Chapter 2: The Argument Gu Yichen furrowed his brows, his expression cold and gloomy.

"Su Nian."

Didn't she say she was going for a drive? How did she end up in another man's arms? Truly, she did "love"

him! Su Nian stiffened, panicking as she pulled away from the man's embrace. Helplessly, she tried to explain, "Husband, I didn't…"

But the moment she spotted Shen Wanrou standing beside Gu Yichen, her voice died instantly. Her blood ran cold, and she stood there, expressionless. Gu Yichen's gaze was dark, his voice icy.

"Su Nian, I have no interest in how wildly you behave outside, but in public, mind your words and actions!"

Tang Shi was stunned, her mind going blank with anger. Su Nian's face turned deathly pale, her ears ringing. Of course—Gu Yichen didn't love her, so he didn't care if she cuddled with other men. He only cared that it shouldn't happen in public, where it might embarrass the Gu family and him, her husband in name only. The corridor felt frigid, heavy with suppressed tension.

"Sir, you've misunderstood. We're merely friends who just met today."

A clear, pleasant voice cut through the chill. Shen Yuhuan glanced at Su Nian beside him. Her face was as pale as snow, her eyes red-rimmed as she fought back tears, desperately hiding her humiliation and distress. Gu Yichen's expression grew even colder, his upturned tone laced with mockery.

"Just met? Friends? And yet you're embracing each other? You're certainly bold."

He had seen it with his own eyes—Su Nian nestled in this man's arms like a delicate bird. A picturesque scene, indeed, yet one that infuriated him. A few muffled laughs rippled through the crowd but were quickly stifled out of propriety.

"Yes, friends," Shen Yuhuan replied calmly and evenly.

"Just like that young lady holding your arm so intimately—she is your friend, and I am merely Ms. Su Nian's friend."

"It was me who pushed NianNian toward him,"

Tang Shi huffed indignantly before tenderly wrapping her arms around Su Nian, whispering apologetically, "NianNian, I'm sorry. I've caused you trouble."

She had acted out of indignation, wanting to vent her frustration and make Gu Yichen feel uneasy too. Yet she had forgotten that Gu Yichen's casual words could wound Su Nian deeply. Su Nian clenched her fingers until sharp pain brought her back to clarity, though her voice still trembled.

"Gu Yichen, you may not love me, but you cannot insult me!"

She had loved him for eight whole years; how could she possibly be involved with another man? Gu Yichen met Su Nian's gaze. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, bright and glistening. He fell silent.

"Check the surveillance footage,"

Shen Yuhuan suddenly interjected.

"There are cameras in the Liyao Club corridor. If the footage proves that Ms. Su Nian and I did not embrace publicly or behave recklessly, and that Mr. Gu has insulted our dignity, then I expect an apology from you to both Ms. Su Nian and myself."

The entire corridor fell silent. The wealthy young men standing behind Gu Yichen stared at Shen Yuhuan as if he were a fool. In all of Yucheng, how many dared to provoke Gu Yichen? Who gave this sudden, stubborn stranger the courage to act so boldly? Was he seeking death? Tang Shi looked conflicted. Seeing the atmosphere grow too tense, she stepped forward to smooth things over.

"President Gu, it really was me who pushed NianNian. NianNian, let's go back to the private room, shall we?"

She had finally spotted a handsome, high-quality guy; she certainly didn't want him to meet an "untimely demise."

Su Nian forced a faint smile, squeezed Tang Shi's hand gently, and kindly suggested, "Sir, thank you, but please let this matter drop? I'm sorry you had to endure such injustice."

After all, she and Gu Yichen would soon divorce; there was no need to escalate conflicts. Keeping the peace was best. This would be the last thing she did for Gu Yichen as his wife.

"Very well."

Shen Yuhuan nodded slightly.

"Your necklace is at the Public Security Bureau. Within 180 days, you can claim it with your ID card and the jewelry ownership certificate."

Su Nian froze, her round eyes widening as her heart skipped a beat. That necklace—the most precious birthday gift she had ever received—she had thrown it at a thief.The joy of regaining something lost, only to plunge back into the prison of despair. Su Nian couldn't control her trembling.

"I clearly threw it away?"

Shen Yuxi fell silent for a moment, then glanced at Gu Yichen's indifferent demeanor and seemed to understand.

"I'm sorry; I meddled unnecessarily."

He took out a sticky note, wrote a phone number on it, and handed it over.

"If you're feeling down, you can call this number. He's very good at cheering people up."

Su Nian clutched the paper, still warm from his hand, her smile deepening slightly.

"Thank you."

Suddenly, she remembered that rainy night when she was eight years old. Gu Yichen had pulled a lollipop from his pocket, and it too had carried a faint warmth that had heated her heart. After Shen Yuxi left, the atmosphere remained subtly awkward.

"Alright, Yichen, let's not be unhappy," Shen Wanrou said with a gentle smile, elegantly linking her arm through Gu Yichen's.

Her beauty was refined and graceful.

"Nian Nian, since we've run into each other, why don't we go wine tasting together? I just won an award, and everyone wants to celebrate with me."

The beautiful and noble Shen Wanrou stood beside the distinguished and handsome Gu Yichen. Truly, a perfect match made in heaven. Su Nian lowered her eyes, her thick lashes trembling slightly, her somewhat pale lips pressed tightly together. Tang Shi could no longer hold back. She let out a cold laugh.

"Some women really have no shame. Why does she have to interfere when there's already a legitimate couple? Does she think being a mistress is something to be proud of?"

Gu Yichen cast a chilly glance in her direction. Tang Shi shivered but gritted her teeth and stood her ground. For a moment, the atmosphere turned solemn and cold. Shen Wanrou reined in her smile, her expression becoming stern and untouchable.

"Tang Shi, Yichen and I are just friends."

There was no law anywhere in the world stating that men and women couldn't be friends.

"I didn't mention anyone by name. Why are you assuming it's about you?"

Tang Shi crossed her arms, leaning against the railing, and asked with sudden realization, "Could it be that you feel guilty?"

"I have no reason to feel guilty."

Shen Wanrou looked directly at Su Nian, her eyes dimming slightly, her voice tinged with nervousness and grievance.

"Nian Nian, surely you don't share Tang Shi's thoughts, do you? Yichen and I are truly just friends. Please don't misunderstand."

Tang Shi's almond-shaped eyes widened in fury, nearly exploding with anger. In front of everyone, Shen Wanrou had lowered herself so much that if Su Nian didn't deny it, she would appear unreasonable, making baseless accusations without evidence. Su Nian clenched her fists, crumpling the sticky note in her palm into a tight ball.

Suddenly, she lifted her head, meeting Shen Wanrou's gaze with bright, round, glistening eyes.

"I don't understand. How can you be so shameless, intruding into my family, yet still pretend to be so innocent?"

"Su Nian,"

Gu Yichen's tone grew severe, "watch your words!"

Su Nian blinked, forcing back the surging heat in her eyes until they turned red.

"Tang Tang, let's go back to the private room."

She feared that if she stayed any longer, she would break down in tears in front of Gu Yichen, Shen Wanrou, and even their entire group of friends. * Su Nian returned home thoroughly drunk, escorted by Tang Shi.

"Nian Nian?"

Xu Qing frowned as she and Tang Shi supported Su Nian. Seeing her eyes red and swollen, she asked with concern, "Did Nian Nian drink to drown her sorrows?"

She had also watched Shen Wanrou's award ceremony and had come specifically because she was worried about Su Nian.

"Auntie, you really need to have a serious talk with your son!"

Tang Shi, still fuming, recounted everything that had happened at the Liyao Club.

"President Gu was far too cruel to Nian Nian!"

Xu Qing opened her mouth but could only sigh helplessly. She had spoken many times before, but no amount of pleading from her would make Gu Yichen fall in love with Su Nian.

"Mom…" Su Nian murmured hazily, whimpering in grievance.

"He bullied me… He hates me. He loves Shen Wanrou and protects her… I want a divorce!"

"Nian Nian, Mom knows you're hurt."

Xu Qing hugged Su Nian tightly as she curled up in her arms, stroking her back comfortingly, deliberately ignoring the word "divorce."

As a mother, she had witnessed her daughter-in-law's feelings for her son firsthand; mentioning divorce was merely an outburst of temper. After pondering carefully, Xu Qing ventured cautiously, "Nian Nian, why don't you and Chen Chen have a baby? With a child to bridge the gap, your relationship might improve."

Su Nian froze entirely, her mind flooded with rushing blood, the heat in her chest forcing the words out before she could stop them: "He has never touched me!"

The declaration struck like thunder, seeming to halt the very air. Tang Shi stared in stunned silence, stammering, "Y-you… haven't you been married for a year?"

"Nian Nian, every week when you return to the old mansion, don't you and Chen Chen sleep in the same room, in the same bed?" Xu Qing asked, disbelief coloring her voice.

"We each sleep separately."

Su Nian still remembered that first night at the old mansion. Casting aside all shame, disregarding the reserved dignity expected of a daughter from a prestigious family, she had taken the initiative to seduce him. But the outcome had been utterly devastating: Gu Yichen had dragged her into the bathroom and drenched her with ice-cold water. She had suffered from a cold for an entire week before recovering. Never again had she dared to make advances. Soft footsteps approached from afar. Gu Yichen, impeccably dressed in his suit and carrying the chill of the night with him, stepped into the living room. His gaze settled upon Su Nian, her eyes blurred with tears.