By the time Xu Yao returned to her rented apartment, her anger had subsided.
Over the past three years, Xu Yao could have chosen to be a parasitic plant clinging to Shen Yan's life, but she didn't. She chose to rely on herself. If she could manage without Shen Yan, why would she now consider leaning on the unfamiliar Gu Jun?
The only person who could truly be her rock—her own father—was gone. For the rest of her life, she could only rely on herself.
After returning home, Xu Yao took a long, thorough shower.
The small rental apartment held several floor-standing clothes racks, and shelves overflowed with an array of accessories. After the Xu family's bankruptcy, Xu Yao had sold every valuable piece of clothing, shoe, bag, and jewelry to pay off debts. Now, the room was filled with inexpensive clothes—investments necessary for her work as a fashion blogger.
Xu Yao placed the key Gu Jun had given her on the table and began sorting through her belongings one by one.
If not for fear of being exposed, Xu Yao would never have considered staying at Gu Jun's place.
Halfway through packing, Xu Yao received a call from the company, demanding she return immediately.
"Team Leader, I'm not scheduled to return until tomorrow—"
"It's urgent!"
The team leader softened his tone. "Xu Yao, haven't I approved every leave request you've made recently? I've been accommodating you—now you need to accommodate me."
Xu Yao had indeed taken several days off this month. Hearing this, she abandoned her half-packed suitcase and rushed back to the office....
Xu Yao worked at an advertising creative agency in South City.
During Xu Yao's high school years, the Xu family was at its peak. Xu Qinghua heard that art students had an easier time with college entrance exams. Since Xu Yao had a foundation from years of painting in the youth program, he encouraged her to pursue art. For a wealthy family's daughter to pursue art seemed like a promising path. With some natural talent and the Xu family's willingness to invest in classes, Xu Yao actually gained admission to a prestigious art academy through the college entrance exam.
That year, the Xu family hosted a banquet to celebrate Xu Yao's acceptance. Xu Qinghua, flushed with drink, slurred in front of everyone that he would nurture Xu Yao into a great painter.
"Yao, just focus on painting! Leave everything else to Daddy!"
Who could have predicted the Xu family would go bankrupt?
Xu Yao never became a painter. Instead, she leveraged her art background to work as an art director at an advertising agency. Honestly, her salary was decent for someone her age
It wasn't enough for a lavish lifestyle, but it comfortably covered her living expenses.
Unfortunately, she also carried a massive debt burden. Her salary fell far short of covering both her needs and her obligations. Xu Yao had no choice but to scrimp and save while actively seeking additional income streams. After two years of effort, her side income now far exceeded her salary... yet she couldn't quit the ad agency job. Though her side hustle surpassed her main income, it lacked stability!
When Xu Yao hurriedly arrived at the office, the team leader who'd urgently called her was nowhere to be found. Instead, a young man sat at her desk, seemingly having waited for quite some time.
Their eyes locked, and without a word, Xu Yao turned and walked away.
"Yao Yao!"
Shen Yan rose and grabbed her arm. "Let's talk."
Xu Yao didn't blame her team leader for tricking her into meeting Shen Yan. The Shen family was one of the company's clients, and it was hard for the team leader to refuse the client's demands.
Xu Yao didn't have a private office, and her colleagues were all pricking up their ears, waiting for gossip. She forcefully pulled her arm free from Shen Yan's grasp and smoothed her sleeves.
"Fine. Let's talk somewhere else."
A male colleague mustered his courage to ask if she needed help. Xu Yao shook her head. "Thanks, but this is personal. I can handle it."
The man looked disappointed.
Xu Yao had never hidden her engagement at work, but none of her colleagues had ever met Shen Yan. Many even doubted the existence of the fiancé she spoke of. Today, when Shen Yan came to the office and colleagues inquired, he introduced himself.
Several male colleagues who secretly harbored feelings for Xu Yao collectively had their hearts shattered! A few minutes later, Xu Yao and Shen Yan sat down in the coffee shop.
It was the same corner where Xu Yao had confronted Wen Yiyi. Now it was her turn to confront Shen Yan.
Just as the waiter brought their coffee, Shen Yan placed a red velvet gift box in front of Xu Yao.
"Yao Yao, you left your ring at the Shen residence."
Xu Yao had already returned the ring to the Shens that day, but Shen Yan insisted she had forgotten it—clearly refusing to accept her voluntary annulment of the engagement.
This outcome was entirely within Xu Yao's expectations.
If Shen Yan could so easily accept a breakup, why would Xu Yao have rushed into marriage with Gu Jun?
Shen Yan appeared gentle on the surface but was actually extremely domineering. Especially over the past two years, as he gradually took charge of the Shen family business, he grew increasingly authoritative, demanding absolute obedience.
Shen Yan had his temper, and Xu Yao had her own resolve. "We've known each other for ten years. I thought you understood me. Shen Yan, accept the reality. Our engagement is off."
Shen Yan frowned. "An engagement requires both parties to attend the ceremony, but ending it only needs one person's decision? Yaoyao, I refuse to agree to this breakup."
Just as Xu Yao was about to reveal she was already married, Shen Yan softened his voice, his tone sincere with apology. "Did my mother say something hurtful again? That's just her nature. Don't take it to heart."
As he spoke, Shen Yan placed a second box on the table. It was conspicuously branded with a label Xu Yao couldn't afford now. Clearly, this was Shen Yan's specially prepared apology gift.
This wasn't the first time Shen Yan had given Xu Yao an expensive gift.
Whenever business commitments caused him to miss a date with Xu Yao, or Mrs. Shen gave her the cold shoulder, Shen Yan would promptly send an apology gift. It was his gentlemanly way of doing things, and also his excuse to subsidize Xu Yao... She accepted them sometimes, sometimes not, based on whether she could afford a gift of equal value in return.
After so many exchanges, Shen Yan had learned his lesson. He knew Xu Yao wouldn't accept overly expensive items, so he avoided costly surprises. This time, however, Shen Yan's rationality had been clouded by Xu Yao's resolute rejection. He'd chosen a gift far beyond her financial means.
Xu Yao's pride was pricked.
Love thrives on affection alone, but marriage demands equal footing.
Perhaps what truly drove Xu Yao to call off the engagement wasn't Mrs. Shen's attitude, but her own unflinching clarity—so clear she couldn't deceive herself about the gulf between them. Even if they'd married, her nature would have made their relationship grow increasingly awkward.
Xu Yao gathered her composure and regained her rhythm. "Shen Yan, you're so intelligent—how could you not understand why I called off the engagement? Ending it now allows our relationship to conclude with dignity... Don't come looking for me at the company anymore. I'm truly married now, and I'm afraid my husband wouldn't be pleased."
Shen Yan chuckled lightly. "Really married? You found a suitable partner so quickly? Yao Yao, your lies are too clumsy."
The Xu family had gone bankrupt, Xu Qinghua was dead, and though Xu Yao no longer radiated her former brightness, deep down she remained the same proud and haughty "Miss Xu."
In such a rush, Xu Yao couldn't possibly find a marriage partner she approved of!
Small acts of drama are entertaining, but grand gestures only damage feelings. Shen Yan lost patience and rose first. "Let's talk when you've calmed down."...
Shen Yan was certain Xu Yao was putting on a show, which actually made him less anxious.
Back when Xu Yao was still Miss Xu, Shen Yan had devoted his entire heart to her. It wasn't that Shen Yan was materialistic—the Xu family was wealthy, and the Shen family was certainly no poorhouse. He didn't like Xu Yao because of her family's money. The Xu Yao of that time was simply too dazzling. If Shen Yan hadn't kept a close watch, she could easily have been snatched away by rivals.
Shen Yan admitted he wasn't as anxious about Xu Yao as before.
First, potential rivals had been deterred by the Xu family's bankruptcy. Second, the fiery passion of their years-long courtship had gradually faded. As Shen Yan matured, he realized love wasn't life's most crucial pursuit. He had a family business to inherit and ambitions to fulfill—he couldn't waste his days on romantic entanglements.
When Shen Yan left, he took with him the gift for Xu Yao and their engagement ring.
He would wait for Xu Yao to come to her own realization.
Until Xu Yao figured out her own place in the world, Shen Yan would keep her at arm's length.