Chapter 5: The Rebellious Son

The lie Lin Xilan told herself was shaky at best, but soon she was proven wrong—the falsehood was exposed on the spot when Zhou Yuheng unexpectedly arrived with Song Qingli.

Lin Xilan hadn’t anticipated Zhou Yuheng to be so resolute. He didn’t choose to submit to Zhou Jinsheng; instead, he confronted him in his own way.

Setting aside everything else, she admired that about him.

He was a real man.

"...."

The living room fell into a heavy silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. All eyes were fixed on Zhou Yuheng and Song Qingli.

“Who is she?” The voice of Old Master Zhou carried a trace of displeasure, as a tense atmosphere began to fill the air.

Zhou Yuheng took Song Qingli’s hand, their fingers interlaced tightly. He stood there, neither humble nor arrogant, his eyes resolute.

“She is my woman—the one and only woman.”

“......”

Such a domineering declaration of ownership stirred even Lin Xilan’s envy. But right now, she found herself resenting Zhou Yuheng for publicly humiliating her—couldn’t he pick a better occasion to flaunt his affection?

Suddenly, the living room erupted into a buzz of whispers...

---

Everyone was whispering among themselves, even the old housemaid quietly slipped a handful of sunflower seeds into her pocket.

Lin Xilan sat alone, deliberately maintaining her composure. She would not show a hint of grievance to those eager to see her falter.

Dignity—she must hold onto dignity. It was her last veil of shame.

With a sharp crash, the sound of a teacup shattering broke the silence. The fragments scattered across the hard marble floor, while the scalding tea splashed against Song Qingli’s ankle, causing her to frown slightly.

Zhou Yuheng immediately pulled Song Qingli behind him protectively.

Old Master Zhou’s gaze was like a poisoned blade, cold and cutting as he stared at Zhou Yuheng.

“Zhou Yuheng, do you even know what you’re doing?”

“I do,” Zhou Yuheng replied coolly. “I don’t love Lin Xilan. I never intended to marry her. That’s why I want a divorce.”

Never intended to marry her?

Hearing those words, Lin Xilan bowed her head, recalling that night two years ago when Zhou Yuheng had taken her hand and said, “Lin Xilan, marry me.”

What a liar.

“You bastard, are you just ignoring what I said?”

“Get her out of here immediately! Don’t you know what day it is today?”

---

Zhou Jinsheng hurried forward to smooth things over. He couldn’t allow Zhou Yuheng to continue causing a scene, or he would be the one to suffer in the end.

But Zhou Yuheng didn’t release Song Qingli’s hand. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his expression cold and detached. “I’ve made myself clear.”

With that, Zhou Yuheng took Song Qingli’s hand and left in full view of everyone.

After they departed, all eyes turned back to Lin Xilan. Some offered fake comfort, others secretly gossiped, and some used her as entertainment. Though their attitudes differed, their thoughts were the same—what a disaster.

Lin Xilan remained silent, serene as a Bodhisattva, yet inwardly she cursed Zhou Yuheng, thinking him utterly foolish; he had poured over so many books but still acted like this.

—

After the birthday banquet, Lin Xilan returned to the villa she shared with Zhou Yuheng.

In the bedroom, she retrieved a divorce agreement from the safe. Flipping to the last page, she saw her signature in the wife’s section, but the husband’s remained blank.

After a moment, Lin Xilan carefully put the agreement back, locked the safe, and just then, the doorbell rang, followed by the barking of dogs.

She went to open the door to find Song Qingli standing there.

“Let’s talk.”