A few days later, the short drama project Yu Sheng collaborated on with Gu Wanqing held its launch press conference.
The concept was novel, the production refined, and both media and industry insiders responded enthusiastically.
As the main investor and producer, Yu Sheng wore a sharp suit, speaking confidently on stage—calm, composed, and radiant.
Shen Yunmian watched a live broadcast clip on the TV in her office.
Looking at the woman on the screen—glowing, dazzling, almost unfamiliar—her heart felt as if something had lightly struck it. She had never seen Yu Sheng like this in the workplace. No longer "Mrs. Shen" revolving around her, but an independent, charismatic leader.
A complicated emotion spread through her.
There was admiration, surprise, and something harder to name—a quiet sense of loss— Yu Sheng's world no longer seemed to revolve around her.
That evening, at the project launch banquet, Yu Sheng was in a rare good mood and had a few extra drinks with Gu Wanqing and the team.
Her tolerance wasn't great. By the end, she was already quite drunk, cheeks flushed, eyes unfocused. The sharp coldness she usually carried softened, revealing a rare, gentle charm.
Gu Wanqing supported her, about to call a car to send her back to Jingshui.
But a black Bentley glided silently to a stop in front of them.
The window rolled down, revealing Shen Yunmian's expressionless face. "Get in." Her voice was as calm as ever, though her gaze lingered on Yu Sheng's flushed face with a hint of something deeper.
Gu Wanqing frowned. "No need to trouble you, President Shen. I'll take her back."
Shen Yunmian's gaze swept over her coolly, carrying an invisible pressure. "I'm her wife."
One sentence shut down all of Gu Wanqing's reasons.
Looking at the half-conscious Yu Sheng, then at the imposing Shen Yunmian, Gu Wanqing ultimately couldn't insist. She could only watch as Shen Yunmian got out, half-supported and half-carried Yu Sheng into the car.
The car drove steadily toward Jiuxi Bay.
In the back seat, Yu Sheng leaned her head against the window, seemingly asleep.
The alcohol had stripped away her defenses and sharp edges. Her breathing was even, long lashes casting faint shadows. She looked quiet and gentle.
Shen Yunmian sat beside her, her body stiff.
It had been a long time since they had been this close in such calm proximity.
She couldn't help but turn her head and study Yu Sheng's sleeping face. Her heart suddenly softened, then ached.
She had to admit—she missed this version of Yu Sheng, missed the warmth they once had.
As if possessed, she reached out and lightly touched Yu Sheng's cheek.
The warmth at her fingertips startled her, and she quickly withdrew her hand, her heartbeat thrown into chaos.
Yu Sheng murmured unconsciously, frowned slightly, but didn't wake.
Shen Yunmian forced herself to look away, staring out the window instead, though her clenched palm was damp with sweat.
Back at Jiuxi Bay, she helped Yu Sheng into the bedroom, awkwardly and carefully placing her on the bed.
Yu Sheng shifted, tugging at her collar, clearly uncomfortable.
After hesitating, Shen Yunmian leaned down, removed her high heels, and pulled the blanket over her.
She went to the bathroom, wrung out a warm towel, and returned to gently wipe her face and hands.
Yu Sheng seemed more comfortable. Her brows relaxed, her breathing steadied.
Shen Yunmian crouched by the bed, staring almost greedily at her sleeping face under the dim nightlight.
She raised her hand, fingertips hovering above Yu Sheng's faintly furrowed brow, wanting to smooth it out—but didn't dare touch.
Once, she could hold her, kiss her without hesitation. Now, even this small gesture felt like a luxury—dangerous.
"Yu Sheng…" she whispered softly, "what will it take… for us to go back to how we were?"
Only the sound of Yu Sheng's breathing answered her.
Time passed.
Shen Yunmian stayed there, unmoving, until her legs went numb, before slowly standing.
She washed up briefly, changed into loungewear, but didn't leave. Instead, she pulled over a chair and sat not too near, not too far, silently watching Yu Sheng.
In the latter half of the night, Yu Sheng woke groggily, likely from thirst.
Her eyes opened, dazed, scanning the unfamiliar room.
Then she saw Shen Yunmian sitting in the shadows. Instantly, all her haze was replaced by alertness.
"Shen Yunmian, why am I here?" Her voice was hoarse from the hangover, but cold.
Shen Yunmian stood immediately, carefully explaining, "You were drunk, so I brought you back." She poured a glass of warm water and offered it. "Drink some water."
Yu Sheng didn't take it, only looked at her coldly. "I don't need it. Where's my phone?"
Shen Yunmian's hand froze midair, knowing she intended to call someone to pick her up.
She didn't want that. This was a rare chance for them to talk alone.
Setting the glass down, she almost pleaded, "Yu Sheng, can we talk?"
"There's nothing to talk about between us," Yu Sheng turned her head away, refusing to look at her. "Except the divorce agreement."
Shen Yunmian's tone grew urgent. "I know I was wrong. I neglected your feelings, and acted arrogantly. I admit I've failed in many ways… but I can change."
Saying this felt like crushing thirty years of beliefs and pride.
Her cheeks burned uncontrollably. Those "study materials" and Yu Sheng's mockery flashed through her mind—but right now, nothing mattered more than trying to salvage this.
Yu Sheng seemed slightly surprised she brought it up, turning back with a scrutinizing, mocking gaze, as if curious what else she would say.
Under that gaze, Shen Yunmian felt even more humiliated, but forced herself to continue. "I know it sounds ridiculous… and too late. But I really will change. Yu Sheng, give me one more chance, okay? I promise—I'll fix things. I won't let my mom interfere anymore. I'll deal with Xingyao. The company will be entirely under your control, I won't interfere… just don't leave me…"
Her emotions wavered. She couldn't help reaching out to hold Yu Sheng's hand.
Yu Sheng immediately pulled back, widening the distance between them.
She laughed as if hearing something absurd, her voice full of disdain. "Shen Yunmian, do you think marriage is a business deal? Fix the loopholes with a supplementary agreement and keep cooperating? Some things, once gone, are gone. My feelings for you are already used up. Now you want to 'learn'? Too late."
Her words cut like knives.
Shen Yunmian shook her head, stubbornness in her eyes. "As long as we're not divorced, it's not too late! Yu Sheng, I can… I can stop being that cold person. I can—"
She leaned forward slightly, trying to get closer, wanting to prove something with a kiss, to stop those cutting words, to reclaim even a trace of their past warmth.
Just as her lips were about to touch Yu Sheng—
Yu Sheng turned her head sharply, avoiding her, disgust nearly tangible in her eyes.
"Don't touch me!" she snapped, her voice trembling with anger.
Shen Yunmian froze, her lips only centimeters away, feeling the warm, alcohol-tinged breath from Yu Sheng—yet it felt icy cold.
Seeing her stiff, humiliated expression, a twisted sense of satisfaction rose in Yu Sheng.
She knew exactly what Shen Yunmian cared about most—what she couldn't bear.
Her deep-rooted pride and need for control, her position of dominance—asking her to yield, to be beneath someone else, was more unbearable than death for President Shen.
So Yu Sheng smiled.
Slowly, she spoke, her voice light but carrying crushing humiliation:
"Fine. Since you're so 'sincere,' I'll give you a chance. But on one condition—you're on the bottom."
Shen Yunmian's body jolted, pupils shrinking, shock written all over her face.
"I'll be the one in control," Yu Sheng added, her smile turning sharp and dangerous. "Didn't you say you want me to be satisfied? Then show your greatest 'sincerity.' Lie down obediently and let me do as I please. What do you think, President Shen? Can you do it?"
Her mind went completely blank.
This demand completely crossed Shen Yunmian's bottom line!
She couldn't imagine such a scene, couldn't accept being in that kind of passive position, completely under someone else's control!
It overturned everything she believed about intimacy and even her own identity!
She stared at Yu Sheng, her throat feeling like it was being tightly strangled, unable to say a single word.
"What? Can't do it?" Yu Sheng sneered. "Looks like President Shen's 'sincerity' is nothing more than this. You're not even willing to make this little 'sacrifice,' yet you talk about changing? About learning? How utterly ridiculous!"
She threw off the blanket and got out of bed, as if staying even one more second would disgust her.
"Since you can't do it, then stop putting on that disgusting act of being deeply in love and full of regret. Just sign the divorce papers already. It'll be a relief for both of us."
After saying that, she didn't spare a glance at Shen Yunmian, who stood frozen in place as if turned to stone.
Without looking back, she walked out of the bedroom, her footsteps crisp and resolute.
Yu Sheng sat in a taxi back to Jingshui, watching the night scenery flash past outside the window. Her face was expressionless; the satisfaction from those cutting words had already faded, leaving only endless exhaustion and emptiness.
She knew exactly how much those words had hurt Shen Yunmian—enough to completely shatter her ridiculous hopes.
But in her earlier rush to bring up divorce, she had overlooked something important.
Shen Yunmian had always been ashamed of her parents' marriage. No matter how bad it was, in Shen Yunmian's eyes it still fit her ideal template of marriage—after all, she was the only one who had suffered in it.
The more Yu Sheng thought about it, the more she wanted to slap herself twice. How could she have been so stupid back then?
But now she had misjudged their respective experiences of marriage. If she wanted a smooth divorce, it probably wouldn't be that simple.
From here on, she had to be prepared for a prolonged battle with Shen Yunmian.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom at Jiuxi Bay, Shen Yunmian lay awake the entire night, caught in endless shame and inner turmoil.
—
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