Chapter 83: Better Not to Meet

"I'll take care of this. You go handle the formalities. From now on, if you ever look for a job, I must know about it. If I don't approve, you absolutely cannot go. Do you understand?" Yang Changfeng fixed a stern look on her face, flicking the young girl's forehead twice.

Xu Jie'er blushed and ducked her head shyly, but when she saw Yang Changfeng's glare, she quickly nodded in obedience.

This comrade of her brother's was really fierce, but he genuinely cared about her.

Who would have thought the bond between comrades was so deep? No wonder, during earthquake relief efforts, soldiers on duty would tell those heading for the front lines, "Your parents are my parents, your family is my family." They truly are a remarkable group of people.

Paying no mind to the three trash groveling at his feet, Yang Changfeng turned to the supervisor he knew and said, "You want compensation? I don’t have money, but I do have a good pair of fists. Interested?"

"Just go, please, go!" The supervisor, nearly in tears, pleaded, "No, absolutely no compensation. In fact, we’ll report this to the authorities and make sure such scum are never allowed in again. Absolutely!"

The manager, after hearing a few whispers from the waiters, immediately fell silent.

So, even the owner is afraid of this man. Who would dare provoke him? Getting beaten up is one thing, but losing your job on top of it is just not worth it.

Xu Jie'er tugged pitifully at Yang Changfeng's sleeve, pleading, "Brother, can you take Xiu'er with us? She's so pitiful."

This little girl, so pitiful herself, still worried about others.

But after all, she was his comrade’s little sister—a brother with a chivalrous heart would surely have a sister just as loyal.

"Alright, not only can you take your good friend, but if my sister wanted to leave with the Emperor himself, who'd dare stop her?" Yang Changfeng declared. Then, without warning, he lashed out with a kick, snapping the leader's leg so only a thin layer of skin held it together. "You're lucky today—my sister forbids me from killing. I remember you live in some alley nearby, right? Good to know."

No one dared remain in Jiangzhou. For the four of them, staying meant death. This man didn't care about the law—he would kill without hesitation.

Only a fool would stay.

The four thugs, grateful to still be alive, hurried off—two carrying the unconscious one, the fourth hopping away on his one good leg.

"Stop!" Yang Changfeng commanded.

The three instantly dropped to their knees as if receiving an imperial decree.

"You still have to pay the medical bills. I'm not unreasonable, am I? If I kill someone, I send the ashes; if I hurt someone, I pay for treatment." Yang Changfeng pulled out his wallet, flipped it open, and felt a little awkward.

Damn, where did all the money go? Only a little over a thousand left?

He glanced at Anya, who pressed her lips together in a smile, nodded to Chen Aijia—who was approaching—and took out her own wallet. She had one or two thousand yuan, always prepared in case Chen Aijia needed change; it was her own money.

"I’ll handle this," Chen Aijia said, handing over more than three thousand yuan from her handbag.

Yang Changfeng rolled his eyes. "Who wants your lousy money? Get lost."

The man was furious. "Is that any way to talk? Do you know who she is?"

Chen Aijia just smiled, stuffed the money into Yang Changfeng’s hand, and boldly took his arm. Turning back, she said, "Sorry, he does know who I am. Allow me to introduce you—this is my fiancé, Yang Changfeng."

Not only was the man left dumbfounded, but even Yang Changfeng was baffled.

What the hell is happening? Weren't they trying to kick us out? I just decided I’d spend tonight with Anya, and now you’re interfering?

Anya stood there, wide-eyed. Weren't you two not involved?

Xu Jie'er’s mouth fell open in utmost astonishment.

"No, you..." Yang Changfeng tried to pull free, but she held on tight. He promptly clarified, "There's nothing between us—"

"I was wrong this afternoon," Chen Aijia interrupted gently, adjusting his collar. "I shouldn't have prioritized Vice President Su’s feelings and overlooked your dignity as a man. I admit my mistake. Please don’t be angry, alright?"

Could it be that Wang Hu was up to something again?

That couldn’t be. The guy had been beaten to a pulp; would he still have the energy to go against such a big company?

The thought of being used disgusted Yang Changfeng.

He brushed off Chen Aijia’s hand and said coldly, "I’ll explain things to my aunt myself. You should know I hate being used. From now on, whatever happens to you—live or die—it’s none of my business. Don’t bother me again; I have my own life to live."

Chen Aijia’s smile didn’t falter. She replied softly, "I know you’re upset. It’s alright, I know I was wrong and I’ll change. But you can’t deny our relationship. Whether you see it as using you or helping me, my affairs—" she stepped back, looking him over with satisfaction, "—are your affairs, just as yours are mine. Now, is this your sister? I haven’t met her. From now on, let me take care of her life; you just focus on your own."

What was going on? Who was she putting on this act for?

Yang Changfeng was completely at a loss. He glanced at Anya, who looked equally bewildered.

"Anya, come back. You can have many friends, but I only have you. I was wrong; I’ll reflect and change. I can’t live without you. Please, don’t leave me all alone, alright?" Holding Xu Jie’er with one hand and reaching for Anya with the other, Chen Aijia spoke with a hint of a bitter smile and an almost pleading sincerity, looking straight into Anya’s eyes. She never considered Anya an outsider; in this, Chen Aijia was entirely genuine.

Anya looked at Yang Changfeng, then slowly turned away.

She had made up her mind—she didn’t want to risk being doubted or resented again, especially when personal feelings blurred with professional ties. So many times, she herself couldn’t tell what emotion to bring to the company when dealing with Chen Aijia.

The man grew desperate, pushing Yang Changfeng aside and reaching for Chen Aijia. "Aijia, I—"

"Senior, have some self-respect. I’m engaged, and I can’t live without him. As for you, I see things clearly now. The person who once chatted and laughed with you was the old me, not who I am today. I hope you understand that soon, too. Senior Sister saw through you, past and present, and divorced you. If you don’t change, she—like me—will never have any hope in you again. Alright, we have family matters to handle now. Goodbye. Please, take care of yourself." Chen Aijia was resolute; she feared if she hesitated even a moment, she’d never be able to say these words.

A phrase came to mind, something about it being better not to meet again if parting is so painful.

How fitting for this moment.