"Having started a new life, you can’t keep thinking about the past. There’s no need to feel joy or sorrow over past events; what’s gone is gone, and bad things from the past can’t bother me anymore. I need to live up to my present life. I don’t hate you, and there’s nothing to say to you; after all, it’s all in the past."

"After all, it’s all in the past." These words hit Ma Lv’s heart hard; even Liumei’s kicks weren’t as painful as this moment.

A woman’s growth happens in an instant. Previously, Liumei didn’t understand feelings, but after meeting Fugui, she realized that true feelings should be interactive. It’s where giving can lead to getting something back, where efforts are cherished.

Like how Ma Lv used a cold approach as bait in the past—that couldn’t be considered true love. Right or wrong doesn’t matter because this person is no longer important. What men think can hurt women are merely feelings, but as long as women don’t care, who can truly hurt them?

Liumei has understood this concept with the guidance of a psychology PhD and a top psychiatrist. However, Ma Lv seems to still not get it; he doesn’t understand why his supposedly correct straight-man thinking suddenly doesn’t fit.

The car drove off, leaving Ma Lv standing there, his mind blank. Liumei’s casual words pierced his heart deeply.

Has he really become part of the past?

He didn’t even notice when Yu Minglang appeared with others. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"You don’t need to come for the interview. The Yu Family doesn’t need employees like you," Yu Minglang said dispassionately.

In fact, since Fugui’s car arrived, Yu Minglang had been watching everything clearly through binoculars but hadn’t come out.

He even saw his wife sitting in the car, supporting her chin and watching the scene.

"You’ve always been like a cat playing with a mouse, toying with us. You saw us long ago, so why didn’t you come over to meet us?" Ma Lv, deflated by Liumei’s words, weakly resisted Yu Minglang.

Something indistinct seemed about to emerge in his heart, yet he couldn’t quite verbalize it.

"Ma Lv, you’re a smart person, but you’re just too smart. The Yu Family is not suitable for you."

Yu Minglang looked down upon beating the drowning dog, so at this point, he spoke gently.

"I’m not convinced. Why?"

"You wonder why I didn’t come out with others just now, right? I’ll give you the answer now."

Yu Minglang extended his hand, and the people beside him handed over communication equipment. Yu Minglang dialed Qian’s number and pressed the speakerphone.

"Mei, are the people in your car?"

"Yes."

"Is there food in the car? Bread and sausages?"

Hearing about the car, Ma Lv swallowed, as they were indeed hungry for quite a while, with his stomach growling.

"Yes." Qian knew not to say more at the moment.

"Go on, offer them some food, ask if they want to eat. If they refuse, eat in front of them and then ask them about their old company’s details, like mineral output and profits."

Ma Lv clearly heard Qian asking the people in the car if they wanted food.

"Can you talk to us about your old company? It’s fine; no one can see you here, and you’re leaving the old company anyway, aren’t you?"

Qian’s voice was like that of a gentle siren, easily enchanting people’s souls.

"Not eating? These sausages are delicious, all meat, and this bread is nice too. Won’t eat? At least have some water?"

With each question from Qian, Ma Lv’s stomach rumbled, starting to consider what he’d do if he were in their place.

"Not eating, eh?" Qian asked around and reported back to Yu Minglang in a seemingly self-talking manner.

"Drop them off at the corner, tell them they passed the assessment."

"Got it."

Yu Minglang concluded his business call abruptly, not even asking Qian why she came over. Qian didn’t ask how he knew people were in her car either—it’s just their unspoken understanding.

"Now do you understand why? Even after leaving the old company, they abide by the contract spirit and keep secrets. That’s the kind of talent we need, and you’re not it."

"You’re not it." These words heavily struck Ma Lv’s heart.

Yu Minglang didn’t excessively insult him personally, saying only three objectively evaluative words, and yet Ma Lv was staggered.

"I’m still not convinced! You all had it planned beforehand! Yes, you and your wife had set all this up long ago just to exclude me, purposely orchestrating everything."

Yu Minglang viewed him with near contempt, remaining silent for a long time before speaking.

"In your mind, you materialize things too much—marriage is just money versus money, benefits versus benefits to you. You only care if the woman can bring you wealth, not considering whether you’re compatible. The world has a price tag to you; I can’t say this mentality is outright wrong, but if it were you in that car, you’d have spilled everything you know."

Ma Lv stood there, unsure whether he understood Yu Minglang’s words or not, appearing utterly wooden.

Yu Minglang’s words reached deep into his heart.