After returning home with the child, her ex-husband knelt down and gently coaxed her.

The golden sunlight gradually turned orange as it slowly set behind the towering office buildings in the west.

As the sun sets and the streetlights come on, the streets are ablaze with light.

A woman sat quietly by the window in the coffee shop, with half a glass of water in her cup.

During this time, a waiter came over to ask her if she needed more water, and she gently shook her head.

Even as the sky outside the window turned as dark as ink, the seat opposite her remained empty.

......

Lu Xiyan's car was parked on the side of the road for three hours.

He sat in the car, smoking one cigarette after another, staring through the window at the figure by the coffee shop window.

The coffee shop he chose is located in the city center and has extremely high prices.

He wanted to see if someone who couldn't even afford 280 could afford coffee at a much higher price, or even more expensive desserts.

Sure enough, she didn't order anything for the entire afternoon, and only drank half a glass of water.

Ah!

Anning, how pathetic your life must be.

He watched her wait with cold indifference, second by second.

No one likes a long and endless wait, and he was no exception.

So, you should experience peace and tranquility for once.

......

The stylish wall clock already showed 9 p.m.

The waiter approached politely and asked, "Excuse me, miss, we're closing in fifteen minutes. Is there anything else you need?"

The cashier was already counting today's sales. Anning politely thanked them, "No need, thank you."

Just as she was about to get up and leave, she suddenly heard a "Welcome" at the door.

She quickly turned her head and met a pair of deep, cold, and unusually indifferent eyes.

The man was tall and handsome, yet his expression was cold.

A black suit makes him look even more noble and profound.

He stood there casually with one hand in his pocket, which was really too eye-catching.

An Ning's heart pounded uncontrollably.

He seems to have changed a lot.

In the past, Lu Xiyan always exuded a vibrant youthful energy.

It's cool and energetic.

He enjoys racing freely on the track, facing the wind, and rushing towards freedom, like a carefree little lion.

His eyes used to sparkle like stars.

She loved watching him smile; despite his cool features, his smile was sweet.

When he smiled, even the small mole between his eyebrows seemed to come alive.

Now, he is aloof, melancholic, and keeps people at arm's length.

Even her beautiful features were covered with a layer of cold, hard frost.

An Ning felt a dryness in her throat. Before she could say anything, the other person had already walked over and sat down opposite her.

His gaze was cold, icy, and held an ambiguous scrutiny.

An Ning suppressed the urge to greet him, bit her lip, and said, "Does your phone have battery? Show me your payment code, and I'll pay you."

"Ha!" Lu Xiyan stared at her lowered eyes and sneered, "Ms. An, can you afford to pay today?"

It was like a thorn that pierced Anning's heart.

It wasn't because of his mockery, but because of the title.

Miss......

He doesn't even want to call her by her name?

Indeed, to Lu Xiyan now, she is nothing more than one of many women among many others.

Although they had once been passionately in love.

Despite their passionate embraces, kisses, and unforgettable physical intimacy, they remained steadfast in their love.

Despite the promises they made before sunrise and the rings they exchanged under the fireworks.

Even though they had a marriage certificate...

But so what?

Yeah, so what?

"Give me the QR code for payment." An Ning ignored his mockery and took out her phone to remind him.

"I think I must have misremembered." Lu Xiyan naturally took out a shopping receipt from his wallet and placed it on the table. He pushed it towards An Ning with his two long, strong fingers. "This box of chocolates costs more than 280. I wonder if Ms. An can accept this price."

His voice was always pleasant, yet it carried an air of composure and confidence befitting a negotiator.

An Ning suddenly noticed the number on the shopping receipt and raised her voice in surprise, "Two thousand eight?"

When Anning saw the chocolate brand again, she finally understood why it was so expensive.

Collaboration with high-end luxury brands.

Six chocolates, 2,800!

If she had known this would happen, she would have rather fainted on the roadside than get into Lu Xiyan's car!

Even if a kind person takes you to the hospital for an IV drip, it won't cost more than 2,800!

A hint of embarrassment flashed across her fair and beautiful face, which was immediately noticed by the man opposite her.

"Can't you afford it, Ms. An?" he asked playfully. "It's alright if you can't afford it. This box of chocolates is what I use to do a good deed every day, to give to beggars in need on the street."

He stared at her trembling long eyelashes and said softly, "If you can't afford it, I'll consider it an act of charity."

An Ning's face turned pale. His words were undoubtedly telling her that, to him, she was no different from a beggar on the street.

After digging her fingertips into her palm for a moment, she released them, neatly folded the shopping receipt, and said softly, "Mr. Lu, I really can't afford two thousand eight today, but I'm not a beggar on the street."

She looked up and met Lu Xiyan's indifferent and deep eyes. "I'll keep the receipt. Consider it a purchase from you. I'll definitely pay you back another day."

Her eyelids were slightly red, but her tone and expression remained stubbornly defiant.

Lu Xiyan felt a tingling sensation in his chest as he heard her say thank you, "Mr. Lu, no matter what, thank you for the umbrella yesterday."

"No need." Lu Xiyan didn't deny that he bought the umbrella yesterday, and said in a nonchalant and flippant tone, "I just wanted to see how you penniless people struggle to survive in your predicament."

His deep, cold eyes stared directly at An Ning. "Like an ant, meaningless."

An Ning's shoulders trembled slightly, as if her bones had been removed, leaving her feeling empty and hollow.

Yes.

She has been like an ant all these years.

Huddled in an unfamiliar little place, living a slow life.

She lowered her eyes, her pale lips moved slightly, "Then... I won't bother you any longer."

She hurriedly grabbed her bag and prepared to leave.

Just as she stood up, the man called out to her, "Wait a minute."

"It's not that I don't trust Ms. An; after all, it's hard to trust someone with a criminal record. If Ms. An runs away without a word one day, who will I ask for my two thousand eight hundred?"

Lu Xiyan took out his phone and casually tossed it on the table. "Add me. Contact me when you need to pay back the money."

An Ning looked at the phone on the table; it contained his QR code.

My heart feels like it's being crushed.

An Ning realized that he was being sarcastic or veiled towards her.

It shattered her fragile self-esteem.

"Don't worry, Mr. Lu, I wouldn't run away for this money."

"Who knows?" Lu Xiyan raised his eyes, the corners of his eyes squinting upwards, his tone playful. "After all, some people will do anything for money, won't they?"