"Hello, I wish to immigrate!" 

Shen Xinyan stood at the counter, presenting her meticulously prepared documents to the staff behind the window. 

The staff swiftly stamped the necessary seals onto her papers and handed her an additional document. 

"Madam, the process will be completed in fifteen days. Please wait patiently." 

Shen Xinyan nodded, turned on her heels, and headed toward the exit. Behind her, however, came the hushed murmurs of the staff. 

"Am I seeing things? Why would Mrs. Zhou apply for immigration? Did she have a fight with Mr. Zhou?" 

"Even if they quarreled, it shouldn't have escalated to this point. After all, Mr. Zhou is famously devoted to his wife. What could have happened to push Mrs. Zhou to such a resolute decision?" 

"Exactly. Five years ago, Mr. Zhou's grand wedding for Mrs. Zhou caused a global sensation. Even someone like me, who rarely goes online, heard about it. Three years ago, when Mrs. Zhou was in a car accident and the hospital faced a blood shortage, Mr. Zhou ignored all objections to donate almost half of his own blood to save her from the brink of death. And just a year ago, when Mrs. Zhou went missing for merely an hour, he mobilized every media outlet worldwide to find her. If she leaves without a word now, he's bound to go mad..." 

Listening to their whispers, Shen Xinyan curled her lips into a bitter smile, her eyes heavy with self-mockery. 

Yes, everyone knew how deeply Zhou Yushen loved her. 

In the social circle, it was common knowledge: Zhou Yushen, the president of the Zhou Corporation, was ruthless in the business world, decisive and merciless. His personal life was equally austere—he was known for his indifference toward women, keeping them at a careful distance. 

Until that fateful gala where he met Shen Xinyan. 

It was love at first sight. He began to pursue her with fervor, showering her with lavish gifts, luxury cars, and jewelry as if money were of no object. He lit up the night sky with fireworks for three days straight to proclaim his affection. Once, upon hearing her mention a craving for chestnut cake that had been out of production for years, he braved a blizzard to drive across three cities overnight, soaked to the skin, just to deliver the freshly made dessert to her doorstep. 

What ultimately made her decide to accept him, however, was the day her parents died in a car accident. 

Far away in Lin City, he abandoned a billion-dollar deal to rush back to her side. 

When he arrived, disheveled and bloodshot-eyed, he enveloped her in his arms with a tenderness that melted her despair. 

"Yan Yan, don't be afraid. You still have me. I will always be here for you." 

Looking into his eyes, brimming with affection, her heart skipped a beat. 

It's him. 

This was the man she chose. 

Yet this man, who had once made her the center of his world, succumbed to temptation three months ago. He had an affair with the sister of his close friend, who had been staying in their home. 

The evidence was everywhere—in the living room, the kitchen, even their marital bed. 

Zhou Yushen thought he had hidden it well, but he forgot that no secret stays buried forever. 

When she uncovered the truth, she felt pain, despair, and disbelief before finally succumbing to the heart-wrenching reality. She resolved to leave him for good. 

The Zhou family had a military lineage spanning three generations, which prohibited any of them, including Zhou Yushen, from leaving the country. 

If she left, he would never be able to find her again. 

Clutching her immigration documents, Shen Xinyan hailed a taxi and directed it to Linjiang Court. 

The moment she stepped into the Zhou family villa, the unmistakable scent of osmanthus assaulted her senses. 

Two people, busy hanging decorations, turned around at the sound of her arrival. 

Zhou Yushen froze momentarily, then his gaze softened as he approached her, taking her hands in his. 

"Baby, why are you wearing so little? Are you cold? Didn't you say you were out with your friends? Why are you back so soon? I was just preparing a surprise for you." 

A surprise? 

Shen Xinyan lifted her eyes to meet his but involuntarily lingered on his neck, where a conspicuous mark stood out—a kiss mark. 

Her eyelashes fluttered as she fought to suppress the searing pain in her chest. 

When she didn't respond, Chu Yaoyao sauntered over with a playful laugh. 

"Xinyan, your husband really loves you. Even a little anniversary of your first meeting deserves such an elaborate celebration..." 

She paused deliberately, then pointed to the mountain of gifts piled on the sofa. 

"Look, these are all for you, personally prepared by your husband." 

Following her gaze, Shen Xinyan's eyes landed not on the gifts but on the damp stain spreading beneath them. 

In that instant, a thunderbolt seemed to strike her. The scent from earlier and the visible evidence now confirmed her worst fears. 

Love her? 

Zhou Yushen's so-called love involved preparing gifts for her while indulging in an affair with Chu Yaoyao on the very sofa. Their passion had even left its mark. 

The excruciating pain was unbearable. 

Zhou Yushen, oblivious to her turmoil, placed a necklace around her neck, his voice tender enough to drown someone in its sweetness. "Baby, happy anniversary. I've also prepared a candlelight dinner." 

Shen Xinyan trembled all over and shook her head. "I'm not eating. I... don't feel well." 

Now, every second she spent with Zhou Yushen felt like torture. 

She had always been clear—she had a profound aversion to betrayal and imperfections in love. 

If he wasn't prepared to love her wholeheartedly, why did he pursue her in the first place? Why betray her after doing so? 

Upon hearing she felt unwell, Zhou Yushen was instantly on high alert. 

He summoned several private doctors to examine her, and even when they found no issues, he remained uneasy. He sent his assistant to purchase a variety of tonics for her and personally prepared warm milk to coax her to sleep. 

After hours of fussing, Shen Xinyan finally fell asleep. 

Late at night, thirst woke her. She got up to fetch water, but as soon as she opened the door, she froze. 

The door to the neighboring room was ajar, and the moonlight illuminated two entwined figures on the bed, both stark naked. 

"The necklace today was worth millions. I begged you for so long, and you wouldn't give it to me. Yet Xinyan didn't even have to lift a finger, and you handed it to her on a silver platter." 

Even after their passionate encounter, Chu Yaoyao's legs were still wrapped around his waist, her tone dripping with jealousy. 

Zhou Yushen frowned, extricated himself, and sat on the bed, lighting a cigarette. 

"Have you forgotten your place? I've told you before—I only love Xinyan." 

"If you want this arrangement to continue, it stays in the shadows. If she finds out, you know the consequences." 

Chu Yaoyao's face turned pale. She crawled over to embrace him from behind, her voice trembling with grievance. "I know you love her, but I love you too! Can't I even be a little jealous?" 

Zhou Yushen said nothing, pulling out an identical necklace in a different color from the drawer. 

"Stop acting so aggrieved. I got you one too, but you can only wear it in private. If she sees it, this ends immediately." 

A flicker of joy lit up Chu Yaoyao's face as she quickly took the necklace, holding it up to her neck still marked with hickeys. 

"Thank you, Yushen! I knew you still cared about me! But are you really that afraid of Xinyan leaving?" 

He didn't hesitate for a moment. "Yes, I can't lose her. If she leaves, I'll lose my mind." 

As soon as he finished speaking, he pinned her beneath him, initiating another round of intimacy. 

The bed creaked under his movements, accompanied by Chu Yaoyao's incessant moans. From a distance, Shen Xinyan stood silently, tears streaming down her face. 

Her gaze fell on the wedding photo hanging on the wall, staring at Zhou Yushen's face. 

Zhou Yushen, fifteen days from now, I'll be waiting for your madness.