After repeatedly hitting a wall with Ye Qiu, Fang Bingwen found himself both anxious and embarrassed. When he realized he couldn’t communicate with her in a roundabout way, he simply spoke directly.

"Can you lend me some money?"

"For what?"

"The school’s lab equipment is outdated, I want to order it myself," Fang Bingwen said a bit awkwardly.

"How much?"

"Around twenty to thirty million!" After saying it, he dared not look at her.

"That much?" Ye Qiu exclaimed, then frowned tightly, "But I don’t have that much on hand at the moment."

"How come? Didn’t you inherit..." He couldn’t finish his sentence, just staring in disbelief.

Ye Qiu spoke frankly: "You don’t trust me?"

"That’s not what I mean. Haven’t you always been wealthy?"

"Yes, I’m wealthy indeed, but who says I must always have that much liquid cash? Last year, I observed the real estate market was promising, so I invested some money when my brother started a development, but it hasn’t paid off yet. Last month, several computer science folks from A University sought investment; I found them promising and talented, so I invested in them too. It’s the development phase, and I’ve even advanced this year’s dividends from my second brother."

Fang Bingwen awkwardly said, "Could you advance a bit more?"

"It’s already against the rules for a shareholder to advance funds. This is money my brother took out privately; do you think I could advance several more million?" Ye Qiu asked rhetorically.

"Then what about my experiment?" His tone was dejected, evidently still hoping Ye Qiu could come up with a solution.

"Haven’t you always been valued by the school? A University isn’t short on money. Is it possible that foreign instruments you don’t have? If it’s really that bad, I think even if you had money to buy advanced instruments, others wouldn’t sell them!" Ye Qiu spoke plainly.

"I have connections abroad."

"Is it urgent?"

"Yes, in experiments, speed is priority."

"But I truly have no solution now. Even if I were to borrow, the only people to borrow from are my older sister and second brother, but if they knew the money was for you, they wouldn’t lend it."

"Can you say it’s for you? Don’t worry, I’ve been following this project for a long time, it holds great promise."

"Suddenly borrowing such a large amount, do you think they won’t ask questions? Bingwen, you’ve oversimplified this matter. Even if my sister and second brother have money, they might not lend it." Ye Qiu looked at him sincerely.

Fang Bingwen couldn’t speak any further, his previous confidence turned into anxiety. What would happen to his lab without money? What would happen to his career?

Feeling helpless, he didn’t dare reveal this news to Song Qing, so he hurried back to school, not daring to relax for a day.

But at this point, rumors about him were rampant in the school. The school leadership’s stance was that due to the large impact affecting the school’s reputation, he should best rest at home until family matters were resolved.

Though previously supportive leaders stated they wouldn’t easily give up on him, if he couldn’t access the school’s lab at this time, wouldn’t that mean there’s genuinely no hope?

He couldn’t comprehend why things had come to this; clearly, he hadn’t actually cheated with Song Qing. Couldn’t everyone look at the situation rationally?

Now, Fang Bingwen found himself stuck, unsure whether to move forward or retreat, completely confused about what to do.

If he swiftly divorced Ye Qiu, then what about him and Song Qing? Was there a guarantee Ye Family wouldn’t retaliate? Would the online and school gossip intensify?

But if he didn’t divorce, what would become of Song Qing and Xiao Xu? He couldn’t buy experimental equipment, nor could he return to school—was he supposed to just wait in vain?

However, Ye Qiu didn’t let him languish in indecision; in his state of confusion, she forced him onto a different path.

Ye Qiu recovered and returned home; due to her absence, Fang Bingwen had been juggling between the hospital, home, and Song Qing, leaving him no time to tidy up, so a layer of dust had accumulated at home. Displeased, she hired a cleaning service.

Not until the place was properly cleaned did they find a hospital test result.

Fang Bingwen was unaware Ye Qiu had been discharged. Because Fang Xu had an event at school during the day, he returned home late, and seeing Ye Qiu sitting calmly on the sofa, his heart skipped a beat.

"Why did you leave the hospital? Why didn’t you tell me?"

Ye Qiu merely laughed self-mockingly, then took out a slip: "Can you tell me what this is?"

Fang Bingwen’s doubts and unease grew heavier, and seeing the words on the slip made him even less able to speak.

"You had a vasectomy? When we were getting married, you had a vasectomy?" A tear rolled down Ye Qiu’s cheek, "You’re that wary of me?"

"I was just..."

"Just what? You just don’t love me, right? You just don’t want to have kids with me, right? Don’t say it’s fear of Xiao Xu temporarily not accepting it. Why not discuss it with me, and decide on your own? You’re violating my reproductive rights; you don’t truly see me as your wife." Ye Qiu screamed.

Witnessing her heartbroken and nearly hysterical state, Fang Bingwen felt as though his heart was being squeezed tightly, in unbearable pain.

Ye Qiu’s reddened eyes stared at him: "Do you think I’m so despicable? Can you mess with me however you want?"

"No, I didn’t, I never intended to do anything to betray you," Fang Bingwen hastily explained.

"Then what’s this about? You know I adore children, and you know I’ve always looked forward to having a child with you. Does deceiving me make you happy, make you feel accomplished, does it?"

"No." Fang Bingwen, seeing her like this, felt deeply guilty, quickly embracing her, "You’re just healed, don’t get agitated, please listen to me explain."

"There’s nothing to explain." Ye Qiu pushed him away, "You think I don’t know? While I was hospitalized, you were still mingling daily with Song Qing, and you’ve never forgotten him, you’ve never cared about me."

"I can explain."

"Fang Bingwen, I’m not blind. I love you, but not as naively as you think. Previously, I gave selflessly and loved with all my heart because I thought you were worth loving, and I also believed you’d be moved by me, but now it seems I was wrong, hugely wrong." Ye Qiu retreated, shaking her head.

With a bitter smile, she said: "Your heart burns solely for Song Qing; no matter what I do, it’s useless. The netizens were right; I’ve been blinded by a single leaf, too stubborn. So, why don’t I let you go? I’ll let you return to Song Qing, I won’t selfishly bind you to me anymore—this is good for you, and for me."