The Yun Family officially welcoming their daughter—now that's a big deal.
Pretty much everyone important in K City sent a gift over.
Actually, to be exact, everyone except Charles Yin got an invitation.
So when Charles Yin showed up at the Yun Family, the party vibe instantly froze.
Charles Yin arrived uninvited, gifts in hand.
Charles Yin, as expected, is in a league of his own!
He never does things halfway—when he makes a move, he blows everyone out of the water!
Alex stepped forward and respectfully handed the gift list to Mr. Yun: "Mr. Yun, this is a congratulatory gift from our CEO to you. Please accept it!"
Mr. Yun actually wanted to turn it down.
But when his eyes met Charles Yin's cold stare, it felt like a wave of pressure crashed down on him!
That same intense, crushing feeling from their first meeting came rushing back!
Mr. Yun went pale; he knew Charles Yin was the last person you wanted to cross.
But today, for his newly recognized daughter, he was ready to stand his ground!
No way he'd let his own daughter get bullied and then just roll over for the other side!
He's a scholar—he can't just throw away his pride like that.
Just as things were getting tense between the two men, Cecilia's gentle voice floated over: "Dad, there are still lots of guests inside who need you! Let me take care of things out here."
"Cici..." Mr. Yun tried to insist.
Cecilia flashed Mr. Yun a soft smile and shook her head. "This is my business, Dad. Let me clear things up with him!"
The moment Charles Yin looked at Cici, that heavy pressure just melted away.
How could Cici seem so different after just one day apart?
Why did Cici seem like a whole new person after just one day?
Charles Yin's eyes narrowed slightly.
He also wanted to have a proper talk with Cecilia Gu.
Mr. Yun patted Cecilia Gu's shoulder and said, "No matter what happens, even if it costs the Yun Family everything, I won't let anything happen to you."
Cecilia Gu gave him a grateful smile and nodded.
After Mr. Yun left, Cecilia Gu turned to Charles Yin and said, "Let's go over there and talk."
After saying this, Cecilia Gu led the way toward a small grove.
That area was quiet, perfect for a conversation.
Cecilia Gu had barely taken a few steps when Charles Yin hurried after her, reaching out to take her hand.
But Cecilia Gu reacted quickly, suddenly turning around and stepping back, looking at Charles Yin with a distant gaze.
Charles Yin hadn't expected Cecilia Gu's reaction to be so intense!
This was the first time since their marriage that Cecilia Gu had reacted so strongly!
Before, even if Cecilia Gu disliked him holding her hand, she never resisted so fiercely!
Resisting?
Was she resisting him?
Charles Yin felt as if a sharp blade pierced his heart, his chest tight with emotion.
"You..." Charles Yin's eye twitched, looking at Cecilia Gu in disbelief.
Now he was sure of one thing—Cecilia Gu really had changed.
At this moment, she seemed almost like a stranger...
"I thought you made your choice yesterday, and today you wouldn’t be confused anymore." Cecilia Gu spoke softly, her eyes clear and her expression determined as she looked at Charles Yin.
"I..." Charles Yin had never expected Cecilia Gu to look at him like that, leaving him momentarily speechless.
What exactly happened yesterday? Why had Cecilia Gu changed so much?
"Charles Yin, the reason I didn't invite you today was to avoid everyone else and talk to you alone." Cecilia Gu spoke softly, her gaze meeting Charles Yin's: "Since you're here, let's lay everything out on the table."
"What happened yesterday? Tell me!" Charles Yin suddenly stepped forward, closing in on Cecilia Gu.
Cecilia Gu had to step back to avoid Charles Yin's approach.
But there was a tree behind her—she had nowhere else to retreat.
Charles Yin braced his left hand above Cecilia Gu's head, lowering himself so their eyes were nearly level.
Charles Yin almost gritted out the words: "You know I was helpless about what happened yesterday..."
"If Sylvia Ran keeps using this method to force you, will you always be helpless?" Cecilia Gu didn't avoid him this time, bravely meeting his gaze. "Is it because you can't hurt Sylvia Ran that you can hurt me? Am I so insignificant to you, so easy to hurt whenever you want?"
Charles Yin was just about to speak.
Cecilia Gu continued, "Charles Yin, can you honestly say that if Sylvia Ran tries this again, you won't give in? Since we already know how things will end, what's the point in struggling? Thank you for making your choice. You've helped me see my own place."
Cecilia Gu's words were like a steel blade, stabbing deep into Charles Yin's chest, leaving his heart bleeding.
He had never cared about a woman this much—never!
Even though Sylvia Ran was his first love, he never thought about spending a lifetime together like this...
But why, when he finally wanted a lifetime together, did she push him away so mercilessly?
"Cecilia Gu, is this really how you feel?" Charles Yin clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger as he asked, word by word.
"Yes." Cecilia Gu calmly looked up. "Yesterday, what happened between you and Sylvia Ran is now public. From now on, you don't need me by your side. Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you during our marriage. I only ask one thing: after the baby is born, I hope you'll cooperate... with our divorce!"
Our divorce...
Divorce...
Di...vorce...
Charles Yin's eyes suddenly turned red.
He looked up at the sky.
The sky was a clear blue, not a single cloud in sight.
But in his heart, dark clouds were already gathering.
Divorce?
He had never even considered those two words...
He had given this woman countless firsts in his life.
His first time eating out, his first time reaching for her hand, his first time learning to date like a regular person, his first time doing all the childish things just to be with her.
He even put aside his most important work just to make time to go home, eat with her, and rest together.
His first childish request for custom rings was just to make her happy.
For the first time, he got involved in the mess at the Gu Family—all for a woman.
His first awkward attempt to learn from his assistant how to send red envelopes, just to please her.
He even hurt Lydia Lin, just to help her vent her anger.
But now this woman was telling him she wanted a divorce?
Cecilia Gu, do you even have a heart?
That day when we watched a movie together, you said no matter how hard things got, you'd never give up on love, just like Molly Lan, the heroine in the film!
Do you know how happy I was when you said that?
Do you know that I even thought about giving you the whole world, just to see you smile?
Cecilia Gu, do you even have a heart?
Is everything I've done still not enough to outweigh my soft spot for Sylvia Ran?
I have a soft spot for Sylvia Ran because my mother and her parents have deep ties. If something really happened to Sylvia Ran, I wouldn’t know how to explain it!
Cecilia, why won't you believe me?
Is my heart so worthless to you, Cecilia?
Charles Yin's long, narrow eyes lowered, hiding the pain within.
Cecilia Gu heard Charles Yin respond in an extremely cold voice: "Fine. If this is your wish, then I'll grant it! Cecilia Gu, you win!"
Cecilia Gu's heart was torn apart, tears threatening to spill, but she forced herself to hold back.
Win? What did she win?
When had she ever won?
She'd been a loser her whole life...
She lost her love, her marriage, and soon she'd lose her child...
She had nothing left...
"I never imagined the woman who'd beat me would be you." Charles Yin let go, turning away in defeat. As he turned his back on Cecilia Gu, he gently closed his eyes.
He could have refused.
He could have acted as he always did, domineeringly deciding Cecilia Gu's future.
But he couldn't bear it—he couldn't let go.
Seeing Cecilia Gu's tears made his heart ache.
He really did ache for her.
It was only in that moment that Charles Yin suddenly realized he’d already fallen deeply in love with this woman, without even noticing.
Yet now, this woman no longer longed for him...