Chapter 21: Fu Tingshen, I don't want you anymore.

"What's wrong?"

Fu Tingshen had walked up to her at some point, and she hadn't even noticed. She cursed herself silently; every time Fu Yanchi appeared, her emotions were easily thrown into disarray. She managed a strained smile. "It's nothing."

Fu Tingshen’s gaze landed on her again, and then, in a rare display of uncharacteristic behavior, he offered a compliment. "Yunmian, you look beautiful today."

Luo Yunmian looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise. He had never liked her wearing qipao before; his praise today was truly out of character. Yet, she knew in her heart that there would likely never be any deeper connection between them. Thinking of this, a trace of melancholy flickered in her eyes. The six-year relationship was finally coming to an end today.

Almost all the prominent families in the harbor district, along with those connected to the Fu and Gu families, were in attendance. The hotel was decorated festively, with red symbols of double happiness everywhere.

At 7:00 PM, with the guests all seated, the stars of the engagement banquet, Luo Yunmian and Fu Tingshen, stood side by side on the stage. The emcee stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the handsome couple. With a radiant, enthusiastic smile, he proclaimed in a loud voice:

"A man should marry, taking a beautiful bride for life; a woman should wed, finding a desirable husband. Marriage has been the most significant event in the lives of our people since ancient times. Today, we gather here to witness the engagement of Mr. Fu Tingshen and Ms. Luo Yunmian..."

Luo Yunmian didn't take in much of what the emcee was saying. Her hands were folded calmly in front of her, but only she knew that her palms were already slightly damp with sweat. After all, this was the moment she had decided to end her six-year-long, one-sided, tormenting love for Fu Tingshen. Her heart was churning with complex emotions—a sense of liberating relief mixed with the bitterness of past memories.

"Yunmian?" Fu Tingshen’s voice broke through her thoughts.

She realized it was time for the exchange of rings. As the ring was about to be placed on her middle finger, her finger reflexively curled back. At that moment, everyone’s attention snapped toward the pair on stage. A slight commotion rippled through the crowd, with some murmuring, "What’s wrong with Miss Luo?" "She must be nervous."

Some people chuckled softly. Luo Yunmian ignored them, casting her gaze toward the crowd. She saw her parents and grandmother, their eyes filled with expectation; they were all hoping for this marriage to succeed. Another wave of bitterness washed over her.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then quickly pulled her hand back. She picked up the ring from the box and went to put it on her middle finger herself, but as soon as it touched her skin, it slipped and fell to the floor with a clatter.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Someone couldn't help but remark, "That ring size doesn't look like it fits Miss Luo at all!"

Fu Tingshen’s parents hurriedly stood up, looking at their son with embarrassment, and whispered, "Tingshen, what is going on? Why is Yunmian’s ring a size too large?"

Fu Tingshen’s heart sank; a sense of dread washed over him. He could only force himself to offer an excuse. "The staff must have grabbed the wrong one."

Luo Yunmian looked at his clumsy excuse with a mocking smile. "Let me explain to everyone, because this size was never meant for me." She glanced toward the corner table where Shen Xin'er sat and sneered, "I believe this ring belongs to someone else, Mr. Fu."

Fu Tingshen, flushed with anger and shame, frowned at her. "Yunmian, what exactly do you mean?"

Luo Yunmian curled her lips, scanned the crowd, and smiled faintly. "Thank you all for attending today’s engagement banquet, but I have a few things I would like to say. Grandma, Mom, Dad—if I do anything today that angers you, please do not be upset; I will beg for your forgiveness when I return."

Duan Hua looked at Luo Yunmian on the stage with a sense of unease, but having seen much in life, she gave a slight nod. Seeing this, Luo Yunmian knew her grandmother would support her no matter what, and she straightened her back.

"Everyone knows I have loved Fu Tingshen for six years, always following silently in his shadow. We only officially became a couple three years ago. I once thought I would walk through life with him, but reality is often disappointing." She paused, looking at the man beside her, who still looked handsome and dashing in his black formal suit. "Fu Tingshen, today I am giving you a great gift, and fulfilling your heart's desire."

As soon as she finished speaking, she looked toward the bottom right. Fu Yanchi was sitting with his legs crossed, exuding a carefree, playboy attitude. She signaled to him, and as if they shared a telepathic connection, Fu Yanchi smiled at her and snapped his fingers.

Zhuang Bo, understanding the signal, nodded to the staff behind the scenes while on his phone. In an instant, the large screen on the stage lit up, and a video began to play.

A sudden uproar broke out in the crowd. Someone screamed, "My God, isn't that Mr. Fu? Who is that woman?"

The guests whispered and buzzed; the news of Fu Tingshen's infidelity spread instantly. Fu Tingshen’s parents, as well as Luo Yunmian’s grandmother and parents, all stared at the screen in shock, involuntarily standing up. His parents were trembling with rage, pointing at him and demanding, "What is the meaning of this?"

Fu Tingshen watched the video, panic rising in his heart. He hurriedly reached out to grab Luo Yunmian’s hand, pleading anxiously, "Yunmian, listen to me, I can explain!"

Luo Yunmian pulled her hand away forcefully, her eyes filled with determination. "Fu Tingshen, you always thought that because I loved you for six years, no matter how you mistreated me, a few words from you would make me forgive you, didn't you?"

"Thinking about it now, it’s truly laughable. For these six years, you trampled on my feelings. When your 'white moonlight,' Shen Xin'er, returned, you remembered clearly that she loved green onions, but when I told you I didn't, you always used work as an excuse to forget. Even worse, the night she returned, you were together in the rose conservatory I planted with my own hands. I heard it with my own ears—you only ever saw me as a tool to be manipulated at will."

Fu Tingshen staggered, nearly losing his footing, his face drained of all color. He looked at Luo Yunmian, his eyes revealing panic and unease. His lips trembled as he managed to speak. "So... you heard it all?"

"Yes, Fu Tingshen, I know everything. In France, you said I was suitable to be a wife, but that your true love was Shen Xin'er."

"You understand French?" Fu Tingshen asked, stunned.

"Yes. My grandmother is fluent in five languages, and I grew up immersed in them."