Liu Zhiyuan was like a madman, throwing punch after punch. But because he had no clear target, most of his punches missed, rarely landing on Xiang Weilai. Xiang Weilai just kept dodging without fighting back until Liu Zhiyuan was exhausted, standing there panting and glaring angrily at him. Only then did Xiang Weilai speak.

"You’ve vented your anger, can we sit down and talk calmly now?" Xiang Weilai’s voice was cold as if nothing had just happened. "If Liu Rui went home and said something, then I feel I need to explain; when she came in, nothing happened. Someone was just helping me wring a towel. I’m not saying this to defend myself, but because I think I should tell the truth. What kind of relationship do I have with Liu Rui? You should know the whole story. I have always wanted a divorce, but she refuses. Since we aren’t divorcing, I haven’t done anything to betray her in our marriage."

"We’ve been friends for years, and that’s my promise to you." After saying this, Xiang Weilai fell silent.

Hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan’s anger faded slightly, but he was still resentful. "Xiang Weilai, if you must blame someone, blame our Liu Family, not Xiao Rui. Xiao Rui truly loves you. Despite knowing what might happen between you two in the future, she still followed you without hesitation. You should realize how much she loves you. I know we, the Liu Family, wronged you. If you must hate someone, direct it at my father and me, not Xiao Rui, for the sake of how much she loves you."

Liu Zhiyuan tried his best to stay calm while saying this, "I’m not asking you to consider our childhood friendship or the years we’ve been friends, but to consider that Xiao Rui is a girl. I believe what you said, but you’ve returned to our hometown now, and even if you don’t care about the Liu Family’s reputation, you should consider Xiao Rui’s. You brought someone back; nothing happened between you, but staying in the same room late at night, what will others think? What will Xiao Rui think?"

Faced with Liu Zhiyuan’s accusations, Xiang Weilai remained composed, "I can control my own heart but not others’. I can control my legs but not others’. I can’t control what others do; I can only ensure I don’t make mistakes myself."

"Is this the promise you’re giving?" Liu Zhiyuan stared at him intently, "If this is your promise, then remember your words today; don’t worry about anything else. I, Liu Zhiyuan, am not afraid of others’ affairs. If someone tries to ruin my sister’s marriage, I’ll handle it myself."

"I’ve already advised her to return home. You don’t have to do anything more. What’s already over doesn’t need to be stirred up again? It’s bad for everyone." Xiang Weilai was unbothered, meeting his gaze directly, "I do everything out in the open and never secretly. You believe my words, so believe me now. As for Liu Rui, go back and persuade her. This life is painful for everyone; a divorce would be beneficial." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"I won’t meet Xiao Rui; whatever decision needs to be made, she’ll make it herself." Liu Zhiyuan gave him a deep look and turned to leave briskly.

Having drunk too much and been disturbed twice in the dead of night, Xiang Weilai felt like his head was going to explode. But even when he lay down on the bed, he couldn’t sleep, staring at the ceiling until dawn.

Meanwhile, rumors spread from the compound about Xiang Weilai’s alleged affair being caught by Liu Rui, causing a loud scene in the middle of the night, and the news quickly circulated.

Wu Mengyi worried all night. The next day, hearing these rumors, she immediately fell ill. She noticed her daughter was off but never admitted it. With the whole compound discussing this, someone must’ve seen it; otherwise, how could the news spread?

Believing matters settled after hearing Xiang Weilai’s assurances, Liu Zhiyuan didn’t think much of it until the rumors broke out the next morning. He tightened his expression and, without a word, went to find Xiang Weilai again.

"Did you spread this news, wanting my sister to worry and using this as an excuse for divorce?"

Facing Liu Zhiyuan’s questioning, Xiang Weilai was baffled, "You saw I hadn’t even gotten up yet; no one has come to see me. How could I spread this? Besides, only we knew about last night, no outsiders. The people at this place don’t know anyone in the compound, so how could it reach there?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"It must be someone around you. Think about who knew about this yesterday." Xiang Weilai asked directly.

Liu Zhiyuan remained stern and looked at Xiang Weilai for a long time before turning silently and walking away.

After hearing the rumors, Ye Ling came to the guesthouse to see Xiang Weilai and heard about what happened from him.

She knew the inside story but dared not speak of it to her mother-in-law!

The situation wasn’t blown out of proportion; it was when the rumors spread in the compound that Mr. Liu got angry, Mrs. Liu fell ill, and Liu Rui was talking about divorce with Xiang Weilai, as if something unresolved stood between them, delaying the signing of divorce papers.

Recently, amid the chaos in the Shen Family, Ye Ling had her hands full, unable to ask Xiang Weilai what was happening. After her mother-in-law’s inquiries over dinner, Ye Ling went to the guesthouse with Shen Bin that evening.

At the guesthouse, Xiang Weilai wasn’t alone; Zhao Guodong and others were there, with wine and food on the table. They were raising their glasses when Shen Bin and Ye Ling arrived, waving them over. Without hesitation, Shen Bin pulled up a chair and joined them.

The only one out of place in the room was Li Qingzi sitting on the bedside, looking somewhat uneasy, or perhaps Li Qingzi and everything in the room were out of sync, like an outsider having entered uninvited.