After the divorce, my ex-husband's cousin tricked me into getting a marriage certificate.

The two came to the study.

Lin Mengchuan berated Xu Qing, "Don't just watch the show, help me think of a solution! Do you really expect me to give Lin Fei five million? My dad would definitely break my legs if I did."

Xu Qing's expression was even worse than if she were crying. "Brother Chuan, this matter may really only be resolved by spending money."

Lin Mengchuan deflated like a punctured balloon, "How unlucky I am to have run into a woman like Lin Fei."

He really regretted it.

If they had listened to their grandmother and lived a good life with Qiao Ran, their child might be walking by now.

But at that time, he insisted on arguing with his grandmother and ran away to go abroad.

That's what makes life a mess.

Upstairs, the old lady Xu Ying returned to her room and turned on the TV to play her favorite opera.

He even started humming along with the TV.

Ju Jie, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Madam, are you really not going to get involved in Young Master Meng Chuan's affairs anymore?"

Xu Ying: "Didn't you see how other mothers talk? Why should I make a fool of myself? Besides, it's not like my son can't come up with five million. Just consider it a lesson learned."

“That was his son’s fault, so the father should pay the price. It’s not my place to interfere.”

Sister Ju: "That's true, but the wife will definitely break down."

Xu Ying sneered, "She deserved to break down. Meng Chuan was spoiled by her. I told you before that spoiling a child like that would eventually lead to big trouble. She didn't believe me, did she? Now it's come true."

"This is called 'you reap what you sow'."

When Lin Zhihong returned home, after Shen Qingzhu recounted Cai Lianfang's demands, he glared angrily at his son.

After thinking for a while, he replied to Cai Lianfang, "Five million is not a small amount. I need to communicate with my lawyer. Please give me three days, and then I will have my lawyer contact you."

Cai Lianfang believed that rich people cared most about their image, so she wasn't afraid that Lin Zhihong wouldn't give her the money.

If Lin Zhihong doesn't pay, she'll go to the gate of Zhuohai Group and make a scene, letting everyone in Jingbei City know about it.

Cai Lianfang: "Alright, I'll give you three days. If you don't pay me after three days, then I'll have no choice but to make this public. We have nothing, so we're not afraid of anything."

"As for you, you should think about your Zhuohai Group."

When Cai Lianfang left the Lin family, she packed up all the desserts and took them with her.

Shen Qingzhu grabbed her husband and asked, "Are you really going to give them five million? That's five million, are you just going to give it to them like that?"

Lin Zhihong countered, "Otherwise what?"

Shen Qingzhu was stunned for a moment, then pouted and said, "I think we should go to the police station and tell them they are trying to extort money from us."

Xu Qing quickly stopped her, "Auntie, you can't do that. If you call the police, they will investigate thoroughly. If Lin Fei insists that Meng Chuan raped her, this matter will be impossible to resolve."

"Meng Chuan might even end up in jail."

Shen Qingzhu angrily slapped Lin Mengchuan on the back, "You're going to make me so angry! There are so many women in the world, why did you have to provoke her? I don't care anymore, I'm not going to spend a single penny."

Shen Qingzhu stormed off in a huff.

Lin Zhihong stared at his son for a few seconds, shook his head and sighed, then turned and went to his study.

Xu Qing looked at Lin Mengchuan, whose brows were furrowed, and asked, "Brother Chuan, how about we put Qiao Ran's matter aside for now? Let's deal with this matter first?"

Lin Mengchuan was exhausted. "Get them the information about their marriage registration first."

When Lin Mengchuan agreed, Xu Qing smiled and said, "Okay, then you go and rest. I'll head back now."

Lin Mengchuan watched Xu Qing leave, then turned and went to the study to find his father.

Lin Zhihong stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the trees in the courtyard outside, his face heavy.

"Dad," Lin Mengchuan called out as he walked over.

Lin Zhihong turned around, suddenly raised his hand and slapped Lin Mengchuan across the face, furious. "Useless thing! You were completely fooled by a woman! You can't even handle this little thing!"

"How can I entrust the Lin family business to you? I've told you many times before not to waste too much energy on women. You should focus your energy on the company's development."

"If you had listened to your grandmother and lived a good life with Qiao Ran when she arranged your marriage, would all these troubles have come to this? I really regret letting you spend two years abroad."

"I should have gone abroad and brought you back in the first place!"

Lin Mengchuan stood there motionless, his lips pressed tightly together, enduring the scolding.

Lin Zhihong grew angrier the more he looked at it. After cursing, he turned and left, saying, "You better reflect on your actions!"

Lin Mengchuan slumped onto the sofa, reminiscing about his grand wedding with Qiao Ran.

Qiao Ran looked stunning in her white wedding dress that day.

He actually felt a flutter in his heart the moment he saw her, but he forcibly extinguished that spark.

Because he hates vain women the most.

At the time, he believed that Qiao Ran married him only for his family's money.

How could he love a woman like that?

Later, when Lin Fei chased him abroad to confess her feelings, he still thought that Lin Fei was the one who truly loved him as a person.

It seems so ironic now.

When Qiao Ran got divorced, she was willing to leave with nothing and didn't ask for a single penny.

Lin Fei, however, was constantly finding ways to swindle money from him.

In order to get money, he even considered accusing him of rape.

After consulting with his lawyer, Lin Zhihong still paid Lin Fei five million in hush money.

However, he made Lin Fei sign an agreement to destroy the video and guarantee that he would not use this matter to blackmail Lin Mengchuan again.

After receiving the compensation, Lin Fei took her parents abroad after her postpartum period ended and never appeared again.

After boarding the plane, she called Lin Mengchuan to tell him about the matter and say goodbye.

Lin Mengchuan was finally relieved.

This day happened to be New Year's Eve.

When Lin Mengchuan received Lin Fei's call, he and Xu Qing were driving to a New Year's Eve party.

When I passed by Sunshine City, I was blocked at the entrance.

Traffic police came over and knocked on their car window.

Inform them that Sunshine City is holding a spokesperson meet-and-greet, and advise them to turn back and take another route.

Lin Mengchuan then looked up and saw that the huge LED screen on the outdoor floor of Sunshine City displayed photos of Qiao Ran and Zhao Mengmeng.

In the photo, Qiao Ran is radiant and smiling very happily.

Lin Mengchuan had never seen Qiao Ran smile so happily.

She always had a stern face in front of him.

Several young people walked past his car.

Lin Mengchuan overheard one of the girls say, "Qiao Ran is doing better and better since her divorce. Her ex-husband must be kicking himself."

Her companion replied, "Of course! I really don't understand. Is that man blind? He has such a beautiful wife but cheats on her with another woman. Is that woman prettier than Qiao Ran?"

The girl replied dismissively, "How could that be? How many women in this world are prettier than Qiao Ran? These days, all the new generation of actresses have fake faces, but Qiao Ran is a natural beauty."

Beep beep...

A horn blared from behind.

Lin Mengchuan was a little annoyed. He opened the passenger door and got out of the car, then went to the passenger side of the luxury car and knocked on the window.

Jiang Jingjing rolled down the car window and looked at the handsome man in a suit and tie, feigning anger as she asked, "Sir, why aren't you leaving?"

Lin Mengchuan pointed to the long queue ahead and said with dissatisfaction, "Miss, are you blind? Can't you see the traffic jam ahead? If your eyesight isn't good, stay at home and don't run around here."