Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Han Shibin sent someone to investigate Qin Wanshu but found no evidence of the so-called person who had caused Qin Wanshu to change her feelings. If that was the case, why was Qin Wanshu so determined to divorce him? He couldn't figure out the reason.

Over the past few days, he had visited the Qin family several times. Not only did Qin Wanshu avoid him, but even Old Master Qin treated him much more coldly, leaving Han Shibin extremely frustrated. Today was Qin Wanshu's birthday, and Han Shibin decided to make another trip to the Qin family. This time, Qin Wanshu again avoided him, making Han Shibin somewhat pleased.

"Wanshu, why are you so determined to divorce me? Even criminals sentenced to death are given a reason for their punishment." Han Shibin questioned, trying to get to the bottom of it.

"I don't love you, nor do I like you touching me. I don't want to force myself, and I can't fulfill the duties of a wife. I also don't want to waste your time it's unfair to you. I avoid coming home at night because I don't want to face you. Being around you gives me immense pressure, and continuing like this won't work in the long run." Qin Wanshu spoke earnestly, half truth and half fabrication. She deliberately avoided mentioning Han Shibin's infidelity, being a wise woman who knew which reasons would make it easier for Han Shibin to accept.

"You don't love me, but as long as I love you, that's enough. If you don't like me touching you, then I won't. As long as we don't divorce, I'll agree to anything." Han Shibin felt he had already lowered himself enough. Compared to Qin Wanshu possibly having feelings for someone else, the idea of her being a cold, detached woman was easier for him to accept. After all, her reluctance toward intimacy wasn't a new issue.

"Shibin, can you truly say that doesn't bother you? Did you marry just to have a decoration by your side? I don't want children, but selfishly, I also don't want someone else's child calling you 'Dad.' You are the only heir in your family. Do you think your parents would accept that? Even if they could, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself, because I would feel guilty toward you. A divorce is better for both of us."

Han Shibin was silent for a moment after hearing this. Indeed, he himself was annoyed by Qin Wanshu's unwillingness to let him touch her. If she didn't want children and couldn't accept someone else having his child either, it would be difficult to get past his parents. In reality, he didn't need to insist on Qin Wanshu. But giving her up? That was hard. She was the most perfect woman he had ever met, a dream-like figure who had enchanted him at first sight. Han Shibin hesitated.

"Have you felt happy in the three years we've been married?" Qin Wanshu asked. Although she had tried hard to play the role of a good wife, there was always a difference between acting the part and genuinely embracing it.

Han Shibin remained silent. Over the past three years, the happiest moment he could recall was marrying Qin Wanshu. As for their married life afterward, it could neither be described as happy nor unhappy.

"What about you?" Han Shibin countered. If Qin Wanshu hadn't found happiness in their marriage, had he brought her any happiness?

"Your feelings are a reflection of mine," Qin Wanshu replied calmly. Her answer was masterful. Han Shibin certainly didn't want to hear a negative response, but Qin Wanshu wasn't willing to give an affirmative one either.

"I'll go back and think about it." Han Shibin finally showed some wavering after a long silence, feeling a sense of defeat. It was clear to him that Qin Wanshu still didn't love him.

"Alright." Qin Wanshu felt satisfied with his hesitation. She had put so much effort into ensuring a peaceful divorce. By deliberately letting Han Shibin spend a few days investigating her, she had convinced him that the reason for their divorce wasn't an external affair but internal conflicts. This way, it would be easier for him to accept.

"Happy birthday," Han Shibin suddenly remembered that today was Qin Wanshu's birthday.

"Thank you." Qin Wanshu responded with a faint smile. As Han Shibin looked at her serene, goddess-like smile, he was momentarily dazed. It gave him the illusion that he had never truly possessed her, that she had always been unattainable.

Elsewhere, Zuo Qinghuan felt restless. She knew she likely wouldn't see Qin Wanshu today because it was her birthday. The thought left Zuo Qinghuan feeling melancholic love has a way of making people lonely.

"Qin Wanshu, happy birthday," Zuo Qinghuan murmured softly into her phone.

"Mm," Qin Wanshu replied with a heartfelt smile. Of all the people who had wished her a happy birthday today, none carried as much weight as Zuo Qinghuan.

"I wish I could tell you in person, whisper it in your ear, instead of saying it through this cold phone," Zuo Qinghuan said longingly. Even though it had only been a few days since they'd last met, it felt like ages.

"Sorry, I can't be with you today," Qin Wanshu said apologetically, recognizing the disappointment in Zuo Qinghuan's tone.

"It's okay. When we meet again, I'll celebrate with you properly. I even prepared a gift for you," Zuo Qinghuan said, feigning lightheartedness.

"A gift?" Qin Wanshu thought back to Zuo Qinghuan's half-joking, half-serious remarks from a few days ago. She felt a sense of relief that Zuo Qinghuan wasn't with her today.

"You're imagining things, aren't you?" Zuo Qinghuan teased with a playful hint of mischief.

"No," Qin Wanshu replied, her voice calm and composed, betraying nothing. She was a master at lying with a steady tone.

"When Qin Wanshu says no, it must be no," Zuo Qinghuan said, going along with her. But to Qin Wanshu, the words carried a strange undertone.

"I'll talk to you later. They're calling me outside," Qin Wanshu said as her mother entered the room, prompting her to end the call. Due to her impending divorce from Han Shibin, the Qin family had kept her birthday celebration simple this year, inviting only close family members. But even a "simple" gathering in the sprawling Qin family meant a considerable number of people.

After hanging up, Zuo Qinghuan couldn't help but recall a saying: "The lively scenes belong to them; I have nothing at all." She sighed softly. Then, a sudden thought brightened her mood. If Qin Wanshu wouldn't come to her, she could go to Qin Wanshu. The problem was, she couldn't enter the Qin family home. The thought quickly deflated her enthusiasm.

Then, Zuo Qinghuan remembered someone Shi Yunyang. She recalled how Shi Yunyang had once forced a business card into her hand. Hastily, Zuo Qinghuan dug it out and stared at it, hesitating. Though Shi Yunyang had grown up with Qin Wanshu, it was clear they were not the same type of person. Zuo Qinghuan's instincts were sharp Shi Yunyang exuded selfishness and opportunism, doing things only for personal gain or amusement. If not for Qin Wanshu, Zuo Qinghuan wouldn't have had anything to do with Shi Yunyang.

Even if Shi Yunyang agreed to help her, what could Zuo Qinghuan offer in return? She didn't think she could repay the favor. Shi Yunyang, despite her condescension toward Zuo Qinghuan, was willing to help because Qin Wanshu liked her. Shi Yunyang had always had a streak of wanting to please Qin Wanshu, seeing no harm and only benefits in doing so. Moreover, Shi Yunyang had a natural inclination for stirring up trouble.

Another instigator in the situation was Qin Teng, who had arranged to meet Shi Yunyang at Zuo Qinghuan's café. He was somewhat surprised that Zuo Qinghuan had made no moves after all this time. In fact, she had discarded his business card as soon as she'd seen it.

"Did you know all along that my sister had her eyes on that woman?" Qin Teng glanced toward Zuo Qinghuan, displeased that both his sister and Shi Yunyang had kept it from him.

"The eldest miss hid her well. I only found out recently," Shi Yunyang said casually.

"That woman, aside from a passable face, has nothing special about her," Qin Teng sneered. He felt slightly better knowing that Shi Yunyang had only recently found out as well.

"If the eldest miss likes her, then that's all that matters. It's not as if she's marrying her. Why are you being so picky?" Shi Yunyang retorted. While she found Zuo Qinghuan mildly interesting, she didn't think she was particularly exceptional. But as far as Qin Wanshu's taste went, she didn't question it everyone has their preferences.

"The Qin family has a rule: no prostitutes or performers can enter the family," Qin Teng remarked. The Qin family, though not overly particular about social status, had upheld this single rule in marriage since the Ming dynasty: it was acceptable to marry a poor Cinderella, but only if her background was clean.

"The eldest miss is a woman. She's just keeping a lover, not marrying her. There's no need to exaggerate," Shi Yunyang dismissed the concern. She believed that even if Qin Wanshu was serious about Zuo Qinghuan, she wouldn't flaunt it publicly. Qin Wanshu had too much regard for the family's reputation to do otherwise.

"My sister is divorcing Han Shibin," Qin Teng mentioned nonchalantly. In the Qin family, his sister's status was too special. Her position surpassed that of any male heir. While their grandfather might accept her divorce, it didn't mean he'd accept her loving another woman, especially someone with Zuo Qinghuan's background.

Shi Yunyang was taken aback but quickly reasoned that Qin Wanshu's typically prudent nature meant there was no need to worry.

"This just proves your sister really dislikes Han Shibin," Shi Yunyang replied, understanding Qin Wanshu's character as a childhood friend.

"By the way, don't you know it's your sister's birthday today? Why aren't you back home yet?" Shi Yunyang asked.

"I'll head back later. Do you want to come with me?" Qin Teng inquired.

"Of course. How could I miss the eldest miss's birthday? But what about bringing her along?" Shi Yunyang gestured toward Zuo Qinghuan. "Wouldn't your sister be grateful if I delivered such a thoughtful birthday gift?"

"Shi Yunyang, don't mess around like this!" For the first time, Qin Teng sternly called her by her full name, his face serious.

Shi Yunyang couldn't help but laugh aloud. "Qin Teng, did I hear you right? The notorious troublemaker Qin Teng is telling me not to stir up trouble? The fearless Qin Teng is afraid of this?" she teased.

Zuo Qinghuan observed the man who had entered with Shi Yunyang. He was the same man who had tried to harass her at the bar. Since he knew Shi Yunyang, it stood to reason that he also knew Qin Wanshu. Thinking about Qin Wanshu, Zuo Qinghuan realized the man's familiarity came from his resemblance to her his features bore a similarity to Qin Wanshu's, but his entirely different demeanor made the connection less obvious at first.

It was clear the resemblance wasn't a coincidence. The man's occasional glances at her carried a mix of disdain and condescension, leaving Zuo Qinghuan feeling uncomfortable.

"I'll discreetly deliver her to the eldest miss," Shi Yunyang challenged Qin Teng. Initially, it was just a passing comment, but Qin Teng's objection had only emboldened her.

"My sister wouldn't appreciate you causing such trouble," Qin Teng said, frowning.

"How do you know?" Shi Yunyang disagreed. She thought Qin Wanshu might appreciate such a heartfelt gesture of a birthday gift.

"Do you know it's her birthday today?" Shi Yunyang asked Zuo Qinghuan.

Zuo Qinghuan nodded. Of course, she knew.

"Why don't we go to the Qin family and celebrate her birthday?" Shi Yunyang urged, while Qin Teng's expression grew darker.

"But…" Zuo Qinghuan hesitated. Although Shi Yunyang's proposal aligned with her own desires, she didn't want to bring trouble to Qin Wanshu.

"Don't worry, I'll arrange it so discreetly that your identity won't be exposed," Shi Yunyang reassured her. If she couldn't handle something as simple as this, she had no business meddling at all.

"Then, I'll leave it to you." Shi Yunyang's proactive offer and her apparent capability made Zuo Qinghuan more than willing to agree.

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