According to the Fate Guide of Business Manager Lu, also known as the original story, their marriage only has three months of life left.

To put it figuratively, it’s like an old man who’s about to die, with one foot already in the coffin, waiting at any moment to be laid to rest.

And yet, Mr. Lin said, how could he not know?

Bullshit, he doesn’t know!

All of you CEOs are a bunch of evil vampires, capitalist swindlers!

To put it bluntly—believing you would be a fool.

Shang Xinglu didn’t believe that Lin Heng wasn’t thinking about it in his heart.

But at the same time, whether it’s a big, medium, or small rich family, everyone cares about face.

Even if the relationship between husband and wife is not harmonious or compatible, people won’t know until an official divorce announcement is made.

And in the announcement, it will be emphasized that they broke up peacefully.

Well, it should be quite peaceful.

After all, all arguments are handled by the lawyers, and even if they want to say something themselves, the lawyers would advise: “It’s best if you don’t say anything!”

Shang Xinglu thought, fine.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Lin turned out to be a performer whose talent had been buried by his financial career.

Shang Xinglu used the same trick from earlier in the morning.

Like a little butterfly, she flitted toward Lin Heng, sweetly calling out, “Hubby~~~”

And she learned from the previous lesson.

This time, she was determined to act like the seductive and scheming female characters in TV dramas, clinging to Lin Heng’s arm and not letting go!

However…

Her ten-centimeter high heels were not cooperating.

When she first wore them, she even wondered if these shoes had the ability to stand upright on their own when placed on the ground.

She had been walking on thin ice all day, and now, as she turned to pounce on her husband, she lost her balance.

Her left foot flung outward, and Shang Xinglu completely lost control and started to fall.

As she stretched her arm to grab Lin Heng, it made her look like she was bowing before him, resembling a eunuch in a palace drama about to be dragged away and executed while begging for mercy.

This was so embarrassing!

Before she could hit the ground, Shang Xinglu was already mourning in her heart, filled with regret.

I hate this.

But just as her hate was starting to form, Lin Heng, quick as lightning, reached out and caught her.

Shang Xinglu had already lost her balance, so instead of falling, she ended up, by some twist of fate, in Lin Heng’s arms.

Oh, the scent of cologne was quite pleasant.

A woody fragrance, very calm and stable.

When Shang Xinglu looked up, she saw the smooth line of Lin Heng’s jaw. At that moment, he was looking down at her, his eyes calm and distant behind thin glasses.

Lin Heng helped her up and asked, “Are you alright?”

Shang Xinglu, rarely honest, was momentarily stunned before saying, “Oh, I’m fine, I’m fine.”

Lin Heng said, “Are you sure? The heel of your shoe is broken.”

Shang Xinglu looked down at her shoe…

And indeed, the heel was broken.

She had seen this brand before in magazines.

A colleague bought a pair as wedding shoes, and they cost nearly ten thousand, but this quality?!

Lin Heng crouched down, allowing Shang Xinglu to place her hand on his shoulder. He lifted her foot and took off her shoe.

Then, he gently held her foot, turning it slightly, and asked, “Does it hurt?”

Shang Xinglu answered that it didn’t hurt.

Only then did Lin Heng stand up, make a phone call, and ask the servant to bring new shoes, specifically flat ones.

After hanging up, he helped Shang Xinglu and waited for the shoes to arrive.

Lin Heng was very quiet.

Shang Xinglu was also silent.

In her silence, there was deep admiration for Mr. Lin.

Mr. Lin’s attention to detail, this simple and sincere performance, really made him a movie star who was wasted in the financial industry!

The two people who had just criticized the state of Shang Xinglu and Lin Heng’s marriage were even quieter.

Especially Jian Xi’s friend.

To be honest, if it weren’t for Shang Xingyu, Jian Xi wouldn’t have stepped into this circle.

If it weren’t for Jian Xi, she wouldn’t have stepped into this circle either.

She’d heard the gossip and news from Jian Xi.

For example, just now, when someone fell in front of them, of course they would help, but wasn’t it a bit too thoughtful to take off the shoes and check the ankle afterward?

It didn’t really look like a couple on the verge of divorce.

…Suddenly, her face felt very painful.

She exchanged an awkward glance with Jian Xi, but Jian Xi… didn’t respond.

Because her eyes were entirely on Lin Heng.

Of course, she wasn’t staring at him, but the occasional glances she cast toward him made it impossible to believe she wasn’t interested.

Shang Xinglu smiled inwardly.

On the outside, though—she remained very serious.

To be fair, Lin Heng’s face was indeed extraordinary.

It wasn’t that her idiot brother wasn’t good-looking.

But a young man who had just graduated from school and still had his credit card issued by his family—his temperament couldn’t even compare to the independent, mature, and calm Lin Heng.

And Jian Xi’s current gaze, full of curiosity and desire, though she was trying to suppress it…

At this moment, Shang Xinglu had a feeling.

This butterfly effect she thought was just a small butterfly flapping its wings might be more than just a small butterfly.

Shang Xinglu hummed a tune: “I want to climb up step by step, waiting for the sunlight to quietly watch its face, a small sky with big dreams…”

Lin Heng frowned, “What are you singing?”

Shang Xinglu replied, “It’s ‘Snail,’ by Jay Chou. Doesn’t it fit the situation?”

Lin Heng said, “Are you comparing yourself to a snail, being slow? It really fits.”

Shang Xinglu: …

Didn’t expect Mr. Lin to be so good at sarcasm.

But someone as wise as her, singing songs with such profound meaning, how could she lower herself to the level of a mere cash-printing machine?

Mere mortals simply couldn’t comprehend her intelligence!

Shang Xinglu’s eyes flicked with cunning as she smiled and said, “I was careless just now. Let me introduce you. Miss Jian, this is my husband, Lin Heng. Lin Heng, this is my brother’s girlfriend, Miss Jian.”

Lin Heng calmly shook hands with Jian Xi, his face devoid of any expression.

“Hello,” he said.

Jian Xi, on the other hand, was a bit shy, lightly touching Lin Heng’s hand as she murmured, “Mr. Lin, I’ve heard so much about you.”

As she spoke, she lifted her eyes slightly and met Lin Heng’s gaze.

And then… nothing else happened.

Lin Heng’s face remained as expressionless as ever.

Shang Xinglu: …

I hate this!

She’s gone out of her way to say she’s admired you for so long.

Isn’t this the perfect moment for a domineering CEO to raise an eyebrow and ask in a deep voice, “You know me?”

Why does Lin Heng have this irritating look that screams, Of course, you should know me?

Son! Mom is so disappointed in you right now!

Just then, the servant brought over her flat shoes, and the group’s awkward small talk came to a merciful end.

Before leaving, Jian Xi turned her head and gave Lin Heng a lingering glance, reluctant to part.

Shang Xinglu, being as sharp as she was, didn’t miss that look.

Though apparently, Lin Heng did—because he was blind.

Shang Xinglu and Lin Heng left first.

As soon as they walked away, Shang Xinglu asked Lin Heng, “Weren’t you at the office? Why are you here?”

Lin Heng shot her a look and said, “It’s Saturday.”

Shang Xinglu nearly blurted out, “So what? Is Saturday an excuse to skip work?”

But then she glanced at her watch.

It was already 8 p.m.

Ahem.

At this moment, Lin Heng asked in a low voice, “What were you planning to do just now?”

Huh???

Shang Xinglu smiled sweetly.

She looped her arm through his and said with a grin, “What do you mean? I was just introducing everyone.”

Lin Heng said flatly, “You’d better be.”

They didn’t speak again until they got into the car, which was headed to their mountain villa.

In truth, Shang Xinglu did have some ideas swirling in her mind.

She wanted a divorce, but she also didn’t want her family to go bankrupt. The two desires seemed incompatible…

No, no, no. As a woman who held the narrative strings of her story, she could and would have both!

Jian Xi’s shy, lovestruck glance at her husband—it was so sweet it made her shiver.

Shang Xinglu thought to herself that her soon-to-be ex-husband, as dashing as he was, might still be of some use.

Since Jian Xi wasn’t exactly a trustworthy sort, today’s efforts to dissuade Shang Xingyu from going to Las Vegas might not last. Who knows when she’d convince him otherwise? And Shang Xinglu couldn’t stick to her brother’s side forever.

Besides, no one could resist the convergence of worldlines. Everything was a choice of Steins;Gate!

Cough.

In simpler terms:

Shang Xinglu figured the safest bet was to make Jian Xi break up with her brother.

Of course, violently tearing the couple apart could easily backfire.

But if Jian Xi initiated the breakup, that would be perfect.

From what Shang Xinglu observed today, Jian Xi was very fond of her foolish little brother (and his money).

For someone who didn’t genuinely love another person, nothing was more appealing than wealth.

But what if, at this moment, someone more handsome, richer, and more domineering showed up?

Hehehe, hehehe…

While others might think differently, Shang Xinglu felt it was a good deal to “sell” her husband.

As she rode in the car, her plans were clicking into place. Soon, they arrived home.

At this point, Shang Xinglu still didn’t sense anything wrong.

Not until Lin Heng, fresh out of the shower, appeared in her bedroom.

Only then did Shang Xinglu retreat into the bathroom, sit on the toilet, and clutch her phone, trembling.

As a civilized modern woman, there was nothing she couldn’t solve with Baidu!

If there was, she’d just switch to Bing!

Quickly, Shang Xinglu opened her browser and searched: What to do if you don’t want to sleep with your husband?

An online doctor advised: “It could be due to exhaustion. Try exercising, eating more fruits, and increasing your protein intake, etc., etc.”

Shang Xinglu angrily closed the page.

The next one suggested: “Maybe you’re just not interested in sex.”

Shang Xinglu: You’re the one who’s not interested! Your whole family’s not interested!

The one after that said: “Careful—your husband’s heart might no longer be with you.”

Shang Xinglu sneered.

Oh, please. Like I’m scared of that. What do you even know?!

After browsing for a while, Shang Xinglu realized Baidu wasn’t the same as before, and even Bing had betrayed her.

Sighing, she resigned herself to her fate as she showered, trying to mentally prepare for the worst.

…Actually, on second thought, maybe it wasn’t such a bad deal.

After all, Lin Heng was so handsome.

She straightened her nightgown and walked out, only to see Lin Heng leaning against the bed, reading. The light from the bedside lamp illuminated half his face, making him look like a masterpiece of art.

…Looking again, this really wasn’t such a bad deal.

Shang Xinglu stood on the other side of the bed, caught in an inner battle.

How could she be like this? So shallow, so easily swayed by looks!

Was she really this kind of person?

Lin Heng seemed to notice her. He closed his book with a soft snap and placed it on the bedside table.

The bed was so large that he had to stretch a bit, and in doing so, he accidentally lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing a glimpse of his toned abs.

Shang Xinglu had excellent eyesight—

Taut muscles, not overly bulky, just a thin, defined layer leading down to smooth, fluid lines.

Hiss…

So good-looking.

But was she really this shallow?

She stole another glance.

And that’s when she heard it—the sound of her own heart skipping a beat.

I’m sorry, but yes, she was.