Chapter 338: An Honest Confession

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: An Honest Confession

The Rolls-Royce glided forward smoothly. Wang Chenning turned his head to look at Yang Xiaofei, who was silently gazing at the passing scenery.

"What’s bothering you today?"

"I’m unhappy," Yang Xiaofei said without turning her head.

"It can’t be because I didn’t come see you this afternoon, can it?" Wang Chenning chuckled, looking at Yang Xiaofei. "I already explained why. If you’re still hung up on that, you’re being a little petty!"

"When Grandpa was talking about our marriage, you were clearly avoiding the subject!" Yang Xiaofei turned to face him. "Are you still so against our engagement?"

"It’s not that I’m against it," Wang Chenning said, not denying it completely. "I just never thought about settling down so early. There’s too much I want to do, and besides, I still don’t know if we’re truly a good match. After all, we barely know each other."

Yang Xiaofei’s gaze turned cold. "Then where do you stand?"

Wang Chenning countered, "Would you mind if I were close to other women?"

"Of course I’d mind!" Yang Xiaofei rolled her eyes. "Would you not mind if I were close to other men?"

"So, do you think I’m a scumbag?"

"Yes," Yang Xiaofei nodded. "You’re a textbook scumbag."

"Then why do you still want to keep our engagement? Just because you can’t admit defeat?" Wang Chenning narrowed his eyes at Yang Xiaofei. "I think the reason you’re so persistent is simply that you refuse to back down, not because you actually like me. Am I wrong? Someone like you wouldn’t fall for a person that easily."

Wang Chenning’s words enraged Yang Xiaofei. "Are you implying that I’m some cheap, frivolous woman who would do anything with a man, even one I don’t like?"

"Don’t twist my words." Wang Chenning shook his head. "We’ve only known each other for a little over a month; obviously, we don’t know each other well. I admit, a part of me likes you, but that ’like’ is based primarily on your beautiful face, your gorgeous figure, and your extraordinary aura. I’ve never considered if living together would be the kind of marriage I envision for myself. And I suspect you haven’t either."

Before Yang Xiaofei could answer, Wang Chenning continued, "You just said you’d mind if I got close to other women. So let’s play out a hypothetical: What if, after we’re officially engaged, women are still throwing themselves at me? What would you do? Chain me to your side? Forbid any other woman from even getting near me?"

Yang Xiaofei stared at him, utterly stunned. She never imagined he would say something like that.

Wang Chenning went on, "The truth is, I don’t really know what you’re thinking, and you certainly don’t know what I’m thinking. You have no idea what my ambitions are. We know very little about each other. This ’liking’ we have for one another—isn’t it just an attraction based on our good looks and the unique allure of our accomplishments?"

There was a lot of truth to his words, and hearing them, Yang Xiaofei fell silent.

After a moment, Wang Chenning continued, "I’m a very ambitious man. I don’t just want my own business empire; I want my own sphere of influence. I want to usher in my own era, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that. Do you think you can accept a man like that as your lifelong partner?"

"I really don’t know you at all," Yang Xiaofei said after a long silence, sighing softly. "You’re saying that to achieve your grand ambitions, you’d not only do whatever it takes, but you’d even be willing to sacrifice relationships. Is that right?"

"In the struggles among the great families, how many people really take relationships seriously? Familial affection, romantic love, friendship—they can all be discarded and sacrificed at a moment’s notice. I’m sure you’ve seen more of it than I have and have come to see it as normal." Wang Chenning said this with a dry chuckle, then his tone shifted. "However, I would never sacrifice them. At most, I’d merely make use of them. I will never treat my women as sacrificial pawns."

Yang Xiaofei’s expression had become calm. She turned her head to look at Wang Chenning and asked softly, "So you’re saying, no matter who you marry, you’ll always have many lovers? And you’ll use these lovers to work for you, even exploiting the connections they have through their families?"

"Of course. All connections must be utilized." Wang Chenning glanced at Yang Xiaofei. "Power and beautiful women—I want them both. Perhaps I’m just a greedy man. I won’t hide it from you: the only reason I’m getting close to Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian is to use them to control the Shanxing Group and expand my influence in South Korea. The Four Commanderies of the Han, the Tang Dynasty’s Ungjin and Gyerim Commanderies... if I can bring those lands back under Huaxia’s influence, I’m willing to be branded with any infamous name.

"I also want to expand my sphere of influence into South Asia, Europe, and America. I hope to make the light of Huaxia shine across the entire world.

"Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty is my idol. Since I can’t wage war for my country like he did, I have to find another way."

As he spoke, Wang Chenning extended his hand to Yang Xiaofei. "Are you willing to strive for this goal with me? I hope that no matter what our relationship becomes—whether we end up as family or just friends—we can always continue to work together."

Yang Xiaofei just snorted, slapping his hand away and turning to stare out the window at the nightscape.

Wang Chenning wasn’t bothered and continued, "Taking Pu Zhiyun and Tian Zhiheng as my disciples was also for this purpose. I’m certain I can brainwash those two into my loyal followers. I can also bring Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian under my sway, and I can forge my disciples into an iron-clad army. I only just arrived in Yandu, and I’ve already created this much of a stir. I spent one week abroad and made a name for myself in both South Korea and Japan. I’m very confident I can make my dream a reality."

"So you think it would be my good fortune to join your team?" A sarcastic sneer touched Yang Xiaofei’s lips. "And becoming your lover would be my honor?"

"I am never merciful to my enemies, but I treat my friends very well." Wang Chenning wasn’t angry; he just chuckled. "I don’t force anyone. As for ’good fortune’ and ’honor,’ those are just how other people might feel. It has nothing to do with me."

Then he added, "So, you see? You don’t know me at all. You were just captivated by my looks and my actions, and adding your own refusal to lose, you ended up where you are now. I’ve told you my thoughts. I’ve shown you my ambitions. You should think it over carefully. And let me make one more thing clear: I don’t want to be tied down by marriage right now. It would severely restrict me and cost me many potential partners."

Finally, he added with a self-deprecating laugh, "You all call me a scumbag, and I never deny it. I think I really am quite the scumbag, and sometimes I’ll do anything to achieve my goals. But I am a good person. I’m a staunch nationalist, a son of the Han people willing to sacrifice everything for the interests of Huaxia!

"If you can accept a man like that, then we can try to see if we can build a family together."