Although Shang Xinglu received a generous breakup settlement, maintaining a company’s project development and daily operations could not rely endlessly on her personal funds.

Today’s meeting with the manager of Clemens Bank was to discuss financing for Bichen’s new project development.

After undergoing an industrial structure adjustment, Bichen had gradually turned from a loss to profit.

The loan they were requesting wasn’t large, and the chances of success were high.

The two had arranged to meet directly at the bank building.

Shang Xinglu arrived earlier than Yin Yao.

The lobby on the first floor had a small café with a counter, a few tables, and simple offerings like salads, desserts, and coffee, all enclosed by a carved half-height black railing.

Sitting inside, she could watch the people coming and going, which was quite interesting.

Shang Xinglu ordered a cup of lemon tea and sat down.

She just observed the flow of people coming and going.

A bit melodramatically, one could say she was “observing humanity.”

Oh, how humans are so fascinating! (Not really.)

Normally, she was just… zoning out.

After a while, several bodyguards and a few well-dressed, elite-looking men and women entered.

The tallest among them was a man in a trench coat, with black hair, half a head taller than his assistants, standing out in the crowd.

Shang Xinglu glanced over and immediately noticed his profile… he was quite handsome.

In fact, he looked a little familiar.

She thought he would head straight for the elevator and disappear quickly like a mirage, leaving only a fleeting impression.

But unexpectedly, he paused and walked toward the café, stopping in front of the pastry display.

The tall man in the trench coat leaned forward, pointing at cakes in the cold display with the joy of a connoisseur.

Shang Xinglu sat quietly, sipping her lemon tea.

To be honest, his love for sweets… was just like Lin Heng’s.

But Lin Heng would never buy it himself, not in such an open manner.

The thought of Lin Heng made Shang Xinglu feel a bit resentful.

This place was somewhat related to him. Was this an “idol drama” encounter?

…But there was no chance encounter, no idol drama, and certainly no Lin Heng here.

Today’s Lin Heng had not been “absorbed” yet, and she couldn’t even get into the mood for work. What to do?

Shang Xinglu lazily leaned on the table, feeling disgruntled.

Just then, someone suddenly spoke beside her: “Do you mind if I sit down?”

She looked up and saw the man in the trench coat—the one who had been pointing at the pastries.

Up close… he was indeed quite handsome.

Sharp features, deep double eyelids, and slightly deeper eye sockets than typical Asians, giving him a bit of a mixed-race appearance.

Shang Xinglu was about to refuse.

But then she noticed the several elite-looking, expressionless bodyguards and assistants standing behind him…

And, of course, she immediately chickened out.

“Please, go ahead,” she said.

The man sat down.

He said, “Louise, it’s been a long time.”

Shang Xinglu calmly took another sip of lemon tea.

Actually, she was completely stunned.

Big brother, who are you?

He continued, “Let me think, it’s been… more than two years, right?”

Shang Xinglu sipped her tea.

No, who the heck are you?

Honestly, over two years ago, Mrs. Lin was still Mrs. Lin.

Back then, she wore plaid shirts and forgot to wash her hair when busy…

So there was no way she would recognize this guy, but Mrs. Lin definitely did!

The man in the trench coat saw her confused expression, his eyes twinkling, lips curving into a smile.

“You probably don’t remember me, right? Louise, how could you forget me?”

He raised three fingers and said, “You have five seconds. Come on, guess who I am? If you guess correctly, there’s a reward.”

“One second—”

The sudden countdown made Shang Xinglu anxious.

She quickly guessed, “Classmate? Senior? Teacher?”

“Two seconds—”

He didn’t answer, so it seemed like she was wrong.

Shang Xinglu continued, “Colleague?? Friend?? A friend of a friend??”

“Three seconds—”

“Please don’t say you’re another ex-boyfriend???” Shang Xinglu was almost on the verge of breaking down.

The man laughed before finishing the countdown.

He said seriously, “Actually, you should call me ‘brother.’”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

He even winked, trying to make his statement more believable.

Shang Xinglu: “…………”

She quickly realized that this person was someone who enjoyed teasing others.

She wouldn’t believe him! This old man was clearly up to no good!

Shang Xinglu snorted, “Then you should call me ‘super invincible beautiful girl of love and justice, little angel.’”

Come on! Talk nonsense, who’s afraid?

She had just finished saying that when footsteps approached, and a familiar voice rang out.

“Mr. Lin, hello, hello! When did you return to the country?”

Mr. Lin?

Mr. Lin??!!!

Shang Xinglu turned in surprise and saw Fang Liao walk over, shaking hands with the man in the trench coat in front of her.

Their interaction was very cordial.

Shang Xinglu looked at the man in front of her once more.

Another “Mr. Lin” appeared, flashing an inscrutable smile.

Shang Xinglu remembered the reckless things she had said just a moment ago.

Oh, I just want to die…

Ah, do we have any heron feathers, white silk, or daggers?

Anything will do! Your Majesty, please let this humble servant apologize!

Shang Xinglu hadn’t been in business for long under Yin Yao’s guidance, but she had learned at least one thing—people needed to have thick skin.

She tried to pretend that she hadn’t said anything and stood up, forcing a high-pitched voice as she called out, “Brother…”

Lin Heng’s older brother, Lin Yan, “I heard you recently divorced Edmond?”

Oh, right!

Shang Xinglu adjusted her tone and called out again, “Former… big brother?”

Lin Yan: “…”

Fang Liao: “…”

Shang Xinglu’s face turned gray.

What could I do! I’m just as desperate as you!

You should’ve told me your Chinese name! Or your English name! Anything!

Fang Liao lightly cleared his throat, trying to ease the awkward air.

However, Lin Heng’s brother was very different from Lin Heng. He was much more laid-back.

He didn’t mind at all and instead said, “I heard that after your accident, your personality changed quite a bit, and your memory might’ve been affected…”

As he spoke, Fang Liao cleared his throat again.

Neither of them spoke after that.

Shang Xinglu was full of questions.

The “accident” must refer to the incident almost three months ago, when she and Lin Heng had their accident, right?

But she didn’t have any memory issues!

Was this how Lin Heng explained things to them?

Shang Xinglu looked at the two people who seemed to know more, but Fang Liao avoided her gaze, and Lin Yan simply smiled and didn’t bring it up again.

At this point, Lin Yan said, “I’m Lin Heng’s cousin, my name is Lin Yan. We only met more than two years ago when you and Lin Heng got married. It’s normal that you don’t remember me. I was just teasing you earlier, don’t take it to heart.”

Is that so?

Shang Xinglu was suspicious.

But she nodded and said, “Earlier when I said I was… a super invincible beautiful girl of love and justice, little angel, I was also joking. Don’t mind me.”

Fang Liao: “???”

Beautiful girl? Angel?

How shameless…

Lin Yan said, “I have something else to attend to, so I’ll leave now.”

A group of people left the café.

After Lin Yan had walked around the corner, he spoke to someone nearby, then returned alone and asked Shang Xinglu through the railing, “I’m curious about that accident three months ago. How did Lin Heng explain it to you?”

Shang Xinglu was confused.

Explain?

Lin Heng never explained it.

In fact, that night, the Lin family had disappeared with their people. Afterward, when she was in the hospital, there were strict security measures, but no one came to explain anything to her…

Shang Xinglu had been in a daze during that time, so she didn’t notice anything unusual.

But now that she thought about it… why didn’t anyone explain to her what happened?

At that time, Lin Heng had said it might have been their opponents.

Shang Xinglu said, “…Opponents?”

Her tone was uncertain because she genuinely didn’t know.

Lin Yan’s eyelashes fluttered, and he murmured, “Opponents…”

Then he smiled softly.

And left.

Shang Xinglu stood there.

Wait, could you at least explain things clearly???

…

Lin Heng arrived at the villa in the south of the city. Since the accident three months ago, Gu Wanyu had moved from the hotel to this villa, as if she planned to stay here long-term.

Lin Heng was usually too busy to care whether Gu Wanyu was living in the country or abroad.

As expected, when Lin Heng arrived, not only did he meet Gu Wanyu, but also Meng Huaqing.

Meng Huaqing wasn’t a stranger to Assistant Yuan.

They had met before, though not in the past two years. He hadn’t expected that after Lin Heng’s divorce, Meng Huaqing would show up so quickly. Of course, this was because of Gu Wanyu.

Assistant Yuan found Meng Huaqing very interesting.

Because of her family background, she naturally had a high opinion of herself, but upon closer inspection, she had nothing substantial.

She reminded him of an article he had read about a “poor little rich kid”—people from good families, prestigious schools, living in wealthy neighborhoods, looking like they had it all, but were essentially barren.

Of course, since he could never match Meng Huaqing’s wealth, he didn’t care whether she was barren or not.

He wouldn’t mind being “barren” in her place.

Gu Wanyu asked, “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I would have had the chef prepare the dishes you like.”

She acted as if nothing had happened, and Lin Heng remained calm.

Lin Heng didn’t even sit down. He simply said, “I’m here to ask you to return to the U.S. The plane is ready for you. Pack up, and we’ll leave in two hours.”

Gu Wanyu: “…”

Gu Wanyu stared at him for a long time, before speaking, “Edmond, is this necessary? Didn’t you just divorce Louise? You’re just having dinner with Emma; what’s the big deal?”

At that moment, Lin Heng replied, “You know the reason? Oh, I thought you didn’t know. Since you do, mother, I’ve called you mother for so many years and have respected you. The precondition is, you need to know your place.”

Gu Wanyu: “… I… I’m doing this for your own good. Emma can help you; they won’t dare to act recklessly…”

Lin Heng had his assistant help Gu Wanyu pack her things.

Gu Wanyu’s steps were unsteady, and Meng Huaqing hurriedly helped her.

Even though Lin Heng hadn’t spoken to Meng Huaqing, she was angered by his blatant actions.

Meng Huaqing said in English, “Edmond, I’ve known you for so long, why won’t you give me a chance?”

Lin Heng said, “Emma, you’re just overestimating yourself.”

Meng Huaqing responded, “What’s wrong with that? You can help me, I can help you, it’s mutually beneficial, what’s wrong with that?”

Lin Heng sighed silently.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, I just don’t want to,” he said淡淡地, “Will you leave on your own, or will you go with her?”

Meng Huaqing’s face turned pale.

She said, “… You can threaten her, but you can’t threaten me. I’m not leaving. No one can touch me.”

Lin Heng, with his hands in his pockets, remained calm and said, “Then perhaps today you’ll learn what ‘can’ really means.”