013 Pretend You Know Nothing

“Why?” As Gu Yan stepped into room 521, Shen Hong’s voice had already reached her.

“Oh? President Shen, what are you doing here?” Wei Hao, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, spoke without hesitation. Shen Hong ignored Wei Hao’s question, his gaze fixed squarely on Gu Yan’s indifferent face. “There’s no need,” she said without looking at him. Perhaps she once harbored hopes of reconciliation, but after that night, she had completely given up. Even a stranger would not remain indifferent if their stomach suddenly flared up in front of them, let alone one’s lawful wife. This could only mean one thing: he did not love her.

“Do you two know each other?” Wei Hao only realized as Shen Hong slammed the door and left in anger.

“Not really.”

The air was thick with the scent of smoke and alcohol. The music blared at deafening levels, men and women wildly gyrating their hips and waists on the dance floor. Women dressed in glamorous, icy fashion laughed and joked among the men, using flirtatious words to tease those who could no longer control themselves. The women coquettishly nestled in the arms of men, whispering softly, while the men drank and dallied with the women. This was the city’s most dazzling nightlife spot—the bar.

Beneath dim lighting, the bartender swayed gently, expertly mixing a vibrant cocktail with elegant precision. A man in a suit sat at the bar, downing one drink after another.

“Hey! Our young master Shen actually has lonely moments too. Need me to find some girls for you?” Luo Xiaomeng’s entrance revealed this very scene. It was no surprise she took the chance to strike while he was down—she was simply too upset.

Shen Hong glanced at Luo Xiaomeng and continued drinking.

“Speak. What do you want?”

“Tell me about her,” his voice hoarse, perhaps from too much alcohol.

“Hah!” Luo Xiaomeng couldn’t help but sneer. “Should I be happy for Xiao Yan? Her ex-husband is drowning his sorrows in a bar.”

“Tell me about her,” Shen Hong ignored her tone and repeated his demand. He couldn’t understand why, though she initiated the divorce, the whole world seemed to blame him.

“You’ve come to the wrong person.” Perhaps intimidated by Shen Hong’s voice, Luo Xiaomeng ceased her teasing. “To be honest, I don’t deserve to call myself her friend. Three years ago, when she was at her lowest, it wasn’t us so-called friends who stayed by her side. He should know that, but I doubt he’d tell you.”

Hearing this, Shen Hong set down his glass. “Who?”

“Zheng Yingqi. Back then, Cai Meiyuan was in Korea, Xu Xian was severely injured and unconscious, and at first, Yilin and I were blaming Xiao Yan too. I don’t know what she went through during that time, but in the end, she just disappeared without a word.”

Seeing Shen Hong lost in thought, Luo Xiaomeng continued, “You clearly cared for Xiao Yan. Even as her bridesmaid at the wedding, I could feel the happiness between you two. So why did your attitude change after marriage? I know Xiao Yan—she loves you, and I know better than anyone the immense pressure she bore to marry you. With so many eyes watching, I believe she wanted nothing more than to hold on and prove to those waiting to see you fail how happy you could be. If you think she divorced you for money, then I pity her on your behalf. Think about it—Zheng Yingqi is better than you in every way, so why did Xiao Yan marry you? It’s not too late yet; reconciliation isn’t impossible. Think carefully, I don’t want you to regret this.”

After Luo Xiaomeng left, Shen Hong remained seated at the bar, drinking. “Why did your attitude change after marriage?” he wondered, wanting to know the answer. Was it really that important how they got along? Shen Hong asked himself honestly but still couldn’t find a reason.