The next morning arrived with a pale gray sky and a quiet drizzle that softened the city's usual noise.
Ye Fen stood outside a tall office building in the business district, staring up at the glass windows reflecting the cloudy morning.
The sign at the entrance read Han Corporation.
He adjusted his coat and walked inside.
The receptionist greeted him politely before guiding him to the top floor.
A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened to a spacious office filled with warm sunlight, bookshelves, and the faint scent of jasmine tea.
Behind the desk sat Han Meilin.
She looked up from the documents in front of her and smiled the moment she saw him.
"You're early," she said lightly.
Ye Fen stepped inside. "You always said punctuality was a virtue."
"Only when it benefits me," she teased, closing the file.
Han Meilin had known Ye Fen for nearly eight years. They had worked together on countless business ventures, building successful projects across the city.
She was brilliant, calm under pressure, and perhaps the only person who could argue with Ye Fen in a meeting without losing.
She was also someone who had quietly liked him for years.
But unlike others, she had never tried to hide it behind manipulative games or expectations.
She simply… accepted the truth.
Ye Fen sat down across from her desk.
"You sounded serious on the phone," she said, studying his expression. "What's going on?"
He didn't waste time.
"I want to cancel every project connected to Roxue."
Han Meilin's brows lifted slightly.
"Every project?"
"Yes."
She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms.
"You realize that's… a lot."
Roxue — Ye Fen's ex-wife — still had financial connections to several major development projects that Ye Fen's company was involved in.
Cancelling them would mean breaking contracts, renegotiating investors, and potentially losing millions.
But Ye Fen's expression didn't change.
"I know."
Han Meilin watched him quietly for a moment.
"Does this have something to do with Shen Xuer?"
Ye Fen didn't answer immediately.
But his silence was enough.
Meilin sighed softly, shaking her head with a small smile.
"I figured."
She stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the busy streets below.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "I used to hope one day you'd look at me the way you look at her."
Ye Fen looked down.
"I'm sorry."
She waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't apologize. I knew the answer a long time ago."
There was no bitterness in her voice — only calm acceptance.
After a moment, she turned back to him.
"But if cutting Roxue out of your business and your life is what you need to move forward, then I'll help you."
Ye Fen looked up.
"You will?"
"Of course." She smiled faintly. "Just because you don't love me doesn't mean I can't still be your friend."
Her tone was light, but the sincerity behind it was undeniable.
She returned to her desk and opened a folder filled with contracts.
"Canceling everything won't be easy," she said. "Roxue built her influence into these deals carefully."
Ye Fen's gaze hardened slightly.
"Then we'll dismantle it carefully."
Han Meilin nodded.
"Alright."
She pulled out a pen and started marking the documents.
"Project Silver Bay… we can terminate that one with a compensation clause."
"Phoenix Tower?" Ye Fen asked.
"That one will hurt," she admitted. "But we can buy out her shares."
"And the East Garden redevelopment?"
Meilin looked up at him.
"That's her biggest investment."
"I know."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then she nodded.
"We'll cancel that too."
For the next hour, they worked quietly, outlining the steps needed to sever every remaining tie Roxue had with Ye Fen's company.
When the final document was signed, Meilin placed the pen down.
"Well," she said. "That officially starts a business war."
Ye Fen stood.
"Let it start."
Meilin watched him carefully.
"You really love Shen Xuer that much?"
He didn't hesitate this time.
"Yes."
For the first time in years, the answer came without doubt.
Han Meilin smiled softly, though something bittersweet flickered in her eyes.
"Then you'd better not lose her again."
Ye Fen picked up his coat.
"I won't."
Then he walked out of the office