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Song Qingyu truly didn’t want to contact Lu Yanchuan again. However, her mother’s misfortune was caused by her, and now her mother was not only facing imprisonment but also a massive fine. She couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
After leaving the police station, she called her ex-husband, Lu Yanchuan.
It was Xie Wan’ning who answered.
Xie Wan’ning was not only Lu Yanchuan’s ex-girlfriend but also Song Qingyu’s childhood friend.
Four years ago, Xie Wan’ning had broken up with Lu Yanchuan to study abroad. During the painful days that followed, Lu Yanchuan drowned himself in alcohol, getting drunk every night. It was Song Qingyu who went to the bar to pick him up and take care of him.
Old Master Lu had noticed Song Qingyu’s feelings for Lu Yanchuan and stepped in to arrange their marriage. Unexpectedly, Lu Yanchuan had agreed.
He married Song Qingyu.
For three years, because Lu Yanchuan disliked her public presence in the entertainment industry, Song Qingyu turned down offers from renowned directors and gave up her rising career to be a full-time housewife. She cared for his ailing grandfather and dutifully served his parents, yet in the end, all she got in return was betrayal.
The moment Xie Wan’ning returned to the country, Lu Yanchuan immediately turned into her loyal lapdog, chasing after her day and night, barely coming home.
Last week, when Song Qingyu visited her family home, Lu Yanchuan brought Xie Wan’ning back to their marital home. She walked in on them, half-naked, tangled together on the living room couch.
That day, Song Qingyu’s heart completely died, and she made up her mind to divorce him.
“Song Qingyu, you’re already divorced. Why are you still clinging to Yanchuan?” Xie Wan’ning’s mocking voice came through the phone.
“Or do you regret it? Is watching us have sex not stimulating enough for you?”
“Where’s Lu Yanchuan? Put him on the phone. I need to talk to him.”
“Yanchuan? He’s drinking right now. If you want to find him, he’s at Nightfall Bar, private room 306.”
With that, Xie Wan’ning hung up.
Song Qingyu had no choice but to take a cab to Nightfall Bar.
Just as she approached the private room, she heard voices from inside.
“Yanchuan, you were married for three years. Did you really never touch Qingyu?”
“No. We slept in separate rooms the entire time.”
“Why?”
“Women from the entertainment industry are dirty. I don’t want to catch anything.”
Laughter erupted inside the room.
Someone tried to be fair. “You can’t generalize like that. There are still some who keep themselves clean.”
“She’s dirty. I’m sure of it.” Lu Yanchuan’s firm words hit Song Qingyu like a bullet, piercing straight through her heart.
The man she had loved for so long—her husband—was slandering her like this in front of a room full of people.
“And how exactly are you sure…”
Before she could finish, the door was abruptly pulled open.
“Oh, Qingyu, you’re here!” Xie Wan’ning’s voice was laced with false sweetness.
All eyes turned toward Song Qingyu.
The room was filled with Lu Yanchuan’s childhood friends and close acquaintances. Seeing her sudden appearance, they looked awkward and uncomfortable. Even Lu Yanchuan’s expression flickered with unease before he quickly masked it.
“Song Qingyu, what are you doing here?”
She wanted to turn and leave.
But her mother was still waiting for her rescue.
She swallowed her anger and spoke calmly. “Lu Yanchuan, I need to talk to you. Can we step outside?”
“Whatever you need to say, say it here. We’re divorced. There’s no need for private meetings—Wan’ning wouldn’t like it.” Lu Yanchuan pulled Xie Wan’ning close, squeezing her waist. “Right, Wan’ning?”
Xie Wan’ning nestled into his embrace. “Yanchuan, I trust you. But I really don’t like her coming to see you alone.”
“See? Wan’ning doesn’t like it. Song Qingyu, just say it here.”
Since he was being so blunt, she didn’t bother with pleasantries either.
“My mother’s restaurant ran into trouble. Was it you who arranged it?”
“The Lu family’s property belongs to the Lu family. What’s wrong with taking it back?”
“So you admit it?”
“And what if I do? Song Qingyu, wasn’t it you who wanted a divorce? The moment you uttered those words, you should have known—the Song family would never benefit from the Lu family again.”
“My mother was renting that space and paying rent. How is that a ‘benefit’?”
Lu Yanchuan sneered. “Do you think any random person can rent Lu family property just by paying money? Your mother knows exactly how her small restaurant grew to this scale. Those customers came because they were giving the Lu family face!”
Song Qingyu softened her voice, “We will vacate the space. Just give us some time. Please, I beg you, let my mother go.”
Lu Yanchuan smirked. “That location is prime real estate. I’ve already promised it to Wan’ning for her new studio. I won’t wait for you to slowly pack up. This is the fastest solution.”
A fresh wave of pain struck Song Qingyu’s chest.
Lu Yanchuan had orchestrated this entire thing just to please Xie Wan’ning.
“Lu Yanchuan, this has nothing to do with my mother. She’s innocent.”
“If you want me to let her go, sure.” Lu Yanchuan poured a glass of wine onto the marble floor. “Lick it clean, and I’ll consider it.”
“Yanchuan…” Someone hesitated, thinking he was going too far.
Lu Yanchuan raised a hand, cutting them off. “Anyone who dares plead for Song Qingyu tonight is no longer my friend.”
The room fell silent.
Xie Wan’ning’s smile was bright. “Come on, Qingyu, do it. Your mother’s health isn’t great. If she gets sentenced to a few years, prison life won’t be easy. You’re a filial daughter, aren’t you? Surely you wouldn’t let her die behind bars?”
Song Qingyu knew Xie Wan’ning was deliberately provoking her.
She ignored her and looked directly at Lu Yanchuan.
“Lu Yanchuan, why are you doing this to me? Divorce was what you wanted. I stepped aside as you wished. What more do you want?”
“Because only I get to end things. You don’t have the right.”
Lu Yanchuan had always believed he was in control of their marriage. The fact that Song Qingyu was the one to bring up divorce first deeply unsettled him.
“Enough talk. Either you lick the floor, or you get out.”
Song Qingyu finally realized—there was no point in begging this man.
She had been a fool to expect any decency from a cheating bastard.
With a cold laugh, she grabbed a bucket of ice-cold beer from the table and, before they could react, threw it all over them.
“I, Song Qingyu, walk with my head held high. The only filth here is you two cheating dogs! Wash yourselves clean!”
Xie Wan’ning shrieked as the cold liquid drenched her. Lu Yanchuan’s shirt was instantly soaked through.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Seizing the moment, Song Qingyu turned and ran.
—
Outside, the sky had gone completely dark.
Although she had vented her anger, her heart still felt heavy. Tears she had tried to hold back finally fell.
She didn’t understand—how had the bright and righteous boy she once loved turned into such a cruel and heartless man?
But there was no time for sorrow.
If the Lu family refused to let her mother go, then she had only one option left.
A name flashed through her mind.
Li Huaidong.
Would he be willing to help her?
She hesitated for a moment, then dialed his number.