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

Zhou Yanci paused, glanced at Xu Meng, and then said, "Let's talk outside."

Xu Daikui didn't know what need there was for them to talk alone.

She frowned coldly and said, "Zhou Yanci, I don't want a single penny from you except for that property. I just want a divorce. Sign the papers now."

Seeing the deep hatred cracking across her usually serene face, and her impatience with him, Zhou Yanci's heart sank.

Do you hate him that much?

They won't even give me a few words?

He slowly crossed his legs, his handsome face turning cold. "I need to review the agreement. If you're not willing to talk, then wait a bit longer."

Xu Daikui bit her lip.

After careful consideration, he looked at Xu Meng and said, "How about I have the waitress stay with you for a while?"

Xu Meng blinked, about to nod, when Zhou Yanci had already raised his hand to beckon his subordinate over.

He was a young, unfamiliar man.

"Take good care of her."

He pointed at Xu Meng.

Mu En nodded, "Okay, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Yanci then took Xu Daikui out.

Stepping onto the balcony outside, the warm afternoon sun shone down, enveloping them in its gentle heat.

Xu Daikui, however, felt a chill run through her body.

Especially when he thought about how he and Xu Jiaojiao had been so affectionate in those ten minutes just now.

She was once again nakedly crushed onto the pillar of shame.

She stood ramrod straight, not looking at the man. "I don't think there's any need for us to talk anymore."

Her expression was indifferent.

Zhou Yanci stood beside her, watching the breeze blow her hair wildly, brushing against her aloof profile. He reached out and gently tucked it behind her ear.

His slender fingers lingered as if reluctant to let go, grasping a strand of hair, but a final gust of wind swept in, and he couldn't hold onto a single strand.

Look, even the strands of her hair seem to despise him.

"Xu Daikui, if you're so eager for a divorce, why did you agree to marry me in the first place?"

Was it due to the circumstances, or did she once have some feelings for him?

He admitted that he wasn't as considerate and attentive as Shen Jun, and that he had many ulterior motives, but his love had once truly existed.

In that torrential downpour, he handed her the umbrella and went back soaked to the bone.

But deep down, I felt a sweet warmth.

It was all because of the shy smile on the girl's lips when she took the umbrella.

Like cane sugar, it instantly sweetened his heart.

That moment was incredibly precious.

Xu Daikui's expression was indifferent, and her voice became light and ruthless, "Because of that accident, I lost my virginity to you, and I had no choice but to marry you."

Zhou Yanci smiled slightly. "Is this the reason you're unwilling to have my children?"

He wanted to ask her if she had ever loved him, even if only for a moment.

But the woman's indifference was like a solid wall, keeping him completely isolated.

He felt no sense of attachment whatsoever.

"Yes. After marrying you, I originally wanted to accept my fate, but reality doesn't allow me to live a peaceful life as a wealthy wife. Now I want to pursue my true love, and I hope you can let go."

Thinking about his relationship with Xu Jiaojiao, Xu Daikui felt suffocated and couldn't breathe.

"Okay, I agree to sign, but not today."

Zhou Yanci remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

Xu Daikui frowned at him. "Are you trying to stall again?"

"Zhou Yanci, if you don't sign today, I'll take the reporters straight to your parents. If you're not willing to set me free, then I'll risk my life. Neither of us will get away with this!"

Seeing her chest heaving violently with anger, and her frail body trembling slightly, Zhou Yanci reached out to comfort her.

But he was also afraid that his actions would make her even more agitated.

He pulled his outstretched hand back, saying, "I promised, and I won't go back on my word."

"Xu Daikui, if you're determined to leave, you'll get a divorce sooner or later."

"But the group has a historic annual meeting before the Spring Festival, which will be broadcast live globally. As my wife, you must attend."

"If you want a divorce, you have to finish the company's annual meeting first."

Xu Daikui took a deep breath. "If you sign now, there are still thirty days left in the divorce cooling-off period. It won't affect your annual meeting."

Zhou Yanci remained silent.

"Go in and sign."

Xu Daikui looked at him.

Zhou Yanci did not move an inch.

He won't sign that today.

"Zhou Yanci, do you really want me to make a scene here, like a shrew, and lose all face for you?"

She thought she had tried her best to control her temper, but his constant procrastination, thinking that silence could help him escape everything, made her feel extremely frustrated.

He ignored her for five years, and when he came back, he continued to treat her coldly. Now that they're divorced, he either disappears or uses emotional abuse on her.

He's driving her crazy.

"Say something?"

She couldn't hold back and angrily punched the man in the chest.

Zhou Yanci remained calm and motionless, looking at her with a complex expression. After a long while, he said calmly, "You can hit me a few more times if you're angry, but the agreement can't be signed today."

"Xu Daikui, when it ends between us is up to me."

He wouldn't let her leave penniless if she wanted to.

Besides, he's unwilling to leave now.

If he is unwilling, doesn't want to, or is reluctant, she will never be able to leave him.

Xu Daikui suddenly laughed as she listened, and then tears welled up in her eyes.

He simply couldn't understand that she was on the verge of collapse. His indifference and neglect left her helpless time and time again, only able to torment herself incessantly.

His clear-headedness and rationality made even her hysteria seem like a joke.

Everything seemed to suggest that she was being unreasonable.

Those who love deeply are always the first to break down.

Why did she fall in love with Zhou Yanci, such a cold-blooded and ruthless person?

She really regretted it!

When Zhou Yanci saw her laughing and crying, she looked as fragile as a flower about to wither and break, and her expression was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

He had never seen her so out of control.

Those hands, hanging by his sides, couldn't help but reach out and slowly wipe away her tears.

Her breathing became heavy. "Xu Daikui, the end of a marriage is not divorce, but letting go."

"If you don't love me, don't care so much about that certificate."

"You can do what you want, I won't interfere. You'll get the divorce certificate eventually, it's just a matter of time."

He needs some time to accept that she is no longer a part of his life.

Yes, if she doesn't love him, she can indeed be indifferent to so many things.

Alternatively, one could simply ignore everything between him and Xu Jiaojiao...

But she doesn't seem to be able to do it.

The two stood silently for a long time before Xu Daikui finally calmed down a bit.

He stroked his dizzy head with his fingers.

As the sun began to set and a strong wind blew in, Zhou Yanci took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, wrapping it tightly around her.

"Just treat me like a partner. When we finally part ways, let's treat each other kindly, okay?"

Xu Daikui wanted to laugh, but couldn't.

She has become numb.

She let the man lead her into the hall.

A wave of warmth washed over her, and the cacophony of voices thawed her icy heart a little. She took off her coat to return it to the man.

Zhou Yanci then picked up the divorce agreement on the table. "I will read this carefully. It's windy outside, so there's no need to rush to return the clothes."

"I don't need..."

Xu Daikui tore it off and was about to throw it at him forcefully, but the man grabbed her wrist, his tone firm and unwavering.

"Would you really let yourself catch a cold just to spite someone?"

Because of the good weather and the upcoming auction, Xu Daikui arrived wearing only a stylish knitted suit. It was already past five o'clock, and a cold wind was blowing outside.

"We're not divorced yet, so there's no need to be so formal."

As Zhou Yanci spoke, he forcefully draped the cloak over her shoulders, then picked up Xu Meng and said, "Let's go, I'll take you home."

...

Upon arriving at Jinxiu Residential Area, the man saw them off from the car and escorted them all the way to their doorstep. Xu Daikui reached for her keys, only to find him still standing behind her, like a guardian spirit blocking the entrance.

She said calmly, "You can leave now."