So, perhaps it’s better to break up while I still have the chance to choose.

After a long pause, Liu Daqing finally let out a deep sigh. "Yan Xixi," he said slowly, "if you maintain this mindset, I don’t think you’ll find happiness with any man. No, you might never find happiness at all."

She remained silent. In truth, she had no intention of finding another man. No matter who it might be, she would still have to face this problem. A lifetime isn’t particularly long, nor is it short; why must one insist on settling for a man? As long as she could provide for herself and live comfortably, was there truly such a pressing need for one? Surely not.

"Empress Dowager, I still hope you won’t tell Wan Donglin," she requested.

Liu Daqing replied indifferently, "If you don’t want to tell him yourself, why should I be a busybody? My stance has always been the same: let nature take its course. If it’s genuine love, then nothing is a problem. If the love isn’t deep enough, then faults will be as numerous as hairs on an ox. I simply can’t be bothered to get involved in your affairs."

She bowed deeply. "Thank you. Please take good care of yourself, Elder Liu. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow, so please consider this my formal farewell."

Liu Daqing nodded without saying a word.

Zhou Ting received a phone call and hastily returned home.

She pushed open the door to the study, pausing in shock at the sight of a visible wound on her father’s forehead. "Dad, what happened?" she asked carefully.

Old Zhou was incredibly frustrated. During a confidential meeting earlier today, several individuals had been arguing non-stop. He had gotten into a physical altercation with a rival and, losing his restraint, had punched him. The rival retaliated with a blow that landed squarely on the corner of Old Zhou’s eye.

He stood up, his expression dreadful. "Tingting, the situation is dire. That person is making trouble again. He has plenty of leverage against me, which he brought up in today’s meeting. He’s insisting I provide an explanation. This data leak... it’s undoubtedly connected to Wan Donglin."

A few months ago, their rival had claimed illness and largely stayed out of sight. However, he obviously hadn’t just been recuperating; he was biding his time. And now, he’d returned, knife in hand.

"I suspect Wan Donglin has struck some sort of deal with him," Old Zhou continued. "He’s given him some of the data but is still holding onto the rest..."

"Dad, are you sure Wan Donglin hasn’t given him everything?"

"A man like Wan Donglin would never reveal all his cards at once."

"Then what should we do?"

"Is there still no progress with Rina?"

Zhou Ting looked uneasy. "I just feel Rina isn’t so reliable anymore. Besides, I doubt she can handle Wan Donglin. It looks like he’s already wary of her."

"Has her cover been blown?"

"Not that I know of. But Wan Donglin must have sensed something."

Old Zhou’s brow furrowed even tighter. He paced back and forth. Zhou Ting watched him, filled with anxiety. Growing up, she had always enjoyed high status, a young lady of privilege accustomed to the best. Yet, in these recent years, she distinctly felt that behind the facade of dazzling prosperity and fiery success lay something akin to a teetering skyscraper. Even if you momentarily held the upper hand, countless people were watching from the shadows, knives concealed. They were ready to plunge one into your heart at the slightest misstep.

Old Zhou stopped pacing. "Tingting, arrange for me to have dinner with Huang Xiaojue’s parents."

Zhou Ting was genuinely surprised. "Why?" she asked instinctively. "Dad, you’re so busy. Why meet them?"

"I’ve never met with them before, and that won’t do."