Chapter 15

Why Are You All Bullying Me?

Meng Nianyao spoke firmly, “I feel that we haven’t reached a consensus on this marriage. We didn’t get married because of love in the first place. Since we haven’t agreed on the benefits, isn’t it right to go our separate ways?”

Gu Wencheng tore up the divorce agreement and tossed it into the trash can. He retorted, “Mrs. Gu, didn’t you read the prenuptial agreement?”

Meng Nianyao was taken aback. “What prenuptial agreement?”

Gu Wencheng explained, “The prenuptial agreement clearly states that both parties are not allowed to divorce for any reason within five years. Violators will be required to pay 50 million yuan in compensation.”

Meng Nianyao couldn’t believe her ears. She exclaimed, “What? I didn’t see this!”

Gu Wencheng responded coldly, “Then, Mrs. Gu, you should pay closer attention when signing documents in the future.”

Meng Nianyao, infuriated, muttered, “B*stard!” She impulsively threw the medicine box she was holding.

Gu Wencheng swiftly caught the box, narrowly avoiding being struck. Just as he was about to reprimand Meng Nianyao, he noticed her teary eyes and the large tears streaming down her face. She cried out, “You’re all heartless b*stards! You’re all bullying me!”

She wiped away her tears with a determined hand, then turned and stormed out of the door.

Gu Wencheng hadn’t anticipated such a strong reaction from Meng Nianyao. Watching her leave the apartment, he instinctively followed her. “Meng Nianyao, it’s pouring outside. Where are you going? Come back inside!”

Despite his limp, Gu Wencheng chased after her, but Meng Nianyao had vanished. He descended the stairs in search of her but found no trace. The on-duty property manager noticed Gu Wencheng’s distress and inquired, “Sir, do you need help?”

Listening to the relentless rain outside, Gu Wencheng asked, “Did you see a young lady leave just now?”

The property manager regretfully replied, “I’m sorry, sir. I just finished my shift with my colleague, and I didn’t notice.”

The rain outside intensified, creating a dense curtain of water. Gu Wencheng grew increasingly worried and was about to call Ping Yang when he spotted someone standing in the corridor.

Approaching cautiously, Gu Wencheng saw Meng Nianyao standing by the doorway, arms crossed, gazing out at the rain. Upon hearing his approach, she turned expressionlessly. “Gu Wencheng, I can’t divorce you, can I? Did I escape one perilous situation only to end up in another? But why? Why do I have to suffer like this?”

Gu Wencheng locked eyes with Meng Nianyao’s hurt and stubborn face, triggering a distant memory. He recalled a time when a cheerful and optimistic girl had stood unyielding in the rain, looking at him with a smile. “Gu Wencheng, am I abandoned again?” Her sadness was evident, but her lips curved upwards.

Suddenly, an image from his distant past flashed before Gu Wencheng’s eyes, an image he hadn’t thought about in years. He suppressed his unsettling emotions and responded to Meng Nianyao with an impassive tone, “You want my help to seek vengeance against the Meng family, but nothing in life is free. I’m a businessman, not a philanthropist. If I’m helping you, there must be something in it for me.”

After a pause, he continued, “Even if I were to offer you a chance to back out and agree to a divorce, what then? Will you use your capabilities to exact revenge on the Meng family and reclaim what’s rightfully yours? Can you do it? Or are you willing to let go? To put aside your vendetta against the Meng family, endure the humiliation and suffering, and start anew?”

A new beginning? Was such a thing even possible? Memories of being pushed into the lake by Meng Haotian, the agony of being beaten by Wang Shulan, and the heartbreak of betrayal by Meng Haotian and Jiang Shanshan flooded Meng Nianyao’s mind. How could she ever let go of her grievances?

“I can choose not to divorce, but please give me some time to come to terms with it,” she finally said before turning away to look at the rain outside. As she gazed at it, an old saying came to mind: “When you choose to be a concubine, don’t erect a chastity memorial arch.” She had made her choice; she sought revenge, and no one could have both worlds.

Suddenly, a smile touched Meng Nianyao’s lips as she turned back to Gu Wencheng and said, “The cold weather isn’t good for your wound. Let’s go back inside.”

Gu Wencheng nodded in agreement, and Meng Nianyao helped him to the elevator.

Upon their return to the apartment, Meng Nianyao carefully seated Gu Wencheng on the sofa and knelt down to inspect his injured leg. The gauze that was once crimson had turned completely red. Meng Nianyao, who was slightly squeamish about blood, pinched her palms and took a deep breath before gingerly removing the gauze.

The wound, which had previously formed a scab, had reopened. Beneath the scab, raw, red flesh was visible, a somewhat unsettling sight.

Meng Nianyao dared not look at it for too long and refrained from using excessive force. She sought Gu Wencheng’s input, saying, “The wound seems rather serious. Would you like to go to the hospital, or do you have a private doctor who can tend to it here? I’m afraid I might infect the wound again.”