The collapse of a relationship—the tragic plight of the little catfish!

Yan Xiaonian watched Lin Yue, who sat on the podium wearing a beaming smile, with a wary heart. This woman had been hovering around Xiao Sheng frequently of late, and now, by making such a grand display of summoning her to the conference room, she surely harbored ill intentions. Lin Yue was dressed in a well-tailored, form-fitting professional suit that left nothing to the imagination regarding her slender waist and graceful figure. Her hair was meticulously pinned up, revealing a smooth forehead. Her makeup was exquisite, yet her eyes betrayed a shrewd and sharp quality that was difficult to fathom. She spoke eloquently from the stage, rattling on about the company's glorious achievements and the hard work of its employees. To Yan Xiaonian, however, these were nothing more than empty, hypocritical platitudes; she knew the real show was yet to come.

Before long, Lin Yue’s gaze, which seemed to carry a hook, swept across the room and landed precisely on Yan Xiaonian. In that instant, Yan Xiaonian felt as if a cold, icy blade had pierced through her. "Next, let us invite a special guest to the stage with warm applause: Ms. Yan Xiaonian." Lin Yue’s voice was cloyingly sweet, yet it concealed a sharp edge. Yan Xiaonian felt a jolt in her heart. Though she was filled with reluctance, under the scrutiny of the crowd, she had no choice but to bite the bullet, stand up, and walk toward the stage amidst the varied gazes of those around her.

"Ms. Yan, you see, the remarkable achievements our company enjoys today are inseparable from the silent support of every employee's family. As Mr. Xiao’s ex-wife, you hold a unique significance, and everyone here recognizes this special contribution." As she spoke, Lin Yue handed over a uniquely designed and finely crafted trophy. On the surface, it appeared to be an honor, but in Yan Xiaonian’s hands, the trophy felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, causing her hands to tremble slightly. Just as she was about to decline, stating she was unworthy of the praise, Lin Yue leaned in closer. Her seemingly beautiful face turned somewhat sinister, and she whispered viciously into Yan Xiaonian’s ear: "Don’t think you can cling to Xiao Sheng for much longer. He will return to An Xiaotang sooner or later. All your current struggles are in vain. If you have any sense, you’ll leave now." Yan Xiaonian’s eyes widened in disbelief as she glared at Lin Yue. A fire of rage ignited in her heart, but constrained by the room full of people, she could not lash out and was forced to swallow her fury.

After the humiliating farce finally ended, a restless Yan Xiaonian returned to the raffle area. Her son, Yan Dafa, and Wu Zhenzhu were still there, waiting in line for the draw with great excitement and anticipation. Seeing her son’s innocent, happy face, Yan Xiaonian forced a smile, struggling to keep her inner turmoil from him. "Mommy, you're back! It’s almost our turn to draw!" Yan Dafa waved his ticket, his face flushed with excitement as he shouted. Yan Xiaonian walked up and gently stroked his head. Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang. She looked down to see it was a call from Xiao Sheng.

She hesitated for several seconds before silently walking to the side and answering. "Xiaonian, where are you? I just finished dealing with a pile of trouble at the company and am coming to find you now." Xiao Sheng’s voice came through the receiver, heavy with exhaustion and anxiety. Yan Xiaonian let out a cold scoff, her pent-up grievances and resentment manifesting in her icy tone: "At Zhongzhou Paradise. What, has a busy man like you finally found a moment to think of me?" Sensing her foul mood, Xiao Sheng hurriedly explained, "Xiaonian, don't be angry. Everything before was my fault. Wait for me to arrive so we can talk things through calmly, alright?" Just as Yan Xiaonian was about to reply, she caught a glimpse of Lin Yue walking toward her with an elegant yet provocative gait, her eyes filled with malice. "Fine, come then." Yan Xiaonian hung up abruptly and turned to face Lin Yue, demanding without a hint of weakness, "What do you want now?"

Lin Yue curled her lips into a mocking sneer: "Hmph, I just came to see if you’ve finally recognized reality. Xiao Sheng and An Xiaotang are a match made in heaven; their bond is deep and not something someone like you can easily break. If you’re smart, you’ll leave voluntarily and stop making a fool of yourself." Trembling with rage, Yan Xiaonian snapped back, "My affairs with Xiao Sheng are none of your concern. Who do you think you are to point fingers here?" The heated argument immediately drew the attention of those around them, who cast looks of curiosity, surprise, or confusion. Wu Zhenzhu, who had been discussing the raffle with Yan Dafa, heard the commotion and rushed over, shielding Yan Xiaonian behind her like a mother tiger protecting her cub, glaring at Lin Yue: "What is wrong with you? Bullying my best friend while I’m standing right here?" Lin Yue glanced at her with utter disdain: "This is a family matter. You’re an outsider, so stop meddling and stay out of it."

Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, Xiao Sheng arrived in a rush. Seeing the chaotic and tense scene, his brows furrowed deeply. "Lin Yue, what are you doing?" Seeing Xiao Sheng, Lin Yue immediately dropped her arrogant demeanor and switched to a pitiful, aggrieved expression: "Mr. Xiao, I was only trying to have a friendly chat with Ms. Yan to get to know her better. I didn’t expect her to be so sensitive and agitated; she misunderstood me immediately." Yan Xiaonian laughed in anger, a sound filled with sorrow: "Xiao Sheng, look at the kind of people you keep around you. She humiliated me openly today; are you just going to stand by and do nothing?" Seeing the tears welling in Yan Xiaonian’s eyes, Xiao Sheng felt as if his heart were being stabbed. He turned to Lin Yue and said sternly, "Lin Yue, listen to me closely: Xiaonian and I will resolve our own matters. You are not to interfere again. If I catch you causing trouble for her one more time, you can pack your bags and leave immediately; don't even think about staying at this company." Lin Yue’s face turned deathly pale, a flash of resentment crossing her eyes, but she dared not defy him. She stomped her foot in frustration and turned to leave.

Xiao Sheng walked slowly toward Yan Xiaonian, his eyes filled with guilt and tenderness, and gently took her hand: "Xiaonian, I’m sorry. I’ve let you suffer. Come home with me, let’s go back and talk things through calmly, okay?" Yan Xiaonian, as if touched on a raw nerve, violently pulled her hand away. "Go home? I don’t even know what position I hold in your heart anymore; how do you expect me to go back?" Yan Dafa stood by, watching his parents’ stalemate, and his eyes reddened. He ran over and clutched Yan Xiaonian’s hand, crying, "Mommy, don't be angry anymore. Let’s go home. I don’t want to see you unhappy." Looking down at her sensible son, Yan Xiaonian’s heart softened, and her tears fell uncontrollably.

Wu Zhenzhu sighed heavily and stepped forward, whispering, "Xiaonian, why don't you go back and talk to him? Being at a deadlock like this isn't a solution." After a long moment of painful internal struggle, Yan Xiaonian gave a slight nod. Seeing this, Xiao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly led Yan Xiaonian and their son out of Zhongzhou Paradise. Throughout the journey, the atmosphere in the car was stifling. Yan Xiaonian gazed blankly at the passing streetscape, her thoughts drifting far away. She did not know what awaited her upon returning home—whether it would be Xiao Sheng’s sincere repentance and restitution, or if she would fall into a new, even more painful cycle of hurt. Xiao Sheng, equally anxious, racked his brain, searching for a way to mend their fractured relationship and win back Yan Xiaonian’s heart.