After returning home, Wen Nuan stormed into the bathroom in a fury. Han Qian reheated some leftovers and had just prepared to eat when his phone rang—it was Yan Qingqing. She told him she had secured the land, and if tomorrow's proposal failed, she'd find someone to break his arm. Her voice, sharp and shrill through the antiquated phone, was loud enough for Wen Nuan to hear everything. She muttered under her breath, calling Yan Qingqing a vixen—only for the latter to suddenly scream on the line, exclaiming, "My husband doesn't eat snacks," before hanging up.
Wen Nuan, who had only just calmed down, instantly recalled the call Han Qian received while playing basketball that day. So it was that wretched woman all along!
The battle between the two women had officially been ignited, while Han Qian, still bewildered, glanced down at his phone and murmured, "She's married?"
After dinner, Wen Nuan returned to her room without a word, showing no interest in interrogating Han Qian further.
Exhausted from a long day, Han Qian showered and lay down early. As he pondered the upcoming executive meeting, he pulled out his phone to check in with Su Liang. Just as he ended the call, the door burst open—Wen Nuan stood there in cartoon pajamas, cheeks puffed, tiny fists clenched, glaring at him.
Seeing her, Han Qian sat up immediately, memories of a recent nightmare flashing through his mind.
"Han Qian! I'll fight you to the end!"
The 172-centimeter-tall heiress leapt onto him. Han Qian ended up face-down on the tatami mat with Wen Nuan straddling his back. He dared not wrestle with this pampered lady, afraid even a minor scuffle might hurt her. He sighed weakly into the mat.
"What's gotten into you now? There's absolutely nothing between Yan Qingqing and me. She's not as beautiful as you, not as tall, and her temperament doesn't hold a candle to yours. I'd have to be blind to overlook a stunning woman like you for a wild tigress like her. Honestly, you're turning into a rouge-coated leopard lately."
"Liar! And you still owe me money!"
Wen Nuan gave him a light smack on the back of the head—more a tickle than anything else. Han Qian chuckled.
"Wen Nuan, I must say—your butt's got quite a bit of bounce."
"You pervert!"
She screamed, stomped his head with her heel, and fled the room, clutching her flushed cheeks and retreating to hers. Han Qian laughed to himself and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, he woke unusually early—he couldn't risk being late. As he descended the stairs, he was startled to see breakfast already laid out. Wen Nuan sat at the dining table, dressed immaculately in a white suit, with light makeup and earrings she hadn't worn in years. Cautiously, Han Qian approached, confused. Wen Nuan squinted at him, smiling sweetly.
"Brother Qian, breakfast is ready."
That one line hit him like a thunderclap. Wen Nuan, who couldn't be dragged out of bed before seven, had gone out and *bought breakfast*? Dressed like *that*? Something was deeply wrong. In their three years together, he had never seen her like this.
Han Qian gulped and forced a smile.
"I… I'm not hungry. Also, uh… you'd better just call me Han Qian, okay? I'm in a bit of a rush for work."
Still smiling serenely, Wen Nuan replied, "Brother Qian, check-in at Glory isn't until nine. Why are you in such a hurry? Going to pick up Yan Qingqing? If not, then sit down and eat. Of course, if you need a ride, I can take you."
Han Qian knew then this wasn't over. Sweating profusely, he sat down and bit into a fried dough stick, feeling like he was chewing on sandpaper. If Wen Nuan kept this up, she'd drive him insane. She rested her chin on her palm, gazing at him dreamily.
"Brother Qian, should I buy you a car? So you won't have to jostle with the crowds on the bus. That Raptor you drove—it's quite comfortable, isn't it? Not that expensive."
"I can't afford the gas."
"Then I'll drive you."
"Are you just trying to let the whole office know we're involved?"
"Exactly. That way those little foxes will give up. No one steals from me, not while I've still got breath. Han Qian, until you've paid back every cent, you belong to me."
With that, she grabbed the car keys and walked out, slamming the door behind her. Han Qian sighed, chewing on the now tasteless dough stick, and dialed Li Jinhe's number.
"Mom," he groaned before she could speak, "please take Wen Nuan away. When we were married, we were polite strangers. Now that we're divorced, she's turned violent. I can't take it anymore."
Still half-asleep, Li Jinhe replied in confusion, "Can't take it? You out of money again? I'll transfer some. Sure, Wen Nuan's spending is a bit extravagant, but if you're short, just tell me. Our money's yours and hers anyway."
Han Qian felt like crying. His former mother-in-law hadn't even registered that the divorce was real.
"Mom, it's not about the money… I work at Glory now, and well—never mind. You get some rest. I'm heading to work."
Better not mention Yan Qingqing's line about "my prairie, my horse, I do what I please." If Li Jinhe ever heard that, she'd explode. Then Wen Nuan might still be here—but *he'd* be out of a job.
In truth, Han Qian felt that the best and worst decision of his life had both been divorcing Wen Nuan. And yet, her presence had undeniably altered his fate.
Time to go to work.
One day at a time—he'd focus on repaying her debt first. But how could he not think about it? He'd even have to accompany her home for New Year's. Just the thought gave him a headache.
Dragging himself through the door, he clocked in and collapsed on his desk. Su Liang, who had been flirting with a pretty colleague, immediately abandoned her and sidled over.
"Brother Qian, finally! I heard you left with President Yan last night?"
Han Qian lifted his head and replied with a mournful sigh, "I wish I hadn't. Liang, you know what I went through last night? She nearly scrubbed my face with a steel brush!"
"Chill, Brother Qian—rich women bring rich rewards! Besides, your face looks fine. I doubt President Yan could've been that cruel."
"It wasn't her!"
Han Qian sat up, eyes bleak. "Liang, what do you do if two women start fighting over you?"
"Easy. Share the bed. Spread the love."
Yep. No use talking to this guy.
Defeated, Han Qian got up to grab a smoke, but before he could, Yang Lan burst in and dragged him and Su Liang toward the fourteenth floor.
"Don't dawdle! President Yan called the meeting an hour early. Vice President Gao's already been grilling her for a full hour. Is the proposal ready? It's all on you two now!"
Han Qian drew a deep breath.
The moment had finally arrived.