"Finding a parking spot took a little while," said Ah Sheng as he arrived. "Ms. Rong, did you see any clothes you liked in this store? If not, we can check out some others." Ning Yun, fighting through the pain, shouted at Ah Sheng, "Don't let her fool you! That girlfriend of yours is nothing but trash. She's filthy!" Ah Sheng didn't spare her a glance, speaking only to Rong Jin. "Ms. Rong, let's go." Just like that, they left the store. Watching them stroll out so casually, Ning Yun was seething, fighting the urge to scream. She pulled out her phone and called the police station. But she learned the deputy chief was out of town on business. The store's security cameras hadn't been on, either. Without concrete evidence, the police obviously couldn't press charges against Rong Jin. Was she just supposed to let Rong Jin get away with it scot-free? The more Ning Yun thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Shaking off her friends, she went to Shen He. Song Shi was in the middle of some paperwork when he heard a knock. He looked up. "What are you doing here?" "Ah Shi," Ning Yun said, walking over and sinking onto the man's lap. "I ran into Rong Jin while I was shopping at the mall," she whimpered. "I was just chatting with her, and then..." She took off her mask, revealing a cheek still badly swollen despite the ice. She looked utterly pathetic. Song Shi’s brow furrowed. "She did this?" Ning Yun nodded. "Remember I told you someone bailed Rong Jin out of the police station? I looked into it. It was just some chauffeur, a man in his thirties... I mean, even if her family is gone, how could she stoop so low?" "As a friend, I offered her money," she continued, "told her to stop doing things like that, so she wouldn’t shame her parents’ memory. Not only did she refuse the money, but she slapped me and cursed me out..." As Ning Yun recounted her version of events, a glint of ice flashed in Song Shi's eyes. In truth, he knew everything. He knew Ning Yun had gone to the hospital to see Grandma Rong and hounded her to death. He knew she had arranged for people to torment Rong Jin in the detention center. He knew, and he had allowed it. The Rong family owed him too much—a debt that couldn't be repaid even in death. He had no desire to see Rong Jin's life be easy. But now, hearing Ning Yun say that Rong Jin was debasing herself, getting involved with some older man just to get out of detention... a sour feeling churned in his gut. Ning Yun felt his grip on her shoulder tighten painfully. "Ah Shi, you're hurting me," she cried out. "Keep icing your face until the swelling goes down," Song Shi said, releasing her. His tone was cold. "There's a high-profile gala at eight tonight, with the who's who of the business world. Don't you embarrass me." "...Alright." Sensing his foul mood, Ning Yun had the good sense not to complain any further. At seven-thirty that evening, a Maybach pulled up to the main entrance of the Meixin Hotel. The Meixin Hotel was one of Jing City’s few six-star hotels, a frequent venue for hosting foreign dignitaries, galas, cocktail parties, and... wedding receptions. Even before the car had stopped, Rong Jin recognized it. This was the hotel where she and Song Shi had held their wedding reception. A wave of memories washed over her, so suffocating she could barely breathe. She suppressed the turmoil in her chest, pressed her lips together, and asked Ah Sheng, "The gala Mr. Fu mentioned... it's here?" After they had finished picking out clothes at the mall that afternoon, Ah Sheng had received a sudden call informing Rong Jin that Mr. Fu needed her to accompany him to a gala that evening. Ah Sheng then helped her choose a gown and took her to get her hair done before bringing her here. "Yes, in Banquet Hall Three." Ah Sheng handed her an invitation card. "Mr. Fu is still tied up at the office. I'm going to pick him up now. Ms. Rong, you can head inside first." Banquet Hall Three... What a coincidence. A bitter smile touched Rong Jin’s lips as she took the invitation. "Okay. Drive safe." She got out of the car and walked into the hotel. As she reached the entrance to the banquet hall, she was hit with a flood of memories from her wedding day. The cheers of the crowd as she and Song Shi kissed, her smile so sweet, so full of happiness... A waiter noticed her sway on her feet, her face drained of color, and couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you alright?" "I'm fine," Rong Jin said, shaking her head. She thought of her dead parents, her grandmother, and the utter coldness in Song Shi's eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin, hard line, and she strode into the hall. However sweet and happy she had been when she married Song Shi was exactly how much she hated him now. The hall was abuzz with conversation and the clinking of glasses, a lively affair. Rong Jin had lost a lot of weight recently, but her upbringing in a wealthy family had given her an innate elegance. That, combined with her natural beauty, meant the black, strapless, high-slit gown she wore turned heads across the room. The ballroom lights shimmered on her beautiful shoulders. Her long lashes were slightly lowered, giving her a hint of tragic beauty. She just stood there, radiant and captivating. One man stared, completely mesmerized, and muttered, "She's gorgeous..." "What good is being pretty!" a woman sniped. "She wasn't satisfied with her husband, so she went fooling around on the side!" "Exactly! How could the Rong family raise a daughter like that!"