Volume 1, Chapter 114: She threw herself into his arms and held him tightly.

Xu Zhi’s eyes reddened slightly, her tone resolute. “I haven’t taken a single advantage from the Liang family. Whether the investment is confirmed or not, Liang Muyi has already cast me aside in front of everyone—that’s the truth, isn’t it? Have I, Xu Zhi, accepted even one cent from you?”

Her words carried a commanding force, leaving Liang Zhengguo and Fu Wanwen momentarily speechless.

Xu Zhi bit her lip and continued, “Liang Muyi has fled. The engagement ceremony is nothing but a farce. Would you still have the kindness to inject capital into my company? I doubt it. Since we’re discussing, what exactly can you discuss? You only care about the Liang family’s reputation—would you consider my feelings at all?”

The private room fell into a pin-drop silence.

“Since no one cares about me, I will only consider myself,” Xu Zhi drew a deep breath, her gaze steady and fearless as she met the eyes of this towering figure in Beicheng’s business world. “You could have the emcee announce the ceremony canceled for various reasons, turning me into the scorned woman of the city. But I won’t allow it. I want everyone to know that it is I who refuses Liang Muyi. I chose Liang Jinmo, and I am proud of my choice.”

Liang Zhengguo found himself momentarily unsettled by the unyielding spirit of this young woman in her twenties.

The atmosphere grew thick and heavy. After a long moment, Fu Wanwen snapped, “Are you trying to make enemies with the Liang family? Do you know your family’s company is on the brink of collapse? If you insist on opposing us, we can ensure you can no longer live in Beicheng!”

Xu Zhi turned to her. “Aunt Wanwen, all these years you’ve been squeezing Jinmo-gege, yet you succeeded in nothing.”

Fu Wanwen’s eyes widened in shock. “You… you…”

She was rendered utterly speechless by Xu Zhi’s pointed remark.

“You didn’t succeed because Jinmo-gege is strong, brave, and resilient—he would never surrender to you,” Xu Zhi lifted her chin, her voice carrying quiet pride, “and neither will I.”

Fu Wanwen’s hand trembled as she stabbed a finger toward Xu Zhi’s nose across the table, her fury boiling over. “You… Xu Zhi, how have you changed?!”

Xu Zhi ignored the outburst and faced Liang Zhengguo once more. “Liang Muyi may be worthless, but Jinmo-gege has made genuine contributions at the Liang Corporation. Uncle Liang, I call you uncle out of respect. Liang Muyi is your son, but does that mean Jinmo-gege is not? You stand by and watch him endure years of hardship—does your conscience not ache? If, as Aunt Wanwen claims, you intend to drive me out of Beicheng simply because I chose Jinmo-gege, do you truly believe a father would commit such an act?”

Liang Zhengguo’s expression darkened, his brows furrowed, yet he remained silent. Yesterday he had spoken with Liang Jinmo, who had shown firm resolve with no room for compromise. Clearly, Xu Zhi felt the same.

He had not anticipated her boldness in daring to challenge the entire Liang family. She no longer resembled the timid young woman who once trailed behind Liang Muyi.

Zhao Niaoqiao was equally stunned. When had Xu Zhi become so formidable?

Fu Wanwen had once viewed Xu Zhi as easy to manipulate; now she realized she had been blind to her adversary. Her voice rose sharply and piercingly. “You are a junior—do you presume to lecture your uncle on how to live? What are you, exactly?!”

Xu Zhi regarded her calmly. “Actions have right and wrong. Your conduct has been entirely wrong. I am merely stating the facts, yet you fly into a rage. Given your sensitivity, why did you fail to instill shame in Liang Muyi when he became a useless man? You feel no regret for that?”

Fu Wanwen’s mind went blank with fury. Never before had she seen Xu Zhi wield such sharp retorts; each of her words met ten in return. Desperate for a comeback, she finally screamed, “It’s fortunate that Muyi and you were never engaged! I see the kind of person you are—better to lock yourselves together with that bastard son! You two were born for each other, both lowborn trash!”

This time Zhao Niaoqiao slammed the table. “How dare you speak to us like that? You claim to embody the grace of a noble lady, yet this is your true caliber!”

The tension threatened to erupt into open conflict. Liang Zhengguo’s voice rang out like a whip. “Enough!”

The room fell silent once more, Fu Wanwen’s chest heaving with barely contained rage, her breathing quick and shallow. Zhao Niaoqiao shot her a warning glare.

Liang Zhengguo studied Xu Zhi for a long moment. “So you and Jinmo are determined to be together?”

Xu Zhi had no real foundation left, for Liang Jinmo’s stance remained unclear. Nevertheless, she lifted her chin and replied, “Yes.”

Liang Zhengguo nodded. “Very well. You may go.”

The conversation dissolved into awkward silence.

After Xu Zhi and Zhao Niaoqiao departed the private room, they encountered Liang Jinmo hurrying toward them outside. He frowned upon seeing their faces. “What did my father say to you?”

He had only just learned of the meeting and had questioned his driver to locate the venue.

Xu Zhi appeared fragile and delicate, easily wounded by someone like Liang Zhengguo. He wondered whether she might break into tears. Yet she showed only the faintest trace of redness in her eyes.

Excitement still surged through her after the confrontation, her nerves taut. The moment she spotted Liang Jinmo, her heart overflowed with emotion. She could not restrain herself; she quickened her steps and threw herself into his arms, clinging tightly to him.