Chapter 49

“What did you say? Are you joking? We’ve been married for so many years, and now you’re telling me you want a divorce?”

His voice instinctively rose in pitch, but on the other end of the line, Luo Yanrong remained calm. “I’m not joking. It’s precisely because I’ve been married to you for over a decade that I want a divorce.”

“You’re the young madam of the Hu family—what more could you possibly be dissatisfied with?”

Hu Zhiyuan couldn’t understand why Luo Yanrong, who had always been so virtuous and understanding, would suddenly become so unreasonable.

“Heh, Hu Zhiyuan, do you really think being the Hu family’s young madam is such an honor? Before I married you, I was also the second young miss of the Luo family. Our statuses were equal. Marrying you didn’t elevate me into some kind of phoenix.”

Luo Yanrong couldn’t deny that she resented him. She had been a noble daughter of a prestigious family, and their marriage was a powerful alliance between equals. The Hu family had expanded its influence significantly thanks to its connection with the Luo family. Yet Hu Zhiyuan always believed the Luo family was the one clinging to them. How could she not resent that?

“I knew our marriage was a business arrangement, but I still hoped that one day, you would fall in love with me. But more than ten years have passed, and the only person in your heart is still Gu Qingrong. Hu Zhiyuan, I’m tired. I don’t want to keep chasing after someone who will never look back at me.”

Pregnancy had made Luo Yanrong easily fatigued, and even as she spoke, drowsiness crept into her voice. Hearing this, Hu Zhiyuan felt a sudden pang of guilt.

“You knew our marriage was a business deal, so why did you ever expect love between us?”

He knew Luo Yanrong was perceptive—she could see things for what they were. It was true that loving another woman while having a wife was dishonorable, but love wasn’t something one could control. The truth was, he had met Luo Yanrong too late.

“If that’s the case, why do you still yearn for another man’s wife?”

Luo Yanrong let out a cold, mocking laugh. “It doesn’t matter that you don’t love me. What matters is that I love myself. After leaving you, I’ll live a much happier life on my own.”

In the end, it was simply that Hu Zhiyuan didn’t love her. Many arranged marriages still produced affectionate couples, but theirs was not one of them.

Hu Zhiyuan was speechless, but deep down, he rejected the idea of divorce. “I won’t allow it. Yanrong, stop making trouble. Can’t we just live a good life together? Other than not loving you, I have never done anything to betray you.”

“Loving Gu Qingrong is already the greatest betrayal to me. Every time we were in bed, you called her name. Do you know how humiliating that was for me?”

Luo Yanrong exhaled deeply, closing her eyes. “There’s nothing more to say. I’ve already moved out everything that belongs to me. Even if you refuse to divorce me now, after a year of separation, I can file for divorce on my own. Whether you sign or not, this marriage is ending.”

Hu Zhiyuan held his phone, staring silently at the untouched meal spread across the table.

He had never truly considered divorcing Luo Yanrong. When he married her, he had already accepted that he and Qingrong were never meant to be. He didn’t ask for a future with Qingrong—just being her Zhiyuan-ge, watching over her from afar, was enough.

But he had forgotten—watching over Qingrong was He Xi’s responsibility. The person he should have cared about was his wife, Luo Yanrong…

—

Hu Zhiyuan didn’t receive the news about Lu Wei being taken into police custody until half an hour after it happened. The moment he heard, his stomach sank.

Lu Wei had followed him for many years. There weren’t too many people who had seen him, but there weren’t too few either.

With Lu Wei in the police station, there was no telling if Shen Jiashu would start suspecting him. But when the police came knocking, he was composed, even feigning surprise when he heard his subordinate had attempted to kidnap the Shen family’s eldest daughter.

“How is that possible? Lu Wei has been with me for years. He’s the most honest person I know—why would he dare to kidnap someone?”

“I have no idea why he would do such a thing. I’m deeply saddened by this.”

“Why would he do something so reckless? Doesn’t he know breaking the law means going to prison? I’m incredibly disappointed in him.”

The tall officer silently marveled at how convincing the rich man’s acting skills were. Keeping his face stern, he said, “Thank you for your cooperation. The case is still under investigation, so please remain available for further inquiries.”

“Of course, officer. Thank you for your hard work.”

Hu Zhiyuan smiled as he escorted the officers out, but as soon as they left, his expression turned ice-cold.

—

Shen Lihuan had thought she would get the girl in the end. But who knew that once You Changqing started dredging up past grievances, she would be this difficult? No matter how much Shen Lihuan explained or repented, You Changqing remained merciless, even placing a thick blanket between them when they slept.

Shen Lihuan: “…”

Wife’s mad. How do I coax her? Online help needed—urgent!

The next morning, Shen Lihuan woke up first, only to find an octopus clinging to her. You Changqing’s limbs were wrapped possessively around her, completely entangling her.

Shen Lihuan chuckled. Last night, You Changqing had declared with absolute certainty that she wouldn’t get close to her. But now? Her body was being perfectly honest, snuggling right into her embrace.

So much for saying no when the body clearly said yes.

Shen Lihuan lowered her head, taking a deep breath against You Changqing’s neck. The faint scent of her skin lingered at the tip of her nose, making her unable to resist pressing a soft kiss to her nape.

You Changqing twitched slightly, her ears trembling at the sensation. She buried her face deeper into Shen Lihuan’s chest, thinking that would stop the ticklish feeling.

Shen Lihuan chuckled softly. The warmth in her voice sent a shiver through You Changqing’s drowsy heart. That voice was so seductive, making her knees go weak even in her dreams.

Shen Lihuan’s lips trailed upward from her neck, capturing a soft, pink earlobe and gently nibbling.

A blush spread across You Changqing’s face. After a long moment, Shen Lihuan gave a final, lingering suck before reluctantly letting go.

You Changqing let out a breathy moan, her voice sweet and delicate as she slowly opened her misty eyes.

“Changqing, you win.”

Shen Lihuan brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead, her voice unbelievably tender.

Yu Changqing gave her a confused smile, looking irresistibly soft and adorable. But once her gaze cleared up, she turned into a little steel-toothed rabbit. “How could you hold me while I was sleeping? Didn’t I say I was still mad at you? You shouldn’t be so close to me!”

Who was really holding whom, dear? Haven’t you noticed at all? Your leg is still draped over my waist.

Shen Lihuan didn’t argue and simply accepted the blame. She just reached out and moved Yu Changqing’s leg away. Immediately, Yu Changqing clutched the blanket and rolled to the side, looking at her warily.

This person… even touched her thigh.

So bad.

But she really liked it.

Since the blanket had been taken away, Shen Lihuan got up to change and wash up. Before, when she wasn’t sure of her feelings for Changqing, she would feel a little awkward changing in front of her. But now…

Heh. She made her movements even more seductive, revealing just the right amount of her well-defined abs that Changqing loved so much. Her gaze was fiery, as if it had hooks in it.

Yu Changqing was indeed tempted. She stared at Shen Lihuan’s toned body, her curves, and her abs, unconsciously swallowing hard.

“Changqing, can you forgive me now? If you do, my abs are all yours to touch.”

Shen Lihuan approached her step by step like a graceful panther, her voice dripping with temptation.

Yu Changqing forced herself to resist the temptation, shutting her eyes tightly. “No, I still can’t forgive you.”

“Alright then, since you’re not willing to forgive me yet, I have no choice but to do this.”

Shen Lihuan smirked and took Yu Changqing’s hand, placing it on her abs. Just when Yu Changqing couldn’t resist running her fingers over them, Shen Lihuan firmly moved her hand away.

Yu Changqing opened her eyes and glared at her in protest.

Shen Lihuan leisurely finished getting dressed and glanced at her with a smug expression. “If you don’t forgive me, no more abs for you to touch.”

Yu Changqing pounded the blanket in frustration, pouting so much that she could hang a bottle from her lips. “Shen Lihuan, you big meanie!”

“Only to you.” Shen Lihuan deliberately lowered her voice, the slight huskiness making Yu Changqing’s heart itch.

After freshening up, the two of them went downstairs for breakfast. Gu Qinglan studied Yu Changqing with a scrutinizing gaze. Seeing that her walking posture was normal, she sighed in disappointment.

Shen Jiashu shot her a glance and cleared his throat lightly. “Wife, our daughter and her future wife aren’t even adults yet.”

Yu Changqing had met Gu Qinglan before, but this time, for some reason, she felt even more embarrassed than when she first met Aunt Gu.

She bit her lip, smiled, and greeted politely, “Good morning, Aunt Gu, Uncle Shen.”

“Good, good, good! Come here, Changqing.” Gu Qinglan took Yu Changqing’s hand, looking at her with affection. “Changqing is such a beautiful girl. The first time I saw you, I thought, ‘If only you were part of our family.’ I never expected that my wish would actually come true.”

Yu Changqing blinked, and suddenly, her face turned bright red. “Aunt Gu…” Could it be that Aunt Gu meant what she thought she meant?

Sure enough, “Why are you still calling me Aunt Gu? You should start calling me Mom.” Gu Qinglan beamed at her with motherly affection.

“Mom, stop teasing Changqing. She’s shy. Let her call you that after we get married.”

Shen Lihuan, seeing her girlfriend’s flushed face, quickly changed the subject. “I’m starving. Let’s eat breakfast quickly. We still have to head to school later.”

“Yes, let’s eat.” Gu Qinglan, knowing that her daughter was trying to protect her wife-to-be, stopped teasing Yu Changqing. As time passed, the redness on Yu Changqing’s face gradually faded.

After breakfast, the two of them headed to school together. Even though Yu Changqing was still holding onto her grudge against Shen Lihuan, the pink bubbles floating in the air whenever they locked eyes were impossible to miss.

As soon as class ended, Cheng Ziqian excitedly leaned over his desk, craning his neck to look at the two of them. He asked eagerly, “Are you two together now?”

Yu Changqing immediately shook her head. “No.”

“How is that possible?!” Cheng Ziqian widened his eyes in disbelief. I don’t buy it! You sneaky old fox, you’re totally lying!

Yu Changqing shot him a sidelong glance. “Believe it or don’t.”

Shen Lihuan tapped her chin thoughtfully. Yesterday, she had been too caught up in the moment, only thinking about kissing Changqing, but she hadn’t actually confessed. It looked like she had some work to do if she wanted to officially win Changqing over.

At lunchtime, Yu Changqing didn’t go eat with Shen Lihuan. Instead, she got a sneaky phone call from Yu Changhong. “Sis, I heard you and Lihuan kissed?”

“How do you know?” Yu Changqing was surprised. Could it be that the driver had spilled the beans to her family?

“The driver came back last night and mentioned that you went to Lihuan’s house. When Dad asked about it, he accidentally let it slip,” Yu Changhong said with a mischievous chuckle.

“So what if I kissed Lihuan? When emotions run deep, a kiss is only natural.” Yu Changqing replied righteously. But then, in a much softer voice, she asked, “What was Mom and Dad’s reaction?”