Volume One, Chapter 12: President Fu's Torn Emotions of Love and Hate

Downstairs.

The man in the floral shirt, who had been full of confidence moments ago, was now completely stunned.

He clasped his fists politely toward Gu Xingnian, his smile tinged with helplessness yet sincere. “Beauty, I admit defeat! I’m thoroughly convinced!”

“That skill—amazing! Today I’ve really opened my eyes, brother!”

Turning to the crowd, he waved his hand with grand flair. “A bet is a bet! Tonight, all the drinks and expenses are on me! Everyone, drink up!”

“Yeah!!!”

The crowd erupted again with whistles and cheers.

On the stage, the man began an impressive performance to upbeat music, drawing laughter from everyone, but his gaze never left Gu Xingnian’s direction.

Immediately, male fans who had been dazzled by Gu Xingnian’s ball skills swarmed forward.

“Miss, can I have your autograph?”

“Goddess, add me on WeChat!”

“Sis, will you take me as your apprentice?”

The crowd quickly surrounded Sheng Weiwei and Gu Xingnian, making it impossible to move.

Sheng Weiwei managed to handle a few responses, but Gu Xingnian was overwhelmed by the sudden attention, her brows furrowing slightly as she instinctively tried to step back.

The scene grew chaotic. Many raised their phones, eager to capture the beauty’s image and upload it online—it would surely go viral.

At that moment, a coat with a faint chill and the scent of tobacco suddenly descended from above, enveloping Gu Xingnian completely.

Her vision was instantly obscured by the dark fabric, filling her with fear.

The next second, a large hand with defined knuckles and a cool touch gripped her wrist, while the other arm wrapped around her shoulders with an undeniable force, yanking her sharply out of the crowd.

Gu Xingnian stumbled, half supported, half shielded, as they hurried away.

Almost simultaneously, inside the club, another wave of chaos was being forcibly quelled.

“Clear the way!” a low, piercing roar of anger cut through the noise.

Gu Shaoheng pushed through the crowd with long strides, reaching Sheng Weiwei and grabbing her arm firmly.

“Come with me!”

His voice suppressed his fury, giving Sheng Weiwei no chance to resist as he dragged her out of the circle and toward another direction.

The surrounding clamor seemed to fade instantly.

Only after stepping outside the club doors and breathing in the cool night air was the coat gently lifted off.

Gu Xingnian raised her head and met a pair of deep, cold eyes like a frozen pool.

It was Fu Beichen.

He stood tall, but his expression was grim, his gaze sharp with scrutiny and a barely concealed irritation.

He released her wrist and parted his thin lips with his usual sarcasm.

“Not bad, Gu Xingnian. You’ve really learned to come to places like this now?”

His voice brimmed with suppressed anger as his sharp eyes scanned her somewhat flamboyant dress. “Look at what you’re wearing—does this look like the eldest madam of the Fu family?”

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, continuing, “If some careless reporter snapped a photo just now, who do you think grandpa would hold responsible? You, or me?”

Gu Xingnian lifted her eyes, cold and clear as water, without a trace of fear. Instead, there was a weariness and resoluteness that seemed to see through everything.

Her red lips parted, and her words cut like ice picks. “Fu Beichen, we’ll meet at the civil affairs bureau at nine tomorrow morning.”

The air froze.

Fu Beichen’s anger finally exploded like a powder keg ignited. “What did you say? Now I can’t even say two words to you?”

Gu Xingnian’s voice was frigid to the bone. “If you’re too busy, you can have someone send me the divorce papers tomorrow.”

Fu Beichen’s rage twisted into bitter laughter, laced with scorn.

“Who was it that insisted on marrying into the Fu family? Gu Xingnian, wasn’t this all your choice?”

He found her utterly unreasonable, thinking she had only woven her own trap.

“Yes, you’re right.”

Gu Xingnian admitted calmly, her face expressionless.

“I was blind back then and took the wrong path. So now, I’m trying to correct that mistake.”

Her voice was steady, carrying an unwavering force.

After speaking, she turned away, determined to leave the suffocating place.

“Gu Xingnian!”

Fu Beichen reacted swiftly, grabbing her wrist again with such force it hurt.

His eyes darkened. “Leave me, and you’ll have nothing left. Are you sure?”

Gu Xingnian laughed lightly, a hint of self-mockery. “In three years of marriage, what have I ever really had?”

A suffocating feeling welled up, making her eyes brim with tears.

Fu Beichen suddenly fell silent, realizing that because they hadn’t truly lived together, he had cared for her far too little.

At that moment, a drunken man staggered over, mumbling incoherently, his steps unsteady, about to collide with Gu Xingnian.

Fu Beichen almost instinctively yanked her into his arms.

A strong masculine scent enveloped her, accompanied by his usual cold cologne.

Gu Xingnian tensed, too surprised to resist, when a voice rang from above, “I’ll take you home.”

“No need.”

Gu Xingnian pushed him away firmly, her eyes icy and voice distant.

Just then, piercing headlights cut through the night. A sleek, luxurious black Maybach silently pulled up to the curb.

The door opened, and a tall, commanding man stepped out.

Dressed in a bespoke black suit with a stern face, he radiated a powerful aura that warned strangers to keep their distance.

He walked directly toward them.

Fu Beichen’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly at the sight of the newcomer, and his anger visibly softened, replaced by a courteous but distant expression.

“President Lu? What a coincidence.”

Lu Lie merely cast him a cold glance before fixing his gaze on Gu Xingnian. The harshness in his eyes softened somewhat.

He spoke to Gu Xingnian in a low, magnetic voice, “I’ll take you home.”

Gu Xingnian hardly hesitated, nodding slightly.

Then, as if remembering something, she added, “Weiwei is still inside.”

“Don’t worry.”

Lu Lie’s words were brief.

“I’ll have someone fetch her.”

Gu Xingnian finally relaxed completely, nodding without a glance back at Fu Beichen, and walked straight to the Maybach.

Fu Beichen stood rooted, his face ashen, fists clenched silently at his sides.

Watching Gu Xingnian leave without a trace of hesitation for another man, an unnamed fury raged within his chest.

But reason told him this was not yet the time to completely sever ties with Lu Lie.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, forcing a perfect but utterly cold smile.

“In that case, President Lu, please take my wife home.”

He deliberately emphasized “my wife,” as if staking his claim.

Lu Lie exuded a chilling aura, turning to instruct his bodyguards to go inside and find the others.

Before long, the bodyguards emerged with Sheng Weiwei, who got into the Maybach as it drove off.

Fu Beichen coldly made a call. “Go to my wife’s house immediately. Watch her as she enters. If Lu Lie stays overnight, report back at once.”

“Yes!”