The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Shang Yibo already knew about these things when he met Zhang Qian before, so he wasn't surprised that Jian Zheng brought them up again. He looked sharply at Jian Zheng and questioned, "Stop dodging the issue and tell me directly, what exactly are you trying to do with the Yuehai project? Why are you targeting Rushang Group and even reporting my father?"

Jian Zheng met Shang Yibo's gaze calmly and said, "I said from the beginning that I was determined to win the Yuehai project. I originally wanted to resolve this issue through normal business competition, but Chairman Chu insisted on a head-on confrontation. As for Rushang Group, does it even need me to target it now? It's already teetering on the brink of collapse, on its last legs. Even without me, Jian Zheng, there would be Wang Zheng, Li Zheng, or other people to clean up its mess."

"As for reporting Chairman Chu, that was merely a means for me to achieve my goals. If he really didn't do those things, then no matter who reports him, it will be useless." Jian Zheng paused for a moment, then continued, "I've always overlooked one point: we should be allies, not adversaries."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo's lips curled into a cold smile: "To be your ally? You certainly dare to dream."

Jian Zheng ignored Shang Yibo's sarcasm. He grinned, took a sip of tea, and said, "Shang Yibo, your Rushang Group's cash flow has dried up, and it probably won't last much longer. Why don't you consider accepting my investment? That might save Rushang. You, a young master in the entertainment industry, might not know these things. You can ask Zhou Yanruo. She's the chairman's assistant at Rushang Group and must be very clear about Rushang's internal operations."

As they spoke, Jian Zheng and Shang Yibo simultaneously turned their gazes to Zhou Yanruo. Only then did they realize that Zhou Yanruo was already in tears, clearly moved by their conversation.

Shang Yibo walked up behind Zhou Yanruo, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and comforted her tenderly, "Yanruo, don't be sad." Zhou Yanruo snapped out of her thoughts, quickly wiped away the tears on her face, and choked out, "So that's how it is, Yibo. I even blamed them. I've actually been blaming them all along."

Shang Yibo patted her back gently and said softly, "Okay, okay, it's all in the past, don't think about it anymore."

“My parents’ lifelong reputation was ruined by these scoundrels. In the end, they lost their lives and were disgraced. My grandmother gave everything she had to repay a debt of gratitude, but what debt of gratitude was there? It was clearly what they owed my parents.”

As Zhou Yanruo spoke, tears involuntarily streamed down her face. Shang Yibo reached out and gently brushed her cheek, wiping away her tears.

Seeing this, Jian Zheng sighed softly and said with some emotion, "I thought I had gone back to the past, but unfortunately..." As he spoke, he got up and walked out, saying as he went, "Please consider my suggestion. I'll wait for your call."

Zhou Yanruo suddenly stood up, her voice filled with anger and confusion: "Why did you do this?"

Jian Zheng stopped, his back to Zhou Yanruo and Shang Yibo, his tone filled with helplessness and determination: "I am powerless and have no influence. I can only seek justice for my mother by becoming stronger."

Zhou Yanruo retorted, "But the justice you sought was built on the injustice done to others."

Jian Zheng turned to the side, a bitter smile on his face: "So what? Heh, they're not my family."

Zhou Yanruo became even angrier: "Why Rushang Group? Just because Yibo was your friend, so you betray him?"

Jian Zheng shook his head, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "Don't think of me as so bad. Yuan Shuling's investments in recent years have mainly focused on technology and healthcare. In order to withdraw from Xichuan Qing Teng Group, he transferred his main assets to Yuehai, with the ultimate goal of immigrating abroad. As for me, what I want are Yuehai's projects, especially in the healthcare and technology sectors. I must enter this field to compete with Yuan Shuling. Coincidentally, Rushang Group's healthcare pilot zone and Zhang Qian's Yuehai Technology are perfect fits, so I must acquire these two projects. Even if these two projects are in someone else's hands, I will still do it."

After Jian Zheng finished speaking, he left without looking back.

As Shang Yibo watched his departing figure, he whispered to Zhou Yanruo, "Is he still the Jian Zheng we used to know?"

Zhou Yanruo sighed softly and replied slowly, "Yes, we are no longer the innocent and naive people we once were." Shang Yibo's biggest fear was triggering memories of the past in Zhou Yanruo; those once beautiful memories had now become deep, unhealable wounds in her heart. He had finally seen a long-lost smile on her face these past few days, and he was truly afraid that it would be swallowed up by a sudden wave of sadness.

“Yibo, there’s something else I haven’t told you yet.” Zhou Yanruo’s voice broke the silence, her eyes filled with hesitation and unease. “I suspect this matter is also related to Jian Zheng. I should have asked him about it earlier.”

Shang Yibo frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. "What is it? Tell me first."

Zhou Yanruo took out her phone from her pocket, unlocked it skillfully, logged into Weibo, opened the private message interface, and then handed it to Shang Yibo. Shang Yibo took the phone and carefully browsed the glaring private message content, each one filled with malice and harshness.

"Who is this person? Why would they say such harsh things to you?" Shang Yibo clenched his fists angrily after reading the message.

Zhou Yanruo shook her head, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. "I don't know who he is, but he must know me very well, otherwise he wouldn't have said those things."

Shang Yibo looked at Zhou Yanruo with heartache, understanding how much these private messages had hurt her. He gently held her hand and whispered, "The first private message was from six months ago. You must have been having a very hard time these past few days. Yanruo, no matter what happens in the future, you must tell me. Don't suffer alone, okay?"

Zhou Yanruo nodded, her eyes slightly reddening. "Yes, I'll tell you everything that happens in the future. I don't want to be sad and upset by myself anymore. With you by my side, I feel much more at ease."

Shang Yibo held Zhou Yanruo's hand tightly, as if he wanted to transfer all his strength to her. "That's right. Trust me, I won't let you face all this alone again."

Zhou Yanruo leaned gently on Shang Yibo's shoulder, and Shang Yibo stroked her hair, gently comforting her, "Yanruo, everything will pass. With me by your side, everything will be alright. We will get better and better, believe me."

"Ah."

The two of them nestled together quietly, and the whole world fell silent.