Chapter Two: Redemption

"Thank you..."
"You're welcome," the man replied with an indifferent tone.

This voice...

Li Ran found it somewhat familiar. She had just lifted her head to see what he looked like, but only caught a blurry glimpse of his profile and back before he disappeared.

She thought she must be overthinking things, wiped away her tears, and returned to her room.

But Li Ran didn't linger. That very night, she booked a ticket back to Liangcheng. She no longer wanted to stay in this place.

...

"Boss, your arm... are you alright?" Ding Lei, trailing behind, instantly noticed something was wrong with Ye Huai and hurriedly asked.

"It’s nothing."

Although Ye Huai said as much, his left arm throbbed faintly from the earlier movement. His deep eyes fixed on his hand—the woman from just now...

Suddenly, he raised his hand to his nose and inhaled. There was still a trace of the woman's fragrance, oddly familiar, and suddenly a memory from that night a few months ago flashed through his mind.

"Ding Lei, look into that woman from earlier."

Ding Lei was momentarily stunned. It was just a woman who had accidentally bumped into him—why investigate her? He shot a sharp glance at Ye Huai's arm and noticed something new on the once-black suit. His expression changed instantly. "I'll go get a doctor for you!"

Ye Huai merely nodded, his brows furrowed as he stared at his left hand.

The next day.

Li Ran had barely slept all night. She sat in her room, recalling the events of her three-year marriage to Zhang Fan Fan, the wedding photo in her hands showing two people smiling so sweetly.

But from today on, everything would be different.

Closing the wedding photo album, Li Ran changed her clothes and stepped out of her room, hearing voices downstairs.

"Fan Fan, you’re back? Was your business trip exhausting? I’ve made breakfast for you—have a bite before you rest," said Zhang Nan, Zhang Fan Fan's mother.

"Mom, I'm not tired. Where’s Ran Ran?"

At the mention of Li Ran's name, Zhang Nan's face immediately darkened. She snorted, "She came back in the middle of the night and locked herself in the room. Who knows what she’s doing in there!"

Zhang Fan Fan was about to say more when Li Ran came down the stairs.

"You’re back. Let’s settle the important matter right now," Li Ran said expressionlessly, heading straight for the door.

Zhang Fan Fan grabbed her hand. "Ran Ran, listen to me. It's really not what you think. Last night, I did want to give you a surprise, but I didn’t know how, so I went to see An Qi. Look..." As he spoke, he took out an exquisite box from his pocket—inside was a diamond ring.

Li Ran froze. Though they had been married for three years, Zhang Fan Fan hadn’t had much money at the time; there had been only a meal with friends, no banquet, no diamond ring...

Seeing her waver, Zhang Fan Fan quickly took out the ring, eager to put it on her finger.

Li Ran struggled inwardly, recalling the words he and An Qi had spoken in the room the night before. Suddenly, she caught a flash of smug satisfaction in his eyes and immediately pulled her hand back.

"What’s wrong, Ran Ran?"

Li Ran looked at him with a cold sneer. "Would you really buy me a ring out of kindness? I suppose you’re just trying to curry favor with me because you don’t want to lose your assets in a divorce, aren’t you?"

Apparently, she had struck a nerve. Zhang Fan Fan’s expression changed, and his eyes darted evasively. "Ran Ran, you’re overthinking it. I really just want to make it up to you..."

"Enough! I don’t want to hear your excuses. Anyway, this marriage must end today!"