Gu Mian gasped for breath, finally recovering enough to glare up at him. “If you don’t want me calling Yin Luoxue right now, let me go. If she finds out you’re passionately kissing me in the middle of the night, she might end up in the hospital again from anger.”
Li Tingshen narrowed his eyes, his deep gaze unreadable. “You dare threaten me?”
“I’m just stating facts.”
He pressed her firmly against the car. “If you don’t mind her hearing the uncontrollable sounds you make beneath me, go ahead and call… Actually, it’s been a while since we’ve done it in a car. Why not now? Would you prefer the front seat or the back, hmm?”
Fearing he might force the matter, Gu Mian trembled slightly with nervousness. “Yin Luoxue is delicate and doesn’t have the fortitude to handle this. What if she dies from anger? Wouldn’t you be heartbroken?”
Li Tingshen immediately lost interest and released her. “Fine, I won’t touch you. But you must come home with me tonight.”
Gu Mian quickly put distance between them. “I’ve told you—I want a divorce. Once I’ve made a decision, I won’t change my mind.”
He stared at her intensely. “Alright, you’ve got spine. But I wonder how long that spine will last.”
Watching the Rolls-Royce drive away, Gu Mian sighed in relief and went upstairs.
…
Early the next morning, Gu Mian started sending out resumes.
But for two full days, her applications either went unanswered or were rejected.
Gu Mian had always been a top student, skipping grades throughout her education and graduating from Hai Cheng University at just 19.
She had studied medicine. If not for her grandmother’s illness requiring treatment in the Imperial Capital, she would have been working at a hospital in Hai Cheng long ago.
But times had changed. Hospitals conducted thorough background checks, and with her prison record, no reputable hospital would hire her.
Although she had mentally prepared herself, facing reality left Gu Mian both sad and discouraged.
After spending the whole day out, she returned in the evening to find Gu Zhiyuan and Wang Shulan sitting on the sofa, both looking grim.
Wang Shulan in particular was visibly suppressing her anger.
“Uncle, Aunt, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Gu Zhiyuan replied. “Mian Mian, have you eaten? I saved some food for you—let me heat it up.”
“I’ve already eaten.” Gu Mian pressed further, “Uncle, what exactly happened? Please tell me.”
“How dare you ask!” Wang Shulan crossed her arms, her anger boiling over. “Gu Mian, logically speaking, you married into the Li family—it should have been a case of ‘one person achieving success, their relatives rising along.'”‘ We should all be benefiting from you. But not only have you failed to bring us any benefits, now you’re dragging us down. Your uncle and I worked hard to open a shop and support this family, and now because of you, we have to close it!”
“Close the shop?” Gu Mian quickly connected the dots. “Li Tingshen did this, didn’t he?”
Gu Zhiyuan sighed. “The other party didn’t explicitly say so, but from their tone, it’s basically him. After all, not many people have the power to buy up all the shops on an entire street at once.”
“Uncle, Aunt, I’m sorry. I didn’t handle my personal matters properly and ended up involving you.”
Wang Shulan was furious. “Gu Mian, Ting Shen doesn’t want a divorce, that’s why he’s angry. Why are you causing trouble for no reason? Wouldn’t it be better to just peacefully be Mrs. Li?”
“Keep your comments to yourself.” Gu Zhiyuan said sternly, “Mian Mian is a sensible and well-behaved child. She wouldn’t ask for a divorce unless her bottom line was crossed.”
“What bottom line? It’s just about him having women outside. It’s nothing for men to fool around, especially for a man like Li Tingshen. Even if he had eight or ten women outside, it wouldn’t be excessive!” Wang Shulan spoke with earnest concern, “Gu Mian, listen to your Aunt. Go back and secure your position as Mrs. Li. With endless money to spend, your uncle and I can benefit too.”
Gu Mian’s expression turned cold, “Sorry, Aunt, I don’t agree with your view. Loyalty is the most basic requirement in marriage. If even loyalty can’t be maintained, then even if the marriage continues, it’s already corrupted.”
“I’m saying all this for your own good, and now you’re lecturing me!” Wang Shulan rolled her eyes, “If you divorce, not only will you end up with nothing, but you’ll also anger Li Tingshen. Look, he’s already angry now, and we’re being implicated!”
“I’ll handle this matter properly and won’t let him trouble you.” Gu Mian stood up, “I’m going back to my room now.”
“Gu Mian, stop right there! I haven’t finished speaking…”
“Haven’t you said enough?” Gu Zhiyuan held back his wife, “Mian Mian already said she’ll handle it and it won’t affect us.”
“I’m doing this for her own good too.”
“Mian Mian doesn’t need it!”
Gu Mian closed the bedroom door, blocking out the noise from outside.
She knew Li Tingshen was someone who wouldn’t give up until he achieved his goal, and she had anticipated he would make things difficult for her, but she didn’t want to involve others.
Gu Mian quickly packed her belongings and wheeled her suitcase out.
“Mian Mian, where are you going?” Gu Zhiyuan hurried forward to ask.
“Uncle, I can’t continue staying here.” Gu Mian explained, “If I move out, Ting Shen won’t trouble you anymore.”
Gu Zhiyuan sighed, “It’s all because your uncle is incapable and can’t stand up for you.”
“No, it’s me who has implicated you.”
“Mian Mian, you must take good care of yourself when you’re alone outside.”
“I will.”
……
Gu Mian had been looking at apartments for the past two days, but hadn’t rushed to rent one since she hadn’t secured a job yet.
She contacted a real estate agent and immediately rented a studio apartment she had previously viewed.
The apartment was fully furnished and ready for immediate move-in.
After settling in, she took out her phone, removed Li Tingshen from the blacklist, and sent him a text message.
To protect the child in her womb, she absolutely couldn’t return to Li Tingshen’s side.
Moreover, she needed to find a job quickly to earn money and support herself and the child.
Her phone suddenly rang – it was Li Tingshen calling.
Gu Mian directly rejected the call, but the phone rang again soon after.
After hesitating for a moment, Gu Mian answered, “I’ve said everything I needed to in the text message.”
“Is this Mrs. Li?” An unfamiliar male voice came from the other end, “This is Shengshi Huangchao. Young Master Li is drunk here. Could you come pick him up?”
“He wouldn’t be alone. At the very least, he’d have his driver with him.”
“The driver doesn’t dare touch Young Master Li. Mrs. Li, we’re in a hurry to get off work. Please help us out.”
Gu Mian hung up the phone, grabbed her jacket, and went out.
She took a taxi to Shengshi Huangchao and went directly to the top floor via the elevator.
This was the most luxurious club in the Imperial Capital, where Li Tingshen maintained a private room reserved exclusively for his use. Gu Mian had been here before.
The door to the room was slightly ajar. Just as Gu Mian was about to push it open, through the crack, she abruptly saw two people kissing inside!
Though she couldn’t clearly see their faces, Gu Mian instantly recognized them as Li Tingshen and Yin Luoxue!