Her almond-shaped eyes widened, fixed on the man's retreating back, her pupils trembling.
"What nonsense are you spouting? We're divorced! You signed the divorce certificate that day! Qin Yusheng! How could you—"
"The laws of this world are mere dog shit in my eyes, Zhao Shuyao. You are still my wife, Qin Yusheng's wife! I have the right to fulfill a husband's duties!"
The sound of the door slamming shut was deafening to Zhao Shuyao. The man's words echoed in her mind.
Impossible, how could this be? She had obtained the divorce certificate that day, how could it be...
She scrambled up in a panic, opened her computer, and checked her marital status.
Upon seeing the word "Married," Zhao Shuyao's limbs felt as if something had been drained from them. She collapsed onto the floor.
When Xu Ruyun entered, she pushed open the door, turned on the light, and immediately saw Zhao Shuyao prostrate on the floor.
"Oh dear, why are you lying on the floor? Get up quickly!"
Xu Ruyun hurried forward to help Zhao Shuyao up. As she did, she noticed that the girl's face was streaked with tears.
After lying in bed for a few days, Zhao Shuyao finally ventured out.
Xu Ruyun gave her a gold card, telling her she could swipe it for anything she wanted.
The driver took her to the most luxurious shopping mall in the capital. Stepping out of the car, Zhao Shuyao slowly walked into an international luxury brand store. Without even lifting her eyelids, she produced the gold card. "I'll take everything in the store."
The sales assistant, who had just approached, froze upon hearing Zhao Shuyao's words, completely stunned.
"What did you say?"
In all her years in sales, she had never encountered anyone wanting to buy out the entire store. This was a luxury boutique, not a roadside stall.
"I said, I'll take it all. Didn't you hear me? Is your hearing bad?"
The commotion attracted several other sales assistants.
"Madam, are you sure you want to purchase everything? Our individual items are tens of thousands, so the total price will be considerable."
"Take it all, everything."
Zhao Shuyao tossed out the gold card, not batting an eye.
She was spending Qin Yusheng's money, not her own. Why should she feel any heartache? She would be happy if Qin Yusheng went bankrupt, but she feared that even buying out this entire mall wouldn't bankrupt the Qin family. It was merely a drop in the ocean.
The moment the sales assistants saw the gold card, their eyes lit up. A group of them busied themselves, eagerly packing for Zhao Shuyao.
Zhao Shuyao sat in the VIP reception area, legs crossed, leisurely watching the sales assistants pack her clothes.
When Huo Yanxue walked into the store, she saw that all the sales assistants were busy and no one came to greet her. Incensed, she marched directly into the VIP reception area, only to see a familiar figure.
The clamor drew Zhao Shuyao's attention.
She glanced towards the entrance and saw Huo Yanxue walking into the VIP reception area.
"Zhao Shuyao?! It's different when you're carrying the Dragon's Seed. Now you're frequenting luxury stores to buy things for yourself, buying so much at once, with so many people serving you. Do you feel incredibly pleased deep down?! You stole my man, you must be so smug, right!"
Zhao Shuyao placed her index finger to her lips.
She signaled for Huo Yanxue to be quiet.
"There's something I don't want to tell you. Before I do, you'd better restrain yourself. I'm in a good mood today!"
"Don't want to tell me? Zhao Shuyao, you're really living the high life now, and you dare to threaten me! When have I ever been afraid of you!"
Huo Yanxue clenched her fists in anger, trembling all over.
If it weren't for Zhao Shuyao's interference, how could she have lost face in front of Qin family relatives and friends? How could she have been publicly humiliated? It was all Zhao Shuyao's doing!
Her anger had been simmering for the past two days. She had even hired a Taoist priest to curse Zhao Shuyao, wishing for her to miscarry!
"Stop dreaming of being a young lady of a wealthy family. Do you know that Qin Yusheng, to avoid marrying you, never actually divorced me? Guess what? Qin Yusheng and I are still legally married. I tried every way to get a divorce, but the man you claim to love, tried every way to prevent our divorce... Hahaha..."
Zhao Shuyao laughed wildly, her eyes filled with intense provocation and mockery!
Huo Yanxue's eyes widened, and she stumbled back a few steps. "You're lying!"
"Good sister, when has your sister ever deceived you? If you don't believe me, go ask Qin Yusheng yourself!"
Zhao Shuyao found it amusing that this fool, Huo Yanxue, was also being kept in the dark by Qin Yusheng.
Zhao Shuyao seemed to find it funny, tugging at the corner of her mouth. "It's pathetic that you lay in bed for three years, only to end up paving the way for someone else. The man who claimed to love you refused to divorce me to marry you. Even the divorce was a lie, all false!"
As if intentionally trying to provoke Huo Yanxue, Zhao Shuyao did not hide her sarcasm and smugness.
Huo Yanxue trembled even more violently, her face draining of color.
The next moment, just as Zhao Shuyao expected Huo Yanxue to lash out, Huo Yanxue suddenly collapsed to the ground with a thud, losing consciousness.
Zhao Shuyao took half a step back, staring at the unconscious Huo Yanxue in surprise.
She took out her phone and dialed for an ambulance.
When Qin Yusheng arrived at the hospital, he seemed to have just finished a busy day, looking travel-worn with a hint of fatigue etched on his brow.
Upon seeing Zhao Shuyao standing outside the hospital room, his eyes darkened, and he quickened his pace.
Zhao Shuyao caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. Leaning against the wall, she let out a disdainful, flippant laugh.
"You're finally here. If you were any later, your little lover would be dead."
"This is a hospital. Don't make me lay a hand on you."
The man stopped, and as he lowered his gaze, the coldness in his eyes felt like frost and snow, cascading down and striking Zhao Shuyao.
Zhao Shuyao was already numb. She forced a smile, her expression not quite reaching her eyes. "If you truly love her, you should divorce me and marry her!"
"My affairs are none of anyone's business, including yours!"
The man turned and entered the hospital room, not even willing to spare her another word.
Zhao Shuyao stood outside the door, looking at Qin Yusheng through the window.
The way the man looked at Huo Yanxue was clearly so gentle, and the way he held Huo Yanxue's hand was so soft.
Huo Yanxue slowly regained consciousness, appearing fragile and helpless, her eyes red-rimmed, like a white rabbit, evoking pity.
She threw herself into the man's arms, burying her face in his chest, tears streaming down her face.
"Yusheng, Sister Zhao Shuyao told me you aren't divorced. Why? Why did you lie to me? You promised you would marry me! You promised you would make me the happiest bride in the world! Why did you do this, why..."
Huo Yanxue's accusations, tear by tear, dampened the man's shirt.
The man's thin lips were tightly pressed together, and he remained silent.
From this angle, Zhao Shuyao could only see the man's chiseled profile, his deep-set eyes and high nose, his handsome features. Even just his profile was breathtakingly beautiful. Even his back could stir the imagination.