Enveloped in the tender comfort woven by Sū Wǎn'ér, Fēng Yèhán remained in a state of pathological disregard for everything happening in the outside world, especially Lín Wǎnxīng's dazzling rise. He isolated himself in a cocoon of information, enjoying what he mistakenly believed was "freedom" and Sū Wǎn'ér's "gentle" companionship. Though the crisis at the Fēng Group continued, under Sū Wǎn'ér's deliberate distraction and appeasement, he selectively ignored the troubles.
„Yèhán, look, these are the snacks I made for you myself, all your favorites.“ Sū Wǎn'ér entered the CEO's office with a tray, her smile as sweet as honey. She was always like this, at his most tired and irritable moments, pulling his attention away from the company's predicaments with all sorts of thoughtful little gestures.
A hint of relaxation finally appeared on Fēng Yèhán's weary face. He took the snacks and gently hugged Sū Wǎn'ér. „Wǎn'ér, it's so good to have you. If it weren't for you, I honestly wouldn't know how to keep going.“
Sū Wǎn'ér nestled into his embrace, a hint of undetectable smugness flashing in her eyes. She knew that the more Fēng Yèhán depended on her, the easier it would be for her plan to succeed. What she coveted was not just Fēng Yèhán's love, but the teetering Fēng Group empire behind him.
However, cracks in reality always appear quietly, at the most unexpected moments.
Financial reports from the Fēng Group piled up on Fēng Yèhán's desk like snowflakes. Despite his deliberate avoidance, the bad news of huge losses, bank demands, and withdrawing partners could not be completely shut out. Lǐ Míng and other executives were frantic, with some even starting to resign privately and seek new opportunities.
„President Fēng, we can't go on like this! If we don't take action soon, the Fēng Group will truly be finished!“ Lǐ Míng, unable to bear it any longer, finally rushed into the office and slammed an urgent document onto the desk.
Fēng Yèhán's brows furrowed, his face darkening. „I told you, you handle those matters! The affairs of the Fēng Group are entirely your responsibility now.“ He still refused to face reality.
Just then, a piece of explosive news, like a sharp sword, pierced Fēng Yèhán's self-deception.
On television, the economic channel was broadcasting a global business report. On the screen, Lín Wǎnxīng's confident and beautiful face appeared prominently!
„...With the strong support of the S Group, the Lin Group, leveraging its chief designer 'Stardust's' 'Nirvana' collection, has successfully entered the international high-end jewelry market. Its latest launch, the 'Wheel of Fate' series, has triggered a global buying frenzy, with orders already booked three years in advance...“ the host's impassioned voice echoed in the office.
Fēng Yèhán suddenly looked up, staring at the TV screen in shock. Lín Wǎnxīng? The Lin Group? International high-end market? Global buying frenzy? These words stabbed into his heart like icy needles!
His eyes were filled with disbelief and horror. He thought Lín Wǎnxīng would be utterly defeated, disappearing from public view, but he never expected her to reappear before him in such a glorious manner in just a few months! And she was the international award-winning designer 'Stardust'?!
Sū Wǎn'ér, sitting beside him, froze mid-smile. She hadn't expected Lín Wǎnxīng's rise to be so swift, so fast that she couldn't fully control Fēng Yèhán.
„Yèhán, this... this must be fake! How could Lín Wǎnxīng...“ Sū Wǎn'ér tried to placate him, but Fēng Yèhán shoved her away.
„Shut up!“ Fēng Yèhán roared, his eyes fixed on the TV screen. Lín Wǎnxīng's confident face, every detail burning into his heart like an iron brand.
He saw Lù Jǐngshēn by Lín Wǎnxīng's side, wearing a gentle and proud smile, and Huò Tíngxuān with his half-smile. Everything stung his eyes!
„Fake?!“ Fēng Yèhán felt a sharp pain in his chest. He rushed to the TV, his trembling hands frantically switching channels.
However, no matter which financial news or fashion report he tuned into, they were all overwhelmingly reporting on the rise of the Lin Group and the legend of 'Stardust'!
„Lin Group's Phoenix Rebirth, Designer 'Stardust's' Comeback Path!“
„Crowned with International Gold Awards, 'Wheel of Fate' Ignites Global Fashion Circles!“
„Fēng Group Falls, Lin Group Rises: A Business Showdown Between Ex-Husband and Ex-Wife!“
Various eye-catching headlines mercilessly exposed his past foolishness and arrogance.
He could no longer deceive himself. Lín Wǎnxīng hadn't disappeared; she had simply become stronger and more brilliant during the time he deliberately "ignored" her! And he, wallowing in false freedom, had pushed himself into the abyss with his own hands!
„How could this happen... How could this happen?!“ Fēng Yèhán clutched his head in agony, his body trembling violently. He finally understood that what he thought was "liberation" was actually Lín Wǎnxīng's true "freedom"! What he thought was "getting rid of her" was actually Lín Wǎnxīng's "Rebirth from Fire"!
He felt a pang of regret unlike any before, coiling around his heart like a venomous snake. Once, Lín Wǎnxīng was by his side, everything about her belonged to him. But he had pushed her away with his own hands, destroyed her with his own hands, and destroyed himself with his own hands!
Sū Wǎn'ér watched Fēng Yèhán's painful struggle, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. She knew that Fēng Yèhán's shock and regret would only make her subsequent plan smoother.
She quietly walked behind Fēng Yèhán, embraced him again, her voice soft with a hint of undetectable seduction. „Yèhán, stop watching. It's all fake! Lín Wǎnxīng is just lucky! She doesn't deserve you...“
„Enough!“ Fēng Yèhán abruptly pulled away from her, his eyes bloodshot. „It's not fake! It's real! She succeeded... she really succeeded!“
He looked at Sū Wǎn'ér and suddenly remembered how she had deliberately isolated him from the outside world during this period, how she had skillfully diverted his attention, keeping him in the dark about everything concerning the Lin Group and Lín Wǎnxīng.
„It was you... you've been hiding it from me all along!“ Fēng Yèhán's gaze became sharp and suspicious. „You deliberately didn't let me know!“
Sū Wǎn'ér's face instantly turned pale. She hadn't expected Fēng Yèhán to suddenly become clear-headed.
„Yèhán, I didn't... I just didn't want you to worry about people and things not worth it!“ she argued desperately, even tears welling up in her eyes. „I just wanted to protect you!“
However, Fēng Yèhán's rationality was now completely ignited by regret and anger. He recalled the scene where Lín Wǎnxīng exposed his scheme at the competition, remembered her decisiveness and the light in her eyes then. He could no longer tolerate Sū Wǎn'ér's "gentleness" and "protection."
„Protect?“ Fēng Yèhán sneered, his eyes filled with sarcasm. „You were protecting yourself, weren't you! You didn't want me to know about Lín Wǎnxīng's success, you didn't want me to realize how incredibly wrong I was!“
He grabbed Sū Wǎn'ér's wrist, his gaze icy. „Sū Wǎn'ér, from now on, I don't want to see you again!“
Sū Wǎn'ér completely panicked. Her carefully woven trap of tenderness had instantly crumbled under Lín Wǎnxīng's brilliant radiance!
„Yèhán! You can't do this to me! I love you! I've done so much for you!“ Sū Wǎn'ér shouted hoarsely, trying to hold on.
However, Fēng Yèhán's eyes held only endless pain and regret. He finally realized that what he thought was "true love" was merely Sū Wǎn'ér's manipulation and pretense. And he, within this lie, had destroyed everything he owned with his own hands.
He picked up a wine bottle from the table and smashed it against the wall. The shattering sound was like his heart at that moment—shattered.
Lín Wǎnxīng's success struck Fēng Yèhán's self-anesthesia like lightning. He could no longer escape; he finally saw the immense disaster he had created with his own hands. He was completely sobered, but also completely desperate. He had lost Lín Wǎnxīng, lost the Lin Group, and even lost everything he had once possessed.
His wife-chasing crematorium had finally been ignited under this dazzling light, burning with his regret and pain.