"What do you mean?" Lin Xiao asked.

"I…" Chu Xiangxue only managed to get one word out before she trailed off, unable to continue.

"What in the world is going on?" Lin Xiao asked, his voice stern.

Chu Xiangxue heard the anger in his tone and didn't dare to remain silent any longer. She quickly explained, "When we parted ways, I hugged you, right? And you even told me that someone was secretly taking pictures of us."

"And then?"

"Then that person posted the photos, and now they're a trending topic."

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he took a deep breath. "What exactly happened?"

"The photos were posted online, and in less than half an hour, the internet exploded. Now, information about both of us is plastered everywhere. My team told me that someone has to be fanning the flames behind the scenes; otherwise, there's no way it would have blown up like this."

"Could it just be that you're so famous that it naturally attracted a lot of attention from netizens?"

"Not this quickly!"

"Alright, I get it," Lin Xiao said grimly.

"Stinky Daddy, I'm so sorry. I really had no idea things would get this out of hand. Don't worry, I've already had my team start working on taking down the trending topic. I promise this whole thing will disappear from the public eye without a trace!"

"Don't rush to take it down. The priority is to find out who's pushing this from behind the scenes and what their motive is."

"Okay, Stinky Daddy, I get it. I'll have my people look into it right away!"

"Don't worry about it. I'll have someone investigate. Have you arrived in Shengjing yet?"

"No, my flight was delayed. My agent called me right after, and that's when I found out how big this had become," Chu Xiangxue said, her voice filled with frustration.

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. I'll contact you the moment I have any news."

Chu Xiangxue obediently agreed, and they both hung up.

Lin Xiao quickly replayed the conversation in his mind before dialing his Third Master. As the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Machine Pavilion, he was the perfect person to investigate this matter.

His Third Master picked up almost immediately. "Well, kid, you're famous now!" his master's teasing voice came through the phone.

"Damn it, this is no time to gloat! Get to work and find out who's responsible for this mess!"

His Third Master chuckled. "Kid, even if you hadn't called, I was about to ring you about this very thing."

"What? You've already found the person behind this?"

"I'm still investigating. They've made a powerful move and were clearly well-prepared. What I'm curious about, though, is how someone managed to take your picture with your level of cultivation."

"Don't even ask. I sensed them when it was happening."

"You idiot. Why didn't you stop them? Or at least destroy the photos they took?"

"You think I didn't want to? I just didn't have time!" Lin Xiao said in frustration.

His Third Master let out a helpless laugh. "Ah, you kid. This incident itself isn't a huge deal. I'm just worried about how your wife will react if she sees it. After all, the foundation of your relationship is already unstable. If Su Qingning sees those pictures, she'll definitely resent you for it, and that's the truly vicious part of this scheme."

At his master's words, an idea suddenly struck Lin Xiao. Could Su Qingning be insisting on a divorce because she saw the trending topic? The more he considered it, the more he was convinced that this had to be the reason.

"You old fox, you nailed it. My wife must have seen it. She's already asked for a divorce."

His Third Master burst into laughter. "Serves you right for being so careless! I've seen the photos. They're crystal clear, and the poses are incredibly intimate. If I were Su Qingning, I'd be furious too. I'd divorce you in a heartbeat!"

"You're a ruthless one, old man," Lin Xiao muttered before hanging up.

He stood up and walked out of the security office. He had to find Su Qingning. Whether or not this was the real reason she wanted a divorce, he had to explain things clearly. He couldn't bear the thought of her being upset.

Just as he reached the door to Su Qingning's office, it opened from the inside. Chu Liangcai appeared, his face beaming with delight. Given his current state, Lin Xiao would have immediately suspected him of doing something to the two women if a quick glance inside the office hadn't confirmed that both Su Qingning and Shen Jingzhe were perfectly fine.

When Chu Liangcai saw Lin Xiao, he gave him a genial and humble nod.

Lin Xiao acknowledged him with a slight nod of his own before turning to enter the office.

The moment Su Qingning saw Lin Xiao, the soft lines of her beautiful face hardened, turning instantly cold. Her peach blossom eyes, in particular, held a bone-chilling frost, as if she were looking at an enemy.

Lin Xiao's heart sank. He realized she was deliberately drawing a line between them.

Shen Jingzhe, however, showed no reaction, her expression as cold as ever. Upon seeing Lin Xiao, she couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes before getting up and leaving the office.

The spacious room now held only Lin Xiao and Su Qingning.

"I've already said everything I need to say. If you aren't satisfied with the compensation, I can add another ten million. Lin Xiao, that's my absolute limit. If you still refuse the divorce, I will take legal action." Her voice had reverted to the one he remembered from when they first met: cold and unforgiving.

Lin Xiao, however, simply smiled. He sat down across from her, gazing at the woman who still made his heart race no matter how many times he looked at her. "Qingning," he said softly, "I can agree to the divorce, and I won't take your money. But I have to explain a few things first."

Su Qingning shook her head. "Lin Xiao, there's really no need. I've made up my mind, and I'm not just saying that."

"Qingning, I know I was wrong. But I honestly just went to the airport to see her off. We only shared a brief farewell hug, nothing more. I know this whole thing has hurt you, and frankly, I was a fool, but…"

Before he could finish, Su Qingning cut him off.

"It doesn't matter. It really doesn't," she interrupted. "Lin Xiao, I know it was just a hug. I know nothing else happened. But... but I can't live like this anymore, do you understand? I can't live my life stuck in the middle between you and other women!"

Su Qingning's voice trembled, and her eyes turned crimson, welling up with tears.

Lin Xiao faltered. He had a million things he wanted to say and had come here determined to win her back, full of confidence. But in that instant, all his energy drained away.

"Fine. Forget I said anything," Lin Xiao said, his expression dimming as he turned to leave. He couldn't bear to make her cry, and he knew that if he said another word, she would break down completely.

Not long after Lin Xiao left, Shen Jingzhe returned to the office. Seeing Su Qingning's red, swollen eyes, she let out a soft sigh.

"Lin Xiao really does love you, you know."

Su Qingning wiped her tears. "I know. The truth is, I like him too. But that's exactly why I have to be so determined about this divorce."

Shen Jingzhe stared at Su Qingning, astonished. "Why?"

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