Chapter 8 — Wedding's Off, Take the Dowry Back!

Rainwater dripped down his chin. The man who once had been so meticulously put-together, never a hair out of place, now looked as wretched as a stray dog. I stared at him in silence for a few seconds before speaking.

"President Fu, during our wedding, when I was standing out in the scorching sun for five hours while you were inside enjoying the air conditioning and sipping coffee, did you ever think this day would come?"

He froze.

"I gave you a chance back then—five hours. Every single minute, every single second was a chance." My voice held no anger, nor did it hold any pity. "You were the one who threw it away. In the business world, there is no medicine for regret. The Fu Corporation's downfall today is the result of your own choices."

"And what about you?" His eyes suddenly reddened, his voice rising. "You knew from the very beginning that I wanted to use the Ngu family's fortune, didn't you? You watched me perform, watched me make a fool of myself, watched me shoot myself in the foot—did you find it highly amusing?"

I offered a faint smile.

"President Fu, no one has the time to watch your little dramas. I agreed to this marriage alliance out of respect for the relationship between our families' previous generations, and because I thought the Fu Corporation still held some value. But since you insisted on seeking your own ruin, there was no reason for me to go down with you. My time is precious. I don't have the leisure to play games with you to teach me my place."

With that, I turned around and walked toward the parking lot. Ayu followed behind, holding the umbrella over me, never sparing him another glance. Behind us came the dull thud of a heavy body collapsing onto the ground. I didn't stop my pace, only instructing calmly, "Tell security to call an ambulance. Don't let him die in front of our company's entrance. It is bad luck."

Fu Zeyu spent the entire night in the rain, which brought on a high fever that developed into pneumonia, landing him in the hospital. His special assistant came to beg me once, saying that even in his delirium, he was calling out my name and wanting me to visit him. I didn't go. There was no need. I am not a soft-hearted person. From the moment I endured those five hours of scorching sun on our wedding day, I had no intention of looking back.

After Fu Zeyu was discharged, he remained quiet for a while. Some said he sold all the real estate and cars under his name to scrape together funds to save the Fu Corporation. Others said he had completely broken down, spending his days drinking at home. I had no interest in seeking out news of him.

The overseas project of Nghien Hop Group had entered a critical phase, and I was so busy my feet barely touched the ground. Five months later, the project concluded successfully. The market value of Nghien Hop Group doubled once again, completely solidifying my position as the top tycoon in the domestic financial world.

The celebration party was held at a private club by the river, attended by many prominent figures in the industry. I held a wine glass, mingling with the guests. Halfway through the party, the doors of the club swung open. Fu Zeyu walked in. He had lost a lot of weight, with stubble darkening his chin. He no longer possessed his former arrogance, appearing worn and haggard instead. He wore an old, faded suit and held a folder in his hand. Everyone's eyes instantly gravitated toward him, and hushed whispers broke out. He walked straight toward me, stopping right in front of me, before slowly bending down to place the folder on the table before me.

"Thanh Nghien, this is the agreement to transfer all shares of the Fu Corporation." His voice was incredibly low, laden with exhaustion. "I am selling the Fu Corporation to you. I will personally handle all the debts and employees; you only need to take over. You can set the price—whatever you want."

The entire room fell silent. No one had expected that the young master of the Fu family, who had once stood so high and mighty, would stoop to this level—offering up his family's company to someone else with such a submissive posture. I picked up the agreement, flipped through two pages, and set it back down.

"President Fu, the Fu Corporation is an absolute mess right now. Why would I take it over?" My voice was flat. "I have no interest in things that hold no value."

His face grew a shade paler, his lips trembling slightly. "I know the Fu Corporation isn't worth much now, but its assets and distribution channels are still functional. If you are willing to take it over, I can work for you for free, helping you manage it until everything is back on track. I don't want anything in return, I only..."

He paused, lifting his head to look at me, the very last shred of hope flickering in his eyes. "Just don't completely disappear from my world."

Gasps echoed through the room one after another. This was no longer just humility; it was practically begging. I looked at him, suddenly feeling a wave of dull indifference. The cold, arrogant man of the past—who had believed I was marrying above my station and had wanted to teach me my place—now stood before me, crushing his own dignity beneath his feet just to beg for a single glance. The contrast was sharp enough, but I had long ceased to care. I set down my wine glass, took a napkin, and slowly wiped my fingertips.

"Fu Zeyu." For the first time, I addressed him by his full name. "Do you honestly believe that by going to these lengths, I should be moved?"

He remained silent. I looked him dead in the eye. "On our wedding day, standing under the sun for five hours, I didn't cry or make a scene. I waited in silence until the very end. During those five hours, I came to realize one thing. There are many things in life that one can compromise on, but dignity is not one of them. When you trampled on my dignity back then, you should have realized that today, even if you trample on your own, you will gain nothing in return."

"I don't need your company, I don't need your apologies, and I don't need your pathetic attempts to please me." I stood up, looking down at him from my height. "To me, you are nothing but a stranger now. I hope you will not disturb me again in the future."

Having spoken my mind, I turned and walked toward the terrace, leaving the silent hall and Fu Zeyu standing frozen in place. The river breeze blew in, carrying the damp scent of water. I leaned against the railing, watching the distant lights of ten thousand homes flicker to life. Ayu walked over, handing me a glass of warm water.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I took the glass and offered a small smile. "I just find it all rather dull."

The harder it was to let go in the past, the calmer I felt now. Those five hours of humiliation were not meant to be traded for his eventual regret and servility; rather, they served to make me see clearly that there was no need to make myself suffer for unworthy people and matters. I had my career, my life, and everything I could ever want. A man or a marriage was never a necessity.

On the street below, Fu Zeyu stepped out. He stood beneath a lamppost, lifting his eyes to gaze up at the terrace for a very, very long time. Eventually, he bent down to pick up the transfer agreement I had left on the table inside, and slowly walked away. His retreating figure was lonely, resembling an abandoned dog.

In the end, the Fu Corporation still went bankrupt. Fu Zeyu sold off all his assets to clear his debts and left the city of Ho Thanh. No one knew where he went. Some felt pity for him, saying that if he hadn't caused that incident in the beginning, he might very well be the co-owner of Nghien Hop Group by now. Others said he got what he deserved—throwing away a perfectly good life just to bring about his own ruin.

When I heard these rumors, I was reviewing a report for a new project. My fingertips glided over the data, my emotions completely undisturbed. In this world, there are no "what ifs." He chose to establish his authority, chose to humiliate me, and chose his first love; thus, he had to bear the corresponding consequences. I chose dignity, chose my career, and chose to cut my losses in time, which is why I now stand at the very top. It was only fair.

Sunlight spilled through the window, resting on the back of my hand, warm and bright. I recalled the blistering sun on my wedding day—searing and burning, but it was precisely what woke me up. People should neither overestimate themselves nor underestimate others. The humiliation you inflict upon someone else will, one day, return to you in another form, in full measure.

As for me, I will never stop moving forward for anyone.

The End.