Speaking of the reason for the family business’s bankruptcy, it’s actually quite ridiculous.

The family business was in the electronics industry, which is a field that, if it fails to keep up with the times, is easily abandoned by consumers.

Before she married Lin Heng, the family had already completed an industry transformation, and it had been quite successful, so the small noble family remained wealthy.

Recently, due to investments in developing a new system, the company’s funds were flowing less smoothly, leading to some operational issues.

But for a large company, these are just unavoidable challenges.

If managed well, they can always weather the storm.

So, the people in the business actually didn’t think this crisis was anything particularly significant.

But there’s this strange phenomenon in the world called the butterfly effect.

When a butterfly flaps its wings in Amazon, it could potentially stir up the air, and two weeks later, a tornado might hit Texas.

Essentially, the idea is that a slight change in the initial conditions can cause a massive chain reaction throughout an entire system.

This theory applies to the business world as well.

The only difference was that it wasn’t a butterfly flapping its wings; it was Shang Xinglu’s brother’s girlfriend.

Shang Xinglu has a younger brother, a full-blood sibling, and they get along well.

In the original text, the sibling relationship is summarized in just a few lines.

Even Mrs. Lin, the wife of the Male Supporting character didn’t have a name, let alone her younger brother.

Shang Xinglu had to dig through her contacts for quite some time before realizing her brother’s name was Shang Xingyu.

It was quite a dignified name, and he looked the part too, just a little too perfect—especially popular with young girls.

He didn’t really have the awareness of being a rich heir, and the girlfriends he dated were all sorts of people.

According to Shang Xinglu, who had access to the script, Shang Xingyu was planning a trip to Las Vegas soon with his girlfriend. While there, they’d meet one of her acquaintances, someone in finance.

The thing is, Shang Xingyu didn’t actually have much money.

He had just graduated from college, had no major business assets, and his trust funds were small. Real estate? He couldn’t possibly sell it.

But that didn’t matter—casinos could lend money.

With some persuasion from his girlfriend and the acquaintance in finance, Shang Xingyu ended up accumulating a huge gambling debt at the casino.

Of course, his family was rich, so the gambling debt itself wasn’t an issue.

But his father despised gambling, especially people who gambled away borrowed money.

Shang Xingyu was terrified.

The acquaintance lent him money, and he fled back home.

Before returning to China, this so-called financial expert told him, “Buy these stocks, you’re guaranteed to make a fortune.”

But Shang Xingyu had no money left after his gambling losses.

Then, under his girlfriend’s suggestion, he pulled a reckless move—he embezzled company funds to buy stocks.

It was a wildly stupid decision.

…Later on, the company’s funds became even more stretched, and it went into a full-blown financial collapse and bankruptcy.

After reviewing everything, Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but feel deeply frustrated…

Her brother was such an idiot!

Pure gold, five-star, completely untainted!

Forget about his obviously ill-intentioned girlfriend and the even more dubious financial shark. Shang Xingyu could have just stopped gambling—who pressured him to do it?

Idiot.

Shang Xinglu silently cursed under her breath.

Stupid brother, give me back my inheritance!

But now, she was pretty much a woman with the script in hand, and if she could make that little butterfly flap its wings, she would have it write her name backward a hundred times.

In the original text, the bankruptcy of the business was mentioned briefly, with some lament about how large companies fall so easily, but it didn’t specifically mention when Shang Xingyu and his girlfriend went to Las Vegas.

However, Shang Xinglu knew the business went bankrupt three months later.

Based on the timeline, her brother must have started his mess around this time.

Today, it was a proper Saturday.

Shang Xingyu was at home; she had confirmed it with a phone call.

What? Why was her “cheap” husband still at the company?

…Do you have any misunderstandings about how a money-printing machine works?

After finishing lunch with Lin Heng and not yet starting her chaotic divorce plans, Shang Xinglu returned home first.

Her family couldn’t go bankrupt.

That was her inheritance!!!

She couldn’t bear to lose it!!!

As soon as she entered the house, the servants were surprised.

One of them, Aunt Wang, who had taken care of her since childhood, asked, “Young Miss, what brings you back today?”

Shang Xinglu asked, “Where’s Shang Xingyu?”

Aunt Wang answered, “The young master is at the tennis court, and his girlfriend, Miss Jian, is also there.”

Aunt Wang’s phrasing was very considerate.

She not only reminded Shang Xinglu but also told her the girlfriend’s surname, in case she forgot the name and it would be awkward later.

Shang Xinglu stomped in her high heels, her presence commanding the room as she made her way to the family tennis court.

She had to make an impact!

Her heels were ten centimeters high and quite painful, so with each step, the pain seemed to be transferred to the little butterfly flapping its wings.

The tennis court was lively, with several of Shang Xingyu’s college friends visiting, all with their partners, playing mixed doubles. Those who weren’t on the court were sitting on the side, drinking drinks and chatting.

As she entered, Shang Xingyu, the little fool, hadn’t even had time to greet her before she overheard his girlfriend saying, “Xingyu, let’s go to the gambling city. All my friends have been, but I haven’t been yet, I want to go~~~”

Notice the little wave at the end of that sentence!

Shang Xinglu shuddered and suddenly remembered how she had just spoken like that a moment ago.

But nothing was more exciting than the words “gambling city.”

“What’s so fun about it?” Shang Xingyu originally said, but seeing his girlfriend pouting, glaring, and nearly in tears, he quickly changed his mind, “Okay, okay, let’s go. It’s not a big deal…”

“Go where?!” Shang Xinglu shouted as she stormed over.

Both Shang Xingyu and his girlfriend, Jian, looked at her, along with Shang Xingyu’s college friends.

They saw a beautiful woman with curly hair storming in with the aura of a movie assassin, looking especially imposing.

Then the beautiful woman, with an assassin-like vibe, said, “If you dare go, I’ll break your legs!”

Saying that, she picked up a tennis racket and banged it on the table.

Bang, bang, the dull sound echoed.

Several people frowned, as if they could almost imagine that her words had indeed broken someone’s legs.

One tall, fair-skinned, and bright-looking young man asked, “Who is this?”

Shang Xingyu replied, “My sister.”

Several people immediately exchanged meaningful looks. In this circle, Shang Xinglu was quite well-known.

Although her earlier outburst was powerful, it caused Shang Xingyu some embarrassment in front of everyone.

From a young age, he had lived under the oppressive rule of his sister and understood that playing cute was his only way out—otherwise, he might not even keep his legs intact.

Shang Xingyu approached with a sheepish grin, speaking in a soft, almost childlike voice:
“Big Sis, I’m already grown up. Do I still need your permission to go out and have fun?”

With his handsome, youthful face that still held a hint of boyish charm…

You have to admit, even someone as sharp as Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but fall for this act.

An inheritance or a charming little brother?

Hmph, how could she be such a shallow person?

…Of course, she chose the inheritance!

Shang Xinglu softened her tone.

She pinched her thigh hard, summoning tears as she wailed, “Do you not remember how Uncle Rong died? He was hacked to death by debt collectors! That’s why Grandpa made the family rule: anyone who gambles gets their legs broken.”

Shang Xingyu froze for a moment.

Uncle Rong?

Wait, since when did the family have that rule?

And wasn’t Grandpa already dead—he passed away last year, didn’t he?

Shang Xinglu grabbed his arms and asked seriously, “Do you still want your legs?”

Her eyes sparkled with actual tears, but the murderous intent beneath them was unmistakable.

Shang Xingyu didn’t dare think about Uncle Rong, Grandpa, or family rules anymore.

The scary older sister in front of him was far more terrifying.

He quickly nodded like a pecking chick.

Good, he was playing along.

Shang Xinglu immediately said, “Then let me book you tickets to Australia—skydiving, hang gliding, whatever you want!”

At this point, Shang Xingyu’s girlfriend, Jian Xi, protested softly, “But what’s the point? He wanted to go to the casino!”

Shang Xinglu shot her a cold glare.

Jian Xi flinched as their gazes met.

Shang Xinglu replied calmly, “Then go by yourself. Or are you hoping my dad will break his legs? Miss Jian, why don’t you choose?”

Jian Xi fell silent, though her resentful gaze made it clear she wasn’t happy about it.

Shang Xinglu knew the little butterfly still had thoughts about the casino, but that was enough for today. Pushing further would only backfire.

Just as she was about to leave, the tall, fair-skinned, sunny boy who had just spoken earlier said, “Leaving already, Sis? Why not join us for a barbecue?”

Shang Xingyu had only graduated from college recently, and his classmates were all around the same age.

The boy stood out with his striking good looks—rosy lips, white teeth, and a mischievous smile.

He was, well, undeniably good-looking.

Shang Xinglu couldn’t resist. “Alright, I’ll have a little.”

Might as well keep an eye on that little butterfly.

The group gathered in the yard, grilling meat and popping open bottles of beer and champagne.

Shang Xinglu seized the time to nibble on snacks while flipping through cliché novels.

The hours passed quickly.

Perhaps her earlier “leg-breaking” lecture had been too impactful.

Though Jian Xi sulked all afternoon, she didn’t bring up the casino again.

Shang Xingyu tried comforting her for a bit, but when it didn’t work, he gave up, which only made her angrier.

Shang Xinglu didn’t pay attention.

She’d been drinking champagne like water and ended up tipsy.

At some point, she sat on the toilet, tilted her head, and fell asleep.

She didn’t know how long had passed when she heard voices outside:

“That old woman is crazy, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she wouldn’t even let us go to Las Vegas. She’s so controlling.”

“Can’t even handle her own husband, and now she’s back here bossing her brother around. Gross.”

“Don’t be mad, Xixi. Her husband’s about to divorce her anyway. Of course, she’s in a bad mood. We should be understanding.”

Then the two girls burst into malicious laughter.

Shang Xinglu, having dozed off briefly, was now much more sober.

But she couldn’t understand—why was divorce such a big deal?

It was as if a divorced woman became some damaged product that had to be sent back to the factory or sold off at a discount.

What kind of outdated thinking was this?

Shang Xinglu abruptly pushed open the bathroom door and walked out.

Sure enough, she saw two girls gossiping in the corner, their spiteful and gleeful expressions frozen on their faces.

When they noticed her, their smiles turned into fear.

Shang Xinglu said coldly, “So what if I’m divorced? Lin Heng and I split up. The Shang family is my family, and Shang Xingyu is my brother. I’ll handle things however I see fit. Who are you to have an opinion?”

The two girls stood awkwardly, their faces stiff.

Just then, a man’s voice came from behind Shang Xinglu.

It was calm, with a hint of questioning coolness.

“Divorced?”

Shang Xinglu turned around to see Lin Heng walking over leisurely.

“Why didn’t I know about this?”

Shang Xinglu froze.

Wait, you didn’t know?

How could you not know?!