Now that they've all been reborn, who wouldn't be living life to the fullest?

The Li Group was clearly on the verge of collapse, but Han Wan still went to the auction to put on a brave face, hoping to raise funds to revive the company or at least prolong its existence.

So when Li Hao bid one million, Han Wan only made a few symbolic remarks and did not actually stop him.

They just wanted to show others that even a weakened Li Group is still bigger than a horse.

Giving others confidence might attract some funding.

But two days after the banquet ended, there was still no money, and in fact, a million dollars had been lost.

The surrounding businesses are more interested in waiting for you to completely collapse before they can take a slice of your flesh and blood.

Today, the Li Group's financial chain has completely broken down.

The bank kept calling to collect the debt.

The supplier blocked the company entrance, demanding payment.

The company was in disarray, with the vice presidents passing the buck and no one taking responsibility.

Li Jianguo lay in the hospital's intensive care unit, his mouth and eyes slanted, unable to speak clearly, and could only stare blankly.

Late at night, at the Li family villa.

The living room lights were blindingly bright, yet the atmosphere was oppressively heavy.

Li Hao ripped off his tie and grabbed the crystal ashtray, smashing it on the ground.

Debris was scattered all over the ground.

"Hurry! They're all fucking urging me to give up! Where's the money! Where's the money?!" His eyes were bloodshot, and he was panting heavily.

Han Wan sat on the opposite sofa, wearing a silk robe, her face pale.

She held the report in her hand, her fingers icy cold.

"Xiao Hao, stop yelling." Her voice was a little hoarse. "Getting angry won't help. We need to find a way to raise funds from outside. Haven't you been outside for so many years? Can you bring in some funds?"

"Nonsense! I've beaten those people before. They're good at eating, drinking, and having fun, but when it comes to asking for investment, they won't utter a sound! They're just a bunch of useless rich kids! They have no say in their own families!"

Li Hao didn't feel like he was being insulted at all. He suddenly turned around and glared at Han Wan: "How much is left in the account? Tell me! The usable ones!"

Han Wan avoided his gaze: "The movable ones... are almost gone. Inventory and fixed assets can be sold, but it will take time. In the current situation, they won't fetch a good price."

"Then sell! Sell everything!" Li Hao roared, "While the old man is still breathing, take everything you can!"

He rushed to Han Wan, squatted down, and pressed his hands on the sofa armrests, trapping her between them.

His breathing was heavy and smelled of alcohol.

His eyes, bloodshot and filled with desire, sent chills down one's spine.

"Aunt Wan..."

Li Hao lowered his voice and said seductively:

"Listen to me. I know this old man well; he's a useless piece of trash who's willing to suffer for the sake of saving face. He married you just to be a decoration, to cover up his little scandals, right?"

Han Wan trembled, and her face turned pale instantly.

Li Hao, as if emboldened, continued speaking, his voice so low it was almost a whisper:

"He chose you because he thought you were dirty, which must be because you were a virgin at the time."

But the old man's thing is useless now, so after following him for so many years... you're still a virgin, aren't you?"

"Li Hao! Are you crazy?!" Han Wan was both shocked and angry. She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her wrist tightly.

"Crazy?" Li Hao scoffed, his eyes darting over her. "You graduated with a master's degree, joined the company, and married this old good-for-nothing after only two years. What did you get out of it? His age? His weakness? It's all about money!"

He brought his face closer, his hot breath hitting me: "So as long as you have money, it doesn't matter who you follow. We'll empty the company, take the money, go abroad, and live a good life. I'll treat you well... and let you experience what true pleasure is."

He then touched her face.

"Snapped!"

Han Wan swung her arm and slapped him across the face.

My chest heaved, tears welled up in my eyes, I was so angry.

"Li Hao! I'm your mother!"

"She's a stepmother!"

Li Hao curled his lip in disdain, his eyes hardening: "No blood relation, what kind of mother are you? The old man's paralyzed, the company's gone bankrupt, what are you still doing here! Follow me, all the money's mine..."

"And if you like being my mom, I'll call you Mom and you can call me Dad, we'll each call each other separately!"

As he spoke, he lunged at him again.

"Get out! You beast!" Han Wan screamed, struggling desperately and grabbing at the side.

My fingertips touched something cold and sharp—a shard of the ashtray that had just been thrown at me.

Without thinking, she grabbed a shard and slashed it towards Li Hao's head!

"ah--!"

Li Hao cried out in pain, clutching his head and staggering backward, blood seeping from between his fingers.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Han Wan broke free, jumped up, and without even looking at the howling Li Hao, grabbed her bag and rushed barefoot towards the door.

I opened the door and plunged into the darkness outside.

A cold wind blew in, making people shiver.

Li Hao sat on the ground, covering his head, blood dripping from between his fingers.

His eyes went from pain to confusion, and finally only poison remained.

"Han Wan...you filthy bitch...you slut...you can't escape...I refuse to believe the company is in such a state that you have no other way out but to donate money and run away with me..."

……

I don't know how long I ran, but my lungs felt like they were going to explode, and my throat was dry and sore.

Han Wan collapsed on a deserted street corner, sliding down to the ground with her back against the wall.

The bathrobe was thin, and I was barefoot; the soles of my feet were blistered and bleeding.

Her hair was disheveled, her face was still wet with tears, and her eyes were frighteningly empty.

cold.

A chill runs through you, inside and out.

Li Hao's words, his eyes, and the scent emanating from him... made her tremble uncontrollably.

The company is finished.

Home... that villa, it's not home anymore.

The old man is paralyzed in the hospital.

That "son" has become a beast.

There's nowhere else to go.

Despair surged up like a tidal wave, reaching my throat.

Looking back on past experiences.

She went to university from a small, obscure county, received a full scholarship to pursue a master's degree, and enhanced her own value. After graduation, she joined the Li Group, and two years later, she married Li Jianguo.

Han Wan climbed the ladder step by step in order to get ahead.

Yes, she married Li Jianguo for money!

But now... Han Wan feels like her life is a joke.

If I had rejected the temptation of marrying into a wealthy family and married an ordinary person instead, would I be very happy now?

Just then, my cold fingers touched something hard in the pocket of my bathrobe.

She took it out with trembling hands.

It's that business card. The quality is very good.

Su Yifeng.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow on the three characters, making them seem almost magical.

That young man at the dinner party was composed. He had a sharp eye, and his words were even harsher.

"You only became Li Hao's stepmother because you were after his family's money, didn't you?"

"The way your idiot 'son' looks at you isn't quite right. You'd better be careful when he's at home."

He had already figured it out... and had warned her long ago...

Han Wan gripped the business card tightly, her nails digging into her palm.

Shame, fear, hatred, and a fierce determination rising from the depths of despair pounded in my chest.

What else does she have to compensate?

Dignity? It's long gone for Li Hao.

Loyalty? To that old man who treats her like an ornament? Worthless.

In the first place, wasn't the reason for choosing this path simply to make money and live a better life?

Now, another path lies before us.

A tougher, younger, and more... dangerous man made his demands.

Han Wan raised her head and looked at the scattered lights in the city in the distance.

His gaze gradually shifted from indifference to fierceness, finally coalescing into a desperate, all-or-nothing intensity.

She pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling violently, yet she pressed the keys with deadly precision, dialing the number on the contact's name.

beep - beep -

It rang for a long time.

Just when Han Wan thought no one would answer and her heart sank, the call went through.

Su Yifeng's voice came from the other end, steady and clear:

"Feed?"

Han Wan opened her mouth, but her throat felt dry.

A gust of cold wind blew, and she took a breath, trying her best to keep her voice from breaking too much:

"Mr. Su... I am Han Wan."

"Mm," Su Yifeng responded, as if waiting.

"What you said last time..." Han Wan closed her eyes, her face burning, but her words were clear, though trembling, "...do they still stand?"

There was a two-second silence on the other end.

Then, Su Yifeng's voice came through, still calm, yet exuding control:

"address."

Han Wan reported the street corner.

"Wait."

The phone hangs up.

Han Wan clutched the phone that had just been hung up, slowly squatted down, and buried her face in her knees.

The wind was blowing.

She no longer felt cold, only a settled exhaustion and a trembling sense of heading into the unknown.

She knew that from this moment on, everything would be different.

……