As soon as Xiao Yanzhi's voice faded, Song Yu keenly noticed that Jiang Li's hand, clenched under the table, was faintly trembling.
This was undoubtedly an insult.
Song Yu frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed his brow. His tone remained gentle and gentlemanly. "A Yan, don't make such inappropriate jokes."
Xiao Yanzhi looked impatient. He clicked his tongue against his back teeth, and his face turned cold. "Do you really think she's worthy of you?"
"If Jiang Li is willing, I'd be more than happy to accept." Song Yu shrugged with both hands outstretched. "Anyway, you know I've liked Jiang Li for quite a while."
Xiao Yanzhi paused. His gaze on Song Yu darkened, filled with a chill.
Jiang Li beside them was equally shocked as she stared at Song Yu. It was as if her throat was tied up, and she couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
Song Yu didn't seem to care at all. He looked fearless, his tone neither too heavy nor too light. "A Yan seems so eager to meddle in Jiang Li's affairs. Could it be that you still have feelings for her?"
This seemingly casual remark actually implied that Xiao Yanzhi still cared deeply about Jiang Li.
Hearing this, Qin Yaoyao beside them also changed her expression. She timidly tugged at Xiao Yanzhi's sleeve, her voice full of grievance and on the verge of tears. "A Yan, is what Lawyer Song said true?"
Xiao Yanzhi stared at Song Yu for a few seconds.
"Song Yu, you're really insolent."
Xiao Yanzhi's mocking voice rang out, laced with nonchalance. "I'm just kindly warning you. Don't be deceived by her looks. Be careful not to be sucked dry by her."
He looked at Jiang Li, lightly curling his lips in a cocky manner. "Your younger brother should have contacted you, right?"
Hearing this, Qin Yaoyao couldn't help but look at Jiang Li curiously.
Jiang Li's eyelashes fluttered. She instinctively didn't want Qin Yaoyao to know about her family matters. "No, I haven't been in touch with him recently."
Then she looked at Qin Yaoyao beside her. "Qin Yaoyao, aren't you and Mr. Xiao going on a date? Don't waste time here. Go quickly."
It was obvious that she was trying to get them to leave.
Xiao Yanzhi's tone was cold, full of sarcasm. "What, are you afraid people will find out that your younger brother is a deadbeat who refuses to pay his debts? But he's your own younger brother. Are you still ashamed of him?"
"Or have you found your next sugar daddy to help you pay off that five - million debt?"
Xiao Yanzhi looked down at her. "It seems you've got it all planned out. Are you going to do it all over again and let Song Yu help you pay off your debts in the future?"
Jiang Li lowered her head. Embarrassment and helplessness welled up in her heart. She could only dig her fingernails hard into her palm.
Grief and helplessness clogged her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. She couldn't think of a single word to refute.
She just wanted to beg Xiao Yanzhi to stop talking.
Stop trampling on her poor and pitiful self - esteem.
"A Yan, that's enough." Song Yu scolded. He noticed that the corners of Jiang Li's eyes were already turning red. "Bullying a girl is not a man's behavior."
Xiao Yanzhi stared at Song Yu expressionlessly, and his tone also turned cold. "We've known each other for so many years. How come I never noticed you were so helpful before?"
Seeing the atmosphere drop to freezing point, Qin Yaoyao beside them also sensed something was wrong. She gently tugged at Xiao Yanzhi's corner of his clothes. "A Yan, let's go. I want to watch a movie."
Xiao Yanzhi's handsome brows furrowed, but under Qin Yaoyao's coquettish voice, they gradually smoothed out.
He no longer looked at the two sitting at the table. Instead, he just lowered his head and softly asked the girl beside him, "What movie do you want to watch?"
...
After Xiao Yanzhi and Qin Yaoyao walked far away, Jiang Li finally felt that the tense nerves in her whole body could relax. Her legs suddenly went weak, and she slumped into the chair.
Song Yu looked at Jiang Li, whose face was haggard and pale, and whose lips were bloodless. He couldn't quite put his finger on the feeling in his heart.
"Sorry, Jiang Li. I made you suffer just now."
Jiang Li shook her head. Her voice was hoarse. "I should be the one saying sorry. I made you watch this farce."
Her hands and feet were cold, and even her breathing hurt.
Seeing this, Song Yu asked the waiter to bring another cup of black tea.
Holding the hot cup, Jiang Li finally felt a bit of warmth. She tremblingly thanked him.
Song Yu shook his head. There was inevitably a look of sympathy on his face. "I didn't know about you and your younger brother before..."
"Song Yu, promise me one thing." Jiang Li lowered her head, looking at her empty and lifeless eyes reflected in the cup. "Don't look at me with that kind of look."
That kind of pitying, sympathetic, and nosy look.
It would make her feel worse than death.
Song Yu looked at her and appropriately changed the topic. "What I said just now wasn't true. Don't take it to heart."
He was referring to the words about liking Jiang Li.
Jiang Li nodded and sniffled. "I know. You were just trying to stand up for me. I understand."
She had always been understanding.
Song Yu remained silent and accompanied Jiang Li, watching her slowly finish the whole cup of hot black tea.
After she had sorted out her emotions, Song Yu gently said, "Jiang Li, you're a very strong girl. Stronger than I thought."
Jiang Li smiled faintly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Of course." Song Yu smiled back. "About what you said just now about starting a brokerage company, if you need any help, just contact me at any time."
"I'll do my best to help you." His tone was firm.
Jiang Li politely thanked him. In fact, she never really thought about how Song Yu could help her.
Given her current financial situation, not only could she not start a company, but she also had to figure out a way to fill the hole in Jiang Yi's debt as soon as possible.
She closed her eyes and silently swore to herself.
This would be the last time.
Seeing that she wasn't in a good state, Song Yu offered to drive her back to rest. She didn't refuse and just sat in the car in a daze.
When they got back to Ruiyuan, Jiang Li stood in the huge house and stared blankly at the photo frame placed in the entrance hall.
It was a group photo.
Actually, it wasn't a real group photo. She had cropped it from a photo released by the media.
It was taken when she won the Best Actress Award for the first time. She was standing side by side with Xiao Yanzhi and was captured by the media.
She still remembered that on the day of the award ceremony, she was as excited as a child, her eyes shining brightly.
It wasn't because she had won the award, but because Xiao Yanzhi had said something out of the ordinary to her that day. "As long as you keep working hard like this, there won't be anyone else by my side in the future."
It turned out to be a lie.
She stared at it for a long time, then walked over, took the photo out of the frame, and without hesitation, tore it into pieces and threw it into the trash can.
Even the face with a bright smile on it was torn to shreds.
—
Late at night, Jiang Li was sleeping groggily.
Suddenly, there was a loud "bang". She was awakened by the loud sound of the door slamming shut.
"Who's out there?"