Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: Who Is Truly Your Best Choice?

The moment she saw him, Jiang Li could no longer hold back her tears.

Lin Xunan glanced at her, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

“Who are you?” Shen Yechu instinctively stepped in front of Jiang Li, watching the newcomer warily.

Lin Xunan picked up his coat from the ground, smiling as he handed over a business card. “An honor.”

Shen Yechu took the card, which prominently displayed the words “Lin Group.” His eyes flickered with complex emotions.

Lin Group was a major enterprise, arguably one of the top in the country.

Because they handled state affairs, they were not only wealthy but wielded immense power.

Normally, someone like this would be valuable to connect with, but at this moment, Shen Yechu wanted nothing more than to send him away.

Still, he straightened his clothes slightly and asked calmly, “President Lin?”

Lin Xunan shook his head. “My father is the president. I’ll only be the president when he steps down.”

Shen Yechu realized then that Lin Xunan was the son and heir to the Lin Group.

This was someone he could not afford to offend.

“May I ask what business the young President Lin has here?”

Lin Xunan stepped closer, patting Shen Yechu’s shoulder with a light laugh. “Don’t be nervous, President Shen. After all, you’re also a rising star in the capital circle.”

That one sentence clearly marked the difference in their statuses.

“I saw Miss Jiang get into your car on the street just now. I probably shouldn’t meddle, but it sounded like she was calling for help?”

He slowly loosened the tie around Jiang Li’s neck, glancing back at Shen Yechu with a warning gaze full of the weight of his authority.

Shen Yechu gritted his teeth and lowered his head. “Young President Lin, you’ve misunderstood. We were just catching up.”

“Oh? Then President Shen, your way of catching up is quite… novel.”

Gently, Lin Xunan helped Jiang Li to her feet and softly asked, “Are you hurt?”

Jiang Li shook her head, tears still glistening on her cheeks, looking painfully fragile.

Lin Xunan draped his brown coat over her shoulders, his expression tender as water. Shen Yechu saw through his intentions — they were both men, after all, merely treading the paths they were accustomed to.

He clenched his teeth and mustering his courage, stopped the two at the doorway. “Young President Lin, Jiang Li is my... ex-wife.”

Lin Xunan chuckled lightly. “Thank you for the reminder. I’ve seen Miss Jiang’s interviews and am aware of your relationship.”

“However, your way of catching up with your ex-wife is rather unusual. Perhaps President Shen prefers this kind of style?”

Shen Yechu tried to pull Jiang Li back, but Lin Xunan clearly wouldn’t let go.

Tension crackled faintly in the air.

Jiang Li tightened her grip on Shen Yechu’s hand and whispered, “Let’s go.”

Lin Xunan’s gaze carried a warning. “I hope President Shen understands the boundaries of being an ‘ex-husband’ and doesn’t overstep.”

With that, he supported Jiang Li and left.

---

Only after getting into the car did Jiang Li truly exhale and relax.

Lin Xunan waited a few minutes, and once he saw her condition improve, he quietly asked, “Home?”

Jiang Li hesitated, then shook her head.

“Take me somewhere for a drink,” she said, her voice heavy with fatigue.

Lin Xunan didn’t press further. The car smoothly glided through the streets.

It was past midnight; many shops had closed, but C City’s nightlife was vibrant, with another round of festivities just beginning.

Jiang Li expected Lin Xunan to take her to a bar since she wanted a few drinks to lift her spirits.

Instead, he stopped at a café.

When Jiang Li stared at him, wide-eyed, he chuckled softly and ruffled her hair fondly. “You’re not feeling well now; alcohol isn’t good for you.”

Inside the café, the owner obviously recognized Lin Xunan.

He joked, “Girlfriend?”

Lin Xunan casually grabbed a coaster and tossed it at him. “Cut the nonsense. Bring a glass of milk.”

The owner smiled and quieted down. Moments later, a steaming glass of milk was placed before Jiang Li.

She smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” The owner, familiar and friendly, sat beside Lin Xunan, nudging him with his elbow. “A drink for you too?”

“No, I’m driving.”

The owner shrugged and turned to Jiang Li. “Nice to meet you. I’m his friend, Fu Ming.”

Jiang Li politely greeted him, “Hello, Mr. Fu. I’m Jiang Li.”

Fu Ming gasped exaggeratedly. “Ah, so you’re the Jiang Li!”

“Hey.” Lin Xunan shot him a glance, and Fu Ming made a zipping motion across his mouth, then saluted Jiang Li before returning behind the counter.

Jiang Li looked at Lin Xunan, puzzled.

Rarely embarrassed, Lin Xunan raised his brow and avoided her gaze. “I mentioned your name to them before.”

Jiang Li instantly understood his meaning and felt a bit uneasy.

Lin Xunan lifted his chin. “Drink up. It’ll get cold otherwise.”

Jiang Li was grateful—twice he appeared at her lowest moments and never pried.

He was a genuinely good man. But what he wanted... she couldn’t give right now.

“Lin Xunan,” she began, but he interrupted her.

“Drink first. I’ll take you home afterwards.”

Jiang Li hesitated, conflicted. It wouldn’t be fair to him if she didn’t make things clear.

“I know,” Lin Xunan said, playing with a small sugar cube box in his hands.

“Miss Jiang isn’t in the mood for romance right now. Your real goal is the Ninth Dan.”

---

Jiang Li’s face flushed instantly. How could he joke about such a thing?

“You’re not joking. You really see the Ninth Dan as your target. I understand.”

He looked at her with a trace of regret, but no sorrow.

“Miss Jiang, you might not know, but after you won the championship, many in our circle have been trying to find out more about you.”

“Why would they want to know about me?”

Lin Xunan leaned on the table, getting closer. “You should know why Shen Yechu rose so quickly, right?”

When she heard that name, a faint furrow appeared between her brows. “Because of my little ‘reputation’?”

“Heh, it’s no small thing.” Lin Xunan pulled out his phone, opened Baidu Encyclopedia, and placed it in front of her.

“Jiang Li, a nationally ranked Sixth Dan professional female player, is the strongest young female player ranked third in our country’s women’s group.”

“She has won four women’s championships in Japan and South Korea and is the most promising contender to become the country’s second female Ninth Dan.”

This was Jiang Li’s first time seeing her own Baidu page. Embarrassed, she pushed the phone away. “It’s not as exaggerated as it sounds.”

Lin Xunan smiled and took back the phone. “Whether or not you reach the Ninth Dan, this kind of fame is a huge asset for most business enterprises.”

“No matter how strong a private company is, it can never equal national honor.”

Jiang Li finally understood somewhat.

Those wealthy families, with their money and some power, wanted national-level honors to elevate their social status dramatically.

But Jiang Li had already paid the price for such fame once and would never do so again.

She instinctively looked at Lin Xunan with caution. He understood her meaning immediately.

But Lin Xunan didn’t mind. “Our family doesn’t need those extra honors.”

He raised his brow and whispered, “The Lin family works for the country.”

Jiang Li instantly understood Shen Yechu’s shock and struggle when he saw the card earlier. The Lin family’s background was formidable—no newly risen “President Shen” could contend with them.

She lowered her head apologetically. “Sorry, I was being petty.”

Lin Xunan shook his head. “It’s good to be cautious. Not just with me, but I hope Miss Jiang remains vigilant with everyone who approaches you in the future.”

Back at home, Jiang Li felt much more relaxed, even from that glass of milk.

She took out her phone and, after a long time, sent a message to Shen Yechu:

“Shen Yechu, we are divorced. There will be no more possibilities between us. I hope you stay away from me and my family so things don’t become too ugly.”

She put down her phone and finally let go of her fears and anxieties, taking a comforting hot shower.

On the other end, Shen Yechu’s eyes were bloodshot. He threw his phone violently against the wall, madness flickering across his face once more.

“Jiang Li, I will make you see who is truly the best choice for you.”