Chapter 7 The Affair

"Do you know what you resemble now?"

"What?"

"A little bird that has been imprisoned by me for many years. And now, at the first glimpse of opportunity, you're so anxious for your taste of freedom. But..."

"But I'm the one who's really been imprisoned all these years, in captivity for your torment for so many years?! Yet why are you the one feeling serene and calm?!

"Even the request for divorce sounded like an act of generosity and charity on her part!"

With his voice heard no more, the entire office became as silent and still as a crypt.

Shen Zhiwei merely stopped in her tracks when he called. But hearing nothing further, she decided not to wait. She decided that waiting wouldn't change anything after all.

She was hardly surprised to see Shen Rou when she swung open the door.

But she trailed around her like a stranger and marched in long strides with a straight back as she left. "Finally, Bo Yan, I'm going to leave you..."

"Rumble..."

A thunderclap resounded in the distance, and just as suddenly, it began raining heavily outside.

Shen Rou could not tear her eyes from the back of Shen Zhiwei. She was livid after hearing everything from outside. "At long last, Shen Zhiwei requested a divorce... But, but she wants the Bo Group's shares as alimony?!

"You bloody bitch, Shen Zhiwei!

"That money is mine!"

But there were better times than this to dwell on that score. Shen Rou quickly collected herself and feigned a sweet smile as she twirled around and drifted into Bo Yan's office.

She wanted to say something, but her voice got lost in her throat when she saw Bo Yan sitting in his chair, eyeing the divorce papers with an expression more angry than deadpan.

Even she could hardly stifle a shiver.

She asked with pretentious ignorance, "What's happened, Bo Yan? Why does Sister Zhiwei want a divorce?"

"God knows what fit of madness has gripped her this time," Bo Yan growled. He snatched the divorce papers off the table with a swipe and shoved them into his drawer.

Switching the topic of their conversation, he said, "I've booked a room at a restaurant. Let's have lunch together."

Shen Rou craftily concealed her venom and demurely nodded her head.

"Okay."

...

It was raining cats and dogs indeed outside.

The air was damp and humid. Shen Zhiwei placed a call to Huo Jun, her assistant, asking him to come for her.

As she waited, she saw a car coming from afar; a car that she recognized as it whizzed past her. She saw Bo Yan in the driver's seat with Shen Rou beside him.

What a perfect couple. A match made in Heaven.

Bo Yan was just going to remind Shen Rou to fasten her seatbelt when he caught a glimpse of Shen Zhiwei standing alone at the entrance of his office building through the rain-drop-speckled side mirror. She looked pale and frail; a poor lonesome thing in the cold as she rubbed her shoulders for warmth.

He had always remembered her as being elegant, aloof, and proud...

But now, she looked sickly, emaciated, and lonely.

The car sped farther and farther away.

But right before she was out of sight, he saw a car stopping beside her—it was Huo Jun.

He came out, unfurling a black umbrella hastily, and politely opened the rear door for Shen Zhiwei. She was all too glad to see the ever-so-loyal assistant; at least she would no longer have to endure the cold.

She had always been weak ever since having Xiaobao.

A sudden bout of nausea came upon her, and her leg almost gave out. She lurched forward and would have fallen if not for Huo Jun's timely help as he held her. "Are you all right, Vice President Shen?"

"I'm fine," she muttered, shaking her head as she carefully clambered onboard under his watchful eyes.

Huo Jun cantered back to the front driver's seat and got in. Then he looked from the front, saying, "You don't look good. You sure you don't want me to take you home to rest?"

"Home?"

As if she still had one.

"There's no need. Just bring me to the nearest hotel."

Even as he stepped on the accelerator of his car, speeding away quickly, Bo Yan saw everything that transpired, and his fingers clenched tightly around the steering wheel.

"No wonder she wants a divorce.

"So that's why!"

With his lips thinning into a straight line, he dug out his phone from his coat pocket and hurriedly sent his assistant a quick message.

"I want close surveillance on Shen Zhiwei and Huo Jun!"

...

It was a luncheon that was less exciting than it looked.

Shen Rou looked rather rhapsodic. She never stopped filling Bo Yan's plate with food as her mouth babbled incessantly about the life they would have together, the children they would rear, the education they would give them, and the places they would go together every year.

Only Bo Yan's mind lingered elsewhere and he barely touched his food.

His eyes repeatedly darted to his phone, expecting it to chime with a message, until...

"Bzz!"

His phone vibrated once.

And the screen flared to life, portending the arrival of a new message.

"Mr. President, somebody's seen Mrs. President and Huo Jun entering a hotel. They've been there for hours!"

"Crack!" Bo Yan slammed his phone down on the table, his gaze distant and cold, looking as if he was growing in stature and anger.

"How dare you, Shen Zhiwei!"