Chapter Nine, Deep in Sorrow (Part Two).

Tong Yuwan raised her head: I apologize to you!

Zhou Tingchen wanted to tease her. He bent down and looked up, only to see tears streaming down her delicate and rosy cheeks. The glistening teardrops seemed to fall from his direction, shining brightly as if they could shatter upon hitting the ground. This sight shook him to the core, and he instinctively reached out to wipe them away. However, Yu Wan, feeling annoyed, quickly raised her hand to wipe them off before turning her head away, not allowing him to see.

Zhou Tingchen has regained his former indifference, and said coldly, "Take this back, I don't even care about this amount of money."

Even though Tong Yuwan had embraced the ideas of freedom and democracy among the students in the capital, she began to hesitate whether to accept Du's marriage proposal. However, Du's family seemed to have disappeared after sending the marriage proposal, and there was no response from the Tong family or any matchmaker, which made Nai Shi even more sorrowful.

The jade screen was recovered, but the money was lost. As the emperor's wedding approached, the internal affairs office urged for payment. In desperation, Na Shi tore off her facade and wrote a letter to Dunru Beile, hoping he would settle the matter for the sake of their sibling relationship. Unexpectedly, on the day the letter was expected to arrive in the capital, news of Dunru Beile's death arrived instead. The family not only lost their money, but also had to bear funeral expenses and donations.

He turned his back to her and suddenly spoke: "Miss Tong."

Tong Yuwan wanted to say something, but Zhou Tingchen had already sat on the sofa and spread out the newspaper from that day, ignoring her.

Zhou Tingchen walked around the sofa and stopped in front of Tong Yuwan, who lowered her eyes and saw two shiny leather shoes in front of her. Suddenly, she heard a deep voice say, "You're here?"

Hmm? Tong Yuwan turned her head when she heard the sound, not understanding why he called her. Before she could ask again, Zhou Tingchen picked up the money bag and threw it into Tong Yuwan's arms. The bag of money was extremely heavy, and Tong Yuwan was almost knocked down unexpectedly.

It is said that Lord Li has some inherited illnesses, which occasionally cause anxiety and convulsions. Two years ago, the Li family's business suffered from a student boycott due to their trade with the Japanese, resulting in damage to the ships at the dock and strikes by workers from two factories who were instigated. The Li family's business has declined further since then, and Lord Li's health has naturally deteriorated. Recently, the convulsions have become more frequent, and there have even been signs of fainting. Li Shaofeng has been entrusted with the task of returning to restore order, bearing a heavy burden on his shoulders. Lord Li's health has naturally deteriorated, and recently, the convulsions have become more frequent, with signs of fainting a few days ago. Li Shaofeng has been entrusted with the task of returning to restore order, bearing a heavy burden on his shoulders.

Zhou Tingchen took a step forward, leaning towards her. He could clearly see the furrowed brows that were twisted together with hers. Yu Wan couldn't help but blush and immediately took a half step back, raising her head in a flustered manner. It was the first time she had looked at his appearance so carefully.

Zhou Tingchen took another puff of cigarette and didn't answer. The smoke spread out and Tong Yuwan, who was choked, couldn't help coughing and couldn't catch her breath. He turned his head and saw her face turning red and suffocating, covering her mouth and coughing. He instinctively pressed the cigarette into the ashtray. However, his tone remained cold: "Do you think I need your money?"

As the two were still whispering to each other, they suddenly saw Zhou Tingchen walking in wearing a black long coat. The stiff fabric of his coat fluttered in the wind as he walked, giving him a powerful and imposing aura. Li Shaofeng, who was also dressed in black, looked up and was pleasantly surprised. His mouth curved into a slight smile, and his furrowed brows relaxed a bit. He walked over and hugged Zhou Tingchen tightly, as if he was reuniting with a long-lost friend. The two of them chatted happily, while a handsome and elegant young man leaned against the wall next to them. He was dressed in a white suit with a bow tie, holding a glass of red wine with a strong fragrance, and his eyes challenged the two men. Zhou Tingchen walked over calmly, his mouth still slightly curved and his furrowed brows relaxed. He patted the young man on the shoulder and hugged him as well. The three of them chatted and caught up with each other, paying no attention to the whispers around them.

Tong Yuwan was too angry, her face flushed under the lights. Zhou Tingchen paused for a moment, then immediately took out a cigarette, lit it with a lighter, and took a puff before asking, "It seems like you're really angry. What are these money for?"

Yu Wan and Li Xuemei chatted privately and learned that there was also some trouble in the Li family's maritime affairs. Soon, her brother Li Shaofeng, who was studying in France, would return to handle family matters. The two sympathetic individuals leaned against the plane trees in France, sighing together. Although it was a new society, they were still trapped in the old family. There were many things that women couldn't control on their own.

Unexpectedly, Tong Yuwan's whole body tensed up when she was startled by a sentence. She stood up straight and instinctively said, "Mr. Zhou asked me to come, how could I not come?"

The Zhou, Li, and Du families, although the older generation may have some barriers in their hearts, the younger generation seems to have a sense of sympathy for each other. Three young men with different auras stand in the center of the dance floor, seemingly outshining the crystal lights shining brightly above their heads, attracting countless young women's curious gazes.

Yuwang was a little curious, but did not ask Li Xuemei. She thought she knew that the young man in white who brought the invitation was Du Yuntang.

How can he not see through these little thoughts? Zhou Tingchen just finds it funny. He tilted his head and looked at her, continuing to put on a serious face and asked, "Since you know I don't need it, why did you bring it?"

Lixuemei's face was slightly flushed, but she was accustomed to such scenes. She pulled Yawan and walked to the side of the main hall, taking a seat. In the soft and soothing music, several couples were dancing in the main hall. She specifically pointed to a tall man in a black tuxedo and said, "That's my eldest brother."

Faced with the heavy money bag placed there, Tong Yuwan was stunned and somewhat at a loss. She stubbornly raised her head and looked at Zhou Tingchen's teasing smile, not wanting to speak. But her mother's words echoed in her ears again. Originally, making a living in Shanghai was already a struggle, and if they provoked this trouble, the Tong family would not be easily let go. If they could negotiate well, it would be better than risking her father's and their lives in the future. Yes, if an apology could solve the problem, why insist on being stubborn? But her mother's words echoed in her ears again. Originally, making a living in Shanghai was already a struggle, and if they provoked this trouble, the Tong family would not be easily let go. If they could negotiate well, it would be better than risking her father's and their lives in the future. Yes, if an apology could solve the problem, why insist on being stubborn?

Tong Yuwan felt hot all over when he was scrutinizing her like this. She didn't dare to look at him more and just answered with hatred, "My father said that if Mr. Zhou is willing to let go of the jade screen, our family is willing to send some money to Mr. Zhou as a travel expense."

Journalist's Note:

Seeing her nervous expression, Zhou Tingchen just smiled and said, "It's been so many years, but your mouth is still sharp. Hmm?" With a rising tone, it made her heart beat faster. She raised her face and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Zhou. But now, having a sharp mouth is useless compared to Mr. Zhou's power."

The invitation letter from the Du family was personally written by Mr. Du Ruida. When the butler from the Du family delivered it to the Tong family, he first apologized for rashly sending the invitation to his own wife, and then invited Miss Tong to the dance party on behalf of Mr. Du, using the excuse that young people like lively events. This gesture and the book gift gave face to Mr. Tong Hongshi, but pretending to be reserved showed a lack of understanding. Therefore, Mrs. Na promptly prepared the corresponding cheongsam, jewelry, and handbag for Yu Wan, and went to the Du family together with Li Xuemei.

Upon hearing of the downfall of the Tong family, the newly appointed governor of Shanghai, Shen Zhipei, resorted to forcing a payment of 30,000 silver dollars for military expenses. As the deadline approached and the large sum remained unaccounted for, the pressure caused Mrs. Tong to fall ill and Tong Hongshi to spend his days in despair, unable to find a solution.

His gaze was sharp and penetrating, his lips thin and tightly pressed. She felt as if his every breath was floating right in front of her, so ambiguous. Only then did he take a step back and turn his head away.

Tong Yuwan, the elderly person, was rescued and held on with all her might, just to wait for me to tell her whether that mysterious buyer was him or not.

The dance party organized in the name of Du Yuntang is mostly attended by young gentlemen and ladies. Tong Yuwan stopped at the entrance of the Du family for less than half a moment, and there were already observant men quietly watching her every move, intending to strike up a conversation. Seeing this, Tong Yuwan quickly lowered her head and walked together with Li Xuemei through the main entrance, bypassing the winding staircase and entering the main hall. Under the daylight-like shadow of the lights, the women exuded a fragrance and charm, while the men displayed elegance and grace. Tong Yuwan and Li Xuemei had similar heights from behind, and they were both wearing qipaos made of blue silk and adorned with pearl buttons, resembling two immature sour fruits, which was quite laughable to behold.

Tong's car stopped, Yu Wan poked her head out to look around. In front of the Du Mansion, various types of cars were already parked in order. The guards and servants at the door were busy welcoming guests. The grand French windows were brightly lit, casting a dazzling and dreamlike reflection of the wealthy and influential figures mingling with each other. Guests dressed in suits entered one after another, arm in arm with their female companions. Only Tong Yu Wan and Li Xuemei got out of the car together, holding their invitation cards as they stepped onto the stairs. They handed the cards to the guard, who immediately smiled and said, "Miss Tong, please come in." Guests dressed in suits entered one after another, arm in arm with their female companions. Only Tong Yu Wan and Li Xuemei got out of the car together, holding their invitation cards as they stepped onto the stairs. They handed the cards to the guard, who immediately smiled and said, "Miss Tong, please come in."