Chapter 6 "Shen Shuangmiao, You've Had an Extramarital Affair"
Zhu Jin's clothes quickly disappeared through the doorway.
Shen Shuangmiao didn't see his reaction, but she was certain he had heard those words.
The private room was completely silent.
The chandelier cast dappled light and shadows, and everyone turned to look at Chen Shuangmiao.
Various gossipy and shocked glances were cast at him.
Shen Shuangmiao's face was calm, but her hands were trembling slightly.
After two years apart, everyone assumed she and Zhu Jin were very happy together.
It's normal to be shocked when you suddenly hear this news.
However, the unexpected expressions on everyone's faces made Shen Shuangmiao feel uncomfortable.
If anyone firmly believes that she and Zhu Jin will never be separated, it is herself.
Two years ago, she held Zhu Jin's hand and introduced her boyfriend to everyone with their fingers intertwined.
Two years later, she went through forced marriage, marriage, and divorce, and was all alone.
Even Shen Shuangmiao herself felt a pang of regret.
"The reason for the divorce was incompatibility. Don't take it too seriously, it's in the past. Let's eat."
Shen Shuangmiao wore a polite smile, as if what she had just announced was just a trivial matter.
She finished speaking and sat down.
Fu Xuan sat to her right, his gaze falling on the taut lines of her profile, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
The private room remained as if it had been muted.
"Miaomiao, you're not kidding, are you?" Luoluo broke the silence first. "You've been dating for five years, how can you say you're incompatible? If you weren't compatible, you would have broken up long ago."
"That's right, President Zhu is so outstanding..." someone whispered in agreement.
Shen Shuangmiao tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"If it's not a good match, it's not a good match. We parted amicably, so please don't ask any more questions." She said casually, then tilted her head back and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
The classmates who had been chatting with her just moments before quietly withdrew.
Luo Luo hesitated, wanting to speak but not daring to ask anything.
Only Fu Xuan's hand rested steadily on the back of her chair, silently conveying his support.
"I'm going to the restroom."
When Shen Shuangmiao stood up, she clearly felt the gazes of those around her as if they were thorns in her back.
Her former close classmates now look at her as if she's being evaluated as a depreciated commodity.
Shen Shuang let out a breath and turned to leave.
As soon as she disappeared through the door, she heard whispers behind her, deliberately kept to herself.
"I heard that Zhu Jin can't forget his ex-fiancée..."
"We only got together because we were pressured into marriage, it was only a matter of time."
"Her studio probably won't get any more projects in the future, so why should we try to please her?"
Shen Shuangmiao pursed her lips and left.
She stood in front of the sink, turned on the tap, and let the cold water wash over her wrists, but it couldn't wash away the pent-up frustration in her heart.
These people's attitudes have clearly changed.
Without the halo of the Zhu Group, Shen Shuangmiao is nothing.
Even former classmates wouldn't give her a second glance.
"Are you alright?" Fu Xuan appeared in the hallway outside the restroom at some point, holding her coat in his hand.
"No." Shen Shuangmiao forced a smile. "I just suddenly realized what 'the tea cools when the person leaves' means."
Ignore those people.
Fu Xuan handed her a tissue. "Once you leave university and enter society, people's minds are no longer pure. Seeking advantage and avoiding harm and treating people differently based on their status are instinctive. Don't let them influence you."
Shen Shuangmiao took the tissue, a warm feeling flowing through her heart.
Fu Xuan was probably the only one whose attitude didn't change because she married Zhu Jin.
He simply remained a quiet classmate and friend to her, even though he had once protected her and saved her reputation. He never specifically sought out her for anything in return or asked her to repay his kindness.
"Let's go."
Shen Shuangmiao perked up: "I originally attended the gathering to announce this news."
She returned home completely at ease.
Everyone was chatting and seemed not to notice her presence.
Throughout the entire gathering, no one took the initiative to speak to Shen Shuangmiao again, as if she had suddenly been labeled "dangerous and unapproachable".
With Zhu Jin's formidable reputation looming over them, no one wanted to be tainted by his bad luck.
Shen Shuangmiao sadly discovered that even Luo Luo was barely paying attention to her anymore. No matter how optimistic she was, she still felt a little down.
She left with Fu Xuan.
The elevator doors closed, shutting those people out.
Shen Shuangmiao leaned against the cold elevator, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted.
"I'll take you home." Fu Xuan pressed the button.
"No need, I'll call a car myself."
She smiled and said, "You've already gone to so much trouble for me today."
"Wonderful."
Fu Xuan suddenly became serious and said, "Starting tomorrow, I will be an employee of your studio, and I will be responsible for the boss's safety."
She paused for a moment, then chuckled: "You really want to come to my little temple?"
"The contract is already signed." Fu Xuan blinked. "Don't even think about going back on your word."
The elevator arrived at the first floor.
The two were still chatting and laughing.
The moment the elevator doors opened, Shen Shuangmiao suddenly felt a cold, malicious gaze fall upon her.
She paused for a moment, then looked ahead as if sensing something.
On the sofa in the lobby lounge, Zhu Jin was leaning back smoking, a crimson glow flickering between his slender fingers.
He wasn't wearing a tie, his collar was casually open, and he exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay.
His eyes suddenly turned cold when he saw the two people stepping out of the elevator side by side.
Zhu Jin stubbed out his cigarette and stood up.
He was a head taller than Fu Xuan, and when their eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.
Shen Shuangmiao suddenly felt the air around her thin. She subconsciously took half a step back.
This subtle movement, leaning towards Fu Xuan, did not escape Zhu Jin's eyes.
He sneered, "We've known each other for so long, and now you're starting to be afraid of me?"
Shen Shuangmiao pursed her lips: "No."
She just didn't expect Zhu Jin to speak to her.
"President Zhu." Fu Xuan stepped forward, blocking Shen Shuangmiao's path. "We're going back now, shall we come together?"
Zhu Jin's gaze passed over Fu Xuan and pierced straight at Shen Shuangmiao.
"You just announced your divorce and you can't wait to go home with your old classmate? Shen Shuangmiao, you've really opened my eyes."
Shen Shuangmiao's fingertips felt cold, and her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.
Throughout their seven-year marriage, Zhu Jin had always been indifferent to her, but at this moment he displayed unprecedented aggression.
"My affairs are none of your business." She heard her own voice unusually calm. "The divorce agreement has already been signed. Mr. Zhu, do you have the right to question me?"
Zhu Jin scoffed, "Yes, I don't care how much you flirt with each other, but I'm amazed by your seamless transition."
These words were like a knife, stabbing deeply into Shen Shuangmiao's heart.
Her face was deathly pale, her lips trembled, and she regretted her poor communication skills.
Fu Xuan's face darkened. "President Zhu, what nonsense are you spouting? Shuangmiao, we..."
“Fu Xuan,” Shen Shuangmiao interrupted him, “no need to explain to him, let’s go.”
Zhu Jin's eyes were sinister: "What, you don't dare let him finish? Shen Shuangmiao, we haven't gotten our divorce certificate yet."
"Strictly speaking, this constitutes marital infidelity."
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