Volume One, Chapter 17: In This Marriage, You Are the Third Party!

Lin Zhiwan stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Song Jinhe.

She was not the type to meddle in other people’s affairs, nor did she like to comment on others’ relationships.

But... perhaps because she understood all too well how painful it was to marry someone who did not love you, she felt a particular sympathy for the girl who had been kept in the dark.

“Miss Song,” Lin Zhiwan finally spoke.

“Have you ever considered that there is an innocent victim in the love between you and your ex-husband?”

Song Jinhe heard this and neither grew angry nor ashamed. Instead, she lightly curled her lips, an expression mingled with disdain and pride playing across her eyes and brows.

“Innocent?”

She stepped forward, closing the distance between herself and Lin Zhiwan.

“When she married him, it was because she coveted his power and status. Over the years, everything she has was essentially given by me; calling it charity would not be an exaggeration.

She is far from innocent!

Miss Lin, don’t you think the love between my ex-husband and me is something rare and precious?

In this relationship, she is the third party!”

As she spoke, Song Jinhe fixed Lin Zhiwan with a half-smile that was almost a smirk.

For a fleeting moment, Lin Zhiwan caught a glimmer of pride in her eyes.

Frowning, Lin Zhiwan found Song Jinhe’s words utterly illogical.

There was no need for her to argue.

She stepped back, creating distance between them, her face growing cold and distant.

“But now, you’re the ex-wife, an outsider to their marriage. Love may not have right or wrong, but marriage does!”

Leaving those words hanging in the air, Lin Zhiwan turned and walked away from backstage.

She had no reason to waste her time on someone with such warped values.

Watching Lin Zhiwan’s retreating figure, something flickered in Song Jinhe’s eyes. The strap of her bag twisted under the force of her grip.

After leaving the auction site, Lin Zhiwan drove home.

Her thesis topic had already been settled; it was time to begin preparations.

As for Song Jinhe’s claims that she was also applying to Professor Xu’s doctoral program, and that her devoted ex-husband had even purchased a Heart-Change Vase for her research—Lin Zhiwan paid no mind.

Professor Xu was the country’s top expert in porcelain restoration, renowned internationally, and every year countless aspiring doctoral candidates sought to study under him.

That pressure was nothing new to Lin Zhiwan.

One more competitor like Song Jinhe made no difference.

Driving all the way back to Riverside Tide, Lin Zhiwan got out, ready to take the elevator.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, two men dressed in black suits appeared on either side of her.

“Madam, the gentleman has instructed us to escort you home.”

Lin Zhiwan frowned.

“Did he say what this is about?”

The two men remained silent, blocking her path.

Lin Zhiwan could tell they had no intention of letting her leave easily.

She pulled out her phone, intending to call Fu Yanzhou herself and ask what he meant.

She found Fu Yanzhou’s number in her contacts, but only then realized she had blocked him.

It must have been that early morning after returning from Imperial View Garden, when she’d been too upset and had cut off contact.

Lin Zhiwan dialed the number. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.

“Madam, please come back with us.”

Lin Zhiwan looked at the two men before her.

Though she didn’t know why Fu Yanzhou had sent them here, or why he had called them, since he wanted her to return, it was probably about the divorce.

The last time, Jin Xing was sick, and they hadn’t had a proper talk. This would be a chance.

She started walking toward her car but was stopped.

“Madam, please take our car back.”

Lin Zhiwan frowned sharply.

“Did Fu Yanzhou send you to tie me up and bring me back?”

Her tone was anything but friendly, and anger flashed in her eyes.

Usually, she was patient with these men, but this sudden sternness made her aura intimidating.

The two exchanged glances and dared not insist further.

Lin Zhiwan’s face remained cold as she opened the car door and slid into the driver’s seat.

She pressed the accelerator hard, and the car shot out like an arrow from its parking spot.

The two men hurried back to their own vehicle and started the engine, following closely behind.

Lin Zhiwan drove all the way back to Imperial View Garden.

The car stopped inside the courtyard.

Her hand rested on the door handle, but she did not immediately open it.

The memory of her last departure was still vivid.

She had left in such a humiliating state, and now Fu Yanzhou had sent two men to summon her back.

Did he truly think she was someone he could call at will, to come and go as he pleased?

Lin Zhiwan dialed the phone again, and this time, the call connected.

“Why did you call me back?”

The voice on the other end was not Fu Yanzhou’s.

“Madam Fu, Mr. Fu is currently in a meeting. If you have anything to say, you may tell me, and I will pass the message along.”

Wang Xueying’s tone was more respectful than ever.

Lin Zhiwan did not notice the change.

“Tell him I’m waiting for him at Imperial View Garden.”

After speaking, Lin Zhiwan hung up.

Outside the conference room, Wang Xueying stared at the darkened phone screen, scarcely able to believe those were the words Madam Fu would say to Mr. Fu.

She had a feeling that Madam Fu had changed after hosting the auction.

Since that event, none of the secretarial staff had been questioned about Mr. Fu’s schedule, nor had Madam Fu come to the company under the pretext of delivering meals to see Mr. Fu.

But had Mr. Fu noticed these changes in Madam Fu?

Just as Lin Zhiwan hung up, she looked down and saw a small figure standing outside the car window.

Since Lin Zhiwan had left last time, Fu Jin Xing had not seen her.

Though the servants said Lin Zhiwan wasn’t angry with her, she had promised her father she would apologize.

Her small hands were clenched together, eyes cast downward at her toes. After a long moment, she whispered, “Sorry.”

Lin Zhiwan did not pick her up as she had before.

Instead, she got out of the car, bent down to meet Fu Jin Xing’s gaze, and spoke gently but firmly.

“Sorry for what?”

The little girl bit her lip, hesitant to speak.

Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look heartbreakingly pitiful.

This was Fu Jin Xing’s usual tactic.

Whenever she made a mistake, she would put on such a pitiful face that Lin Zhiwan would soften and stop being angry.

But today, Lin Zhiwan did not relent.

Fu Jin Xing felt even more wronged.

She wanted to throw a tantrum, but feared Lin Zhiwan might leave again and never return.

Lin Zhiwan hadn’t played with her for such a long time...

“I...” Fu Jin Xing sobbed, tears falling in small drops.

Seeing Lin Zhiwan remain silent, she could hold back no longer and burst into tears.

Lin Zhiwan sighed. She knew Fu Jin Xing’s temperament was somewhat spoiled—her own fault for pampering her too much.

She was prepared to bring up divorce with Fu Yanzhou and set clear boundaries with him.

But with Fu Jin Xing...

She had raised this child as her own, and their bond was no different from that of a biological mother and daughter.

Once she and Fu Yanzhou divorced, she probably wouldn’t have many chances to see the child again.

Inevitably, she felt a deep reluctance in her heart...