Yu Keyao returned the cheque back on him. "I do not want this money, it gives me the impression that I am a prostitute. You know that I am not, I gave you my virginity, not sold it. I came here today as a friend, not mixing business and pleasure. Maybe I anticipated too much that our so-called friendship was merely me social climbing too. Keep your money, I do not want to relate my virginity with cash. I gave you my virginity based on my affection to you, and I do not want to feel disappointed towards a man I like. Maybe you think that I have a price, but to me, I am priceless."

She wiped off the tears that were sprouting out from her eyes and inhaled forcibly with her reddened nose. "I do not wish to make this sweet memory unbearable. I like this job so I will not quit. Don't worry, I will not speak carelessly."

Mu Huaisheng glanced down at the cheque she returned and did not make any statement.

Yu Keyao turned and walked out, even if she accepted the cheque, five million dollars was just a drop in the ocean for Dong Hua. She once pondered the lack of desired result when she kept bugging Qi Chengzhi, it was because of inappropriate technique, in contrast, Song Yu pretending to be aloof became attractive to men.

Mu Huaisheng was concerned of her before because of being aloof too.

So this time, Yu Keyao did not appeal to him and left the office.

Mu Huaisheng smirked, he tore the cheque to shreds and threw it into the wastepaper bin.

....

…

At night, Mu Sisi went to the same bar where she met with Yu Keyao, just that this time, Yu Keyao was waiting for her in the bar.

"Keyao, what happened, why the rush?" Mu Sisi sat down and noticed Yu Keyao appeared dispirited and lost the happy look she had last time they met.

"Sisi, your big brother… wanted to break up with me," Yu Keyao said with reddened eyes and drank a sip of beer.

Mu Sisi gave her a blank stare and deep down she sneered. Mu Huaisheng never even thought of starting a serious relationship with her, it was merely a simple one night stand, but Yu Keyao mentioned it like a formal break up, as if they started the relationship before.

"Why? I thought all was good last time?" Mu Sisi asked insincerely, and she stopped Yu Keyao's attempt to continue drinking.

"I have no idea how he knew that I went to my aunt and uncle to tell the truth about Song family's bankruptcy. I think they must be so mad at Qi Chengzhi when the truth is revealed, and problems in his marriage with Song Yu may arise, so he complained to your brother and now your brother wants to break up with me," Yu Keyao rubbed the tears off. "Sisi, you must help me, I really like your brother and I know your brother has the same feelings as well. This relationship cannot just… just end like that because of this, this relationship can be saved."

"This…" Mu Sisi relaxed her hands, feeling vexed. "How am I supposed to help? Outsiders cannot really help solve relationship problems, this is between you and him. Even if I persuade my brother not to break up with you, what makes you think he will listen?"

"Sisi, I thought you said you will help me, you said I am going to be your sister-in-law. You said you will give me support even if they recommend your brother to other women," Yu Keyao hold Mu Sisi's hands firmly. "You mentioned before, you wanted me to be your sister-in-law."

"Yes, I have mentioned this before, but if the mutual affection has vanished then I cannot possibly force my brother to be with you, right? What I meant before is I wanted you to be my sister-in-law, but if things do not go well then it cannot be demanded," Mu Sisi explained, wanting to pull her hands off Yu Keyao's grip but her grip was firm and steady.

"But you told me you were going to help me," Yu Keyao's grip grew stronger.

"Keyao, what I meant was, deep down, you are the best candidate as my sister-in-law, even if you are not his wife. I can only give you my support and encouragement, but I cannot ask the same for my big brother. My big brother is a very independent man, he is not my puppet where I can coerce him to do as I please, do you understand?" Mu Sisi explained to her, although her patience was growing thin.

"I don't understand! You mentioned very clearly that you were going to let me married off to Mu family. How can you break your promise?" Yu Keyao raised her voice louder than than the soft music played by the bar, which attracted the looks from the customers in it.

"Yu Keyao, are you out of your mind?" Mu Sisi stood up and shook her hands off with great force, her tone changed. "Since when did I promise you that you will be married off to Mu family? Are you crazy imagining to marry into the purple? I merely gave you my support for you and my big brother to be together, it doesn't mean I am responsible for you marrying off into Mu family. What can I possibly do if you cannot get my big brother's affection? You want me to take a knife and stick it up his throat and demand him to marry you? Can you please be reasonable, listen carefully to what we say, and don't keep thinking of unrealistic fantasy? The Mu family is not just mine alone, you think I can persuade my brother to marry whoever I prefer? Don't be ridiculous!"

"You said before that you will help me, but look at you now, you want to disassociate yourself from this matter and leave me be?" Yu Keyao stood up and got a firm hold on Mu Sisi's arm across the table to prevent her from running away.

"How am I supposed to help? What do you want me to do? You want me to call my brother saying you want him to marry you? Can you please be reasonable and make some sense?" Mu Sisi took out her cellphone. "Can, I will call my brother now saying you are here bugging me off and want me to demand him to marry you, do you want me to do that now?"

"Mu Sisi, you ungrateful b*tch!" Yu Keyao worried that Mu Sisi will speak to Mu Huaisheng about this, if she did then she will lose her chance forever.

Yu Keyao quickly lowered Mu Sisi's arm, preventing her from making the call while another hand still grabbing on Mu Sisi's wrist firmly. "Don't forget the reason why your brother wanted a break up. I went to find my aunt and uncle to give you a helping hand, he wouldn't break up with me if it was not for this issue!"

"Yu Keyao, you are being ridiculous," Mu Sisi still attempting to shake Yu Keyao's hand off, but to no avail. Yu Keyao's strength was strong despite appeared soft and delicate, Mu Sisi's wrist felt pain from her firm grip, and she could not shake it off. "How does it matter to me if you talk to Song Yu's parents or not? Did I force you to talk to them about this?"

"You begged me!" Yu Keyao exclaimed, she got pissed off at Mu Sisi's current hostile attitude.

She was aggrieved at Mu Sisi, her generosity was reciprocated by animosity.

She helped Mu Sisi, and now Mu Sisi bite the hand that feeds her, turning hostile all of a sudden.

"I begged you? Please, I merely asked you for help, I did not demand it, you could reject me if you did not feel like it at that time!" Mu Sisi smirked. "It was you who already thought of yourself as my sister-in-law and wanted to give me a helping hand, am I supposed to reject your offer that time? You thought I wouldn't know that you were just wanting to ingratiate me so that you can marry off into the Mu family? To sum it up, you were just using me, don't even attempt to mention anything about 'help' when we were just gaining benefits from each other. You were merely doing yourself a favour by helping me so that I can help you marry off into the Mu family, so there was no need to be pretentious like you were the victim here. It was very unfortunate that I had decided not to be used by you for benefits, what can you do about it?"

"You…" Yu Keyao shivered in indignation. She would not get involved in this issue if it was not for Mu Sisi. She already gave up for Qi Chengzhi and did not want anything to do with Qi Chengzhi and Song Yu. She did this for Mu Sisi but that ingrate betrayed her.

Now Yu Keyao realized that Mu Sisi was using her for her benefits all these while, she never planned to open her heart for her. Yu Keyao yelled, "Mu Sisi! You ingrate! I treated you earnestly and sincerely, and this is how you repay my kindness?"

"What are you shouting for? You seriously thought you can be my friend based on our status difference? Your family faced bankruptcy and now it was just an empty shell, you really thought you can marry off into the Mu family? If my brother were to marry someone, she would be a lady from a notable family. Not to mention your family current pitiful state, even if your family was at its glorious and prosperous moment, you were still a normal lady from middle classes. Please stop your fantasy on social climbing." Mu Sisi finally pulled her arm off Yu Keyao's grip when Yu Keyao was still in a furious state where she could not focus on her grip.

She massaged her painful wrist and said, "I had shown you benevolence, I helped you by recommending a job to you when we were strangers, so you could consider this as repaying my kindness. Don't worry, I will not force you to resign, but from now on, we do not owe each other anything, so next time don't find me for help."

"I never owe you anything," Yu Keyao growled.

Mu Sisi smirked and left, leaving Yu Keyao alone.

Yu Keyao sat back on the chair, poured the beer into her glass and wrapped her fingers around it. Her beautiful nails, polished pink in color, appeared normal, but her knuckles were turning white, the tendons and veins were prominent on the back of her hands.

She treated Mu Sisi with utmost sincerity, but when problems arose, she was left alone. Ingrate!

…

…

Grandmother Qi told Song Yu that Yu Qianying softened her attitude, to Song Yu at least, after coming back from the Song family.

So Song Yu had decided to return home and visit on Saturday. She wanted to go alone, but Qi Chengzhi insisted on following.

"I cannot run from this forever, I have to plead for your parents' forgiveness sooner or later," Qi Chengzhi explained.

Song Yu drank a sip of milk and put the glass down. "I dreaded they may behave awfully at your presence, just like on that day when you-"

Qi Chengzhi remained silent and hold Song Yu's hands firmly, his gaze soft but steady.

In the end, Qi Chengzhi followed Song Yu back to her home.

…

…

Qi Chengzhi parked his Range Rover and went up the apartment with Song Yu. He insisted on accompanying Song Yu back home because he wanted to plead for their forgiveness, and he feared Yu Qianying had not forgive Song Yu completely and may result in an emotional catastrophe in Song Yu just like the other day, so he followed to prevent any possible accidents.

The two of them stood at the doorstep and Song Yu knocked, then she heard a yell, "Who is that?"

"Mom, it's me," Song Yu replied, her tone raised.

The door opened after a few seconds, Yu Qianying's face appeared calm, but as soon as she saw Qi Chengzhi, her face darkened instantly. "Why was he here?"

Qi Chengzhi appeared restless and anxious, as if this was the first time he met her spouse's parents, even Song Yu could feel his distress.

Qi Chengzhi called, "Mom-"

"Do not call me 'mom', I feel overwhelmed," Yu Qianying interrupted. "Song Yu, you can come in. You are still my daughter, I cannot truly disregard that fact. Grandmother Qi was right, you went through and suffered the most compared to us, so we do not have the right to interfere and argue with your choice to forgive him, but we will not forgive him. The door will always open for you and you alone, and as for him-"

Yu Qianying shot a glance at Qi Chengzhi, her face flat. "I do not want to see him. From now on you come here alone, he should be nowhere near this house. Now if you want to enter the house, you enter alone, or else you can leave now."

Song Yu opened her mouth but no words were coming out. She lowered her head, her voice soft. "Then I-"

She felt her hand squeezed for a brief moment by Qi Chengzhi, then she heard his mellow and steady voice. "You go in."

Song Yu raised her head and looked at Qi Chengzhi, his angle of the mouth slightly raised. "Let me know when you are leaving, I will come and fetch you."

Song Yu carefully peeked at Yu Qianying and pulled Qi Chengzhi to a corner. "Then you straight away go back home and rest. I will call Chang Lai when I am done, you don't need to come."

Qi Chengzhi remained silent, his gaze soft but firm, indicating that he did not plan on following her instructions.

Song Yu was not sure if he obeyed or not so she added, "Promise me."

Qi Chengzhi stared at her for quite some time, after moments of silence only then he mumbled. "Okay."

Now Song Yu felt assured, she held his hands and said, "Be careful on your way back, give me a call or a message when you reached home."

"Okay," Qi Chengzhi peeked at Yu Qianying and noticed her annoyance, he urged her. "Go in."

Song Yu felt sorry to see him had the door slammed in his face, in her reluctance she did not move.

Qi Chengzhi spoke softly, "Faster go, your parents finally forgive you, don't start bickering with them because of me. I did those awful things so I don't feel wronged here."

Song Yu nodded and stared at his handsome and calm face, his gaze always soft and loving when facing her. Song Yu wanted to give him a goodbye kiss but she did not want to make Yu Qianying furious.

She lowered her head and looked at his hand, elegant as always. She gently squeezed his hands and advised again. "Be careful on your way back."

Qi Chengzhi watched Song Yu entered the house and Song Yu watched the door slowly closing on Qi Chengzhi, and she felt extremely sorry for him.

"You can leave with him now if you feel sorry for him." Yu Qianying said coldly.

"Mom, what can he do to repent so that you can forgive him?" Song Yu asked.

Yu Qianying remained silent and walked into the kitchen.

Song Donglin slowly walking across and gently tapped Song Yu on her shoulder and brought her to the living room. "Give her time, do not be hasty on this."

"Dad, you-" Song Yu noticed that Song Donglin appeared normal, as if not angry at all.

All these while whenever Song Yu and Yu Qianying quarreled, Song Donglin was always there to solve their conflict. When Song family faced bankruptcy, the one who took the most damage should be Song Donglin.

Now looking at him, it appeared as if he accepted his fate.

"I am fine, there is no use crying over spilt milk, plus you suffered more than we did. If you already let go of this matter, no point for me to continue clinging to it. After resting at home these past few years, I had let this issue go. I admit, when I first heard the truth, I was furious, but after a while, I calmed down, all was well," Song Donglin shook his head and let out a wry smile. "Perhaps your mother was exasperated because she added my anger to hers too, so now I am alright."

"Dad," Song Yu's eyes reddened, she needed someone to support especially at this moment of time.

Song Donglin smiled and tapped Song Yu on the back. "Your mom is a short-tempered person who believes in justice. She will be alright when she sees Qi Chengzhi treat you well with unconditional love as time goes by."

Song Yu nodded and saw Yu Qianying walking out of the kitchen towards the living room, her tone and facial expression was flat. "Stay for meal since you are here."

Song Yu nodded. Yu Qianying then asked with a flat tone, "How are you feeling? Better?"

"Chengzhi applied a two-months leave for me to rest at home, so I feel much better now," Song Yu answered quickly.

Yu Qianying pursed her lips, face appeared grim after hearing Qi Chengzhi's name, then she went back to the kitchen.

Song Yu estimated the time, wondering why Qi Chengzhi had not gave her a call or a text message, then suddenly something flashed through her mind. She hurried to the balcony and looked down, and saw the black Range Rover was still parked downstairs.

This was what Song Yu worried. He may have promised her but he was stubborn as a mule, he would still wait for her.

Just like the first time when he came here to meet her parents, he had already left the house but he waited for her in the car, insisting on going back together.

Yu Qianying was serving the dishes when Song Yu dialled Qi Chengzhi's cellphone number while walking back to the house. Yu Qianying felt distasted at Song Yu's reaction and scorned, "If you cannot let it go, then just leave."

"Mom, I feared that he is still waiting for me downstairs," Song Yu explained.

"What is the meaning of this? Pretending to be miserable and pathetic so that we can feel pity for him? His presence here is to urge you to go home at an earlier time because he knew you will feel sorry for him and will not stay for long, is it?" Yu Qianying complained bitterly, now she could not see any good in him. "Does he think that I will let him in our house if he stayed?"

"No, mom, he was just worried because I nearly had a miscarriage that day. He postponed all the business entertainment these past few days, and he rushed home after office hours just to accompany me. There would be a couple phone calls during his office hours asking for my health status. He was astonished that day, I had never seen his eyes so bloodshot and almost shedding tears. He was just worried that if something bad really happened and he was not there, the two of you may not be able to get the necessary help that I may need," Song Yu quickly explained.

Yu Qianying groaned in disdain, she returned back to the kitchen to serve more dishes. Song Yu saw that Yu Qianying cooked a lot of dishes because of her, so she did not dare to leave without eating.

Yu Qianying sat down and said, "Let us eat."

Song Yu held the phone, unsure of what to do. Song Donglin walked over and gestured to Song Yu, hinting her to sit down and eat, because Yu Qianying will be in wrath if she missed this chance.

Song Yu had no choice but to sit down, but her mind was full of Qi Chengzhi during meal. She did not know if he will go and get something to eat. What if he starved himself waiting for her?

The problem was the restaurants around here were not very nice and clean. Qi Chengzhi had the attitude of a high-born, he rather starve himself than to simply find a restaurant to fill his stomach.