It was impossible to break the contract.

Breaking the contract with Shen Wang might still be possible, but breaking the contract with Yin Yao was out of the question.

Although in the original silly story, Lin Heng divorced Mrs. Lin because of his feelings for Yin Yao and couldn’t tolerate Mrs. Lin anymore, Yin Yao was only half a reason.

By all rights, the female protagonist and the supporting female characters who exist merely to complement the main character, though not in direct opposition, rarely get along well.

A supporting female character can only act as a complement because she still harbors aspirations of being the protagonist, even though she doesn’t have the fate to become one.

But Shang Xinglu had liked Yin Yao from the moment she laid eyes on her.

Because, to be honest…

Yin Yao’s smile was truly stunning!

She had the most beautiful smile of anyone she had ever seen—whether men, women, or even trans people!

Oh, that sweet smile, those little dimples, that electrifying gaze, the refreshing aura…

Shang Xinglu felt like Cupid’s arrows were piercing her heart!

It was just so beautiful, so sweet…

In front of a beauty lover, whether male or female, there’s only one truth:

If you’re good-looking, you win.

The next day, Shang Xinglu deliberately dressed up before leaving.

It had been a long time since Marilyn had seen Shang Xinglu dressed up seriously.

Curious, she asked, “What’s going on today?”

Shang Xinglu smiled brightly, “A date!”

Marilyn also smiled, “With Mr. Lin?”

Shang Xinglu deflated in an instant, “A date with him? Does he even date… Mr. Lin doesn’t date.”

He only… has sex with me.

And only on my turf.

Hmph, men are all carnivorous pigs.

Marilyn silently made a note to remind Mr. Lin to take Shang Xinglu on a date someday.

They met at a hotpot restaurant for lunch.

The place was very popular recently, a trendy restaurant with a fashionable interior, perfect for photos.

They ordered a four-in-one hotpot base: spicy, mushroom, Tom Yum, and tomato. The taste was neither bad nor great, but the restaurant was packed. If they hadn’t made a reservation, they wouldn’t have gotten a table during peak hours.

Yin Yao said, “I heard this is run by an internet celebrity. I thought the decor was pretty and perfect for photos. I wanted to come.”

Shang Xinglu replied, “Let’s take photos! I love taking pictures!”

Yin Yao smiled, her eyes narrowing into crescents, looking especially pretty.

Actually, Shang Xinglu wasn’t sure whether she liked taking photos.

But when she saw this smile, she thought, why even question what I like? Is it too late to like it now?

The two of them chatted for a while and ate a little, when Shang Xinglu received a message from Assistant Yuan.

He complained, “Mr. Lin is too busy to eat again. Miss Shang, can you persuade him to take a break?”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Assistant Yuan, you might as well change your name to Grandpa Yuan…

How come you’re taking such good care of the boss? You need to persuade him to eat? Do you think he’s three years old?

Shang Xinglu didn’t persuade him. Instead, she wanted to tempt Lin Heng a little.

While boiling beef in the hotpot, which was of high quality and beautifully marbled, she filmed a little video and sent it to Lin Heng.

At this moment, Yin Yao said, “Louise, the reason I asked you to come out for lunch today is that I want to discuss something with you.”

Shang Xinglu kept filming, “Hm? Go ahead.”

Yin Yao: “Do you know a skincare and cosmetics company called Bichen?”

Shang Xinglu looked up in surprise.

Plop—!

Shang Xinglu’s phone dropped into the hotpot.

“Your phone, your phone!” Yin Yao screamed in panic, quickly turning off the hotpot and using a strainer to scoop it out.

Shang Xinglu snapped back to reality.

She grabbed another spoon and retrieved the phone, which now smelled like the delicious, spicy oil.

She didn’t even bother to wipe it off.

It was useless now anyway.

She quickly asked, “I’ve heard of it. What about it?”

Yin Yao: “This company is going through bankruptcy and liquidation. I took a look, and even though it’s small, I think it has potential. I’m thinking of acquiring it. I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in joining me?”

Plop—!

Shang Xinglu’s chopsticks also fell into the hotpot.

But this time, Yin Yao didn’t retrieve them, and Shang Xinglu didn’t either.

Yin Yao simply stared at Shang Xinglu.

Shang Xinglu was confused and elated at the same time.

To be honest, despite Yin Yao being a rich girl now, about to marry a powerful CEO and transform into a wealthy housewife, that wasn’t the full picture.

Yin Yao wasn’t like other wealthy housewives who relied on their husbands, were uneducated, and only cared about playing around. Yin Yao had her own business.

In the future, her company would grow, and eventually, it would be listed on the American stock market. Not only would she marry into a rich family, but she’d become part of one herself.

And the first step in all of that would be Bichen.

The useless original story only mentioned that Yin Yao was partnering with a female friend, but didn’t reveal who that friend was.

Shang Xinglu never expected that she, herself, was that female friend!

Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but tear up with emotion.

It felt so good, so good…

At that moment, when Shang Xinglu looked at Yin Yao, she no longer saw the sweet, cute smile. Instead, Yin Yao appeared like an illuminated goddess holding a jade bottle, radiating an aura of immortality.

When a golden thigh appears before you, asking if you want to hop on board…
Shang Xinglu didn’t hesitate and said, “Sure, let’s do it, let’s get to work!”

Her words were so enthusiastic and not very refined, causing the people at the table behind her to turn around and give her curious looks.

Yin Yao, a bit embarrassed, said, “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m asking you?”

Shang Xinglu replied, “That’s not the point. Let’s do it! Let’s go all out!”

The people at the table behind them shuddered.

What the hell, even lesbians are so direct these days…

Yin Yao’s cheeks turned slightly red as she said, “Louise, I’m really happy that you trust me so much. Although you didn’t ask, since this involves money, I still have to explain the reason.”

“To be honest, I’m short on money. My grandfather passed away earlier, and there’s been a lot of conflict between the families. I don’t have enough money myself, and it’s unlikely my family will support me.”

Shang Xinglu grabbed Yin Yao’s hand and said, “Don’t worry, I have money!”

Yin Yao added, “There’s another reason, which is my personal interest. When it comes to partnerships, trust is key, and I really like you, Louise. So, you were the first person I thought of for this.”

Yin Yao continued, “Don’t feel like you have to agree because of pressure. After all, it’s a large sum, so how about this? This weekend, we can do a field visit, and then you can decide?”

“Oh, it’s a bit far, so it’ll be a rush to return in one day. How about we stay overnight and come back the next day?”

As she spoke, her gaze was sincere as she held Shang Xinglu’s hand.

Her palm was warm, and she held it firmly.

Shang Xinglu blinked.

…Wait a minute, something didn’t seem quite right.

Then, she quickly dismissed the thought.

It was just a handshake, how could there be an issue?

Shang Xinglu smiled and said, “Okay.”

They made the plan.

Shang Xinglu had recently developed a fear of the dark, and since she drove herself out today, after dinner, she and Yin Yao went shopping. Shang Xinglu bought herself a new phone, and then they headed home.

Not long after she arrived home, the maid told her that a guest had come to visit, and when asked for the name, it was Xiao Zai.

That was unusual.

After all, Xiao Zai rarely initiated contact with her. Most of the time, it was like he didn’t exist. But when he did appear, his presence was very strong.

Quite strange.

Xiao Zai was in the reception room.

It was his first time coming over.

Since Shang Xinglu divorced Lin Heng, Shanhai Guan hadn’t been renovated, and Shang Xinglu couldn’t be bothered with that. So, even though most of Lin Heng’s things were moved out, traces of her ex-husband still lingered in the house.

On the display cabinet in the reception room, there was a photo frame with a picture of Lin Heng and Shang Xinglu together.

At that time, they were still distant, although both were smiling at the camera, there was at least a fist’s distance between them.

Xiao Zai looked at it for a while…

It really didn’t match the scene he saw in the cemetery.

Xiao Zai was certain that Lin Heng didn’t want to get divorced.

As for why they got divorced, it was probably due to the incident two months ago…

Xiao Zai’s gaze darkened.

But no matter the reason, they were divorced in the end.

And from this photo, regardless of when their relationship changed, Xiao Zai could infer one thing—there wasn’t a deep emotional foundation between them.

That meant he had an opportunity.

Shang Xinglu appeared behind him, “What are you looking at?”

Xiao Zai turned around and smiled, probably in a good mood, his smile was especially charming.

“Just browsing, it’s my first time here.”

Shang Xinglu was momentarily stunned.

…Oh my god, everyone’s smiling so charmingly these days, who are they trying to seduce?!

At this moment, Shang Xinglu realized that her recent abstinence from men had indeed worked.

See, after just a few days, she was already interested in beauty again!

The maid brought tea, and Xiao Zai stated his purpose, “Sister, I’m here to apologize.”

Shang Xinglu raised her head in confusion, looking like a silly goose.

“Huh?”

Xiao Zai reminded her, “That day at the cemetery…”

Shang Xinglu replied, “Lin Heng is crazy, don’t mind him.”

Though she was speaking badly about Lin Heng, her words betrayed a sense of intimacy, which immediately dampened Xiao Zai’s previously upbeat mood.

Xiao Zai said, “But I’m curious, Sister, you and Mr. Lin are already divorced, why does he care about who you’re dating?”

Shang Xinglu was just as angry, “Yeah! I think so too, Lin Heng is too much!”

Before she could finish her complaint, Lin Heng, who had sneezed in his office, tried calling her again for the third time.

This time, it connected.

Shang Xinglu: “…………”

She had just talked badly about him and now he was calling…

Shang Xinglu felt her hairs stand on end. Uh, Mr. Lin, is what u???

She shuddered and picked up the phone.

Shang Xinglu timidly said, “Hello…”

Lin Heng: “Why did your phone turn off just now?”

Shang Xinglu: “…It fell in the hotpot.”

Lin Heng: “…What?”

Shang Xinglu closed her eyes in resignation, “It fell! In! The! Hotpot! Who hasn’t dropped their phone in the hotpot before?!”

Lin Heng: “…………”

No, he actually hadn’t.

At this moment, seeing Shang Xinglu like this, Xiao Zai found her quite adorable and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Okay, maybe half of it was on purpose.

Sure enough, Lin Heng heard it on the other side.

He immediately asked, “Who’s there?”