The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

The man picked up the teacup in front of him, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.

"I not only know, but I also know about the illness your sister has, which requires a lot of money to sustain her life."

Xu Nian's brows furrowed even deeper.

"Don't be nervous, young man."

"I'm the kind of person who can't stand having things around me that I don't know."

"The fact that you are here in front of me means that I have thoroughly investigated you and you have no secrets to hide."

He smiled slightly, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and placed them on the rustic tea table.

"My name is Ye Long, of course, that's a pseudonym."

"People in the underworld call me Brother Long."

"I am the manager of this antique street."

Xu Nian's pupils suddenly contracted.

This antique street, ostensibly selling antiques, is actually a black market dealing in all sorts of shady transactions.

And its manager can only be one person.

He was the black market boss who was rumored to have a powerful backer.

The seemingly gentle and refined middle-aged man in front of me is actually the ruler of this black market!

"I need ten million, can you lend it to me?"

He got straight to the point.

No matter who the other party is, he has to give it a try.

He would not give up as long as there was even the slightest hope of saving Xu Xi's life.

Ye Long smiled.

"Is it a loan, or is it something that will never be repaid?"

"As far as I know, you've already accumulated a debt you can never repay in your lifetime."

Xu Nian's heart skipped a beat.

This man even knew everything about his debt situation.

Ye Long smiled slightly and refilled Xu Nian's cup with tea.

"Those who come to me to borrow money, more or less, have to pawn something of value."

"House, car, factory."

"I don't do business at a loss. If he can't repay the debt, not only will I keep the collateral, but I'll also take everything he owns as interest."

"One arm costs 100,000, and one leg costs 200,000."

Xu Nian clenched her fists slightly.

Now that Ye Long has thoroughly investigated his background, he must know that Ye Long has no collateral to offer.

If he doesn't want to lend it, he doesn't want to. Why bother telling him all this useless stuff?

"I can lend you ten million."

"I don't need your things, and I don't even need to return them to me."

Ye Long abruptly changed the subject, his deep eyes piercing Xu Nian's heart.

"However, I need you to do something for me."

"What is it?"

Xu Nian's blood was mobilized throughout her body.

His heart was pounding, and his breathing began to quicken.

Ye Long's words were like a lifeline falling on his desperate shoulders.

"I have a playful young son."

"He's the same age as you, but much more mischievous."

"Some time ago, he was immature and made a small mistake."

"I thought I could settle this problem by spending some money, but a few clueless police officers kept focusing on his mistakes."

"Don't you think this is a bit ungrateful?"

Xu Nian disagreed.

The "small mistake" Ye Long mentioned is probably not a trivial matter at all.

Ye Long sighed.

"Twenty years ago, I would have made sure those blind fools never opened their eyes again."

"But time has passed, and the fighting spirit has long been worn down."

"So, I need you to take the blame for him and satisfy those blind fools."

Xu Nian finally understood.

Ye Long's youngest son must have committed some crime.

What Ye Long wanted him to do was to take the blame for his son and go to jail.

"What kind of crime should I take the blame for?"

He got straight to the point and asked.

"Talking to smart people is so reassuring."

Ye Long grinned.

Immediately afterwards, he raised his finger and gently stroked his neck.

Xu Nian's blood completely congealed.

This is....

capital offense!

"Ten million? With your abilities, you probably won't earn that much in your entire life."

Ye Long stood up, walked to Xu Nian's side, and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

"Young man, this is the only value you have to me."

"Think it over carefully. I never force anyone."

"If you don't want to do it, you're welcome to leave."

Taking the death penalty...

Xu Nian gave a bitter smile.

Ye Long is right.

What could someone as incompetent and without any redeeming qualities possibly have that Ye Long, who holds absolute power, need?

The only thing he could give up was his life.

Taking the blame... taking the death penalty...

Does something gained at the cost of one's life have more value?

It's worth it, absolutely worth it!

Ten million could save the life of the girl I love.

If someone has to die, he would rather it be himself.

If Xu Xi were to leave this world, he would surely follow her there.

Rather than wasting it, let it turn into spring mud to nourish and protect the white roses that are about to wither.

She was a talented woman, and he was an ordinary man.

He would give his life to save hers.

It's well worth it.

Xu Nian raised her head and stared intently at Ye Long's smiling, tiger-like eyes.

"I'll do it."

......

Being covered in a sack, blindfolded, and led away from the antique street, Xu Nian felt both incredibly joyful and incredibly heavy-hearted.

Xu Xi is saved! This time she's really saved!

However, he would never see her healthy smile again after she recovered from her illness.

However, he did not feel sad for himself.

He loved her and was willing to give everything for her.

He would give his own life to protect her.

only.....

Xu Nian stopped in her tracks.

Xu Xi gave up treatment and chose to face death because she didn't want to be a burden to him.

If Xu Xi were to find out, he would give his own life to ensure her continuation.

Can she calmly accept her new life?

Therefore, Xu Xi must absolutely not know about this.

But if they conceal it, how can they explain their departure?

Xu Nian clenched her fists.

He needed a legitimate reason to make Xu Xi accept that they would never see each other again.

The best answer is to make her hate you completely.

What method could possibly transform her overwhelming love for him into endless hatred?

Xu Nian came up with a method that sent chills down his spine.

But he can't do it alone; he needs help from others.

Who can help him?

Qi Yu, Wen Yao, and Zhao Lin are definitely not suitable.

They are not only his own friends, but also Xu Xi's friends.

Once they learn the truth, it's as if Xu Xi will eventually learn the truth too.

Officer Zhang?

That won't work either.

I'm going to take the blame for someone else, how can I let the police know?

That leaves only one person...

He quickened his pace and arrived at a familiar neighborhood.

A gentle knock was made on an iron gate, and the moment it opened, the scent of violet perfume wafted into the boy's nostrils.

Zhou Xiaoman gazed at the travel-worn Xu Nian with a smile.

"It seems Mr. Xu has found a way to save the white rose."

"Coming to see Xiaoman so late at night, you certainly didn't come to share your joy with her, did you?"