If she hadn't known otherwise, Wang Qiqi would have simply assumed Li Qian was busy, perhaps busy trying to steal her business. This realization actually made Wang Qiqi feel quite ashamed; after all, Li Qian had helped her considerably in the past, sometimes even going against her standing as Li Xiangdong’s wife.

Although Li Qian was aware of Li Xiangdong's affair previously, based on her understanding of him, she had believed it was just casual fooling around, merely a loss of some money. She never imagined things would escalate to this extent. Wang Qiqi speculated that the other woman probably wouldn't abort the child, leaving Li Xiangdong's attitude as something rather telling. Wang Qiqi couldn't believe that if Li Xiangdong insisted on not having the child, he would allow the other woman to remain pregnant or heavily pregnant. Of course, there was one other possibility: Li Qian was exhausted and no longer wanted to maintain the marriage with Li Xiangdong.

There were all sorts of conjectures. Wang Qiqi felt she needed to find Li Qian for a talk. Even though she hadn't experienced so much in this life, she could sense that Li Qian’s heart must be utterly broken. While the previous infidelity had left Li Qian utterly drained and she had even mentioned divorce, for the sake of Li Zhe and their past affection, Li Qian genuinely did not want things to reach this point. Now, the once loving couple was revealing the ugliest, most repulsive sides of themselves—truly a grand spectacle.

When Li Qian received Wang Qiqi’s call suggesting they meet up sometime, her immediate reaction was to decline. Since learning of the matter, Li Qian had been either cooped up at home or constantly tending to the company. Perhaps she might have been too heartbroken to care about the business before, but now she understood that if she didn't rally to manage the company, she would truly fail completely, losing both her assets and her happiness. Yet, every time she returned to her empty home, Li Qian’s heart ached, an ache so profound it bordered on numbness. As for her son, Li Zhe, although he said he wanted to return, Li Qian could never agree to her son giving up his studies for his parents' affairs. With the man being as he is, whether the son returned or not wasn't the most crucial thing anymore. Li Qian went through considerable effort to finally persuade her son to drop the idea. As for friends, Li Qian never considered seeking them out. Sharing happy and fulfilling news with them was fine, but discussing such family shame? Li Qian never considered them the best confidantes. It was entirely possible that what she said one moment would be the talk of their circle by the next day. But unexpectedly, Wang Qiqi seemed to know and had called her.

"Fine, let's have dinner and chat tomorrow evening." Perhaps talking with Qiqi would bring her some relief. Li Qian still remembered the last time she found out about Li Xiangdong's affair; it was Wang Qiqi who had comforted her, allowing her to eventually move past it. She hadn't expected to rely on Qiqi again this time. She hoped her experience wouldn't make Qiqi too disillusioned about love and marriage.

After hanging up, Shi Man poured herself a cup of black tea, sat on the sofa, and gazed out at the view, mentally organizing her words. Although she felt disappointed in marriage and relationships, she didn't want Qiqi to adopt such a pessimistic view after hearing her out. Otherwise, that young man Han Tao would surely hate her.

Wang Qiqi walked into the private room to find Li Qian already sipping drinks alone. After thanking the server who showed her the way, Wang Qiqi closed the door. "Sister Qian. You didn't even wait for me and started drinking." Frankly, Li Qian looked highly unusual today. For just two people dining, Li Qian's upbringing wouldn't allow for such behavior. Looking closer, Wang Qiqi noticed the prominent dark circles under Li Qian’s eyes. Even beneath the exquisite makeup, one could easily imagine how haggard she looked.

Li Qian looked up, reaching a hand out for Wang Qiqi. "We're close; there's no need to be so formal." Li Qian set down her glass, walked to the door, and signaled the waiting server to begin serving the dishes. "Qiqi, I ordered a few dishes you like based on your taste." Li Qian knew the purpose of this meal wasn't about the food but about talking, so she hadn't waited for Wang Qiqi to order the house specialties along with some of Qiqi’s favorites.

Wang Qiqi's first thought for this dinner was that they wouldn't stop until they were thoroughly drunk. Thank goodness it was Friday. She hoped her man would come to pick her up later. "It's fine, Sister. Today is just for chatting and drinking, we won't go home sober."

Li Qian nodded, patted Wang Qiqi's shoulder. "Qiqi, you're straightforward. Don't worry, I've booked a room nearby. We can go back there and keep drinking."

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected an after-party, especially one involving continuing to drink in a hotel room. This made her feel quite anxious. She wondered how much alcohol this sister had prepared in the room, considering there were already four bottles of red wine on the table. "Deal." Forget it, she had already decided to get drunk today. Once she hit her limit, could some drunken fool really force more on her?

Perhaps because Li Qian arrived early, the food was mostly served shortly after. "Hello, all your dishes are here. Do you need anything else..."

Li Qian waved her hand. "We don't need service here. You can come back in about two hours." How could she relax and drink comfortably with someone standing by? "Oh, and open all the wine here."

The server murmured an acknowledgment and proceeded to open the red wines. Wang Qiqi noticed the server's face twitch slightly on the side. The server probably thought it strange that just two women required this much alcohol, especially one who looked quite young.

"Qiqi, do you know? I thought he was just fooling around outside, nothing major would happen, but I never expected..." Li Qian raised her glass toward Wang Qiqi, but before Wang Qiqi could respond, she downed the entire contents in one go.

Wang Qiqi watched Li Qian's audacious drinking, her own face twitching. She thought, Sister, you’re not planning to get drunk right here, are you? With my small arms and legs, how am I supposed to carry you to a hotel? Wang Qiqi genuinely felt immense pressure. "Sister, eat, eat." Wang Qiqi put down her own glass and heaped a lot of food onto Li Qian’s bowl. "No matter what, health is the most important thing. If you don't think of yourself, think of Li Zhe. Besides, if you're unhealthy, doesn't that just make things easier for those two wretched people?"

Li Qian nodded. "Mm, Qiqi, don't worry. I will definitely live well. The more they wish me dead, the better I must live." Hmph, she wants to be the boss's wife, does she? Is being the boss's wife that easy? Li Qian thought of that woman strutting around showing off her pregnancy and felt furious. Hmph, so she’s pregnant, does that mean I’m just a jealous fool? Do I not have sons? "Just thinking about that bitch’s face makes me furious. I wish I could just kick her. Qiqi, the world has really changed. I never thought a mistress could swagger in front of the lawful wife like this." Actually, her attitude wasn't the most infuriating part; what infuriated Li Qian the most was Li Xiangdong’s attitude. "In his eyes, am I just a villain? Am I just a shrew?" Recalling the scene where Li Xiangdong pointed at her nose and scolded her that day, Li Qian felt that all her remaining love for him and her desire to maintain the family's facade had vanished. Since someone else didn't care about saving face, why should she bother maintaining it?

Although Li Qian didn't elaborate much, Wang Qiqi understood. It was likely another tawdry ethical drama: the mistress flaunting herself before the main wife, and some brainless man siding with the main wife for being narrow-minded. Alas, Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Li Xiangdong to be so foolish. But perhaps it was a reaction—all the accumulated dissatisfaction with Li Qian exploding out over this incident. "When a man loves you, his flaws are endearing; when he stops loving you, his virtues become flaws, and his flaws become unbearable." Wang Qiqi looked at Li Qian’s current state and secretly thought she must never end up like this. No matter how much she loved Han Tao, she had to love herself more and not let herself become so unhinged for his sake. Wait, wait, Wang Qiqi, pull yourself together. We’re discussing Li Qian’s situation right now, don't think so far ahead.

After finishing the food Wang Qiqi placed in her bowl, and under Wang Qiqi’s encouraging gaze, Li Qian drank some soup before starting on the wine again. The way she was gulping down glass after glass made Wang Qiqi nervous just watching. Before long, one bottle of red wine was finished. "Sister Qian, Sister Qian, drinking too much won't help you relax. Slow down. We have all night to drink. Just spit out whatever is bothering you; drinking gloomily hurts your body." Good heavens, Sister Qian's tolerance made Wang Qiqi wonder if Li Qian had been drinking alone to drown her sorrows at home lately, otherwise, how could her tolerance be so high? Although Li Qian always had a decent tolerance, she never drank this fast or this desperately.

"Don't worry. Your sister is fine drinking two bottles alone and staying sober. I'll finish them within an hour." Li Qian smiled faintly, shaking her finger politely at Wang Qiqi. "I think my tolerance is getting better. I wonder if I’ll become an alcoholic someday."

Finishing two bottles of red wine in an hour without showing signs of intoxication made Wang Qiqi want to give Li Qian a thumbs-up on the spot—truly limitless potential. For herself, that would be impossible; she would pass out after two bottles, even drinking slowly. But with Li Qian having built up such tolerance, Wang Qiqi could only imagine how much she drank alone at home, sitting in solitude with her red wine, with no one to care for her when she got drunk. "Sister Qian, if you're unhappy, come find me. Sometimes just saying it out loud and crying helps."

Since Wang Qiqi entered the room, Li Qian had been smiling, even when talking about the mistress. She appeared incredibly strong, but the more she acted this way, the more heartbroken Wang Qiqi felt. Her heart must be covered in scars. They were both middle-aged, successful professionals, and yet this happened. How could the proud Li Qian endure it?