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Around midnight, the doorbell rang.

Han Ling opened the door, and there stood Xiao Ran, who was drunk, being helped by Yu Xueqing's driver.

"Ms. Han, I'm so sorry," the driver said, looking embarrassed. "Mr. Xiao was entertaining some important clients tonight and drank a bit too much."

"Thank you for your hard work, leave it to me." Han Ling reached out to take it.

Xiao Ran's entire weight was pressed against her, reeking of alcohol, and he was still mumbling incoherently, "President Wang... that batch of goods... don't worry... cheers... I have to drink..."

It took Han Ling a lot of effort to help Xiao Ran to the sofa in the living room.

Xiao Ran collapsed onto the sofa as soon as he touched it, his eyes half-open and half-closed, his tie askew, and two buttons of his shirt undone.

Han Ling quickly helped him take off his suit jacket.

The coat was heavy, and the pockets were bulging.

Han Ling didn't think much of it, draped her coat over the back of the sofa, and turned to go to the kitchen to pour water.

When Xiao Ran returned with the water glass, he was already snoring.

I could only put the water on the coffee table and cover him with a blanket.

When I was about to take the suit to be washed, something fell out of the pocket...

A small, black pair of women's panties with lace trim.

Han Ling was stunned.

He bent down to pick it up, held it in his hand, and looked at it again and again.

Yes, it's a thong, the really sexy kind, with very little fabric.

My head went blank for a second, as if something had exploded.

She stood there, holding the underwear, her hands trembling.

My breathing became rapid, and I felt a tightness in my chest.

what is this?
Why would there be women's underwear in Xiao Ran's pocket?

Socializing? Accompanying clients?

What kind of social occasions would require you to put a woman's underwear in your pocket and take it home?
Han Ling thought back to the past few months...

Xiao Ran started coming home later and later, sometimes not until three or four in the morning.

He always smells of various perfumes. When asked, he always says it's from the prostitutes at the karaoke bar.

My phone is always on silent, and I even take it into the bathroom when I shower.

One night, Han Ling woke up and heard Xiao Ran making a phone call in a low voice on the balcony. As soon as he saw her come out, he hurriedly hung up.

Han Ling kept telling herself: Xiao Ran is starting a business, so he's under a lot of pressure and has to attend many social events.

Men can have affairs outside the home as long as they have their families in their hearts.

But now, these underwear are like a resounding slap in the face, shattering Han Ling's last bit of self-deception.

"vomit--"

Xiao Ran, who was on the sofa, suddenly vomited, vomiting all over the floor and himself.

Han Ling mechanically walked over and took a towel to wipe him.

Wipe my face, wipe my neck, wipe the stains off my shirt.

Xiao Ran, still half asleep, grabbed her hand, his eyes barely open, and said, "Xiao Li... don't go... have another drink..."

Xiaoli?

Han Ling's hand froze.

She forcefully shook off Xiao Ran's hand, and tears streamed down her face.

Who is Xiaoli?

Is that the owner of those underwear?
Is it the woman he's keeping on the side?

Han Ling suddenly remembered what Su Ning had said about her and Xiao Ran not being a good match;
Thinking of Sun Yumei now running a company, wearing designer clothes, and being called "President Sun" wherever she goes;
I remember that although Huang Yunyun had no official title, she worked as an assistant at Shenzhen-Hong Kong Electronics, frequented high-end venues, and spoke and acted with confidence.

Then look at myself, working nine to five every day, and coming home to an empty house all alone.

She waited for this man like a fool, only to receive this in the end?

"Ha...haha..." Han Ling suddenly laughed, a laugh that sounded worse than crying.

She suddenly realized how foolish she had been.

What would things be like now if I had chosen Suning back then?

Live in a big house, drive a nice car, and use the best cosmetics.

Even if she's not married, she's still Suning's woman. Who would dare to look down on her?
Suning will definitely support her in building her own career and enjoying the spotlight just like Sun Yumei.

Unlike now, she looks like a haggard old woman, a resentful wife confined to her chambers.

She also had to endure men's betrayal and deception.

"I'm so stupid..." Han Ling muttered to herself, "So incredibly stupid..."

Looking at Xiao Ran, who was dead drunk on the sofa, Han Ling suddenly felt nauseous.

The man she once followed to Shenzhen regardless of everything, the man she thought she would love for a lifetime, now seems so ugly...

He reeked of alcohol, had a sallow complexion, greasy hair, and another woman's underwear in his pocket.

Is this the love she chose herself?

Is this the life she gave up everything for?

What a joke! What a huge joke!

Han Ling stood up and threw the black thong at Xiao Ran's face.

Xiao Ran just grunted, turned over, and continued snoring.

Han Ling turned and walked into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.

I opened the wardrobe and started packing my luggage.

The clothes were folded neatly and placed into the suitcase.

Cosmetics, bottle by bottle, were packed into a makeup bag.

Pack up all your daily necessities: toothbrush, toothpaste, towel.

She's leaving! She wants to leave this home, leave this man.

Go find Suning.

So what if you're a canary in a gilded cage? At least it's respectable, at least it's glamorous, at least you don't have to suffer this kind of lonely grievance.

Halfway through tidying up, Han Ling suddenly stopped again.

Just leave like that? That's too easy on Xiao Ran.

Then he took out his phone and found Suning's number.

Han Ling took a deep breath and dialed the number.

The phone rang three times before being answered.

"Hello?" Su Ning's voice was clear and steady, not at all like someone who had been woken up in the middle of the night.

"President Su, it's me, Han Ling." Han Ling tried to keep her voice calm. "I've made up my mind. I'm breaking up with Xiao Ran. You... do you still stand by what you said last time?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Are you really sure about this?" Su Ning asked.

"I've thought it through."

"No regrets?"

"No regrets."

“Okay.” Su Ning said decisively, “I’ll have my driver pick you up from your building at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Check into a hotel first, and we can arrange the rest later.”

"Thank you, Mr. Su."

"You're welcome! Remember, this was your own choice."

After hanging up the phone, Han Ling continued packing her luggage.

This time, there was no hesitation, no struggle, only a cold sense of relief.

After packing all my things, I pulled my suitcase out of the bedroom.

In the living room, Xiao Ran was still fast asleep on the sofa, his black underwear lying on the floor.

Han Ling didn't even glance at him, sat down on the sofa, and waited for dawn.

At five o'clock in the morning, before it was fully light, Xiao Ran woke up.

I struggled to sit up, my head throbbing and my mouth dry.

Looking up, I saw Han Ling sitting opposite me with a cold expression, a suitcase next to her, and I was stunned.

"Ling'er...why are you up so early?" Xiao Ran rubbed his temples, his voice hoarse. "Is there any water? I'm dying of thirst."

Han Ling didn't move, just stared at him coldly.

Xiao Ran then realized that something was wrong. He looked at Han Ling and then at the suitcase, and his heart skipped a beat.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Ran asked tentatively. "Are you going on a business trip?"

Han Ling bent down, picked up the black thong from the ground, and threw it in front of him.

"explain."

Xiao Ran's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"This...this is..." He immediately became incoherent, "Ling'er, let me explain..."

"Explain what?" Han Ling's voice was terrifyingly calm. "Explain whose it is? Xiao Li's? Or a gift from some CEO Wang?"

"Xiao Li?" Xiao Ran was stunned for a moment, then realized, "I drank too much last night and was talking nonsense... These underwear... These underwear aren't mine!"

"If it's not yours, how come it's in your pocket?"

"It...it was a client who gave it to me!" Xiao Ran said hurriedly. "Last night I was with some bosses from Zhejiang, and they called in a few girls...one of them insisted on drinking a toast with me, but I refused, so she...she put this in my pocket, saying it was a souvenir...I was drunk, I really don't know..."

"Don't know?" Han Ling laughed. "Xiao Ran, do you think I'd still believe you?"

"Ling'er, I mean it!" Xiao Ran stood up and tried to take her hand. "I swear! You're the only one in my heart! Even if it was just socializing or playing along, I didn't touch them at all!"

Han Ling shoved him away, "That's enough."

"Ling'er..."

"Xiao Ran, let's break up!" Han Ling said, enunciating each word clearly.

Xiao Ran was completely stunned, as if he hadn't understood. "What did you say?"

"I said, let's break up," Han Ling repeated. "I've had enough. I've had enough of your busy schedule, your social engagements, and your lies. It's over."

"No...no..." Xiao Ran panicked, "Ling'er, don't be impulsive! I know I was wrong, I'll change! I'll never go to those kinds of places again, I..."

"No need," Han Ling interrupted him. "Xiao Ran, I don't love you anymore. From today onwards, we'll go our separate ways."

Then she picked up her suitcase and walked towards the door.

"Ling'er!" Xiao Ran caught up and blocked the doorway. "Where are you going? It's so late, where are you going?"

"Get out of the way."

"Tell me where you're going first!" Xiao Ran grabbed her suitcase tightly.

Han Ling raised her head and looked directly into his eyes. "I'm going to find Su Ning."

Xiao Ran's hand loosened, her face turning even paler. "You... what did you say?"

"I said, I'm going to find Su Ning," Han Lingqing repeated clearly. "He's better than you, richer than you, and treats me better than you. Is there a problem with me choosing him?"

"Ling'er, you can't do this..." Xiao Ran's voice was pleading, "We've had so many years of relationship, from university until now, and you just want to give it all up?"

"Feelings?" Han Ling sneered. "Xiao Ran, do you have the right to talk to me about feelings? You have other women's thongs in your pockets, and you call out other women's names when you're drunk. Is this the kind of feelings you give me?"

Xiao Ran opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

"Get out of the way," Han Ling said again.

Xiao Ran didn't move.

Han Ling pushed him away forcefully and opened the door.

"Ling'er!" Xiao Ran called from behind, "Are you really leaving? For money? For a better life? Are you really that materialistic?"

Han Ling stopped and turned to look at him. Her eyes held no anger, no sadness, only a deep weariness. "Xiao Ran, when I came to Shenzhen with you, how much did you earn a month? Eight hundred yuan. We lived in a ten-square-meter rented room and ate the cheapest boxed meals. Did I say anything? Did I complain?"

Xiao Ran was speechless.

“Remember! I didn’t leave you because of money,” Han Ling said. “It’s because you don’t love me anymore. Or maybe you never truly loved me. You only loved that silly woman who was willing to suffer with you and wait for you without complaint.”

"No, I..."

"Stop talking," Han Ling interrupted him. "That's enough! I wish you success in your career and a speedy IPO. This is the end for us."

Then, pulling her suitcase, she walked into the elevator without looking back.

The moment the door closed, Xiao Ran collapsed to the ground.

Looking at the black thong on the floor, and then at the empty living room, my mind went blank.

It’s over.

It's all over.

After all these years of hard work and suffering, wasn't it all for the sake of giving Han Ling a better life?
But now, he has lost the most precious thing.

As the elevator descended, Han Ling leaned against the wall of the car and finally couldn't hold back her tears.

But after only a few sobs, she wiped away her tears, straightened her back, and resolved to live a brilliant new life.

The elevator doors opened, and a blast of cold morning air rushed in.

……

A black Mercedes was already waiting at the entrance of the residential compound.

The driver saw Han Ling, got out of the car and took the suitcase. "Ms. Han, Mr. Su asked me to pick you up."

Han Ling nodded and got into the car.

The car started and drove out of the residential area.

Han Ling took one last look at that familiar window, then turned her head and looked ahead.

In the early morning in Shenzhen, the streets are empty, sanitation workers are cleaning the streets, and breakfast shops are lit up with warm lights.

A new day begins.

And her life will be completely changed from this moment on.

Inside the car, Han Ling took out her phone and sent a text message to Su Ning: "I'm in the car."

The reply came quickly: "Get some rest, let's have dinner together tonight."

Han Ling deleted the text message and closed her eyes.

From now on, she will no longer be Han Ling, the foolish woman who waited for a man.

She wants to live the life she's meant to live.

……

After Han Ling left, Xiao Ran finally went from initial shock and pain to anger.

A person sat in the empty living room, with empty wine bottles piled up on the coffee table.

I haven't gone to the company, haven't answered the phone, and have just been living a life of debauchery.

But the more I drank, the clearer my mind became...

He realized with a clear mind that Han Ling was really gone.

It wasn't out of spite or a tantrum; he really left to go find Suning.

“Suning…”

As Xiao Ran murmured the name, his eyes gradually shifted from confusion to ferocity.

He suddenly slammed the bottle down in his hand: "Yes! It's him! It must be him!"

Xiao Ran stood up and paced back and forth in the living room, thinking about it more and more and it made more sense: "That's right, Su Ning has never given up on Han Ling! He pursued Han Ling back in college, but I beat him to it. He's always held a grudge against me!"

"Later, we met in Shenzhen. On the surface, he helped me and gave me a job. His investment in Yu Xue Qing was all a scheme!" Xiao Ran gritted his teeth. "He just wanted to keep me busy so I wouldn't have time for Han Ling, so he could take advantage of the situation!"

"What bullshit investors! What bullshit help! It's all fake! Suning just wants to steal Han Ling away!"

Once the idea took hold, it grew wildly in Xiao Ran's mind.

All the failures and all the pain have found an outlet...

It wasn't his fault; it was Suning's conspiracy!

"I did nothing wrong! It's Su Ning who's wrong! He schemed against me! He ruined our relationship!"

Xiao Ran grabbed his car keys and rushed out the door.

We must find Su Ning and ask him face-to-face! We must make him return Han Ling!

……

Top floor office of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Electronics Headquarters Building.

Suning was listening to Yang Ru report on the quarterly data of the Hong Kong branch when the office door was suddenly kicked open with a bang.

Xiao Ran rushed in, his eyes bloodshot and reeking of alcohol.

"Mr. Su, Mr. Xiao..." The receptionist followed frantically, "I couldn't stop him..."

Suning waved his hand, signaling the receptionist to leave.

Yang Ru also stood up, looking at Xiao Ran warily.

"Xiao Ran, what are you doing?" Su Ning leaned back in her chair.

"What am I doing?" Xiao Ran rushed to the desk, placed his hands on the surface, and stared intently at Su Ning. "I'm here to ask you, what did you do to Han Ling!"

"Han Ling?" Su Ning raised an eyebrow. "What happened to her?"

"Stop pretending!" Xiao Ran roared, "She's gone! She went to find you! Did you seduce her? Have you been secretly sabotaging our relationship all along?"

Yang Ru frowned, about to say something, but Su Ning stopped her with a look.

Then Su Ning waved his hand, and Yang Ru dismissed everyone, then closed the office door behind her.

Su Ning slowly stood up, walked around the desk, and stood in front of Xiao Ran.

The two looked at each other.

“Xiao Ran,” Su Ning spoke, her voice low but full of sarcasm, “don’t you know why Han Ling left?”

"Of course I know!" Xiao Ran's voice grew louder. "It was you who was pulling the strings behind the scenes! Your investment in Yu Xueqing wasn't to help me at all; it was just to keep me busy and prevent me from spending time with Han Ling! So you could take advantage of the situation! Right?"

Suning laughed, but it was a laugh tinged with sarcasm.

“Xiao Ran, oh Xiao Ran,” he shook his head, “you really haven’t changed at all.”

"What do you mean?"

“What I mean is,” Suning said, emphasizing each word, “that you always think others are wrong and that you have no problems at all.”

Xiao Ran was stunned.

"Why did Han Ling leave?" Su Ning continued, "Was it because you were out socializing until midnight every day? Was it because you went home and fell asleep the moment your head hit the pillow? Was it because you only cared about your career and didn't care about her feelings at all? Or was it because... you had another woman's underwear in your pocket?"

Xiao Ran's face turned pale instantly.

"How...how did you know..."

"How do I know it's not important?" Su Ning waved her hand. "What's important is that you still think it's someone else's fault. Did I seduce Han Ling? Did I ruin your relationship? Xiao Ran, ask yourself honestly, what did you give Han Ling before she left?"

"I..." Xiao Ran opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"What you gave her was an empty house, endless waiting, and broken promises," Su Ning said bluntly. "You said you'd be with her after you succeeded in your career, but when will you be considered successful? When will it be an IPO? When will you be number one in the industry? Or when will you have earned a hundred million?"

"I...I did it for our future..."

"The future?" Su Ning sneered. "Xiao Ran, what women want isn't a distant future, but a tangible present. It's care, companionship, and real, good days. Have you given her any of that?"

Xiao Ran stood there, trembling, but couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.

“Besides,” Su Ning turned and walked back to her desk to sit down, “with my current status and wealth, what kind of woman can’t I have? Why would I need to go to such lengths to scheme against your woman?”

Then, pointing to Yang Ru standing to the side, he said, "See her? My woman, Yang Ru, is a Miss Asia winner. She's young, beautiful, educated, and capable. She's willing to be with me because I can give her a platform, a career, and respect. Do I need to steal your Han Ling?"

Xiao Ran followed Su Ning's finger and looked at Yang Ru.

Yang Ru stood there, her posture upright and her demeanor elegant.

There was no contempt or pity in her eyes when she looked at Xiao Ran; it was just a calm gaze.

At that moment, Xiao Ran suddenly woke up.

Yes! Does Suning need to scheme against him?
Shenzhen-Hong Kong Electronics has a market capitalization of tens or hundreds of billions, while Yu Xueqing's is only a fraction of that.

Suning needs women; what kind can't they find?

If a beauty pageant winner like Yang Ru is willing to follow him, why would he need to go to great lengths to snatch Han Ling away?
It turns out it wasn't Suning's fault at all, but his own.

He ignored Han Ling's feelings, he valued his career above all else, and he thought it was only natural to "treat you well after I've succeeded."

It was Xiao Ran who pushed away the woman who loved him, little by little.

Xiao Ran staggered back two steps and leaned against the wall.

All the anger and resentment vanished in that moment.

Instead, there was a chilling cold and a profound sense of clarity.

"I..." He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse, "I was wrong..."

“Of course you’re wrong,” Su Ning said, “but it’s not too late for you to realize it now.”

Xiao Ran looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "Han Ling... will she come back?"

"What do you think?" Su Ning countered. "A woman whose heart you broke, a woman who has finally decided to live for herself this once, will she come back?"

Xiao Ran lowered his head and remained silent.

He knew the answer; he wouldn't.

Han Ling will never come back, just like many things Xiao Ran lost, things that can never be found again.

"Go back." Su Ning waved his hand. "Think carefully about what to do next. Whether you continue to wallow in self-pity or regroup and make Yu Xueqing a success is your choice. Yu Xueqing can thrive even without you."

"Besides, you probably don't know this, but Han Ling has developed a habit of stealing. Of course, she doesn't lack that little bit of money. She just wants to seek thrills, do you understand? You're about to ruin her."

"..." Xiao Ran stood there, stunned for a long time.

Finally, he raised his head and looked at Su Ning, "You... will you treat Han Ling well?"

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Su Ning said. “Since she chose me, I will take responsibility for her. At the very least, I won’t let her stay in an empty house alone, I won’t let her steal things from supermarkets for thrills, and I won’t let her feel like her youth has been wasted.”

Every word felt like a knife stabbing into Xiao Ran's heart.

But he knew he deserved it.

"I...I'm leaving." Xiao Ran turned around and staggered out.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, "Su Ning, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you... for reminding me." Xiao Ran said with a wry smile, "Although it hurts, it's better than staying confused forever."

Su Ning nodded. "Go ahead! Don't even think about going to find Han Ling anymore."

Xiao Ran is gone.

The office door closed, and the room returned to silence.

Yang Ru then spoke up, "President Su, are you... are you really not worried that he might do something rash?"

“He won’t,” Su Ning said confidently. “Xiao Ran is the kind of person who is career-oriented and has a strong sense of self-respect. He might be depressed for a few days because of a woman, but he won’t stay depressed forever. Before long, he will devote all his energy to Yu Xue Qing and prove himself through career success.”

"What about Miss Han Ling..."

“Han Ling has her own path to walk,” Su Ning said. “I’m giving her a platform and opportunities; how far she can go is up to her.”

Yang Ru nodded and asked no further questions.

She knew that at Suning, everyone had to take responsibility for their choices.

Whether it's Xiao Ran, Han Ling, or herself.

Shenzhen doesn't believe in tears, only in strength and choices.

Today's farce is just another ordinary story in this city of reality.

...(End of this chapter)