Chapter 76: No Grief Greater Than a Heart That Has Died

Jiang Xishan had never encountered anyone so utterly ridiculous in her life.

"Even after you've ended up like this, you still think about making friends with others? Do you really believe anyone still cares about you?"

As this thought crossed her mind, Jiang Xishan's expression grew ever more sour.

"I suppose I wasn't clear enough before, was I?" she said coldly. "Let me spell it out for you now."

"Xia Ningshuang."

"I know you can't let go of our so-called friendship, but today I have to make this clear to you. From the very beginning up to now, everything I've done has been for one reason only: to use you."

"If it weren't for the former heiress of the Xia family, there would be no Prosperity Group today."

Though she had long suspected as much, hearing the truth left Xia Ningshuang feeling utterly hollowed out, as if her spirit had been sucked away. She stood there, motionless, like a puppet.

At that moment, Xia Ningshuang reached out and grabbed Jiang Xishan's arm.

"Fine. Even if, as you say, everything in the past was nothing but a ploy, now is when I need help the most. Even just a simple position—surely that's not too much to ask of you."

"You know I was an excellent student, both in character and academics. This would be easy for me."

Jiang Xishan let out a cold laugh.

"To think the once-proud heiress of the Xia family would one day beg me for mercy."

"What a pity. If it were before, perhaps I would have agreed. But things are different now."

"Look at you—you really believe you can rise again?"

"Don't be foolish. My advice to you is to go wander the streets; at least that way you won't bring trouble to yourself."

As she spoke, she showed no consideration for how Xia Ningshuang might feel.

Jiang Xishan was utterly ruthless, even shoving Xia Ningshuang with contempt.

Already wounded, Xia Ningshuang staggered and fell to her knees, her emotions a tangled mess.

Never had she imagined that she and her best friend could become like this.

She looked at Jiang Xishan, unable to utter a single word.

Jiang Xishan sneered, "Do you still think you're the heiress you once were?"

"If you were, perhaps people would give you some respect. But now..."

Jiang Xishan sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. She crouched down and grasped Xia Ningshuang's chin, forcing her to look up.

"Take a good look at yourself—what makes you any different from the beggars on the street?"

"You used to be so beautiful, but now you're little more than a ghost—a shadow of your former self—yet you still have the nerve to come here. Are you trying to frighten my staff to death?"

Jiang Xishan seemed determined to vent all her pent-up resentment.

Xia Ningshuang had always been so dazzling, while Jiang Xishan felt invisible by comparison. Over time, jealousy had festered in her heart until it could no longer be contained.

Now, all her negative emotions erupted in a torrent, directed mercilessly at Xia Ningshuang.

Never had Xia Ningshuang expected to hear the full extent of Jiang Xishan's thoughts exposed so nakedly.

"Looking like this, where do you think you can go?"

"You're no longer the Xia family heiress, and I have no use for a friend like you. Get out of my sight—unless you want me to deal with you myself."

Jiang Xishan's words were venomous.

Without the aura of her former status, Xia Ningshuang was nothing in her eyes.

Xia Ningshuang was plunged into utter despair.

She rose, preparing to leave.

At that critical moment, however, Lin Li appeared behind her.

Jiang Xishan was momentarily taken aback.

"Mr. Lin? How long have you been here?"

"Not long," Lin Li replied. "Miss Jiang, what is going on here?"

He gestured at Xia Ningshuang, still crying on the floor.

At this, a flash of malice crossed Jiang Xishan's face.

"Just a debt collector I used to know," she replied. "She came here today to cause trouble, but don't worry, Mr. Lin—I'll have her thrown out immediately."

Lin Li settled into a nearby chair, crossing his legs and narrowing his eyes at Jiang Xishan.

True to her word, Jiang Xishan called for the security team downstairs, intending to have Xia Ningshuang forcibly removed.

It was as heartless as could be.

Even if Jiang Xishan had no intention of giving Xia Ningshuang a job, her words were unnecessarily cruel.

Her actions now were like driving a knife into Xia Ningshuang's heart.

Even Lin Li found the situation hard to stomach—let alone Xia Ningshuang.

As Xia Ningshuang wept, her tears gradually ceased.

She had once been so high above as the Xia heiress, used to being admired by all. She would not allow herself to be looked down upon today.

"I always thought we were the best of friends," she said quietly.

"I never imagined you saw me this way. Clearly, I was the one who misjudged—you, and our so-called friendship."

Slowly, she raised her head to look at Jiang Xishan, her eyes now utterly devoid of hope.

"Friend?" Jiang Xishan sneered. "You're not worthy of being my friend. Look around you—each year, millions in orders are negotiated here. I've already joined the ranks of East City's elite. And you?"

"The former Xia family heiress is now nothing but trash. Get out—you're an eyesore!"

As she spoke, the security guards burst through the door.

Just as they were about to drag Xia Ningshuang away, Lin Li flicked his finger.

Before the guards could even touch Xia Ningshuang, one let out a wail and collapsed to the floor, to everyone's shock.

"What happened?" Jiang Xishan shouted.

Lin Li rose calmly. "I used to think Miss Jiang was a person of loyalty and feeling," he said. "Someone who wouldn't easily abandon a friend. Clearly, I was mistaken."

Xia Ningshuang gazed at Lin Li, surprised herself.

Lin Li was here as a representative of the Qin family—if this project failed, he would surely face consequences as well.

And yet, he didn't seem to care. Even now, he stepped in to help her.

Her admiration for Lin Li grew even deeper.

How many men in this world could act as he had?

Lin Li himself remained perfectly composed.

Jiang Xishan, on the other hand, was utterly stunned.