You're already divorced, why are you so anxious about him becoming a succubus?

Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of this Western restaurant.

Shen Man sat on the soft leather sofa. Even with her exquisite makeup, she couldn't hide the weariness and exhaustion that emanated from her very being.

Holding a glass of warm water in both hands, she recalled the scene from the previous night at the bar, where she hysterically questioned Lu Ci in front of so many high school classmates, only to flee in a pathetic state like a clown. An awkward embarrassment involuntarily appeared on her face.

Today, she didn't even want to leave her room; she just wanted to lock herself in her quiet home.

However, Gu Mingxuan contacted her and said he had booked a reservation at this restaurant that is very difficult to book.

Thinking of how awkward Gu Mingxuan looked standing behind her in the bar yesterday, Shen Man felt a pang of guilt, which made her force herself to keep the appointment.

She didn't sleep well at all last night after returning from the bar.

During the day, he was like a soulless puppet, sitting blankly in the cold living room, constantly replaying everything that had happened during this period.

Only now did Shen Man painfully realize that Lu Ci's resolute proposal for divorce was not out of spite, nor was it a strategic retreat.

He had truly given up and was truly ready to leave her completely!

What made her feel even more desperate and suffocated was that she discovered that in this four-year marriage, the one who couldn't live without the other person was not Lu Ci, but herself.

"Manman, is there anything else we need to add?"

Gu Mingxuan, holding a menu, interrupted Shen Man's thoughts.

"No need, just keep an eye on things," Shen Man replied absentmindedly.

The dishes were quickly brought out by a staff member pushing a food cart.

Gu Mingxuan picked up the decanter and poured a glass of red wine into the stemmed glass in front of Shen Man.

Seeing the crimson liquid, Shen Man suddenly realized what was happening and waved her hand apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mingxuan, I drank too much at the bar yesterday, and my stomach is still upset. I won't drink today."

Gu Mingxuan, with a gentle and tolerant demeanor, nodded: "Okay, since your stomach isn't feeling well, then you won't drink it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Mingxuan suddenly put down the napkin in his hand, and his hand secretly reached into his suit pocket, taking out an exquisite velvet jewelry box.

He looked at Shen Man across from him, his eyes instantly becoming deep and passionate: "Manman, actually, the reason I asked you out today is because there's something important I want to tell you."

Under Shen Man's astonished gaze, Gu Mingxuan slowly opened the velvet box.

A large carat diamond ring lay quietly inside, reflecting a dazzling light under the crystal chandelier in the private room.

"Manman, I like you." Gu Mingxuan's voice was affectionate: "Over the years, our lives have gone from being separated in our youth to meeting again today. This is definitely a destiny ordained by God."

You should have seen my determination and sincerity during this time together. Let me take care of you, and stay with me!

Shen Man was completely stunned.

She sat there blankly, staring at the sparkling diamond ring, her mind completely blank, utterly panicked.

How could this happen so suddenly?!

Should I really agree to marry him? To face this face every day and spend the rest of my life with him?

Do not!

Almost the instant the thought popped into her head, Shen Man felt a strong resistance from the depths of her heart!

In her mind, Gu Mingxuan's gentle and refined face gradually blurred, and in its place was the image of his back as he wore an apron and cooked soup for her in the kitchen.

It was the man who closed his eyes and sang "Later" with deep emotion under the spotlight... Lu Ci's image became clearer and larger in her mind, eventually occupying her entire mind.

Only at this moment did Shen Man finally realize a fact in despair.

It turns out that Lu Ci had already taken root in her heart.

It turns out that over the past four years, it wasn't just Lu Ci who loved her; she also deeply loved that man!

Seeing that Shen Man didn't speak, Gu Mingxuan assumed that she had tacitly agreed.

A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes. He immediately stood up, walked to Shen Man's side, grabbed her fair and slender hand, and made as if to slip the diamond ring onto her ring finger.

Just as the cold ring was about to touch her fingertip, Shen Man reacted as if she had been electrocuted, and quickly pulled her hand back!

"I'm sorry... Mingxuan..."

Shen Man's face was pale, her eyes filled with panic and sincere apology.

She stammered, "Actually... you're really a very good person..."

"But I finally faced my own heart." Shen Man bit her red lips, her eyes brimming with tears, and resolutely shook her head.

"I love Lu Ci, I still love him. If I were to stay with you now just to escape from this situation, it would be so unfair to you, and it would be betraying your feelings. I'm sorry!"

Gu Mingxuan's hand, holding the ring, froze in mid-air.

His gentle demeanor froze instantly, and then an unpleasant, ashen color quickly spread across his face.

He roared inwardly: "Damn it! For the past two weeks, I've been groveling before you like a dog, serving you hand and foot, and now you're telling me you still can't forget that good-for-nothing gigolo?!"

Looking at Gu Mingxuan's unpleasant expression, Shen Man felt as if the air in the private room was so oppressive that she couldn't breathe.

She grabbed her bag in a panic and hurried out, saying, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

After escaping the private room, Shen Man lowered her head and quickly walked through the corridor towards the restroom.

Her mind was in turmoil.

How did things turn out this way?

Looking back now, I feel like I was possessed by a ghost lately.

Gu Mingxuan's appearance drove Lu Ci, who loved her the most, to the brink of divorce.

Now Lu Ci is surrounded by beautiful women and doesn't even glance at her anymore.

When Gu Mingxuan suddenly confessed his feelings to her, she coldly rejected him.

"What are you doing, Shen Man! You've messed everything up!" Shen Man cursed herself inwardly.

Just as she was about to reach the corner of the hall, her peripheral vision was suddenly drawn to two familiar figures by the window.

She suddenly stopped in her tracks.

There, Shen Nian happily cut the steak on her plate.

Because she ate too quickly, a smear of black pepper sauce accidentally got on the corner of her delicate mouth.

Seeing this, Lu Ci, who was sitting opposite her, pointed to the corner of his mouth and gestured for her to wipe it.

Shen Nian pulled out a tissue, just about to wipe herself.

However, her movements suddenly stopped in mid-air.

The little girl blinked her clear, bright eyes mischievously, and two alluring blushes instantly appeared on her face.

Then, she boldly leaned forward slightly, bringing her delicate face directly in front of Lu Ci.

The meaning is clear: I need you to wipe it for me.

Lu Ci did not refuse this straightforward act of coquetry.

He smiled and took the tissue from Shen Nian's hand, gently wiping the sauce from the corner of her mouth.

Standing in the shadows at the corner, Shen Man watched this scene of deep affection and felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing her heart, making it hard for her to even breathe.

That was her tenderness, that was the man who once belonged only to her!

But now, that man's doting smile is reserved for her sister!

Shen Man could no longer hold back her tears and they streamed down her face.

She brought all of this upon herself! If it weren't for her willfulness, she would be sitting in that position right now.

Seeing the warm light in Lu Ci's eyes, Shen Man finally gave up completely.

She was certain that Lu Ci, who had once had eyes only for her, would never bow down to her again, and would never come back.

Shen Man hastily wiped away her tears; she had no appetite whatsoever.

All she wanted to do right now was escape this place and go home.

She turned back halfway and hurriedly walked back to the private room, preparing to say goodbye to Gu Mingxuan and leave.

Inside the private room.

Gu Mingxuan clasped his hands tightly together, his eyes fixed on the glass of red wine on Shen Man's seat opposite him, like a venomous snake.

Hearing the door open from the doorknob, the sinister look in Gu Mingxuan's eyes was instantly concealed by a perfect disguise.

He hurriedly stood up, a self-reproachful bitter smile on his face.

"Manman..."

Seeing Shen Man push the door open and enter, Gu Mingxuan spoke first, his tone sincere: "I was too hasty and didn't consider your feelings. I'm sorry. Just pretend that what happened just now didn't happen and don't feel guilty."

As he spoke, Gu Mingxuan picked up his wine glass and, with his other hand, took the glass of red wine from Shen Man's seat and handed it to her.

"I will continue to wait for you, until you resolve your inner conflict. Consider this drink my apology. After you finish this, I will take you home."

Shen Man looked at the red wine handed to her, a deep sense of apology flashing in her eyes.

"It's okay, Mingxuan, it's my fault."

Watching Gu Mingxuan readily down the wine in his glass, she guiltily accepted the stemmed glass.

Gu Mingxuan stood opposite her, watching Shen Man raise her long, slender, white neck and drink the red wine in her glass.

A flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes.

"Reject me?" Gu Mingxuan sneered inwardly. "Just wait for the drug to take effect, and once it's too late, let's see what you, the high and mighty eldest daughter of the Shen family, will do then!"

"When we get married, the company's financial problems will have to be covered by your Shen Group's funds."