After five years of a cold marriage, I can no longer hide the child I secretly gave birth to.

The next morning, after dropping Xu Meng off at kindergarten, Xu Daikui went to the bank and transferred ten million yuan directly into the pet hospital's account.

Afterwards, she went to see Wang Guang, and the two agreed that the official opening date of the pet hospital would be the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

They will host a lavish banquet at the Century Hotel to celebrate Connor's birth, inviting celebrities from all walks of life.

After leaving Wang Guang's place, she went to a law firm to inquire about who would have custody of the children if she filed for divorce.

The young female lawyer looked at her and said, "The law stipulates that custody of a four-year-old child is awarded based on the 'best interests of the minor' principle. Since you have been raising the child long-term and have a stable ability to do so, and the father is completely unaware of the child and clearly lacks emotional connection, the judge will most likely award custody to you."

"But...who did you just say your husband is?"

The female lawyer was somewhat incredulous.

"Zhou Yanci, President of the Zhou Group."

Xu Daikui had already decided to draft a standard divorce agreement based on the grounds of five years of separation and a breakdown in their relationship.

"In that case, if Mr. Zhou wants a child, you'll most likely lose to him."

After all, no one can shake the Zhou family's financial power and status in Beijing.

"It's okay, can you draft a formal divorce agreement for me first?"

Anyway, she didn't plan to sue Zhou Yanci, and Mengmeng's identity must not be exposed before the divorce certificate is finalized.

She had already thought of another way.

"Okay, tell me your reasons for the divorce and your demands regarding the division of property."

"We've been separated for five years. My husband has already given me a villa as part of the divorce settlement. I don't want anything else."

"Okay, please have a seat for a moment, I'll have it ready in ten minutes."

"Okay, thank you."

Half an hour later, Xu Daikui came out of the law firm with the divorce agreement in her hand and sent a message to Zhou Yanci via WeChat.

Let's meet.

The other party replied almost instantly: "I'm on a business trip."

They also sent me a picture of skyscrapers, with a watermark indicating a mirage.

When are you coming back?

A few minutes later, the other end replied: "What, you've decided to have a child?"

I'll have Fang Qing pick you up.

As for why they took her there, the meaning is quite clear.

Xu Daikui gave a cold laugh before quickly typing.

The divorce agreement has been drafted. If you make any more excuses not to sign it, I will sue you directly in court. Not only that, I will also find a media outlet to expose all your extramarital affairs over the past few years, ruining your reputation. Then, you can expect the Zhou Group to pay the price for your irresponsibility!

Although the lawsuit was just a scare tactic, she could really try exposing his ambiguous relationship with Xu Jiaojiao and his disappearance of his wife for five years. Moreover, Wen Yayun and Zhou Nianting valued the Zhou family's reputation more than their own lives. If she used this as a threat, their family would definitely not stand idly by.

She originally wanted to part ways amicably with Zhou Yanci without a falling out, but the man kept making excuses to delay and even threatened her to have his child, which was really too much.

She had reached her limit.

Sure enough, there was a reply from the other end within seconds.

I'll come see you on Wednesday.

Xu Daikui then turned off her phone with satisfaction.

...

On Wednesday morning, Xu Daikui waited all morning, but Zhou Yanci still didn't contact her.

Shen Jun, however, called her.

"Tomorrow is Laba Festival, the hospital will be closed for half a day, I'll pick you up this afternoon."

Xu Daikui nodded, "Okay, I can take Mengmeng there myself, so there's no need for you to make the trip."

She already owed him enough, and felt embarrassed to ask him for anything more.

"It's alright, don't be so polite with me."

Shen Jun remained as gentle and polite to her as ever.

Xu Daikui smiled and asked again, "Has there been any resolution to that matter? Has the police contacted you again?"

She's been busy dealing with the divorce papers and the pet hospital these past few days, and has completely forgotten about this.

"Yes, the girl admitted that she and her husband deliberately spread rumors to extort money from me. The police have punished them and cleared my name."

"Really? It has nothing to do with Xu Jiaojiao?"

Shen Jun hesitated for a moment, "All the evidence points to her, and the person involved says she has nothing to do with it, but I will keep an eye on her. This matter will not be easily forgotten."

"Yes, you must be careful around her. Also, send me the information on that scoundrel who framed you. I need to investigate them too."

If it was Xu Jiaojiao who instigated it, we can definitely find a breakthrough by dealing with those two people.

"Can."

Shen Jun responded, then added, "I probably won't be able to attend the cultural and creative gathering at Kuiyao Star this afternoon, as I have a very important surgery."

Xu Daikui quickly replied, "Then you go ahead with your work. I can take Mengmeng there myself."

Since Zhou Yanci is now convinced that Mengmeng is her and Shen Jun's illegitimate child, there is no risk in her openly appearing at the banquet with Mengmeng.

"Okay, call me if you need anything."

Shen Jun hung up after speaking, and Xu Daikui then opened Zhou Yanci's WeChat, but there was still no message.

If that man still doesn't know what's good for him and doesn't sign the divorce papers in half a day, she guarantees that his inappropriate relationship with Xu Jiaojiao will be all over social media by tomorrow. Not only that, she will also take reporters to Wen Yayun and her husband in person. Even if Zhou Yanci doesn't sign the divorce agreement, they will force him to sign it.

...

The cultural and creative gathering was at 3 o'clock. Xu Daikui picked Mengmeng up from kindergarten at 12 o'clock. The two ate, dressed up, and then took her painting to catch the bus.

The location is an art gallery in a local old town, which is conveniently accessible by subway.

...

Ancient Town Gallery.

Zhou Yanci sat in the main seat of the executive office, the dim light making his handsome face appear cold.

He calmly instructed Su Linhua, "Several international collectors will be attending this event. You should promote Xu Meng's works."

Su Linhua was puzzled and cautiously probed, "Why? Mengmeng's paintings are very soulful, but she's not the soul painter of our Sunshine Star. Shouldn't we let someone with more experience and skills try for this opportunity to enter global galleries?"

Xu Meng is a very good and outstanding student among the young painters, but their Sunflower Star has been established for seven years.

He has also made a name for himself in the field of cultural creation.

Moreover, their core painters are all adults, and only by vigorously promoting their paintings can the company thrive.

Kuiyao Star was founded by Zhou Yanci personally, and the outside world is unaware that it is also one of his businesses.

His initial intention in founding this company was not to make money.

He said in a flat tone, "Do as I say."

Seeing his handsome face darken, Su Linhua immediately nodded and bowed, "Then I'll go arrange the details now."

Just as he was leaving, he heard the man's cold voice again, "If you want to work for me, then don't say another word!"

"I understand." He left with an embarrassed expression.

As soon as I went outside, I saw Xu Jiaojiao coming in high heels.

"Where is Aci?"

Didn't he just come back from his business trip?

She went to the company headquarters to look for him, but he wasn't there, and his phone was busy. She later asked his secretary and found out that he was at an art gallery.

I really don't know what's so interesting about those boring and uninteresting paintings.

He would come over to check on things every few days.

Moreover, the company he frequents is called Kuiyao Star.

The mere thought of the character "葵" (kui) made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

I hope it goes bankrupt any minute.

Su Linhua: "He's inside, but Mr. Zhou seems to be in a bad mood today. Miss Xu, why don't you go in and talk to him? Maybe he'll cheer up."

"What happened?"

"I don't know."

Remembering Zhou Yanci's warning not to talk too much, Su Linhua kept quiet about his extra attention to Xu Meng.

Xu Jiaojiao frowned slightly and went into his office to find him.

*

After Su Linhua left, he warmly received Xu Daikui and Xu Meng.

After leading them on a tour, he left with Xu Meng's painting of the devil on the glacier.

The auction began shortly afterward.

Just as Xu Daikui was about to find a seat with Xu Meng in her hand, Su Linhua enthusiastically jogged over.

"Miss Xu, please sit here with Mengmeng."

She was led to the middle seat in the first row. Xu Daikui knew that this was usually where big-shot entrepreneurs sat. Was it inappropriate for her and Mengmeng to sit here?

Just as she was hesitating, a tall and slender figure walked over and sat down beside her.