Chapter 56: I Will Not Get Married Again

The night was misty, and the door lock let out a soft beep.

The warm light from the corridor gently refracted into the pitch-black living room as the man stepped inside.

As the front door closed, the room plunged into darkness once more.

Shen Linyan put down his suit jacket, placed his phone on the table, sat on the sofa, and then slowly lay down.

He stared silently at the ceiling before closing his eyes and resting a hand lightly over them.

The surroundings were completely silent. The boundless darkness was like a net, silently enveloping him, oppressive and quiet.

In the past, Shen Linyan really liked moments like this.

Escaping the noisy crowds, breaking free from troublesome interpersonal relationships.

He no longer needed to deliberately maintain a hypocritical facade, nor did he need to say another word. He could just lie here quietly and catch a brief moment of respite.

The solitary space that used to relax him had now become a suffocating, dense net.

The woman's fragrance in the air had long dissipated, leaving only a depressing chill.

Shen Linyan lifted his hand and opened his eyes.

Like...

What exactly is love?

Giving the best is not love, and treating her well is not love either.

Ring, ring...

The phone rang, and Shen Linyan turned his head to look at the table.

The caller ID on the screen read: Mother

He pressed answer and put it on speaker.

Instantly, Mother Shen's suppressed angry voice echoed in the living room.

Shen Linyan, what is the meaning of those videos you sent me?

He kept his eyes closed. Haven't you already seen them, Mother? Why are you still asking me?

Did that woman An Ling send them to you?! That damn woman, what does she mean by this?! Is she threatening me? You tell her, if she dares to publish them, the An family can forget about surviving!

Shen Linyan opened his eyes, his tone flat and emotionless. I will handle it. Mother, you should deal with Uncle first. He seems to be getting restless.

That dog Shen Jiandong! How dare he play two-faced with me! Did he think I wouldn't know!

Mother Shen's voice was filled with suppressed rage; it seemed she was quite infuriated by this matter.

Shen Jiandong had been a dog by her side for so many years, always fawning over her. How could she tolerate her own dog biting back?

Before marrying into the Shen family, Mother Shen was the eldest daughter of the Lu family, with two older brothers above her.

The Lu family was a prominent and top-ranking wealthy family in their circle, so marrying into the Shen family was considered a well-matched alliance.

Later, the two Lu brothers accidentally died in a car crash, and all the Lu family shares were transferred to her name. Her status was at least equal to Shen Zhong's.

The fact that Lu Jingshen took her surname was the most powerful proof.

After speaking of this, Mother Shen suddenly changed the subject.

Right, also get that divorce announcement out as soon as possible. I've found a few marriage prospects for you; you can pick one from them and remarry.

Going around in circles, it still came back to this.

What was the point? The prospects she found were all carefully selected by her, obedient, easy to manipulate, and most importantly, able to bring her benefits.

Just like An Ling before.

Until later, his wife suddenly realized one day that she no longer wanted to hurt him, nor did she want to stay in this suffocating and oppressive Shen family, so this marriage came to an end.

She said he should go find a new wife.

Find a better wife.

Then he would continue to fulfill his duties as a husband, this house would welcome its new mistress, and every memory would be overwritten.

An Ling would also return to her own life; she had her own colleagues and friends.

Leaving the Shen family and these people, her optimistic and bright nature would make her loved wherever she went.

She would also meet a better husband, and her husband would do those things for her.

Lowering his head to whisper to her with a smile, thoughtfully pouring water for her, in an intimately close manner.

And the person doing all this would never be him.

Because he was the eldest son of the Shen family, the person in charge of the Shen Corporation.

He could only be an outsider, just like today, quietly watching all this happen.

The corners of his eyes gradually turned red. Scalding tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes, quietly disappearing into his hair, but Shen Linyan remained completely unaware, just staring blankly at the ceiling.

His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and his hoarse voice was very light.

Mother, I will not marry again.

He could not accept it.

Nor could he try.

The man sat up. Because his movement was too large, the necklace inside his shirt slipped out with a clack. Below his cool, pale collarbone, a delicate silver ring swayed gently, reflecting a brilliant luster in the night.

He raised his hand to brush away the tears at the corners of his eyes, lowered his gaze to stare for a moment, and gently pulled a tissue to wipe them away.

Mother Shen's agitated scolding could still be heard over the phone.

You won't marry?! Shen Linyan, let me tell you, you must marry?!

Who do you think gave you the life you have now!? Without us, could you have such a privileged life?? Marriage is to consolidate the Shen family's cooperation with other companies! Don't you even understand that? You are not young anymore; do you still think you can do whatever you want?

Seeming to sense the man's silence, Mother Shen took a breath to calm down.

Her tone softened slightly, and she spoke earnestly, Shen Linyan, Mom knows that An Ling was really too much before. It was Mom's fault for finding you such a troublesome wife.

Mom also wants you to be happy. Look, your younger brother has found a wife, so you should also find someone to accompany you, right? Isn't that what you've always wanted too? This time, Mom will definitely choose carefully for you. The ones you marry will all be daughters of wealthy families; they won't be bad.

Your brother married an ordinary person, and you get to marry a wealthy lady. What else are you dissatisfied with? Mom has been good enough to you, hasn't she? So Mom will pay a bit more attention to your brother; after all, he's the one losing out.

Ultimately, Mother Shen still felt that Shen Linyan's refusal to marry was just him blaming her for making him marry that troublesome woman, An Ling.

She sighed softly. Alright, I will throw you the best and most expensive wedding. Stop being dissatisfied. This matter will be handled as I say.

Shen Linyan lowered his head and said nothing. A moment later, he raised his hand to slowly cover his face and let out a low laugh. The best...

Mother Shen thought he had agreed, and a hint of arrogance already crept into her voice.

Yes, Shen Linyan, tell me, from childhood to adulthood, when have I not given you the most expensive things? You need to know how to be grateful, understand? Don't be ungrateful. The knowledge taught to you wasn't to make you forget your roots...

Mother.

The man abruptly interrupted her. Father has already agreed. Go talk to Father.

After saying that, regardless of what Mother Shen's reaction might be, he hung up the phone straight away.

He sat in the darkness for a long time. It was unknown whether it was the biting chill of the night wind, or noticing the phone screen going dark, that finally brought the man back to his senses.

He pursed his lips, looked down and unlocked his phone again, dialed a number, and then slowly placed the phone to his ear.

The call connected.

In the pitch-black living room, a familiar, slightly surprised female voice came from the other end of the line.

Shen Linyan?