From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

She paused abruptly, shook her head gently, and sighed, "Forget it, it's all in the past. There's no point in talking about it now."

I picked up the conversation and said, "I understand what you mean. You're saying that back then, he seemed to be gambling on the future, but in reality, he was running away. Faced with the pressure from your father, he didn't choose to stay and fight alongside you, but instead chose to venture into the no-man's-land alone, wanting to prove himself with a gamble, but ignoring your feelings."

Before Su Wan could reply, I continued with a wry smile:

"Your father was indeed a formidable figure. He never simply looked down on people from the lower classes. Back then, he gave the other person two choices: one was to venture into the no-man's-land and gamble on their future in exchange for the right to be with you; the other was to stay and accept his oppression. No matter which choice they made, it was a dead end for him at the time."

"So he gambled, he lost, and he lost his life."

After hearing what I said, Su Wan's gaze towards me completely changed, showing more approval.

I looked up to meet her gaze and said frankly, "So he and I have always been different. No matter what pressure others put on me or try to blacklist me, I just need to protect my relationship with Su Qing and focus on my career. I don't need to conform to anyone's standards, and I won't let myself get flustered."

Su Wan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Then why were you so nervous downstairs just now?"

"My nervousness stems from respect for my elders and is a matter of basic courtesy, not from fear."

Su Wan looked at me with a complicated expression and remained silent for a long time.

I could tell that she sincerely hoped that the boy back then could have been as clear-headed as I was.

If he had dared to stay and face the storms with her back then, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

This is my greatest source of confidence, and also the most fundamental difference between me and that tragic boy.

After a brief silence, I spoke again: "Anyway, thank you for helping me earlier and giving me this one-month grace period."

"I'm helping you, not because I'm certain you'll win. It's because I've witnessed your character and resilience in the no-man's-land, and seen your calm and decisive actions in the face of danger."

"This is your only trump card, and also your greatest trump card."

I nodded emphatically, my mind becoming increasingly clear.

The no-man's-land tempered not only my survival skills, but also my indomitable spirit.

While others crumble under pressure, I grow stronger with each setback.

"I understand, don't worry, I will never repeat the same mistake."

Su Wan looked at me and reminded me again, "I'll give you one last piece of advice: don't put all your hopes on Fang Bo."

"Fang Bo is focused on his studies and business, and he has a detached nature, disdaining the power struggles within wealthy families. Even if I help you arrange a meeting with him, he may not be willing to get involved in your feud with Fang Heng, much less take the initiative to help you deal with Fang Heng."

"It's okay to borrow help, but you should never gamble with your own strength. The only one who can truly save you is yourself."

These words hit the nail on the head.

As expected of the most rational and insightful person in the Su family, he saw through all my plans at a glance.

I wholeheartedly agreed and solemnly replied, "I understand. Finding Fang Bo is just a backup plan, not my only trump card."

"My main battlefield is not the internal strife within the Fang family, but my own career."

Su Wan nodded slightly, regaining her cool and indifferent demeanor, and said crisply:

"I'll contact Fang Bo for you and let you know when we've set a time. You can go now; Su Qing is getting impatient waiting downstairs."

"it is good."

I bowed slightly and sincerely thanked them, saying, "I will remember this favor and repay it in the future."

After saying that, I stopped disturbing her work, turned around, gently pushed open the study door, and walked out into the second-floor corridor.

From a distance, I could see Su Qing sitting obediently on the sofa in the living room, quietly waiting for me.

The moment she saw me come downstairs, she immediately stood up and quickly came to greet me, asking urgently in a low voice:

"Why have we been talking for so long? Did my sister agree to help us?"

Looking at her worried little face, I smiled gently and said, "I agree, and we also chatted about some personal matters from the past."

"That's good!" Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief instantly and naturally and skillfully took my hand.

I did not resist at all, and even though Mr. and Mrs. Su were still sitting not far away, I still held her hand back.

We stand side by side

He walked to the center of the living room and looked at Su's parents on the sofa.

By now their emotions had calmed down, and they sat quietly on the sofa drinking tea, their expressions still solemn and complex.

Their gaze fell on our tightly clasped hands, but they didn't say another word.

I nodded slightly and solemnly said goodbye: "Uncle and Aunt, it's getting late, we'll head back now. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer within a month."

Mr. Su said calmly, "Fine. Remember what you said today; I only care about the final result."

Su's mother sighed softly, her voice full of worry: "Be careful on the road. Think it through carefully, don't be impulsive, and don't be reckless."

I offered no further explanation, but simply nodded calmly.

A thousand words are not as good as a result.

At this moment, all promises will be proven by time and action.

I took Su Qing's hand and turned to walk out of the Su family villa.

The moment I stepped out the door, the heavy weight of class oppression behind me finally faded away temporarily.

The evening breeze, carrying the coolness of early autumn, swept over me, dispelling the oppressive feeling I had been carrying.

We boarded the park's sightseeing electric vehicle and headed towards the villa area gate.

Su Qing leaned gently on my shoulder, her voice full of heartache, and said, "A month is too short. My dad is so harsh, leaving no room for compromise. It's clearly Fang Heng who's maliciously causing trouble behind the scenes, yet you have to bear all the pressure. It's so unfair."

I gently stroked her long hair and chuckled softly, "It's unfair, but it's reasonable."

"Where is this reasonable!" Su Qing glared at me, her eyes full of grievance.

As I gazed at the myriad lights outside the villa district, my eyes flickered with a mixture of light and shadow, yet my heart remained calmer than ever before.

I let out a long breath and slowly said, "In this adult world, people never care who has been wronged; they only care who is strong enough."

"Fang Heng has a good family background, resources, and connections. He can afford to lose. Even if he fails in his underhanded tactics time and time again, it doesn't matter much to him."

"But I'm different. I have nothing. So I have no way out; I can only win, I can't afford to lose."

"Whether it's a month or a year, it makes no difference to me. I've survived the perilous wilderness of the no-man's-land by the skin of my teeth, so I can withstand this little bit of hardship as well."

Su Qing looked up at me blankly, and seeing my composure that far exceeded that of her peers, her heart softened.

She instinctively hugged my arm tightly, and said firmly, "Then I'll stand by you! No matter how difficult the road ahead, I'll always be with you."

I looked down at the girl beside me, whose eyes were full of love for me, and my heart felt warm.

She is my softest weakness when I'm in dire straits, and also my strongest armor that helps me move forward without hesitation.

Even if the road ahead is filled with storms and thorns.

But I, Lin Ye, have already died once in the icy snow of the no-man's-land.

From that time on, no storm in the world could defeat me.

I will turn the tide and stand by Su Qing's side, upright and honorable!