92: Human shrewdness

This sudden question caused Guo Fandong's heart to skip a beat!

But he was a sly old fox, after all. After being stunned for a mere half-second, he immediately switched into his most affectionate mode!

“Zhi Xia! How could you ask that?!”

His face was full of grief and indignation, as if Shen Zhixia's question was a massive insult to his love!

“Of course I know those are all just rumors and gossip!”

“It's all those vulgar women who are jealous of your talent and beauty who made them up to slander you!”

“In my heart, you will always be that most pure, noble, and beautiful girl!”

Guo Fandong took a step forward, passionately declaring his loyalty: “I, Guo Fandong, swear to the heavens that I absolutely, one hundred percent believe in you!”

“I will always stand by your side, protect you, and never let anyone hurt you!”

Guo Fandong's affectionate and solemn declaration seemed to echo in the living room.

Every word was filled with a sincerity that moved even himself.

However, the frost on Shen Zhixia's face showed no signs of melting.

She just watched his performance quietly, her eyes carrying a hint of all-knowing pity and an undisguised sense of annoyance.

“Are you finished?”

She spoke flatly, her voice devoid of any emotion.

Guo Fandong was taken aback and nodded subconsciously.

“I'm finished.”

The corners of Shen Zhixia's mouth suddenly twitched upward, forming an extremely shallow yet extremely cold arc.

“Then what if I told you that those rumors are all true?”

Boom!

Guo Fandong's brain felt as if it had been struck by a bolt of lightning!

The affection on his face instantly froze into a comical mask!

He... what did he just hear?

As if thinking the thunder wasn't loud enough, Shen Zhixia added another line nonchalantly.

“I am Yang Shengli's mistress.”

“What do you have to say to that?”

Guo Fandong completely froze.

The color drained from his face at a visible rate, leaving only a deathly pallor!

Of course he knew!

Of course he knew about the relationship between Shen Zhixia and Yang Shengli!

If not for that, why would he bother to fawn over this woman, who was as cold as a block of ice, like a lapdog?!

What he wanted was to use Shen Zhixia to board Yang Shengli's giant ship, so he could soar to the top and transcend his social class!

But these words... how could he say them out loud?!

Guo Fandong's Adam's apple bobbed frantically, and his brain worked at an unprecedented speed, trying to find a way out of this desperate situation!

There it was!

His eyes suddenly lit up, and his face was once again filled with heartache and tenderness!

“Zhi Xia! I know!”

“I know you must have had no choice!”

“Did Yang Shengli force you?! Tell me! Even if I have to risk my life, I will help you!”

He acted with tears and snot, as if he were a tragic hero who defied power to save his lover.

Unfortunately, his audience never intended to buy a ticket from the start.

“No choice?” Shen Zhixia let out a scoff, as if she had heard the world's biggest joke. “There was no 'no choice.'”

Her tone was as casual as if she were saying the weather was nice today.

“I'm just a vain woman who loves money and material things, nothing more.”

These words were like a poisoned dagger, accurately stabbing into the hero dream Guo Fandong had just woven, and twisting it ruthlessly!

His expression completely shattered.

Shen Zhixia didn't bother to look at him anymore, as if even one more glance would soil her eyes.

She turned around, poured herself a glass of water, and took a slow sip.

Then, with her back to him, she dropped the ultimate bombshell of the day.

“So, the reason I had you come over today...”

“...is actually to break up with you.”

Clang!

Guo Fandong felt his world completely collapse.

He staggered back a step, his eyes full of disbelief!

Break up?!

“Why?! Zhi Xia! Why on earth is this happening?!”

He cried out, losing his voice.

“Weren't we... weren't we fine last night?!”

“Didn't you have an episode last night? Are you feeling unwell now, so...”

Before he could finish, he was impatiently interrupted by Shen Zhixia.

“That's right,” Shen Zhixia slowly turned around, her cold gaze falling on his distraught face. “Didn't I have an episode last night?”

She took a step forward, staring him down. “I thought about it carefully afterward.”

“I don't have much longer to live anyway.”

“Before I die, I'm honestly too embarrassed to keep two-timing anymore.”

“So, I'm just going to break up with you.”

These words were spoken so cruelly, yet so matter-of-factly!

Guo Fandong felt as if his heart were being squeezed and crushed by a hand!

His last hope had also been shattered!

No!

It couldn't end like this!

A strong sense of unwillingness allowed him to instantly regain his reason!

“I don't mind!”

He rushed forward, trying to grab Shen Zhixia's hand, but she nimbly avoided him.

“Zhi Xia! I don't mind!”

He declared urgently, his voice even carrying a sob.

“Even if you don't have much time left, I'm willing to accompany you until the very last day! I'm sincere!”

Shen Zhixia's brow finally furrowed in impatience.

In those beautiful eyes, the last trace of patience was exhausted.

“Can't you understand human speech?” Her voice suddenly dropped to freezing point. “I said, I want to break up.”

She gave a mocking smile, one that carried a lethal threat.

“Guo Fandong, take a guess.”

“What if I were to call my godfather right now and tell him everything that happened between you and me?”

“Do you think... my godfather would send people to cause trouble for you?”

She emphasized the word 'godfather' very heavily.

In an instant, Guo Fandong's face became uglier than a corpse's!

A bone-chilling coldness rushed from his tailbone straight to the crown of his head!

But he wasn't willing to leave so dejectedly!

His persona couldn't crumble either!

“But... but Zhi Xia, my feelings for you are sincere!”

He forced himself to maintain a last shred of dignity, squeezing out a smile that looked worse than crying.

“Zhi Xia, you... don't be impulsive. Think it over carefully.”

“I... I won't give up.”

“I will wait for you forever.”

After saying these words that even he found nauseating, Guo Fandong couldn't stay any longer. He turned around and rushed out of the door of Room 1902 as if fleeing for his life.

“Bang!”

The heavy solid wood door of Room 1902 was slammed shut.

That loud noise seemed to be Guo Fandong's broken dignity giving one last powerless roar.

However, in the final instant before he turned to close the door, that face—which had been filled with sorrow and deep affection—instantly froze into a block of cold, dark iron.