Chen Yulan defeated!

Chen Yulan's silence spoke volumes as she processed Zhang Wei's words. She took a moment, her lips quivering slightly, before daring to meet his gaze. The indifference in his eyes stung her unexpectedly. "You have changed..." she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow, a bitter smile touching her lips.

Zhang Wei responded with a shrug, his tone matter-of-fact. "People are bound to change with time."

She nodded, her expression hardening into a mask of composure. "You would never force me for such favors again?"

He shook his head firmly. "Never."

Chen Yulan's voice wavered slightly. "Never even mention it?"

"Never," Zhang Wei reiterated.

Each denial from him felt like a tiny, sharp prick to her heart. She stammered, struggling with her emotions, "Y-You won't try to come too close or say those ambiguous—"