Chapter 80: Don’t Disturb Her Anymore

September always seemed to pass by in a whirlwind of busyness.

Peace was elusive in the Cheng household as well.

Cheng Xingye had not returned home for more than half a month; the door to his apartment remained closed, and he saw no one. During that time, Ye Zixuan came looking for him, hoping to clear things up. He stood in silence behind the door for a long while, but in the end, did not open it for her.

He knew why she had so decisively chosen to leave him behind.

He owed Ye Zixuan a debt of gratitude, and that had become the leverage her family held over him. Yet she could not tolerate any impurity in a relationship—she would not allow a stereotypical tale of social climbing to play out in her own life.

So, if he was to sever all ties with the Ye family, he could not see Ye Zixuan in private, either.

She knocked on his door for a long time, finally giving up only after much persistence. When peace settled at the entrance, a message arrived on Cheng Xingye’s phone.

[Ye Zixuan]: I’m sorry for what happened. I’ll give you a proper explanation soon, and I’ll talk to Dian Dian for you as well.

Cheng Xingye, still in loose pajamas, leaned against the wall. He hadn’t shaved, the wound at the corner of his mouth hadn’t fully healed, and there was a faint, tired shadow beneath his eyes.

He stared at the chat window for a long while before finally swallowing hard.

[hOShinO]: Don’t disturb her anymore.

He wanted to see her, too. But she had blocked all his contacts, making it clear she wanted nothing more to do with this mess.

Cheng Xingye let out a self-mocking sigh.

That little one was in her senior year now; best to let her study in peace.

...

A few days after Dingli Technologies reposted that Weibo statement, all content related to the Ye family was quietly deleted.

Some days later, Guo Mengyun, pressured by her son, found an excuse to invite both families out for tea, hoping to resolve things face to face.

The Cheng family’s car picked up Cheng Xingye first from Pingxi Road.

He’d been hungover the night before, sleeping past ten the next morning until the doorbell finally woke him. Ever since the falling out with his family, he’d changed the passcode, allowing no one in.

Thinking it was a utility worker, he opened the door, groggy-eyed, only for Guo Mengyun and Cheng Li to stride right in.

The strong smell of alcohol inside instantly irritated Guo Mengyun.

“How did you end up like this?”

Cheng Xingye turned away indifferently and slouched into the living room, collapsing on the sofa with all the nonchalance of a man still nursing a hangover. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “Why are you here?”

Guo Mengyun knew he was still blaming them. She truly hadn’t known her son had a girl he liked—otherwise, she would never have allowed the company’s official account to share the Ye family’s interview.

Since that incident, Cheng Xingye had cut off most contact, not even using the money on his card, as though he had become a stranger disconnected from them.

Worried that their relationship would deteriorate further, Guo Mengyun softened her voice and stepped closer.

“I’ve arranged for us to have lunch with the Ye family. You should come along.”

The Ye family again.

Cheng Xingye let out a cold laugh, not bothering to look up. “And what’s the point? So you can all discuss how best to sell me off to them?”

Cheng Li frowned with displeasure. “What sort of attitude is that?”

Afraid father and son would start fighting, Guo Mengyun quickly intervened, speaking before Cheng Xingye could. “We’re meeting them today to discuss how to resolve this matter.”

At these words, Cheng Xingye finally lifted his eyes, though suspicion lingered in his gaze.

Guo Mengyun sighed and continued, “I know you don’t want to marry Xuanxuan, but we can’t reject them outright. We need a way to let them back off on their own.”

After so many days of cold war, she realized if things weren’t resolved soon, she might lose her son entirely. With much persuasion, she and Cheng Li finally got him to agree to find a way to postpone the engagement.

Cheng Xingye closed his eyes, leaning back against the sofa, saying nothing.

...

The Ye parents arrived in festive attire, believing they were here to discuss the wedding.

When the door to the private room opened, the Cheng family had already arrived. Cheng Xingye was present, but he kept his head down, pouring himself tea with a distant air.

The Ye parents greeted Cheng Li and Guo Mengyun with awkward smiles before ushering Ye Zixuan in and seating her firmly beside Cheng Xingye.

“Sorry for being late, there was traffic,” Mrs. Ye said eagerly as soon as she sat down.

Ye Zixuan glanced sideways at Cheng Xingye. He seemed much more haggard than before; he hadn’t shaved, a baseball cap was pulled low over his face, hiding his features.

She looked away, sipping her tea.

Mrs. Ye, still assuming today was about the engagement, began making plans with high spirits.

“I was thinking—since Xuanxuan just graduated and Xingye still has three years of grad school, why not register the marriage now and hold the wedding after he graduates? What do you all think?”

Cheng Xingye let out a low laugh, his lips curling with sarcasm. “Register with whom? Did I ever say I was getting married?”

Mrs. Ye was taken aback, not expecting such words from a junior. The conversation faltered.

To avoid further embarrassment, Guo Mengyun quickly cut in with an excuse. “Isn’t it a bit hasty to settle the marriage now? Xuanxuan just graduated...”

Mrs. Ye forced a smile. “How could it be? Xuanxuan is—”

Before she could finish, Ye Zixuan spoke up. “I will never marry Cheng Xingye.”

The table was stunned. All eyes turned to her, even Cheng Xingye, who had kept his head down, raised his chin slightly.

In truth, Ye Zixuan had been fighting with her family for days. She had already reconciled with Zhou Yue, planning to secretly register their marriage with the household registration booklet, but her parents discovered her plan. They confiscated the booklet and, in desperation, tried to force a marriage alliance by leaking news to the media and pressuring the Cheng family.

Mrs. Ye assumed her daughter was simply being stubborn and tried to smooth things over. “She just thinks it’s too soon to get married. Young people these days don’t like to marry early; that’s why we parents worry...”

Ye Zixuan pressed her lips together, then looked up with calm resolve, cutting her off. “I’m pregnant, and it’s not his.”

A heavy silence fell on the private room.

After a few seconds, Mrs. Ye suddenly stood up, livid, not caring that the Cheng family was present. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Ye Zixuan looked at her mother’s furious face with a faint, cool smile. She pulled a medical report from her bag and placed it on the table.

“Sorry, but your dream of marrying me into a wealthy family is over. The child is Zhou Yue’s.”

Ye’s father had thought she was just making excuses, but seeing the report, his expression darkened.

Mrs. Ye’s hand shook as she snatched up the report. When she saw the words on it, her face turned ashen. She spun around and slapped Ye Zixuan hard across the face.

The sharp sound shattered the silence in the room. Everyone was stunned. Guo Mengyun quickly stood to intervene, but Mrs. Ye was too furious to be calmed.

She trembled with rage, pointing at Ye Zixuan and shouting, “You... shameless girl!”

She had schemed and struggled, using the Cheng family’s gratitude to help her daughter climb the social ladder, only for her to do something so disgraceful.

Seeing all her efforts wasted, Mrs. Ye’s chest tightened with fury. In her anger, she raised her hand again to punish her daughter for insisting on marrying a poor boy.

But before she could strike, her wrist was caught in a firm grip.

Cheng Xingye had stood up at some point, his tall figure now shielding Ye Zixuan.

“That’s enough. She’s pregnant.”

His words were like a slap to Mrs. Ye’s face.

A pregnancy meant that, even if Ye Zixuan broke up with Zhou Yue, she would never marry into the Cheng family.

Flushed with humiliation and anger, Mrs. Ye finally let her arm drop, defeated.