Chapter 133: Shen Xian and Zhou Wan Sever Their Relationship

"What's wrong?" Zhou Wan stopped in her tracks, glancing toward the doorway, where someone was currently punching in a security code.

"That night we had dinner, a video was taken and posted online. And the person who filmed it was none other than Shen Xian! Furthermore, the video was edited to remove the context, claiming I was eating a protected wild animal." Ye Yuning’s voice was filled with sorrow.

Zhou Wan froze. "Why would he do that?"

Ye Yuning replied, "Ask Ning Cai; she knows. And take a look at the related news."

Outside the door, Shen Xian had already pushed his way in. He caught sight of Zhou Wan standing there on the phone, but his expression remained calm. He didn't speak, simply walking past her and into the study.

Zhou Wan hurriedly called Ning Cai to ask for the specifics.

Ning Cai was silent for a moment before saying, "I'll send you three videos to watch."

The first video was from when they were at the Yu family home; Uncle Yu Tianshu had slipped a note to Shen Xian, promising that if Shen Xian could persuade Ning Cai, he could use that handwritten letter to claim a villa in a development they were building in Nanzhou. The video clearly captured Shen Xian putting the note into his pocket.

The second video showed Yu Tianshu meeting Shen Xian at a café, where Shen Xian offered his advice—and demanded five million!

The third video showed Shen Xian handing over the footage and taking the check.

Afterward, Ning Cai sent the trending news to Zhou Wan. In the news, one could see Ye Yuning introducing the geese and placing them on the table.

"Are they wild or farmed? It remains to be verified!"
"Damn, I said this special breeding base would run into trouble, and I was right!"
"Wait, I'm curious, how did this video leak out in the first place?"

Below the trending news were rows of uniform, critical comments. Judging by the engagement, after two days of fermentation, it had climbed to the top of the search charts.

Zhou Wan knew full well the impact this had on Ye Yuning. Because the distinction between wild and farmed red-crested geese was so difficult to define, selling them had already been problematic. Now, with this out, who would dare buy anything from Ye Yuning?

She looked toward the study in disbelief. Was this all he did it for—a few million? Was he that desperate for money?

Ning Cai said, "Wanwan, there were only a few of us at that dinner. You should know better than anyone who took that video."

Zhou Wan scrutinized the video again. Whether it was the angle or the scene itself, every clue pointed to Shen Xian.

"Could money really be that important to him? Important enough to betray his friends?" Zhou Wan’s body trembled, her eyes filled with disappointment. Shen Xian was the first man she had ever loved.

In her heart, Shen Xian had always been wonderful—gentle, and kind to Qingqing. But now, he felt terrifying.

"All that talk about having a way to help Ye Yuning was a lie. He was just after the benefits Yu Tianshu promised!"

"Was I wrong about him?"

"A house, five million in cash—is that all it takes for him to do something like this?"

Thought after thought raced through her mind. Her eyes began to mist over, and her lashes grew damp. With a pained expression, she closed her eyes and walked mechanically toward Shen Xian's study.

Inside, Shen Xian was sitting at his computer, staring blankly at the screen. He gave Zhou Wan a fleeting, indifferent glance as she entered.

Zhou Wan threw her phone down in front of him, the trending news still displayed on the screen. "Aren't you going to explain yourself?"

Shen Xian looked at the screen and smiled. "I did take the video, and I did send it to Yu Tianshu."

Zhou Wan pulled up the three videos Ning Cai had sent and pushed them toward him. "Can you explain what these are about?"

Shen Xian glanced at them casually and chuckled. "The videos are real; they weren't staged. I did receive a handwritten letter and a six-million-dollar check."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wan closed her eyes in pain. When she opened them again, there was a look of profound disappointment. "Why would you do this? If you needed money, you could have told me! Forget five million—even fifty million, I could have given you!"

Shen Xian looked at her with a sneer. "What does it mean for you to give me money? Wouldn't your boyfriend get angry? And by the way, that man... he must be Qingqing's biological father, right?"

Zhou Wan’s eyes widened, a surge of inexplicable anger rising in her chest. She had forgotten the reason she came—to ask for an explanation, to reveal the truth, and to tell him that Qingqing was his own daughter. But now, her sense of defiance took over.

In the heat of the moment, she threw caution to the wind and said with a cold smile, "You mean the man who hugged me last night? That's right. His name is Meng Yanzhou. He's my first love, and I've loved him for a long time."

People often lose much because of their stubborn tongues; Zhou Wan knew this truth well. But in that emotional surge, she didn't consider the consequences.

"He is indeed better than me," Shen Xian said, laughing at himself. His gaze turned desolate, and he felt a sharp, rhythmic tightening in his chest—a pain that had moved from the mental to the physical. How long had it been since he felt this? Ten years.

Shen Xian had always felt his life was a failure, sorrowful and numb. From Lin Zhixia to Liu Ruyun, and now Zhou Wan, the relentless blows had left him exhausted.

"He *is* better than you. He's more handsome, has a better family background, and is more refined. At the very least, he wouldn't betray his friends—or even his own soul—for money!" Zhou Wan’s emotions erupted. Tears streamed down her face. *Just defend yourself! Defend yourself, and we can go find Ye Yuning, I can pay her back! If you just admit you were wrong, I’ll forgive you this time!*

Hearing this, Shen Xian’s expression turned icy. He felt his dignity being trampled upon once again. "Is that what you think of me?"

Zhou Wan’s tears continued to slide down her fair cheeks. "The facts are right in front of us! Ye Yuning is my best friend, and so is Ning Cai! If you can betray them for five million, will you betray me for money in the future?"

"Shen Xian, you have disappointed me so much. No wonder the people in the village didn't like you. When you were in school, the police were always questioning you—why would they suspect you and not others? It's because you show these signs! Your childhood was too miserable, so you’re capable of doing anything for money!"

Shen Xian felt a buzzing in his brain. He looked up at Zhou Wan, his eyes filled with disbelief and profound sorrow.

What is the most painful thing in the world? It is when I entrust you with my vulnerabilities, only for my own truths to be turned into a blade and thrust back into me. And the sharpest blade at that! I told you about my past because I loved you, because I trusted you, and because I needed you to hold me with tenderness—not to turn it into a weapon to attack me!

The pain of such an attack was unbearable.

Shen Xian’s shoulders slumped, as if he had spent every ounce of his strength. He looked at her quietly—no defense, no counterattack, no pleading. He simply said, "I understand."

After the words left her mouth, Zhou Wan felt a wave of regret. Had she been too harsh? Seeing the hollow look in Shen Xian’s eyes, she wanted to say something, but she didn't know where to begin.

"It's no longer appropriate for you to stay here. Meng Yanzhou would be angry if he knew. Go back," Shen Xian said, rising to his feet. The tenderness that had once filled his eyes was completely gone.

"I'll move, then!" Zhou Wan turned abruptly, walked into the master bedroom, and began packing her clothes.

Shen Xian watched her silently, just watching.

Afterward, he saw her drag her suitcase away and disappear out the door. Once she reached the parking garage and got into her car, Zhou Wan could no longer hold it in; she began to sob uncontrollably.