Chapter 101: Delusions of Affection

“Mr. Liang, you can consider it. Whether you sign or not is entirely up to you.”

How could he possibly refuse such an opportunity!

Without hesitation, Liang Wenru turned to the last page and signed his name. At the moment he put pen to paper, the man across from him allowed a subtle, meaningful smile to flicker across his face.

But Liang Wenru was already lost in the joy of signing with a major corporation, utterly oblivious to the man's expression.

“All done! I’ve signed it!” he announced.

Hearing this, the man gathered up the contract.

“Then let’s hope our cooperation proceeds smoothly over the next period.”

As Liang Wenru walked out of the company’s towering building, he felt almost lightheaded, unable to believe his luck—that such fortune could actually befall him.

“This time, I’ve finally outdone you!” he sneered, opening his phone to send Pei Susu a message.

With a triumphant stride, he departed.

On the other side, Pei Susu received the message and felt perplexed. She glanced at the location Liang Wenru had sent her, frowning.

His meaning... Could he want to meet here?

Pei Susu had little interest in seeing him, but since Liang Wenru had sent an invitation, something unexpected must have happened.

At the auction that day, his reaction to seeing her with Fu Zhichen had been like a bolt from the blue. Pei Susu had thought he’d leave her alone for some time.

She forwarded the location to Fu Zhichen, yet decided to go herself, curious about what had transpired.

Liang Wenru arrived early at the café, waiting confidently for Pei Susu—he was certain she would come, and indeed, she did.

“You’d better have something real to say,” Pei Susu said, her impatience obvious. Liang Wenru, however, thought she was only pretending.

“Don’t think Madam Chen’s statement means you and Fu Zhichen are safe. This time, everyone’s turning against you; the Fu Group will never recover.”

His smugness was on full display.

Pei Susu frowned, crossing her arms, her disdain and rejection unmistakable.

“Susu, you still have one last chance. If you’ll be with me, I’ll forget everything that’s happened before. We can go back to being a loving couple.”

Liang Wenru took a stack of documents from his bag and placed them before Pei Susu.

“See this? M Group values me highly—they signed a contract with me. Soon, Xingye and I will make a fortune with M Group.”

Pei Susu arched her brow.

No wonder he seemed so different today; he now had M Group backing him—

But she doubted M Group’s kindness. They must be scrambling to deal with their own problems after Madam Chen’s sudden betrayal, with countless urgent matters to resolve.

“Congratulations to you and Xingye, then. If you have nothing else to discuss, I’ll be leaving.”

Pei Susu stood up. Liang Wenru flushed with anger and embarrassment.

“Don’t imagine you’ll have a good life with Fu Zhichen! Your only option now is me. Maybe you can still be the wife of a wealthy man.”

“Fu Zhichen and the Fu Group are finished! Do you understand?”

Pei Susu remained unmoved.

“Everything you say is just nonsense. Not only will the Fu Group survive, but even if it falls and Fu Zhichen loses everything, I would still choose to stay by his side.”

Hearing this, Liang Wenru’s mask finally shattered. He lunged forward, frantically trying to grab Pei Susu’s hand.

“I am the one who loves you most in this world, Susu! Please reconsider. We can soon have a good life together. What can Fu Zhichen offer you?”

Pei Susu scoffed and withdrew her hand.

“I’ve found that people are never satisfied by what they have.”

She gazed steadily at Liang Wenru.

“When we were together, did you ever truly value or care for me?”

“Now you think you’ve gained everything, and you forget your infidelities, your indulgence, your idleness in our marriage.”

With each word, Liang Wenru’s face darkened further.

“Remember, it was you who abandoned this marriage, who gave up on our relationship—not me.”

Pei Susu glanced at her watch; the press conference was soon to begin. Fu Zhichen was no doubt busy, and she had no desire to waste any more time with Liang Wenru.

There was no longer any possibility between them. Liang Wenru’s sudden affection was only because he’d looked around and decided she was the best option left.

This, Pei Susu understood long ago, and she would never be caught in the same whirlpool twice.

“I’m leaving now.”

On the café’s small television, a soap opera suddenly switched channels. A familiar voice sounded.

Pei Susu raised her brow and looked over.

Sure enough, it was Fu Zhichen.

The café was broadcasting the press conference?

She’d expected it would take more time to gather evidence against M Group’s schemes, but things had proceeded unexpectedly smoothly. Fu Zhichen had begun preparing the conference shortly after returning to the company.

The efficiency of the Fu Group was beyond question. Liang Wenru followed Pei Susu’s gaze, and as he saw Fu Zhichen on the screen, a vague sense of foreboding welled up inside him.

Pei Susu had intended to return to watch the conference, but seeing it here, she sat back down.

She could watch from anywhere—and now, she might as well let Liang Wenru witness how they reclaimed their place at the top.

“Even if you hold a press conference, so what? You can’t wash away what you’ve done!”

A trace of mockery flickered in Pei Susu’s eyes.

“Sometimes you can fool others, but don’t fool yourself. You know exactly what happened at the scene, don’t you?”

The storm of the afternoon had nearly made Liang Wenru forget those events.

His face was unpleasant, but he still couldn’t believe they could find evidence in such a short time that would favor them.

He snorted coldly.

“Fine, let’s see who wins in the end—you, or us.”

…

At the press conference, Fu Zhichen projected the collected medical records onto the big screen.

As the audience absorbed the evidence, a wave of astonishment swept through the hall.

“We have already verified with the hospital; the reporter in question did not suffer any injuries during the alleged scuffle.”