Su Qingning fell silent. After a while, her voice was incredibly low as she said, "When I first saw the news online, I was devastated. Truly, I was in agony; it felt as if my heart were being ripped to shreds. But then, I had a sudden realization!

"No matter how you look at it, Chu Xiangxue is better than me in every way. And she loves Lin Xiao so much. If Lin Xiao were with her, he would be incredibly happy. It's not like being with me, where there's just endless trouble!"

Shen Jingzhe's heart sank at her words. She continued, "Su Qingning, I know you mean well, but I don't think this is what Lin Xiao wants. I feel that more than anything you *think* is good for him, he'd much rather just be with you!"

Su Qingning shook her head. "Jing Zhe, I understand what you mean. Honestly, at first, I also believed that love was enough. But so much has happened recently that made me realize how naive I was. Love can't put food on the table. Of course, I want to be with Lin Xiao, preferably for the rest of my life, but reality won't allow it. Do you know why Lin Xiao asked you to protect me? It's because I'm too much trouble. So much so that even I find myself a burden sometimes. Lin Xiao is a genuinely good person, and I don't want to see him suffer anymore. He deserves to be happier. It's just... the one to give him that happiness isn't me."

Su Qingning said all this in one breath, as if trying to pour her entire heart out for Shen Jingzhe to see. Shen Jingzhe didn't know how to persuade her.

But Su Qingning went on, "I once heard a song with a beautiful lyric. It basically says, 'I love you so, so much, and that's why I'm willing to let you go, to let you fly toward greater happiness.' Back then, I thought lyrics like that were ridiculous. If you really love someone, how could you ever let them leave? But now... now I finally understand what it means. If you truly and deeply love someone, you'd be willing to do just that!"

As she spoke, Su Qingning managed a smile, but large tears suddenly began to fall like pearls from a broken string.

Shen Jingzhe felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to hug her. She stood, walked over to Su Qingning, and wrapped her arms around her.

After Lin Xiao left the bar, his mood plunged into the depths of despair. He had never felt so dejected in his entire life.

He had thought that if he just explained things clearly to Su Qingning, apologized properly, and coaxed her a little, he could change her mind about the divorce. But who could have guessed she had already resolved to go through with it. This is truly despairing.

The bar was as packed as ever, with a queue snaking several hundred meters down the street. It was clear Su Qingning's bar had become a massive success.

Lin Xiao turned and headed for the security room.

Just as he pushed the door open, he saw Shao Mei'er and Liu Chengfeng drinking and chatting together. They seemed to be getting along quite well.

Shao Mei'er was smiling flirtatiously. The moment she saw Lin Xiao, she shot him a coquettish glance. "You stink... you stinking Lin Xiao, where have you been?"

"Why are you two here?" Lin Xiao asked in return.

Shao Mei'er pouted playfully. "Because I missed you!"

"Alright, stop running over to my place all the time," Lin Xiao said, suppressing his dejection. "If you want to drink, go to the bar. This isn't a place for drinking."

Shao Mei'er hadn't done anything wrong, so of course, Lin Xiao couldn't take his anger out on her.

Shao Mei'er, however, was exceptionally sharp. She immediately sensed Lin Xiao was in a bad mood. Just as she was about to speak, Liu Chengfeng, who was sitting beside her, shot to his feet.

He was angry. Genuinely angry.

He felt that Lin Xiao was going too far. Ever since they met him at the hotel, Shao Mei'er had been nothing but friendly. Yet, Lin Xiao had repeatedly disrespected her. It would be one thing to just slight her, but he was also rude. Liu Chengfeng couldn't stand it anymore.

Of course, a more important reason was that Liu Chengfeng sensed Shao Mei'er might have a soft spot for this beggar before him. Whether it was out of male pride or some other reason, Liu Chengfeng could no longer remain seated.

"Friend, there's no need to be so barbed with your words," Liu Chengfeng said, his tone casual but edged. "Mei'er condescended to come find you for a drink. I'd say that's an honor for you. Why must you act so high and mighty?"

Even a fool could tell he was annoyed.

Lin Xiao was amused by this. Here I am, being as approachable as can be, and someone dares to accuse me of acting superior.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to speak, Shao Mei'er's voice cut in coldly, "Liu Chengfeng, you're overstepping!"

She was clearly displeased. Shao Mei'er knew Liu Chengfeng liked her. He had never confessed, but she could feel it. She had, however, told him subtly on more than one occasion that he wasn't her type. For all these years, she had only ever considered him a friend.

But now, this friend had crossed a line. And Shao Mei'er was not happy.

Indeed, Lin Xiao was her untouchable weak spot.

Liu Chengfeng froze. He thought Shao Mei'er would be grateful to him for admonishing the beggar who had disrespected her. He never dreamed she would rebuke him so harshly for a stinking beggar.

"Mei'er, I just thought he..."

Shao Mei'er cut him off. "You thought? Do I need you to think for me? What, you think because you're a master on the Human Emperor's List and a student of the Dragon Lord, you can just criticize others with impunity? You call him high and mighty, but aren't you the one putting on such airs right now!"

Liu Chengfeng's face flushed crimson. Swallowing his anger, he said in a low voice, "Fine. I spoke out of turn."

"You certainly did. That's enough for today. You can go now. Don't disturb my conversation with Lin Xiao," Shao Mei'er said, effectively kicking him out.

She hadn't wanted to have dinner with him in the first place, and now his careless words sealed it. Shao Mei'er no longer wanted to continue drinking with him; she didn't even want to be his friend anymore.

Liu Chengfeng felt utterly humiliated. Profoundly humiliated.

He was, after all, a ranked master on the Human Emperor's List and a student of the Dragon Lord. Yet Shao Mei'er had shown him such complete disrespect.

Yes, he liked Shao Mei'er, but faced with such a blatant disregard for his dignity, he finally snapped. He felt she was trampling on his pride.

For Liu Chengfeng, dignity was more important than life itself.

He shot to his feet. With a cold sneer, he said, "Shao Mei'er, I'll give you one chance to rephrase that. Otherwise, don't blame me for getting rough. Don't think you can humiliate me just because your Shao Family is powerful. Don't forget, I am a student of the Dragon Lord!"

PFFT.

Lin Xiao snorted with laughter.

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