’s curvaceous figure and smacking his lips. “Even dressed up in the Ferris wheel earlier, you felt too bony—can’t have that. Slightly plump is best.”

“Full-bodied, not skinny.”

If you’re as thin as firewood, how could you be comfortable in bed? There had to be flesh in all the right places—soft and plush to hold, that’s ideal.

“Am I really that thin?” Luo Man doubted herself. She was almost one hundred pounds—wasn’t the saying, ‘A beauty never exceeds a hundred’?

“Thin, too thin.” Zhang Long shook his head, exaggerating. “You’re tall, and you gain weight in all the right places. Under one hundred twenty pounds, you won’t lose your figure. Trust me.”

Luo Man was skeptical, but let it be. She understood Zhang Long’s intention—wanting her to eat more, to improve her health.

But at her age, what was meant to grow had already grown; eating more or less made little difference.

“How much longer will you keep working your side job?”

Suddenly Zhang Long spoke. Luo Man paused, her chopsticks stilled, but she didn’t reply—just lowered her head and quietly worked through the vegetables and meat on her plate. The atmosphere grew still.

“Let me know when you’ve made up your mind.” Zhang Long’s tone was almost emotionless. “I don’t know why you keep working a side job, nor do I care to know. But if you never have time for us, this relationship becomes meaningless. No need to waste time.”

“Decide, then contact me.”

...

On the Bund, Zhang Long walked and let the wind blow through him.

After dinner, he’d sent Luo Man back to her apartment, then turned around, but didn’t head straight home. Instead, he wandered along the Bund, taking in the scenery and the river breeze.

Luo Man hadn’t given an answer, and Zhang Long wasn’t in a hurry to get one. Cooling off was good.

Weekdays, side job; rest days, side job again. A month, and only a handful of money. For so little, they had no time to be together, no time for intimacy. It wasn’t worth it.

Simplicity and directness were best. Tonight, he’d mercilessly exposed their sham relationship.

They’d been fake with each other since the very beginning.

Back at Shengxin, the days were busy, nights spent working overtime. There was little energy for anything else.

Now, aside from regular trading and stock speculation, he had plenty of free time. If Luo Man couldn’t make time for him, what was the point of this relationship?

Loneliness and empty air—was that it?

“Buzz, buzz buzz~”

Suddenly his phone vibrated. Zhang Long pulled it out and saw a message from Luo Man.

“Sorry, I don’t want things to be like this, but I don’t know what to do. I’ll take some time to calm down and adjust. Sorry, sorry.”

“How long will you need?”

“As soon as possible. My job was secured through family connections; I can’t quit easily. I’ll try to see if I can transfer to a district closer to you. That way, after work, I can spend time with you.”

“Alright, I understand.”

After replying, Zhang Long slipped his phone back into his pocket. The southern suburbs were too far from the Bund; even if he bought a car, commuting wouldn’t be convenient.

If Luo Man could transfer her job closer to the Bund, they might be able to make it work.

Otherwise, it was pointless.

“Alright, time to go home.”

Zhang Long exhaled, stretched his arms into the river breeze, and felt much of his frustration dissipate. He no longer felt stifled. Simple and direct was best.

Decisive, straightforward, no procrastination.

PS: The awkward emotional arc has reached its end. From here, things will be simple and direct.