Chapter 445

So many years have passed, it's about time he faced that person head-on. After all, if it weren't for all the help she gave him back then, he wouldn't be living the life he has now.

"It's been so long since I've truly appreciated the night view."

Standing on the rooftop, Wu Xingsheng took out a cigarette, lit it, and gazed at the distant night view of Yanghai City with his dark eyes.

The cold autumn wind blew into Wu Xingsheng's collar, making him shiver and look up at the street below.

Even in the dead of night, the area below was still brightly lit, with lights scattered like broken silver, creating a dazzling and colorful spectacle.

A few cars still flashed across the brightly lit continent, their faint red glows shimmering in the night.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

As if he had choked on something, Wu Xingsheng, after taking a deep drag of his cigarette, suddenly coughed violently.

His flushed, bluish face showed that he was in great discomfort; the smell of nicotine was irritating his lungs and making him feel very uncomfortable.

"Cough cough cough..."

Coughing violently, Wu Xingsheng stubbed out his cigarette and threw it on the ground.

I really don't know why that brat Wu Liang would like this kind of thing. What's so great about this pungent stuff?

"Why are you still smoking that stuff after all these years? Didn't I remind you and Xinrou not to smoke before?"

A pleasant female voice suddenly rang out from behind, and Qiao Ranxin, dressed in a form-fitting, high-society dress, crossed her arms and smiled playfully.

The black satin ribbon around her waist accentuated her slender waist, making her look even more graceful and alluring. A white fox fur shawl was casually draped over her shoulders.

Her silver-gray wavy hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her graceful figure with its prominent breasts and buttocks was charming and attractive. At this moment, Qiao Ranxin looked exactly like a noblewoman.

The form-fitting long dress perfectly revealed Qiao Ranxin's slender legs, which shone with a silvery light under the night sky.

This is a classic nobleman's outfit. The soft white fox fur on the shoulders shows that this outfit is very expensive. It is obviously not a luxury that ordinary people can afford.

Whether it's the form-fitting design that shows off the legs or the tight-fitting, comfortable style that accentuates the bust, these designs are tailor-made for women with near-perfect figures.

Moreover, this black and white color scheme is not something that ordinary people can pull off. If the wearer lacks the necessary presence, this noble attire can easily look like mourning clothes.

However, Qiao Ranxin perfectly embodied the essence of this designer dress; her tall, alluring figure and innate charm made her a natural clothes hanger.

Standing at a full 1.75 meters tall, she exuded an aura of power in her pure black and gold high heels, looking as alluring and proud as a queen who had stepped out of a painting.

"It's rare for you to call me over, what do you want to say to me?"

"After all these years, you only invited me to a place like this? Aren't you going to buy me a cup of coffee?"

When Qiao Ranxin saw that Wu Xingsheng didn't speak after seeing her, she shook her head and smiled faintly.

With her little hands folded behind her back, she walked slowly to Wu Xingsheng's side, leaned on the railing, and looked into the distance.

Her cherry-pink eyes held no trace of nostalgia or longing; she no longer felt the almost mad infatuation she once had for the man before her.

As time went by, her feelings for Wu Xingsheng were no longer as deep as they had been at the beginning.

At this point, she regarded Wu Xingsheng merely as an old friend she hadn't seen for many years, or perhaps someone who was slightly closer than a regular friend.

The little girl who was once infatuated with Wu Xingsheng has grown up and matured. She can no longer feel that special affection for Wu Xingsheng.

People always change, and it will take Qiao Ranxin at least two or three years to fade her feelings for Wu Xingsheng.

But the reality was much faster than she imagined. Even she herself didn't know why. She, who used to be so infatuated with Wu Xingsheng, now felt nothing when she saw him.

Moreover, when she saw Wu Xingsheng, she did not feel any nostalgia. Instead, she saw the shadow of that little brat Wu Liang on his face.

It's funny to think about it this way. It's quite amusing that she, an old lady, would be interested in those kinds of kids.

"I'm sorry, I'll be leaving soon, so I can't invite you to any fancy coffee shop."

After regaining his senses, Wu Xingsheng turned around and looked into the distance.

A gentle smile gradually appeared on his stiff face, and his initial hesitation eased considerably.

He could already sense the changes in Qiao Ranxin. The woman in front of him, full of femininity and charm, was no longer the girl who liked to follow him around.

Time is truly an unpredictable and elusive thing. Just a short while ago, Yao Qing's report said that Qiao Ranxin hadn't changed at all.

But looking at it now, it's clear that Qiao Ranxin has already quietly changed a lot.

She no longer harbored romantic feelings for him; all that remained was friendship, and nothing more.

"You're going back again? Aren't you going to have a proper talk with your son?"

"You should have met him by now. That brat Wu Liang has brought me quite a few surprises. I never imagined he would suddenly turn out like this one day."

Qiao Ranxin didn't give Wu Xingsheng a second glance, and didn't even glance at him once out of the corner of her eye.

She simply gazed quietly at the distant night view, the silvery moonlight falling on her fair face, making her appear exceptionally alluring.

A faint smile graced her fair, rosy face, and her cherry-blossom-colored eyes held a hint of moisture. Upon hearing Wu Liang's name, she felt a surge of joy inexplicably.

That kid brought her so many surprises; he and Wu Xingsheng were completely opposite people.

Whether it's temperament, personality, or way of dealing with people, they are completely different father and son. Wu Liang really didn't inherit a single thing from Wu Xingsheng.

"Are you interested in my son?"

"Ah, yes, I'm very interested."

"Could you tell me what it was about him that attracted you?"

"I said, are you two really father and son? He's clearly your son, so why doesn't he look like you at all?"

"Who knows? Nobody says a son has to be like his father."

"That kid is very talented."

"Ah, yes, I've noticed that now too."

"I'm starting to like him."

"Yeah, I like it too..."

"Wait... wait... what did you say???"

Chapter 30: The Night Before an Old Friend (Part Two)

"Wait, what the hell did you just say?"

Sensing something was amiss, Wu Xingsheng quickly turned to look at Qiao Ranxin, whose ambiguous smile made him uneasy.

Did he mishear? Or was Qiao Ranxin just joking with him? Given this woman's personality, she was indeed capable of making surprising jokes.

But regardless, this seems a bit too far-fetched. However, if Qiao Ranxin is serious, then this could really be...

"Is there something wrong with what I said? I'm starting to like your kid, which doesn't seem surprising."

Qiao Ranxin reached out and brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, gazing intently at the distant night view, her alluring pink eyes sparkling with starlight.

As if she didn't care about it at all, she turned her head and glanced at Wu Xingsheng, whose face was full of shock.

"Are you thinking about something else, Mr. Wu Xingsheng?"

A wicked smile crept onto her alluring face as Qiao Ranxin, chin in hand, stared at Wu Xingsheng's cheeks with interest and spoke with a beaming smile.

It's not surprising that anyone would like Wu Liang, that outstanding kid.

As an elder, she should be happy to see her students becoming more and more outstanding, but Wu Xingsheng's thoughts seem to be a little different from hers.

"You're still the same old you... I'm tired of playing these word games anymore..."

Realizing he had been tricked by Qiao Ranxin, Wu Xingsheng scratched the back of his head helplessly.

Sure enough, no matter when he saw her, this woman always managed to trip him up.

Even casual jokes can become thought-provoking topics when they come out of her mouth, which is why he has a headache with Qiao Ranxin.

"Aren't you proud of your son? Wu Liang's performance has far surpassed that of ordinary people."

"Even you back then were no match for Wu Liang now. Haven't you noticed yet that the kid's growth rate has exceeded your control?"

After seeing that Wu Xingsheng was no longer talking, Qiao Ranxin took the initiative to speak, saying that Wu Xingsheng should know more about Wu Liang's affairs than she did.

He should be Wu Liang by now. Having not given her fatherly love for so many years, he should spend more time by her side.

Whether it's Wu Xingsheng or Mu Xinrou, they owe Wu Liang far too much.

Even if it was to protect the child, what's lost is lost, and Wu Liang's childhood is a trauma they can never heal.

Wu Liang is now capable of handling things on his own, and his outstanding performance is evident to everyone.

Wu Xingsheng should probably tell the child everything, otherwise it will only keep their relationship strained.

"It's not the right time yet, but it's almost here. We'll be able to settle everything soon."

"Yao Qing has already told me what you're talking about. We both think it would be better to discuss this after everything is over."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xingsheng's face darkened considerably; it would be over soon.

Those who were threatening Wu Liang from the shadows, as well as the seeds of trouble left over from his past business dealings, will soon be eradicated.

When that time comes, he will be able to put down all his burdens and have a heart-to-heart talk with his son. He will be able to explain to Wu Liang why he has treated him so cruelly all these years, and all the reasons behind it.

"You and Xinrou have really worked hard, but I think talking to him isn't enough. You still owe him an apology."

"While I don't think an apology will do much good, at least it shows that you feel guilty towards that kid."

Qiao Ranxin reached out and patted Wu Xingsheng's shoulder with a smile. This was one of the few times she had seen Wu Xingsheng looking worried.

Especially when talking about Wu Liang, this was the first time she had seen Wu Xingsheng smile.

How should I put it? This father and son are completely opposite yet very similar.

It's quite a contradiction. Despite their different personalities and ways of doing things, they all share a strangely similar aura.

"So you've come here to lecture me, intending to teach me how to be a good father?"

Wu Xingsheng said with a smile that the reason he called Qiao Ranxin here today was to express his apology to her.

But somehow the conversation gradually veered off course, and the woman kept bringing up that kid Wu Liang.

From the very beginning, their conversation never strayed from Wu Liang.

Was she planning to teach him how to be a good father? She clearly didn't care much about that girl Qiao Xinying.

"What else can I do? If I don't give you a good reminder, what if you do something outrageous to Wu Liang again?"

"You two have finally gotten a little closer, so don't mess it up later."

Qiao Ranxin tightened her white fox fur coat; the autumn night was even colder than she had expected.

Before she knew it, so much time had passed. In these past few months, she had witnessed Wu Liang's growth firsthand.

She could be said to be a witness to Wu Liang's step-by-step progress to this point. In some ways, that kid really had a kind of inexplicable charm that attracted her.

Qiao Ranxin had to admit that her interest in Wu Liang had long surpassed that in Wu Xingsheng.

"I will. I will play the role of a good father in the future."

"But speaking of which, how's your girl doing? What's going on between her and that Wu Liang kid...?"

After glancing at the time, Wu Xingsheng mentioned Qiao Xinying's name, as he had some recollection of the girl.

After all, the girl's original intention in returning this time was to break off her engagement with Wu Liang, but for some reason she suddenly gave up the idea.

"Ah, you mean Xinying and that kid Wu Liang? Hmm, I think they get along quite well."

"There's a trip coming up soon, and I think the child will soon be able to clear up his misunderstanding of Wu Liang."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Ranxin suddenly smiled. No one knew her maid better than she did.

The child isn't a bad person; on the contrary, he really likes Wu Liang now. If there were an opportunity for the two of them to spend some time together...

Even if Xinying doesn't have any feelings for Wu Liang now, she will gradually fall in love with that boy as time goes by.

"We might become in-laws, so remember to give my Xinying a big gift then."

Qiao Ranxin smiled sweetly, the pure black ribbon swaying playfully in the evening breeze like a mischievous sprite.

It's over; her longing for Wu Xingsheng has completely ceased.

Chapter Thirty-One: The Night Before an Old Friend (The End)