Volume One, Chapter 140: Let’s Break Up!

“What is there to discuss?”

Sang Wan’s expression was distant. “Lu Jinnian, haven’t we already agreed on the divorce? I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about between us.”

“No, we haven’t reached any agreement,” Lu Jinnian shook his head. “At that time, I acted impulsively and made you... leave with nothing.”

Mentioning leaving with nothing, Lu Jinnian’s face was filled with regret and frustration, as if he wished he could go back and punch himself awake in that moment.

“Wanwan, believe me, that was never my intention...” He reached out, trying to grasp Sang Wan’s hand. But seeing her take a step back snapped him back to reality.

He withdrew his hand. “Wanwan, I know I was wrong! I never wanted to...”

But when their eyes met, Lu Jinnian hesitated. He wanted to say that he never wanted to divorce her. Yet, Lin Chaochao was irrefutable evidence of his unforgivable guilt. No matter what he said now, it would be wrong. If anything, it should wait until everything was settled.

He looked up again and saw Sang Wan smile and wave to Lu Xiaomu before striding into the apartment. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Lu Jinnian stood there in a daze for a long moment before turning and getting into his car.

The engine started, and the car drove straight out of the complex.

Ding!

His phone chimed lightly. Sang Wan had just returned home. It was a message from Lou Ye.

“I’m on my way, waiting for you at the restaurant!”

“The driver is coming to pick you up. See you soon!”

She replied simply with “Okay,” then turned and went into the bedroom.

The Skyview Restaurant on the top floor of the Imperial View Tower featured 360-degree panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. Sang Wan had never dined there but had seen photos of the place: romantic, beautiful, dreamlike.

She picked out a long black evening gown and paused as she turned, her gaze stopping abruptly. Lou Ye preferred her in white. Though he always said he liked her no matter what color she wore and praised her in every outfit, the black gown she held was the only one she had chosen in black. The one delivered was a two-tone version, and the day she received it, she realized Lou Ye favored white. When she asked, he didn’t admit it; he just said it looked pleasing and let them send it anyway.

Only now did Sang Wan realize that, without noticing, her wardrobe was filled with clothes Lou Ye had given her.

Since he liked it... why not seize the moment?

Today, then.

She hung the black gown back in the closet and took out the white one.

Change clothes. Do makeup.

Her reason told her it was just a somewhat formal dinner for two, but in her mind echoed Lu Xiaomu’s mischievous little voice.

A candlelight dinner.

Before heading out, Sang Wan looked back and caught a glimpse of her own hazy yet solemn reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window.

In the night, her eyes shone especially bright.

That was... the look of someone deeply in love.

Ding!

Her phone rang again. She thought Lou Ye was already impatient.

It was Jiang Ke’er.

“Big Sister Sang, dress up nicely for tonight’s candlelight dinner! Lou Ye is really planning something.”

Even this unusually quiet weekend was all a setup for tonight.

Sang Wan smiled and sent her a selfie, “Is this pretty enough?”

“Wow! Big Sister Sang, you’re stunning!”

At the same time Sang Wan set out, Lou Ye, already at the Skyview Restaurant, received Jiang Ke’er’s photo.

Seemingly realizing he had revealed the surprise too soon, there was no longer any excitement. Jiang Ke’er quickly retracted the message.

But it was too late.

Lou Ye beckoned with a finger: “Resend!”

Jiang Ke’er: ...

Opening the photo Jiang Ke’er sent, Lou Ye saw Sang Wan’s selfie.

She was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window next to the table, her silhouette reflected on the glass.

Her face was elegant and exquisite, her figure graceful.

In the white gown, Sang Wan looked like a top-tier celebrity returning from an awards ceremony, breathtakingly beautiful.

Most importantly, there was a smile in her eyes.

Thinking of how joyfully Sang Wan had come to meet him, Lou Ye felt each passing second unbearably difficult.

The phone rang again. The driver said he had set off. If there was no traffic, in half an hour he would see her.

Then he could ask her in person: “Didn't you like the black one? Why wear white?”

And he could tell her the words he had said to himself thousands of times.

His heart was eager.

Lou Ye messaged the driver: “Drive faster!”

But the next moment, fearing the driver might actually speed to 220 km/h and cause trouble, Lou Ye quickly retracted the message.

You have received a message from your boss.

The boss retracted a message.

Driver: ...

Who can tell him what the boss actually ordered? Why did he send it and then take it back???

As the business car merged into the traffic, Lin Chaochao entered the private dining room on the 98th floor of Imperial View Tower.

Her eyes immediately found Lu Jinnian, who was sitting by the window, lost in thought.

Their eyes met, and both were momentarily stunned.

Lu Jinnian wore a lead-gray suit, not even wearing a tie, as if he had just come for a casual meal.

Lin Chaochao was dressed extravagantly: a white fox fur stole, a champagne-colored cocktail dress, her hair permed, and makeup that seemed the work of a professional artist—more translucent and beautiful than her usual delicate looks.

She took a few steps and sat opposite Lu Jinnian.

An inexplicable unease settled in her heart. “Husband...”

“Chaochao!” Lu Jinnian pushed over a card. “There’s ten million in here for you! The new apartment is also under your name!”

Looking at Lu Jinnian’s solemn expression, she realized too late that she had misunderstood.

Today wasn’t a proposal.

It was...

Lin Chaochao’s face paled. “W-What do you mean?”

“Let’s break up,” Lu Jinnian said in one sentence.

Lin Chaochao’s eyes froze. “Why?”

Lu Jinnian remained silent.

“Lu Jinnian, why?” Lin Chaochao broke down instantly. “We’ve been together so long. You obviously love me, don’t you? I tried so hard, did everything you asked... I cooked for you every day, took good care of Mu Ge, we…”

Her words cut off abruptly as she suddenly realized the problem.

Fixing her gaze on Lu Jinnian’s eyes, she asked, “So, you regret it! You regret divorcing Sang Wan, don’t you?”

“Yes!” Lu Jinnian nodded, admitting frankly, “I regret it!”

Bang!

A loud noise.

The dust settled.

Lin Chaochao stared at Lu Jinnian in disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

Lu Jinnian stood up to leave.

Lin Chaochao rushed forward and grabbed his arm. “No! Lu Jinnian, you can’t do this to me!”

Lu Jinnian stopped in his tracks.

He had planned a dignified, amicable breakup dinner.

They had been together for over half a year, shared a home, and ten million—he hadn’t treated her unfairly.

But seeing Lin Chaochao’s expression of profound grievance, a surge of irritation welled up inside him. He said in a low voice, “Let go!”

The past two weeks had been full of surprises and hope.

This moment was full of madness and collapse.

“Lu Jinnian!!!” she shouted, helpless, watching as he shrugged off her hand and strode out of the restaurant.

Tears streamed down Lin Chaochao’s face like rain.