The doctor shook his head and took a few steps backwards after he examined Yixian. He read Yixian's time of death. He died on the 31st December 2020 at 12:32 pm. Mrs Zhou fainted when the doctor announced Yixian's time of death. Later that same day CEO Zhou who was in prison died of a heart attack when he learned of his beloved son's death.

The pain of losing the two most important people in her life was too much for Zhou Jingxian to handle. She would have cried herself to death if Yang Zi was not there to console her. Zhou Yixian and Chairman Zhou's funeral were held at the same time. The funeral was attended by close relatives and those who wanted to mock them. Their mocking words almost made Jingxian strangle one lady who said hurtful words to her mother had people not rush to save the poor lady from her firm grip. The burial went smoothly, all thanks to Yang Zi.

​​

The Zhou's celebrated the New Year mourning for their loved ones when others rejoiced. Life became unbearable for them when the bank confiscated all their properties as payment for the enormous debts of their family. Zhou Jingxian and her mother went from Grace to Grass. They were poorer than church rats. They would have been living on the streets if Yang Zi did not rent an apartment for them to settle in.

Days turn into weeks and weeks into a month plus. Everything went smoothly according to Yang Zi's plan. The only thing that bothered her was that Yifeng refused to talk to her after that day in the hospital. He didn't show any interest in her like he usually did. He treated her less than a stranger.

"Feng, what is going on between you and Miss Yang? I heard you don't talk to her anymore," Su Jin questioned when he saw Yifeng's gloomy expression. For the past one month, he no longer talked about Yang Zi like he usually did, and his mood hit rock bottom since the day he and Yang Zi had a misunderstanding.

"I heard your silence is affecting her," Su Jin added when Yifeng said nothing.

"Affecting her? The person who told you that bullshit is a blatant liar because my silence can never affect the Yang Zi that I know," Yifeng said, staring at the clear sky. Staring at the bright sky, he wished what Su Jin said was right. He was fighting so hard not to run and embrace Yang Zi every day he set his eyes on her. He has been keeping to himself because he did not like the fact that his attention irked her.

"Although Wen Min could be very naughty, I don't think she is capable of lying about this. You are the one she wanted to discuss this with, but she was afraid of what you might do to her because of how moody you have been. She told me to relay this to you. She said you should at least say a word to her," Su Jin said, staring at Yifeng with rapt attention. He could not guess what was going through his best friend's damn mind.

"I am not going to talk to her about my feelings towards her anymore. She has always told me that what binds us together is our employer and employee's relationship so I will stick to that besides I can't force my feelings on her," Yifeng said gloomily staring at the beautiful flowers that beautify their rooftop resting area. He stood up and walked to where the flower vases were neatly arranged. He bent down and touched their petals.

"Don't tell me you are giving up already?" Su Jin asked, dumbfounded by what he heard. He could not believe that these words just came out of his best friend's mouth. He knew Yifeng for his persistent behaviour. He wasn't the type to give up on what he set his mind on. He always got what he wanted so he did not know why he was acting this way.

"Say something, Feng. Stop keeping quiet on me," Su Jin asked, sounding angry as he pulled Yifeng up to his feet.

"She doesn't want me so what should I do? You can't possibly tell me to force my feelings on someone who doesn't have an ounce of feelings for me, right?" Yifeng asked angrily.

"I am not saying you should force her to like you back. Love takes time to develop, so I am saying you should give her some time to sort out her feelings. You said so yourself that her trauma has to do with love so Feng, give her some time. Don't be rash or you will regret giving up on her," Su Jin advised, staring into his eyes.

"Jin, you should see how she treats me whenever I tell her how I feel towards her. She treats me worse than an animal. I have feelings too, you know," Yifeng said painfully. No matter how many times she hurt him, he always acted as if her words did not affect him, but it deeply hurt him every single time she threw hurtful words at him.

"I am sorry about all you have gone through in her hands but you have done worse stuff to ladies so I didn't expect you to act this way. Feng, you are more than this so don't give up just yet, hmm," Su Jin said encouragingly refusing to let go of his hand, he was afraid Yifeng would walk out in the middle of their conversation if he let go.

"I know I am a terrible person and I know I deserve everything Yang Zi is doing to me but despite everything, I still feel hurt. I hurt too Jin, can't you see that?" Yifeng asked, walking away despite Jin's efforts to continue their conversation.

"Tomorrow is Valentine's day, won't you at least talk to her because of this? I know you are dying to speak to her no matter how cold you act. Talking to her will make you happy, so how about you give yourself the opportunity to be happy, hmm?" Su Jin said when Yifeng was just about to exit the rooftop. He wasn't a fool. He knew how badly Yang Zi's words must have hurt his best friend for him to have made such a drastic decision. He was aware of how hard Yifeng has been trying to do away with his reckless lifestyle with women just for the sake of Yang Zi. He remembered what Yifeng told him.

"She said she hates playboys so I have to do away with my playboy lifestyle," Yifeng had told him seriously at one of their usual night drinks.

"You are right, tomorrow is Valentine's day," Yifeng said, laughing mockingly. Su Jin thought he was going to say he would speak with Yang Zi, but what he said next made him know that his friend had changed tremendously within just the period he and Yang Zi had a misunderstanding.

"Valentine's day is for lovers but unfortunately I am not her lover," Yifeng mentioned before he walked out through the door. He didn't need to elaborate on his words for Su Jin to know what he meant.

"My best friend has really grown up emotionally. I can hardly recognise him," Su Jin said as he went back to the seat and sat down. He reminisced about the many events that happened within just a few months. The best of all the things that had happened the previous year was Yang Zi's entry into their lives. Her entry into their lives, especially the life of his best friend, changed him into a better man. No matter how sad Yifeng was, as long as he set his eyes on Yang Zi, he always smiled. Just merely talking about her during their many conversations made Jin know how much he liked her. From then on, he had known that his best friend was done messing around, but seeing the terrible state he was in right now because of how Yang Zi treated him, Jin was lost at what to do to help his buddy out.

He thought of speaking to Yang Zi on Yifeng's behalf, but he knew that he would cross his boundary by doing so. Love affairs was a thing that had to do with the heart so he didn't want to meddle in their relationship.

"I just wish that silly girl will help me talk to Yang Zi like she had promised," Su Jin thought as he shut his eyes.

....

In a restaurant, just a stone throw from Li's Enterprises, Wen Min and Yang Zi sat down to discuss after their lunch.

"Yang Zi, how is your relationship with CEO Li? Is it still awkward like it has been?" Wen Min asked curiously. She wished that they had settled. Because of how moody her cousin has been, she couldn't approach his office to look for Yang Zi. After witnessing his angry side in the resort, she fears what her cousin could do, especially when in his worst mood.