C14 A Big Title

"Are you awake now? You must have been really frightened," Zeyu asked gently, his voice soothing like a clear stream.

Xinling lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling slightly. "Thank you for saving me again."

Zeyu's eyes softened as he replied slowly, "No need to thank me. Given your current situation, you should get used to these kinds of scenarios. You're smart enough to know that if you don't want others to trouble you, you need to become strong and protect yourself. Don't be like a hermit crab, hiding away."

Xinling noticed him glance at his watch while speaking. He probably had other matters to attend to. Someone like him must be very busy, yet he still took the time to care for her and offer advice.

Biting her lip gently, Xinling sighed inwardly. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't fully express them. "I, I actually..."

Her grandfather had taught her many things, but she hadn't managed to take the first step well—she could never learn to be ruthless, which led to her being manipulated time and again. Perhaps, deep down, she believed that unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn't change, not knowing what she might become.

Zeyu seemed to read her thoughts, noticing the hesitation in her expression. He smiled slightly, "If you can't be ruthless, you won't have a way out."

This statement seemed to have a profound impact. Ji Xinling mulled it over several times in her mind, as if she had come to some realization.

Ji Xinling decided not to linger any longer. She felt it was impolite to continue taking up Nie Zeyu's time, especially since she had already delayed things for nearly two days—three days would pass in a flash!

The document verification needed to be expedited, but first, she had to get married. Moreover, her partner had to be a suitable match, meaning his status couldn't be too low.

Just as she was feeling down and trying to figure out a solution, a wave of discussion swept through the city. Almost every influential family and gossip enthusiast was buzzing about Young Master Nie's overnight romance.

Before the first piece of news could die down, a second, shocking revelation with "photo evidence" hit the scene. It was about the "true identity" of Nie's woman—the woman who had left Young Master Nie's room was none other than Ji Xinling!

Almost every prominent family recognized her, but they were equally stunned. Was this Great Miss Ji really Young Master Nie's woman? Wasn't her family already bankrupt? How could Nie be involved with her?

Consequently, nearly every business, restaurant, and office was abuzz with heated discussions about Ji Xinling and Young Master Nie's "affair."

"I never expected Young Master Nie to have such poor taste, to be with a woman like that."

"What the heck, it's obvious this wannabe is just trying to get Young Master Nie's attention!"

In the office, a fashionably dressed young professional curled her lip as she discussed Ji Xinling, her face a mask of disdain and scorn, hiding her jealousy and envy.

"Exactly, this Miss Ji must be scheming. She looks like a high-society lady, but she's really just low-class!"

"Maybe there's more to her than we know, or maybe she's got her own struggles."

"Please, what struggles? She's just using her looks to climb the social ladder! She doesn't even realize she's out of her league!"

After gossiping about Ji Xinling, the conversation shifted to Nie Zeyu. "I can't believe Young Master Nie has such low standards, going for someone like her!"