KFC.
“Dr. Xu, the usual combo?”
“Yes.” Xu Shu had just finished a surgery and hadn’t eaten all day. His eyes were filled with exhaustion as he took out his wallet from his coat and handed a card to the cashier.
All the shops near the hospital were closed, except for this KFC, which operated 24 hours a day.
After paying, Xu Shu carried his food to a window seat. His gaze fell on a familiar figure slumped over a table, fast asleep.
When she turned her face…
It was her?!
What was she doing here?
No one understood her physical condition better than he did.
Given her health, after the car accident and miscarriage, she needed two months of rest at home to fully recover.
Before he could sit down, his phone vibrated in his pocket again.
Seeing it was a call from the hospital, he gently placed the untouched food in front of her and asked the front desk for a piece of paper…
The cashier asked curiously, “Dr. Xu, do you know her?”
Xu Shu was a regular here, often stopping by late at night when other places were closed.
The cashier, a long-time employee, was familiar with him.
“Yes, she’s… one of my patients. Her health isn’t great, so please keep an eye on her.”
“Of course, Dr. Xu.”
At midnight, a light drizzle began to fall. The cold wind blowing through the entrance woke her up.
Feeling something slip off her, Jiang Wan looked down and saw a man’s coat. She picked it up.
Jiang Wan quickly regained her senses.
She glanced around curiously. Aside from her, the place was empty.
Her eyes fell on a note on the table. Jiang Wan picked it up and read: “Resting in the shop can easily lead to catching a cold. No need to rush to return the coat.”
The elegant handwriting ended with an unfamiliar name: “Xu Shu.”
“Xu Shu?” Jiang Wan murmured the name, unable to recall anyone by it.
Outside, the rain grew heavier, washing over the windows. The rumble of thunder sent shivers down her spine.
Jiang Wan wiped the fogged glass wall with her hand.
The dark street outside was empty except for a few passing cars.
A wave of loneliness washed over her as she hugged herself, resting her chin on her arm and watching the relentless downpour.
At that moment, she suddenly felt that after losing certain things, her heart no longer carried the same weight and burden as before.
Jiang Wan waited for the rain to stop and dozed off until five in the morning.
She touched her forehead—it felt a bit warm.
When the pharmacy opened, she bought some cold medicine…
As Jiang Wan arrived at the civil affairs bureau, an expensive car pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Sheng Lianjue’s deep gaze. “Get in.”
Jiang Wan took the back passenger seat. Inside the car, aside from her and Sheng Lianjue, there was also a lawyer.
“Miss Jiang, this is the contract signed by Mr. Sheng. There are two copies—this one is for you.”
Sheng Lianjue’s presence filled the car, his aura overwhelming. His eyes fell on the coat she was wearing, and his gaze turned cold.
But he said nothing.
The lawyer explained, “Due to Mr. Sheng’s status, it’s inconvenient for him to appear in person. Someone will handle the stamping shortly. The process will only take three minutes.”
Indeed, no one outside knew about Sheng Lianjue’s marriage.If he suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, it would inevitably attract unwanted attention.
The two staff members from the Civil Affairs Bureau got into the car.
After recording their respective information, they were about to stamp the documents.
Once the seal was stamped, it would mean their relationship was completely over.
“After the divorce, could you help me one last time? I’ve never asked you for anything before, but this time I’m begging you—please help my older brother. I’m begging you… Sheng Lianjue!”
“I can promise… after the divorce, I will absolutely never appear in front of you again. I’ll disappear far away.”
Jiang Wan lowered her head, her hands clutching the slightly worn hem of her clothes.
Since she entered the Sheng family, Jiang Wan had rarely asked Sheng Lianjue for help because she didn’t want to cause them trouble.
She was also well aware of her position in the Sheng family.
Apart from fulfilling her role as Mrs. Sheng, she had no say in the family.
This was the first time in their three years of marriage that she had ever asked him for a favor.
“If we’re getting divorced, why should I help someone completely unrelated?” Sheng Lianjue’s gaze was icy as he looked at the staff member handling the procedures across from him. “What are you waiting for? Do I need to do it myself?”
The staff member quickly snapped to attention. “My apologies, Mr. Sheng. I’ll process it for you right away.”
Just as she was about to stamp the documents, Jiang Wan, almost without thinking, stopped her. No one else could feel how Jiang Wan’s hands were trembling at that moment.
Jiang Wan avoided his gaze and spoke hesitantly, “…Is it too late for me to change my mind now?”
For her older brother’s sake, she didn’t want his family to suffer because of her. Besides Sheng Lianjue, she couldn’t think of anyone else who could help her with this matter.
She truly had no other options left.
Jiang Wan didn’t know how much courage it took for her to say those words.
Apart from the heaviness in her chest, there was also a wrenching pain.
For the unborn child, she wasn’t a good mother.
But after enduring so many years in the Sheng family, what difference would a few more years make?
It would just mean enduring more cold stares and enduring more gossip.
Sheng Lianjue rested his hands on his knees, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his seat. He remained silent for a long moment, as if hesitating.
The staff member was also conflicted, not daring to act rashly.
“Think carefully. There won’t be a second chance.”