Mo Tingyan slowly stood up and faced Wen Zhi.
"At first, I knew very well that you approaching me was a trap," he said calmly. "Yet I still slept with you—because you were Palm Pearl, Teacher Meng's daughter."
He did not dodge the truth.
"Later, when I wanted to marry you, part of it was because you… fit me well. I liked you physically. And part of it was because I wanted to transfer some of my assets into your name in a legitimate way. Back then, I never planned to spend my life with you."
"I came back for one purpose only—to avenge Teacher Meng."
"I thought that once revenge was complete, once I gave you money and assets, I could walk away quietly."
His voice softened.
"But as we lived together, I gradually realized something else…"
"Palm Pearl, I like you—no," he corrected himself, eyes steady, "I love you."
"Don't even mention divorce. Even being separated from you for a few days makes my heart ache unbearably. I miss you."
"When Nanzhong and the others said I'd fallen in love with you, I didn't believe it. But now, I can't deny it anymore."
"I love you. Not because you are Teacher Meng's daughter. Not because of your body. Simply because you are you—the Palm Pearl I fell in love with."
He stepped forward and pulled her tightly into his arms.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied to you. You can hit me, scold me, punish me however you want—just don't divorce me. Don't leave me, please?"
"Palm Pearl, my life was nothing but darkness. It wasn't until I met Teacher Meng that I felt human for the first time. After she left… you lit up my world again."
"I love you. Please don't leave me."
Wen Zhi's heart trembled violently.
She had never imagined that the confession she longed for most in her life would come—
in front of her mother's grave.
Yet at this moment, she could no longer tell what was real and what was illusion.
She hurriedly pushed Mo Tingyan away, refusing to meet his eyes.
"I can't give you the answer you want right now," she said in a low voice. "I need time. I need to calm down."
"Alright," he replied immediately. "I'll give you time. No matter when—once you've figured it out, come find me. Okay?"
Wen Zhi said nothing. She turned and walked down the mountain quickly.
There were no cars nearby, and the bus schedule was uncertain. In the end, she returned home in Mo Tingyan's car.
Mo Tingyan insisted that she stay in their house. Out of respect for her decision, however, he moved out temporarily.
Wen Zhi took annual leave and went away alone to clear her mind.
During that time, Mo Tingyan stayed in Jiang City. He completely dismantled the Mo family business—and also dealt with the Wen family, who had oppressed Wen Zhi for years.
At first, Wen Renhao was furious when his company came under attack by Mingguang Group. He couldn't understand how he had offended such a powerful force.
That was—until the president of Mingguang Group arrived in person.
The moment Wen Renhao realized that Mo Tingyan was the president, his mind went blank.
He tried to beg for mercy.
But Mo Tingyan was not a man who tolerated even a grain of sand in his eyes.
He ordered a thorough investigation into the Wen family's finances, exposing tax evasion and illegal occupation of national resources. Wen Renhao and his wife were both sent to prison.
As for Wen Xue—after the Wen family collapsed, her life in the Jin family became unbearable. Her former arrogance vanished completely.
For the rest of her life, she would be worn down by an old man, trapped in quiet misery.
Once everything was settled, Mo Tingyan personally visited the detention center to see his father and Gu Nian.
When Gu Nian learned that Mo Tingyan was the true head of Chisheng Group, she hurled every curse she could muster at him.
Mo Tingyan merely stood there, looking at her with a cold smile—the smile of a victor.
After a long while, Gu Nian grew tired of cursing. She collapsed to her knees.
"Tingyan… no matter what, Tingjue is your brother. We share the same father. Please—just spare him a way out."
Mo Tingyan replied indifferently,
"Don't worry. I won't touch your depressed son."
"As for whether he lives or dies in the future—that has nothing to do with me."
"I only want you to pay with your life. Nothing more."
Gu Nian screamed in rage, but there was nothing she could change.
She placed all her hopes on Mo Tingjue—hoping he could pull himself together.
But she miscalculated.
Mo Tingjue had lived his entire life relying on others. Once the family fortune collapsed and old friends disappeared, he was left penniless and severely depressed.
After multiple suicide attempts, he finally slit his wrists in a rented apartment half a month later—ending his young life.
As for Mo Zhenghan, he remained silent the entire time, watching Mo Tingyan as if he were a stranger.
Only after Gu Nian was dragged away did he finally ask,
"What exactly do you want?"
"You and Gu Nian hired someone to kill me and my mother back then," Mo Tingyan replied coldly. "You killed the wrong people—but now, you must pay for their lives."
"I'm your father!"
"And what does that have to do with me?"
Mo Tingyan's eyes were colder than winter ice.
He stood up, lips curling into a faint smile.
"I waited ten years for this day. The evidence is complete. The driver has confessed. I will never let you leave prison alive."
"Even if the death penalty isn't possible, your lives end here."
With that, he turned and left—never looking back.
Everything from the past was finally brought to an end.
Teacher Meng. Wen Ruan.
I've avenged you.
For the rest of his life, there was only one thing left for him to do—
To cherish Wen Zhi, to build a family with her, and to live a life filled with happiness.
Wen Zhi's leave lasted half a month.
She didn't leave Jiang City. Instead, she went to a seaside fishing village she had once visited with Mo Tingyan and stayed at a small guesthouse.
She collected shells, walked by the sea, and let time pass quietly.
A week slipped by.
And she found herself missing him more and more.
She knew—she could no longer control her heart.
She didn't know whether falling in love with a man like him was a blessing… or a sorrow.
At dusk, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, she stood by the sea for a long time.
By the time the cool sea breeze made her shiver, she finally turned to head back.
Then she saw him.
A few meters away, beneath the golden twilight, Mo Tingyan stood there as if wrapped in light, smiling gently at her.
Her heart tightened. She could hear it beating wildly.
He walked toward her and pulled her into his arms.
"Wife," he murmured, "I'm here to take you home."
Wen Zhi closed her eyes.
Enough thinking.
If it was love—then so be it.
She had always loved fiercely and hated bravely.
She would gamble once—with her entire life.
She lifted her arms and hugged his waist, resting her cheek against his neck.
"Mo Tingyan," she whispered,
"I'm all in. I'll bet my whole future on you."
He cupped her face, eyes blazing with emotion.
"Baby, I promise you—
you will never lose."
Wen Zhi smiled softly against the light.
Mo Tingyan lowered his head and kissed her.
Under the fading sunset, they held each other tightly, kissing without restraint.
The first half of their lives had been filled with hardship.
The rest of their lives—
held nothing but happiness.
And they both believed in it, without question.
— End of the Book —
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