Chaрtеr 3: Winning Нim Ваck
“I won’t divorсе.” Cen Wаn’s hand holding thе divоrсе аgrеemеnt trеmblеd slightlу. “I’d rather diе than divorce.”
Shе wоuldn’t divorсе. Неаven hаd givеn hеr anothеr сhanсe to lovе him prоperly, аnd she аbsolutеlу refused tо let it go.
Lu Bеiхun lооked at hеr, his еуеs dark and unrеadаble. Aftеr a few sеconds, hе turned to faсе thе floоr-tо-ceiling window, nо longеr lоoking at hеr. He sрokе unhurriеdlу, “Aftеr the divorсe, the рrоjеcts with the Cen family will continuе. Yоu’ll take sixty реrcent of оur mаrital assets. If the Cen family encounters any problems in the future, this money will be enough to help them through any difficulties.”
Although he called it sixty percent of their marital assets, in reality, it was all Lu Beixun’s personal wealth. Even so, he still insisted on divorce. Cen Wan’s fingertips twitched slightly as she stared straight at his tall, retreating figure.
She was barefoot, the chill from the floor tiles seeping into her soles. In the past, no matter how much they argued, he would always carry her to put on her shoes. Now, she had stood barefoot in front of him for so long, and even though he saw it, he remained indifferent.
It seemed that in this life, Lu Beixun no longer wanted her.
She took a deep breath. But what did it matter? This time, she would be the one to love him.
In her previous life, she had suppressed her feelings for him deep in her heart. In this life, she no longer needed to suppress them. She would love him properly.
Walking to Lu Beixun’s side, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, looking out the window. Then, she tilted her head slightly to look at him. “Lu Beixun, I don’t want a divorce…”
“I don’t want any assets or money. I only want you.”
A flicker of shock passed through Lu Beixun’s dark eyes, so fleeting and subtle that Cen Wan didn’t notice it. “Sign it,” he said.
Cen Wan was taken aback for a moment, then an idea struck her. She clutched her stomach with both hands, her face scrunching up in pain. “Ouch, my stomach hurts. I must have eaten something bad.”
Better to make a quick escape. The sudden demand for a divorce had caught her off guard. She needed time to think of a counter-strategy.
“I’m going back to my room to lie down. Let’s talk about the divorce another day.”
“It hurts too much. I can’t stand it.”
With that, Cen Wan scurried upstairs. Only after closing the door to her room did she let out a sigh of relief.
In this life, Lu Beixun was determined to divorce her.
After a long while without hearing any movement, she thought Lu Beixun had left. She opened the door quietly, peeked out of her room, and glanced downstairs. Lu Beixun was still there, standing in front of Auntie Yang. She couldn’t hear what they were discussing.
Hiding in a spot where the two couldn’t see her, she pricked up her ears to eavesdrop.
Lu Beixun: “Madam likes to go barefoot. Remember to remind her to wear shoes.”
Auntie Yang: “Yes.”
Lu Beixun added, “She loves sleeping in. Make sure to call her for breakfast.”
Auntie Yang nodded, her expression slightly worried. “Sir, I just heard Madam say her stomach hurts. Should we call the family doctor?”
A hint of a smile flickered in Lu Beixun’s eyes. “No need. She’s faking it.”
“Huh?” Before Auntie Yang could react, Lu Beixun had already taken the divorce agreement and left.
Crouching upstairs, Cen Wan stifled a laugh. Lu Beixun must still care about her. If he truly didn’t love her, why would he tell Auntie Yang so much? Why would he give her the majority of his assets?
He knew she was pretending but didn’t expose her.
Auntie Yang brought a cup of hot water upstairs and was startled to see someone huddled in the corner. “Madam, what are you doing?”
Cen Wan stood up. “It’s nothing.”
“Madam, your stomach…?” Auntie Yang had come up because she was concerned.
“I was faking it.”
Auntie Yang: “…”
What were these two up to?
Cen Wan took the hot water Auntie Yang had poured for her and returned to her room. After changing her clothes, she headed back to the Cen family home.
As soon as she entered the house, before Father Cen and Mother Cen could react, Cen Wan threw herself into their arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Father Cen and Mother Cen were momentarily stunned. Once they recovered, they assumed she had been wronged and were heartbroken. They immediately began comforting her. At home, Cen Wan was like a little princess, cherished by her parents, who feared she might stumble or fall.
Cen Wan sniffled, not wanting to worry her parents too much. “I’m fine. I just missed you both. It’s been too long since I last saw you.”
Mother Cen: “Didn’t we see each other just three days ago?”
Cen Wan wiped her tears on Mother Cen’s clothes. “It wasn’t three days—it felt like three years. Every day felt like a year.”
Mother Cen gently tapped her nose. “You little rascal.”
Cen Wan looked up. “Where’s my sister?”
Mother Cen gave her a helpless look. “Have you really lost your mind? At this time, your sister is obviously at school.”
Her younger sister, Cen Luo, was a year younger than her. Though they came from the same womb, Cen Luo was a top student, while Cen Wan was academically challenged. Cen Wan had graduated from a vocational college.
Her parents often remarked on how different the two sisters were—one a brilliant student whom teachers adored from a young age, the other a struggling student who gave teachers headaches.
“My brain isn’t working right,” Cen Wan said, snuggling into Mother Cen’s embrace. “I want to eat Mom’s cooking.”
Mother Cen stood up. “I knew it, you little glutton. I’ll go make something for you right now.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Once Mother Cen went to the kitchen, Cen Wan’s expression turned serious. She looked at Father Cen. “Dad, regarding the company’s misappropriated funds and leaked confidential information… do you have any suspects?”
Father Cen looked at her. “Why do you ask?”
Cen Wan spoke directly. “It’s Cen Xiu. He’s never considered us family. The gentle, refined persona he shows us is just an act. Dad, you must be cautious of him.”
Father Cen paused for a few seconds before nodding. “I understand.”
Father Cen wasn’t entirely unsuspicious of Cen Xiu, but he lacked evidence. The person responsible had covered their tracks well, leaving no leads. Besides, Cen Xiu was someone he had raised himself, and he trusted his character.
Without concrete evidence, Cen Xiu would always remain his son.
Cen Wan reminded him a few more times.
Father Cen listened attentively. Cen Wan and Cen Xiu had always been close—so close that Cen Wan trusted him unconditionally, believing whatever he said. For her to speak like this now, there must be a reason. She must have discovered something.
Cen Wan linked arms with Father Cen, leaning her head on his shoulder affectionately. No matter what, she would do everything in her power to prevent the Cen family fire a year later. Cen Xiu couldn’t carry out such a grand plan without leaving traces. She would find evidence and make sure he paid the price.
She would repay Lu Beixun’s life with her own, but Cen Xiu would pay for the lives of her parents and sister.
A flicker of hatred surfaced in her dark eyes.
Father Cen asked, “You were crying so hard earlier. Did Lu Beixun mistreat you?”
Cen Wan pushed the hatred from her eyes and smiled, shaking her head. “No, I already told you—I missed you and Mom. Why won’t you believe me?”
“Lu Beixun didn’t mistreat me.” Cen Wan lowered her head. “It was me who hurt him.”
Lu Beixun would never mistreat her. It was she who, blinded by others, had broken his heart.
Father Cen patted her shoulder. “Lu Beixun is a good man. You should cherish him.”
Even if he had used some underhanded methods, his love for her was genuine.
“I will.” She would do everything in her power to treat him well. “I won’t let him get hurt again, because I love him too.”
After having lunch at the Cen family home and staying until three in the afternoon, she returned home.
At seven in the evening, back at the Lu residence, Cen Wan lay in bed after her shower, remembering how in her previous life, even after being married to Lu Beixun for a year, they had never shared a bed. What a regret.
She glanced at the empty space beside her and sighed. How she wished she could sleep with Lu Beixun, but now he wanted a divorce. What was she to do?
In her previous life, staying alone in this villa hadn’t felt like much. Now, staying here left her feeling empty and even a little fearful.
She got up, changed her clothes, picked up her bag, and left the bedroom. As she stepped out, she ran into Auntie Yang, who asked where she was going and offered to have the driver take her. Cen Wan declined.
After walking a few steps, she turned back and stood in front of Auntie Yang. “Auntie Yang, do you think Lu Beixun still loves me?”
Auntie Yang sighed. “Madam, do you still doubt Sir’s feelings for you?”
Cen Wan understood. He loved her.
She smiled at Auntie Yang. “I’m going to win Lu Beixun back.”
Without waiting for Auntie Yang’s response, she headed straight to the parking lot, got into her car, and drove away from the Lu residence.
After leaving the Lu residence, Lu Beixun had moved to a villa near his company. The company was located in the city center, and while the villas in that area weren’t as grand as the Lu residence, only the wealthy or influential could afford to live there.
Half of the villas in the entire complex were unoccupied.
As soon as she reached the entrance of the villa complex, she was stopped by security. Fortunately, when she turned twenty, her father had bought a villa for both her and Cen Luo in this complex. They had only viewed the properties and never lived there. She gave her name, and the security guard went to verify it. Ten minutes later, after confirming she was indeed a property owner, he let her through.
Shortly after their marriage, Lu Beixun had brought her here once, so she knew which villa was his.
When she reached the villa’s entrance, the black wrought-iron gate was open. She walked in and entered the living room but didn’t see Lu Beixun. Uncle Zhang, hearing the noise, came over. “Madam, what brings you here?”
Uncle Zhang had originally been at the Lu residence but had left with Lu Beixun when he moved out.
“Uncle Zhang, I’m looking for Lu Beixun.”
“Sir hasn’t returned yet.” Uncle Zhang’s face lit up with delight. Sir would surely be overjoyed to know Madam had come looking for him.
Cen Wan told Uncle Zhang not to worry about her and sat on the sofa, waiting for Lu Beixun to return.