"I'm engaged," Song Ren said.

"What?" Zhang Wei questioned. "Engaged as in to get married?"

Song Ren nodded.

"To who?" he asked. His heart was clenching deeply. Some part of him could not believe it. It was too abrupt.

"I'm engaged to Su Feng," she casually said while eating some rice.

Zhang Wei clenched his fists under the table. "Su Feng as in the son of the CEO of Sun Pharmaceuticals?" he asked.

"Yes," she said.

"Isn't it the same guy that bullied you back in school?"

Song Ren sighed deeply. "He did not necessarily bully me. He was just my greatest compet.i.tor, and we never got along."

"Why are you marrying him?" he asked, had to know.

"Because he's also my father's compet.i.tor and together we can combine resources, and we will double everything."

Zhang Wei tried not to look upset, but he gritted his teeth and chewed out, "Song Ren, I did not think that you would settle for an arranged marriage."

"What you mean?"

"I mean that you are selling yourself short. Instead of marrying for love, you are marrying for money. I did not think you were so shallow and greedy."

Song Ren paused her eating and narrowed her eyes. "I did not expect to hear that from one of my oldest's friends," she said solemnly.

"If it's any of your concern, I am doing this for my family. My father worked hard from nothing to build his business, and I will work hard to maintain it. With Su Feng, we will build an empire."

She wiped her mouth elegantly with a napkin and said, "I know that you are concerned about my happiness, but this will make me happy. Truly."

"Keep convincing yourself that," he retorted. Zhang Wei could not believe it. After all these years, she would pick the boy who fooled around and tormented her instead of him or any other man. He felt like it was a sick joke. He stood up and said, "Well then, I wish you well," and he left the library.

Song Ren looked well and composed on the outside, but in the inside, she felt terrible. All these years she had suspected Zhang Wei's feelings for her. But Song Ren knew that she could never return them. She considered it, but it never ran deeply. And then she felt hopeless of ever falling in love. To her, an arranged marriage seemed better suited financially, and it would make her father proud. Perhaps she could be friends with Su Feng as they always should have been.

She also believed that Zhang Wei deserved better, a woman who cherished him and was head over heels. She did not take any offence to his words; she knew he was heartbroken. But Song Ren had to tell him immediately to leave him no hope. Six years of friends.h.i.+p and she couldn't let him go because they were still good friends and she hoped that after this, he would accept her marriage to Su Feng.

Song Ren decided to pack up her things and drove back home. When she reached Song mansion, it was still early around 10 p.m. When she entered her home, Su Feng was in the kitchen wearing nightwear. Startled, Song Ren dropped her schoolbag. "You," she pointed. "What are you doing here?"

Song Ren's mother then came out and said, "my dear, you're home." Song Ren felt like she was about to vomit. "Mother, why is Su Feng here?"

It was Su Feng who spoke, "I came over to greet your family and to ask for your hand in marriage formally. I then told them about my stay in a hotel because my home is currently renovating. Your mother was kind enough to ask me to stay in the guest room."

This guy was cheeky, Song Ren thought. Su Feng bided goodbye to both of them, and Song Ren said, "what are you thinking?"

Her mother then said, "You two are engaged and were always at each other's throats. He'll be staying for a few days, and it's about time you two get along. I want to have grandchildren, and your youth is your greatest a.s.set."

Song Ren's lips parted lost for words. "Goodnight, dear," her mother said as she fled away to the master bedroom. Ren did not know what to think, but she went to sleep and had a restless night