After Being Betrayed I Married the Glamorous CEO-Chapter 238: Do you really think you are so pure and noble?!

In the Han Family Manor, Li Qiuchan gripped her cell phone tightly, her expression alternating between pale and livid. For years, she had been defined by her cool, indifferent, and unruffled demeanor. Outbursts like today were exceptionally rare. Whenever she lost control of her emotions, it meant someone had crossed her bottom line. A prime example being the Shen Fanyun of today.

Ever since that man returned to Hangcheng City, my life has been slowly deviating from its original path. I gave you a chance—a chance to start over and stay here in Hangcheng City. Why? Why do you keep provoking me? Why do you linger like a relentless ghost?

Li Qiuchan murmured to herself, her gaze blazing with anger.

She had assumed Shen Fanyun’s unrequited love for her was what drew him back to Hangcheng City, back to a place where he could be close to her. It’s normal. Men can never forget the idealized ’white moonlight’ of their youth.

On that point, Li Qiuchan could understand. She was also confident that her position in Shen Fanyun’s heart was unrivaled. To him, no woman could ever compare to her.

But from the look of things, he’s showing more and more signs of wanting to destroy what he cannot have. Unrequited love drives him to destruction? That’s too much! Being tangled up with such an extremist is a living nightmare.

Lately, the name Shen Fanyun had come up so often that Li Qiuchan was beginning to suspect he was deliberately targeting certain people. And without exception, all these people had some relationship with her, whether deep or shallow. Otherwise, how could he keep running into them? Could the world truly be that small?

If this keeps up, will I ever have a life of my own again?

Li Qiuchan gritted her teeth as anger, resentment, and a hundred other emotions tangled themselves into a knot deep inside her. She began to consider finding a time and place to have a frank, heart-to-heart talk with Shen Fanyun. She had to find out what, exactly, it would take for him to finally back off.

Furthermore, the matter of Shen Fanyun injuring Han Feng left Li Qiuchan both infuriated and helpless. Han Long already disliked her. If it weren’t for Han Feng’s persistent defense of her over the years, his father would have kicked her out long ago. Now, Shen Fanyun’s sudden reappearance had only intensified Han Long’s aversion to her. Since Han Feng’s injury, Li Qiuchan hadn’t even been allowed to see him once. Their only contact was through their phones.

Is this really how newlyweds are supposed to act?

The reason for Han Long’s attitude was, of course, her past relationship with Shen Fanyun and all the grievances that came with it. Li Qiuchan knew she was the fuse. If she hadn’t lit the bomb that was Shen Fanyun, the Han Family might have avoided these conflicts. More to the point, Han Feng would never have been injured.

But still... do you really think you’re so pure, Han Long? So utterly spotless?

Li Qiuchan scoffed in disdain. Years ago, in front of the entire student body of Hangcheng No.1 Middle School, Han Long had mocked and belittled Shen Fanyun. He even retaliated against Shen Fanyun’s parents. The things Han Long had done were far, far more disgusting than her own. He was an adult—a somewhat successful one at that—yet he was so petty that he not only held a grudge against a child but also resorted to spreading baseless slander and defamation.

"Even now, the teachers and students from back then all agree that you, Han Long, are no good," she muttered. "More than a decade has passed, and you’ve managed to pin all the blame, every cause, and all the dirt squarely on my head? On me, Li Qiuchan?"

If Han Long didn’t hold some sway in Hangcheng City, she would never have deigned to get involved with him, let alone become part of his family. Every time she saw that self-righteous, sanctimonious bastard, she felt sick. Even worse, she had to betray her conscience and feign enthusiasm, calling him "Father-in-law" this and "Father-in-law" that every time they met. She nearly threw up last night’s dinner just thinking about it. It was truly disgusting, especially how he loved to put on that stern, pious act.

"Hmph. We’re two of a kind; neither of us is clean," Li Qiuchan mumbled. "If things go south, no one gets to walk away unscathed."

Besides, she had one advantage over Han Long. She could afford to sit on the sidelines and watch the fire burn, but Han Long couldn’t. Shen Fanyun had already injured his son; was he really going to do nothing? The moment he made a move, it would be a delightful show of dog eat dog.

Li Qiuchan looked forward to seeing it.

* * *

After dealing with Chen Hua and Yu Zheng, Shen Fanyun left the café with Lin Jia and Lin Meiqing.

Lin Jia’s mood had visibly improved. On the way out, she transformed back into a clingy little pixie, calling out "Director" this and "Director" that. Her big, shimmering eyes were fixed on Shen Fanyun, never straying for even a moment.

"How about dinner together tonight? I’ll cook," Lin Meiqing proposed.

Lin Jia nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes! Director, let’s all have dinner together!"

I wonder if we have to ’work’ after dinner, too? Shen Fanyun’s eyes darted away. Seeing the look on Lin Meiqing’s face, he feared she was already gearing up, preparing for a clandestine battle of three hundred rounds.

WHOOSH!

Sure enough, spotting the hesitation in his eyes, Lin Meiqing flashed a meaningful smile. It felt like a warning: Dare to keep neglecting me, and I’ll just find another man. With her looks and her little-known tactical skills, finding someone else would be as easy as breathing.

"Fine, we’ll eat together," Shen Fanyun grimaced.

"Yay! I’ll go buy groceries later. Director, what do you like to eat?" Lin Jia asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Don’t," Shen Fanyun said abruptly. He didn’t want the third wheel, Lin Jia, to leave his and Lin Meiqing’s sight. If they were left alone for even twenty minutes, he suspected they would devour each other until not even scraps remained.

"Don’t what?" Lin Jia asked, looking at Shen Fanyun with a curious, confused expression.

Shen Fanyun could already feel Lin Meiqing’s murderous gaze boring into him. This woman is truly something else. I have a feeling I’m about to be offered up as tribute again. Ah, what a tragic fate. It’s beyond tragic.

He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "It’s nothing, nothing. I’ll eat anything, you can decide."

"Alright then," Lin Meiqing nodded, then announced with an air of great importance, "Jiajia, you can go buy the groceries later. I’ll stay and chat with your Director for a while. We can all cook together when we get home."

Shen Fanyun was left speechless.

"Okay, okay!" Lin Jia, completely oblivious to the undercurrents, nodded her head like a chicken pecking at grain.

Finally satisfied, Lin Meiqing announced to them, "Let’s go. Time to head home!"