Volume One, Chapter Six: The Worn-Out Shoes I Cast Aside

At 7:30 PM, after finishing dinner at the Bai residence, Xu Qing drove the Aston Martin gifted to him by Bai Yulan toward Cherry Blossom Bar, under her lingering, reluctant gaze.

The bar was modest in scale but catered to an upscale clientele. A single night’s tab could easily reach tens of thousands, and those who frequented the place were either wealthy or influential. While one could find all sorts of premium spirits—with red wine and imported liquors being the staples—authentic Moutai was also available. Most patrons, however, preferred the imported options.

Listening to the elegant melodies drifting through the bar, Xu Qing felt profoundly relaxed. In truth, this was the most at ease he had felt in three years. For some reason, he suddenly thought of Tan Qiutong. He recalled the scene from seventeen years ago when he was a homeless wanderer, nearly fainting from hunger. It was a steamed bun given to him by Tan Qiutong that had rekindled his hope. If not for that bun, he likely would have starved to death that night, let alone become the young master of the Heavenly God Palace or mastered the ability to command the fates of others.

"Fate is truly a fickle thing," Xu Qing sighed inwardly, just as he heard Lin Xia’s voice.

"Xu Qing, over here."

He looked up and walked toward the booth where Lin Xia was seated. Lin Xia was beautiful in a pure, innocent way. She lacked Tan Qiutong’s allure and Bai Yulan’s nobility, yet her features were exquisitely perfect. With a round face and sweet dimples, she projected a loveliness that made one naturally want to be close to her. Her frame was not particularly tall—around 1.65 meters—giving her a petite appearance, yet her proportions were impeccable. Height aside, Lin Xia was in no way inferior to Tan Qiutong or Bai Yulan, and in many respects, she appeared even more striking.

Lin Xia had ordered two bottles of Royal Salute, and the bar had provided several complimentary side dishes.

"Xu Qing, how did you and Qiutong end up divorced? Did you cheat on her?" Seeing that Xu Qing didn't look particularly distressed, Lin Xia asked curiously.

"Why bring that up? Let's just drink." Xu Qing filled his own glass and downed it in one go.

Lin Xia looked astonished. "You didn't really cheat on her, did you?"

"What kind of nonsense are you thinking?" Xu Qing gave her a look of disdain. "Do I look like that kind of person?"

Lin Xia laughed. "I don't think you are, either. But I’m just curious. Your relationship was always so good; why the sudden split?"

Xu Qing poured another glass and drained it. He suddenly recalled what Tan Qiutong had said earlier that day and replied casually, "Our destiny simply ran its course." He pulled out a cigarette, lit it with a snap, and stared into the swirling smoke, his heart full of bitterness.

Gatherings and partings are as fleeting as water; there is no point in obsessing over what is meant to be or not. Xu Qing thought to himself, a faint smile touching his lips. Perhaps the divorce was for the best. With no debts left between them, he finally felt the burden lifted from his heart.

Meanwhile, at a booth on the second floor, Tan Qiutong was drinking with a man in his mid-thirties. The man gestured toward Xu Qing downstairs and said, "Your ex-husband is truly a scumbag. You only divorced today, and he’s already hooking up with your best friend."

Tan Qiutong spotted Xu Qing and Lin Xia as well, a flash of anger crossing her eyes. Thinking of the woman who possessed both beauty and poise—and who had gifted Xu Qing a supercar earlier that day—left a bitter taste in her mouth. She felt that for the past three years, Xu Qing had likely been cheating on her all along.

"Do you want me to go down there and vent some frustration for you?" the man asked with a chuckle. He was none other than Ding Changqing, the eldest son of the Ding family, notorious for having three divorces in five years.

"No need. From now on, he is he, and I am I. We have no relationship left, and whatever he does has nothing to do with me." Tan Qiutong shook her head, though the irritation on her face was impossible to hide.

Downstairs, a voice interrupted them. "Huh? Lin Xia, why are you drinking with this loser?"

It was Tan Qiutong’s younger brother, Tan Fulun, who had stepped over from a nearby table. He had long harbored feelings for Lin Xia, though she had never returned his interest. Seeing his "goddess" drinking with Xu Qing, his anger flared.

Lin Xia frowned upon seeing him. "Tan Fulun, what business is it of yours who I drink with?"

Tan Fulun scoffed with disdain. "He’s just a loser my sister dumped. Aren't you afraid of lowering your own status by sitting with him?" He gestured to two of his cronies to join him. Looking at Xu Qing, he threatened, "Loser, if you know what's good for you, get out of here right now, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Xu Qing didn't speak. He didn't even glance at Tan Fulun, continuing to sip his drink slowly as if Tan Fulun were invisible. He had never held much affection for his brother-in-law; in his three years with the Tan family, the only one who had truly treated him like family was his sister-in-law, Tan Qiuxin.

"Hey! Brother Lun is talking to you. Are you deaf?" one of the youths shouted aggressively.

"Get lost." Xu Qing looked at Tan Fulun with cold eyes. "Don't push me."

"Hahaha! A loser like you dares to threaten me?" Tan Fulun, dismissing Xu Qing entirely, grabbed his shoulder and sneered, "What if I do push you?"

"Tan Fulun, what are you doing?" Lin Xia exclaimed.

"Lin Xia, this doesn't concern you," Tan Fulun spat, turning back to Xu Qing. "This loser threatened me, and today I’m going to show him the consequences. Beat him up!"

As he spoke, the two youths lunged at Xu Qing. Before Lin Xia could react, two loud thuds echoed through the bar. The two men were sent flying backward, crashing into several tables before coming to a stop. Few people had even seen how they were struck.

"Damn it! You're looking for death!" Realizing Xu Qing had fought back, a furious Tan Fulun swung his hand at Xu Qing’s face.

Xu Qing’s gaze turned icy. He backhanded Tan Fulun across the face.

"Ouch!" Tan Fulun let out a howl, spinning around as half his face instantly swelled up, his expression one of pure disbelief.

"Xu Qing, stop right now!" A sharp cry rang out from the second floor. Tan Qiutong, her face cold as frost, marched toward them in her high heels.

Seeing the furious Tan Qiutong, Lin Xia’s expression changed, and she felt a wave of panic. She hadn't expected to run into her here.

"Qiutong, you..." Lin Xia stammered, feeling like a woman caught in the act of adultery.

"Lin Xia, I never expected you to be so cheap—picking up the 'broken shoe' I threw away. I really overestimated you!" Tan Qiutong looked at Lin Xia with utter contempt, her eyes burning with inexplicable rage. She pulled a half-piece of a jade Guanyin from her neck and threw it at Lin Xia’s feet.

"This was the birthday gift you gave me four years ago. I’m returning it to you now. From this moment on, we have no relationship! And all business partnerships between the Tan family and the Lin family are hereby canceled!"

Seeing the half-piece of jade, Xu Qing’s mind went blank, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Lin Xia, this jade Guanyin... is it yours?" Xu Qing asked, his voice strained as he looked at her.