The Broken Engagement

The Han Family

"What have you done, you foolish girl? You say you've agreed to cancel the engagement?"

"Yes, Father." Han Shui sat in front of her father, revealing her decision to break off her engagement with Alex. The revelation sent shockwaves through Han Lou, as most of their family's business relied on Alex.

"Do you realize that most of our business is tied to the Shun family?" Han Lou's voice rose with frustration.

"What does business have to do with our engagement, Father?" Han Shui asked, trying to remain calm.

"You fool! All our partners and contracts are connected to Alex. Do you understand what will happen if news spreads that you've broken off the engagement? Some partners who sought to climb the Shun family ladder will shy away from us for fear of offending them. Eighty percent of our family's business is linked to the Shun family. With a single word from Alex, we could find ourselves bankrupt. The only reason our competitors haven't dared to offend us is Alex; he paved the way for us. And now, you stand here telling me you've agreed to cancel the engagement?"

Han Shui clenched her hands tightly, trying to control her emotions. "But he wanted to end the engagement."

"He wanted to end it because of your foolishness. You didn't reciprocate his love."

Han Shui knew well that Alex loved her, but she hadn't returned his feelings because she was focused on achieving her own dreams. Love would only be a hindrance, so she treated him coldly. She didn't understand why he loved her. Though she was beautiful, it seemed improbable that Alex would be so infatuated with her that he would pursue her for six years.

When she first realized that Alex loved her, she was pleased. Who wouldn't want to be loved by someone as handsome and intelligent as Alex? He was every woman's dream prince. But she didn't admit to his love because it conflicted with her ambitions. She thought he would tire of her eventually. Yet, for six years, he continued to declare his love, and what she hated most was that he used his family's influence to make her his fiancée.

Feeling as if she had no say in her own life, she started to feel disgusted with him. Now, as he wanted to end their engagement, she was shocked. She wanted to break off the engagement herself, but after learning how tied their business was to Alex, she was at a loss for what to do.

"That's why Alex wanted to end the engagement. He knew you wouldn't approve. Damn you, Alex!" Han Shui thought, feeling a mix of anger and betrayal. "I thought you had changed."

"Listen to me, daughter. You are the hope of our family. You must not cancel the engagement. If you do, you will destroy our family." Han Shui lowered her head, pressing her hands tightly to keep her composure, her nails digging into her skin. "Alright, Father."

A knock came at the door. "Sir, Mr. Alex has arrived at the villa."

"Show him to the guest room. I'll meet him there."

---

Alex's Perspective

After waking up, I went to my bike and rode it to the Han family's residence to finalize the cancellation of the engagement. I knew that old fox Han Lou wouldn't approve easily, but I didn't care about his opinion. Half an hour later, I arrived at the Han family's mansion. I parked my bike and asked the servant to inform Han Lou of my arrival.

Moments later, the shy maid led me to the guest room where I found an elderly man with white hair and a Chinese face sitting on the sofa with Han Shui. It was Han Lou. "Hello, Alex. It's been a while. How are you?" he greeted me.

"I'm fine, Mr. Han."

"Please, sit down. Dinner is ready."

"There's no need for that, Mr. Han. I'd like to get straight to the point." Han Lou sighed and said, "I know Han Shui has been cold towards you, but Alex, she is sorry. She's young and doesn't know what's good for her."

Han Shui remained silent, her face reflecting her inner turmoil. I spoke up, "Mr. Han, I'm not here to discuss these matters. I came to tell you that I'm ending the engagement with your daughter. Now that I've said that, I'll take my leave."

"Why do you want to cancel the engagement? Are you trying to make our family suffer? I admit I was wrong with you, but please don't involve my family in this."

"If you're worried about the termination of our cooperation, don't be. The partnership will continue even after the engagement is over."

Both Han Lou and Han Shui were stunned by my words. They thought I wanted to destroy their family, especially Han Shui, who suspected that I was using the situation to assert control over her. Han Shui asked, "Can I know why you're ending the engagement now?"

I paused before responding, "There was a prince who loved a princess and confessed his love to her. She replied, 'If you confess 100 times, I will accept your love.'"

The prince continued to declare his love to the princess. On the 100th day, the princess waited for his confession and accepted his love. However, on that day, he didn't show up. When asked why he hadn't confessed after being so close to receiving the princess's acceptance, he answered, "I was willing to take 99 steps for her, but she wasn't willing to take even one step for me."

Both father and daughter were speechless after hearing this story. Han Shui lowered her head, feeling sorrowful. She knew she wouldn't see Alex again and that their engagement was over. She wanted to say something, but Alex had already left, leaving the father and daughter in a somber silence. Han Lou spoke softly, "I hope you won't regret this in the future."