Deeply mired in a wayward path.

Since that unpleasant night in the garden, the rift between Xiao Sheng and Yan Xiaonian had widened into an insurmountable chasm. The house grew as cold as an ice cellar, the very air seemingly frozen in place. Seizing the opportunity, Su Yao appeared by Xiao Sheng’s side with increasing frequency, like a cunning fox capturing every chance. She was always impeccably groomed, her makeup flawless; every glance and touch was calculated, like the steps of a choreographed dance, drawing Xiao Sheng deeper into her trap.

When the company faced a major partnership crisis, Xiao Sheng was overwhelmed, working day and night to devise a strategy. The conference room was thick with smoke, his eyes bloodshot and his body exhausted. Su Yao took the opportunity to play the "attentive" caregiver. Late at night, she would quietly bring him a cup of aromatic coffee, sauntering into the room with a graceful gait, and whisper softly, "Mr. Xiao, don't overwork yourself; your health is what matters most." Her eyes were filled with concern, her tone cloyingly sweet. In his exhaustion, a flicker of long-lost warmth stirred in Xiao Sheng's heart. His attitude toward her shifted subtly; subconsciously, he nodded and murmured a "thank you."

Meanwhile, Yan Xiaonian sensed Xiao Sheng’s growing distance. Her heart was filled with sorrow, yet she felt helpless. To save their relationship, she set aside her pride. Like a child yearning for warmth, she prepared a lavish dinner consisting of all Xiao Sheng’s favorite dishes and carefully selected a gift, decorating the dining room to be cozy and romantic, hoping to rekindle their bond. However, Xiao Sheng, delayed by working late with Su Yao, returned home only to be perfunctory. His eyes wandered, and he dismissed her efforts with a hollow, "I see. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble." The impatience in his gaze was unmistakable. Yan Xiaonian’s heart turned cold; tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

As their interactions deepened, Xiao Sheng, guided by Su Yao’s deliberate machinations, fell further into her velvet trap. Su Yao intentionally showed vulnerability in front of him, her eyes reddening as she complained of the injustices she suffered at the Lin family: "Mr. Xiao, you don't know, I'm treated like a punching bag there. They suppress me everywhere; I don't know what to do..." This stirred Xiao Sheng’s pity, and he could not help but comfort her. At other times, she displayed remarkable talent, echoing his own business insights. Whenever Xiao Sheng proposed an idea, she would respond with perfect timing, looking at him with sparkling eyes that fueled his admiration. Under the combined influence of alcohol and heightened emotions, after a business engagement, Xiao Sheng blurred the lines and crossed the boundary with Su Yao.

From then on, Xiao Sheng began buying luxury goods for Su Yao and taking her to high-end venues, completely disregarding Yan Xiaonian’s feelings. When Yan Xiaonian accidentally discovered their intimate photos—showing Xiao Sheng with the same tender, doting gaze he once reserved only for her—she felt the world spin. Disbelief washed over her; her hands trembled as she held the photos, and tears finally spilled over.

Within the Xiao household, Yan Xiaonian’s standing had already been shaken by previous rumors. Now that Xiao Sheng had been unfaithful, the servants began to look down on her. When she requested hot water, they were perfunctory and dilatory. One maid muttered impatiently, "What time is it? Still putting on the airs of a mistress." Yan Xiaonian felt a bitter sting. At family gatherings, relatives pointed and whispered, "Look at her, she can't even keep her own man." Isolated and unsupported, Yan Xiaonian remained stoic, refusing to cry, her heart filled with despair for the marriage.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Su Yao began to whisper in Xiao Sheng’s ear, disparaging Yan Xiaonian to drive her away for good. One day, in his office, she remarked casually, "Mr. Xiao, I heard Xiaonian has been out and about quite a bit lately, meeting strange men. We should be careful about company secrets..." Xiao Sheng frowned; though he had doubts, he did not refute her on the spot. A flash of triumph crossed Su Yao’s eyes.

Soon after, as Yan Xiaonian took her usual stroll in the garden, Su Yao appeared with deliberate provocation. Dressed in a magnificent gown and adorned with dazzling jewelry, she walked up to Yan Xiaonian and curled her lips into a mocking smirk. "Well, Ms. Yan, I’m afraid this garden won't be seeing much of you anymore. Look at you—you can’t even get close to Mr. Xiao now. Why bother staying?" Yan Xiaonian trembled with rage, glaring at her. "Don't go too far!" Su Yao let out a harsh, piercing laugh. "Me, going too far? You brought this on yourself. If you aren't capable of capturing a man's heart, don't blame others."

Upon learning of Xiao Sheng’s true attitude, Yan Xiaonian finally saw the reality of her situation. She stopped pleading, her eyes hardening with resolve. Late that night, she packed her belongings alone. Looking at the Xiao mansion—so familiar yet now a place of estrangement—tears fell silently. Where would she go once she left? But in that moment, escaping this place of heartbreak was her only thought.