"Mr. Song, I'm not sure by what authority you ask me this question."
He spoke with the stern tone of a rightful partner.
"But from now on, Zhiyi has me. I won't let her suffer again, nor will I let her shed another tear."
The blame thrown at Si Yanjing was returned intact. Song Lian remained unfazed and lightly tossed it back.
"By what authority am I asking? Zhiyi should know exactly what I am to her, shouldn't she?"
"Isn't that right, Zhiyi?"
Su Zhiyi kept her head low, unable to answer.
Having spent a long time in the business world, Song Lian's words carried the ease of a superior.
He wasn't annoyed by her lack of response. His thin lips pressed into a faint smile: "Is Zhiyi still upset? Sigh... I just happened to see you and wanted to say hello. When I saw you crying, I was concerned and wanted to ask a thing or two."
"I wonder who made Zhiyi cry..."
"I don't need your concern, and neither does Zhiyi. Can't you see she doesn't even want to hear your questions?"
Si Yanjing was tired of Song Lian's hypocrisy. The man's act disgusted him.
He said impatiently, "Can't you keep some boundaries?"
Si Yanjing's words were highly aggressive.
Song Lian showed no sign of being offended. Instead, he chuckled lightly and replied calmly, "Heh, Mr. Si seems to be in a bit of a temper. Did something upset you?"
Song Lian had taken over the family business since childhood and was shrewder than some family heads. Despite his youth, he was as cunning as a seasoned fox.
Every word seemed like a veiled insult, grating on Si Yanjing's nerves.
Especially given Song Lian's special status in relation to Su Zhiyi.
Even though Su Zhiyi had told him that their engagement was called off and she only saw Song Lian as a brother, the seed of jealousy, once planted and sprouted, could never be uprooted. Song Lian's past relationship with Su Zhiyi still bothered him.
Childhood sweetheart, ex-fiancé...
If only those titles were his.
"Hmph, my mood is none of your concern."
Si Yanjing knew he couldn't out-argue Song Lian, so he decided not to waste words with him.
Besides, he just wanted to find a quiet place to comfort Su Zhiyi.
"Excuse me, please move out of the way. Don't block the path."
He coldly glanced at Song Lian and Su Qinghuai.
"If you want to pay your bill, go to the front desk. This isn't the front desk, so you can't pay here."
Si Yanjing stood up, walked around the two, took Su Zhiyi's hand—which had remained silent—and interlaced his fingers with hers tightly, pulling her up with him.
Her fingers were ice-cold, and his protective instinct surged. He held her hand even tighter, using his warm palm to bring her warmth.
Before leaving, he dropped another extremely arrogant remark.
"Since Mr. Song's engagement to Zhiyi has been called off, I suggest you remember your current status and mind your boundaries. Stop causing trouble for Zhiyi."
"After all, you're just an ex-fiancé—not even a former lover."