Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the master bedroom, casting mottled shadows across the floor.
Yu Sheng woke with a splitting headache, her throat dry and tight.
She pushed herself up and looked at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar bedroom before finally realizing that Shen Yunmian had actually brought her back to their marital home.
Fragments of last night's chaotic and intense memories gradually pieced together.
The deliberate humiliation in her words, Shen Yunmian's rare loss of control, and that crisp slap.
She didn't regret it. Instead, she felt a sense of relief after breaking all ties.
She had clearly told Shen Yunmian—and herself: the boundary between body and emotions was now completely drawn.
The only reason this marriage could still continue was the tangled, inseparable interests between the two families.
What she needed to do now was race against time to understand the true state of the Yu Group and separate it from the Shen family—even if it meant giving up most of the benefits, as long as her mother could live normally, she could accept it.
Of course, she couldn't alert the enemy now.
Before she had enough leverage, she still needed to lie low.
With a clear plan in mind, Yu Sheng suppressed the discomfort of her hangover and gathered her energy.
As soon as she stepped out of the bedroom, she smelled a faint aroma of porridge—familiar.
She knew Aunt Yang had come, probably sent by grandmother.
Aunt Yang, wearing an apron, was bringing side dishes out of the kitchen.
Seeing her, she immediately showed a warm yet slightly cautious smile. "Miss, you're awake? Does your head still hurt? Come, breakfast is ready. Eat while it's hot to warm your stomach."
"Thank you, Aunt Yang." Yu Sheng walked to the dining table and sat down, her tone calm.
Aunt Yang set the utensils, glancing toward the master bedroom.
In the end, she couldn't help but probe softly, "Miss, the eldest young lady… went to the company so early? Did she rest well last night?"
The curiosity in her eyes practically spelled out "the old madam asked me to check if you've reconciled."
Yu Sheng understood clearly. This was definitely grandmother's instruction to gather information.
She had no intention of making things difficult for someone just following orders, but she would never give any signal that could cause misunderstanding.
Her tone was polite yet distant, without any emotion: "Mm. There's been a lot going on at the company lately, so she's busy.
I've mostly recovered. Once I start working, it'll be more convenient to stay at the apartment in Jingshui Bay. Aunt Yang, after you finish here, go back and take care of grandmother. There's no need for her to worry about us."
Aunt Yang's smile stiffened for a moment, then turned into an awkward, helpless one.
The meaning was obvious—no need for care, no intention of reconciliation.
She tactfully didn't ask more, just nodded repeatedly. "Alright, alright. Miss, if you need anything, just let me know."
Yu Sheng quietly finished her breakfast. The taste was still good, but with her mind occupied, she couldn't really enjoy it.
After putting down her utensils, she stood up. "Aunt Yang, thank you for your hard work. I'll head out first."
"Take care, miss." Aunt Yang watched her decisive departing figure and sighed softly.
The miss was really different now.
That gentle compliance was gone, replaced by an indescribable distance and decisiveness.
Yu Sheng drove straight to the Shen Group headquarters building in the city center.
This towering glass skyscraper was a landmark of the city. The Shen Group occupied the top sixty-eight floors, while the Yu Group was just below the top floor, making it convenient for Shen Yunmian to handle affairs together.
This physical difference in height subtly symbolized the relationship between the two companies.
The receptionist had clearly been notified in advance. Seeing her, she immediately stood respectfully and led the way. "Madam, President Shen is in a meeting on the top floor. She instructed that when you arrive, you can rest in her office first."
"Thank you." Yu Sheng nodded slightly and followed toward the executive elevator.
The elevator's interior was mirror-like, reflecting her slightly pale but determined face.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort of her hangover and her complicated emotions, preparing to face new challenges.
The elevator rose silently and quickly, finally stopping at the top floor.
Several secretaries stood up to greet her, their attitudes respectful, though curiosity clearly showed in their eyes.
Yu Sheng ignored it and was led straight into Shen Yunmian's office.
The massive floor-to-ceiling windows captured the entire city skyline.
The office was spacious and cold, decorated in black, white, and gray, arranged with meticulous precision.
Just like Shen Yunmian—rigorous, efficient, and lacking warmth.
Yu Sheng didn't sit down. Instead, she walked to the window and looked at the tiny flow of cars and people below.
Once, her life had been easily controlled by the owner of this building above.
But now, she was going to try to break free.
The meeting seemed long.
The office was well soundproofed, but the door wasn't fully closed, and faint whispers from the secretary area outside drifted in.
"The president's wife doesn't look too well… she's much thinner than the last time I saw her…"
"Tsk, haven't you noticed President Shen has been staying at the company lately? Their relationship must have problems."
"Who knows? Wealthy families are always complicated."
"I heard… the Best Actress Lin Ruoyan is the one President Shen truly cares about. They grew up together—if the family hadn't opposed it… sigh, maybe now…"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Don't let anyone hear you!"
The voices gradually quieted.
Yu Sheng listened, her face expressionless, even finding it somewhat amusing.
She had heard these rumors countless times in her previous life. Every time, they felt like knives twisting in her heart, leaving her sleepless through the night.
But now, she was already preparing for divorce. It just felt noisy and irrelevant.
About half an hour later, the office door was pushed open, and Shen Yunmian walked in.
She wore a perfectly tailored suit, her long hair neatly pinned up.
There was no trace of last night's embarrassment or anger on her face, as if she had returned to being that impenetrable President Shen.
When she saw Yu Sheng, her steps paused almost imperceptibly.
When she received the secretary's notice during the meeting, a rare flicker of emotion had indeed crossed her mind.
She had imagined several possibilities: was Yu Sheng here to apologize for last night's excessive behavior? To make peace? Or perhaps unable to swallow her pride, using business as an excuse to ease the relationship?
After all, Yu Sheng had never rejected and humiliated her so directly before.
A faint, barely perceptible expectation—one she hadn't even examined herself—quietly rose in her heart.
Perhaps everything could return to normal.
"Have you been waiting long?" Shen Yunmian walked behind her large desk and sat down, her tone deliberately softened just a bit.
Yu Sheng turned around, her attitude polite. "No. Are you done, President Shen?"
That clear "President Shen" instantly shattered the atmosphere Shen Yunmian had just softened.
The fingers resting on the desk curled slightly, and her expression tightened visibly.
She looked at Yu Sheng—her gaze calm, posture distant.
There was none of the apology or intent to reconcile she had expected.
"Mm." Shen Yunmian suppressed the discomfort rising in her chest and asked in a businesslike tone, "What do you need from me?"
She hoped Yu Sheng would bring up last night—even if just to offer a clumsy excuse for her behavior.
But Yu Sheng got straight to the point, heading in an entirely different direction:
"I want to start familiarizing myself with the Yu Group's business as soon as possible. I know I'm basically starting from zero in this area, so I'll need to learn from the beginning. I hope President Shen can make arrangements or give me some guidance."
"…"
Shen Yunmian fell silent for a moment.
She carefully studied Yu Sheng, trying to find even a trace of impulsiveness or spite—but there was none.
Yu Sheng's eyes were firm, carrying a clarity she had never seen before.
That feeling of losing control surfaced again.
But whether publicly or privately, she seemed to have no reason to refuse.
As the sole heir of the Yu family, it was a good thing for Yu Sheng to be willing to learn how to manage the company.
Shen Yunmian always separated business from personal matters.
"Alright, I understand."
She nodded, pressed the intercom, her tone returning to its usual coldness. "Secretary Li, come in."
Soon, her chief secretary Li Wei entered. "President Shen, you called for me?"
"Mm." Shen Yunmian gestured toward Yu Sheng, her tone flat. "Starting today, President Yu will begin familiarizing herself with the Yu Group's business. You'll be mainly responsible for coordinating matters on that side. Take her over and assist her in understanding the company structure, departmental functions, as well as recent operations and financial reports. Start from the basics. Make sure everything is clearly explained."
A hint of surprise flashed in Secretary Li's eyes, but she quickly returned to a professional demeanor. "Understood, President Shen. President Yu, please follow me."
"Thank you." Yu Sheng turned without hesitation and followed Secretary Li out of the office.
She didn't spare Shen Yunmian another glance, nor showed the slightest attachment.
Shen Yunmian watched her figure disappear cleanly behind the door.
That inexplicable irritation and sense of losing control surged again, stronger than ever before.
Once again, she clearly realized—
That cold, distant detachment from her wife was even more unsettling than fierce arguments.
—
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