The flirtatious girl is done flirting; Mr. He is now obsessed with her.

Unable to break free from his hold, Bai Yishu angrily retorted, "Yes! From the moment I knew you were plotting against me, I stopped loving you!"

He Yun Shen was struck dumb, frozen in place, his hands involuntarily loosening their grip, his face deathly pale.

"you……"

His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence. His heart felt as if it had been pierced by a sharp blade, and he was in so much pain that he couldn't breathe.

"Okay, since you said it..."

Seeing that he had loosened his grip, Bai Yishu immediately turned and stormed out the door without looking back.

He Yun Shen stared at her retreating figure, his body swaying as he nearly lost his balance. His other hand slowly loosened its grip, and the ring fell to the ground, rolling to his feet.

After running out of the company, Bai Yishu suddenly didn't know where to go. If she went straight home, she would definitely have to face her parents' questions, but she was not in a state where she could calmly discuss this matter with them.

After much consideration, she decided to calm down by herself first.

She hailed a taxi parked in front of the company and asked the driver to take her to the riverbank.

After getting off the bus, she took a walk alone along the riverbank and sat down on a stone staircase without railings.

The river water lapped against the embankment, and the anger that had just escaped from the office had vanished without a trace, leaving only endless bitterness and grievances churning in my heart.

She bent down and picked up a smooth pebble at her feet, unconsciously rubbing it between her fingertips. The surface of the stone was cold from being soaked in the river water, and the warmth of her fingers was gradually absorbed by it.

She didn't know how long she sat there, until the river wind chilled her limbs, when a familiar voice sounded behind her.

"It's dangerous, come here."

He Yun Shen's voice sounded behind her. Bai Yi Shu turned around and saw him standing not far behind her. His hair, which was usually neatly combed, was now a little messy from the river wind and hung obliquely in front of his forehead.

"Stay away from the river."

He Yun Shen met her gaze, his eyes unfathomable.

"What are you doing here?"

Bai Yishu withdrew her gaze and continued looking at the river.

He Yun Shen felt a sharp pain in his heart as he looked into her cold gaze. He took a step forward, but kept a certain distance from her.

"Don't worry, I won't force you. I'm just worried about leaving you here alone."

Bai Yishu ignored him, her gaze fixed on the boats passing by on the river.

He Yun Shen stood silently behind her for a moment, then slowly walked to her side and sat down, his gaze falling on the river with hers.

"Yi Shu, I admit that it was selfish of me to take those Bai Group shares."

His hands were clenched tightly together, betraying his inner turmoil.

"But all I want is to ensure your and the Bai family's future is secure, and I also want you to stay by my side."

He Yunshen's thin lips were pressed tightly together, and the river breeze scattered the stray hairs on his forehead, which fluttered in the air.

"I know this is despicable, but only in this way will you have no reason to leave me. The Bai family needs me, and you need me too."

Seeing that Bai Yishu remained silent, He Yunshen's unease grew, and he continued to explain.

"Yi Shu, I never intended to hurt you. I was just too afraid of losing you."

He gazed at Bai Yishu's profile, his eyes inadvertently catching sight of a speck of dirt on her hand.

He Yun Shen reached into his pocket and took out a handkerchief, carefully handing it to her. Bai Yi Shu didn't take it; she just looked down at her hands, which had gotten dirty from touching the pebbles.

He Yun Shen didn't force her. He took a handkerchief and gently wiped the back of her hand to remove the dirt and sand, then took her hand in his. Her fingertips were icy cold, so He Yun Shen wrapped her hand in his palm and gently rubbed it, trying to transfer his warmth to her.

Bai Yishu finally looked up at him and saw that his usual domineering demeanor had vanished, leaving only a cautious fragility and helplessness.

"So, was making me marry you a condition of your investment something you had planned from the beginning?"

He Yun Shen's eyes flickered for a moment, then he fell completely silent.

Just when Bai Yishu thought he wouldn't speak again, a voice came from beside her.

"……yes."

The voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the river breeze, yet every word reached Bai Yishu's ears clearly.

"I made up my mind the moment I decided to help the Bai family."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I know it's shameless, but I want you, I want you to be with me forever."

Hearing the truth from He Yunshen, Bai Yishu felt no relief whatsoever; her heart felt heavy and anxious, as if filled with waterlogged cotton.

"Scold me, hit me, it's all fine, as long as it makes you feel better, as long as... you don't leave me."

Bai Yishu sighed inwardly. When had someone like He Yunshen ever humbled himself to beg for forgiveness?

A cargo ship on the river sounded its horn, the sound deep and resonant.

"I always thought you knew exactly how I felt about you, and that I would be with you even without these tricks."

Bai Yishu's words were like a blow to He Yunshen's head, leaving him speechless for a long time.

"I thought..."

A glint of disbelief flashed across He Yun Shen's face, but it was quickly swallowed up by a deeper pain.

"I thought you weren't loving me enough, and that this was the only way to keep you."

Bai Yishu gave a self-deprecating laugh, hugged her knees with both hands, and her voice became slightly nasal.

"So... you're going to use all these methods on me?"

He Yun Shen suddenly felt helpless, and his heart felt as if it were being torn apart by a sharp pain.

"I……"

He wanted to explain, but found that all his words seemed so pale and powerless at this moment, and could not undo the damage he had already caused.

"I'm sorry, Yi Shu, I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted your feelings, and I shouldn't have done it this way..."

His voice trembled and choked with emotion; this was a loss of composure that the proud He Yun Shen had never shown before.

Bai Yishu looked at the opposite bank of the river and suddenly stood up, supporting herself with one hand on the ground.

When He Yun Shen saw her get up, he thought she was leaving, and his heart suddenly tightened, so he also stood up.

"Yi Shu, don't leave like this. Let's talk again, okay?"

Bai Yishu avoided his gaze and stared at the ground as she spoke in a muffled voice.

I can't give you an answer right now.

Seeing that she did not immediately reject him, He Yun Shen felt a glimmer of hope rekindle in his heart.

"Okay, I'll wait, I can wait for you."

Seeing Bai Yishu nod, he breathed a slight sigh of relief, looked at the darkening sky in the distance, and asked, "Then... shall I take you back?"

"No need, I want to be alone for a while."

He Yunshen's eyes darkened as he hid his reluctance and worry, knowing he couldn't push her too hard at this moment.

"Okay, then I won't bother you."

He climbed a few steps and couldn't help but give him more instructions.

"Don't stay out too late, it's cold by the river. Be careful and call me anytime if anything happens."