She gave a few perfunctory replies, saying she would consider the time, and then hurriedly hung up the phone.

The room was eerily quiet, and the air seemed to still carry the lingering smell of alcohol from the previous night.

Lu You slowly exhaled, unable to stay any longer. She grabbed her coat and car keys and decided to go out for a walk.

She wanted some fresh air, at least to escape this suffocating space.

Lu You drove to a wetland park on the outskirts of the city.

The air was crisp and cool in the early spring afternoon, and the lakeside had a desolate beauty.

She walked slowly along the lakeside boardwalk. The cold wind on her face cleared her mind and dispelled some of her dazedness.

As Lu You stood by the lake, gazing absently at the lake surface covered with a thin layer of ice, a female voice sounded behind her.

"Sister Lu You?"

Lu You turned around and saw Cheng Keke standing not far away, wearing a thick down jacket, her face reddened by the wind, and her eyes filled with worry and a hint of hesitation.

"Cheng Keke?" Lu You asked, somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here?"

“I…I heard you might come here to relax.” Cheng Keke stepped forward, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with her hands. “I came in place of my brother.”

Lu You's heart sank slightly, but her face remained expressionless.

"Why did he send you here? To tell me not to feel guilty and to get a divorce as soon as possible?"

Cheng Keke hurriedly explained, "I wanted to come and talk to you myself."

She paused, mustered her courage, and looked up at Lu You, her eyes slightly red. "Sister Lu You, I know I did a lot of immature things in the past. My brother did many wrong things, and so did my mother. They caused you a lot of pressure and hurt, but now he's like this..."

Her voice choked with sobs: "The doctor said his condition is not good, and he himself has little will to live. Sister Lu You, I beg you, please promise my brother that you will divorce him and then go to Mr. Fu to start a new life."

"My brother truly wants you to be happy. He doesn't want to be a burden to you. If you let go, maybe he can feel more at ease..."

Cheng Keke's words were earnest and humble, a plea from the bottom of her heart.

She genuinely felt sorry for Cheng Zhou, and naively believed that as long as Lu You left according to her brother's wishes, Cheng Zhou would have less to worry about and suffer from.

Lu You listened quietly, feeling a tightness and pain in her chest, as if something was blocking her heart.

Even Cheng Keke came to advise her to let go.

It seems Cheng Zhou is determined to push her away.

Looking at the girl in front of her, who had once been her nemesis but now pleaded for her brother with tears in her eyes, a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in her heart.

Lu You shook her head, her tone weary yet resolute.

“Coco, thank you for telling me all this, but whether to get a divorce or not, and who I’m with, is my own business. It shouldn’t be decided by your brother’s illness, nor should anyone make that decision for me. I’m very confused right now and need time to think things through.”

Seeing Cheng Keke's disappointed and helpless expression, she finally softened.

"I'll visit your brother again when I have time. You should go back now; it's cold outside."

Cheng Keke opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing Lu You's clearly distant attitude of refusing to talk anymore, she swallowed her words in the end.

She said softly, "Okay, take care, Sister Lu You."

After saying that, she left, turning back every few steps.

After seeing Cheng Keke off, Lu You lost interest in taking a walk and turned to go outside to get her car.

However, it seems destined that she will not find peace today.

Cheng Keke returned, supporting someone as she came over.

Another person she least wanted to see at that moment.

Mrs. Cheng.

Mrs. Cheng had clearly been waiting for her here on purpose.

Compared to Cheng Keke, her attitude was more direct and even carried a touch of habitual assertiveness.

“Lu You,” Madam Cheng called out to her, getting straight to the point, “Let’s talk.”

Lu You stopped and looked at her patiently: "Mrs. Cheng, I think there's nothing more to talk about between us. I will handle the divorce."

“I’m not here to urge you to get a divorce,” Mrs. Cheng interrupted her, looking at Lu You with a complicated expression. “I’m here to apologize for what happened before.”

This surprised Lu You. She raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for Madam Cheng to continue.