On the day of her divorce, Xu Yansang deliberately put on a red sweater and did a full face of makeup, just like she had two years ago.

At ten o'clock in the morning, she arrived punctually at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Zhou Muchen was already there, waiting for her.

In the early autumn season, he wore a light gray trench coat. His tall figure and handsome features made him stand out effortlessly just by standing there.

"Did you bring your ID card?" he asked.

Xu Yansang nodded. "Yes, I did."

"Good."

Zhou Muchen stepped into the hall.

Xu Yansang found herself recalling the day they got their marriage certificate two years ago. They had walked in hand in hand, their eyes filled with happiness. When they took their vows, Zhou Muchen's eyes even turned red, and he held her hand tightly, promising to love her for a lifetime.

But now...

The divorce officer asked, "Are you sure there's no possibility of reconciliation?"

Xu Yansang: "Yes."

Zhou Muchen: "Yes."

No children, no property disputes.

The staff stamped the documents and signed them. The procedure was surprisingly simple.

Xu Yansang stared at the divorce certificate in her hands, bitterness filling her heart.

The same time, the same place, but the newlyweds had become strangers.

The man who once vowed to take care of her for a lifetime had ultimately chosen to walk away.

Perhaps it was for the best.

In the past two years, she had not experienced a single day of happiness.

The Zhou family was a wealthy and powerful family, while she came from an ordinary background. Marrying Zhou Muchen had always been a stretch for her.

To secure a foothold in the Zhou family, she had quit her job and devoted herself to household chores, managing everything inside and out.

Yet after two years of trying for a baby, she still hadn't conceived.

Her mother-in-law was critical, her sister-in-law was difficult, and tensions in both her marriage and family life escalated.

She had endured it all for Zhou Muchen.

But not long ago, his first love, Qin Sisi, returned from abroad.

A meal before her eyes could never compare to the unattainable moon in the sky.

Caught in an unrequited love triangle, she ultimately chose to let go with dignity.

The two walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau one after the other, without exchanging a single word.

Qin Sisi was waiting outside, dressed in a white dress, her long hair flowing—looking as ethereal as a fairy.

Instead of looking at Zhou Muchen, she gazed at Xu Yansang with red-rimmed eyes, apologizing, "Sister Yansang, I'm really sorry. I don't know how things turned out this way... I never intended to ruin your marriage."

Xu Yansang parted her lips and spoke softly, "No need to apologize..."

Before she could finish, Zhou Muchen looked over with displeasure. "The divorce was my decision. It has nothing to do with Sisi. If you have any grievances, direct them at me. Don't blame her."

Xu Yansang fell silent, just as she had during the month-long cooling-off period—after arguing, after pleading, all that was left was numb silence.

Qin Sisi, looking upset, said, "Muchen, Sister Yansang didn't do anything wrong. It's us who wronged her. I won't allow you to speak to her like that."

Zhou Muchen sighed with a touch of indulgence, "You're too kind. What would you do without me by your side?"

Watching their affectionate exchange, Xu Yansang felt a stabbing pain in her heart.

On their second wedding anniversary, she had caught Zhou Muchen and Qin Sisi together in a hotel room. Qin Sisi had knelt down, crying and begging for forgiveness, while Zhou Muchen had defended her in the same way.

To Zhou Muchen, Qin Sisi was always innocent and kind.

But could someone truly innocent check into a hotel room with a married man?

Just because Xu Yansang didn't expose it didn't mean she was oblivious. In love, once the other person's heart has changed, there's no point in fighting or holding on.

She smiled bitterly. "You two were meant to be. I should congratulate you and wish you happiness."

Her calm and graceful exit surprised Zhou Muchen, who looked up at her.

Xu Yansang nodded at him. "Goodbye."

As she turned to leave, Zhou Muchen suddenly spoke. "You didn't take any property or assets in the divorce. What are you planning to do now?"

Xu Yansang paused.

He took out a check. "Take this. Consider it compensation for the two years I wasted."

His expression was complicated. "Live well. If you ever encounter difficulties, you can call me. As long as it's not too much trouble, I'll help."

Xu Yansang looked at the outstretched hand—just like the one that had once held hers, slender and fair, with well-defined joints.

But the wedding ring he had worn for two years was now gone.

She pushed his hand away. "No need."

Qin Sisi, looking concerned, said, "Sister Yansang, just take it, for my peace of mind..."

Xu Yansang shook her head. "No, thank you."

Zhou Muchen's hand stiffened mid-air as he watched her figure walk further away, feeling an inexplicable discomfort.

Qin Sisi, feeling guilty, said, "Muchen, do you think Sister Yansang blames us?"

Zhou Muchen ruffled her hair. "She won't."

Tears welled up in Qin Sisi's eyes, her voice filled with sorrow but firm. "Even if she does, I accept it. For you, I'm willing to stand against the whole world."

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhou Muchen's eyes as he pulled her into his arms, sighing, "Silly girl."

Love cannot accommodate a third person.

Xu Yansang, with her back to them, finally let her tears fall.

Love doesn't follow the order of arrival, but had she known Zhou Muchen's heart always belonged to someone else, she never would have entered this marriage.

It was him who had confessed first, who proposed, who promised her a lifetime of protection and care.

Love can not only fade, but it can also be a lie.

Xu Yansang stopped by a pillar, wiped her tears, and made a call.

"Hello? Are you here? I'm at the entrance, wearing a red sweater."

A few minutes later, a tall man approached her against the sunlight.

"Miss Xu."

"Mr. Fu?"

Xu Yansang was momentarily stunned.

Last night at the bar, the dim lighting had prevented her from clearly seeing his face.

Now she realized—he was extraordinarily handsome.

Dressed in a black shirt and trousers, with chiseled features and a sharp jawline, his deep black eyes were like an unfathomable abyss, exuding a sense of restraint and mystery.

Snapping out of her brief daze, Xu Yansang collected herself and asked politely, "Is now a good time?"

Her eyes and nose were still red, her voice slightly hoarse. Fu Zhenteng gazed at her for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

"Then let's go," she said.

As they walked back inside together, they unexpectedly ran into Zhou Muchen and Qin Sisi.

Qin Sisi gasped, covering her mouth. "Sister Yansang, is this your new boyfriend?"

Xu Yansang stopped in her tracks.

Zhou Muchen's gaze darkened as he looked at Fu Zhenteng and frowned at Xu Yansang. "What are you trying to do? We're over. I suggest you act with dignity—I don't want things to get ugly."

After all, just a week ago, she had been tearfully asking him why they couldn't go back to the way they were.