Chapter 22: Don’t Want a Divorce

Ten… ten… ten billion??!

Tang Xin didn’t even have the mind to notice others’ reactions—she was utterly shocked herself.

After all, both she and Yue Yuze knew full well that the so-called “maid” and “contract” were really just euphemisms for their contractual marriage. So, Yue Yuze’s mention of a penalty surely referred to that.

Did this mean… divorce was something only Yue Yuze could initiate?

If he filed for divorce, she could walk away with one billion.

But if she were the one to initiate it, she’d have to pay a ten-billion penalty?

No, no, no—this couldn’t be right!

Tang Xin’s mind was spinning. Back when she had written this storyline, she hadn’t fleshed out the details of the contract, let alone mentioned a penalty clause like this. So even though she was the author of this world, she wasn’t entirely sure if Yue Yuze was bluffing or telling the truth.

Lin Shiyin’s smile froze for a moment but quickly returned to her usual gentle and elegant demeanor. With a warm smile, she glanced at Tang Xin and softly reassured her, “Qianqian, don’t worry. Yuze must be joking with you.”

Yue Yuze’s gaze, however, remained fixed on Tang Xin.

This woman… why did she look so frightened?

Could it be that she really wanted to end their marriage early?

Tang Xin internally screamed: What is with you? Why the sudden dark expression and intense stare? What did I do to offend you now?!

Feeling a bit nervous, she picked up her teacup and took a sip. With a light smile, she said, “I understand. Haha, Mr. Yue is just joking. But I’m someone who values integrity, so since I signed the contract, I’ll stick to the original agreement.”

After speaking, she glanced up at Yue Yuze.

Yes, so we agreed, right? A year of marriage, then a divorce, and you give me one billion. Let’s stick to our word, shall we?

But the man simply stared at her with a deep, unfathomable gaze, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.

This meal… left Tang Xin with a bit of indigestion.

After quickly finishing her meal, Tang Xin made an excuse about having something urgent to do and left promptly.

“As a supporting character doomed to fail, nothing good ever happens when the male and female leads are together. If I provoke that dog male lead and he really twists the divorce into some unfair ten-billion penalty clause, wouldn’t I be ruined for life?”

Inside the private dining room, after Tang Xin’s departure, Yue Yuze picked up a napkin, wiped his mouth, and stood up. “I have work at the office. I’ll take my leave.”

Lin Shiyin looked at him, hesitating as if wanting to speak.

But Yue Yuze didn’t care. He turned and began to walk away.

“Yuze…” Lin Shiyin stood as well, reaching out to grab his arm. “Are you still angry at me? I know I was too focused on my career back then. I chose to go abroad and gave up on our engagement, but I told you, if you give me three years, and if you love me—”

“Love you? Who gave you that illusion?” Yue Yuze glanced down at her hand holding his arm before calmly pulling away. His tall figure loomed over her as his cold, detached gaze swept across her. “The idea of a marriage alliance with the Lin family was a decision made by my grandfather and your father. You said you had your career to pursue, that the entertainment industry required its ‘single goddess.’ Your father respected your decision, and as for me—who I marry or don’t marry doesn’t matter. I simply follow my grandfather’s arrangements.”

Lin Shiyin’s expression faltered. Her face turned pale, and even the smile she forced remained stiff.

Once, she had been so close to becoming his fiancée. She was even recognized as the prospective lady of the Yue family by many.

She had always believed she held a special place in his life.

“Yuze, I don’t believe you…”

“Whether you believe it or not has nothing to do with me.” Yue Yuze’s tone and gaze remained calm, utterly unaffected.

Lin Shiyin looked at him with a sense of despair.

After all these years, he was still like this—aloof, untouchable, as though no emotions could taint him. But… what about Tang Xin?

Was he the same with Tang Xin?

She bit her lip, a glimmer of malice flickering in her eyes before quickly being replaced by a bitter smile. “Is this because of Tang Xin?”

At the mention of the name, he finally looked at her again.

“She has nothing to do with it.” Yue Yuze’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at his watch. “You said I owed you a meal after you returned to the country. We’ve had that meal now. Miss Lin, take care.”

With that, he brushed past her and strode away.

Lin Shiyin turned to watch his determined back as he left, her teeth clenched tightly, her once-bright eyes now burning with jealousy.

“Your wife… that position was supposed to be mine. How… how could it belong to someone else?!” She slammed her hand against the table, sweeping everything onto the floor in a fit of rage.

Before returning to the country, she had already learned about Tang Xin.

She knew Tang Xin wasn’t just a maid but… his wife.

Even if it was merely a contractual marriage born out of family disputes, why should such a lowly woman occupy the role that was supposed to be hers?

What worried her even more was that Yue Yuze didn’t seem to treat Tang Xin as coldly and indifferently as the information she had previously gathered suggested.

What if… what if when the one-year term ended, Yue Yuze didn’t want a divorce anymore?

Lin Shiyin understood clearly that compared to Tang Xin, who had nothing to her name, all the power and decision-making rested entirely in Yue Yuze’s hands. If he wanted to end the marriage, it would be effortless. But if he didn’t want to…

Even if Tang Xin wished for an end, it would be impossible.

And that was what Lin Shiyin feared the most.

She feared that the heart of this ruthless man might one day soften. She feared that his cold, unyielding heart might find warmth.

And that warmth—that love—might not be for her, Lin Shiyin!

“If it truly comes to that… if he wants to keep her, there’s nothing I can do. But Tang Xin… what if Tang Xin loves someone else?”

The thought made Lin Shiyin laugh softly.

Would the proud Yue Yuze tolerate his wife loving someone else?

A wife whose heart belonged to another… would someone as prideful as Yue Yuze still want her?