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Startled by the commotion in the hallway, the housekeeper, Aunt Liu, came out of her room, put on her coat, and asked, "Sir, Madam... is something wrong?"
Her words abruptly stopped when she saw the empty box in Lin Ruoyin's hand and the tense atmosphere between the two. Her gaze fell on the empty velvet lining, and Aunt Liu's face turned pale instantly, her sleepiness vanishing without a trace.
"Madam..." Her voice trembled noticeably.
Lin Ruoyin and Lu Yan turned to look at her at the same time. Lu Yan frowned, his eyes filled with unresolved confusion and displeasure at being wrongly accused, while Lin Ruoyin's gaze was sharp as a knife, instantly locking onto the unconcealed panic on Liu Sao's face.
"Sister Liu," Lin Ruoyin's voice was even colder than before, "what did you see?"
Aunt Liu instinctively tried to avoid her gaze, her heart trembling.
Seeing this, Lin Ruoyin asked in a deep voice, "Aunt Liu, what exactly happened?"
Aunt Liu clenched her hands tightly, flustered and incoherent. "I...I just...I was doing a big cleaning this afternoon, and I took the whole drawer out to wash it, and I took out all the boxes inside to dust them...I...I saw that the jewelry was all shiny and I knew it was very valuable, so I didn't dare to touch it...I...I saw this box..." She looked at the empty box in Lin Ruoyin's hand, her voice getting softer and softer, "The necklace inside doesn't look...that valuable...I just had a moment of weakness and thought...thought I'd try it on."
Lin Ruoyin's face appeared even paler under the light. "And then?"
"I... I was probably too nervous when I put it on, and my hand slipped, and the chain... the chain broke by accident..." Aunt Liu's voice was filled with fear and regret. "I really didn't mean to! When I saw the chain was broken, I was terrified! I quickly put it away, thinking, thinking I'd find a place to get it fixed as soon as possible, and put it back without anyone noticing... You probably wouldn't even notice..."
"You took it to be repaired?" Lin Ruoyin took a step forward, getting closer to Aunt Liu. "Where was it repaired? What's the pickup receipt?"
Her imposing presence made Liu Sao almost unable to breathe. Liu Sao hurriedly nodded, turned around and ran back to her room. A moment later, she came out with a red A5-sized receipt and handed it to Lin Ruoyin with both hands.
"It's that old Chen's gold and silver shop on the street corner. The owner said that it takes some time to process these old silver items, and the earliest I can pick them up is tomorrow afternoon."
Lin Ruoyin took the receipt and looked at the words "One Moonstone Silver Chain, Connection and Cleaning" on it. She slowly raised her eyes and looked at Liu Sao's face, which was full of guilt and fear.
“Sister Liu,” it wasn’t Lin Ruoyin who spoke, but Lu Yan, who had figured everything out and whose voice was calm without a ripple, yet sent chills down the spines of those who heard him, “You don’t need to come tomorrow. I’ll have the finance department settle your salary for this month.”
Aunt Liu was struck dumb, and she looked up abruptly: "I...I know I was wrong! I really didn't mean it! I promise I'll never do it again!"
"That's enough," Lu Yan interrupted her. "Tomorrow morning, pack your things and leave."
After saying that, he stopped looking at anyone, including Lin Ruoyin, and turned to walk back to his room.
With a soft "bang," the door closed behind him.
Aunt Liu looked at Lin Ruoyin pleadingly, and Lin Ruoyin turned around and went back to her room.
...
The next morning, Lin Ruoyin got up very early, or rather, she had hardly slept all night.
When Lu Yan came downstairs, she was already sitting at the dining table, a glass of almost untouched milk in front of her. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and met his gaze.
A subtle and awkward atmosphere hung in the air, the aftershocks of last night's unpleasantness not yet completely dissipated.
Lin Ruoyin put down her cutlery, stood up, and walked towards Lu Yan. She stopped two steps away from him, her tone earnest and apologetic: "Lu Yan, I'm sorry about what happened last night. I apologize to you."
Lu Yan stopped and looked at her face. Her apology was genuine, but behind it seemed to highlight the invisible, insurmountable chasm between them.
A bitter feeling swept through him, but his face remained expressionless. He simply gave a faint "hmm," his voice somewhat distant: "It's nothing. Just a misunderstanding."
He walked past her and headed towards the entrance, seemingly not intending to linger.
"Are you going out?" Lin Ruoyin asked, looking at the bag in Lu Yan's hand.
"Yes, I'm going on a business trip for a few days." Lu Yan didn't turn around, his voice calm. "I'm going to the south to check out some newly expanded channels."
Lin Ruoyin watched his retreating figure and finally simply replied, "Okay, be careful on the road."
"Hmm." Lu Yan opened the door, and his figure quickly disappeared outside. The sound of an engine starting up rose and then gradually faded into the distance.
...
Lu Yan went to a coastal city in the south. There was no fast pace or ubiquitous commercialism in Shanghai. The air was humid and the sea breeze was salty. He stayed in a secluded hotel by the sea. During the day, he handled some non-urgent business, but most of the time he wandered aimlessly on the beach or sat on the hotel terrace, watching the tides rise and fall.
He tried to sort out his thoughts, but only felt a chaotic mess. Lin Ruoyin's distraught state over an old necklace was like a thorn stuck in his heart. He had once thought that as long as he grew, changed, became better and more responsible, time would give her the answer and give him a chance. He even began to enjoy the genuine concern and dependence that gradually emerged from that "playing the part," fantasizing that perhaps they could really "take it for real."
But now he clearly realized that some things cannot be changed by effort and time. Her heart had always been occupied by someone else. No matter whether that person hurt her or distanced himself from her, he always held an irreplaceable place in her heart. That necklace was the most direct evidence.
And no matter how well he plays the role of a qualified husband, no matter how much effort and change he makes, in her heart, he will probably always just be... a comrade-in-arms who occasionally bothers her and crosses the line.
Lu Yan felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness and frustration, even more so than when he faced Xu Jia's business attacks.
As he wandered alone through the shopping street near the hotel, his mind in turmoil, a familiar figure suddenly caught his eye.
Lu Yan looked at the girl who had just walked out of a dessert shop not far away with some surprise. Although she was a bit more mature than he remembered, the radiance in her eyes made him recognize her at a glance.
Lin Ruomeng clearly saw him too. She paused, a hint of panic flashing across her face. She instinctively tried to turn around and avoid him, but it was too late.
Lu Yan strode over.
"Ruomeng?"
"...Hello." Lin Ruomeng forced an awkward smile, still holding the cake box she had just bought. "Brother-in-law."
"When did you return to China?" Lu Yan looked at her suspiciously. "And what are you doing here? It doesn't seem like it's school holiday time right now."
Lin Ruomeng was speechless, her eyes darting around, clearly frantically trying to come up with an excuse.
Lu Yan didn't give Lin Ruomeng much time to fabricate a lie, staring at her and asking, "Does your sister know you're in China?"
Upon hearing the words "your sister," Lin Ruomeng's expression changed visibly. She glanced around nervously and said, "Oh, I was just bored outside, so I came back to play for a bit."
Lu Yan continued to stare at her.
Lin Ruomeng: "Really."
Lu Yan: "Did nothing happen to you outside?"
Lin Ruomeng: "No."
Lu Yan narrowed his eyes.
The two stared at each other for a moment.
Lin Ruomeng changed the subject, saying, "Brother-in-law, um... could you please not tell my sister that you saw me here?"
"Why?"
"..."
“If you tell me the truth, I won’t be able to help you keep it from your sister.”
Lin Ruomeng looked conflicted, then her shoulders slumped as she said, "Okay, okay, I trust your character, that's why I'm telling you the truth. You absolutely, absolutely cannot tell my sister, okay?"
Lu Yan did not agree immediately: "You speak first."
Lin Ruomeng hesitated for a few seconds before slowly saying, "I... I came back because I went to see Xu Jia."
Lu Yan's pupils suddenly contracted.
Lin Ruomeng told Lu Yan about how she had stormed into the Mohe Building a few days ago, angrily accusing Xu Jia, and how her sister had only agreed to the marriage to save the Lin family.
Lu Yan listened quietly, his expression shifting from initial shock to a complex understanding, and finally settling into a deep, somber look.
I see.
This is the reason why Xu Jia suddenly resigned and disappeared.
The sea breeze carries a salty, damp scent.
Seeing that Lu Yan remained silent for a long time, his expression shifting, Lin Ruomeng couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "You just promised me, right? You won't tell my sister, will you?"
Lu Yan snapped out of his reverie, glanced at her, his gaze complex. He finally spoke, "Well, I won't tell your sister."
Lin Ruomeng patted her chest in relief, and then asked, "By the way, what are you doing here?"
Lu Yan was mostly thinking about how to get along with Lin Ruoyin after taking a breather, but at this moment he was in a daze, wondering if... it was really necessary.
He didn't say much to Lin Ruomeng: "On a business trip."
"Oh." Lin Ruomeng glanced at her phone. "I made an appointment with a friend. She studies here, and she just finished class. Should I go find her?"
Looking at Lin Ruomeng's eyes, which were so similar to Lin Ruoyin's and were now full of innocence, Lu Yan thought of Lin Ruoyin's eyes, which were always shrouded in gloom.
"Brother-in-law?"
When are you going back to your own school?
"……soon!"
Lu Yan frowned: "Make a video call when you get back to school, and then I'll decide whether to tell your sister."
"Oh dear, why are you like this? You just promised you wouldn't say anything." Lin Ruomeng decided to talk less with Lu Yan, and said while bouncing backward, "I'm not talking to you. Anyway, you can't tell my sister. I'm leaving. Bye-bye-bye."
Lu Yan didn't say anything more, he just stood there and watched Lin Ruomeng's figure disappear into the bustling street.
For the next two days, Lu Yan was completely unable to focus on work. He locked himself in his hotel room, gazing at the sea outside the window, lost in thought for a very long time. Until his assistant called—
"Mr. Lu, we've investigated everything. The real recommenders and credit backers behind the three key financing deals that Lu's Group has secured in the past few months all came from Mohe. The reason why several creditors collectively changed their attitude in a short period of time and accepted the debt restructuring plan was also because they received mediation from the Mohe-affiliated fund. As for 'Yinsheng' Studio being able to obtain a direct entry to the Paris International Jewelry Fair, it was the result of a joint recommendation and guarantee from several senior members of the French Arts and Crafts Association. We checked the recent schedules and contact records of those members, and they all met with Mr. Zhou Hui of Mohe Technology."
Lu Yan listened in silence.
The assistant paused, then continued, "Furthermore, the key equipment supplier that had previously imposed a technology blockade on us suddenly relented and agreed to provide upgrade components at cost price. This was facilitated by Mr. Zhou Hui, who, as a third-party investment institution, acquired a portion of the supplier's equity."
Lu Yan's heart sank little by little, yet it also seemed to be supported by something, slowly rising with a sense of knowing emptiness.
He was too arrogant, thinking that all of this was just luck and coincidence that fell from the sky.
"I understand." Lu Yan's voice was a little dry. "There's no need to investigate any further. Let's stop here."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Yan paused for a moment, walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling among the ice balls. He didn't drink it, but simply carried the glass back to the window.
The sunlight reflecting off the sea dazzled Lu Yan.
He closed his eyes to avoid it, and for a moment a similar luster flashed through his mind.
Moonstone necklace.
He had once suspected that Xu Jia had given it to him, and was consumed by jealousy over it. Now he was almost certain.
A necklace that wasn't expensive, and was even a bit old, could throw the usually calm and composed Lin Ruoyin into a panic, almost to the point of tears. It could only have been given to her by Xu Jia.
It was the only connection she had secretly kept between herself and the person who had disappeared. That's why she couldn't control herself when she saw it vanish along with the donor.
Water droplets slid down the side of the whiskey glass, wetting Lu Yan's fingertips and making him feel a chill.
Xu Jia, who was doing everything behind the scenes, clearly had Lin Ruoyin in his heart as well.
...
Lu Yan tilted his head back and downed the cold liquor in one gulp. The spicy sensation burned from his throat all the way to his stomach, but it made his mind unusually clear.
It's time to go back.
It was already quite late when Lu Yan returned to Shanghai. He went home and found Lin Ruoyin wasn't there, so he went instead to the old-fashioned building where her studio was located.
The streetlights downstairs cast a warm yellow glow, and light also streamed through the windows of the studio upstairs. Lu Yan stood across the street, gazing at that window, for a long time.
Suddenly, I felt a lot of reluctance.
He remembered many things.
He recalled how Lin Ruoyin always accompanied him to banquets as "Mrs. Lu".
He recalled how Lin Ruoyin patiently taught him business principles as an older sister.
Looking back over the years, they have consistently lived up to the words "Happy cooperation" they exchanged when they first met five years ago.
When recalling the various unexpected events, Lin Ruoyin remained calm, focused, seemingly tireless, and resilient in her hard work.
...
A bittersweet feeling welled up in my eyes.
Lu Yan took a deep breath, composed himself, lifted his foot, crossed the street, and entered the small building.
Hearing footsteps, Lin Ruoyin looked up and saw it was him. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she stood up.
"You're back?"
"Um."
Perhaps Lu Yantai was hesitant to speak, or perhaps she noticed he wasn't carrying the bag he'd brought with him when he left, suggesting he'd gone home or to the company before coming to the studio specifically to find her.
Lin Ruoyin realized that Lu Yan had something to say to her, so she just looked at him and waited for him to speak.
Lu Yan's eyes gradually welled up with tears. He smiled and asked Lin Ruoyin, "Are you free tomorrow afternoon?"
Lin Ruoyin asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Lu Yan: "Let's hold a press conference tomorrow afternoon."
Lin Ruoyin: "A public briefing? What's the topic?"
"Ruoyin," Lu Yan said after a moment of silence, "let's get a divorce."
Lin Ruoyin's expression went blank for a few seconds, as if she hadn't understood what he was saying. She blinked, her brows furrowing slightly: "...What?"
"We're getting a divorce." Lu Yan repeated, his voice steady, his eyes devoid of any hint of jest or testing. "Let's end this marriage."
Several more seconds passed.
Lin Ruoyin's voice was full of confusion: "What's the reason?"
Lu Yan: "The reason is that you are a good person."
Lin Ruoyin: "..."
“I’ve thought about it seriously.” He took two steps closer, his gaze meeting hers, which was momentarily stunned into silence. “You deserve to love the person you truly love openly and honestly.”
Lin Ruoyin stared at him blankly.
Then, her eyes gradually began to redden.
However, although Lin Ruoyin was puzzled, shocked, and her eyes were red, she did not say "no".
Lu Yan lowered his head and smiled bitterly. He took a step forward, reached out, and gently hugged Lin Ruoyin. With sincere gratitude and a sense of relief, he whispered in her ear, "It's been a pleasure working with you for the past five years. You've really worked hard."
He released her, took a step back, looked into her eyes, and smiled warmly from the bottom of his heart.
I wish you happiness, true happiness.
Lin Ruoyin finally couldn't hold back her tears, which quietly streamed down her face.
“Lu Yan…”
Lu Yan smiled and shook his head, raising his hand as if to wipe away her tears, but his hand paused in mid-air before he withdrew it.
"Don't cry. Nothing has really changed. It's just that something that was fake to begin with has been publicly debunked. We'll still be friends, or rather... comrades-in-arms."
Lin Ruoyin knew it wasn't as easy as Lu Yan had made it out to be. A thousand words welled up in her heart, but in the end, they all boiled down to one sentence: "Lu Yan, thank you."
Lu Yan patted her shoulder reassuringly: "Lin Ruoyin, you're welcome."
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