Volume 1, Chapter 18: If a Connection Cannot Be Sustained, It Is Better to Let It Go

"You still haven't answered my question." She turned her face away, withdrawing her gaze from him. "Take a shower first; we'll talk later."

Huo Shixu took a deep breath and turned the hot water tap to cold.

Song Nanyi changed out of her soaked clothes. She picked up her phone and looked at the message sent by her private investigator. Yesterday, on a whim, she had decided to look into this Su Yu'an, a woman of mysterious origins.

Pei Yin had helped her find the investigator. He was quite expensive, but highly efficient. He had sent over several photos: one was a family portrait, and the others captured the people she had been in contact with while frequenting various social circles over the past few days.

Song Nanyi zoomed in on the family portrait. It was a family of five: parents, an older sister, and her along with a young boy. Song Nanyi had heard Huo Shixu say that Su Yu'an was an only child, left all alone in the world after her parents passed away. That was clearly not the case.

Song Nanyi zoomed in on the boy’s face again and quickly recognized him as the same one she had seen at the auto repair shop. It appeared, at the very least, she had a younger brother. So, why would she fabricate an identity to get close to Huo Shixu? Was it merely to climb the social ladder and become Mrs. Huo?

Just as Song Nanyi was pondering this, Huo Shixu pushed open the bathroom door and walked out. He wasn't wearing the black pajamas she had left for him; only a bath towel was wrapped around his waist. His expression was grim—he was likely still angry about her rejecting his kiss earlier.

"Are you going to shower?" he asked.

Song Nanyi put her phone away and shook her head. "I already did."

"Then let's talk." He dried his hair and sat down across from her.

Song Nanyi had no interest in chatting, but if he were willing to talk about himself and Su Yu'an, she would be game. "You answer my question first." She was referring to his feelings for Su Yu'an. "Huo Shixu, since you want to talk, please be honest."

"What kind of answer are you looking for?" He tossed the towel aside and looked at her with a sneer. "If you want to hear tales of romance, I don't have any."

She looked into his eyes. Whether there was nothing to tell or he simply didn't want to speak was entirely up to his own narrative. "Do you think it’s normal for you to care for her more than you do for the wife you spent seven years desperately pursuing?"

Huo Shixu chuckled softly. "You’re too sensitive. My care for her is merely a figment of your imagination. I find it perfectly normal."

"Is gifting her a necklace worth over a hundred million normal? Is buying a house to keep her as a mistress outside normal? Is it normal to constantly drain the affection in our marriage for her sake?"

Facing Song Nanyi’s interrogation, Huo Shixu remained silent. His silence was an admission that these things had indeed crossed the line.

She had her answer. Song Nanyi didn't press the issue further, merely saying calmly, "Huo Shixu, whether you admit it or not, the affection between us has faded. Before family ties could replace love, love simply vanished. A relationship that can no longer be sustained is better off let go, don't you think?"

He remained the same as before, failing to answer her question. Instead, he asked, "I heard you hired a lawyer? Do you really want this divorce that badly?"

"If we don't divorce, how will you marry Su Yu'an? Keep her as a canary in a gilded cage outside?" That wasn't Huo Shixu's style.

His expression darkened visibly. Ever since Su Yu'an appeared, he rarely gave her a pleasant look. It seemed this conversation was ending before it had even truly begun.

After a long silence, Huo Shixu rose. "If your Song family can withstand the impact of a divorce, then I might consider it."

"Whether or not the Song family can withstand the impact isn't something that depends entirely on you, President Huo." She felt compelled to remind him, "Huo Shixu, regardless of the circumstances, you are the one at fault in this divorce..."

Before Song Nanyi could finish, Huo Shixu interrupted her with a cold face. "I'm the one at fault? Where exactly am I at fault? Was I caught in bed with someone? Did I abuse you? Song Nanyi, your so-called 'faults' are all things you’ve imagined. Why are you in such a hurry to push me away?"

Huo Shixu’s expression seemed to suggest that it was Song Nanyi who had stopped loving him first. In this lifetime, the tragedy of the previous life had yet to occur. She couldn't prove how much he loved Su Yu'an, and precisely because of that, she wanted to cut ties with him completely.

She had no answer for him. Instead, she only succeeded in angering him. "You’d better go see a psychiatrist. You’ve clearly had it too easy."

The conversation ended on a sour note. Huo Shixu grabbed his clothes and left the villa without looking back. Song Nanyi picked up her phone and sent a message to the private investigator: "I need you to help me find evidence of Huo Shixu’s infidelity."

***

The next day, Lian Peng called Song Nanyi, saying there was an urgent matter and asking her to come to the law firm. Lian Peng’s voice sounded frantic. Song Nanyi guessed that something had gone wrong.

When she arrived at the firm, Lian Peng was packing her things.

"Are you resigning?" Song Nanyi asked uncertainly.

Lian Peng nodded helplessly. "Someone reported me for professional misconduct during a case. The firm is investigating, so I can't continue working here for the time being."

"How could you suddenly be reported? Is there any evidence?"

Lian Peng was at a loss for words. She looked at Song Nanyi and said vaguely, "Someone is targeting me. They probably don't want me representing you in your divorce case."

Song Nanyi froze. She suddenly understood. She had implicated Lian Peng. "I'm sorry, Counselor Lian."

"It’s nothing. They won't find anything; I’ll be back. It’s just..." She knew Song Nanyi would have a very difficult time ahead. "...Nanyi, my situation will make many lawyers in the industry wary of taking your divorce case. But don't be afraid. I’ll introduce you to a very prestigious lawyer. He is the only one who won't be affected."

It sounded impressive. Song Nanyi asked urgently, "Really? Who is he?"

"His name is Lu Weiqian. Although he doesn't specialize in divorce cases, I think you should give it a try. Having hope is better than having none, don't you think?"

Hope? Lu Weiqian was Huo Shixu’s childhood friend. They were as close as brothers; asking Lu Weiqian to represent her in a divorce against Huo Shixu would be like walking straight into the line of fire. He certainly wouldn't help her.

"I understand."

Song Nanyi accepted the recommendation from Lian Peng, yet she simultaneously abandoned this "most promising" option. She refused to give up and sought out several other reputable lawyers in the industry. But as soon as they heard it was a divorce case against Huo Shixu, they all went silent and declined.

Song Nanyi had no choice but to look for lawyers abroad to handle the divorce, but none were a good fit.

A few days later, during teatime, Song Nanyi sat in a corner café, ordered a small piece of red wine mousse and a cappuccino, and sat quietly. Her eyes were vacant, reflecting her disappointment and lack of understanding of the world.

"May I share this table?" a young man's voice asked.

Song Nanyi looked up and recognized him instantly. It was Lu Weiqian. He was dressed very formally—a white shirt, blue tie, crisp dress trousers, and a suit jacket draped over his left forearm. He must have just finished a meeting.

"Long time no see," he said with a smile.

Song Nanyi felt no aversion toward him, but no particular fondness either. She gave a polite smile. "Long time no see. Are you here for a meeting?"

"I had an appointment with a client, but it’s finished." He draped his suit over the back of the chair and sat down. "How have you been lately? Your finger has healed well, hasn't it?"

"It’s all healed, not even a scar left," she said with a smile. It was as if some things had happened, yet it was as if they hadn't.

Lu Weiqian smiled faintly, looking at the woman’s melancholic face. She always seemed to be burdened by so many thoughts.

"How are things between you and Shixu lately? I haven't seen him in a while."