It's really pathetic.

After taking Su Yuyao home, Lin Yu stayed with her for a little while longer before getting up to leave.

Even though Lin Yu could tell that Su Yuyao still desperately needed his company right now, he had no choice but to go.

Because there were certain matters.

That finally needed to be settled.

He boarded a plane and flew all the way to City S.

After getting off the plane, Lin Yu hailed a cab by the road and headed straight for Tao Yaoyao and Xu Mingyao's little nest.

On the way.

Lin Yu thought about it and ultimately decided not to call Qing Mo.

Instead, he dialed Zhao She.

For this kind of dirty work, it was better to use Zhao She and his guys.

Although if he asked Qing Mo, it wouldn't be much trouble for her to handle either.

But for a major matter like this that could potentially cost lives, Lin Yu couldn't bear to drag her into it.

So, he would let Zhao She and his people handle it.

The taxi drove smoothly all the way to the entrance of the residential complex.

Because Lin Yu had already notified the private investigator watching Xu Mingyao in advance, the property security guards didn't stop him, letting him pass through smoothly.

He got out.

Paid the fare.

Standing downstairs, Lin Yu wasn't in a hurry to go up and find Xu Mingyao and Tao Yaoyao.

Instead, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for himself, and smoked it at a leisurely pace.

Yes.

This would be the last one.

Lin Yu secretly made up his mind.

Although there had been many times in the past when Lin Yu wanted to quit smoking.

But after quitting for a while, due to all sorts of messy and annoying troubles, he couldn't help but start smoking again.

But this time.

It really was the last time.

For the sake of the baby in Su Yuyao's belly.

Lin Yu was determined to quit no matter what.

Yes.

This would be the last time.

Lin Yu bit the cigarette filter and took a deep breath.

He tilted his neck back, looked up at the sleek and imposing high-rise building in front of him, and slowly exhaled the ethereal smoke from his mouth.

Squinting his eyes, Lin Yu firmed his resolve.

This would be the last time for this, too.

After this, he wouldn't stir up any more trouble.

Living a grounded and steady life with them would be his life's creed from now on.

Slowly finishing this final cigarette.

Lin Yu crushed the butt out on the concrete beneath his feet.

Then he stood up straight.

He took the half-full pack of cigarettes from his pocket and tossed it into the nearby trash can.

Patting the smell of smoke off his clothes.

Lin Yu stepped forward and walked into the building...

...

Thump, thump, thump!

A muffled knocking suddenly rang out.

Inside the bedroom, Tao Yaoyao stood up upon hearing the sound. She instinctively walked toward the door, calling out:

Who is it?

The person outside didn't answer.

Tao Yaoyao felt a bit puzzled, but didn't think much of it.

Because the property management and security in this complex were excellent.

The astronomical housing prices also kept out the vast majority of shady characters.

Tao Yaoyao had never been too worried about safety.

So even though the person outside didn't respond, she wasn't afraid. She simply assumed they might not have heard her.

She unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Just one look at the person standing outside, and her entire body instantly froze.

It was as if her blood had congealed in that very moment.

Tao Yaoyao stared at the person outside, someone who absolutely should not be here, and her scalp prickled as if it were about to explode.

For a moment, she was scared out of her wits.

She couldn't react at all.

She just stood blankly at the door, looking at the guy in front of her in sheer terror.

Lin Yu looked at Tao Yaoyao, whose face was filled with terror as if she had been scared silly, and couldn't help but feel a bit confused.

Why would she have this kind of expression?

That shouldn't be right.

Could it be...

Just as a certain thought surfaced in Lin Yu's mind, a tall and slender figure walked out from the room behind Tao Yaoyao.

Xu Mingyao had heard Tao Yaoyao open the door from the bedroom, followed by dead silence. She felt a bit worried, so she came out to see what was happening.

Upon seeing Lin Yu outside the door, her expression instantly became incredibly colorful.

Lin Yu looked at the two of them, both shocked, but displaying completely different reactions, and found it amusing for a moment.

Tao Yaoyao's expression was classic and simple.

It was just pure, intense shock and fear.

Like a gentle, beautiful girl who, due to her partner's various issues, had no choice but to willingly let a mob boss keep her as a mistress.

While being roughly used by the mob boss, she used her tenderness to nurture, protect, and care for the person she loved.

And then one day, the evil and powerful mob boss suddenly showed up at her door.

Yes.

That was pretty much the expression she wore.

Wait.

Her actual experience was pretty much exactly like that, too.

On the other hand, Xu Mingyao's expression was very interesting.

As someone who already knew everything.

The moment she saw him, what appeared on her face wasn't hatred, nor was it anger.

It was fear.

A kind of fear mixed with a hint of subservience and begging.

It seemed she wasn't afraid of him as a person, but rather afraid that he would take something away.

Interesting.

Truly interesting.

Lin Yu's gaze drifted briefly between the two of them a few times, and he quickly understood everything from their differing expressions.

Actually, on the way here, Lin Yu had been wondering.

Wondering what Xu Mingyao would do after he left last night, having learned the whole truth.

What would she do.

Would she leave in a wretched state?

Leave Tao Yaoyao forever, leave this city she knew so well, and head to a place where no one knew her with a dead heart, escaping all this unbearable reality.

Or would she return to this little nest she shared with Tao Yaoyao?

And vent all the grievances and resentment she suffered from him onto Tao Yaoyao?

Or perhaps...

...

Would she have an open and honest talk with Tao Yaoyao?

Make Tao Yaoyao choose?

He never expected it.

Lin Yu truly never expected it.

He never expected Xu Mingyao to be so cowardly.

So utterly spineless to this extent!

She actually hadn't said a word.

She hadn't said anything to Tao Yaoyao.

Was she planning to hide all of this, to pretend nothing had ever happened, just so she could continue being with Tao Yaoyao?

And then what?

What if he called Tao Yaoyao to keep him company again in the future?

Would she pretend she knew nothing?

Silently swallowing this massive humiliation and grievance all by herself?

Would she even wipe her tears after Tao Yaoyao finished serving him, and continue to play dumb, playing along with Tao Yaoyao's act?

Fascinating.

This was truly too fascinating!

Since when did Xu Mingyao become such a coward?

Thinking back to Xu Mingyao's past ruthless, hysterical, and crazed demeanor.

And then looking at this pathetic, subservient Xu Mingyao in front of him, who looked like a student caught making a mistake by a teacher, oozing fear from every pore.

For a moment, Lin Yu even felt that the scene before him was a bit surreal.

Were these two really the same person?

Lin Yu could hardly believe it.

The massive contrast was truly comical.

It made Lin Yu want to laugh.

But he couldn't laugh.

Because he suddenly felt that all of this was pathetic.

Truly pathetic.