Mr. Liang, you mustn't covet other people's fiancées!

Wen Li froze, the words she had prepared stuck in her throat, staring blankly at Qin Youya.

She originally thought that Qin Youya had come to warn her to stay away from Liang Chaoxu, just like Madam Jiang, but Qin Youya asked her if she had eaten.

Qin Youya took the thermos from Wu Ma, opened the lid, and the aroma of chicken soup wafted out: "This soup was just made today, drink it while it's hot."

Wen Li took the soup bowl, still not quite understanding the situation: "Thank you, Auntie."

Qin Youya watched her take a couple of sips, then suddenly said, "I won't interfere too much in the affairs between you young people."

Wen Li stopped moving.

Qin Youya continued, "You left home at a young age and it wasn't easy studying and living alone in Sydney. After returning to China, you were busy with work, so it's normal that you didn't participate in many gatherings and events within the industry."

"I enjoy meeting up with a few close friends in my free time, including board members and business leaders from various industries. Are you interested in starting your own business?"

Wen Li's eyes widened: "Start your own business?"

Qin Youya nodded: "Although the Jiang and Liang families have always cooperated, as the daughter-in-law of the Liang family, you naturally cannot continue to work in Shengjiang. What I mean is, I will give you start-up capital so you can start your own business."

Wen Li was completely stunned: "The Liang family's daughter-in-law? When did this happen?"

Qin Youya was taken aback for a moment, then her brows furrowed slightly.

At this moment, Liang Chaoxu ran in from the door. When he heard Wen Li say "Liang family daughter-in-law", he paused and his expression froze for a moment.

Qin Youya and Wen Li turned to look at him when they heard the noise, both looking puzzled.

Liang Chaoxu opened his mouth: "I... Wen Li, never mind, Mom, come out with me for a bit."

He stepped forward and pulled Qin Youya out of the ward. The door closed behind them, and he lowered his voice, "Mom, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Didn't you say that you and Wen Li are getting married soon and that you wanted me to prepare?" Qin Youya said calmly.

"What I mean is, my chances of winning Wen Li's heart are much higher now. It's not about marrying her directly." Liang Chaoxu raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, I've already told her that. I even brought her the start-up capital for her business," Qin Youya said.

Liang Chaoxu closed his eyes briefly: "Mom, that was something I planned to do after asking Wen Li's opinion. You did it first, how am I supposed to pursue her?"

Qin Youya pursed her lips: "That's not my business. You can handle it yourself."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the elevator, but after taking two steps, she turned back and said, "Remember to make sure she finishes the soup." Then she walked away without looking back.

Liang Chaoxu took a deep breath and pushed open the door to return to the ward.

As Wu Ma was tidying up the thermos containers, she saw him come in, smiled, and left, closing the door behind her.

Wen Li sat on the bed, still holding the bowl of chicken soup in her hand, looking at him with an expression that said, "You'd better give me an explanation."

Liang Chaoxu walked to the bedside and sat down, remaining silent for two seconds: "It was a misunderstanding. You should drink the soup first."

He paused for a moment after speaking, his gaze falling on her face: "But since we've come this far, Wen Li, I have something to ask you."

Wen Li looked up at him.

Liang Chaoxu looked at her and asked, "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Wen Li's pupils trembled slightly, but she remained silent.

He continued, "You just saw my family's attitude; my parents don't object to us being together."

Wen Li blinked, her thoughts in disarray.

Liang Chaoxu leaned forward slightly: "Even if you don't like me now, it's okay. We can get to know each other slowly and then cultivate our feelings."

Wen Li looked at Liang Chaoxu, the soup bowl in her hand still hot, the heat spreading from her palm all the way up.

Seeing this, Liang Chaoxu quickly took the bowl from her hands, scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to her lips.

"Don't rush to answer, have some soup first."

Wen Li took a breath and slowly said, "Liang Chaoxu, today's events were too sudden."

Liang Chaoxu immediately responded, "It was my fault for not handling it well, you don't need to worry too much..."

Wen Li shook her head: "What I mean is, what your mother said today was completely beyond my expectations. I never thought anyone would plan that far for me."

She paused, then added, "Besides, I've had a strange temper since I was little, and I'm not good at being in that position."

Liang Chaoxu was slightly taken aback, then spoke eagerly, just to reassure her: "You don't need to assume any particular position, you just need to be yourself. I'll handle the rest."

Wen Li looked at him, remaining silent for a long time.

Liang Chaoxu gripped the spoon handle, his heart pounding like a drum, as if it were about to leap out of his throat.

The ward was quiet for a long time before finally uttering a single "Okay."

Liang Chaoxu was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding: "Huh?"

Wen Li looked at him and said, "I said okay." Then she added, "But you have to give me time."

Liang Chaoxu's lips curved into a smile. He released the spoon handle and grasped her hand: "It's up to you."

The ward door wasn't closed properly, and the figure outside stood there for a long time.

Through the narrow crack in the door, Jiang You could clearly hear their conversation.

He was holding a bouquet of roses, completely lost in thought.

He picked out the flowers early this morning; white roses paired with light purple baby's breath. He remembered Wen Li saying she liked this combination when she was in college.

He came prepared today.

He wanted to tell her that he had reached an agreement with the Jiang family, and his mother had relented and was no longer against their relationship.

He even brought the key to the Jiang family's old house, thinking that if she was willing, he could take her back to see it.

Everything was ready, but it was too late.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang You turned and walked towards the other end of the corridor.

The elevator doors opened and closed again. Inside the elevator, he watched the floor numbers jump down one by one, and suddenly let out a self-deprecating laugh.

The petals of the white rose trembled slightly in his arms. He remembered the beach in Sydney that year, where she squatted on the sand picking up seashells, turned around and smiled at him.

He didn't dare go over there at the time; he always felt that there was still time, there was still a chance, and there was still a better opportunity.

Unexpectedly, one wrong move led to the loss of the entire board.

In the hospital room, Liang Chaoxu held Wen Li's hand, his eyes full of expectation as he asked, "How about we go see a movie this weekend?"

Wen Li looked up at him, a slight smile playing on her lips: "I'm not going."

Liang Chaoxu was stunned.

Wen Li's smile widened: "Didn't we agree last night to go to the amusement park?"

On the way back to Liangyuan Mansion, Qin Youya said to Wu Ma.

"Wen Li is resilient, smart, and beautiful. It's a pity she was born into the wrong family and ran into a debt collector like her father. When you have free time, cook her something nice to eat."

Aunt Wu replied with a smile, "Yes, Madam."

Qin Youya paused for a moment, then said, "Next time Meng Shu comes to Liang Garden, have the gatekeeper announce her arrival first, so as not to cause any unnecessary trouble."

"Yes."