Chapter 1744: Breaking Up

Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen parted ways. By the time he got home, Fan Baobao had already returned with the child.

“What was going on between you and Old Jiang today? Why were you so hard on him?”

Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng, holding their daughter.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. “Was it that obvious?”

“Very obvious.”

Fan Baobao said seriously, “Even I could tell. Don’t you think that’s obvious enough?”

Zhao Fusheng shrugged. “Then there’s nothing I can do. I did it for Wang Qiang’s own good. What do you think of that girl?”

“Not much.”

Though she had just criticized Zhao Fusheng’s actions, Fan Baobao herself actually had a very poor impression of Pan Rong.

It couldn’t be helped. Pan Rong gave off the impression of being a flashy, not very steady young person.

For people with personalities like Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao, they would undoubtedly dislike that type.

That’s just how people are—the more mature they become, the less they like noisy, chaotic scenes.

“Don’t worry.”

Seeing that Fan Baobao understood his intentions and even shared his feelings, Zhao Fusheng smiled and recounted what Jiang Wen had said to him, finally adding, “Xiao Qiang definitely has his own thoughts.”

Fan Baobao nodded. That was true. After all, Wang Qiang was no longer a child. As an adult, he naturally had his own judgment. Even if he was momentarily blinded by beauty, as time passed and through certain events, he should be able to form his own opinions.

If he really didn’t understand anything, he probably wouldn’t have been able to survive in the entertainment industry until now.

After all, Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao could help him for a while, but not for a lifetime.

“Are you hungry?”

Fan Baobao casually asked Zhao Fusheng, “I didn’t eat enough at Old Jiang’s place.”

After all, during the meal, they were too busy listening to Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen scolding Wang Qiang to actually eat much.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. “I just had hotpot.”

“Ah?”

Fan Baobao was taken aback. She had thought that Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen leaving was just an excuse, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly and recounted the matter with Yu Feihong, finally saying helplessly, “That Ye Jing guy really thought Wong Kar-wai was joking? He actually sent Sister Feihong to act in his film. He’s insane!”

Then he looked up and saw that Fan Baobao actually had a look of longing on her face.

“What’s with you?”

Startled by Fan Baobao’s reaction, Zhao Fusheng looked baffled. What kind of expression is that? Why do you look so eager?

“Don’t you think it’s a failure for an actor not to have such an opportunity?”

Fan Baobao asked him upon hearing his words.

Zhao Fusheng was stunned.

This was the first time he had heard such a view.

“What, don’t you understand?” Seeing Zhao Fusheng’s bewildered expression, she knew he had no idea what she meant.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. He really didn’t understand. How could someone be so excited and eager when they were driven to the brink of depression? Did Fan Baobao have a masochistic streak hidden deep inside?

“I think you’re thinking something bad.” Fan Baobao suddenly glared at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and waved his hand. “Don’t go pinning labels on me. I’m your husband. Who talks about their own husband like that?”

“Then tell me, what are you thinking?”

Fan Baobao asked impatiently.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled but said nothing. Clearly, what he was thinking couldn’t be said out loud.

Fan Baobao gave him a seductive look but wasn’t angry. Men were all creatures driven by their lower halves—that was beyond doubt.

“As an actor, being able to work with a great director like Wong Kar-wai and have the chance to improve your acting skills is undoubtedly a very fortunate thing. And getting immersed in a role, though serious, at least proves that the actor has fully integrated the character into their heart. That’s proof of acting ability.”

Fan Baobao spoke eloquently to Zhao Fusheng, her face glowing with a different radiance than usual.

Zhao Fusheng blinked. He could feel that Fan Baobao spoke with a very devout attitude.

Zhao Fusheng decisively chose to ignore his wife’s current state.

In this situation, anything he said would be refuted. Better to just drop it.

…

…

What is a person like when they’re heartbroken?

Everyone has experienced heartbreak, and most can empathize, regardless of profession, gender, nationality, or status, let alone social standing.

Everyone has been heartbroken and can feel that sadness and pain. Whoever claims they had no reaction when heartbroken can only mean they never truly loved in that relationship.

Or rather, they never put their heart into it.

For Wang Qiang, love was like drinking alcohol. At first, it felt like nothing, like drinking soda, but the aftereffects were strong.

Not long after leaving Zhou Yun’s house that day, Pan Rong proposed breaking up with Wang Qiang.

The reason was simple: “I don’t have feelings for you. I was just using you for your money.”

When he heard the news, Wang Qiang was very calm. He had actually sensed it vaguely, especially after Zhao Fusheng had spelled things out. His feelings became even clearer.

For Wang Qiang, Zhao Fusheng was not only his older brother and friend but also someone he had always admired.

Although Zhao Fusheng hadn’t been very direct that day, Wang Qiang knew clearly that Zhao Fusheng didn’t like his girlfriend.

And Pan Rong herself had frankly admitted to Wang Qiang that if he weren’t a celebrity and rich, she wouldn’t be with him at all.

“You like my looks, I like your money. We’re just getting what we want.” In the coffee shop, Pan Rong sat across from Wang Qiang and said calmly.

“Then why don’t you continue?” Wang Qiang asked Pan Rong, puzzled.

Pan Rong shrugged. “I’d like to, but I don’t dare.”

“Don’t dare?”

Wang Qiang was startled.

“Jiang Wen is one thing, but that brother-in-law of yours, who can order Ye Jing around—is he an ordinary person?” Pan Rong said bitterly. “I went back and checked online. Although there isn’t much information about Fan Baobao’s husband, I still managed to piece it together from bits and pieces. That person is the boss of Future Group, isn’t he?”

After all, she was a proper student from the Communication University of China and could see some things clearly.

Though she hadn’t reacted at the time, Pan Rong later realized that someone who casually mentioned Ye Jing’s name and acted like he was directing him couldn’t be just an ordinary high-level executive of Future Group. He must be the owner of Future Group.

This was a very sad story!

If Pan Rong had known earlier that Wang Qiang had such a powerful backer, she would never have treated him like a sugar daddy before.

Simple: if she had behaved well, she might have caught Zhao Fusheng’s attention, married Wang Qiang, and through his connections, gotten a job at Future Film or even Future Group.

This wasn’t a joke. According to Pan Rong’s analysis, Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao truly treated Wang Qiang like a younger brother.

It was precisely for this reason that she decided to leave Wang Qiang.

The reason was simple: Pan Rong knew that if she stayed by Wang Qiang’s side, she would inevitably be watched by that man.

If she ever did something to wrong Wang Qiang…

Ha, an enemy of a super-rich man?

The thought alone made her shudder!

So, though she was reluctant to let go of this sugar daddy, Pan Rong had no choice but to break up with Wang Qiang honestly.

She also knew that Zhao Fusheng’s words that day were probably meant to make her back off.

Wang Qiang was silent for a long time.

He understood everything and knew that Zhao Fusheng’s words that day were for his own good, but deep down, he had still harbored a sliver of hope that Pan Rong might have feelings for him.

But now, it seemed it was all wishful thinking on his part.

She had made it very clear and direct.

Still, maybe this was for the best. Perhaps this outcome was the most suitable for both of them.

Parting on good terms was always better than a falling out.

“I won’t give you back the things you bought.” Pan Rong smiled self-deprecatingly at Wang Qiang. “Anyway, I’m a gold digger, so I won’t hide it from you anymore. To be honest, it was really exhausting before.”

She meant it. After all, she was a materialistic woman. Being with Wang Qiang while pretending to be innocent and having to face an ugly guy like him—if it weren’t for the money, Pan Rong felt she would have gone crazy.

Wang Qiang nodded, not finding it a big deal.

For him, since she had laid it all out, there was no need for him to cling on.

He wasn’t the type to pester.

A long time ago, Zhao Fusheng had told him that as a man, he could be fickle and love many, or devoted to one, but no matter what, he shouldn’t be indecisive.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that.”

Wang Qiang stood up, glanced at Pan Rong, and said indifferently.

“You’re not going to try to stop me?” Pan Rong was a bit surprised. She hadn’t expected Wang Qiang to react like this. In her mind, he would either be reluctant to let her go and cry, or he would be furious and curse her out.

But now, he was as calm as if he were a different person.

It really caught Pan Rong off guard.

“Why would I stop you?”

Wang Qiang looked up, bewildered. “You’ve already broken up with me. What would I stop you for?”

With that, he turned and left, leaving a bewildered Pan Rong behind.

Pan Rong didn’t notice that Wang Qiang’s steps were a bit unsteady as he left.

There are two kinds of regrets in love: one is that you loved so hard, only to find that person wasn’t worth it. The other is that you didn’t love well enough, and only after losing did you realize that person was truly worth loving.