Inside a private room at an upscale club.
Shen Qiao was sunk deep into the sofa, his brows tightly furrowed, his expression dark and gloomy.
Su Lingyu had rejected his call.
This was something that would have been absolutely impossible in the past.
It had always been him who rejected Su Lingyu’s calls—he had work, he was busy, his reasons were perfectly justified.
And Su Lingyu?
She was just throwing a tantrum like a spoiled young lady, thinking the whole world should revolve around her!
Was having an illness something to be proud of?
Instead of properly treating her condition, she acted like an obsessive, sending messages and looking for him from morning till night!
“Hey, have you noticed? We actually haven’t seen Su Lingyu by Shen Qiao’s side tonight!”
“I noticed it earlier! What’s even stranger is that Su Lingyu actually didn’t barrage him with calls!”
“Shen Qiao, you’re something else! You actually managed to tame such a clingy little tail like Su Lingyu!”
“I told you, how could our young master Shen be henpecked? Especially since they’re not even married yet! If it were like before, where Su Lingyu could summon you back with just one call, what would happen after marriage? Wouldn’t you have no freedom at all?”
“Come, come, let’s toast to President Shen, congratulations on reasserting your marital dominance!”
Everyone raised their glasses and joined in the teasing.
Suppressing the irritation in his heart, Shen Qiao perfunctorily picked up his glass. “That’s only natural. My life doesn’t revolve around her; I’m busy with work every day.”
“Exactly, exactly!”
“Could it be… you had a fight?” someone tentatively asked.
As soon as these words were spoken, the boisterous atmosphere subtly froze.
Those who had witnessed Su Lingyu’s clinginess all had a change in their expressions.
Shen Qiao had been sitting here for almost two hours, with no sign of Su Lingya and no phone calls—it was indeed unusual.
Some even began to feel restless inside—setting aside her prominent family background, Su Lingyu’s breathtaking beauty was top-tier.
Having such a stunning girlfriend constantly urging you to come home—what man wouldn’t have his vanity skyrocket?
If it weren’t for Su Lingyu, why would they even be friends with Shen Qiao?
Shen Qiao truly didn’t know how lucky he was!
Shen Qiao’s eyes darkened. “Don’t talk nonsense, we didn’t fight.”
“No fight? Then… did you break up?”
Hit right where it hurt, Shen Qiao’s expression changed abruptly, and he retorted sharply, “No!”
He downed a mouthful of alcohol in frustration.
Su Lingyu’s dependency disorder didn’t act up with just anyone!
They were childhood sweethearts; only by his side could she feel secure and at ease.
Break up?
Her going to find someone else?
Who could provide her with a sense of security like he did?
“I have something to attend to, I’ll take my leave first.” Someone, unable to hold back, stood up.
Everyone exchanged knowing glances, casting looks of disdain.
Just as that person stood up, the private room door clicked open.
The very subject of their discussion was standing at the doorway.
Su Lingyu wore a green satin slip dress, her soft, diagonally braided hair adorned with silver butterfly hair accessories, making her skin appear whiter than snow, her eyes gentle as water, and her figure graceful.
Such a top-tier beauty—all she wanted was to be with her boyfriend; what was wrong with that?
Even if they had fought, it must have been Shen Qiao’s fault!
The moment he saw Su Lingyu, the gloom in Shen Qiao’s heart instantly dissipated, and his eyes unconsciously took on a proud, tsundere look.
He knew it—she couldn’t really break up with him!
Those words about breaking up were just said in a fit of pique.
Su Lingyu stepped into the private room, her gaze sweeping around. She didn’t find Jiang Yuli, but instead ran into her ex-boyfriend, who had abandoned her alone at the airport.
“See, she’s here, isn’t she?” Shen Qiao stood up, a confident smile spreading across his face, his tone intimate. “Baby, let’s go home.”
Before the words even finished, Su Lingyu casually grabbed a glass of wine and splashed it in Shen Qiao’s face!
Shen Qiao froze.
The entire private room fell into dead silence.
Shen Qiao wiped his face in embarrassment and roared, “Su Lingyu—what’s wrong with you?!”
She appeared delicate and fragile, but her movements were swift and decisive.
Su Lingyu set down the empty glass, casting him a cold glare. “We’ve already broken up, yet you still call me ‘baby’—isn’t that just taking advantage? Who else should I splash if not you?”
Shen Qiao played dumb. “Break up? When did that happen? I don’t know anything about it.”
Su Lingyu let out an angry laugh. “I sent you a breakup message. Don’t pretend you didn’t see it.”
“No, I really didn’t receive anything!” Shen Qiao flatly denied, his tone earnest. “We’ve known each other since we were kids. I understand you’re upset—what couple doesn’t argue? But breaking up is a big deal. How can you just end it like that?”
“Give me your phone to check,” Su Lingyu pointed at the phone on the coffee table.
Fortunately, he had prepared in advance and already deleted the message.
Shen Qiao picked up his phone, unlocked it, and held it out for her to see. “Look, there’s really no message from you. I’m not lying, so we’re still together.”
“Hah,” Su Lingyu sneered. “Hah, hah.” She couldn’t be bothered to pull out her own phone to confront him. “Fine, then I’ll tell you to your face right now: Shen Qiao, we’re breaking up!”
“I don’t agree!” Shen Qiao suddenly grabbed her wrist, lowering his voice with a hint of barely concealed panic. “Don’t be unreasonable, okay? I was wrong that day—I wasn’t thinking clearly. I shouldn’t have left you at the airport. I swear it won’t happen again! Su Su, who else could you be with besides me? Give me a chance. I’ll prove we’re the most compatible!”
He absolutely could not break up with her!
Behind Su Lingyu stood Su Huainan.
If they broke up, not only would the intelligent robot team withdraw, but other collaborative projects might also be terminated.
That madman Su Huainan doted on his sister without any regard for losses. The Su family even had a bank… With Su Huainan’s support, funding was never an issue!
Su Lingyu struggled fiercely. “Let go of me!”
Shen Qiao leaned close to her ear, almost pleading. “Baby, so many people are watching. Save me some face…”
“Why should I?” Su Lingyu refused to back down, her voice clear and sharp. “When you abandoned me at the airport, did you ever think about how miserable I’d be if I had an episode? Giving you another chance would only hurt me all over again!”
“Do you have to be like this? I only made one mistake! Who doesn’t make mistakes? I’ll change, alright?” Shen Qiao also lost his temper. “Do you think anyone else could stand you clinging to them like… like a surveillance camera? I’m an independent person too, not some accessory of yours, Miss Su!”
Someone in the room wanted to speak up but was silenced by the tense atmosphere between the two.
Su Lingyu’s wrist ached from his tight grip as she retorted, “That’s my business. It’s none of your concern, ex-boyfriend.”
The term “ex-boyfriend” stung Shen Qiao deeply. “I told you, I don’t agree to the breakup!”
“I don’t need your consent to break up!” Su Lingyu twisted her wrist forcefully. “Let go!”
“I won’t!”
With her left hand firmly trapped, Su Lingyu didn’t hesitate—she raised her right hand and slapped Shen Qiao hard across the face!
Slap!
The sharp sound cut through the silence.
Shen Qiao covered his cheek, staring at her in disbelief. Was she insane? First splashing wine, and now hitting him?
Su Lingyu’s gaze was icy cold: When I loved you, you pushed me away. Now that I don’t, you cling desperately? What a joke!
Shen Qiao rubbed his stinging cheek, his voice low and heavy: “You came all the way to find me just to break up with me in person?”
“Who said I was here for you?” Su Lingyu was utterly exasperated. Had her past self been too clingy, giving him this ridiculous misconception?
“Not for me?” Shen Qiao scanned the private room, his gaze suddenly sharpening. “Then which one of them are you here for?”