The CEO's Fiery Quest to Win Back Her Heart

Gu Mian panted, barely catching her breath, and glared at him as she spoke, "If you don't want me to call Yin Luoxue right now, let go of me. If she finds out you were passionately kissing me here in the middle of the night, she might just end up in the hospital from anger."

Li Tingshen's eyes narrowed slightly, unfathomable, "You dare threaten me?"

"I'm stating the truth."

Li Tingshen pinned her firmly against the car, "If you don't mind letting her hear your uncontrollable moans beneath me, go ahead and call... Speaking of which, it's been a long while since we've done it in the car, how about now? Do you prefer the front seat or the back seat, hmm?"

Gu Mian, fearing he might force her, trembled nervously, "Yin Luoxue's delicate; her heart isn't strong enough to handle this. What if it kills her from anger? Wouldn't you be heartbroken?"

Li Tingshen immediately lost interest and released her, "Fine, I won't touch you, but you must come home with me tonight."

Gu Mian quickly created distance between them, "I've told you, I want a divorce from you. My decision won't change."

Li Tingshen watched her intently, "Fine, you have backbone, but I would like to see just how long you can maintain it."

Gu Mian watched as the Rolls Royce drove away and sighed in relief before turning to go upstairs.

...

The next morning, Gu Mian began to send out her resume.

But for two whole days, the resumes she sent out either vanished without a trace or were rejected.

Gu Mian had always been a top student, leaping grades and graduating from Hai City University at the age of 19.

She studied medicine and would have been working at a hospital in Hai City had it not been for her grandmother falling ill and needing treatment in the Capital.

Times had changed; hospitals researched backgrounds before hiring, and with her criminal record, no standard hospital would employ her.

Although she had been mentally prepared, seeing the reality in front of her still left Gu Mian both saddened and frustrated.

After running around outside all day, Gu Mian returned home in the evening to find Gu Zhiyuan and Wang Shulan sitting on the couch, both looking upset.

Especially Wang Shulan, who was clearly holding back anger.

"Uncle, Aunt, what happened?"

"It's nothing." Gu Zhiyuan asked, "Mianmian, have you eaten? I saved some food for you; I'll heat it up now."

"I've eaten." Gu Mian pressed, "Uncle, what exactly happened? Tell me."

"You still have the nerve to ask!" Wang Shulan crossed her arms, bursting with anger, "Gu Mian, ideally, by marrying into the Li Family, you should have brought fortune to us all. Instead of making our lives better, now you're dragging us down. Your uncle and I have worked hard to keep our store running, and now, because of you, we have to shut it down!"

"Shut down the store?" Gu Mian quickly guessed, "Was it Li Tingshen's doing?"

Gu Zhiyuan sighed, "The other party didn't specify, but from their tone, it was pretty much him; after all, not many people would be able to buy up the entire street in one go like that."

"Uncle, Aunt, I'm sorry, it's my fault for not handling my personal affairs properly and implicating you."

Wang Shulan was irate, "Gu Mian, Tingshen doesn't want a divorce, which is why he's upset; what are you causing trouble for? Isn't it good to just comfortably remain Madam Li?"

"You should stop talking a bit," Gu Zhiyuan spoke sternly, "Mianmian is a sensible and well-behaved child; she wouldn't ask for a divorce if it hadn't crossed a line for her."

"What line, not line, isn't it just having women outside? It's no big deal if a man flirts around, especially for a man like Li Tingshen. Even if he has ten or eight women outside, it wouldn't matter!" Wang Shulan spoke earnestly, "Gu Mian, listen to your aunt and go back to your secured position as Madam Li. You'll have endless money to spend, and your uncle and I can also benefit a little."

Gu Mian's expression grew cold, "I'm sorry, Aunt, but I do not agree with your view. Loyalty is the most basic aspect of a marriage. If even that can't be achieved, maintaining the marriage would only degrade its quality."

"I'm saying all this for your own good, and now you're preaching to me!" Wang Shulan rolled her eyes, "Divorcing him means you'll lose everything, not to mention angering Li Tingshen. Look how upset he is now, even dragging us into this!"

"I will handle this matter so it won't trouble you further," Gu Mian stood up, "I'm going to my room now."

"Gu Mian, stop right there, I haven't finished speaking yet..."

"Haven't you said enough?" Gu Zhiyuan held back his wife, "Mianmian already said she will handle it, it won't affect us."

"I'm also doing this for her good."

"Mianmian does not need it!"

Gu Mian closed the bedroom door, shutting out the noise from outside.

She knew Li Tingshen was a man who wouldn't rest until he achieved his goals, and she guessed he would make things difficult for her, but she didn't want to drag others into it.

Gu Mian quickly packed her things and went out pushing her suitcase.

"Mianmian, where are you going?" Gu Zhiyuan hurriedly asked.

"Uncle, I can't continue to stay here," Gu Mian explained, "If I move out, Tingshen won't trouble you anymore."

Gu Zhiyuan sighed, "It's all because your uncle is not capable enough to support you."

"No, it's me who has implicated you."

"Mianmian, you must take good care of yourself living alone."

"I will."

...

Gu Mian had been looking at apartments two days earlier but hadn't hurried to rent one because her job wasn't finalized.

She contacted an agent and secured the studio apartment she had seen before overnight.

The apartment was fully furnished, ready for immediate move-in.

After getting settled, she took out her smartphone, removed Li Tingshen from the blacklist, and sent him a message.

To keep the child in her womb safe, she absolutely couldn't go back to Li Tingshen.

Moreover, she must find a job and earn money as soon as possible to support herself and the baby.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was a call from Li Tingshen.

Gu Mian immediately declined it, but he called again shortly after.

Gu Mian hesitated for a moment before answering, "I've made everything clear in the message."

"Is this Mrs. Li?" The voice on the other end was a strange man's voice, "I'm calling from the Splendid Imperial Palace, Mr. Li is drunk here, please come and pick him up."

"It's impossible for him to be alone, at the very least, he should have a driver."

"The driver dares not touch Mr. Li, Mrs. Li, we are eager to close up, please help us."

Gu Mian hung up the phone and grabbed her coat before heading out.

She took a taxi to the Splendid Imperial Palace and went directly to the top floor by elevator.

It was the Capital's most luxurious club, and Li Tingshen had a private room here which he used alone; Gu Mian had been here before.

The door to the room was ajar. Just as Gu Mian was about to push open the door, through the crack, she caught sight of two people kissing inside!

Although she couldn't see the faces clearly, Gu Mian instantly recognized them as Li Tingshen and Yin Luoxue!