Chapter 11: Transmigrated into the Book Su Nian lay with her eyes open, expression blank and utterly bewildered. There was too much information to process; she needed to sort it out carefully. She had actually transmigrated into a book, but due to an accident, she'd forgotten all about it and completely immersed herself in this world! Shen Yuhuan closed the photo album in his hands and looked at the dazed Su Nian, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

"So, it's you?"

The little girl in a white dress holding a lollipop—innocent, sweet, and charming—overlapped perfectly with a certain scene from his memories. Shen Yuhuan withdrew his gaze, the smile on his lips growing even more unfathomable. He lowered his head to send a text message: "Xi, I've found her."

Soon, Shen Yuxi replied: "Who?"

Shen Yuhuan: "The little girl with the lollipop from when we were nine."

Shen Yuxi seemed to fall silent for a moment before finally responding: "Sixteen years have passed. Let what's in the past remain there."

Shen Yuhuan let out a soft laugh, a chill glinting in his eyes as he murmured, "You're still so self-righteously noble, aren't you?"

Su Nian instinctively turned her head and met Shen Yuhuan's gaze, her heart suddenly skipping a beat. Her smile felt somewhat unnatural.

"Y-you? Why are you here too?"

"You called me but didn't say anything," Shen Yuhuan stated plainly.

"I was worried something might have happened to you, so I came over."

He sounded slightly exasperated, his smile impossible to decipher.

"How could you be so careless as to tumble down the stairs? Does it hurt?"

"I accidentally missed my step. I'm sorry for making you worry,"

Su Nian replied, curling her fingers tightly as her pupils constricted.

The once warm and sunny Shen Yuhuan now sent shivers down her spine. This deep-sea shark had hidden his true nature far too well! If she hadn't transmigrated into the book and known the plot, Su Nian would never have guessed that Shen Yuhuan was actually "Judgment"

—the genius criminologist who topped the global most-wanted list, having killed dozens without leaving a single trace, his true identity still unknown to this day. Su Nian's expression grew peculiar. The childhoods of the two brothers, Shen Yuhuan and Shen Yuxi, had been deeply unfortunate. Sharing identical tragic experiences, they had nevertheless diverged toward two extremes: one becoming ever more righteous, the other ever more wicked.

"Su Nian?"

Gu Yichen's voice dropped heavily, clearly displeased. He, a living breathing person, stood right here, yet the moment Su Nian regained consciousness, the first person she saw was Shen Yuhuan. Were the two of them conversing back and forth as if he didn't exist? Upon seeing Gu Yichen again, Su Nian's emotions became complicated, her delicate face shifting through various expressions. She really had been a fool. Hopelessly in love with a man for eight years, she had moved herself with selfless devotion, harboring no regrets. Even when wounded until she bled, she still clung to faint hopes. How could she have endured such a brainless, melodramatic experience?

"It's fake!"

Su Nian denied flatly, her expression unreadable. It must have been merely a requirement of the plot, a consequence of her character setting, that made her "love"

Gu Yichen—recklessly debasing herself, desperately clinging to the hope of his affection. Su Nian placed a hand over her heart and tentatively imagined the scene of Shen Wanrou and Gu Yichen embracing. Her heart still ached! Her face darkened instantly. Gu Yichen frowned and stepped closer to the bed.

"What's fake?"

Seeing the slight pallor on Su Nian's face, a ripple passed through his gaze. Unconsciously softening his tone, he asked, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere? You're a grown woman; how could you possibly miss your step while walking?"

Su Nian froze, a flicker of emotion crossing her face. Gu Yichen rarely showed her gentleness; in the past, she would have drowned in it.

"The divorce papers are in the drawer. Please sign them. Let's part ways amicably without making a scene."

Su Nian's expression turned cold. The seemingly gentle Gu Yichen standing before her was undoubtedly reminding her of just how humble and pitiful the former Su Nian had been. It was her own self-debasement to blame; she couldn't fault Gu Yichen for not respecting her. Gu Yichen's face darkened, emotions churning repeatedly in his eyes. But seeing her pale lips, he suppressed his anger, his voice turning cold and stiff.

"Stop thinking about divorce. I told you long ago that the timing isn't right. Don't act out emotionally anymore."

He paused, his tone businesslike.

"Just tell me directly what you want. I'll do my best to give it to you."

Su Nian's head throbbed; her face flushed red, then turned pale. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she forced a weak, mocking smile.

"Fine, I won't make a scene. Give me one billion yuan, and please settle the bill now."

Gu Yichen frowned. Her tone made him uneasy.

"Within two days, I'll instruct finance to transfer the money to you."

He had one billion yuan, but large corporations kept limited liquid assets, and such a substantial sum required time to reallocate. Still, if it meant pacifying Su Nian—getting her to behave as before, staying quietly at home, preparing meals for his return, laying out his daily suits, tying his tie… Gu Yichen decided it was worth it.

"Really?"

Su Nian tilted her head, two small dimples appearing on her cheeks. Something stirred in Gu Yichen's heart. Catching sight of her charming smile, his voice softened involuntarily.

"Yes."

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a gentle glow over Su Nian, softening her features into an image of grace and tranquility—a truly picturesque scene. Of course, it would have been even better if that eyesore, Shen Yuhuan, weren't present. Yet Shen Yuhuan, utterly oblivious to being unwelcome, continued smiling brightly as he asked, "Little Nian Nian, once you have the money, what do you plan to do?"

Su Nian reined in her smile, silently reassuring herself: She had done nothing wrong; there was no need to fear Shen Yuhuan. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she deliberately provoked him.

"I'll find several handsome men to sponsor, gift them villas and treasures—whatever makes me happy. After all, who refuses free money?"

Using his money to sponsor other men? Gu Yichen's expression stiffened. His sharp gaze fixed on Su Nian's delicate face, meeting her defiant eyes. Excellent. So Su Nian was now intentionally provoking him. A flicker of displeasure rose within him, yet he patiently reached out, intending to touch her cheek.

"Nian Nian, be good."

But Su Nian turned her face away, causing his hand to miss entirely, then coldly demanded, "What are you doing?"

They stared at each other for a moment. Gu Yichen's pride began to crack; a surge of anger welled up inside him. Had Su Nian changed her tactics? When sweetness and affection failed, was she now playing hard to get?

"Suit yourself," Gu Yichen said coldly.

Women were indeed troublesome. He had offered Su Nian several chances to back down gracefully, yet she insisted on making scenes. Even if she intended to play "hard to get,"

she should know her limits. If he truly agreed to divorce without hesitation, how would Su Nian ever win him back afterward? Gu Yichen turned to leave. Just as he opened the door, he paused briefly—but no sound came from behind. Su Nian did not try to stop him. His face instantly darkened.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuhuan, eager to stir up trouble, asked with a half-smile, "Little Nian Nian, how about you sponsor me instead?"

Author's Note: Gu (the scumbag): Hmph, playing hard to get! Nian Nian: No, I reasonably suspect my love for you stems from plot forces. Clearly, I wasn't blind before.