"Alright, as long as we continue to abide by the agreement from back then, I trust your character."

With Chen Feng's promise, Zhou Qianru finally felt relieved.

This time, she was in such a hurry to privately meet Chen Feng because she was worried that he couldn't keep his mouth shut and would reveal their past to others.

For a divorced bachelor like him, it didn't matter much; on the contrary, speaking out might feel like showing off. But she was now a married woman and a university associate professor. If such matters were to leak, it would be a devastating blow to her reputation.

In her heart, she feared that Chen Feng would continue to entangle her. At the same time, she worried he might spill the beans about their past everywhere, or even use it to threaten her.

As a result, her previous composed and casual demeanor was largely an act.

Fortunately, after they cleared things up and resolved the misunderstandings from back then, Chen Feng was reasonable, showed no intention of pestering her, let alone threatening her, and even promised to keep their secret.

This left her quite satisfied.

"Thank you for your trust," Chen Feng replied with a smile, then casually asked, "Now we've known each other for many years, would you agree?"

Zhou Qianru had no intention of becoming friends with Chen Feng, but now both of them knew some personal information about each other. If they wanted to investigate, they could find out about each other.

Besides, if not friends, what else? Lovers?

And she couldn't possibly be so insensitive as to say they weren't friends. If she said that and upset Chen Feng, she would only suffer the loss as a woman.

So, Zhou Qianru naturally nodded, "Of course, we are indeed friends who have known each other for several years."

"Then, as an old friend, let me ask out of concern: how's your life recently? And is your husband treating you well?"

Seeing Chen Feng looking serious, Zhou Qianru couldn't help rolling her eyes but eventually said, "Ever since I married my husband, my life has been calm, leisurely, and comfortable. After all, he has a decent amount of assets, enough to ensure I'm well-provided for my whole life. He has given me ample material security and the utmost emotional and mental support. Even though I don't want to have children, he agreed and has been spoiling me for years."

From her tone, Chen Feng could sense an air of showing off as if she and her husband were really in love.

This made Chen Feng feel somewhat sour.

Why could other couples be so loving for years while he and Shen Lin couldn't? A good start, but a hasty ending.

"Is the decision for you and your husband to be childfree really just your choice?" Chen Feng was a bit skeptical.

"What else?" Zhou Qianru looked at him sharply, retorting.

"Your husband must be quite wealthy. If there's no heir, is he really willing to let his assets go to someone else?"

Zhou Qianru replied nonchalantly, "My husband and I had agreed long ago that when we get older, we'll establish a charity foundation and transfer all the assets there. We won't let them benefit his relatives."

Chen Feng shook his head dismissively, "That might be what he genuinely thinks now, but as a woman, you wouldn't understand how much importance a family and a man place on descendants, especially in our country where familial legacy sometimes outweighs everything. I don't believe your husband truly doesn't want heirs."

"Believe it or not." Zhou Qianru was a bit annoyed, but she couldn't deny that Chen Feng's words made sense.

With her husband's current assets worth at least four or five billion, it's unlikely he genuinely doesn't want an heir to inherit it all in the future.

It's mainly because she insisted on not wanting kids, forcing her doting husband to relent.

Seeing her annoyance amused Chen Feng, and he continued, "Don't get mad at me for speaking up. I'm just asking and saying these things for your own good. I want to help you analyze the situation."

Zhou Qianru rolled her eyes, "Well, thank you for your good intentions."

"Are your husband's parents still alive?" Chen Feng asked again.

Zhou Qianru didn't really want to answer, but seeing Chen Feng smiling at her, she reluctantly said, "They passed away."

"Does he have any siblings?" Chen Feng continued to ask.

Zhou Qianru replied irritably, "He has two sisters."

Chen Feng laughed, "Then it seems his two sisters must be quite interested in their brother's assets."

Zhou Qianru could only glare at him, apparently struck by his words.

Her husband's two sisters, aware of their plan to be childfree, stopped trying to persuade them. Now, they've even sent their adult children to work for her husband, whom he couldn't refuse and accepted.

This was undoubtedly her source of distress.

Chen Feng suggested kindly, "Take my advice, your husband is so wealthy, you'd better have a child with him. Otherwise, when you're old, you'll find yourselves in a tough spot. As for the charity foundation, you always need someone trustworthy to run and manage it; if not, it would just benefit outsiders."

With a cold face, Zhou Qianru said, "Thanks for your concern, but I think you're overstepping. My family matters aren't yours to mind. Have some tea."

Indicating with the teacup, Zhou Qianru took a big sip and let out a slow breath, clearly feeling a bit offended by Chen Feng's remarks, yet unable to lose her temper.

Seeing her stop, Chen Feng also ceased speaking about her family affairs, focusing instead on tea and food.

After a three or four-minute silence, Zhou Qianru suddenly asked, "I heard from Yanhong that you're divorced. Can you tell me why? Did you find someone better and dump her?"

Zhou Qianru wasn't about to be left vulnerable and chose to turn the tables by inquiring about Chen Feng's personal life.

Chen Feng, asked about his divorce, felt a bit uncomfortable, but since Zhou Qianru had kindly answered his questions, he had to respond.

"Of course not, it was more about being defeated by reality. From college graduation until last year, I was just an ordinary employee, and quite unremarkable at that. Poverty strains everything in a marriage. Arguments and cold wars wore down the relationship, leading inevitably to divorce."

Chen Feng spoke quite candidly, and Zhou Qianru nodded with empathy, sighing, "That's indeed the case. I have several classmates who divorced for the same reason: financial and life pressures.

However, this is also related to modern perspectives on relationships and values. People are generally too realistic nowadays; without much money, they can't make it work. They've never considered working hard together, striving to earn money, and enduring hardships together; they just want to live off what's already there, to enjoy what's ready-made."

Chen Feng couldn't help but laugh, "Are you subtly criticizing modern women?"

Zhou Qianru rolled her eyes at him, "I'm not singling out women. Nowadays, there are plenty of unambitious men living off others too."