Chapter 46: Doesn't Madame Like Him Why Would She Want a Divorce

The moment the words fell, the banquet hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Even Shen Linyan's wife had personally stepped forward to confirm it. Did this matter need any further explanation?

"Looks like it's true..."

"The deeper you dig into the Shen family, the more you find. The Shen family heir and his own younger brother's wife... tsk, tsk, tsk."

"Looks like the headlines are going to change again."

"Before, they were saying the eldest young master couldn't keep an eye on his wife. Turns out it's actually the second young master. What a mess..."

Whispers erupted all around, every single comment heading exactly in the direction she had hoped for.

But at this moment, An Ling only found it noisy.

She even wanted to tell them to shut up.

She didn't dare to look into the man's eyes.

She couldn't face those eyes that were always gentle and smiling, now filled with absentmindedness and bewilderment.

Lowering her gaze, she put her hands back into her pockets, forced a smile, and enunciated every word:

"Shen Linyan, do you dare say you've never accepted anything from Zhou Wen before? Previously, Zhou Wen even served as your..."

The following words were too sharp and ugly. An Ling's gaze paused. She silently went over them in her mind but still couldn't bring herself to say them.

This level was enough.

Hearing this, Mother Shen's face completely darkened. "That is absolutely not true! An Ling, shut your mouth! In our Shen family, you are the only sl—"

"I have."

The man's soft, slow words instantly cut off all of Mother Shen's noise. She stared wide-eyed in sheer disbelief.

An Ling's eyelashes trembled, and she pressed her lips tightly together.

Shen Linyan slowly withdrew his outstretched hand, his fingertips curling tightly into a fist.

He slowly raised his head. The depths of his eyes were pitch-black, like a dead, silent pool. His voice was so light it was almost inaudible.

"I have accepted gifts from Zhou Wen."

Is this what his wife wanted...?

Just admitting it would be fine.

If he admitted it, his wife would be happy, and she would go home with him.

An Ling's hands in her pockets had long since clenched into fists.

She turned to look at Mother Shen and let out a cold laugh.

"Did you hear that? Still talking about birthdays, you should manage your own family affairs first. I, An Ling, no longer owe your Shen family anything. If we're going to divorce, then let's divorce. I haven't wronged anyone! At worst, we can just expose everything to the public together!"

After speaking, she turned around to leave.

But looking at the man standing in front of her, her eyelids twitched. She pursed her lips and stepped sideways to walk past him.

Shen Linyan looked down in a daze.

The hem of the girl's clothes brushed past his fingertips, and that sweet fragrance dissipated along with it, leaving only the bone-chilling cold of the night.

From the hall came Mother Shen's shrill curses, the guests' discussions, and even Shen Fuyuan's cautious inquiries.

But at this moment, all the sounds seemed to fade away.

Shen Linyan sluggishly raised his head, his eyes fixed only on the woman's retreating back.

His ears were buzzing, and his chest felt like it had been struck by a blunt object, a dull, aching pain spreading through it.

What did she mean by... divorce?

Didn't his wife like him? Why would she want a divorce?

He had clearly done everything a husband should do.

Why would she still want a divorce?

"Fuck, she just doesn't like you!!"

In a private room at a club, Gu Xiaochi subconsciously cried out in shock.

Realizing he had misspoken, he quickly covered his mouth. "No, Shen Linyan, why did you admit it! That woman was obviously using you on purpose!"

Using Shen Linyan to divert attention.

This way, everyone's eyes would be on Shen Linyan and Zhou Wen, and then that woman could beautifully fade into the background.

Even if they divorced, no one would think it was her fault.

If he hadn't been considerate of Shen Linyan's presence, Gu Xiaochi would have shouted: Indeed, nothing is more poisonous than a woman's heart!

To actually use Shen Linyan's feelings to extricate herself!

Wang Yihong, drinking on the side, didn't even dare to speak. He was clumsy with words and afraid of saying the wrong thing, so he could only frantically signal Liang Chen.

Suddenly hearing this news late at night, all of them were dumbfounded.

Shen Linyan, who had always schemed against others, had actually been schemed against by his own wife.

Most importantly, Shen Linyan had willingly jumped into this trap.

Now it was great. That old woman was going crazy with anger, and that old fox Shen Zhong also threw a huge fit when he found out.

Receiving the signal, Liang Chen also indicated he was powerless, his gaze shifting to the other side of the sofa.

The man was hunched over, sunken into the sofa, his elbows resting on his knees, a few strands of hair falling over his forehead.

His usually handsome and sharp profile now looked somewhat absent-minded, his unfocused eyes staring blankly at the phone on the table.

Liang Chen poured a glass of liquor and silently pushed it toward Shen Linyan, perfectly blocking the phone.

"An Ling has changed so much recently. Haven't you ever been suspicious?"

An Ling really didn't like Lu Jingshen anymore, but no one expected she would scheme against Shen Linyan.

Liang Chen took a sip of his drink and carefully said, "So are you really getting a divorce? To be honest, a divorce wouldn't be bad for you right now. You're considered one of the victims too."

A younger brother ruining his older brother's relationship—with this narrative, the public backlash against Shen Linyan would actually be much smaller.

An Ling bringing up this suggestion—who knew if she was really doing it for Shen Linyan's good, or if she just wanted a divorce herself.

Unknown which word triggered Shen Linyan, his eyelids twitched. He picked up the glass on the table and downed it in one gulp. A burning sensation slid down his throat and churned in his stomach.

"Divorce..."

He muttered with his head down, "I just don't quite understand..."

He had done everything, so why were they still getting a divorce?

Did she not like him? Or was it because that affection was gone?

Just like those people before, they only took an interest in him for a while, and as time passed, the interest gradually faded.

The other three exchanged glances, and finally, Liang Chen asked:

"Shen Linyan, An Ling used you. Aren't you angry?"

The man on the sofa kept his head down, his expression unreadable, his lips pressed into a tight, straight line.

After an unknown amount of time, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:

"...I'm not angry."

He was just wondering which step went wrong.

Clearly, the things he did were no different from before.

He even tried harder than before.

Performing well in front of An Ling's parents, giving An Ling the best, giving An Ling what she wanted.

He just wanted to try and keep An Ling's affection.

But he didn't know how to love someone, and he couldn't even fake it.

And now, even An Ling wanted to divorce him.

Liang Chen thought for a moment, and the words on his lips finally turned into a sigh.

Some things would only be useful if An Ling asked them herself.

But whether she would be able to ask them was uncertain.

"An Ling should be at home now, right? You two should have a talk."