Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Floodgates of Tears Burst Open

In the twenty-fourth floor of Tianming Group's president's office in Beiyang City, Huaxia, Ye Hai Ruo sat quietly, leaning into her broad executive chair. In her hands was a tablet, its screen displaying the financial inflow and outflow of Tianming Group for the quarter.

Her graceful S-shaped figure exuded the fresh vitality of youth, yet beneath her youthful charm, an air of noble elegance could not be concealed. At this moment, Ye Hai Ruo was serene, as tranquil and pleasing as a woodland lake.

On the sofa opposite her sat an old man. His silver hair was strikingly conspicuous, and the years had etched deep traces of hardship across his face. Despite his weathered appearance, a remnant of heroic spirit lingered, and his sharp, piercing eyes still flashed with an intimidating brilliance, not easily underestimated.

Observing Ye Hai Ruo’s meticulous demeanor, the old man sighed softly, his aged voice filled with affectionate concern. “Miss, tomorrow is the weekend. You should rest for a while! The company is running smoothly now; don’t exhaust yourself.”

“I’m not tired, Huang. Besides, this is his company. I must manage it well!” Ye Hai Ruo set down the tablet and looked at Huang, her tone grateful.

Ye Hai Ruo held profound respect and gratitude for this elder. Huang had once been the chief bodyguard of the Xue family, renowned for his formidable strength. But after Ye Hai Ruo left the Xue family and, using the money won back by Xue Tian Ai, established Tianming Group in Beiyang City, Huang, under the orders of Xue Ren Hai, left the family and followed her here.

Since then, Huang had guarded Ye Hai Ruo without fail, removing countless dangers from her path and serving with unwavering dedication.

“If the young master returned and saw how hard you work every day, he would feel so sorry for you!” Huang sighed again.

In his youth, Huang had been a dashing man, and once had a beloved confidante. But she died in childbirth, taking their unborn child with her. Since then, the devoted Huang never married, and he regarded Ye Hai Ruo, whom he had watched grow up, as his own daughter.

“I don’t mind. I can’t let Tian Ai down,” Ye Hai Ruo shook her head, determination blazing in her eyes.

Seeing her resolve, Huang could only smile bitterly in his heart. “Ah, silly girl. The young master gave you this company not to make you work so hard. He simply wanted you to have a safe haven, away from the strife of the powerful families.”

But these words, Huang knew better than to say aloud. Pausing, he gently continued, “By the way, Miss, I heard the young master might be coming back?”

“Yes, that’s what Father Xue said. Tian Ai is coming home!” Ye Hai Ruo’s clear gaze brimmed with expectation.

“That’s wonderful!” Huang was excited, but then recalled something, and the smile faded from his lips. Though hesitant, he said, “Miss, the young master’s return this time is probably… for his wedding, isn’t it?”

Huang was no fool; he could see that Ye Hai Ruo’s feelings for Xue Tian Ai went far beyond mere sibling affection. Though Tian Ai was indeed returning, still…

“Yes, Tian Ai is coming back to marry Qin Meng Xue.” Ye Hai Ruo’s smile remained gentle, her expression unchanged.

“But, Miss, you—”

“As long as Tian Ai returns, that’s enough for me! That’s my greatest happiness!” Sensing what Huang wanted to say, Ye Hai Ruo interrupted, her face showing a contented glow.

Knock, knock, knock, knock!

Just then, the door to Ye Hai Ruo’s office was suddenly rapped upon.

“Come in!” Her expression shifted instantly to her usual cold, stern demeanor.

As soon as she finished speaking, a slender figure appeared at the door—her secretary, Luan Yu An.

Luan Yu An was young, with a delicate, oval face barely the size of a palm. Though only one meter fifty-eight in height, her academic credentials were impressive.

“President Ye, the front desk just called. Someone downstairs wishes to see you,” Luan Yu An said, getting straight to the point. She knew Ye Hai Ruo disliked unnecessary chatter.

“Who wants to see me? I should have no appointments today.” Ye Hai Ruo’s brows furrowed immediately.

As a renowned beauty, rivaling Qin Meng Xue, Ye Hai Ruo was frequently pursued. Many “excessively confident” young men came seeking her, much to her annoyance.

“A man named Lü Bu Yu. He told the receptionist he’s brought the city’s most beautiful roses.”

“Lü Bu Yu? Him again?” Ye Hai Ruo’s brows knitted tighter. Her opinion of Lü Bu Yu was deeply negative.

“Miss, shall I go down and send him away?” Huang offered, his face openly displaying his dislike.

Lü Bu Yu, son of Lü Yang Wei, leader of the Ling Tian Alliance—one of Beiyang City’s three major underground factions—styled himself as Young Master Lü. Lü Yang Wei, known as Boss Lü, commanded fear and respect. Lü Bu Yu often abused his father’s influence, oppressing others and committing various misdeeds.

Since last month’s charity gala, where he was captivated by Ye Hai Ruo’s beauty, Lü Bu Yu had frequently come to Tianming Group to harass her with his affections, like an annoying adhesive that wouldn’t come off.

“Yu An, tell the front desk I’m unavailable. Have him leave,” Ye Hai Ruo said coolly, then turned to Huang. “Huang, you needn’t intervene this time; let the reception handle it.”

“Yes, Miss,” Huang replied respectfully.

“By the way, Yu An, you said one was Lü Bu Yu. Was there another?” Ye Hai Ruo arched her beautiful brows.

“Yes, President Ye. Another man said his surname is Xue,” Luan Yu An nodded, answering truthfully.

“Xue?!” Ye Hai Ruo exclaimed. Could someone from the Xue family be here? But nobody from the family had called her.

“That gentleman also left a message: ‘Today’s pancake has egg, and scallion.’” Outwardly calm, but inwardly puzzled, Luan Yu An wondered what it meant.

Clatter!

Ye Hai Ruo’s tablet suddenly slipped from her hands and struck the desk.

Hearing the message, Ye Hai Ruo was stunned, her delicate body trembling. The color drained from her cheeks, and her usually clear, icy eyes lost all their coolness.

A tidal wave of emotions surged within her. After a moment’s daze, she sprang to her feet and stumbled toward the door, utterly beside herself.

“President Ye?” Luan Yu An was bewildered—her usually composed boss was suddenly so unsettled.

Ye Hai Ruo seemed not to hear, rushing out the door toward the elevators.

“President Ye…”

“Secretary Luan, President Ye is fine. She’s just overwhelmed,” Huang said, watching Ye Hai Ruo’s stumbling silhouette with a smile of relief.

He’s returned—and so has her heart.

...

Downstairs, Lü Bu Yu was admiring himself in the mirror, asking the burly men behind him, “How do I look today? Handsome?”

“Handsome! Extremely handsome! Young Master Lü’s handsomeness—” one of the men replied quickly, though he struggled to find words to continue his flattery.

“What do you think are my chances of winning Hai Ruo’s heart?” Lü Bu Yu ran his hand through his slicked-back hair, exposing his shiny forehead.

“With your charms, Young Master Lü, it’ll be effortless!” The other man chimed in eagerly.

For them, flattering Lü Bu Yu meant extra pay. Every chance was seized.

“Hahaha, then who’s more handsome—me or that pauper?” Lü Bu Yu pointed to Xue Tian Ai, who sat across the bench.

“That pauper isn’t worthy to compare with Young Master Lü! Just a clown,” scoffed one of the men.

“Hey, kid! Did you hear that? If you know what’s good for you, get lost! Hai Ruo isn’t someone a pauper like you can pursue!” Lü Bu Yu shouted at Xue Tian Ai.

Xue Tian Ai merely frowned, casting a contemptuous glance at Lü Bu Yu without replying. In the past, anyone daring to provoke him like this would have been flattened by now.

But today, Xue Tian Ai had no intention of causing trouble. He didn’t want a bloody scene to mar this reunion, so he chose to ignore them.

“Tch, boring! Such a cowardly loser!” Lü Bu Yu kept taunting, but Xue Tian Ai remained unmoved.

“Young Master Lü! Miss Ye has appeared! Miss Ye has appeared!” A sharp-eyed man pointed at the elevator, where Ye Hai Ruo had just emerged.

“What? Hai Ruo’s here?” Lü Bu Yu jumped up excitedly, looking toward the elevator.

“Congratulations, Young Master Lü! After so many attempts, you’ve finally moved Miss Ye! You’re about to win the beauty’s heart!”

“I told you, your charm is boundless, Young Master Lü! Even Miss Ye can’t resist you!”

The two men scrambled to offer their congratulations.

Lü Bu Yu’s face was full of smug satisfaction. Previously, he’d never even glimpsed Ye Hai Ruo, but now she’d come down herself—surely victory was at hand!

Xue Tian Ai also stood up, his gaze toward Ye Hai Ruo filled with tenderness and longing.

Ye Hai Ruo stared at Xue Tian Ai, unmoving, simply standing there. She feared the man before her was an illusion, afraid that a single misstep would shatter the scene.

She stood quietly, gazing at Xue Tian Ai’s face, at the gentle smile that had appeared countless times in her dreams. But never had it been so vivid as now.

“Hai Ruo, I knew you’d fall in love with me!” Lü Bu Yu, holding his bouquet, walked toward Ye Hai Ruo, convinced she was so moved by him that she was at a loss.

He decided to press his advantage, determined to capture her heart.

Tears had already begun to fall. Ye Hai Ruo had wept once before, ten years ago, when she learned Xue Tian Ai had suddenly left home and might not return. She had cried alone in her bedroom all night.

This was the second time in ten years that her tears flowed.

Xue Tian Ai, seeing her expression, gently beckoned, pointing to the bag in his hand, smiling softly.

She could no longer hold back. Her tears poured forth, and within her heart, a storm raged. Ten years of painful longing, ten years of sorrow and disappointment, ten years of repressed yearning—all poured from her tear ducts.

Her steps began to move.

Lü Bu Yu saw Ye Hai Ruo, tears streaming, walking toward him. His sense of achievement soared—he was the one who could move this icy beauty to tears!

“Hai Ruo, these are for you! I hope you’ll like them!” As she drew nearer, Lü Bu Yu raised his roses.

But Ye Hai Ruo walked past him, as if he didn’t exist. In her eyes, only the man she’d yearned for day and night remained.

Lü Bu Yu, ignored, froze awkwardly, turning hurriedly to look.

Ye Hai Ruo’s pace quickened from a walk to a jog, then to a sprint. She spread her arms and nearly flew into Xue Tian Ai’s embrace.

He’s back! He’s back! This is not a dream! Tian Ai has really returned!

The moment she collapsed into Xue Tian Ai’s arms, Ye Hai Ruo was enveloped in the familiar scent. She forgot everything—this was her whole world, her everything.

Memories of love, chapters of past affection, surged forward, filling her mind and soul. She was no longer empty.

At this moment, the girl named Ye Hai Ruo seemed to have found the long-lost piece of her life’s puzzle, and at last, she was complete.