Du Jiashu's reaction exceeded Tang Yinyao's expectations.
Upon hearing her extreme words, a dark glint flashed in his narrow eyes, and he appeared somewhat displeased.
For the first time, he adopted a cold attitude towards Tang Yinyao, enunciating each word clearly:
"No! I absolutely will not allow you to do this."
"I was the one who wronged Xia Liuyue first. If you dare to do anything to hurt her..."
"Tang Yinyao, all these years of friendship between us... will be over."
Tang Yinyao was utterly stunned.
"..."
She couldn't believe these were the words of her once utterly loyal and devoted follower.
Could it be that in his heart, Xia Liuyue had truly become more important than her?!
But even as she wanted to say more malicious things, Du Jiashu wore an expression of covering his ears, refusing to listen.
Full of resentment, Tang Yinyao left the gathering. Before she could even devise a plan to expose Xia Liuyue's vile behavior, her father was already at his limit.
"Yaoyao, if that overseas Chinese businessman from Maple Leaf Country doesn't stop targeting us, we won't even make it to the end of this month."
"I'm begging you as your father, please, think of something!"
Their Tang family had already gone bankrupt once. This small company had barely been operational again for three or four years, and only with Du Jiashu's help.
It simply couldn't withstand another blow.
And that wasn't all. Her senior from the lab added another layer of pressure.
"Yinyao, this matter is very important, and one person can't decide. So, I made a long-distance call and informed our supervisor."
"You were the one who guaranteed there would be no issues with the lab equipment. If it's not delivered by tomorrow... then you'll have to bear all the consequences yourself."
With no other options left, Tang Yinyao finally contacted Assistant Chen.
Her tone was much more polite now.
"Assistant Chen, could you help me get in touch with He Chuan? As long as he can help me solve two problems, I am willing to call off the engagement."
On the other end of the phone, Assistant Chen replied with a smile:
"Miss Tang, you truly have a short memory for important matters. Our boss said, one for one. He can only solve one problem."
"It's best not to be too greedy."
Tang Yinyao was torn.
Securing the lab equipment would save her job and academic career.
Saving the Tang family would preserve her father's business.
It came down to choosing between herself and her parents.
Assistant Chen: "Miss Tang, you have half a day at most. The offer expires after that."
Listening to the firm click of the hung-up phone, Tang Yinyao felt all her dignity had been trampled into the dirt, yet she was powerless to do anything.
...
The Zhao Family Banquet.
In less than a week, the Zhao family was hosting another banquet.
The last time was for Old Master Zhao's seventieth birthday. This time, it was to publicly announce that the old master had found his long-lost biological son.
It was said to be a young man in his twenties, an age where he could almost be Old Master Zhao's grandson.
Of course, there was plenty of gossip behind the scenes, but considering the Zhao family's status in Haishi, everyone wore bright smiles and attended the recognition banquet with apparent joy.
As the guest of honor, Zhao Yunzhou tugged at his tie, complaining:
"What kind of awful custom-made suit did the old man get? It's practically strangling me."
Yan Hechuan, standing beside him, pressed his lips together and said, "Bear with it. She will come."
Hearing that the beautiful older sister would attend his recognition banquet, Zhao Yunzhou's face lit up with a smile again.
Assistant Chen listened silently to the conversation between these two gentlemen, thinking to himself that tonight was shaping up to be another battlefield.
Xia Liuyue had always been the most eye-catching presence in any crowd.
This time at the banquet, she was not attending as the Second Young Master Du's wife, but as the heiress of the Xia family.
After formally proposing divorce, she had also sent divorce papers to Du Jiashu via her lawyer.
She had also kindly informed Madame Du.
Madame Du had long sensed these two probably wouldn't last, so she wasn't too surprised, just somewhat regretful.
She had genuinely grown fond of this daughter-in-law. A pity, it seemed fate wasn't on their side.
So, when Madame Du noticed her son searching the room for Xia Liuyue the moment he entered, she couldn't help but advise:
"If you had known today, why did you act that way then?"
"Once a person's heart turns cold, it cannot be warmed again."
Even his mother wasn't taking his side. Du Jiashu felt hurt, but still retorted stubbornly:
"Mom, I'm not looking for her. I just thought I saw an old acquaintance."
Madame Du nodded and said:
"Good. That's for the best."
"Xiaoyue is a good girl. It's better for you two to part ways with some dignity."
Du Jiashu pressed his lips together and remained silent.
Even his mother was so composed about their separation. It made him wonder just how obvious his previous dislike for Xia Liuyue had been.
For today's banquet, Xia Liuyue wore a red fishtail gown with thin straps and long black silk gloves that reached her forearms, edged with black lace of the same hue, exuding elegance and grace.
Her jet-black hair was swept up, with a few strands falling by her temples. A single translucent jade hairpin was tucked diagonally into her chignon.
Her appearance almost instantly captured the attention of the entire room.
Zhao Yunzhou spotted her and exclaimed happily, "The beautiful older sister is here."
Just as he was about to step forward to greet her, he noticed a strange woman had already positioned herself in front of Xia Liuyue.
"Who is that woman?" Zhao Yunzhou frowned, sensing the middle-aged woman's expression seemed rather hostile.
Yan Hechuan also sensed something was amiss. Unable to see, he could only ask his assistant beside him.
Assistant Chen glanced over and said cautiously, "Mr. Yan, it's your stepmother, Ms. Tina Li."
He then quietly added,
"She seems to be giving Miss Liuyue a hard time."
Yan Hechuan's expression turned sharp. "Take me over there."
Zhao Yunzhou grew anxious too. "Who does she think she is? Daring to bully my sister at my own recognition banquet!"
The three of them strode over with imposing manner.
Meanwhile, Xia Liuyue was also sizing up the middle-aged woman she hadn't seen in a long time.
Dressed in a deep blue gown with a full skirt, Tina Li's style remained as ornate and flamboyant as ever, with a large ruby necklace adorning her neck and matching earrings.
That wasn't all; on her left hand alone, she wore two gemstone rings of different colors.
Lifting her hand, it was a display of dazzling jewels.
She looked at Xia Liuyue with a mocking and disdainful gaze.
She said with a hint of smugness,
"Well, little girl? The Tang family's business hasn't been doing well lately, has it?"
"You shouldn't have crossed me last time. I told you my husband is an overseas Chinese in Maple Leaf Country, highly regarded by local politicians and businesspeople."
"Dare to oppose me?! Just wait for misfortune to befall your Tang family."
Listening to her words, Xia Liuyue couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
Tina Li was taken aback. "What are you laughing at?"
Xia Liuyue curled her lips into a smile.
"Thank you for targeting the Tang family."
Tina Li stared at her, puzzled. "Tang Yinyao, are you out of your mind? I'm targeting your Tang family, and you're thanking me?"
Xia Liuyue responded, "If you're going to curse, curse a bit more."
After all, she was cursing Tang Yinyao. What did that have to do with her, Xia Liuyue?
