040 Heavy

"Why?" The moment Gu Yan stepped into room 521, Shen Hong’s voice rang out.

"Huh? Why is President Shen here?" Wei Hao, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, asked naively. Shen Hong ignored him, his eyes fixed on Gu Yan’s indifferent expression. "It’s unnecessary." She didn't look at him as she spoke. Previously, she might have harbored fantasies of reconciling, but after that night, she had completely given up. Even a stranger would not remain indifferent to someone suffering a stomach ailment in front of them, let alone a legal spouse. That left only one conclusion: he did not love her.

"You two know each other?" Only when Shen Hong slammed the door in a rage did Wei Hao realize what was happening.

"We aren't close."

The air was thick with the scent of smoke and alcohol, and the music was cranked to the maximum, nearly deafening. Men and women writhed wildly on the dance floor, while glamorously dressed women mingled amidst the men, giggling and teasing them with flirtatious remarks. Women nestled seductively in men's arms, whispering sweet nothings, while the men drank and caroused. This was the heart of the city’s nightlife: the bar.

Under the dim lights, the bartender swayed gracefully, mixing a vibrant, multi-colored cocktail. A man in a suit sat at the bar, downing drink after drink.

"Well, well! Our Mr. Shen actually having a lonely moment? Do you need me to find a few girls for you?" This was the scene Luo Xiaomeng encountered upon entering. It wasn't that she wanted to kick him while he was down, but she couldn't suppress her indignation.

Shen Hong glanced at her and continued to drink.

"Speak. Why did you look for me?"

"Tell me about her." Perhaps due to the excess alcohol, his voice was raspy.

"Ha!" Luo Xiaomeng couldn't help but sneer. "Should I be happy for Xiao Yan that her ex-husband is drowning his sorrows in a bar because of her?"

"Tell me about her." He ignored her tone, repeating the same line. He couldn't understand why, even though she was the one who requested the divorce, the whole world seemed to think it was his fault.

"You’ve asked the wrong person." Perhaps startled by his tone, Luo Xiaomeng stopped mocking him. "Truth be told, I owe Xiao Yan an apology. I have no right 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 would know, but I doubt he would tell you."

Shen Hong set his glass down. "Who is it?"

"Zheng Yingqi. At the time, Cai Meiyuan was in South Korea, Xu Xian was in a coma from serious injuries, and Yilin and I were actually blaming Xiao Yan from the start. I don’t know what happened to her during those days, but eventually, she just vanished without a word."

Watching Shen Hong’s pensive expression, Luo Xiaomeng continued, "You clearly had feelings for her. Even as a bridesmaid at your wedding, I could deeply feel the happiness between you two. Why did your attitude change after the marriage? I know Xiao Yan; she loved you. I know even better what immense pressure she was under to marry you. With so many eyes watching, I think she wanted to hold on more than anyone, just to show those waiting for a spectacle how happy you were. If you think she divorced you for money, then I pity her. Think about it—Zheng Yingqi is better than you in every way; why would Xiao Yan choose to marry you? It’s not too late. Reconciliation isn't impossible. Think it over; I don’t want you to have regrets."

After Luo Xiaomeng left, Shen Hong remained at the bar, drinking. *'Why did your attitude change after the marriage?'* He wanted to know, too. Was her virginity really that important to him? Shen Hong searched his soul, but he still couldn't find an answer.