"Consider yourself lucky, kid. A weakling like you doesn't deserve such a beautiful woman. Get lost."
Qin Shen glanced at the man for a few seconds, then turned to Ge'er and asked, "What do you think?"
Ge'er remained silent, standing calmly as if it had nothing to do with her.
"Alright, if that's the case, then we'll call the police."
To their surprise, Qin Shen was quite resolute, pulling out his phone.
"I have nothing to hide, so I won't let you take her away."
Seeing him about to dial, the men became enraged.
Swearing curses, they lunged at him, knocking his phone away, and then began throwing punches.
Ge'er hadn't expected things to escalate this far. Seeing Qin Shen outnumbered, she could only sigh and call for security at the door.
A few minutes later, the commotion was quelled, and Ge'er led Qin Shen to the roadside.
Noticing a punch mark on his lip, oozing a little blood, and his face slightly swollen, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Those guys, while their words were harsh, they were telling the truth. You're too weak. How can you protect a girl like this? You should work on yourself before chasing women."
Qin Shen was momentarily stunned by her remark but didn't retort. He reached for her hand.
"As long as you weren't scared, I'll drive you back."
Ge'er dodged his hand. "Someone is picking me up."
"...Then give me a ride. I'll go back with you."
"Hey, you..."
"I'll admit if you call me thick-skinned. I've already taken a beating, I can't let it be for nothing. I'm going to get to know you today, no matter what."
Hearing the commotion at the entrance, Ah Cheng, the security captain, rushed out.
Ge'er had been protected by him since childhood. Although she hadn't needed it in recent years, and he had moved to this location, they still had a strong understanding.
He personally escorted her home.
The car arrived. Ge'er opened the door, and fearing those men might retaliate against Qin Shen, she conceded a bit.
"Considering it's your birthday today, get in the car."
They both got into the car. Ah Cheng asked if she had been frightened.
"I'm not a child. It's not that bad. Please, don't mention what happened today to anyone. I've come here rarely, and I don't want to be lectured for something like this."
Ah Cheng understood. "Then, if you come again, let me know in advance. Otherwise..."
"Understood. We have a deal."
After they spoke, she asked Qin Shen where he lived, offering to drop him off first.
Qin Shen said she should go home first.
"Why? You want to find out my home address so you can track me later?"
Qin Shen was speechless. "I'm not that sinister. I really just want to get to know you."
Ge'er remained unmoved. "A bar isn't a suitable place to find a girlfriend. If you want a girlfriend, you need to find a proper way. Hurry up and tell me. If you don't, I'll kick you out."
Qin Shen had no choice but to give his address.
Ge'er raised an eyebrow, thinking, "What a coincidence? We're neighbors in the same complex."
Upon reaching the complex, Qin Shen was reluctant to get out of the car, still wanting to exchange WeChat details with Ge'er.
However, Ge'er was the first to open the car door and step out.
He quickly followed.
Looking at his sincere and earnest eyes, Ge'er sighed in exasperation.
"I'm not joking with you. I really am older than you, and I'm married."
Qin Shen froze, looking utterly dejected.
"Then... I'm sorry."
Ge'er said no more and turned to walk inside. Qin Shen, with a look of confusion, followed her.
"How come you..."
Ge'er swiped her access card to open the door. He then realized they were indeed neighbors.
"What a coincidence, we're neighbors."
However, after the initial surprise, disappointment quickly followed.
So what if they were neighbors? She was already married.
They walked inside one after another. Seeing him like this, Ge'er found it amusing.
"Do you really like me that much? You decided after just one glance?"
Qin Shen said, "You might not believe me if I told you the truth, but yes. You're too beautiful, captivating. This is the first time in my life I've met someone as beautiful as you."
He looked like an honest country boy, but he could spin quite a tale.
Ge'er said, "I understand. Then you should work out and get stronger. I have many beautiful friends, and I'll introduce you to them if there's a chance."
Qin Shen tried to ask for her contact information again, but she refused.
"If we're destined, we'll meet again. Next time we meet, I'll add you myself."
With that, she got out of the car first and pressed the elevator button.
Back home, she sat idly for a few minutes before reaching for her phone again.
Not many people had messaged her, especially Shang Jincheng.
That scoundrel used to pester her constantly for no reason, but today he was unusually quiet.
She couldn't help but check his Moments again, wanting to see what Tong Mengmeng was up to. Seeing it made her even more furious.
After dinner, these people had moved to a bar. A large group sat in the center, with several bottles of alcohol opened.
The video Tong Mengmeng had taken showed many alluring and scantily clad girls surrounding Shang Jincheng, everyone chatting and drinking with great merriment.
That scumbag! He was dragging out their divorce while having such a wild time elsewhere. Did he want to die?
If he dared to delay the divorce by even a second tomorrow, she would kill him!
Ge'er was about to explode. She exited Moments and sent Shang Jincheng a voice message.
"Don't drink yourself to death! Remember the divorce tomorrow! If you're a second late, I'll make you regret it until you cry!"
After sending it, she tossed her phone aside to take a shower and do her skincare.
An hour later, after all that, that damned Shang Jincheng still hadn't replied to her message!
She shouldn't have drunk alcohol that day, shouldn't have dragged out the divorce with him until now!
This scumbag had disrupted her life rhythm. She was truly fed up!
Feeling restless, Ge'er was about to find a comedy movie to watch and lift her mood when the doorbell rang.
Who would come looking for her so late at night?
She walked towards the door and looked at the video screen. It was Shang Jincheng.
The bastard! Not replying to messages, and now showing up at her doorstep!
Initially, she didn't want to let him in, but thinking about discussing the divorce with him, Ge'er opened the door.
As the door opened, Shang Jincheng reeked of alcohol. He carried his jacket in his arm, his hoodie sleeves rolled up high. He smiled at her, a charming and wicked grin.
"Wifey~"
"Go to hell! Who's your wifey!"
"Alright, alright, Ge'er, let me come in and talk."
Ge'er felt like slamming the door in his face.
"You've had your fill and now you want to talk to me? What right do you have to expect hospitality?"
Shang Jincheng looked at her flushed, angry face and felt a pang of sadness. He suppressed the urge to hug her.
"Can you please stop being angry with me? If it's like this every day, even I, with my patience, will be angered to death. Take pity on me, I feel so miserable. Just let me in."
Ge'er didn't believe him.
He had been having such a blast on Moments just now, and now he felt miserable?
"Do you even have a heart? Can someone without a heart feel miserable? At least try to make your lies believable, Shang Jincheng."
Shang Jincheng had been racking his brain for the past two days trying to appease her.
He had thought she might be at least a little touched, but tonight, when he invited her to dinner, she had rejected him outright.
He was a man, after all, and needed to save face in front of his friends. He left, swallowing his disappointment.