Shang Xinglu was feeling quite frustrated right now.

Although she didn’t know much about high society, she had seen plenty of gossip!

There were a lot of celebrity marriages into wealthy families, and even more typical cases.

For example, so-and-so gave birth to a boy, and the in-laws rewarded them with a mansion and a large sum of cash; or another person had only given birth to girls for years, and eventually got divorced, becoming a discarded wife in a wealthy family…

There were countless such stories.

Shang Xinglu followed their gaze and couldn’t help but glance at her own stomach.

Was she supposed to say—“Well, to be honest, your son smokes menthol cigarettes and is impotent. I don’t know what happened before, but during the time I’ve been with him, we haven’t had any… activities in a month. So if I get pregnant, I guess there might be a meadow growing on your son’s head where rabbits can happily run around!”

No.

She still wanted to live to go back to China.

So Shang Xinglu pretended to be shy and said, “You should ask Lin Heng about that…”

She acted cute and girly, playing the little daughter role.

Ugh.

Shang Xinglu almost couldn’t stand herself.

Of course, the adults in the room knew asking Shang Xinglu wouldn’t be useful.

After all, she wasn’t some saint, and she couldn’t split herself into multiple beings.

So, Gu Wanyu turned to Lin Heng and said, “It’s about time to consider this.”

“Do you want it to be like last time?” Lin Heng said calmly.

Gu Wanyu went silent.

After a moment, she said, “I’m just thinking of what’s best for you.”

Shang Xinglu caught the scent of gossip in the air.

She really wanted to ask: “What are you talking about? Tell me quickly, I want to join in!”

But reading the air, it seemed like she was supposed to already know…

So Shang Xinglu immediately observed in silence, pretending to be a good little quail.

Gu Wanyu continued, “I’m not rushing you, I’m just asking if you have any plans. Am I not allowed to ask about it in this family?”

Though Shang Xinglu wasn’t part of the conversation, she overheard the standard lines of a wealthy mother-in-law throwing a tantrum.

After all, this was about her uterus. She thought maybe she should say something, make a declaration, like how they do in TV dramas.

But then she thought to herself:

Why should she get along with her current mother-in-law?

She was about to become her ex-mother-in-law anyway!!!

No joke.

Shang Xinglu continued pretending to be a quiet and elegant quail who only drinks coffee and does nothing else.

“Mother.”

It was Lin Heng who suddenly changed his tone.

Though his expression didn’t change, the aura around him shifted, and it actually became a little scary.

He was clearly just the fluffy Lin Heng, yet his presence was intimidating.

Gu Wanyu had intended to say more, but seeing Lin Heng like this, she stopped herself, looking frustrated.

Lin Mao quickly intervened, “Alright, alright, they’re not unaware. The kids have their own plans. You just like to worry about everything.”

And with that, the issue was brushed aside.

Shang Xinglu felt the black alert lifted.

But suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.

Why had Gu Wanyu, despite being able to continue talking, stopped because of Lin Heng’s expression?

Was it really just to protect Lin Heng’s dignity?

Or…

Shang Xinglu shook her head and let the thought dissipate.

Anyway, it had nothing to do with her.

After breakfast, workaholic Lin Heng, for once, decided to take a nap.

The reason was obvious.

The culprit, someone, sneezed and mumbled, “Ah, I didn’t cover the blanket properly last night, and by the way, I think the bed is a little small…”

Last night, not only was the blanket not covered properly, there wasn’t even a bed for Lin Heng: “…”

Then Shang Xinglu sneezed again.

This time, tears and snot flew everywhere.

OCD Lin Heng looked at her and became extremely irritated.

“Disgusting.”

His tone was full of disdain.

After speaking, Lin Heng pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping Shang Xinglu’s face.

Shang Xinglu was innocent.

Who can look pretty while catching a cold? Who doesn’t sneeze or get a runny nose when they have a cold?!

Lin Heng’s OCD was making it so hard on her!

She wasn’t fond of Lin Heng either.

As soon as she raised her face, she was met with Lin Heng’s handkerchief smearing her face.

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Was this a special kind of revenge from Lin Heng?!

However, she noticed that while he seemed to disdain her, Lin Heng’s hand was actually gentle as he wiped her face.

The handkerchief had a faint, pleasant fragrance, a woody note, very similar to the cologne she had smelled on Lin Heng at some party before.

It actually smelled nice.

The handkerchief was also quite soft.

But once he finished, Lin Heng tossed the handkerchief into the trash can.

…His movement was so decisive that Shang Xinglu could sense a hint of disdain in it.

When she looked more closely, she noticed there was gold thread embroidery in the corner of the handkerchief and looked at the brand—Hermès.

Shang Xinglu felt awkward.

She had just used an Hermès handkerchief as if it were a disposable tissue.

She glanced at Lin Heng’s back.

Shang Xinglu still didn’t understand the deep and wise Lin Heng.

If he disliked her, why wipe her face at all? Did Lin Heng have a special rule where only his handkerchiefs were allowed to touch her face, and tissues couldn’t be used for blowing noses?

Or was he trying to mock her for kicking him out of bed last night?

Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Just as she was halfway through, Lin Heng turned around.

Shang Xinglu’s eye twitched, and she quickly looked up at the ceiling, whistling, pulling a fake smile, and awkwardly mumbled, “The weather today… Ah no, this lamp, yes, this chandelier is really nice!”

The air immediately fell silent.

Shang Xinglu remained determinedly focused on the chandelier, pretending like she hadn’t just rolled her eyes at Lin Heng.

But then Lin Heng suddenly asked, “Do you want children?”

Shang Xinglu was startled.

This was broad daylight!

Daytime indecency, Lin Heng! You’re ruining your good name, Lin Heng!!!

She looked at Lin Heng.

His phoenix eyes hid behind his glasses, and his gaze was still calm and composed, like a child who dropped an egg and was about to hatch it, with no trace of desire at all.

Shang Xinglu realized this was a serious question.

She also realized the answer might be quite important.

Honestly, she wanted a divorce.

But figuring out how to divorce without causing trouble and still keeping her alimony intact was no easy task.

She had been really trying hard for that divorce!

Shang Xinglu thought for a moment. No matter what, this child should not exist, and she really didn’t care about Lin Heng or his parents’ feelings. So, she chose to tell the truth.

Shang Xinglu shook her head, “Not for now.”

“Hmm, I understand,” Lin Heng responded.

What? It was just a survey?!

Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but ask, “What about you?”

Lin Heng said, “I don’t want one either.”

His answer made Shang Xinglu even more curious.

Don’t think she hasn’t been paying attention to the absurd TV dramas and recommendations from that silly, greasy guy!

And logically speaking, aside from the wealthy families, in the case of regular folks, women typically bear more household responsibilities and child-rearing duties. Also, since the uterus doesn’t grow inside men, they don’t feel the pain nor raise the children, so when asked if they want kids, most men would answer that they do.

Of course, there are men with the DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) concept, but they are few and far between.

Men like Lin Heng, with his status, can easily outsource most trivial matters by spending money. And with aristocratic families caring about legacy, why wouldn’t he want a child?

Shang Xinglu asked, “Why?”

Lin Heng answered plainly, “Because you answered that you don’t want one.”

Shang Xinglu: ?!?

Meow, meow, meow???

When you don’t care about someone’s feelings, some topics can be discussed freely.

Shang Xinglu asked again, “Why does my not wanting one mean you don’t want one?”

It felt like a hundred thousand whys.

Lin Heng sighed this time, as though this question was useless, without value.

Lin Heng said, “You don’t want one, so I can’t force you to have one.”

Oh, right!

Shang Xinglu suddenly understood.

But then she got curious again.

“So, aside from my wishes, do you want a child?”

Lin Heng answered immediately.

“As long as our marriage remains legal and valid, this issue can’t be discussed without considering your wishes, so your question is invalid.”

No, you’re changing the subject!

Shang Xinglu wanted to say this, but then President Lin dismissed the conversation.

He said, “I’m tired. I’m going to take a nap.”

Then, he gave her a meaningful look, full of implication.

— You think I need a nap because of anyone else?

Shang Xinglu finally stopped talking.

… But feeling guilty? That’s not going to happen.

She’ll never feel guilty in this lifetime!

In the afternoon, Shang Xinglu spent a lot of time getting ready, eating only some fruit and salad for lunch (the kind without dressing, commonly known as eating grass).

The result of eating grass was evident in the afternoon, as her lower abdomen became flatter, and the dress fit even better.

She was wearing a smoky purple chiffon dress, deep V-neck, with layers of skirt flowing gently but delicately. She looked like a violet flower, full of…

Plant vibes.

At least, that’s how Shang Xinglu felt.

It must have been the grass from lunch making her feel this way.

The dinner party was held at the Lin family’s estate in the banquet hall.

As evening approached, the guests began arriving. Many familiar faces from a previous cocktail party appeared, along with many unfamiliar ones, all of them either blonde-haired, blue-eyed, or with high noses.

She didn’t know them, but they all seemed to know her.

Shang Xinglu stood next to Lin Heng, smiling until her face stiffened.

Then, in the crowd of unfamiliar people, she spotted a familiar face.

Someone she’d seen on TV before!

Yes, wasn’t that Beyoncé?! Shang Xinglu screamed inside. She had even bought her CD in high school and played it repeatedly. No one better stop her from getting an autograph!!!

But Lin Heng was just as calm as ever.

Shang Xinglu: I hate this.

She continued to pretend to be calm.

Soon, she noticed other celebrities like Karlie Kloss and her newlywed husband, Kylie Jenner, Shakira, and Pete.

Shang Xinglu: … No one better stop me from asking for autographs!

But following Mr. Lin around, Shang Xinglu felt there was no hope of getting an autograph.

… Because she was making Mr. Lin look bad.

So, she used her secret weapon.

— A bathroom escape.

On her way to the “bathroom,” Marilyn behind her spoke.

She had brought Marilyn to the party not for any special reason, but to help recognize people.

Before the party started, Marilyn had received a guest list and began identifying faces. When others greeted Shang Xinglu, Marilyn would quietly tell her who they were, which family or company they belonged to.

Marilyn said excitedly, “Even though I know celebrities aren’t a big deal, I’m still so excited to see them in person!”

Me too!

Shang Xinglu thought to herself, but kept a calm expression, as though she was used to these things.

Marilyn continued, “You’re so composed today, ma’am. I heard that after university, because of some connections, you acted in Hollywood for a while, even starring in Mulan—I guess you’ve seen so many famous people?”

After she finished speaking, the “composed” Shang Xinglu quietly pulled out her phone from her purse.

Marilyn: “Ma’am? What’s wrong?”

Shang Xinglu smiled casually, “Oh, I’m just checking myself out to see how awesome I am!”

Marilyn: “…………???”

She was really… shameless.