The boss has no descendants, but he encounters four smaller versions of himself

Meanwhile, in a secluded, dark room separated from the bedroom by only one wall.

Qiao Sinian's tall figure stood stiffly in the complete darkness, as if he had become one with the shadows.

The walls, though not perfectly soundproof, carried in every single detail of Wen Xiaoman's tearful accusations from outside.

He could even picture her right now, her eyes red and swollen, like a lost little animal, stubbornly searching every corner where he might be hiding.

She just wouldn't find the secret room where she was hiding.

The trusted aide beside him even breathed very softly, afraid of disturbing his master.

He originally thought that Miss Wen would leave after a while if she couldn't find anyone.

But instead of leaving, she cried even harder.

After the accusations were finished, Wen Xiaoman's tearful confession was heard.

“Si Nian… I have never forgotten you… not even for a single day…”

"I don't know why you left without saying goodbye, you suddenly disappeared... I know you're not that kind of person... I believe you must have had your reasons, right?"

Her voice was thick with nasal tone, full of grievance and confusion, yet she still stubbornly retained a sliver of trust in him.

Why won't you see me...? Why won't you even say goodbye...?

"I know everything. The wedding dress you specially commissioned for me, the dessert shop you opened for me—I know it all. I can't believe you don't care about me at all anymore..."

"Si Nian, please stop avoiding me, okay...?"

It would be a lie to say I wasn't sad; anyone would be moved to hear such words.

But Qiao Sinian managed to suppress that impulse.

In the darkness, he clenched his fists tightly at his sides, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.

The trusted aide beside him took in his master's reaction and could only sigh inwardly.

Miss Wen guessed correctly; her master truly had his reasons.

......

In the bedroom, Wen Xiaoman sniffed, trying hard to suppress the surging tears, but she still couldn't hold them back.

She waited for a while, but the only sounds in the room were her own breathing and the faint sound of the wind outside the window.

He still refused to come out.

My heart felt like it was being immersed in ice water, slowly sinking.

She continued speaking into the empty room, her voice tinged with a humble plea: "Si Nian, whatever your reason, you can tell me, I..." She choked up, "I can accept anything, really."

"Even if you tell me that you've changed your mind and don't love me anymore, or that you think my status is unworthy of you, the eldest son of the Qiao family... as long as you tell me yourself and give me an explanation, I promise I will never bother you again..."

She placed herself in the lowest position, almost abandoning her dignity, just seeking a clear and transparent ending.

However, when she finished speaking, all she received in response was deathly silence.

Wen Xiaoman was so anxious that large tears rolled down her cheeks.

She had already humbled herself so much, why was he still so heartless? He wouldn't even give her an explanation or a goodbye?

"Si Nian, I really, I promise you..."

She cried so hard she could barely breathe, her voice broken and frantic, "Just come out...see me...just once...please..."

"I promise I'll never bother you again... I'll go far away..."

She lowered her head, her shoulders trembling violently, and desperate sobs echoed in the room.

I just want to see you and hear you explain things to me in person. Is that so hard?

All I want is a proper goodbye, a reason that will allow me to finally let go...

Why...why won't you even grant me such a small request...?

She cried uncontrollably, as if she wanted to vent all the grievances and heartbreak she had felt over the past few days.

And behind that cold wall.

Qiao Sinian's eyes also reddened.

He used all his self-control to barely suppress the urge to rush out and hold her tightly in his arms.

His heart broke as he listened to her humble pleas and her desperate cries.

How could he not want to see her?

How he longed to hold her in his arms and tell her everything!

He also wanted to give her a clear and straightforward explanation.

But...he can't.

Some truths are far more cruel than "they don't love me anymore".

He would rather she hate him, resent him, and think of him as a heartless and cowardly man than let her face the same despair of impending death as he did.

In the bedroom, Wen Xiaoman's intermittent narration lasted for nearly half an hour.

Not only Qiao Sinian heard it, but Su Yutang and her confidants who rushed over from outside also heard it.

Su Yutang frowned, feeling both heartache and anger.

If Qiao Sinian still had feelings for Wen Xiaoman, how could he bear to avoid seeing her after hearing these words?

Even if it's a breakup, they should come out and make things clear, giving her a clean break, instead of leaving her crying in an empty room like this.

She couldn't help but glance at her trusted confidante beside her, and asked in a low voice, "Your master is actually inside, isn't he?"

Caught off guard by her question, the confidant's eyes flickered involuntarily, and his lips moved as if he wanted to deny it.

That expression says it all.

Su Yutang sneered: "Since she's inside, why won't you come out to see her? Hearing his beloved woman crying like this outside, Qiao Sinian really knows how to keep his composure. Is this the responsibility of men in the Qiao family?"

Her confidant turned pale with fright at her words. He lowered his head and explained in a dry voice, "Miss Su, please understand... Master... he has his own unavoidable difficulties."

Su Yutang wondered, "What kind of hardship could make him hide like a coward, without even the courage to explain it to me face to face? Is he terminally ill and about to die, or did he do something heinous that wronged Xiaoman?"

The confidant was suddenly taken aback. Miss Su's mouth... was truly venomous.

However, he certainly couldn't admit it, so he said, "Please don't ask... In short, the master doesn't want to see Miss Wen right now. Please... take her away, don't let her... torture herself like this anymore."

His tone also carried a hint of pleading.

Seeing Miss Wen in such pain, while his master was enduring the same, or even deeper, torment in the dark room, he, as an observer, felt his heart breaking.

Su Yutang was talking with her confidante when suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open with a "click".

Wen Xiaoman walked out with her head down.

She had been crying for so long that her eyes were red and swollen.

She didn't even glance at her confidant again, and walked straight to Su Yutang's side, her voice hoarse yet calm: "Tangtang, let's go."