Autumn, weekend.
The fountain square was bustling with activity in the afternoon.
On this rare day off, everyone was eager to step outside and enjoy themselves.
Under the warm sunlight, many passersby chose to stroll around the square, savoring the gentle breeze. Parents with their playful children, couples on dates—all passed by or lingered in this square conveniently adjacent to the bustling commercial street.
Clever vendors had set up stalls selling toys or cordoned off areas to rent out roller skates for entertainment. Every now and then, children dashed by laughing, clutching balloons, their little legs moving so fast their parents could hardly keep up.
Near the quieter main fountain, Lin Lan crouched halfway, feeding fried chicken pieces to a stray cat she had spotted.
Her low ponytail and beige trench coat gave her a refined, gentle appearance. A soft smile graced her pretty face as she watched the cat devour the chicken, occasionally tearing the pieces into smaller bits before tossing them over.
"Lan Lan!"
Before long, a young man waved at her from the street and jogged over, his steps hurried and slightly flustered.
Hearing the familiar call, Lin Lan didn’t rise immediately. Instead, she continued feeding the cat at a leisurely pace, shredding the last piece of chicken before tossing it to the feline. Only then did she slowly stand, wiping the grease from her fingertips with a wet wipe before turning to face the approaching man, her expression teasing.
"Impressive, Shao Xiuye. You’re the one who asked me out, yet you left me standing here waiting for over an hour." She arched a slender brow, her tone lilting. "You’re something else."
"No, no, that’s not it!" The man named Shao Xiuye shook his head vigorously, his survival instincts kicking in. "There was a minor delay when I was leaving, and then the company called me back for an emergency. I rushed over as soon as I finished! I even texted you to explain. Lan Lan, you know me—have I ever been late when meeting you before?"
Lin Lan fell silent, her eyes sweeping over her boyfriend, whom she hadn’t properly seen in a while. Shao Xiuye had a handsome, well-defined face with sharp features and a tall, well-proportioned frame. Two years ago, when he had pursued her, many women had envied her.
Six months ago, due to a work transfer, he had moved from the city where they had lived and worked together to the company’s headquarters in another city. Since then, they had been in a long-distance relationship.
Now, standing before her in a finely tailored suit, polished shoes, and the scent of high-end cologne, he seemed almost unfamiliar to her.
"This—this is just my work attire," he quickly explained under her scrutinizing gaze. "The company emergency came up suddenly, Lan Lan. I had no choice. I didn’t mean to meet you dressed like this."
"Why are you so nervous?" Lin Lan’s lips curled slightly. "I was just about to say you look quite dashing in your work clothes. I bet plenty of girls like it, huh?"
Shao Xiuye gave an awkward laugh. "Lan Lan, what are you talking about?" Eager to change the subject, he stepped forward and took her hand, pulling her along. "Come on, you must be hungry after waiting so long. Let’s go to our usual spot for dinner."
Both were working-class, and even their dates never stretched to fancy restaurants. The "usual spot" Shao Xiuye referred to was just a decently priced hot pot joint where meals cost no more than ninety yuan per person.
In the past, Lin Lan would have happily followed him, her face lighting up at the prospect of a meal there. But this time, she yanked her hand free the moment he touched it.
"Shao Xiuye, last month you texted me saying you got a promotion and a raise. We barely see each other, and it’s always me coming to you. And now you’re still taking me to the same old place?"
The irritation in her voice was unmistakable. The man awkwardly retracted his empty hand. "You’re right, Lan Lan. We shouldn’t go there. How about… I treat you to some Western food?"
They crossed the square and entered the pedestrian street, settling into a Western restaurant they had only ever admired from the outside. A waiter soon approached with an elegant menu, politely awaiting their order.
"We’ll—" Shao Xiuye began, but before he could finish, Lin Lan snatched the menu from his hands.
"I’ll have this, this, this… and this." Her fair fingers glided over the menu, pointing to various expensive steaks, caviar, rich soups, and desserts before adding a four-figure bottle of red wine. She handed the menu back to the well-trained waiter with a smile. "That’s all for now, thank you."
Across the table, Shao Xiuye watched as his girlfriend’s order wiped out several thousand yuan in one go. His face paled, and he instinctively opened his mouth to protest—only to meet her mocking gaze.
"What? Already regretting it? You didn’t hesitate when you secretly bought those eight-thousand-yuan AJs behind my back."
"That was—!" He started to argue but quickly deflated, lowering his head. "Lan Lan, I was wrong. I should’ve discussed it with you."
"At least you remember we agreed to save up for our wedding and a house together." The waiter had tactfully retreated, but Lin Lan wasn’t done. "I was starting to think your new city had changed more than just your surroundings—maybe your heart too."
The man fell silent. Whether it was guilt or her relentless pressure, the romantic ambiance of the meal had evaporated, leaving an awkward stillness even the restaurant’s violin music couldn’t dispel.
The food arrived swiftly. The waiter efficiently arranged the exquisite dishes before uncorking the expensive wine and pouring it into their glasses.
The crimson-tinted goblets reflected the couple at the table—one silent and withdrawn, the other cutting into her steak with practiced ease, seemingly indifferent.
Shao Xiuye frowned as he watched Lin Lan’s graceful movements. In his memory, she was the same girl who lived in a cheap rental, frequented street food stalls, and laughed joyfully while riding pillion on the secondhand scooter he’d scraped together money to buy. Now, her familiarity with high-end dining felt alien to him.
As he studied her youthful, lovely face, a sudden, anger-inducing suspicion flashed through his mind.
"What’s on your mind?" She looked up abruptly, having finished her meal without him noticing. "You’re spacing out during our rare fancy dinner. Is there something you want to say?"
Her words snapped him back to reality. The guilt he’d felt earlier was momentarily overshadowed by the unsettling thought that had just taken root.
"Yes." He dropped his knife and fork, took a deep breath, and looked directly at his girlfriend across the table as if steeling himself. "Lan Lan, we... should break up."
The moment those last three words were spoken, Lin Lan, who had been dabbing her lips with a napkin, paused mid-motion.
After a brief silence, she glanced down at her empty plate and the half-finished premium steak in front of him, sighing softly. "Good thing I ate fast—otherwise, I might’ve lost my appetite." Tossing the used napkin onto the table, she looked up and smiled. "This farewell meal wasn’t bad. Fine, I agree."
There was no disbelief, no tears, no hysterics. Her reaction was eerily calm—so calm it didn’t seem like she’d just been dumped. If anything, she seemed almost indifferent.
Her composure, however, only fueled the anger of the man who should’ve felt relieved. It was as if their two sweet years together had meant nothing, her coldness unbearable even though he was the one who’d initiated the breakup.
"Lin Lan!" Shao Xiuye no longer used her pet name, gritting her full name through clenched teeth. "Aren’t you even going to ask why?"
"What’s there to ask?" Lin Lan tilted her head. "It’s always the same old story—people change, and you’ve found yourself a new dog. Since you think someone else is better, I’ll gladly hand over the leash so the other woman can take over." Her gaze lingered on his tailored suit, her smirk deepening.
The insinuation made his face darken, but unwilling to make a scene in public, he suppressed his anger. "If you’re done eating, let’s go."
Lin Lan gave a noncommittal nod and stood. Both seemed determined to maintain a facade of dignity—she even waited politely while he paid the bill, as if to signal an amicable split.
The act lasted only until they stepped outside. The moment the restaurant door closed behind them, Shao Xiuye’s expression turned stormy.
"Lin Lan." He called out to his now-ex, who, despite her modest attire, carried herself with effortless grace. The sight of her standing there, poised and unruffled, made his temper snap. "During these six months apart, have you been seeing someone else behind my—"
Before he could finish, two sharp car honks cut through the air. A fiery red Bentley rolled to a stop in front of them.
The flashy sports car was as eye-catching as its owner—a striking, haughty woman who stepped out of the driver’s seat with an air of entitlement.
"Shao Xiuye!" The socialite marched over, her stilettos clicking sharply. "So this is why you’ve been distracted at work, sneaking out on excuses? Still clinging to her?"
His face paled. "Miss Jiang, what are you doing here?"
"You took a company car for your little date—you think I wouldn’t find out?" Miss Jiang scoffed, dismissing him before turning a scrutinizing gaze on Lin Lan. Her eyes flicked over Lin Lan’s face, then her plain clothes, and a smug smile curled her lips. "You must be Lin Lan. Ye’s mentioned you—some small-time technician at a media company in Shanghai, about to get promoted to supervisor?"
She extended a hand, but Lin Lan didn’t take it.
"Miss Jiang, is it?" Lin Lan smiled back. "You’re well-informed. Funny, though—I’ve never heard of you from my ex. No wonder he rushed to break up today. Found himself a CEO’s daughter, ready to ride the coattails into an IPO family, huh?"
A Bentley, two beautiful women, and a handsome man—their explosive exchange on a busy street quickly drew a crowd.
Shao Xiuye, feeling the heat of countless stares, stepped forward to placate Miss Jiang. "I already broke up with her. Let’s just go back to the office."
She shoved him aside without a glance, her sharp brows arching as she smirked at Lin Lan. "Oh, I know way more than that. I heard you and Ye were saving up to buy a place in Shanghai for your wedding? Must’ve been tough. What, three years out of college? Bet you haven’t even scraped together a tenth of the down payment. Me? I don’t have that problem. My family owns several properties there. One word, and I can gift Ye a home—cut his struggles in half."
"Quite right, Miss Jiang." Lin Lan remained unshaken. "Can’t blame him for choosing an easier path. They say some women would rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle. Equality means men can cry in your Bentley too—no judgment here. He’s all yours now."
The crowd burst into laughter at her retort. But for Shao Xiuye, it was pure humiliation.
"Enough!" He jabbed a finger at Lin Lan. "Who are you to judge me? Fine, I messed up! But don’t act innocent! During our long-distance, can you honestly say you didn’t cheat?"
Back in the restaurant, she’d navigated the upscale dining with more ease than him—wasn’t that proof enough?
The murmurs around them grew louder. The drama was too juicy to walk away from.
Lin Lan, however, merely smiled, unfazed. Compared to the other two, she radiated calm—an almost irritating poise for someone who’d just been betrayed.
Miss Jiang stepped forward, ready to strike, but Lin Lan cut in. "It’s getting late. My ride’s here."
Ride?
The crowd blinked in confusion—until another pair of honks sounded. Heads turned to see a Rolls-Royce Phantom glide to a stop behind the Bentley.
The majestic silver-gray sedan dwarfed the flashy sports car, its iconic Spirit of Ecstasy emblem gleaming under the sun. A sharply dressed chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door.
A strikingly handsome man with golden hair, blue eyes, and gold-rimmed glasses stepped out of the car. Dressed in a sleek black suit and carrying a briefcase, he looked like the kind of elite professional one might only see on television. His long strides drew admiring gasps and murmurs of "So handsome!" from female passersby.
Yet this distinguished gentleman came to a halt right in front of Lin Lan, bowing respectfully as he addressed her: "Miss Lin, I’ve come to escort you back home."
