Chapter 23: Divorce Certificate Tomorrow morning at nine, we'll get the divorce certificate! Su Nian sat bowed before the bed, clutching the divorce agreement in her hands. After staring blankly for a long while, she finally exhaled a deep, pent-up sigh. Tonight's performance had achieved exactly what she wanted. Indeed, a man understands another man far better than any woman ever could. Su Nian glanced at the wedding photo hanging above the bed; in it, she was smiling brightly. Back then, she hadn't known that Gu Yichen had agreed to marry only because Xu Qing had threatened suicide. Instead, she had believed her own sincerity and true feelings had moved him.

"The divorce certificate isn't in my hands yet; I still have to keep acting," Su Nian murmured to herself.

Even after signing the divorce agreement, they remained legally married. Only once the divorce certificate was officially issued would she truly be free. Su Nian slipped out quietly, went to the kitchen to find a clove of garlic, rubbed her eyes until they were red and watery, steeled her emotions once more, and then rushed abruptly into the study.

"Husband, what do you mean?" she asked, as if unable to believe her ears.

Gu Yichen stood by the window, the harsh light casting cold shadows around him. He turned his head indifferently, the corner of his lips curving into a chilling arc.

"These past two days, you've been making a scene, demanding a divorce. Haven't I granted your wish?"

"What, having second thoughts about divorcing now?" Gu Yichen asked mockingly.

His gaze fell upon the divorce agreement in Su Nian's hands. On it, only his signature appeared; Su Nian had not signed. The sarcasm on Gu Yichen's face deepened.

"Of course not."

Burning tears stung Su Nian's eyes. She struggled to hold them back, forcing out a pitiful reply, "It's exactly what I want."

Gu Yichen let out a cold scoff.

"Good. Then tomorrow morning, it will all be over."

Over with this year-long mistaken marriage, over with a year of suffering.

"But what about Mother…"

Su Nian hesitated, searching for every possible excuse.

"And doesn't your company have several important projects underway?"

Standing in the doorway, her figure looked fragile, emphasizing her helplessness. Gu Yichen cut her off coldly.

"The company is my affair, nothing to do with you. As for Mother, hasn't she already agreed to our divorce? Even if you begged, do you think that after falling for your trick once, I'd compromise again? What you should worry about is your father."

His calm composure and superior demeanor only highlighted Su Nian's humiliation and humility.

"Right, my father."

Su Nian's eyes suddenly brightened, as though she had grasped a lifeline. Her voice trembled with weakness and pleading.

"After the divorce, Father will be furious. And when he's angry, my life will become unbearable."

Gu Yichen remained silent. Watching the growing joy spread across Su Nian's delicate face, his expression abruptly darkened. Coldly and mockingly, he asked, "But what does that have to do with me?"

These were the exact words Su Nian had thrown back at him yesterday morning; he returned them to her without changing a single character. Su Nian's face turned pale. Her slender body trembled as she steadied herself against the doorframe. Damn man! Damn man! Damn man! Inside, she cursed him endlessly, yet her nose tingled with acidity, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Do you feel absolutely nothing for me?"

Her voice thick with nasal congestion. The girl's swaying, fragile appearance might evoke pity, but in Gu Yichen's eyes—especially juxtaposed with her animated, lively demeanor earlier in the pavilion—it only seemed bitterly ironic.

"Nothing!"

He delivered two crisp, clear words. Persuading his mother to risk her life for her sake—such a woman filled him with utter disgust. Su Nian froze entirely. Tears burst from her eyes as if she could no longer bear it. She spun around abruptly and fled the study. Wiping away her tears while cursing Gu Yichen under her breath, her mood nevertheless failed to improve. Gu Yichen was nothing but a malignant tumor! She must excise this poison! Though love was gone, life still had to go on. Su Nian returned to the bedroom, locked the door firmly, pulled herself together, and began sorting through jewelry and other assets. Because Xu Qing liked her, he often gifted her various pieces of jewelry. In the past, Su Nian had little interest in jewels. When in a good mood, she'd wear whatever she grabbed; when in a bad one, she wouldn't even open the jewelry box.Su Nian had finally come to her senses and felt grateful that Xu Qing had bought jewelry for her.

In this day and age, men were unreliable; only jewelry and real gold and silver could be trusted.

"Madam,"

Butler Cheng knocked on the door, sounding somewhat hesitant, "Sir has instructed that you sign the divorce agreement as soon as possible and hand it over to him for safekeeping."

Gu Yichen was being cautious, afraid Su Nian might change her mind again, pull some trick, or make unreasonable demands. A surge of pent-up frustration nearly choked Su Nian. She forced herself to stay calm, reminding herself that a better life lay ahead. She patted her chest until her breathing steadied. Just moments ago, she had even imagined grabbing a kitchen knife and dying together with that scoundrel of a man. To hell with living!

"I'm coming," Su Nian replied, her voice thick with emotion.

She smoothed out the divorce agreement and carefully reviewed the terms. As agreed, Gu Yichen would give her only one billion; company shares and other properties were entirely excluded, just as they had previously arranged. Su Nian took a deep breath, signed her name solemnly with mixed emotions, as earnestly and reverently as she once had on their marriage registration form.

"Here you go."

Su Nian opened the door, eyes red-rimmed, and reluctantly handed over the divorce agreement. Entrusting her precious document to Gu Yichen made her uneasy, but at such a critical moment, she couldn't afford to argue with that scoundrel, fearing unnecessary complications. Butler Cheng sighed, holding the divorce agreement. He wanted to comfort Su Nian but didn't know how to begin.

"Madam, please don't be sad. Divorce might not be a bad thing after all."

Su Nian offered a faint smile, her heart tangled with complex feelings.

"Thank you."

Everyone knew she and Gu Yichen were incompatible, yet she herself had once plunged headfirst into this relationship. Fortunately, the foolishness in her mind had finally drained away. After tomorrow morning, she would be free. A pleasant ringtone interrupted Su Nian's thoughts. Seeing the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat—it was Shen Yuhuan.

"What's wrong?" she asked, slightly tense.

Although she kept telling herself that "Judgment"

wouldn't harm the innocent, fear still lingered. Shen Yuhuan's tone was languid, his voice lower and more seductive than usual.

"Did Mr. Gu agree to the divorce?"

"Yes," Su Nian replied softly.

The room wasn't soundproof; she had to be careful not to stumble at this crucial moment. Shen Yuhuan chuckled lightly, his voice rising slightly at the end, sending shivers through Su Nian and accelerating her heartbeat.

"Excellent. I called merely to remind you not to forget fulfilling your promise."

Helping her divorce in exchange for herself—that had been their original agreement.

"I know," Su Nian answered, her heart pounding wildly, cold sweat breaking out.

"Don't worry, I never lie."

Yet, ironically, lying had always been her greatest skill since childhood, making it impossible for others to distinguish truth from falsehood. Shen Yuhuan smiled gently.

"Goodnight, my dear little Nian Nian. Starting tomorrow night, you'll be able to sleep in my arms."

"I'm looking forward to that moment," he added, his voice suddenly becoming distant, as if reminiscing.

Su Nian froze, ended the call, her mind swirling with confusion. Getting involved with Shen Yuhuan was absolutely out of the question; she would live in constant fear. Quickly organizing her thoughts, she immediately booked an international flight online. As soon as she received her divorce certificate, she wouldn't even return home but would go straight abroad to find Su Xingye. After packing her luggage, Su Nian took a shower and returned to bed, but no matter how she tossed and turned, sleep eluded her. Gu Yichen also spent a sleepless night. Sitting in a chair, he rubbed his brow with one hand. On the desk before him lay the divorce agreement. Near Su Nian's signature, several water stains had blurred the ink slightly. Su Nian must have cried. Gu Yichen felt even more agitated. Images of Su Nian with tear-filled eyes kept flashing through his mind. He was annoyed with himself.

Knowing exactly what kind of person Su Nian was and that she wasn't worth it, why couldn't he bring himself to be heartless? After the divorce, Su Nian would have nothing to rely on. He knew all too well her precarious position within the Su family.Gu Yichen suddenly thought of Shen Yuhuan again, a wave of irritation rising in his chest, his gaze turning colder. How could Su Nian claim to have no support? Before the divorce, hadn't she already lined up her next partner? Filled with slight anger, Gu Yichen shoved the divorce agreement into a drawer and headed straight for the bathroom. From now on, Su Nian would have nothing to do with him; he intended to break every habit tied to her. Early the next morning, Gu Yichen descended the stairs with a grim expression, only to find Su Nian sitting obediently on the sofa. Her eyes were red-rimmed, dark circles shadowing beneath them, clearly indicating she hadn't slept all night.

Gu Yichen's mood improved slightly. So her attempt at playing hard to get had backfired; it must feel unpleasant, didn't it? Su Nian had spent a restless night, plagued by worry. Between half-sleep and half-wakefulness, she dreamed several times: once, that Gu Yichen discovered her acting, tore up the divorce papers; another time, that Shen Yuhuan laughed in a way that made her hair stand on end, demanding she fulfill her promise. Afraid of dreaming again, she rose just as dawn broke and waited for Gu Yichen.

"Husband…" Su Nian stammered, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

Instead of eliciting Gu Yichen's pity, her words earned only a cold reply: "The Civil Affairs Bureau is open. Let's go."

Deeply disappointed, Su Nian lowered her gaze and shouldered a white bag. Though small, the bag was heavy, filled with jewelry and several bank cards.

"Sir,"

Butler Cheng bowed slightly.

"Won't you have breakfast? Madam personally simmered congee and spent an hour preparing dim sum."

Admittedly, he meant well, speaking a few favorable words on Su Nian's behalf. Gu Yichen responded coldly, "No."

Did she really think using such tender tactics would change his mind? Only a fool would dream so! He strode out first. Su Nian lagged behind. Reaching the doorway, she glanced back at the villa's layout. She had arranged everything herself; this place, once regarded as her "home,"

had consumed all her heart and soul. Turning away, Su Nian gazed at the vast sky, where golden clouds stained the horizon crimson and a few birds flew past.

Suddenly, she smiled silently, her eyes reflecting freedom and relief, as though shedding all shackles. The gloom vanished entirely, leaving her light and natural, just as vivacious and radiant as in years past. Thanks to someone's arrangements, the couple didn't even need to queue when collecting their divorce certificates. Su Nian hesitated, delaying a few minutes, but under Gu Yichen's icy stare, she finally signed her name with tear-filled eyes. The staff member sighed regretfully and handed over two divorce certificates. Su Nian took hers, her fingers pressing hard enough to leave faint marks. Only with the certificate in hand could she truly breathe easier, no longer needing to keep her heart constantly tense.

"Su Nian, take care of yourself," Gu Yichen said, his voice still cold.

In truth, he held little hope that Su Nian would completely disappear from his sight. With Xu Qing around, she could easily find opportunities to see him, occasionally appearing before his eyes. All he needed to do was wait—wait until Su Nian tearfully begged him to remarry, and then refuse. Su Nian glanced at him, struggling to suppress the upward curve of her lips, afraid she might accidentally smile happily in front of him. Eager to leave, she wanted to avoid any further arguments with Gu Yichen, fearing unexpected complications.

"Goodbye, Mr. Gu," Su Nian murmured, keeping her head down before quickly turning and running off.

Probably hiding somewhere to cry, Gu Yichen guessed. Holding the divorce certificate, he suddenly felt an odd discomfort in his heart. Su Nian hailed a taxi to the airport, obtained her boarding pass, only to be informed that due to a flight malfunction, there would be a delay. Passengers could either wait or switch to another aircraft. She chose the latter, her heart burning with urgency, unwilling to waste even a single moment longer. However, once aboard the plane, Su Nian discovered the cabin was eerily empty, except for one man seated there. Behind her, the cabin door slammed shut heavily and locked.

"Little Nian-Nian, you're not being good at all. Where did you think you were escaping to?"

Shen Yuhuan elegantly swirled his wine glass, smiling gently and innocently.