The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
The expression on Shen Yunmian's face stiffened, her pupils shrinking sharply.
As if she hadn't heard clearly—or as if she had just heard something utterly absurd, completely impossible.
She even tilted her head slightly, as though that might help her avoid the sudden explosion thrown directly at her.
Shock, confusion, disbelief—all flickered through her eyes.
For a moment, she couldn't even form a response.
Divorce? Yu Sheng was asking her for a divorce?
After a long time, she finally forced out the words with difficulty:
"…What?"
Yu Sheng looked at her stunned expression without much reaction.
She simply continued in that same calm, analytical tone:
"I know you're surprised. But I think this is the best choice for us right now. Look—we don't have any feelings left between us. Staying tied together will only torment each other."
"For you, for me, for both families… there's no benefit at all."
She paused, observing that Shen Yunmian's face was still filled with shock, then continued "reasoning" calmly:
"I'm very clear about the situation of the Yu Corporation. Without you, it wouldn't have lasted until today. I acknowledge that. So I won't be so tactless as to demand control of the company. I only want what I'm entitled to—30% of Yu Corporation's shares."
"The dividends from that portion are enough to ensure my mother lives the rest of her life comfortably and with dignity."
"As for me, you can rest assured—I won't interfere in the company's operations, nor will I cause you any trouble."
She even tried to consider things from Shen Yunmian's perspective, lowering the resistance:
"As for the reason for the divorce, we can discuss it properly. To the public, we can say it's due to incompatibility, or even put the blame on me."
"We'll try our best not to affect your reputation or Shen Corporation's. I'll cooperate with any occasions where I need to appear or make statements."
"Shen Yunmian, this is actually a very straightforward calculation. Ending a marriage that exists in name only means you won't have to deal with it anymore. You can focus more on your career, and on the person you… want to be with."
Yu Sheng felt she had already been rational enough, had already compromised enough—perhaps even to the point of being "considerate."
She laid out the pros and cons, only asking to retain a small foundation for survival, even taking Shen Yunmian's reputation into account.
She thought that someone like Shen Yunmian, who always prioritized self interest above all else, would understand how "worth it" this deal was.
However, she underestimated the impact of the words "divorce" on Shen Yunmian.
Shen Yunmian finally snapped out of her extreme shock.
Listening to Yu Sheng calmly listing, one by one, the "benefits" of divorce—
Her tone was so composed, her logic so clear—it was obvious she had thought this through for a long time.
Shen Yunmian suddenly cut her off, her voice rising with anger, even turning sharp:
"You've been planning this all along, haven't you?"
"From the moment you started coming to the company—no, even earlier! You've been planning how to divorce me! All this so-called studying, all this effort—was just preparation for negotiating terms with me today."
Her eyes reddened slightly with anger.
She felt like a clown, played in the palm of Yu Sheng's hand.
Yu Sheng didn't panic in the face of her rage, only frowned slightly.
As if she couldn't understand why Shen Yunmian was so agitated.
She avoided the sharp question of "planning all along," and simply repeated:
"I just think divorce is better for everyone. If you think 30% is too much, we can negotiate…"
Yu Sheng tried to compromise, assuming Shen Yunmian thought she was asking for too much.
"20% is fine too, as long as it's enough for my mother—"
"Impossible!" Shen Yunmian cut her off sharply, her chest heaving.
She was being driven insane by Yu Sheng's businesslike attitude.
"Yu Sheng, I'm telling you, it's impossible! I will not agree to a divorce! Don't even think about it!"
She couldn't understand it. She couldn't accept it.
Divorce? How could that be possible!
From the moment they got married, she had never even considered that option.
"Shen Yunmian, you—" Yu Sheng tried to say something more.
But Shen Yunmian no longer wanted to listen.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would lose control and do something unpredictable.
She turned abruptly, staggering slightly.
Then she yanked the door open, carrying overwhelming anger—and a kind of panic even she couldn't understand—
And slammed the door behind her!
"Bang—!"
The loud crash echoed through the empty hallway, making Yu Sheng's ears ring.
Yu Sheng stood there, stunned by the firm rejection, unable to react for a long moment.
What did that mean?
A surge of anger gradually rose within her.
30% was too much, 20% wasn't acceptable either? Did Shen Yunmian expect her to leave with nothing?
The Yu Corporation was originally her family's business, yet she wasn't even willing to leave her a basic guarantee.
Shen Yunmian, you really are a cold-blooded capitalist to the core! Using her up and then discarding her without a trace of old affection!
Yu Sheng trembled with anger, immediately grabbing her phone and calling Gu Wanqing.
The moment the call connected, Yu Sheng couldn't hold back and began venting rapidly.
Her voice trembled slightly with anger: "Wanqing! I'm so furious I could die! Shen Yunmian is just not human!"
She quickly recounted everything that had just happened.
Emphasizing how firmly Shen Yunmian refused the divorce, and how she wouldn't even agree to 20% of the shares.
"…She just wants me to leave with nothing—use me up and then kick me aside!"
"How can someone be so cold and selfish! I must have been blind back then!"
Gu Wanqing was stunned on the other end, then immediately became furious as well, joining in:
"What the hell! Is Shen Yunmian even human? That ruthless? This is way too much!"
"Sheng Sheng, don't be afraid! Fight her to the end! People like her don't deserve an easy life!"
Yu Sheng took a deep breath, a resolute, sharp glint flashing in her eyes:
"That's right! Since she's heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Since Shen Yunmian wanted to leave her with nothing, then she wouldn't let Shen Yunmian have it easy either.
She would use her memories from her past life to undermine Shen Yunmian.
Even if she couldn't shake the foundation of her company, she could still make her suffer significant losses.
—
Shen Yunmian, who had stormed out, still retained a sliver of rationality.
She didn't drive, instead wandering aimlessly.
Her mind replayed Yu Sheng's calm, almost cruel expression when she proposed divorce.
Every word felt like a poisoned ice needle, stabbing into a weakness she never knew she had.
Divorce?
In her understanding, that word should never exist between her and Yu Sheng.
As her anger subsided slightly, it revealed something more unsettling beneath—an uncontrollable sense of confusion.
She tried to analyze Yu Sheng's motives using her usual logic.
Was it because she hadn't paid enough attention? Because of the miscarriage? Or… as Yu Sheng said, because there was no love left?
The last possibility made her chest tighten instinctively, and she avoided it.
She tried to categorize Yu Sheng's behavior as "impulsive" or "emotional."
She even began to wonder if she had neglected her lately due to work.
That miscarriage… perhaps the blow to Yu Sheng had been far greater than she imagined.
So great that it led her to such extreme, absurd thoughts.
Yes, that must be it.
Shen Yunmian clung to this idea like a lifeline, trying to convince herself.
Yu Sheng had just been overstimulated, under too much pressure, and needed an outlet.
Not that she had truly, rationally decided to leave her.
This kind of self-explanation brought a hint of guilt—
But it was far easier than accepting the fact that Yu Sheng had consciously and deliberately chosen to end their relationship.
Shen Yunmian even found a twisted sense of reassurance in it—
If it was an "illness," then it could be "treated."
As long as she found the cause and applied the right solution, everything could return to normal.
She, Shen Yunmian, could control a vast business empire—could she not handle a little "psychological issue" from her wife?
What she needed was time, patience, and a more "correct" way of communicating.
Tonight, she had just been too hasty, thrown off by that sudden mention of "divorce."
Next time—next time she would handle it better, guide her wife back to calm.
This self-comforting reflection temporarily covered the fear and pain she refused to acknowledge.
She gradually calmed down, trying to fit everything back into a familiar, controllable framework.
Yes, that must be it.
The problem could be solved. Yu Sheng was still her wife.
Just then, her phone rang.
The screen displayed "Grandma."
Shen Yunmian took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and answered.
"Yunmian, where are you?"
The old lady's voice sounded as authoritative as ever, though there was a hint of probing beneath it.
"I'm outside, Grandma. Is something wrong?" Shen Yunmian tried to sound normal.
"Come back to the old house. I have something to ask you," the old lady said firmly.
"Alright, I'll head back now."
Shen Yunmian immediately called the driver and sent her location.
About ten minutes later, the car arrived.
She got in, heading toward the Shen family's old residence.
Along the way, her thoughts remained chaotic.
Yu Sheng's calm "divorce" and her resolute expression replayed over and over in her mind.
Like a thorn lodged deep inside, making her restless.
When she arrived at the old residence, the study was filled with the faint aroma of tea, softening the otherwise serious atmosphere.
Old Madam Shen set down her teapot when she saw Shen Yunmian enter.
"Why does your complexion look so bad? No matter how busy work is, you still need to take care of your health."
"I'm fine, Grandma."
Shen Yunmian sat across from her on the huanghuali chair, avoiding the main point.
Subconsciously unwilling to let her grandmother see her discomposure.
"Mm," the old lady nodded slightly, then casually shifted the topic.
"Where's Yu Sheng? How has she been lately? I heard from others… she's been going to Yu Corporation quite frequently?"
Shen Yunmian's heart tightened. She picked up the teacup the servant had just served, using it to conceal her emotions.
"Mm, she said staying at home makes her overthink, so she wants to learn how to manage the company. I had Secretary Li guide her, let her get familiar with things."
"Oh?" The old madam lightly fiddled with the teacup lid, producing a crisp sound. Her tone revealed neither approval nor disapproval.
"After this miscarriage, it's natural for Yu Sheng to feel resentment and struggle to move past it for a while. You need to be more understanding, spend more time with her—don't just focus on work all day."
"And I've heard… that Lin Ruoyan has been quite close to you lately?"
"Yunmian, now that you're married, you need to act with propriety. You should know how to avoid suspicion."
"If those rumors outside spread too much, they won't sound good. What gets hurt is Yu Sheng's heart, and what's damaged is our Shen family's reputation. You mustn't follow your father's path from back then…"
At this point, the old madam stopped appropriately.
It was clear she still held a grudge about her son's past scandals and had no intention of letting her granddaughter repeat the same mistakes.
Shen Yunmian frowned slightly and immediately said, "Grandma, Ruoyan and I only have a working relationship. There's nothing else."
"I'll handle those rumors."
"That's best." The old madam nodded in satisfaction, then spoke earnestly again.
"As long as the two of you are doing well, nothing else matters. And hurry and have a child—that's the long-term plan."
That was what the old madam truly wanted to say.
She did like Yu Sheng, and she genuinely felt sorry for her miscarriage.
But what she valued more was the stability of the alliance between the Shen and Yu families, and the future heir.
What she wanted to see was a harmonious family and the continuation of the bloodline.
However, thinking of Yu Sheng's current attitude, Shen Yunmian felt her throat tighten.
She said quietly, "As for the child… there's no rush. Let her recover first."
The old madam was sharp. She immediately sensed the hesitation and avoidance in her tone.
Her gaze grew slightly sharper. "Yunmian, tell Grandma the truth. Yu Sheng… does she really just want to learn about the company? She doesn't have any other thoughts?"
Shen Yunmian understood the deeper meaning in her grandmother's words, but didn't respond immediately.
The old madam lowered her voice, her words carrying the caution of someone seasoned by life:
"Yunmian, Grandma likes Sheng Sheng and hopes you two will be well. But there are some things I must remind you of."
"Even though Yu Corporation currently relies on our Shen family, in name it still belongs to the Yu family."
"Sheng Sheng herself may not have any bad intentions, but those collateral relatives of the Yu family may not all be so well-behaved."
"Now that Sheng Sheng is suddenly so proactive about going to the company, if someone with ulterior motives influences her, or if she develops other ideas… it could become troublesome."
"While things are still under control, you should start taking action early. Sort out the business ties between the two families. Integrate what should be integrated."
"When you two have a child in the future, won't all of this belong to your child anyway?"
"If you straighten things out now, it will prevent complications later. If the two of you grow distant, that would be the greatest misfortune."
The old madam's words were both gentle and forceful, combining persuasion with authority.
She was indeed speaking from the perspective of maintaining the family's overall interests and long-term stability.
There was both a degree of care and fondness for Yu Sheng, and a wary, calculating vigilance toward the potential risks behind her.
She hoped Shen Yunmian would use gentle but effective means to fully bring Yu Corporation under the Shen family's control, eliminating all instability.
In the end, achieving complete control and paving the way for a future heir.
Shen Yunmian listened in stunned silence.
She hadn't expected her grandmother to think so far ahead, or calculate so deeply.
Only now did she realize that in her grandmother's heart, the stability and continuation of the family always came first.
Personal emotions had to give way.
This cold realism sent a chill through her.
She suddenly thought of Yu Sheng's cold, resolute eyes—and that word, "divorce."
If her grandmother's plans were known to Yu Sheng…
She didn't dare imagine the consequences.
She opened her mouth, but in the end said nothing.
She couldn't refute her grandmother's logic, nor could she reveal the harsh truth that Yu Sheng had already proposed divorce.
"Grandma, I understand what you mean. I will… handle it properly."
In the end, she could only give a vague promise.
"Mm, as long as you understand. Remember, everything must be done with the right approach. Don't hurt the feelings between you two."
Seeing that she had listened, the old madam said no more.
Shen Yunmian left the old residence with a heavy heart, her grandmother's words weighing on her like a boulder.
On one side was Yu Sheng's cold figure, determined to leave.
On the other was her grandmother's expectation that she fully takes control of Yu Corporation and stabilize the group.
And she herself hadn't even figured out how to face her wife, who had suddenly become so unfamiliar, and so determined to escape her.
—
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