A Knot in the Heart

Qi Yunmo's face darkened slightly as he looked at Fu Ranan, bristling like a hedgehog. His tone held helplessness. "You're in a bad mood—I won't argue with you. You're not in a state to get emotional right now. Sit down, I'll clean up."

But Fu Ranan wouldn't listen. She shouted hysterically, "Qi Yunmo, when will you finally understand? There's no way we can be together! And I absolutely won't be with you just because of the baby. Can't you just leave me alone?!"

Qi Yunmo froze mid-squat. Pain clouded his expression.

Tang Mianmian tried to gently pull at Fu Ranan's arm, hoping to calm her.

But Fu Ranan was too far gone to hear anyone. She smashed the glass in her hand and gritted out, "I know you're only here because of the baby. If it's just your overflowing sense of responsibility, I can get rid of it."

"You're insane!" Qi Yunmo roared, furious.

Tang Mianmian's face paled. "Ranan, don't say things you'll regret!"

Fu Ranan shook off her friend's hand and stared down Qi Yunmo, proud and unyielding. "I'm not insane. But if you keep clinging to me, I will go crazy."

"So this is what you really think?" Qi Yunmo let out a bitter laugh. "I didn't know you were this heartless."

"Yeah, I'm heartless. I'm selfish too. I only love myself," Fu Ranan said, unapologetically.

Tang Mianmian sighed, rubbing her temples. "Being a hedgehog… hurts others, but it also hurts yourself."

"I don't care what you two say. From now on, I don't want to see you again, Qi Yunmo. Get out of my life! Pretend we never existed. Just leave me some peace—please!" Fu Ranan had completely lost it this time.

Tang Mianmian wanted to say something, but her throat closed up.

She couldn't dismantle Ranan's armor. Maybe, just maybe, separation really was best for her.

Qi Yunmo's face was stone cold. His fists clenched tightly, holding back a tidal wave of emotion. Then suddenly, he swept everything off the table with a crash.

The takeout he'd brought fell to the floor, wonton soup splashing onto the already messy clothes—chaos that mirrored their hearts.

Both women were startled into silence.

Qi Yunmo stared at her, voice ice-cold. "Fu Ranan. I'm giving you one chance. Take back what you just said."

"I—Why should I?" she shot back, lifting her chin defiantly.

Tang Mianmian stood frozen, unsure what to say.

People say outsiders see clearly. She could tell that Qi Yunmo cared deeply for Ranan.

But love often couldn't survive reality—just like her and Su Shijie.

Years of feelings? Worthless.

He still cheated the moment he had the chance.

And Qi Yunmo and Fu Ranan's love? It didn't even have roots.

With the two locked in silent confrontation, and her own heart already heavy, Tang Mianmian quietly said, "Talk it out, don't fight anymore. I'll leave you two to it. Cool down."

Neither of them responded, so she quietly walked out.

What's the point in saying more?

Some things needed to be faced by the people involved. Outsiders had no sway.

She wandered the streets, feeling that familiar sense of isolation return.

And, for the first time in a long time, she missed home.

But she held her phone, unable to dial.

To her parents, she was a disgrace—a daughter who couldn't even bring herself to seek comfort.

She didn't know why her heart ached, but the dull, persistent sting reminded her clearly—she cared.

She cared because she had feelings.

And once feelings took root, everything started to matter.

The gap between their two worlds loomed larger than ever, forcing her to see Long Yejue's reality clearly.

Even though he'd accepted Mr. Wang's offer because of her, it felt like a betrayal to her dignity.

Yes, he'd recorded the scene for leverage—but to her, that footage was nothing short of humiliating.

She couldn't bring herself to confront him about it. That's why she was so upset.

It felt like she'd regressed to the girl from a month ago—lost, drowning in her thoughts, and walking into a bar again.

She didn't like drinking. In over twenty years, she'd only been drunk twice.

But this time, she stepped in without thinking.

Buying alcohol to drown sorrow—it's what the defeated do.

She never thought she'd become one of those people.

One drink after another, her mind finally started to quiet.

Her phone rang countless times, but she ignored them. Eventually, the battery died and the phone shut off on its own.

"Miannian?" a surprised voice came from behind the bar. Su Shijie walked over in disbelief. "Is that you?"

She turned her head, saw that familiar yet foreign face, and smiled faintly. "Su Shijie. Long time no see."

"What are you doing here drinking alone?" he asked with concern.

She wasn't quite the same as he remembered—but she still stirred his heart.

Every time he saw her, memories of their past flooded back, always leaving him full of regret.

"Bad mood," she said with a wry smile. "What about you? Here for something?"

"Business meeting," he admitted honestly.

Tang Mianmian nodded. "Ah, right. I forgot. You're the GM of Su Group now."

"Miannian…" Guilt flickered in his eyes. "Back then, I didn't tell you who I was because I was afraid… you only loved me for my money."

"I understand. Rich people always think like that. It's fine. I don't blame you." She smiled, as if none of it mattered.

But Su Shijie's heart twisted. "Did you really… marry him? There's been no news…"

After all, this was the Long family. A wedding wouldn't go unnoticed.

And frankly, a family like that wouldn't accept a plain girl like Tang Mianmian.

Big families always want strategic marriages with powerful heiresses.

He himself never promised her anything—always thinking he'd leave her for someone with better family background.

But now that she was gone, he regretted it more than anything.

Tang Mianmian swirled her glass and smiled bitterly. "You think I'm not good enough for him, don't you?"

"…Yes," he admitted honestly. "It's just reality."

She tipped the glass back and downed the drink in one gulp. "We're not married. And we never will be."

"Then you two…" His eyes darkened.

She slammed the glass down and laughed self-deprecatingly. "That's right. I'm his kept woman."

"Miannian! Don't say that about yourself!" Su Shijie's heart ached with guilt. He blamed her fall entirely on himself.

"Miannian, leave him. Be with me. I'll give you a real home."

She gave him a tired smile. "That's impossible. I'm not the same girl anymore. And you're not the same guy. We can't go back."

"We can! Trust me!"

But she only chuckled, then softly asked, "If I hadn't met Long Yejue, maybe. But now? No."

He thought she was being insecure and quickly said, "I don't care. I don't care that you've been with him."

She looked at him in disbelief.

Men are funny. When you love them and spoil them, they don't cherish it.

But the moment you let go and treat them like strangers, they suddenly think you're the best thing in the world.

She sighed and asked quietly, "If being with me meant giving up your privileged life, would you do it?"

Su Shijie hesitated. "Miannian, I need to keep my life comfortable so I can provide that for you."

"But I don't want that life. Would you give up your inheritance and start from nothing for me?"

"…I'm sorry. I'm my parents' only son. I can't disappoint them."

And there it was.

Her heart settled. "Your parents don't accept me. If you're with me, they won't let you inherit. Would you still be with me then?"

"They'll come around. I'm their only son. Sooner or later, they'll accept it."

She laughed like it was a joke.

This was just a test. She wanted to see—just like with Long Yejue and Qi Yunmo—what mattered more: love or career?

Turns out, people from different worlds… rarely end up together.

She sighed, paid her bill, and stood up, swaying slightly.

Su Shijie rushed to catch her. "Careful!"

"I'm fine. Let me go." She was ready to head home.

She wondered if Long Yejue was back yet. It was late. He was probably home… and maybe still mad at her for not returning.

But Su Shijie wouldn't let go, still holding her tightly. "Let me take you home."

"No need. We're strangers now."

"Miannian…"

They started to struggle.

Meanwhile, from a nearby private room, Shen Xiao'ai walked out mid-call. "What? Long Yejue's looking for someone? Who? The whole city's been mobilized?"

She was talking to her brother, Shen Shaogong.

He'd said Long Yejue was going crazy looking for someone, and they'd been ordered to help. She was being told to return and look after Lin Xiang.

"His wife. Tang Mianmian."

"Tang Mianmian?" Shen Xiao'ai sneered. "She really is everywhere. Long Yejue truly treats her differently."

Her gaze caught a familiar figure.

She paused, then told her brother, "Gotta go. Something came up."

Before he could answer, she hung up, pulled out her phone, and snapped a picture of Tang Mianmian entangled with Su Shijie.

Her heart fluttered with dark excitement.

Long Yejue had turned the city upside down looking for her—and here she was, cozying up with another man?

If Long Yejue sees this…