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As soon as the woman's words fell, the crowd erupted into a flurry of whispers and discussions. Liang Yuan's wine glass trembled slightly in her hand, spilling some of the liquid onto her dress, but she remained oblivious, staring blankly at the scene before her as if frozen in place.
Bai Ye opened his mouth to explain but was interrupted by Lin Wan.
"Ah Ye, what's wrong? Did I come too suddenly today? You haven't had a chance to tell everyone?" Lin Wan said, leaning more intimately against Bai Ye, her tone laced with a hint of playful reproach.
Bai Ye's expression darkened further; he looked to Liang Yuan for help, only to find her quietly watching him, her gaze calm and devoid of any emotion.
After a moment of silence, Liang Yuan took a deep breath, set her wine glass down on the table, and elegantly turned to leave, leaving behind a resolute silhouette.
Bai Ye watched Liang Yuan's retreating figure, filled with regret and pain. He wanted to chase after her to explain but was firmly held back by Lin Wan.
"Ah Ye, where are you going? The banquet isn't over yet," Lin Wan's voice was gentle yet assertive. Bai Ye could only watch helplessly as Liang Yuan disappeared into the crowd, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
---
"President Liang..." Xiao Li hurriedly caught up with Liang Yuan, worry etched on her face. Liang Yuan ignored her and walked straight toward the entrance of the banquet hall. The sound of her high heels echoed in the silent corridor, resonating like a drumbeat in her heart.
Outside the banquet hall, the night was deepening, and the streetlights cast Liang Yuan's figure into a long and lonely shadow. Shen Fang stood by the car; upon seeing Liang Yuan emerge, he quickly extinguished his cigarette and gently draped a shawl over her shoulders, softly asking, "Are you okay?"
A gust of night wind swept by, causing Liang Yuan to shiver involuntarily. She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing this, Shen Fang compassionately pulled her into his embrace, gently patting her back and softly comforting her, "It's okay to cry if you need to."
Liang Yuan could no longer contain her emotions; she buried her head in Shen Fang's shoulder as tears streamed down like a dam breaking. Shen Fang said nothing but held her quietly, allowing her to vent all the grievances and pain she felt inside.
In the distance, brilliant fireworks burst forth in the night sky—colorful and illuminating half of the heavens. However, this beautiful sight could not dispel the gloom in Liang Yuan's heart; instead, it deepened her sadness.
"Why... why are you doing this to me..." Liang Yuan's voice trembled, filled with a hint of despair.
Shen Fang gently stroked her hair and said softly, "Don't think about it. It will all pass. I'm always here for you; you still have me."
Meanwhile, Bai Ye was forcibly pulled into the garden outside the banquet hall by Lin Wan. He shook off Lin Wan's hand and coldly questioned, "What do you want?"
Lin Wan tidied her hair that Bai Ye had disheveled, a mocking smile curving her red lips as she replied, "What's wrong? Afraid your old flame will see? I'm only saying this to help you. If you're not going to thank me, at least don't be hostile."
Bai Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the anger within him as he said, "I've already told you that it's over between us. Why can't you just let it go?"
"Over?" Lin Wan laughed as if she had heard a funny joke, her laughter shaking her delicate frame. "Bai Ye, do you really think that just because you say a few harsh words, you can get rid of me? Let me tell you, what we had is far from finished!"
Bai Ye's face turned pale with anger as he turned to leave, but Lin Wan grabbed him firmly.
"Where do you think you're going? To find your old flame? I warn you, if you dare to leave, I'll tell her everything about us and let her know what you've been doing behind her back all these years!" Lin Wan's voice was cold and laced with a threat.
Bai Ye paused in his steps, turning back to look at the woman he once loved deeply. His expression was complex, but in the end, he said nothing.
Bai Ye was trapped by Lin Wan's threat and could only watch helplessly as Liang Yuan and Shen Fang walked away together. By the fountain outside the banquet hall, colorful lights reflected on the shimmering water surface, and the sculpture in the center of the pool appeared particularly silent in the night. Bai Ye slumped his shoulders in defeat, his tightly clenched fists trembling slightly as bitterness and regret surged within him like a tidal wave, nearly drowning him.
After the banquet ended, Shen Fang drove Liang Yuan home. The black Maybach glided down the empty streets with soothing music playing in the cabin. Liang Yuan gazed out at the fleeting night scenery, lost in thought.
"Here we are." Shen Fang parked the car steadily, turned to Liang Yuan, and said softly.
Liang Yuan snapped back to reality, gently nodded, unbuckled her seatbelt, but hesitated to get out of the car. Noticing this, Shen Fang asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Shen Fang..." Liang Yuan hesitated for a moment, turning to look at Shen Fang, wanting to say something but holding back.
Shen Fang looked at Liang Yuan with gentle and firm eyes. "If there's something on your mind, just say it. I'm here for you."
Taking a deep breath as if steeling herself, Liang Yuan said, "Thank you for keeping me company tonight, and thank you for always taking care of me."
"We're friends; it's what friends do," Shen Fang replied with a smile, his tone calm and natural.
"No, it's more than just friendship..." Liang Yuan interrupted Shen Fang, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions. "Shen Fang, do you know? I've felt so exhausted and suppressed all these years..."
Shen Fang remained silent, listening quietly. He understood that Liang Yuan needed someone to confide in, and he was willing to be that listener.
"My marriage with Bai Ye has been filled with schemes and lies from the very beginning..." Liang Yuan's voice choked slightly. She paused as if trying to steady her emotions. "For so many years, I've been playing the role of a good wife and daughter-in-law, but I've never truly experienced happiness or joy..."
"It wasn't until I accidentally discovered Bai Ye's chat records with another woman..." Liang Yuan's voice grew softer as if revealing an unspeakable secret. "In that moment, I realized that the love and marriage I thought I had were nothing but a ridiculous illusion..."
Tears streamed down Liang Yuan's face again. Shen Fang tenderly pulled her into his embrace, gently patting her back while softly comforting her. "It's all in the past now; everything is behind you..."
Liang Yuan buried her head in Shen Fang's shoulder, letting her tears soak his shirt. In that moment, she shed all her facades and strength, seeking comfort and support like a helpless child.
As night deepened, Shen Fang escorted Liang Yuan to her doorstep.
"Get some rest," Shen Fang said softly.
Liang Yuan looked up at Shen Fang, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Shen Fang."
Shen Fang smiled but did not respond.
Liang Yuan turned and walked into the apartment building. Shen Fang stood in place, watching her figure disappear at the elevator before turning to leave.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye had finally shaken off Lin Wan's entanglement. He drove to Liang Yuan's apartment building but saw Shen Fang's car parked downstairs. His heart sank, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
Sitting in the car, Bai Ye lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. As the smoke swirled around him, his thoughts drifted back to the past—those precious moments spent with Liang Yuan now felt so distant and unattainable.
Bai Ye knew he had hurt Liang Yuan, an unforgivable hurt. Yet, he truly did not want to lose her like this. He wanted to make amends, to repair what was broken; even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he refused to give up.
He took out his phone and dialed Liang Yuan's number, but on the other end came the cold mechanical voice: "Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off..."
Bai Ye helplessly let his hand drop, the phone slipping from his grasp and falling onto the car floor with a dull thud, echoing like a knock on his heart.
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