Step Aside, My CEO Ex-Husband! Chapter 1129 - 1131: A Bet

"Madam, I admit I dated Li Xuanxuan, but I never trifled with her heart!"

"Is that so? Provide a reason that will satisfy me."

"The reason I was with Li Xuanxuan is because..." Ziyang's countenance grew grim. With a pained glint in his eyes, he blinked and continued, "It's because I realized my feelings for Tianxin were deepening. Knowing we couldn't be together, I chose to be with Li Xuanxuan to try and quell my thoughts of her!"

He bitterly regretted that decision from the past; it had inflicted pain upon Tianxin.

Simultaneously, it had also wounded Li Xuanxuan, unnecessarily positioning her between himself and Tianxin.

"You must understand that a union between you and Tianxin is utterly impossible. You must end things with her! She is still young and lacks foresight, but you possess it."

"Madam, I will not break up with Tianxin!" Ziyang declared, sitting up straighter and placing his hands firmly on his knees.

He absolutely refused to be parted from Tianxin!

"Are you not concerned about the consequences?" Tian Xingyun inquired, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face.

She vividly recalled the cold sweat that had broken out when she first learned of the Huo Family's stringent rules!

Countless times, she had implored Shaohua to abolish those very regulations!

She never anticipated that these unforgiving stipulations would resurface, impacting Tianxin and Ziyang.

Her heart ached at the thought of her daughter suffering...

"I am not afraid! For Tianxin, I am willing to endure any punishment!" Ziyang responded with a resigned smile. As long as he could remain with Tianxin, he could accept any trial.

"Ziyang, you must end your relationship with Tianxin. It is for the best, for both her and yourself. She is merely a child with transient affections, not worth the sacrifices you are making. When she matures, she will undoubtedly regret this." Tian Xingyun advised patiently, hoping to sway Ziyang.

Though love between two people is a powerful force, some bonds are simply not meant to be!

"Madam, I will not be separated from Tianxin!" Ziyang reiterated, his grip tightening on his knees.

The Madam's words struck a chord with his deepest anxieties, yet it wasn't the familial retribution that truly instilled fear in him.

His greatest dread was that Tianxin's feelings were merely a fleeting infatuation, and that she would come to regret them upon reaching maturity.

Despite this fear, he found himself irresistibly drawn to her, unwilling to retreat even if a precipice lay ahead.

For now, her current love was sufficient.

He chose not to dwell on the uncertain future.

"Tianxin is overly reliant on you. Witnessing you show kindness to others makes her insecure; this is not true devotion. Are you willing to take a gamble with me?" Tian Xingyun proposed with a subtle smile, having perceived all of Ziyang's underlying concerns.

Every individual possesses a vulnerability, and Tianxin was Ziyang's.

Her being his vulnerability was a testament to his genuine love for Tianxin.

Only profound love has the power to transform something into a person's Achilles' heel.

"I accept," Ziyang agreed instantly, without any hesitation.

"Aren't you curious about the nature of this wager?" Tian Xingyun inquired, a touch of surprise in her voice.

"Asking would not alter your decision, Madam."

"Very well!" Tian Xingyun beamed; Ziyang was indeed distinct from the common throng.

Following their conversation, Ziyang departed the Huo Family residence. Standing at the grand gate, he gazed longingly in the direction of Tianxin's chambers.

The Madam had instructed him to travel abroad for a month, forbidding any contact with Tianxin, to observe if her affections for him would waver...

A month's duration is neither excessively long nor remarkably short; it possesses the potential to dilute certain emotions.

After casting one final glance back, he turned and drove away, his destination the packing of his belongings for the impending overseas assignment.

Evening descended.

Huo Shaohua returned home from his work, discarding his briefcase onto the sofa with a visibly furious expression.

He berated his two sons sternly, commanding them to engage in physical exertion.

Seated in the side hall, radiating palpable anger, the household servants dared not venture near.

Tian Xingyun approached with a delicate cup of tea, placing it gently upon the coffee table.