After being firmly rebuffed by Su Qingyu at the company, Shen Yunmian remained in a state of agitation.
The rumors about Yu Sheng and Su Qingyu being close kept tormenting her nerves over and over again.
She realized she simply could not stop paying attention to Yu Sheng.
This attention was no longer the casual concern born of responsibility or habit—it had turned into something almost obsessive, driven by jealousy and unease. She even resorted to some less-than-honorable means, having people keep tabs on Yu Sheng's movements.
This loss of control disgusted even herself, yet the fear of losing her pushed her deeper and deeper.
That evening, Shen Yunmian sat alone in her spacious apartment handling emails, but her mind was restless.
By eleven-thirty at night, she finally couldn't take it anymore and dialed a number.
"Has she gotten off work?" Her voice sounded dry in the silent room.
The person on the other end reported in a low voice, "President Yu left the company around 9:30 p.m. Assistant Su drove her back to the Jingshui Bay apartment."
A bit of tension eased in Shen Yunmian's chest.
But the next words instantly tightened her heart again.
"…Assistant Su also went upstairs with her and hasn't come down yet."
"Hasn't come down?" Shen Yunmian repeated, her voice turning cold.
"Yes. We've kept watching the whole time. She hasn't come down."
Two hours. Late at night. Two women alone in the same room.
The thought exploded in her mind like a bomb.
All her previous unease and the rumors she had heard tangled together, pushing her to the brink.
A cold wave of crisis surged through her, reaching its peak.
All her composure, strategy, and pride were thrown out the window.
She could no longer sit at home and wait.
Grabbing her car keys, Shen Yunmian rushed out without even changing out of her home clothes, speeding straight toward the Jingshui Bay apartment.
Her mind was a mess the entire way, filled with surging anger.
She couldn't accept it—even though she knew Yu Sheng wouldn't cross any lines.
She didn't want to admit it, but she was jealous—so jealous she had lost her rationality, so uncomfortable she felt like she was going crazy.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The urgent knocking echoed sharply through the quiet hallway.
Footsteps sounded from inside, and the door opened a crack.
Yu Sheng stood there in loose home clothes, her face showing a trace of fatigue and annoyance at being disturbed.
But the moment she saw Shen Yunmian—face dark, breathing slightly uneven—that annoyance instantly turned into cold wariness and obvious impatience.
"Shen Yunmian?" Yu Sheng's brows knitted tightly, her voice icy. "It's so late. What are you doing here?"
She made no move to let her in, even instinctively blocking the doorway.
Shen Yunmian's gaze passed over Yu Sheng and landed on Su Qingyu, who had stood up in the living room at the noise.
She was still there—she had even been sitting casually on the sofa, as if this were her own home.
That sight was like gasoline poured onto the fire in Shen Yunmian's heart. She nearly lost control.
She shoved the door open, forcing her way inside despite Yu Sheng's obstruction.
"What am I doing here?" Shen Yunmian's voice trembled from the effort of suppressing her anger.
She glanced at Su Qingyu standing in the living room, then turned sharply to Yu Sheng, her tone laced with uncontrollable jealousy. "Did I come at a bad time? Am I interrupting you two?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Yu Sheng's expression darkened instantly. "Shen Yunmian, what are you going crazy for? You're not welcome here. Get out!"
"Why should I leave?"
Shen Yunmian let out a cold laugh. Looking around this private space she had never been allowed into, jealousy and panic surged within her, making her speak recklessly. "Yu Sheng, have you forgotten your identity? You're my wife. Why can't I come? And lately, rumors about our marriage are everywhere. So many eyes are watching us."
She took a deep breath, trying to cloak her absurd jealousy in something more reasonable. "At a time like this, you should be even more careful about your behavior—not staying alone late at night with another woman and giving people something to talk about. I think, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, the most reliable solution is for me to move in."
Yu Sheng was so furious she almost laughed. "Move in? In your dreams!"
Standing nearby, Su Qingyu watched the sudden farce with a slight headache.
She could clearly sense Shen Yunmian's jealousy and loss of control, and she could also see Yu Sheng on the verge of exploding.
She knew her presence would only worsen things.
So she stepped forward tactfully. "President Yu, I'll go back and send you the revised details of tonight's plan by email. I'll take my leave first." She even gave Shen Yunmian a polite wave. "President Shen, goodbye."
With that, she picked up her bag and headed for the door, her movements clean and decisive.
The door closed softly behind her, leaving only Yu Sheng and Shen Yunmian glaring at each other in the apartment.
Su Qingyu's departure took away part of Shen Yunmian's excuse to lash out, and it also removed the final restraint on Yu Sheng's anger. The fury she had been suppressing finally reached its peak.
Since her rebirth, all the restraint, disappointment, and disgust… every emotion erupted in this moment.
That violent impulse, pushed to the edge, surged up uncontrollably once again.
Her eyes reddened slightly with anger as she clenched her fists and strode toward Shen Yunmian, intending to kick her out.
Shen Yunmian had been trying to piece together her words, hoping to ease the atmosphere and explain the "reasonableness" of her coming.
But the moment she saw the fierce look in Yu Sheng's eyes, it instantly triggered some unpleasant memories. When Yu Sheng was truly enraged, she would act—and she was strong.
Almost instinctively, Shen Yunmian stepped back abruptly. "Yu Sheng, calm down, don't… don't hit me!"
Her reaction was so quick that it actually stunned Yu Sheng in the midst of her fury.
Looking at the usually aloof, elegant, and untouchable President Shen now appearing afraid of being hit, Yu Sheng's blazing anger seemed to burst open at a crack, replaced by a sense of absurdity and biting irony.
She laughed in anger. "Get out! Shen Yunmian, get the hell out right now! I'm sick of seeing you!"
She didn't waste another word. Using all her strength, she shoved Shen Yunmian—who hadn't even reacted yet—violently out the door.
Stumbling, Shen Yunmian fell out into the hallway. Before she could steady herself, there was a loud bang!
The heavy security door slammed shut in front of her.
The merciless expulsion left her standing frozen in the cold corridor, her face burning with humiliation as it overwhelmed her completely.
Fortunately, Su Qingyu had already left.
Not daring to provoke Yu Sheng any further, Shen Yunmian stared at the door for a moment before leaving in frustration.
And her reckless late-night intrusion became the final straw that broke Yu Sheng's tolerance.
This endless entanglement, even laced with insulting suspicion, made her feel suffocated and utterly exhausted.
She could not allow herself to be dragged into this draining tug-of-war any longer.
Early the next morning, the very first thing Yu Sheng did was contact her legal team directly.
Her instructions were clear and resolute: immediately prepare all materials for filing a divorce lawsuit based on the prenuptial agreement. The terms must be precise, leaving no room for negotiation. Asset division would strictly follow the agreement—she would make no additional demands. Her only goal was to dissolve the marriage as quickly as possible.
The legal team immediately began preparing the case.
According to legal procedures, the documents would be compiled and formally submitted to the court, which would then serve them to the defendant, officially initiating the divorce proceedings.
However, someone within the legal team reported to Shen Yunmian right away, informing her of Yu Sheng's decision to file for divorce.
—
President's Office, Shen Corporation.
Shen Yunmian was listening to a report from her subordinate when her private phone suddenly vibrated.
She glanced at it—and the moment she saw the message, her face turned deathly pale.
The message was short but devastating: "President Yu has decided to formally file for divorce."
For a moment, she even wondered if she had read it wrong.
Her fingers trembled as she closed the message. Her mind went blank, and she was completely stunned. A fear she had never felt before swallowed her whole. There was no anger—only bone-chilling coldness and helpless confusion.
She had never imagined Yu Sheng would truly go as far as filing a lawsuit—and with such decisiveness.
"President Shen? What's wrong?" the subordinate asked cautiously upon noticing her expression.
Shen Yunmian suddenly snapped back to her senses, only then realizing how much she had lost control.
She waved her hand, her voice hoarse. "Leave… just leave for now!"
The subordinate didn't dare ask further and quickly withdrew, closing the door behind them.
Now alone in the office, Shen Yunmian sat there blankly, staring at the message on her phone, her heart twisting in pain.
Before she could recover from the shock, the desk phone rang.
The caller ID read: "Old Residence Line."
Her heart tightened instantly, a sense of foreboding rising within her.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and picked up the call.
The butler's respectful yet firm voice came through. "Miss, the old madam requests that you return to the residence immediately. There is an important matter to discuss."
Grandmother knows…how did she find out so quickly?
Shen Yunmian's heart sank to the bottom.
—
The atmosphere at the Shen family's old residence was suffocatingly heavy.
Old Madam Shen sat upright in a huanghuali chair, her face unreadable. Yu Sheng and Shen Yunmian sat on opposite sides, a noticeable distance between them.
Shen Yunmian's face was still pale, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of the divorce.
Yu Sheng, on the other hand, sat straight-backed and expressionless, as though she were merely attending an ordinary meeting.
"Explain. What's going on?" Old Madam Shen finally spoke, her voice calm but authoritative.
Her gaze fell first on Shen Yunmian, her tone turning sharp. "Yunmian, what exactly did you do to wrong Sheng Sheng so badly that she insists on going as far as divorce?!"
She put on the full act of a concerned elder, scolding her granddaughter while appearing to sympathize with Yu Sheng, as if she knew nothing and was merely worried about the marriage.
Yu Sheng lowered her eyes, a silent laugh in her heart, though her face showed nothing.
Shen Yunmian opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but found herself unable to. In the end, she could only say softly, "Grandmother, it's my fault…"
"Of course it's your fault!" Old Madam Shen slapped the armrest heavily, then immediately turned to Yu Sheng, her expression changing into one of deep kindness. "Sheng Sheng, I know it must be Yunmian's fault for wronging you. I'll discipline her for you! But… divorce isn't something you should say on impulse. This isn't just between the two of you—it involves both families and the livelihoods of so many people in the company."
Yu Sheng remained silent, listening.
She knew this wouldn't end with a few perfunctory words—there was more to come.
As expected, Old Madam Shen changed her tone. "Back when your father's situation wasn't good, Shen Corporation invested so much money. The debts between us are deeply entangled—pull one thread, and everything moves."
"If you really divorce, and relations between the two families break down, Shen Corporation may have no choice but to withdraw its funding for the sake of shareholders. When that happens, can Yu Corporation's cash flow still hold? If anything goes wrong… your father's life's work could truly be in danger. I care about you, child. I don't want you to act impulsively and regret it later."
These "earnest" words were like a dagger, stabbing precisely into Yu Sheng's most vulnerable spot.
She suddenly looked up, staring at the seemingly kind old woman in disbelief.
At that moment, she saw clearly—completely clearly—the cold calculation beneath that gentle mask.
There was no real concern, no goodwill. Only naked interests and ruthless threats.
She was being blackmailed—with her father's legacy, with the fate of Yu Corporation, with the livelihoods of countless employees—forced to maintain a marriage that existed in name only.
A chill shot up from her feet, spreading through her entire body, as if her blood were freezing.
In her previous life, she had actually treated such a person with respect and care for so long? She had truly been blind.
Yu Sheng once again realized the cruelty of reality—how naive and laughable she had been in her past life.
"Grandmother!" Shen Yunmian couldn't take it anymore. She hadn't expected her grandmother to use such pressure and hurriedly tried to stop her. "That's not how it is, please don't be so—"
"Shut up!" Yu Sheng cut her off sharply, her gaze carrying a warning.
Watching the two of them play their parts, she felt as if they were performing a rehearsed act.
To her, Shen Yunmian's attempt to speak wasn't helping—it was just another form of complicity.
If Shen Yunmian truly didn't want to force her, if she had even a shred of respect, she should have agreed to the divorce instead of offering such weak, hollow defenses.
At that moment, any last trace of attachment Yu Sheng had toward this marriage and the Shen family was completely extinguished.
Only endless disappointment remained.
Yet she couldn't tear everything apart right now.
Her mother's fragile face, her father's unwilling yet worried expression when entrusting the company to her before his death, and the countless diligent employees of Yu Corporation—all flashed through her mind.
She couldn't act recklessly. Old Madam Shen's threat was not empty.
Shen Corporation's financial "support" and guarantees had already wrapped around Yu Corporation like a web.
If that support were withdrawn, this already unstable ship could collapse in an instant.
That was her father's life's work, her mother's security, and the foundation for countless families.
Compared to that, her personal pain felt insignificant.
A crushing sense of helplessness poured over her like icy water, extinguishing the flames of anger in her chest. She lowered her eyes with great difficulty, her thick lashes hiding all emotion. When she looked up again, her face was calm.
"Grandmother, you're right. I was thinking too simply. I was too impulsive and didn't consider the bigger picture." Yu Sheng spoke with difficulty, making her decision. "For the sake of Yu Corporation… for the bigger picture, the divorce can be postponed."
Every word felt like it was wrapped in shards of glass, grinding painfully through her throat, leaving behind a metallic taste of blood.
The old madam carefully studied her face, as if trying to find even the slightest trace of unwillingness or resentment beneath that calm expression. But Yu Sheng concealed it too well—it was the complete numbness that came after a heart had died.
After a long moment, satisfaction finally appeared on the old madam's face.
"Good, I knew you were the most sensible, the one who understands the bigger picture best."
She patted Yu Sheng's hand kindly, the touch making Yu Sheng feel a near-instinctive wave of nausea.
Then, as if casually mentioning it, the old madam added, "That's more like it. What kind of grudge can last overnight between wives? Once it's talked through, it's fine. Living separately like this—what does it look like? How could those rumors outside ever stop? If you ask me, you should move back to Jiuxi Bay. After all, that's your home."
Move back? Live day and night with the person she desperately wanted to escape?
Yu Sheng's hand at her side clenched instantly, her nails digging deep into her palm. Only that sharp pain allowed her to maintain the calm expression on her face, stopping herself from losing control on the spot.
Beside them, from the moment Yu Sheng said "postpone," Shen Yunmian felt a brief sense of relief—only to be swallowed again by overwhelming unease.
She understood Yu Sheng's decisiveness after her change. This kind of "compliance" was far more frightening than outright resistance.
This was not forgiveness—it was the complete suppression of all emotion, a total disappointment pushed to its limit.
Hearing the old madam press Yu Sheng to move back, alarm bells rang loudly in her mind.
Push any further, and it might backfire completely—driving Yu Sheng even farther away, even triggering something irreversible.
"Grandma!" Shen Yunmian hurriedly interrupted, her voice urgent. "Sheng Sheng… has a lot going on at the company lately. Jingshui Bay is closer, it's more convenient for commuting. Moving back and forth would just be trouble—she should focus on handling company matters first."
The old madam hadn't expected her granddaughter to oppose her at this moment, but seeing the rare determination in Shen Yunmian's eyes—and glancing at Yu Sheng's cold expression—she finally relented.
"Sheng Sheng, I'm not unreasonable. Think it over carefully. I'm doing this for your own good. Living apart like this isn't a long-term solution. Don't you agree?"
Yu Sheng remained silent, only giving the faintest, almost imperceptible nod.
If she said even one more word, she was afraid she would lose control.
At last, this suffocating "family meeting" came to an end.
Yu Sheng stood up almost immediately, her voice hoarse as she said, "Grandma, I'll head back first."
Shen Yunmian, flustered, hurried after her. "Yu Sheng, wait!"
In the spacious courtyard of the old residence, Shen Yunmian caught up in a few steps and grabbed her wrist, her voice anxious and panicked. "Sheng Sheng, listen to me. What Grandma said just now—that wasn't my intention. I never wanted to use those things to force you. I really didn't. You have to believe me!"
Yu Sheng shook her hand off sharply and turned to look at her.
Those beautiful eyes held nothing now but icy mockery. "Shen Yunmian, do you even believe that yourself?"
Shen Yunmian tried to explain, "Yes, I don't want a divorce, but I never thought of using the company to threaten you. Yu Sheng, we've been married for so long—don't you trust me at all?"
She did believe her—Shen Yunmian was too proud to resort to such underhanded methods.
But she also wouldn't oppose her grandmother for it. She would just stand by coldly. In the end, Yu Sheng would be the one being threatened, and Shen Yunmian the one benefiting. Yu Sheng had already seen through the filth of it all.
Yu Sheng let out a soft, mocking laugh. "You want me to believe you? Fine."
She stepped closer, her voice light, yet as sharp as a blade piercing straight into Shen Yunmian's heart. "Then go back right now and tell your grandmother that Shen Group will not withdraw any funds because of our marriage, will not apply any pressure. That Yu Group's debts will be handled through normal business procedures, completely separate from our marriage."
"And then sign the divorce agreement."
"As long as you can do that, Shen Yunmian, I'll believe you."
Her words were like a mirror that revealed demons, instantly exposing all of Shen Yunmian's helplessness and embarrassment.
Shen Yunmian froze in place, her face pale, lips moving slightly—but no words came out.
She couldn't do it.
And that divorce agreement—there was no way she could sign it.
Her silence, in Yu Sheng's eyes, became the clearest answer—and the most ridiculous joke.
"If you can't do it, then stop putting on this affectionate act. It's disgusting."
Without another glance, Yu Sheng turned and walked toward her car, decisively pulling open the door and starting the engine. The black car shot out like an arrow released from a bow, leaving the Shen residence without the slightest hesitation.
Only Shen Yunmian remained standing there alone, the word "disgusting" echoing endlessly in her mind.
Each repetition felt like a slow execution.
And the helplessness of being forced to compromise hung over Yu Sheng like dark clouds.
For several days, she threw herself into work with near-manic intensity, trying to numb herself with busyness. But in the quiet of the night, that suffocating oppression still lingered, making it impossible for her to sleep.
Just as her mood hit its lowest point, her phone rang. On the screen, the word "Mom" flickered.
Yu Sheng adjusted her emotions before answering, her voice deliberately light. "Mom?"
Her mother's gentle voice came through the phone. "Sheng Sheng, did I interrupt your work? My flight is tomorrow—I'm coming back. The treatment here is finished. The doctor said I've recovered very well, just need regular checkups from now on."
Her mother was coming back.
The news was like a beam of warm sunlight, briefly dispersing some of the gloom in Yu Sheng's heart.
"That's great! I'll pick you up tomorrow!"
"Alright, I knew my daughter is the best." Her mother's voice was full of affection.
The next day, Yu Sheng canceled all non-urgent meetings in the afternoon and drove to the airport early.
When she saw her mother, dressed elegantly in a qipao and looking radiant as she walked out of the exit, Yu Sheng immediately went up to her, took her small suitcase, and gave her a big hug.
"Mom, welcome home. You look amazing!"
"Yes, the environment there was nice, and I felt relaxed."
Her mother smiled, reaching out to touch her face. "But my Sheng Sheng seems a bit thinner. Have you been working too hard?"
Hooking her arm through her mother's, Yu Sheng said as they walked, "Mom, are you hungry? Let's go home first. I asked the housekeeper to prepare your favorite dishes."
Back in the warm and comfortable villa, the familiar surroundings finally eased some of the tension in Yu Sheng's nerves.
The table was filled with dishes they both loved.
At dinner, her mother enthusiastically shared stories from her time abroad, and Yu Sheng listened with a smile, occasionally responding. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
But a mother always knows her child best.
Her mother quickly sensed the faint exhaustion hidden beneath Yu Sheng's smile.
After dinner, as they walked in the garden, her mother finally stopped, took Yu Sheng's hand, and asked gently, worry in her eyes, "Sheng Sheng, tell me the truth… how are things between you and Yunmian? Are you really getting a divorce?"
Seeing the pure concern in her mother's eyes, Yu Sheng felt her nose sting. For a moment, she almost poured out all her grievances—but she forced herself to hold back.
Her mother had been cherished by her parents, and then protected by her husband all her life.
Like a delicate flower in a greenhouse—beautiful, but fragile.
The storms of the world and the cruelty of business were too far from her.
She couldn't help—and if she knew the truth, she would only worry day and night, possibly worsening her condition or acting impulsively.
Yu Sheng couldn't drag her into this mess.
So she forced a relaxed smile and reassured her, "Mom, don't overthink it. I can handle my marriage myself. I've just been busy with the company lately, that's all. I'm really fine, don't worry."
Her mother studied her eyes carefully, as if searching for any cracks.
But Yu Sheng hid it well.
After a while, her mother sighed softly and pulled her into an embrace. "As long as you're okay. Sheng Sheng, remember—your father is gone, and now I only have you. No matter what you decide, I'll support you."
Yu Sheng buried her face in her mother's shoulder, her voice muffled. "I know, Mom. Don't worry. Just focus on taking care of your health."
She knew better than anyone that this warmth was only a temporary refuge—the real storm still waited outside.
The path to breaking free from the Shen family's mire could only be walked step by step by herself. No matter how hard it was, she couldn't turn back.
Over the next few days, although Yu Sheng continued handling work with her usual decisiveness, the shadow lingering between her brows did not go unnoticed by the perceptive Su Qingyu.
During a discussion about the expansion of the short drama division, Su Qingyu closed her folder. Instead of standing up to carry out tasks as usual, she looked at Yu Sheng, her tone sincere and concerned.
"President Yu, you seem to have a lot on your mind lately. If there's anything I can share the burden of, please tell me."
Yu Sheng looked up, meeting Su Qingyu's clear and candid gaze.
Working side by side during this time had given her deep trust in Su Qingyu's ability and character.
The overwhelming humiliation and pressure of being forced into compromise almost crushed her; she truly needed an outlet, and someone who could genuinely understand her situation.
She took a deep breath and motioned for Su Qingyu to sit. The office fell silent.
Yu Sheng walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, her back to Su Qingyu. After a moment of silence, she said, "Qingyu, you are the partner I trust most. There are some things I don't want to hide from you anymore. My situation is far more complicated than what you can see. Not only do I need to find a way for the Yu Corporation to survive independently, but I'm also trapped in an extremely difficult divorce standoff."
She told Su Qingyu everything about her situation.
No exaggeration, no complaints—just a calm statement of facts.
But precisely because of that, the cold despair and suffocating constraints were even more palpable.
Su Qingyu listened quietly, then asked a sharp, piercing question: "Miss Yu, have you truly figured it out? What exactly do you want? And what price are you willing to pay for it?"
Yu Sheng hadn't expected such a direct question. She paused, thinking seriously. After a long while, she said slowly, "My goal isn't just a simple divorce. I want complete freedom. I want true independence for Yu Corporation. I want to ensure that my mother and I are never controlled by anyone again. But right now, my hands are tied by these financial entanglements and pursuit of gain."
"So what price are you willing to pay?" Su Qingyu pressed further.
Yu Sheng hesitated, then answered honestly, "I don't know. There are things that don't cross my bottom line that I can do. But things that do cross it…I think…I might not be able to."
Su Qingyu smiled slightly after hearing this, not particularly surprised, more thoughtful than anything.
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she quickly walked to her desk, picked up her tablet and several key reports, and began rapidly swiping and calculating, her mind running at high speed—factoring in Yu Corporation's current assets, debt structure, proportion of business tied to Shen Corporation, and every relevant variable.
Time passed second by second. The office was so quiet that only the tapping of her fingers and the flipping of papers could be heard.
Yu Sheng waited patiently. She had a vague sense that this answer would be crucial.
After a long while, Su Qingyu finally looked up and gave a rigorously analyzed conclusion: "Miss Yu, if you want to separate from Shen Corporation steadily without causing major upheaval, it will take at least one year. In this year, we need to accomplish several major tasks: gradually strip or replace the assets and businesses most deeply tied to Shen Corporation, establish at least two core profit-generating projects like the short drama division, expand our own financing channels, and gradually replace our dependence on Shen Corporation's capital. This is already the limit of speed. Any faster, and the risks will grow exponentially."
Hearing her structured reasoning, Yu Sheng seemed to vaguely grasp what she meant.
Su Qingyu said bluntly, "So, Miss Yu, are you willing to endure maintaining this marriage for one more year in exchange for a stable transition for the company? That is your price. Of course, if you truly can't endure it, then the only option may be mutual destruction. At that point, Miss Shen might agree to some of your demands to maintain face and corporate stability, and a peaceful divorce wouldn't be impossible."
"One year…"
Yu Sheng murmured the number. Did she really have to keep up appearances with Shen Yunmian for an entire year?
But when she thought about how she had given her heart and soul to the Shen family, only to be schemed against like this—and possibly even lose her father's lifelong work, forced to beg Shen Yunmian for mercy—her unwillingness only grew stronger.
The moment Grandmother threatened her, a peaceful divorce had already become a humiliation.
Seeing Yu Sheng's conflicted and pained expression, Su Qingyu suddenly let out a soft laugh.
The sound broke the heavy atmosphere, carrying a hint of insight and a trace of playfulness.
"Miss Yu, why are you only focusing on your own endurance?"
Su Qingyu tilted her head slightly, a hint of cunning in her gaze. "Haven't you noticed? In this marriage, the one who is suffering the most, the most anxious, and the most passive… isn't you."
Yu Sheng froze, not understanding. "What do you mean?"
Su Qingyu analyzed calmly, "From what I've observed, you no longer have any attachment to Miss Shen. Your resolve is firm, and your goal is clear—to divorce. So no matter what she does, she can't truly hurt you anymore. It only makes you more disgusted, more eager to leave. Am I right?"
Yu Sheng nodded instinctively.
"But Miss Shen clearly isn't the same."
A meaningful smile curved on Su Qingyu's lips. "She can feel your determination, so she panicked. Her ridiculous and out-of-control behavior proves that she doesn't want a divorce at all. She's trying everything to keep you. In other words, she is the one begging you not to divorce. Her needs aren't being met. She is the one suffering from the torment of wanting but not getting. You hold all the initiative. You can easily control her. What is there to be troubled about?"
Yu Sheng listened to this completely overturned perspective, unable to react for a moment.
Her eyes filled with confusion. "Initiative? I… control her?"
"Exactly." Su Qingyu nodded, speaking unhurriedly. "Miss Yu, you're too kind, too bound by rules. That's why you've pushed yourself into this situation. Many times, if you're just a little more ruthless and let go of excessive morality, all your troubles will disappear."
Yu Sheng still couldn't fully accept it—or rather, it clashed with the values she had always held.
In her previous life, she hadn't known Su Qingyu well. She only knew that Su Qingyu was highly capable and valued by Shen Yunmian, handling many of Shen Corporation's toughest projects. Thinking about it now, without some unconventional methods, she probably wouldn't have gained Shen Yunmian's favor or risen so quickly.
Seeing Yu Sheng's shifting expression, Su Qingyu's smile deepened.
With a survival instinct that seemed almost wild, she asked, "Miss Yu, do you know how people in my hometown train disobedient vicious dogs?"
"What?" Yu Sheng was completely caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.
Su Qingyu paused, then said slowly, "It's nothing more than three steps: beat them—establish rules so they know who the master is; starve them—keep them cold so they learn the feeling of being controlled; and occasionally give them a treat—reward them just enough when they behave well, so they try even harder to please."
"No matter how fierce the dog is, this combination will make it obedient, with only its master in mind." Su Qingyu looked at Yu Sheng, a glint of malice in her eyes. "Miss Yu, since reality doesn't allow you to divorce for now, why not turn it around and use Miss Shen's unwillingness to divorce to completely take control of this marriage? You can treat her as… a vicious dog that needs to be trained."
"You don't need to feel pain or repression anymore. You only need to think about how to make yourself comfortable. When you're happy, maybe give her a kind expression. When you're not, tell her to get lost. Everything depends on your mood. Things aren't always black and white—divorce is the final goal, but during the process, making yourself comfortable and maintaining absolute dominance is what matters most. After all, for the next year, you'll be seeing her every day. Why should you be the one suffering while she gets to be at ease?"
Yu Sheng completely understood.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Su Qingyu, as if seeing her for the first time.
These words… were utterly unconventional, bold, almost rebellious—and incredibly satisfying.
Treat the aloof and noble Shen Yunmian as a vicious dog to be trained?
Just the thought alone instantly dissipated much of the pent-up frustration in her chest.
She couldn't help but let out a laugh, shaking her head, her tone full of amazement. "Su Qingyu, Su Qingyu… I never expected you to have such a… formidable side."
Su Qingyu smiled as well, her expression edged with self-protective sharpness. "Miss Yu, when you've lived in a complicated environment long enough, if you don't learn to read people and disguise yourself, you'd have been devoured long ago—bones and all."
She brushed past what was likely a difficult past with a few light words.
Yu Sheng recalled fragments of Su Qingyu's background she had investigated and understood.
Su Qingyu's life had been hard from the start—her father had passed away, her mother was frail, and she grew up in a harsh rural environment. The hardships she must have endured to reach this point were unimaginable.
But none of that mattered now. Yu Sheng understood what Su Qingyu wanted—she would climb upward at any cost.
And this person had her own bottom line. Once she obtained enough profit, she would offer absolute loyalty.
In her previous life, it had been Shen Yunmian who gave Su Qingyu the ladder to rise, earning her unwavering loyalty in the business battlefield.
In this life, that ladder had been given by Yu Sheng instead—and the one to be dealt with had become Shen Yunmian.
Under Su Qingyu's morally flexible guidance, Yu Sheng suddenly felt enlightened—and her own moral restraints loosened significantly.
She walked to her desk, swiftly pulled out several documents, her expression firm.
"Alright! Qingyu, we'll do it your way! This year, I'll stabilize Shen Yunmian and lower the Shen family's guard to buy us enough time. And you will be the most important general in this battle. I want you to fight for Yu Corporation's independence without any concerns. Your reward will be 15% of Yu Corporation's shares."
Yu Sheng quickly signed her name on the equity transfer agreement, stamped it, and handed it to Su Qingyu.
"This is 5% of Yu Corporation's shares—effective upon signing. The remaining 10% will be transferred to you gradually. This is my promise. I don't make empty promises."
Su Qingyu took the heavy agreement. Even someone as composed as her felt genuine shock and emotion at this moment.
This trust and decisiveness far exceeded her expectations.
She raised her head, looking at Yu Sheng, her gaze becoming incomparably firm—sharp like a sword unsheathed.
"Miss Yu, from now on, I am your most loyal weapon. Wherever you point, I will strike."
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