Seeing this, Nangong Shanshan's expression finally improved.
Just as she was smugly expecting Lu Zelei to retaliate for her, a infuriating scene unfolded.
Lu Zelei not only did not lay a hand on Tang Xiaomin, but he even apologized to her.
"Miss Tang, President Yan, please forgive us for any embarrassment."
Lu Zelei bowed deeply, his attitude sincere.
"Shanshan is pregnant, and her emotions are a bit unstable. She said some unpleasant things. I sincerely apologize to both of you. I hope you will be magnanimous and don't hold it against her."
Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue exchanged a smile, thinking, "What kind of odd couple are these two?"
Nangong Shanshan was so furious that she raised her hand on the spot, intending to slap Lu Zelei again.
This time, Lu Zelei calmly caught her hand and said fiercely.
"Nangong Shanshan, things are different now. Stop putting on your young lady airs in front of me. I'm letting you off because you're pregnant. Don't push your luck."
"You... you're talking to me like this? Are you crazy?"
"Nangong Shanshan, I'm warning you, from today onwards, if you dare to lay a hand on me, I will retaliate!"
"Let's go!"
Lu Zelei, with a dark expression, pulled Nangong Shanshan and left without looking back.
Yan Jue sighed helplessly. "What kind of life are they living?"
Tang Xiaomin, on the other hand, recalled Nangong Shanshan throwing the baby shoes earlier. Even if she hated Lu Zelei intensely, could she possibly go so far as to not even care about the child?
Could it be that Nangong Shanshan didn't actually like her child?
Although this guess was somewhat extreme, there were signs to support it.
After returning, Nangong Shanshan and Lu Zelei had a huge argument, with things being thrown everywhere.
"Lu Zelei, you're such a waste! You don't deserve me!"
"Get out of my house!"
Lu Zelei glared at her defiantly, suppressing his anger.
All along the way, he had endured so much humiliation from Nangong Shanshan just to climb into the upper class.
Now, the Nangong family's largest company, Xinda, had gone bankrupt, and the Nangong family's power had greatly diminished.
He could no longer swallow his pride.
"Fine, I'll leave. I'm done serving a shrew like you."
"The entire Shanghai knows you're carrying my child now. What other good choice do you have besides marrying me? Since you look down on me, I won't pester you anymore."
"Nangong Shanshan, from today on, you take your broad road, and I'll walk my single-plank bridge."
Lu Zelei uttered his harsh words and left without looking back.
This time, his back was straighter than usual, and his silhouette seemed more imposing.
"Lu Zelei, I swear you're going to rebel against heaven, daring to talk to me like this."
Nangong Shanshan threatened again.
However, this time Lu Zelei was determined to turn the tables, and there was no way he would turn back.
Not only did he ignore Nangong Shanshan, but he walked even faster.
This decisive side of him was a first.
"If you dare to leave, you're not allowed back!"
The only response to Nangong Shanshan was silence.
The butler, having overheard their argument and witnessed Lu Zelei's departure, walked in with a wry expression.
He saw Nangong Shanshan with a face ashen with rage, her fists clenched tightly.
"It's good that he's gone. Do I really cherish this good-for-nothing?"
The butler sighed helplessly. With these two together, it was a constant uproar, never a peaceful day.
He wondered what she had ever seen in Lu Zelei to have gotten involved with him before marriage.
Not only had she ruined her own marriage, but she had also gotten pregnant.
On the wedding day, the butler had almost coughed up a mouthful of blood.
It was too late for regrets, and life had to go on.
"Miss, weren't you out shopping with Mr. Lu? Why are you arguing again?"
Nangong Shanshan said indignantly, "He's a waste, what's wrong with what I said."
Sigh...
The butler sighed repeatedly.
"My dear Miss, your upbringing and experiences have been extraordinary. How did you end up with someone like Lu Zelei, who is in the entertainment industry?"
"Alas, it's a fait accompli. To avoid public criticism, marrying him and legitimizing the child is the best option."
"Mr. Lu values his reputation immensely. Your constant scolding and beatings will only make him dislike you more."
"He's a mere waste, why should I speak to him nicely!"
The butler was completely speechless, but for Nangong Shanshan's sake, he had to remind her of a few things.
"Miss, being pregnant out of wedlock will make people laugh at you. For the sake of your reputation, I will try to persuade Mr. Lu. When he returns, you should say fewer harsh words."
The butler left.
Nangong Shanshan looked at her belly, seething with anger.
This child had ruined everything for her; she hated this child.
"Butler, wait."
"Miss, do you have any other instructions?"
At this moment, Nangong Shanshan had already made up her mind.
"Go find Lu Zelei and apologize to him for me. Say the right things, and make sure he comes back."
The butler was relieved that Nangong Shanshan could come to her senses so quickly.
"Yes, I will definitely persuade him well."
The butler chased all the way to the stadium before catching up with Lu Zelei.
Lu Zelei gave the butler no face, using work as an excuse to make the butler wait for two hours, giving him a show of dominance, before feigning impatience to meet him.
"Butler, what brings you all the way here?"
Unlike Nangong Shanshan, even though the butler held a high position in the Nangong family, he had to adopt a more humble demeanor towards Lu Zelei.
"Mr. Lu, I am here on Miss's behalf to apologize to you."
"Miss has been accustomed to a life of privilege since childhood, and her temper can be a bit hasty. You are a man, please be more tolerant of her."
Nangong Shanshan apologizing to Lu Zelei was as bizarre as the sun rising from the west. Lu Zelei didn't believe it.
He knew that this butler was quite capable of handling matters.
"Thank you for making the long trip, Butler, and for waiting for me for two hours."
"I know the gap between Shanshan and me, and I understand that calling me a waste in front of her is not an exaggeration. She's not wrong, and there's no need for me to apologize."
"She and I are from different worlds. I'm self-aware. Since she thinks I'm not good enough for her, I won't bother her anymore. I understand your intentions, Butler. You've worked hard, please return."
The butler's heart pounded. Lu Zelei today seemed like a changed man, capable of speaking of parting ways.
Previously, he had endured everything and pleaded with Nangong Shanshan to have a child.
With the butler's keen observation, he naturally understood that Lu Zelei's change in attitude was related to the bankruptcy of Xinda Company.
Nangong Shanshan's assets were no longer what they used to be, and not only had Lu Zelei's attitude towards her changed, but so had others' when they were outside.
Society was this realistic.
He also became even more aware that Nangong Shanshan could no longer withstand any further setbacks.