After the tycoon went bankrupt, he was raised by the villainous female supporting character and beca

Xie Zhaoyuan got up and walked around the crib to Pei Lingxuan's side.

"Have you considered?"

"I've thought it through." Pei Lingxuan looked at her, her eyes calm and unwavering. "I've been acting with him for months, and I'm sick of it. Now that I've got what I wanted, I should back out now and kick him far away."

"Mm." Xie Zhaoyuan nodded. "Xiaoxuan, you've worked hard these past few days. After tonight, you'll be completely free."

“Hoo…” Pei Lingxuan let out a deep breath. Thinking of the forbearance she had endured during this period, she couldn’t help but clench her fist and sneer.

"I've already written my resignation letter. Once I've finished making all the necessary changes, I'll submit it and then go home and sleep for three days and three nights straight!"

"Hmph," Xie Zhaoyuan smiled faintly, "Don't you have to submit your resignation application a month in advance? You submit it tonight and go on strike tomorrow. Aren't you afraid the company will dock your salary?"

"Tch," Pei Lingxuan rolled her eyes, her face full of disdain, "So what if they deduct it? The money Zhou Limin spent on me during this period is enough to cover half a year's salary for me. I'm not losing out either way."

Xie Zhaoyuan smiled and winked: "Well, as long as it's not a loss, that's fine."

Pei Lingxuan reached out and picked up the bag that was placed to the side, and then teased the little kid in the crib one last time.

Goodbye, sister-in-law.

After saying that, she turned and left.

"Xiao Xuan!" Xie Zhaoyuan suddenly called out to her.

She turned around blankly: "What's wrong?"

Xie Zhaoyuan slowly stepped forward, opened his arms and gently embraced her: "Xiaoxuan, thank you."

"...Thank me for what?" Pei Lingxuan didn't know where this "thank you" came from, but she still subconsciously raised her hand and hugged Xie Zhaoyuan back.

Xie Zhaoyuan patted her shoulder and said softly, "Thank you for being willing to help me take care of Xiangxiang, thank you for believing in me, thank you for making such a sacrifice for your brother."

“It’s only right.” Pei Lingxuan smiled. “You are all my family, and it’s only right to make some sacrifices for family. Just like you, my brother, and Mom, you have all made many sacrifices for me.”

"Okay." Xie Zhaoyuan let go of her and tidied her slightly messy hair. "Go, Xiaoxuan, and settle things with him completely."

Pei Lingxuan: "Okay."

Zhou Limin's car was already waiting at the villa entrance. As soon as Pei Lingxuan came out of the villa, Zhou Limin's assistant immediately got out of the car and respectfully opened the back door for her.

"Thank you." She smiled slightly at her assistant and bent down to get into the car.

"Oh!"

The car door closed, and the Maybach quickly left the Xie family's residence, heading towards the city center of Yuncheng.

The restaurant Zhou Limin had booked was located in the most bustling commercial center of Yuncheng. When Pei Lingxuan arrived, Zhou Limin had already ordered the food.

"Xiao Xuan." As soon as Pei Lingxuan entered the restaurant, Zhou Limin couldn't wait to get up from his chair and personally walk to the door to greet her.

"President Zhou," she greeted him politely yet distantly.

Zhou Limin naturally took her hand and said with a hint of reproach, "Still calling me President Zhou?"

Pei Lingxuan gave a perfunctory smile and didn't say anything.

Zhou Limin led her to the dining table, gentlemanly pulled out a chair for her, and said softly, "Xiaoxuan, sit down."

Pei Lingxuan put her bag on the table and obediently sat down.

Zhou Limin patted her head affectionately, then sat down opposite her.

Winter had arrived in Yuncheng. Although it hadn't snowed yet, the air was truly freezing. To keep warm, Pei Lingxuan wore a thick, off-white coat, with a snow-white wool turtleneck underneath.

Her skin was very fair, and this outfit made it appear even more like snow. Her long, seaweed-like hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and after sitting down, she subconsciously tidied it up, revealing the sapphire necklace around her neck.

Zhou Limin sat upright in the chair, looking at her with a dreamy gaze. After a moment, he said ambiguously, "Xiao Xuan, you look really beautiful today."

"Hmph," Pei Lingxuan chuckled enigmatically, "Am I only beautiful today?"

“Of course not!” Zhou Limin gazed at her face, his eyes filled with undisguised affection. “Xiao Xuan is beautiful all the time. But for me, she looks best today, and also…”

"What else?" Pei Lingxuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.

Zhou Limin curled his lips into a smile, his eyes drifting away as if he were reminiscing about something.

Pei Lingxuan didn't urge him, but just sat quietly, waiting for him to slowly recall.

"...And the day I first saw you." After a long while, he finally spoke slowly.

Pei Lingxuan's eyebrows twitched slightly: "The day you first met me? I've forgotten what I looked like that day."

"It's alright." Zhou Limin shrugged. "Just remember it."

"..." Pei Lingxuan stiffly tugged at the corners of her mouth, and did not respond to Zhou Limin's words.

Zhou Limin planned to confess his feelings to her, so every word he uttered was highly suggestive. She disliked such hints and, after playing along for a while, didn't want to continue.

But he hadn't noticed that Pei Lingxuan was in a bad mood tonight, and a confident and smug smile was still on his face.

"I've ordered a few simple dishes. See if there's anything else you'd like to add," he said cheerfully, handing the menu to Pei Lingxuan.

Pei Lingxuan took the menu, flipped through a few pages at random, and then directly added the two most expensive signature dishes.

Zhou Limin glanced at the dishes she had ordered and said with some surprise, "Both of these dishes are sweet and sour. Don't you dislike sour food?"

Pei Lingxuan raised her chin proudly: "We have to try it, what if I like it after trying it?"

“...That’s true.” Zhou Limin nodded, then handed the menu to the waiter. “That’s all.”

"Okay." The waiter took the menu and walked away. A short while later, the first dish was served.

Pei Lingxuan hadn't eaten lunch, and her stomach was growling loudly. As soon as the dishes were served, she picked up her bowl and started eating immediately, completely ignoring Zhou Limin's hesitant words.

Zhou Limin seemed to have something to say, but because Pei Lingxuan was so focused on eating, he couldn't find an opportunity to speak several times.

"Xiao Xuan, are you hungry?" He picked up a piece of fish for Pei Lingxuan and asked jokingly.

Pei Lingxuan was eating with her head down, holding her bowl. Upon hearing this, she said quickly, "I'm hungry. I haven't had lunch yet."

"Ah..." Zhou Limin's unease subsided a bit, and he simply gave up on speaking. "You must be starving after not eating for so long."

"Mmm," Pei Lingxuan replied casually.

He smiled helplessly and could only eat quietly.

Only after Pei Lingxuan had finished eating did he finally find a chance to speak.

"Xiao Xuan." He took a black jewelry box out of his coat and placed it in front of Pei Lingxuan.

"Should we consider changing our relationship?"