Chapter 25: Help Me Find a Lawyer

Fu Yanci’s eyes paused. He lowered his gaze and fell into brief thought before looking back at Ruan Liuzheng. His expression was cold and emotionless as he said:

“No. Childbirth is too painful. Wanqing can’t endure that, and I can’t bear to see her suffer!”

So what — Ruan Liuzheng was supposed to be their sacrifice?

Ruan Liuzheng closed her eyes. Even though she had already prepared herself mentally, even though she had already decided to give up on Fu Yanci, her heart still ached involuntarily.

She looked up at the man she had loved for years and whispered almost inaudibly:

“What about me? Fu Yanci, was all your past tenderness and care for me just a lie?”

“You’ve been in the business world for years — I don’t believe you can’t see through Bai Wanqing’s little tricks. Why… did we end up like this? Why?”

Fu Yanci’s heart gave a jolt. The discomfort he had tried to suppress surged up again like a tidal wave.

He frowned slightly, his black eyes flashing with cold indifference. He said:

“In any case, I expect you to be back at the Beishan Villa on time tomorrow night. If you don’t come back… I don’t mind repeating what happened today.”

After speaking, he seemed to remember something. Just as he turned to leave, he paused and looked back, his voice even colder:

“But next time, whether or not you’ll be allowed to see Fu Jingcheng again — that’s not guaranteed.”

Ruan Liuzheng stood still, her cool eyes fixed on Fu Yanci’s retreating figure. The corners of her lips lifted into a cold, mocking smile.

She stood there for a long time, until her legs started to feel slightly numb. Then, like a machine, she pulled out her phone and dialed Rosent.

Ruan Liuzheng stared at the glassy, reflective surface of the frozen pond, waiting quietly for the call to connect.

Perhaps he was still entertaining guests — the phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

Ruan Liuzheng frowned slightly, then spoke. Her voice was calm, cold, and carried the disillusionment of someone who had seen through the world:

“Rosent, help me find a lawyer.”

Her gaze was resolute. Straight to the point.

After that earlier conversation, she was now more certain than ever:
No matter how many times she said it, Fu Yanci would never accept reality.

For the sake of the Fu family’s reputation, he would never agree to a divorce.

Ruan Liuzheng didn’t want to wait any longer — and she had no patience left to drag things out.

“Are you sure?”
Rosent’s voice came through, slightly hesitant.

“Yes. I don’t want to stall this anymore.”

Ruan Liuzheng took a deep breath, gazing into the distance. The silvery moonlight fell across her fair, jade-like face, giving her an ethereal beauty.

She hadn’t wanted her five-year marriage to end in such an ugly way, but…

If she didn’t shove reality in front of Fu Yanci’s face, he would remain lost in his arrogant delusions forever.

And she no longer wanted to waste even a second more on him.

“Alright. I’ll arrange it for you tomorrow.”

With Rosent’s confirmation, Ruan Liuzheng smiled faintly and hung up the phone.

Of course, she could find a lawyer on her own — but her network was limited.

Ordinary lawyers wouldn’t risk offending the powerful Fu family to help her.

But Rosent was different — he came from a wealthy family too, and after years of battling in the business world, he had the power and connections she lacked.

At this point, he might be her only hope.

---

Ruan Liuzheng stayed outside for a while longer before returning to the living room.

She timed it perfectly — just as she stepped through the door, the Fu family gathering was wrapping up. Those who didn’t live at the old mansion had already bid farewell to the old master and were preparing to leave.

In the past, she and Fu Yanci would stay overnight, to show their filial piety.

But tonight — perhaps because her earlier conversation had angered Fu Yanci — he also said his goodbyes to the old master.

Though it surprised Ruan Liuzheng, she welcomed the outcome.

Because if anyone tried to force her to sleep in the same bed as Fu Yanci tonight — she might honestly throw up.

Even if they did nothing.

The old master tried to persuade them to stay, but Fu Yanci was firm, and the elder eventually gave up.

He waved them off, allowing them to leave.

By the time they stepped out of the old residence, it was nearly 11 p.m. Most of the other family members had already left.

So, at the front gate, only the three of them remained — a family of three.

Ruan Liuzheng carried her son to her SUV, buckled him into the child safety seat, and prepared to drive home, deliberately avoiding Fu Yanci.

The performance was over, and her son was back with her.
She no longer needed to be threatened by Fu Yanci.
No need to play nice with him anymore.

Fu Yanci’s dark eyes quietly watched her. His frown deepened as she opened the driver’s side door.

Suddenly, he moved — his long legs striding forward in three quick steps until he stood in front of her, one arm braced on the car door.

“Don’t forget to be at Beishan Villa tomorrow night waiting for me.”

Ruan Liuzheng shot him a cold glance but said nothing.

Fu Yanci’s eyes darkened, his expression more severe:

“Ruan Liuzheng, I’ve already been patient with you these past few days. You’d better know when to stop.”

“Are you done?”
Ruan Liuzheng looked up, her expression calm, her tone even more so.

“If you’re done, then get out of the way. Don’t block my path.”

Her indifference made the furious Fu Yanci look like a fool.

His face turned utterly grim.

Yet he still held back his anger and didn’t leave. Instead, he pulled a packet of traditional medicine from somewhere and tossed it into her arms, his tone firm and domineering:

“The weather’s getting colder — Wanqing’s sick. Tomorrow, brew this medicine and deliver it to the hospital.”

“Make sure it arrives before noon. If it’s past lunchtime, the medicine won’t have any effect even if she drinks it.”

As he carefully gave his instructions, his concern for Bai Wanqing was obvious.

Ruan Liuzheng sneered and looked up at him, her red lips curling coldly:

“Dream on.”

With that, she stepped into the car, pushed him away with force, slammed the door, and hit the gas. The SUV sped off.

On the way, Ruan Liuzheng even rolled down the window and — in full view of Fu Yanci — threw the medicine out onto the road, letting the tires crush it.

Asking her to brew medicine for Bai Wanqing?
Fu Yanci was truly disgusting.

Wasn’t he afraid Bai Wanqing might get indigestion drinking something she prepared?

Fu Yanci stood rooted to the spot, staring at the shattered herbs on the ground, his expression turning pitch-black.

His hands, hanging at his sides, curled into tight fists.

This was already the third time Ruan Liuzheng had defied him.

Ruan Liuzheng… you’d better keep up this courage until the end!

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Ruan Liuzheng arrived back at Yuelan Huafu just before midnight.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she noticed the door to the unit across from hers was slightly ajar, warm light spilling into the hallway.

She paused in surprise.

Xie Qingcen was still awake?

Just as she debated whether to go over and apologize for what happened earlier that day, she heard a sound — and Xie Qingcen stepped out.

“Back this late? Want some supper?”
His voice was gentle as he looked at her.