Chapter 24: Going with the Flow

Liu Zhuyin replied without a second thought.

"We need to clarify our relationship so he doesn't misunderstand."

Ning Yuanzhou felt a tremor in his heart. Clarify? If things were truly clarified, wouldn't he lose his chance? Neither he, nor Liu Zhuyin, nor even Mrs. Liu truly believed that I was serious about the divorce. They saw it as nothing more than a tantrum, a way to assert my dominance. Besides, Ning Yuanzhou knew how deeply I loved Liu Zhuyin. In his eyes, Liu Zhuyin now wanted to save this marriage; if she just lowered her head a little, I would act like a dog, wagging my tail and crawling back. How could he possibly agree to let that happen?

"Ah Yin, do you feel… that my presence has affected things between you two?"

All he could do now was retreat to advance, laying the groundwork.

Liu Zhuyin quickly said, "How could that be!"

She had never truly felt that Ning Yuanzhou was a wedge in our relationship. Even though she realized it now, she couldn't bring herself to say such a thing.

"You don't think so, but… Mr. Gu certainly does." Ning Yuanzhou wore a sorrowful expression, though his eyes darted toward Liu Zhuyin, gauging her reaction. "I know, it’s all my fault."

"No," she insisted. "Really, it’s not! Don't let your imagination run wild."

Liu Zhuyin tried to explain in a panic, but Ning Yuanzhou only shook his head. "You don't need to comfort me. Actually, I know everything. I know you love Mr. Gu, and he loves you, too. And I am merely a thorn in the side of your marriage..." At this, he gave a bitter smile. "Ah Yin, do you know? I regret leaving all those years ago. If I hadn't left, we… we would certainly be together now. I’ve failed you. But please, rest assured, I am willing to do anything for you."

Liu Zhuyin’s expression turned flustered, and she slammed on the brakes. "You…"

She didn't know how to express what she was feeling. Once, she had truly loved Ning Yuanzhou. His departure without a word had left her heartbroken, and it had taken her a long time to recover. She had felt disappointment, resentment, and grievance… but now, it was all in the past. He was married, and she was married. It had ended long ago. Even though he had divorced and returned to the country, and she had just gone through a divorce of her own, she had never imagined that they could return to the way things were. On the contrary, the divorce from me had left her feeling like a soul lost at sea, echoing the same pain she felt when Ning Yuanzhou left years ago.

This was the very reason she insisted on not finalizing the divorce.

"I was just speaking off the cuff, don't overthink it." Ning Yuanzhou continued, "But I’m not lying to you—my greatest wish in this life is for you to be happy. Let’s go. We shouldn't keep Mr. Gu waiting. We’ll clear everything up today, and I believe Mr. Gu will understand."

Ning Yuanzhou smiled slightly, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Ah Zhou, I… I…" She wanted to say something, but the words escaped her.

"Oh, it really is alright. You don't need to worry about me. Let's go."

Liu Zhuyin furrowed her elegant brows, and after a long moment, she started the car and headed toward the hotel.

I had already arrived at the private room, idly playing with my phone, feeling distracted. Even though I didn't know what they intended to discuss, nothing would change my mind. Just then, the two of them pushed the door open and walked in. Ning Yuanzhou sat down right beside me.

"Mr. Gu, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Ah Yin has told me everything. I swear to heaven, there really is nothing between Ah Yin and me! Even if you don't believe me, you should at least trust Ah Yin."

His hypocrisy was obvious to me at a glance. Just as I was about to speak, he continued.

"Rest assured, I will stay far away. As soon as I return, I will transfer hospitals and leave this city immediately. If you’re worried, you can arrange it yourself—anywhere you like! As long as you can have peace of mind and treat Ah Yin well, I am willing to do anything."

He sounded profoundly sincere, his expression exaggerated. As he spoke, tears even threatened to fall.

I let out a soft laugh. Interesting. Playing the humble role, lowering his posture, and using "hard-to-get" tactics on me!

"Ah Zhou, what are you saying!" Liu Zhuyin grew anxious, his strategy clearly working. "No! You haven't recovered yet; you can't leave my side!"

"Ah Yin! Why don't you understand!" he cried. "I’m doing this for your own good, so there will be no more rifts between you two. Don't stop me; I’ve already made up my mind!"

Liu Zhuyin looked even more distressed, grabbing Ning Yuanzhou’s arm. "Ah Zhou, you’re really overthinking this. We… our issues are not caused by you. In any case, no matter what you say, I will not agree to this!"

Ning Yuanzhou remained firm. "Ah Yin, this is my decision. Don't interfere. Mr. Gu, please, believe me! I, Ning Yuanzhou, keep my word. If you still won't nod in agreement after this… then I truly don't know how else to prove our innocence."

Ning Yuanzhou was clever. If I shook my head, it would show I lacked the capacity for tolerance, and Liu Zhuyin, being so nervous for him, would surely blame me. If I nodded, it would confirm his narrative, and Liu Zhuyin would be even more convinced that I was divorcing her because of him. He had backed me into a corner where I couldn't win either way!

Fortunately, I had come today to make a clean break with Liu Zhuyin. If I were actually trying to fix this so-called marriage, I would have been driven to madness by him!

"Mr. Ning, you’re joking." I said. "Your affairs have nothing to do with me. And I have no desire to meddle in your business."

I looked up at Liu Zhuyin. "Liu Zhuyin, I came here today to make things clear. We are divorced. And there is absolutely no possibility of us reconciling. So, whatever relationship you two have, you really don't need to explain it to me."

Ning Yuanzhou’s act was exhausting, and I had seen enough of Liu Zhuyin’s hypocrisy. She kept claiming she wanted to talk for the sake of our five-year marriage, yet her eyes… were still fixed on Ning Yuanzhou. She didn't even notice the games he was playing. For all her intelligence, what scheme could usually hide from her? But in front of Ning Yuanzhou, she was a fool!

But I was not.

A flicker of excitement appeared in Ning Yuanzhou’s eyes; he believed his plan had worked. Liu Zhuyin, however, stared at me in shock.

"Gu Yichen, what… what are you saying? Ah Zhou and I have both laid it out for you, and you’re still holding onto this?" She was angry, her expression icy, as if I were the villain.

I accepted that role. "I said it already—your affairs have nothing to do with me." I stood up. "Everything that needed to be said has been said. You promised me that after we cleared things up today, there would be no more entanglement. I hope you keep your word! Notify me when the divorce papers are ready."

I turned to leave, but to my surprise, Ning Yuanzhou blocked my path.

"Mr. Gu! No!"

"I beg you… don't divorce Liu Zhuyin!"

With those words, he actually… knelt down before me.