After the divorce, the crazy CEO knocked on his ex-wife's door every night.

However, as soon as he said those words, he regretted it, because he saw Shen Xuan's face darken even more instantly.

"No need, I'm fine."

She forced a smile and replied in a low voice.

Shen Xuan waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more.

Despite her efforts to remain calm, her voice betrayed a hint of impatience.

For that attendant, this answer was probably the most common perfunctory response.

But only she knew that dialing that number at this moment would only exacerbate her inner turmoil.

Moreover, whether or not to inform Si Yuan about this situation still needs careful consideration.

After all, she didn't want him to see her vulnerable or out-of-control side.

Recalling her harsh words, Shen Xuan's heart skipped a beat. She could only hope that Li Siyuan wouldn't disappoint her...

Standing on the steps outside the mall, a gentle night breeze brought a touch of coolness.

She suddenly realized that her words had been too harsh and might lead to an unmanageable situation.

Although they appear confident on the surface, it is easier said than done to be so resolute.

After all, this is a major life decision, not a childish argument.

As she pondered, Si Yuan's gentle image kept flashing through her mind, and she silently thought: He must keep his promise, or everything will be ruined...

"Miss Shen, are you planning to go home, or would you like to wander around a bit more?"

The driver beside her asked a question at the right moment, pulling Shen Xuan back to reality.

His tone was gentle, yet cautious, as if afraid of touching a nerve with the young woman.

The vehicle has started and is slowly moving towards the designated location, awaiting further instructions.

"go home."

She rubbed her forehead, feeling there was no point in continuing to stroll around.

The setting sun cast its glow on her profile, highlighting an indescribable weariness.

Shen Xuan leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and relaxed her brows slightly, her tone calm and even.

At this moment, all she wanted was to get away from the noise as soon as possible and find a quiet place to sort out her chaotic thoughts.

As for the unfinished shopping tasks, they can be made up for tomorrow.

But now, home is the only place that can comfort her.

Just then, my phone rang again, indicating a new message.

The ringing of the bell broke the silence inside the car, suddenly creating a sense of urgency in the space.

Shen Xuan slightly opened her eyes, glanced at the bag in her hand, and hesitated whether she should check the contents immediately.

However, she couldn't resist her curiosity and, after a moment's hesitation, finally reached into her bag.

She only took it out of her bag and glanced at it after she got on the bus.

Jin Shuying suddenly rushed from the Lu family to Jiangcheng to find her, but no one knows what she's up to.

When Shen Xuan received the news, she felt a little doubtful.

She gave the driver a few instructions, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. Soon, the car started moving at her brief command and sped off towards a high-end leisure venue in Jiangcheng.

The street scenes along the way rushed past the car window, but she had no mood to appreciate them.

What is the purpose of the woman who once put her in trouble several times, who has suddenly appeared in her life?

This unknown answer made her feel somewhat wary and cautious.

The woman opposite was sitting there quietly, with a seemingly leisurely and indifferent expression on her face. She looked like a lady from a wealthy family, and her demeanor exuded composure and elegance.

She showed no signs of anxiety; instead, she leaned back slightly in her chair, watching calmly as Shen Xuan entered the private room.

"I thought you weren't coming."

Jin Shuying spoke in a lukewarm tone, and after she finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on her lips, as if she didn't care about the other person's reaction.

Suppressing her disgust, Shen Xuan stood still and glanced around before asking directly, "Ms. Jin, what can I do for you?"

Her tone was calm and restrained, clearly indicating that she did not want to waste time on small talk.

After all, she was already reluctant to meet with such a meeting, and staying even a second longer felt like torture.

Jin Shuying seemed to sense her aloofness, her gaze lingering for a moment as if lost in thought.

Then, she picked up the menu on the table and handed it to Shen Xuan, saying, "Let's eat something first."

The suggestion sounded polite and friendly, but to Shen Xuan, it sounded more like an excuse to stall for time, and even carried a hint of condescension.

Shen Xuan's hand stiffened slightly as she took the menu, and her tone grew increasingly cold. "Can you just say what you want to say? I'm in a hurry to get back; I don't have time to eat with you."

This sentence was concise and to the point, making no attempt to conceal her dissatisfaction.

Jin Shuying was slightly taken aback by these words. Her originally dignified and gentle face quickly froze, and then her brows furrowed. Her voice carried a hint of probing sharpness, "Are you so restricted around that man? You have to be controlled even when you're out for a short while?"

Despite the understated tone, the words were full of skepticism and sarcasm.

“It’s not that he’s restricting my freedom, it’s that I don’t want to have anything to do with your Lu family. It has nothing to do with whether I’m free or not.”

Shen Xuan raised her head, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, and retorted icily.

Each word was powerful and resonant, piercing Jin Shuying's ears like a dagger.

The air suddenly became tense because of that one short sentence, and the silence between them only deepened the awkward atmosphere.

Perhaps sensing the tense atmosphere, Jin Shuying tried to ease the tension and carefully asked again, "Has your father not cared about you much all these years?"

Although the words were spoken in a casual tone, Shen Xuan still keenly caught the hidden probing meaning in them.

When the sensitive topic of her father was brought up, Shen Xuan instantly felt a tightness in her chest, as if a stone was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Anger quickly spread throughout her body, and she abruptly stood up from her seat, the chair scraping against the floor with a screeching sound.

"Since there's nothing important, I'll be going now."

After coldly uttering those words, she didn't even bother to glance at Kim Suk-young's expression before turning and leaving.

This woman who almost harmed her twice was sitting there so nonchalantly, chatting with her about these trivial topics!

Shen Xuan's steps were quick and hurried, as if she were fleeing this place.

Fragments of the past kept flashing through her mind, those memories haunting her like a nightmare, making it hard for her to breathe.

Faced with such hypocritical interpersonal relationships, she had already built a strong defense in her heart, and today's unexpected meeting only strengthened her determination to stay away from the Lu family.

"and many more!"

Jin Shuying hurriedly called out to her, her voice filled with anxiety and helplessness.

She stopped abruptly, turned to look at the other person, and spoke with a hint of pleading in her voice.