After the divorce, the aloof female CEO was filled with regret.

After hanging up the phone, I rushed to the hospital to visit my uncle. When I pushed open the ward door, I saw only Gu Mengmeng standing on the balcony, with earphones in her ears, looking focused on something.

I started walking towards her, but she seemed not to hear me, her eyes fixed on the window. I looked around, but couldn't see my uncle anywhere, and my brows furrowed involuntarily.

It's really strange. My uncle has difficulty walking and usually can't leave the ward at all.

"Gu Mengmeng, where is my uncle?" I asked.

Gu Mengmeng seemed startled by my voice, but quickly recovered and pointed outside on the balcony. "She's on the first floor, chatting with someone under the streetlight, see her?"

I looked in the direction she pointed. My eyesight is good, and although I couldn't see the face clearly, I recognized the back view immediately. He was sitting in a wheelchair, facing away from me, with a tall, thin woman standing in front of him, muttering something to herself.

"I saw her. Who is that woman? Did your uncle tell you?" I pressed.

Gu Mengmeng glanced down at me, her expression somewhat subtle. "I don't know her. She's quite pretty, and her relationship with my uncle is probably not simple. She started crying as soon as she entered the ward, then walked up to my uncle and slapped him across the face."

When I heard that, I was so shocked I almost jumped up. "That's intense? What was your uncle's reaction?"

“My uncle has a big beard, so I can’t see his expression. But they definitely know each other, and they’re quite familiar with each other. My uncle’s tone was quite calm, and he told me to stay here while they went out to talk,” Gu Mengmeng said.

I pondered the couple under the streetlight, and couldn't help but wonder about the woman's identity. My uncle didn't deny it; could that woman be my future aunt?

But how did she know which ward my uncle was in? I made sure to keep it a secret from my maternal grandfather's family. Did my uncle contact them himself?

Sigh, never mind, none of that matters, as long as my uncle is happy. Right now, I'm more worried than anyone else. I want a divorce but can't, and I have no money.

I couldn't help but sigh. Gu Mengmeng immediately turned to look at me and asked sharply, "What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

I nodded honestly, "There are some troubles, but I'll get them sorted out soon."

I don't want to talk to Gu Mengmeng about Jiang Yuwei anymore. It's better for the two of them to see each other less in this life. I can't let Gu Mengmeng get into any more danger.

Gu Mengmeng narrowed her eyes slightly, but did not continue to ask questions. Instead, she smiled at me and said, "Ye Qiu, do you want to go for a drive?"

I looked at her, and saw her casually pull a car key out of her pocket, her smile unrestrained and radiant: "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Come on, let's go to a street food stall and have some skewers and crayfish!"

It's autumn, the season when crayfish are at their plumpest and most delicious.

Upon hearing this, my eyes lit up, my mood improved, and my mouth watered: "Great! You know what, I really miss that taste!"

Back then, because Jiang Yuwei didn't eat barbecue, I didn't either. Later, I got stomach cancer, so I couldn't touch those spicy and greasy foods anymore. Now that I think about it, I'm craving them so badly!

Gu Mengmeng took my hand and led me outside, her gentle voice tinged with amusement: "We used to eat a lot of barbecue and drink beer at food stalls. I even taught you how to peel crayfish back then."

Her words immediately brought back memories of the past, and a smile involuntarily appeared in my eyes. I didn't even notice that she was holding my hand.

"But I learned how to do it later, and I peeled shrimp for you quite a few times. After all, back then I needed you to lend me my homework to copy," I said with a smile.

Gu Mengmeng and I are true childhood sweethearts. We were together almost the entire time, from kindergarten through elementary, middle, and high school. We often ate together, though I mostly ate with her.

My dad never gives me pocket money, and my mom doesn't let me eat out. Gu Mengmeng is different. She's an only child, and she's always been at the top of her class in school. She has so much pocket money she can't even count it all.

Although my grades were decent, I just didn't like doing homework, so I often copied hers.

After leaving a message for my uncle, I left the hospital.

I originally thought a girl like Gu Mengmeng would drive a dainty sedan, but I didn't expect her to drive an SUV. Her petite frame looks a bit out of place with this big vehicle.

I sat in the passenger seat, fastened my seatbelt, and stared intently at her.

Gu Mengmeng felt a little embarrassed by my stare and coughed lightly, "Sit still, we're off."

“I think you’re very different now than before,” I said.

"What's different?" Gu Mengmeng couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"You look more down-to-earth than before, and there's a charming contrast to your appearance. You look really beautiful now," I replied earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Mengmeng immediately moved closer to me, her breath almost touching my face: "Weren't you beautiful before?"

When she suddenly got so close to me, I tensed up and felt my whole body heat up.

At this moment, she chuckled softly, turned around, sat down, and started the car.

Soon, we arrived at the old restaurant. Although it was just a roadside stall, the owner still gave a surprised smile when he saw Gu Mengmeng and me.

"Hey, you two used to come here often, right? I remember you, you were such a perfect couple!" The owner warmly invited us to sit down, pouring hot tea while looking at me and muttering to himself.

"Look at you, young man, you have a sharp eye! The girl is getting more and more beautiful. They should be a perfect match now, right?" the boss joked with a smile.

I was taken aback, and quickly waved my hand: "No, no, we're just friends."

Gu Mengmeng also handed me a cup of hot tea and chimed in, "Yes, we are friends."

The boss looked us up and down, his eyes full of amusement, as if he were mocking us.

"After all these years, you're still just friends? Are you shy and embarrassed to admit it? Is it the same as always this time?" the boss joked.

Gu Mengmeng nodded: "The usual rules are fine."

I watched my boss walk away without explaining further. After all, I had already explained, but it was still a misunderstanding, so there was no need to waste my breath.

Just then, a mocking yet familiar voice suddenly rang out: "Ye Qiu, I knew you betrayed Sister Yuwei, you actually got involved with Gu Mengmeng again."

"Jingxiu, didn't you say your cousin got married? How come he's still with Gu Mengmeng? Isn't that cheating?"

"Yeah, that's hilarious. If he liked Gu Mengmeng before, why did he even get married? That's so immoral! Does he deserve his current wife?"

Two chattering, sarcastic voices came from behind.

I remained calm and turned my head to look. I saw that Li Jingxiu was still the same as before. Standing next to him was a man who looked very familiar. Although I couldn't remember his name, I was sure that he was a classmate I didn't get along with in high school.

My gaze fell on Li Jingxiu, and I smiled leisurely: "Your face injury is healed? You're itching for a beating again?"

Li Jingxiu seemed to remember the time I exposed his mother as a mistress and got beaten up, and his face immediately darkened.

"Ye Qiu, what are you so arrogant about? If it weren't for Sister Yuwei protecting you last time, do you think you could have left the Ye family unscathed?" Li Jingxiu said through gritted teeth.

Gu Mengmeng's eyes suddenly turned sharp: "Ye Qiu, did your father lay a hand on you?"

"Don't listen to his nonsense, I'm the one who laid a hand on him." I waved my hand, my gaze sharp as I looked at Li Jingxiu. "Li Jingxiu, if you really like Jiang Yuwei, why don't you go and seduce her? Remember to leave evidence and send it to me, and I'll immediately step down and give way to you, how about that?"