Offside game

Sure enough, Zhang Cheng then heard Mo Yuqing say something that surprised him in a calm tone: "Jin'er's godfather, Su Yi, is the chairman of Dream International."

Although he had a premonition, Zhang Cheng was still somewhat surprised to hear Mo Yuqing actually give this answer. Because his company had recently had a dispute with this company, and as the vice president and one of the shareholders of Shenzhou Software, he was quite familiar with it. What kind of company is Dream International? It's a comprehensive internet giant with subsidiaries including Lechang Network, Dream Games (the game company behind masterpieces like *Mechanical Civilization* and *Evolution Online*), and Sicheng Software (the software company that released the industry-renowned Kuafu operation software). It has also recently acquired several smaller software companies, making it a rising star in the software industry. Furthermore, it has partnered with Inspur, a domestic server manufacturing giant, to establish a new server manufacturing and R&D center. The group's overall valuation is said to be over $200 billion, making it one of the few heavyweight IT companies in China.

The chairman of such a conglomerate is that seemingly student-like young man? A freshman in college? This fact is indeed surprising.

But that must be the truth. Zhang Cheng knew Mo Yuqing's personality; she was definitely not the kind of woman who would joke with him like this at a time like this. Zhang Cheng suddenly realized he was starting to admire this young man. How had he achieved so much at such a young age?

"Is there no other solution to this?" Mo Yuqing asked tentatively.

Hearing Mo Yuqing's question, Zhang Cheng couldn't quite describe his feelings. He gazed at the beautiful woman from years ago and said, "I don't have much to do. Lechang Network firmly rejected our compensation demands at the time. Besides, Xiaoqing, I'm just a vice president of the company, holding only 10% of the shares. This kind of thing isn't within my jurisdiction. This lawsuit was orchestrated by the chairman..."

At this point, Mo Yuqing realized she had been overly concerned. Seeing the slight disappointment on her face, Zhang Cheng said, "However, to be honest, even we aren't entirely confident of winning this case. Lechang Network is very clever and has created quite a bit of trouble for us. Given the current stalemate, the most likely outcome is a private negotiation to resolve the matter. However, this requires both sides to be willing to back down gracefully. After all, every move we make is under media scrutiny, and neither side is likely to proactively request a settlement anytime soon."

Since that was the case, Mo Yuqing had no better solution. And so, another silence fell between the two of them.

"Xiao Qing." In the end, Zhang Cheng spoke first, looking at the exquisite and beautiful face before him, he softly called her name. In that instant, he thought of many things: happiness, regret, and... anticipation.

"What?" Mo Yuqing's thoughts were interrupted by Zhang Cheng's voice. She looked up and met his somewhat intense gaze. What came to mind subconsciously was another, even more profound gaze, one that had once been so intense. A sense of panic welled up in her heart.

Zhang Cheng said with a firm tone, "Have you thought about this? I mean, we're not young anymore, and you know what kind of person I am. I know I have some shortcomings, but I believe that for you, I will try to change and improve myself. Most importantly, my feelings for you haven't changed over the years. If you're willing to give me a chance, I will try my best. As for Jin'er, I will love her like my own child. I think if we could be together and form a family, we would be more complete than we are now. What do you think?"

Although she had known Zhang Cheng's intentions for a while, Mo Yuqing was still a little unprepared for his sudden words. "Brother Cheng, I..." Mo Yuqing began, but met his expectant gaze and didn't know what to say. Rationally speaking, both of them had experienced family life and were more tolerant of each other. Moreover, their families knew each other well. She also knew Zhang Cheng; as he said, although he often showed some arrogance, he was a sincere man at heart. Although Jin'er didn't particularly like him, that was compared to Su Yi. He had always been very good to Jin'er. If it came down to starting a family, he was arguably the most suitable person. Most importantly, that other person was ultimately impossible for them...

But sometimes emotions can't be controlled by reason. The thought of perhaps being with another man, that young figure, always stirred up a pool of spring water in her heart, and her thoughts became a jumbled mess. And Jin'er's childlike earnest words seemed to be right next to her ears—"Mom, we and Dad won't be separated, right?" When she said this, a hint of unease could be seen in her innocent eyes, like a needle piercing the softest part of Mo Yuqing's heart.

These thoughts flashed through Mo Yuqing's mind in an instant. Then she heard Zhang Cheng's voice again: "Xiao Qing, I am very serious and I mustered up the courage to say these words. Please think about it seriously, okay?" But at this moment, his voice seemed to be through a layer of mist, distant and unreal, yet it made her heart so unsettled.

After a long while, Mo Yuqing lowered her gaze, staring at the end of her finger, and said slowly with some difficulty, "Brother Cheng, thank you for your kindness. I am really grateful to you, but now my heart can only hold Jin'er. I'm sorry."

As Mo Yuqing continued speaking, Zhang Cheng's heart gradually grew cold. His face showed undisguised disappointment, as if even with all his efforts, he could only strain his muscles. He murmured, "Why, Xiao Qing? I will be good to Jin'er. Don't you want Jin'er to have a complete family too?"

Don't you want Jin'er to have a complete family too? Mo Yuqing sighed inwardly. In Jin'er's little heart, there could only be room for Xiao Yi as her father, but herself... She looked at Zhang Cheng apologetically, unable to say these words, and only slowly shook her head, saying softly, "Jin'er and I both think this is good..."

Zhang Cheng's emotions were a jumbled mess, yet he seemed even calmer, caught in a state of undeniable complexity. "Is it because of Su Yi?" He looked at Mo Yuqing again, uttering words that even he found somewhat unbelievable: "You...like him?"

"No!" Mo Yuqing exclaimed instinctively, feeling the gazes around her drawn to her sudden outburst. She tried to control herself, repeating with increasing conviction, "No, it's not like that." The image of that young man inevitably surfaced in her mind again: his calm, sincere smile, his focused, passionate eyes, and that warm, broad embrace… She murmured absentmindedly, "I…we can't be together."

Zhang Cheng silently followed the complex expression on the woman's face, her emotions shifting between sorrow, happiness, loss, and contentment... so many nuances changing.

A sudden wave of powerlessness washed over him, and he felt the absurdity and helplessness of life...