Before Xuan Yang could defend herself, Zhou Lihai suddenly slammed his teacup down on the table with a dull thud. "Since I can't reason with you, I don't mind going to your parents and persuading them instead."
He paused, slightly raising his eyebrows, not hiding his threat. "Tell me, between you and the Xuan Group, which do you think your parents will choose?"
Xuan Yang's expression remained unchanged; she even felt a bit amused as she lowered her eyes. "Uncle Zhou overestimates me. My parents naturally wouldn't choose me."
"After all, I'm just an adopted daughter, as you know."
Zhou Lihai squinted and continued, "You're quite clear about your position."
He had originally thought that Xuan Yang's audacity to cling to Zhou Dang might be instigated and supported by her adoptive parents.
After all, the Xuan family had been having bad luck in business lately, losing several projects to the Qian family one after another.
It wasn't impossible that they wanted to use their daughter to latch onto the Zhou family.
But from Xuan Yang's words just now, it seemed her adoptive parents had no such intention.
Combined with the recent rumors in the circle about Xuan Yang and the Chen family's son discussing marriage, Zhou Lihai understood something.
"No wonder you won't let go—you see A Dang as a lifeline," Zhou Lihai concluded naturally, thinking that Xuan Yang was unhappy in the Xuan family and forced to marry that unreliable Chen boy, so she used Zhou Dang to escape.
That was indeed the truth.
But he didn't understand why, if that was the case, she didn't accept his earlier proposal.
Zhou Lihai continued, "In any case, I will never agree to your marriage with A Dang."
"If you're unwilling to resolve this amicably, don't blame me for bullying the weak, using all means fair and foul."
There were plenty of ways to deal with Xuan Yang.
Her family, friends, and the new job she just got.
Any of those could be a point of leverage.
Zhou Lihai didn't believe that under his all-encompassing pressure, Xuan Yang could still steadfastly maintain her relationship with Zhou Dang.
She didn't love him after all.
Xuan Yang looked up, smiling peacefully at Zhou Lihai. "I appreciate your kindness, Uncle Zhou."
Even if she really lost the job she just got, she couldn't betray her ally Zhou Dang.
Moreover, although Zhou Lihai seemed serious and imposing, if he were truly a ruthless man who meant what he said, why would he bother coming to negotiate with her in person?
Although he didn't say it out loud, Xuan Yang could feel that he deeply loved Zhou Dang in his heart.
And he cared about Zhou Dang's feelings.
Zhou Lihai frowned, annoyed by Xuan Yang's unyielding attitude. "Is that so? Even if the Xuan family disowns you, even if you lose your job, even if everyone around you pays the price for this, you still insist?"
Xuan Yang's smile froze. Something in his words struck a nerve, and her heart ached for a moment.
She met Zhou Lihai's cold, dark gaze, words stuck in her throat.
Just then, the door to the private room was pulled open from outside.
The sliding door slammed against the wall with a loud crash due to the force.
Standing outside was a travel-worn Zhou Dang, his handsome face even colder than his father's, his gaze icy and sharp, carrying suppressed anger. "Chairman Zhou, you sure have a big mouth. Do you think you're the emperor of Jingbei, deciding people's fates with a single sentence?"
Zhou Dang's sarcastic tone held a chilling smile. His long, straight legs, clad in suit trousers, strode into the room. "If you've got any moves, bring them on me. My wife is just a weak woman. At your age, bullying the weak like this—aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock if word gets out?"
As he finished speaking, his tall figure was already in front of Xuan Yang. He turned his gaze to her, his tone softening. "Sorry, I'm late."
He casually picked up Xuan Yang's bag from beside her and took her hand. "Next time something like this happens, just call the police and say some dirty old man is harassing you. Let the cops take him in for tea."
The tall man, his face cold, was completely dismissive of his father across from him.
Finally, he pulled the now-standing Xuan Yang into his arms and lifted his eyes to look at the man opposite, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh, by the way, my mom is treating my wife to a meal the day after tomorrow. Chairman Zhou, want to join?"
Zhou Lihai's stern expression cracked slightly; he couldn't believe it. "Your mom is coming to Jingbei?"
Zhou Dang smirked. "What, don't believe it? Call her and ask if you don't."
He finished speaking with a mocking smile, then deliberately jabbed at the old man's heart. "Oh, I remember now—she blocked you, didn't she?"
"So I guess you won't be able to join us for the meal. Too bad."
Zhou Lihai: "..."
He really hadn't expected Zhou Dang to contact Polina for Xuan Yang's sake.
Ever since he and Polina divorced, Zhou Dang had become distant from both of them.
He was young then, and it was normal that he couldn't accept his parents' divorce.
In that regard, both he and Polina had been inconsiderate.
They had always wanted to make up for it.
But as time passed and Zhou Dang grew up, his personality became more aloof and firm, making it hard to read what he was thinking.
Although the father-son and mother-son relationships had eased and seemed to return to normal, an invisible barrier always remained.
After graduating from college, Zhou Dang rarely contacted either him or Polina.
And so the relationship among the three of them drifted, never making a breakthrough.
Polina had also refused to set foot in Jingbei, always arranging her work to avoid it as much as possible.
Years had passed, and Zhou Lihai had never remarried. He couldn't deny that he still missed her.
But at their age, many words were hard to say.
Besides, although Polina hadn't remarried either, she had countless boyfriends.
Zhou Lihai found it hard to swallow his pride and contact her.
Thinking that Zhou Dang said Polina was coming to Jingbei to treat Xuan Yang to a meal, Zhou Lihai's heart stirred. He wanted to say something, but when he saw Xuan Yang in Zhou Dang's arms, he swallowed his words.
Finally, he just snorted lightly and said with feigned calmness, "Even if your mom accepts her, I and the Zhou family will never acknowledge her."
Xuan Yang blinked; it took her a moment to realize that 'her' referred to herself.
Before she could figure out how to respond, Zhou Dang beside her had already spoken, his tone indifferent. "Whether you acknowledge it or not, my wife will always be my wife."
Zhou Lihai was speechless.
Zhou Dang didn't look at him again. He gently squeezed Xuan Yang's shoulder. "Come on, let's get you something to eat."
With that, he led Xuan Yang toward the door, not even bothering to say goodbye to Zhou Lihai.
Xuan Yang had never been so rebellious, but before leaving, she still politely said to Zhou Lihai, "Well, Uncle Zhou, we'll be going now. Enjoy your meal."
Zhou Lihai frowned and ignored her. Zhou Dang was displeased and added sarcastically, "Did you hear that, 'Uncle Zhou'? You enjoy this Hongmen banquet all by yourself. Eat up."
Xuan Yang: "..."
Zhou Lihai: "..."
Was this rebellious son trying to piss him off!