You tricked me into raising your son? You'll divorce me and become my aunt.

It sounds very sincere.

In the past, Ruan Ning, who was soft-hearted and nostalgic, might have been moved and softened.

But after being exploited, favored, and hurt time and time again, the slap Xu Jianye gave her in public that day became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

That slap made Ruan Ning see Xu Jianye's true nature completely.

His apology wasn't because he realized he was wrong; it was because he had ulterior motives.

Ruan Ning didn't fall for his sweet talk and said in a very calm voice, "Just say what you have to say."

Xu Jianye's tone faltered slightly on the other end of the phone, as if he hadn't expected her to be so cold, completely ignoring his apology.

Xu Jianye paused for a moment, then got to the point: "Actually, it's nothing else, just the same thing. The company is having cash flow problems and is on the verge of bankruptcy. We really can't hold on any longer."

At this point, his tone became urgent.

"Ningning, just relax and let Tingchen invest to help the company."

"That company is, after all, an asset your mother built up through hard work and dedication. It's the culmination of her life's work. You can't just stand by and watch it go bankrupt, can you?"

"As long as this investment is in place, the company can survive, the Xu family can be stabilized, and this is for the sake of our whole family."

Every word and phrase is grand and dignified.

Under the guise of her mother's hard work, they naturally wanted Ruan Ning to bow down and beg for help, using her marriage to bail out the Xu family.

After listening, Ruan Ning gave a cold laugh.

She knew it would be like this.

Ruan Ning curled her lips and coldly refused, "Impossible."

Xu Jianye did not expect her to refuse so decisively.

"Ningning, what did you say?"

"I said, it's impossible. I won't mention this to Fu Tingchen again. Forget about this investment," Ruan Ning repeated coldly.

In the past, whenever any member of the Xu family's extended family got into trouble, Xu Jianye would always think of using her first.

He took advantage of her marriage to Fu Tingchen, forcing her to abandon her dignity and beg for favors and make sacrifices.

She compromised time and time again, cherishing the familial bond in her heart.

She allowed Xu Jianye and his large group of vampire relatives to suck her blood.

But they never remember the good things about her.

No one remembers her sacrifices.

It's as if everything she does is taken for granted.

From beginning to end, all the benefits went to the Xu family, while she bore all the embarrassment and grievances alone.

She's had enough.

From now on, she will never let them exploit and take advantage of her again.

Xu Jianye on the other end of the phone completely lost his feigned gentleness and remorse.

"Ruan Ning, what are you saying!"

"That's the culmination of your grandfather's and mother's life's work, the foundation of the Xu family. You just watched the company go bankrupt, refusing to help. What were you thinking?"

"I only said a few words to you in public and taught you a lesson, and you've held a grudge ever since? How can you be so petty? You don't care about your family's well-being over such a small matter; you're incredibly selfish!"

"I raised you, sent you to school, and this is how you repay me? You're a heartless ingrate!"

Harsh insults came through the phone.

The familiar accusations and moral blackmail.

It will always be like this.

When he needed her, it was a display of deep father-daughter affection and blood ties that led him to plead and show weakness in every way.

When they don't need her or when she refuses to compromise or make sacrifices, they curse her as unfilial, selfish, cold-blooded, and ungrateful.

Ruan Ningjing listened quietly to these harsh insults, but she still felt very upset.

When she was little, he clearly doted on her.

Why did he become like this after his mother left?

Xu Jianye retorted rudely, "I've really wasted my time raising you!"

He hung up the phone with a "snap".

The world returned to silence.

Ruan Ning slowly took the phone away from her ear, held it between her fingers, and a tear fell onto the phone screen.

Mom, after you left, they all bullied me.

-

Xu Jianye did not give up.

He called Fu Tingchen again.

At that time, Fu Tingchen had just finished washing up and was resting with his eyes closed, leaning against the headboard of the bedroom.

He saw Xu Jianye's call and knew the purpose of the call.

He answered the phone, his voice low and languid: "Uncle Xu."

"Tingchen."

The receiver carried Xu Jianye's warm and urgent voice, a stark contrast to his earlier harsh and furious attitude towards Ruan Ning, now filled with flattery and earnestness.

He didn't mention the argument and insults he had just had with Ruan Ning, and went straight to the point.

"Hey, what's the matter with the investment we talked about last time? What do you think about it? The family business is about to go under."

"I'm truly desperate, so I have no choice but to swallow my pride and beg you. Could you please invest and help me out for Ningning's sake? As long as the funds are in place, the company can be revived."

His words were spoken in an extremely humble manner, and his posture was extremely low.

After a moment's thought, Fu Tingchen said, "Investment is no small matter; it involves a significant amount of money, and I cannot make the decision unilaterally."

"Okay, I'll discuss this with the board of directors later and then give you an answer."

These words gave Xu Jianye a buffer and hope.

Xu Jianye was overjoyed and quickly thanked him, "Thank you so much, Tingchen! I'm looking forward to your help!"

After saying this, Xu Jianye added a few more words of gratitude and politeness before carefully hanging up the phone.

Fu Tingchen held his phone, his gaze slightly darkening.

He hesitated for a moment, then his fingertips moved slightly and dialed Ruan Ning's number.

The quiet atmosphere in the hotel room was once again broken by a cell phone ringing.

Ruan Ning looked down at the lit screen, showing no surprise.

She guessed it.

Given Xu Jianye's personality, he would definitely turn to Fu Tingchen after being rejected by her.

She paused for a few seconds, then answered the phone, "Feed."

When are you coming home?

Ruan Ning leaned against the window, the evening breeze slightly cool, gently brushing her cheeks. She replied softly, "Not going back for now."

Upon hearing this, Fu Tingchen frowned slightly.

"Uncle Xu just called me, and it was still about investment."

Ruan Ning stated bluntly, "Ignore him and don't invest in him."

"Ruan Ning," he called her name, his voice low.

"Have you thought this through? The Xu family's company is your mother's life's work."

"That's the business your mother left you. Are you just going to stand by and watch the company go bankrupt?"

Ruan Ning said coldly, "It's true that the company is my mother's life's work, and I certainly won't let it go bankrupt, but I don't want the Xu family to use me for their own benefit so easily."

Fu Tingchen understood the implication in her words and asked, "Do you have other plans?"

"If you really want to help me, then acquire the company and give me more than 50% of the shares. Add that to the 10% I already own, and I'll hold more than 60% of the shares. I want to be the actual controlling shareholder of the company."

Fu Tingchen was stunned.

He hadn't expected that Ruan Ning had already made plans.

"Are you trying to kick the Xu family out of the company?"

"right."

Ruan Ning said indifferently, "Xu Jianye only became rich by marrying my mother. Our Ruan family's business has nothing to do with him. He and Liu Hui have been monopolizing my mother's company for so many years, it's time to give it back."

Fu Tingchen remained silent.

He is 90% confident that the board of directors will approve the investment, and even if the company's board of directors disagrees, he can still invest in his personal capacity.

However, if it's an acquisition, and it involves transferring more than 50% of the shares, the board of directors certainly wouldn't agree.

After a long silence, Fu Tingchen said, "Ruan Ning, I can't help you with this."