She had fought with all her might, but it was all in vain.
Fu Yanshen had made it clear—even if the sky fell, nothing could change, and no one could change it.
Such unwavering determination… truly touching.
And her attempt to shake it was utterly laughable.
As absurd as an ant trying to shake a tree!
What was her status in Fu Yanshen’s heart?
And what was Meng Xuan’s status?
She had truly overestimated herself.
Ning Shu thought bitterly as she dragged her heavy steps upstairs.
Fu Yanshen stared at her slender, fragile back, the tip of his cigarette glowing red.
He smoked too fiercely, his lungs aching.
Holding the cigarette, Fu Yanshen narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Ning Shu through the haze of smoke.
She seemed different from before.
This was more like her old self—a rose with thorns.
A moment later, for the first time ever, Fu Yanshen tossed the cigarette directly onto the floor.
The floor was soaked with alcohol, and the cigarette butt silently extinguished upon landing.
“Ning Shu,” Fu Yanshen suddenly called out to her.
Ning Shu’s spine stiffened inexplicably, and her steps nearly faltered.
Because she couldn’t help but feel afraid… afraid that Fu Yanshen would say, “I agree to the divorce.”
What was wrong with her?
How had she become so spineless?
She hated herself like this.
Or perhaps, she could propose the divorce, and Fu Yanshen only needed to sign silently.
She didn’t want… to hear him speak!
But Fu Yanshen didn’t say anything else; he just called her name, leaving her unsure of his intentions.
Ning Shu inexplicably quickened her pace.
Fu Yanshen’s voice rang out again behind her.
He said, “All this trouble—is it for Fang Chen?”
Ning Shu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him.
Just in time to see him take out another cigarette, tilting his head slightly as he lit it.
His gaze remained fixed on Ning Shu.
Their eyes met just as the lighter went out, the cigarette tip glowing a scorching red.
Ning Shu was momentarily stunned.
Fu Yanshen simply watched her.
One stood on the stairs, the other below.
Ning Shu didn’t speak, taking a long moment before she finally said, “Don’t drag Fang Chen into this. He’s gone, and you still use him to hide your own intentions.”
Fu Yanshen kept bringing up Fang Chen—wasn’t it just to smear her name, to make her compromise, to make her shut up?
Fu Yanshen smiled, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes, then flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, “Does it hurt?”
Ning Shu was provoked and retorted, “If you want to condemn someone, you can always trump up a charge!”
Fu Yanshen said, “As expected of a great writer. Well, the same goes for you. Put yourself in my shoes, understand?”
Ning Shu was stunned again. Was he implying…
Ning Shu said, “Are you trying to say you have no feelings for Meng Xuan?”
Ning Shu didn’t believe it. How could he act like this if he had no feelings?
That unwavering determination to hold up the sky for her—was that the behavior of someone with no feelings?
Even a ghost wouldn’t believe that.
Fu Yanshen said, “I owe her. I should make it up to her.”
So, after all this, he was still trying to persuade her.
Ning Shu also smiled, “Go ahead and make it up to her. No one’s stopping you.”
With that, she turned and continued upstairs.
Fu Yanshen kept smoking, taking two more puffs until Ning Shu’s figure disappeared from view.
He tossed the cigarette aside, frowning, and muttered to himself, “So stubborn.”
As stubborn as she had been toward him all these years—like a moth flying into the flame.
Ning Shu went straight to the third floor and settled into a guest room.
Their master bedroom was on the second floor.
There were guest rooms on the second floor too, but Ning Shu didn’t want to stay there.
Her hair was stained with alcohol, and she needed to take a shower.
Tomorrow morning, I still have to pick up Fang Chen. Fang Chen’s matter cannot be delayed.
Ning Shu took a hot shower and wearily lay down on the bed.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Ning Shu picked it up and answered.
On the other end of the line, Xie Jinghong said, “What time should I pick you up tomorrow?”
Ning Shu was taken aback. “Pick me up?”
“Yeah, pick you up. You’re coming with us,” Xie Jinghong replied.
For some reason, Ning Shu fell silent.
Xie Jinghong lit a cigarette. “What? Still planning to go with Fu Yanshen?”
Ning Shu didn’t know what to say, just holding the phone in silence.
Xie Jinghong continued, “Miss Ning, you really are something. He’s about to bring his white moonlight home to take care of her, and you still want to tag along? What? Did you two come to an agreement, or did he sweet-talk you into willingly taking care of Meng Xuan?”
Having Ning Shu personally take care of Meng Xuan was inappropriate in every way.
First, both were young ladies from wealthy families, with the Ning family’s status being slightly higher than the Meng family’s.
So, in terms of social standing, they were equals. There was no reason for either to lower themselves to deliberately take care of the other.
If it were out of friendship, childhood ties, or for Fang Chen’s sake, that would be understandable.
But the problem was that there was tension between Ning Shu and Meng Xuan.
Xie Jinghong felt that this arrangement was utterly unreasonable.
Fu Yanshen simply wasn’t doing the right thing!
He must have a screw loose!
“No,” Ning Shu finally spoke, her throat tight.
Xie Jinghong took a drag of his cigarette. “You were silent for so long, I thought you’d gone mute. Since you didn’t agree, why are you still going with him? Ning Shu, don’t you know how to stand up for yourself?”
Ning Shu forced a smile. She had fought tooth and nail today.
“Why do you have so much to say?” Ning Shu couldn’t help but retort.
But Xie Jinghong still detected the tremor in her voice.
Two seconds later, Xie Jinghong said, “Early tomorrow morning, at your doorstep.”
He was about to hang up.
But Ning Shu stopped him. “Don’t make trouble.”
Xie Jinghong replied, “Then what do you want?”
Ning Shu remained silent for a long moment before saying, “I still have… some things to discuss with him.”
Xie Jinghong lit another cigarette, the smoke drifting past his handsome face. “What things? Discussing divorce?”
Ning Shu didn’t want to make this matter public too soon, so she said, “Stop talking nonsense.”
Xie Jinghong said with displeasure and disdain, “Look at how spineless you are. He’s about to make you a servant to take care of his white moonlight, and you don’t even dare bring up divorce. Ning, when did you become such a pushover? So weak.”
After saying this, Xie Jinghong tossed his lighter onto the table and added, “Good thing you’re not a man.”
Ning Shu was almost amused by his words. Xie Jinghong had always had a sharp tongue since childhood and was utterly shameless.
Ning Shu said, “Xie Jinghong, your mouth really can’t spit out anything decent. If I get divorced, I’ll be a divorcee.”
Xie Jinghong scoffed. “Only a divorcee? Some people have had five marriages and still hold grand weddings. You’re so old-fashioned.”
Ning Shu was speechless for a moment before saying, “I’m not going to argue with you. I need to sleep.”
Xie Jinghong said, “If you’re afraid you won’t be able to marry again, I’ll marry you.”
These words stunned Ning Shu again. It took her several seconds to respond, “Are you crazy?”
Xie Jinghong replied, “Yeah, pretty crazy.”
Ning Shu rubbed her temples. “Alright, calm down. If Yue’ai finds out you’re saying these things to me, she’ll skin you alive.”
Then, Ning Shu added, “If you dare do anything to hurt my friend, I won’t let you off either.”
Xie Jinghong chuckled, “If you put that energy into dealing with Fu Yanshen, it would be much better.”
Ning Shu was speechless again. This guy really knew how to hit a sore spot.
Ning Shu didn’t want to engage with him, but unexpectedly, Tang Yue’ai’s voice suddenly chimed in, “That’s why it’s always about sisterhood!”
Ning Shu hadn’t expected Tang Yue’ai to be with Xie Jinghong.
It was already this late, and they were still together—that meant their relationship was really good.